In Good Days Bad Days, Charlie McFadden returns home after 31 years of estrangement from her parents. Her mother's OCD and hoarding, and her father's enabling, forced her to cut them out of her life. But when she returns to help her father clear the house, she learns secrets about her parents that change the way she sees them, helps her understand her mother's illness, and forces her to rethink the broken relationships with her family.

I thought this book was well done. The story is told in dual timelines, and the author does a really good job of holding the reader's attention in both timelines. I especially loved the story of Betty and Greg. I thought the characters, especially those from the historical story, were well developed and relatable.

I don't have any major complaints about the book. There were some parts that did drag, some parts that could have been better developed, and some parts that probably could have been left out altogether. Overall, it was a quick read that I enjoyed.

3.5​⭐s rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced copy. The book is scheduled to be published on October 7, 2025.

Emily Bleeker delivers another emotionally resonant and beautifully layered novel in Good Days and Bad Days. With her signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and suspenseful pacing, she captures the complexity of grief, healing, and the power of second chances. The characters feel authentic—flawed yet deeply relatable—and their journeys tug at the heart without feeling overly sentimental. Bleeker excels at weaving past and present, unraveling secrets just enough to keep you turning the pages. This is a story about resilience, love, and what it means to move forward after life takes an unexpected turn. A deeply moving read that stays with you long after the final page.

After being removed from her home by child protective services at the age of 15 and placed into foster care, Charlie McFadden believes she has taken control of her life. However, in reality, things are beginning to spiral.

When a call from her estranged father asks her to come home to say goodbye to her mother and help him with their family house, Charlie runs to her hometown to escape her problems. She soon begins to realize that perhaps her own childhood trauma and family secrets are having more impact on her adult life than she thought.

The story unfolds through dual timelines, alternating between the present day, where Betty resides in a dementia ward, and the late 1960s and early 1970s, when her parents first met. These flashbacks reveal a completely different Betty compared to the woman Charlie remembers.
The author’s depiction of dementia and OCD/hoarding compulsion is well-researched. I found the early storyline about Betty and Greg compelling, forming Betty into a likable and well-developed character that I rooted for. Where I struggled with the book was the present-day Charlie, who often came across as grating and shallow, with superficial relationships. At times, I found myself eager to return to the 1970s chapters, delving into Betty and Greg’s backstory and uncovering their secrets.

In the end, the narrative ties together as long-hidden truths are revealed, leading to a sense of relative happiness and resolution. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC for review.

This was not my favorite Emily Bleeker book. I felt like it was a little bit choppy, the flashbacks especially felt like they were written in a different rhythm than the current era chapters. I also didn't get connected to the whole Ian side story line. It felt like it needed more. But maybe I am just spoiled by her previous two books which I absolutely loved!

This is a story line that I am willing to bet many people can relate to. As you learn about Greg, Betty, Lottie/Charllotte, you will learn a number of things about the characters and will follow the twists and turns and there are even a few suprises in store!

I received a copy for review. All opinions are my own. I absolutely loved this book. The past and present timeline was so helpful to understand the plot. This book is very relatable for me and does a great job of putting you in the main characters shoes. At times it made me smirk and at others it made me frown. Definitely a worthy read!

Emily Bleeker’s *Good Days Bad Days* is a deep dive into family struggles, memories, and the process of healing. The story centers around Charlie McFadden, who seems to have it all together as a wife, mother, and reality TV star, far removed from the chaos of her childhood. After being taken away from her parents’ messy home when she was fifteen, Charlie has always felt unwanted and emotionally abandoned by her mom, Betty, and her dad.

The real emotional weight kicks in when Charlie is pulled back into her past after her dad asks her to visit her ailing mom in a memory care facility. This isn’t just another trip down memory lane; it’s a chance for her to rediscover everything she thought she left behind. Betty, now battling dementia, swings between hurtful comments and rare moments of warmth, giving Charlie glimpses of a loving mother she never truly knew. These moments not only reveal deeper family secrets but also add layers to the story.

Bleeker really captures how memories can be both a struggle and a lifeline. The book steers clear of clichés and goes for a more honest approach. *Good Days Bad Days* doesn’t wrap things up neatly with forgiveness or closure but offers something more genuine: a real look at coming to terms with the past. Fans of family dramas like those by Jodi Picoult or Kristin Hannah will find a lot to appreciate in this moving novel.

This beautifully told story moves between past and present, piecing together the fractured relationship between Charlie and her estranged parents. As Charlie returns home after decades to say goodbye to her mother, now in a memory care unit, she’s pulled into a journey of rediscovery, painful truths, and moments of unexpected love.

The depiction of her mother’s dementia, along with the long-standing obsessive-compulsive behaviors that led to extreme hoarding, was incredibly well done. It’s easily a 5 star read!

