Every Happy Family

What a cracking story.

I so enjoyed this. It’s the story of a family Christmas, with all of the family members arriving with their own baggage and stories to share.

We focus on Owen, the oldest child who lives in Australia, and his childhood love Nora, who is back in town following the death of her father. Minnie, Owen’s mum recalls their relationship, as does his younger sister Lizzie.

We follow the stories of the past and understand how they have shaped the lives of the people we see today.

It’s quietly brilliant. So powerful, Such an emotional story - I absolutely loved it. My only complaint is that i didn’t want to leave them all…

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for a preview copy.

I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't stop reading it as I needed to know what had happened in the past - what was the 'thing' that had come between the family? Really well written with some laugh out loud moments thrown in too. An absolute must read if you like some family drama (that's not your own!) to get lost in.

What a fabulous family drama this was. I really enoyed this superb, funny, heart wrenching read. It read so easily and I just couldn't put it down. Told via a dual timeline of past and present, this book took us on a family argument that had traumatic consequeneces after the fallout of a decision made years before. I've not read anything by this author but I certainly will now. I laughed out loud so much during this book, from the get go! I also was immensley sad during certain parts too. It truly was a brilliant. The characters were fantastically flawed but also funny and realistic. I loved that the theme was a meet up for a family Christmas dinner but that it wasn't the entire focus.

Will definately be picking up more by this author.

A beautifully written ramble of a family saga. Bittersweet, sad, and often funny this is a really enjoyable novel about a family and their dynamics and difficulties over the years. The characters were well-developed and the plot engaging and so well thought through. highly recommend.

I loved this well-written family drama! It held my attention throughout and I became invested in the characters. The past and present chapters were equally compelling and there’s a secret to discover which kept me turning the pages. There are three generations of family here, with lots of different issues, and I couldn’t decide who I liked the most. I kept changing my mind. All the characters are sympathetic and believable. Although the novel deals with serious subjects, it has a lovely light humour running through it. Such an enjoyable read! I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters when the book reached its very strong ending.

Stovell has done it again! After the triumph that was Other Parents (which I adored) I was a little nervous to read Every Happy Family, but I was a fool to worry. Every Happy Family is equally stunning, if not better in my opinion, then again, getting me to pick a favourite book is essentially asking what the last book I read was.

I'm struggling to put into words how much I enjoyed Every Happy Family, but I hope I've done it justice.

I am absolutely blown away at how such a simple subject, one family, can have such hidden depths and dramas.
This tale pulls no punches, unafraid to get stuck in and confront the harder topics such as alcoholism, domestic abuse, teenage pregnancy and (accidental) drug overdose just to name a few.

Every character has their place with no filler or unnecessary page filling, plus I found each and every character and interaction felt genuine and believable. I just about remember what being a teenager in love felt like, I was particularly impressed at how the intensity and all consuming nature was perfectly captured between Nora and Owen.

To do so much with such a tight cast of characters, without repetition or falling into tired patterns is a real triumph.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Well-written, with believable and likeable characters, it is a real picture of family life with all its ups and downs. It even made me feel better about my own family! I would definitely recommend this book.

Utterly delighted to get a chance to read this domestic drama/satire by this talented author! Nothing is quite as much fun to read about as a good old dysfunctional family!