A new book by the fantastic Elizabeth Noble is always a cause for celebration, and this one was no different!
Charlie’s plan to get his extended family together for a holiday was an ambitious one, would it be a success or a disaster?
This is a delightful story, well written and full of optimism. I really enjoyed it!

It starts off with Charlie looking at suitable properties for his entire family to get together for his 80th birthday. Coincidentally I was busy looking for a similar property for our family to get together, as Mum’s planned 70th birthday weekend away has been thwarted by coronavirus – so we were back to the drawing board for options for Easter 2021!

Each chapter is told from a different point of view – Charlie, or one of his 3 children. Each of them is very different – and all going through their own trials and tribulations.

Laura has just split up from her husband and getting used to life as a single Mum to a teenage son, Nick is recently widowed with 3 small children. and Scott is recently married with 2 new teenage step daughters. So lots going on for all of them – as is the case in most families I guess?

The first few chapters set the scene for each element of the family before they all get together for the holiday.

There are lots of secrets between the different family members – and it doesn’t feel like they’re a close family at all – but these unravel during the 10 days and the old bonds reform – and new ones are made.

The stories all develop – but also intertwine – in a clever way (which I remember the author being brilliant at in her previous book too), always coming back to the house.

Daphne – Charlie’s wife and the matriarch – has passed away a few years ago, and you really miss her presence – as clearly the family do too. The star of the book, for me, was Heather – Scott’s new American wife. Initially I thought she was going to be the shallow, annoying, Instagram obsessed, gold digger – but actually, she was the person who drew the family together – and ended up my favourite character.

I thought the teenager storylines were written well – both their interactions with each other and with older family members – perhaps having a couple of them myself made me appreciate the accuracy of the characterisations.

I really like the ending – which was a few months down the line, and updated you on what everyone had got up to post holiday. That was great – as nosy me always wants to see what has happened after the main storyline has finished.

Overall it’s a really ‘nice’ book. Inoffensive, easy to read, nice and gentle to read when the world is feeling anything but nice and gentle – but it didn’t set the world on fire. I enjoyed it – but it didn’t blow me away. But thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

What a lovely book. A real heart-warming read which made me reflect on love, life and the importance of family.
I felt the characters were relatable, the story progressed at a good pace to keep me turning the pages and the writing and poignant moments were beautiful.
The book contains humour, warmth and was an emotionally satisfying read. I rated it 4⭐️ and would recommend it as a great book for your own summer holiday.

A wonderful story of strengthening family bonds, healing and a father's love for his children. This book had me laughing, crying and nodding along as I saw parts of myself in among the characters. A stunning read from a fantastic author.

I have always Elizabeth Noble books so fab to find a new one. Read in one night , loved it. A story of sadness with sibblings losing their way. I the way Fran helped Nic, I was so glad it did not have a cliche ending with them. I was pleased how the father got them all together. It was a brilliant story

A meandering yet sweet book that takes life’s ups and downs. It brings together a family of three siblings on their dad’s 80th birthday... each with their own respective challenges.

Sudden death, loss of a parent, marriage, step-parenting, divorce, infidelity, teenage mishaps - it covers them all. But in a pleasant, gentle manner that is the hallmark of this author’s writing.

An interesting book full of incidents and experiences that are realistic and relevant to everyday lives. Makes you wonder how you might have handled the same scenarios.

4*, an easy read

Absolutely fantastic read. I have really enjoyed this book. Highly deserving of five stars and honestly cannot wait to read more by this author.

I really enjoyed this book. A nice easy read for a long summer day. The book is a feel good, heartwarming family story that explores all the heartache and joy that families go through. The setting is amazing and has me wanting to book a big lodge to take my own tribe to!

This book bored me.

Some old bloke is about to turn 80 and feels that he and the rest of his family are not as close as they used to be - when his wife and their mother was alive.
So he books a luxurious getaway to the Cotswolds for all of them to spend 10 days getting to relax, get to know each other again and to celebrate Charlie's 80th.