Good Days Bad Days had an good story that kept me interested. There were more layers to it than I expected when it started. I got a little frustrated with some of the choices that Charlie made (why does there always have to be a hometown love interest?). So I think I preferred the 1969 story a little more. Thank you NetGalley for this ARc.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. I always enjoy this author’s books and this one was no different. She digs in about real subjects and writes with heart.

I enjoyed reading this book. The flipping between story lines does not distract from the narrative. The characters are likeable and well written. I would recommend this book to my friends.

In Good Days, Bad Days, Charlie McFadden’s life is shaped by a traumatic childhood experience. At 15 years of age, she was removed from the family home due to it being an unsafe environment with hoarded objects. While her father promised her to get it worked out, Charlie was never able to return to the family home, as it was never remedied. Since that time, Charlie has not had contact with her mother and father. The story takes a turn when Charlie’s father reaches out to her, asking her to visit her ailing mother, Betty in a memory care facility.

This narrative successfully shifts between the past and the present, engaging you in Charlie’s journey. The dual timelines allow insights into Betty’s life and the circumstances that led to her mental decline and hoarding behaviors. As Charlie navigates her painful feelings, her childhood, and her feeling of abandonment by the people that are supposed to love you- it fosters a deep connection with you, the reader, because you feel terrible for Charlie. The themes of forgiveness and healing are presented in this story. This novel is a poignant exploration of family estrangement and the complexities of mental illness, love, dementia, and resilience. This narrative encourages you to confront your own past, and consider the potential for reconciling with your own family/friends before it is too late.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

I absolutely loved this book and devoured it in one sitting. I loved how the chapters alternated between past and present and it was such an emotional story that kept you guessing how it was going to be concluded. Tissues needed!

This book was impressive. It was sad, it was happy, it showed that you don't always know the whole story so you shouldn't judge. It's never to late to get the whole story and leaves hope that maybe one can rediscover their past.

I absolutely loved this book. I like how it was written in two separate times, and I didn't feel like either past or present was missing anything from the storyline, as many books do. I've read two books by Emily Bleeker, this being the second book, and I will always recommend her writing to my fellow book reading friends and followers.

I like how at first Betty is described as harsh and unruly, but truthfully she had reasons for most of the way she acted. It's intriguing of me because in today's world, that's uncommon. I didn't agree with most of her reasons, either, but it made sense & was very well written.

Emily Bleeker's Good Days Bad Days is a poignant and relatable exploration of life's ups and downs. With humor and vulnerability, Bleeker shares personal anecdotes and reflections, offering a genuine and supportive voice. The book's accessible wisdom and practical advice make it a valuable resource for navigating everyday challenges. Bleeker's writing is engaging, and her insights are both comforting and empowering. This book is perfect for anyone seeking a fresh perspective on managing stress, building resilience, and finding joy in the midst of chaos. A heartfelt and uplifting read that will resonate with readers. Its warmth is comforting.

This was so well done as it truly depicted a woman with both dementia and obsessive- compulsive behavior that manifested itself years before with extreme hoarding. It eventually leads to social service removing her daughter Charlie from the home.

OH- but there is so much more! There is a whole past lifetime for Charlie's estranged mother and her Dad that she wants to understand especially after receiving a call for help from her father.. Charlie distanced herself from them when she was young and was sent into the foster system.

This is emotional, heart-breaking and so on point when a loved one has this dreaded disease and some history that has never been resolved.
The tendency to go back into the deep past is a true fact and one which often creates a lot of pain for the person and the family members.

I truly enjoyed this intense, sentimental journey of this family. I encourage anyone to sit and read this novel of family. It is good!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Lake Union Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When Charlie McFadden was fifteen, CPS removed her from a hoarder’s home where her mother, Betty, prioritized junk, and her father, Greg, sided with Betty—leaving Charlie feeling abandoned.

Thirty-one years later, Charlie is a successful reality TV host, married with kids, and proud of what she’s built without them—until Greg asks her to visit her mother, now in a memory care facility. Betty, who was never able to be the mother Charlie needed, now drifts between sharp resentment and confused memories of being a kind, devoted mom.

As Charlie reconnects with the woman who failed her, she uncovers a long-buried secret that changes everything. Bleeker tells a straightforward, honest story about family estrangement, long-held resentment, and confronting the past. She keeps the reader engaged as the story shifts between the past and the present, with Charlie and Greg narrating.

This hit close to home for me, especially with a grandmother going through memory issues similar to Betty’s—experiences I have painfully lived through. Good Days Bad Days shows how understanding the past can lead to healing and new beginnings.

Good Days Bad Days by Emily Bleeker, published by Lake Union Publishing, is a story that stays with me. Jumping from past to present and back, telling the story of Charlie and her estranged family.
A trip down memory lane, excellently written, intiguing, beautifully told, an emotional read that deserves all the stars.

Oh my goodness, this book will fill you up with all the feelings. It is sad but hopeful. It's a deep look into forgiveness and family relationships. There is drama and mystery. Bleeker has crafted a memorable reading experience. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.