A free copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Place for Us is a story split into 4 parts (and serialised as such). It's the story of Martha and David who invite all of their children and grandchildren home to their house, Winterfold, for Martha's 80th birthday where she is planning on making a revelation to share a secret that she and David have kept from their children and grandchildren.
I read this story as 4 separate parts in the style of the serialization and while I did quite like the ending of the story, the initial three-quarters of the book I found hard to get into and a bit here, there and everywhere. Evans has chosen to tell this story through nearly every member of the extended family (although strangely Joe the local cook gets a POV, while Bill the eldest son doesn't), and it means that while you get an insight into the different characters in this family drama, it doesn't ever feel like you've gone beyond surface level. It wasn't until the final part of the story that I even started liking and rooting for any of the characters (Florence ended up being my favourite), as everyone else seemed very preoccupied with their own selves which was actually not that engaging to read. The central mystery of the story - what happened to middle child Daisy - was revealed pretty early on in the book, but as she wasn't a pleasant character to read or read about, I felt like any sympathy for her, or for Martha who spent all of her time apologising for her or ignoring her terrible behaviour, was rather shortcoming. The bit of romance that was in the story, seemed shoehorned in at the end and felt like it was just written so that the family got a reasonably happy ending with no work.
A disjointed story that only picks up in the last quarter. 2.5 stars.

I loved this! It was a bit like if David Lynch had written a family drama set in an English country house. Perfectly idyllic family, but secrets, skeletons, and unsaid things just lurking beneath. Fabulous characters, each one had their own fascinating story, lush and beautiful setting, and an immersive plot that just won't let you go. Who could ask for more?

A very quick to finish of the "A Place for Us quadrilogy" - this is a fun little set of books telling a sweet, if predictable story in which a family's secrets are revealed. The characters are generally all quite lovely except one who appears to be inexplicably unlikeable and, I am sure you can guess without reading it that it all comes together nicely at the end.

I cannot understand why this was written in four parts - I don't think it added in any way to the story and just seems to be some sort of device to make the reader have to buy more books which I think is rather disrespectful.

It wasn't my favourite by any means but it was very easy reading and only took a few days to get through the final three. I wouldn't look for another one by this author, but I might read one on holiday if it was left at the airport!