The family comes together. The people that we expect to be shallow, aren't. The woman whose husband has just left her, finds something to make her smile. The recently widowed man, left with 3 small children realises that he might have to ask for help.

Very predictable.

This was a delightful story of family life. All the ups and downs, agreements and disagreements, problems and solutions. All were present during their holiday but underlying love and understanding made it a holiday to remember. Loved it!

The Family Holiday by Elizabeth Noble a charming four-star read. This is an emotional and profound read, but I did find that it could have had a few chunks cut out and It would have made a better story. But overall, I did enjoy this one, there was drama a plenty to keep you hooked, and family drama is always one that just brings all the emotions for me. I really enjoyed how all of the family members had a part to play and they all brought something to the story in different ways, Daphne in particular just made the story sparkle. I enjoyed what happened before the holiday, during the holiday and also what happened after, this is a charming read that lots will enjoy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. How this bought back memories of m family holidays. Great read, good storyline and very likeable characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this gentle read, thoroughly uplifting and just what we need in these trying virus times. Plenty of drama but in a day-to-day relatable fashion without unnecessary dramatics. An everyday family come together for a celebration after several years, each member rather reticent about a family holiday as they each have their own issues and problems. Delightful characters across the generations, full of love but like all families with humour, tears and falling out. Wonderfully written and so identifiable to most of us.

Anyone who has had a family holiday or large gathering will recognize the similarities in this story. A perfect summer holiday read following the story of a soon to be 80-yr old and his endeavors to bring his family together for a paid-for holiday to celebrate his birthday. Brilliantly written and very enjoyable.

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and a feel good novel.

Charlie and his family have all had a tough time and as he approaches his 80th birthday he arranges a holiday to help them find their family links.

The author vividly describes the People and the settings in the book, drawing the reader in. Just lovely.

Charlie is about to turn 80 and wants his whole family with him for a holiday. His three children and their respective partners and children never get together as often as they should. Charlie's wife would have made sure they saw each other more before she passed away.
Each of the children have very different lives, Nick is a recent widower, Laura is recently separated and Scott has a ready made family. Will the holiday prove to be everything Charlie wants it to be?
This is a very easy read that has been well written. There are lots of characters but each are plotted well.

A sincere thank you to the publisher, author and Netgalley for providing me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is not my usual genre, I’m more into crime/thriller books and even psychological thrillers too so I am extremely pleased and grateful to them for opening up my mind to something totally different.

I enjoyed this very much. 4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Such a lovely book, with likeable and relatable characters.

It follows the story of Charlie, who has booked a country house for ten days to celebrate his 80th birthday. He’s invited his three children and their families to join him.

Everyone on the holiday has issues to deal with and in the course of the ten days they get comfort from being among their closest family.

An enjoyable read.
The story is beautifully crafted and find yourself going through all the emotions with the characters..

Elizabeth Noble writes character-driven family stories in a similar style to Anne Tyler's novels, with not much in the way of exiting plot, but with lots of homespun wisdom and emotional insight. The actual family holiday of the title doesn't get going until well over a quarter of the novel as we learn the back stories of each family member, which makes their ensuing interactions rather predictable - though none the less convincingly portrayed. It is the sort of traditional, undemanding novel usually described as 'heartwarming', which would usually put me off, but it would suit anyone looking for an ultimately rewarding read which won't over-challenge their comfort zone in these difficult times

I’ve read other books by the author and I’ve enjoyed them in the past. Noble doesn’t really write in the genre’s I prefer (crime, horror, dystopian etc) but every now and again I like to shine a little light into the darkness. I do have a soft spot for family dramas. I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with the Chamberlain family with all their delightfully human issues and foibles. The stand out thing about this book are the characters. They are spot on. They are well developed, and I felt like they were real people. I got invested in them which makes a big difference when you’re reading a book. The book is light as well and funny but has its darker, sad moments. This is the perfect family saga. I loved it.