I'm not sure what to make of this. Also not sure what category to put it in. It wasn't a thriller which is what I was expecting, but it's also not really contemporary fiction.

The storyline was good but there were many characters to keep track of. The first half was very good, but the seconds dragged a bit.

Anybody (all of us?) who have a dysfunctional family will definitely relate to at least one character. The mother was annoying but I think that's because she reminded me very much of my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
The blurb includes the word 'hilarious' in the description of this book - there are only a few bits of dialogue that fit this description. That said, I thought the characters were well-drawn and credible. The tale included plotlines for each person in the family that showed how people hide relationship difficulties, and this was completely engaging. I was absorbed from start to finish, not knowing if the ending would bring more sadness or a hope for a better future for each section of the family.

A captivating psychological thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters are complex, and the tension builds gradually, making it hard to put down. While the plot is gripping and well-executed, some twists were a little predictable, but it still delivered an intriguing experience.

An enjoyable family domestic drama about dysfunctional family. I really enjoyed this book. This would make a great tv drama.

Sarah Stovell's "Every Happy Family" is a gripping and intimate portrayal of a family in crisis. The novel explores the lives of the Hughes family—Julia, Ben, and their children—as they navigate secrets, betrayals, and the fragile bonds that hold them together.

Stovell's narrative is deeply atmospheric, drawing readers into the complexities of each character's perspective and the tensions simmering beneath the surface. The prose is evocative and suspenseful, revealing layers of emotional turmoil and hidden truths.

"Every Happy Family" excels in its exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the consequences of past decisions. Stovell's storytelling is both compassionate and unflinching, offering a profound examination of the intricacies of family relationships.

Overall, "Every Happy Family" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that captivates with its raw emotion and nuanced portrayal of familial dynamics. It's a must-read for fans of literary fiction that delves into the complexities of human behavior and the search for identity and connection.

I really didn't connect with this book at all. A disappointing, dysfunctional read. Don't think I'd try this author again.

What better time to have a dysfunctional family reunion than at Christmas?

Minnie and Bert are excited to have their three children and their grandchildren under the same roof for the first time in over a decade. But what they didn't bargain for was the digging up and revisiting of old secrets and resentments. Its what happens with siblings, right?

Told from multiple POVs, by relatable and likeable characters who all have something 5o add to the story.

Whilst it was a decent tale of family drama, it didn't overly hold my interest the way I was hoping.

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC.

This is a domestic drama. It is a slow burn but you find yourself becoming invested in the characters lives. It is very well written. The characterisation is excellent.

With Sarah Stovell, I know I am going to get a great read involving a family domestic drama. She has an astute eye when it comes to picking up the small family details. This story is told from both the past 1995 and present day. The reader also benefits from different narrators offering varying perspectives on the family dynamics.

Her writing features relationships which on the surface could appear exaggerated, however the more you read, the closer you can relate to their issues.

Minnie is delighted to have her brood home for a family Christmas, the first time in a decade. As with most families, there are a variety of characters and family secrets, a delicious mix. Spending time as a family holds the promise of revisiting and making memories but also those subjects you’d rather avoid. The skeletons in the cupboard make for interesting theorising and there were moments when I thought I’d got it sorted, only to be proved wrong. I really enjoyed following the events of Christmas and finally seeing the resolution.

The characters are developed so well that I felt I knew and cared for them all. This is a slow-burn, warm, relatable story of a family, who above all love each other and also have an instinct to survive.

Every Happy Family is an entertaining family drama as a family come together to spend Christmas together for the first time in years. But the hoped for perfect Christmas doesn't go quite as planned and we learn that this is a family who has been through a lot and there are a few too many unresolved issues lingering over them all. Stovell successfully balances some serious issues - domestic abuse, alcoholism, teenage pregnancy - with a sprinkling of humour and with strong characterisation ensuring you can't help but warm to this complicated family, this is an engaging and entertaining read.

What an amazing story. Especially at this time of year! A family at Christmas with their own baggage? Sign me up.

Thank you to NetGalley for the early release copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

For more book reviews, please see my Instagram @blondesbooknook

An enjoyable Christmas read about an untypical dysfunctional family.

It's written from the perspective of many of the characters and I found Lizzie to have the most wonderful sense of humour, especially from her internal monologue. The other characters are very likeable, and while they are not a typical family on the surface, underneath they are the same as any other family who like to brush their family secrets under the carpet. 4⭐️

What a family drama, what a plot! The chapters were mainly short and enthralling. I couldn’t wait to switch back between timelines to watch the story unfold. Families are dysfunctional and this book had something for everyone.

I wanted to rate this book higher and do feel like it fell a little flat at the end maybe that’s because there is another book in the planning in which case I would have definitely rated another star. I will definitely pick up the sequel to this if there is one.

Thank you to @netgalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed this book we can all relate to it as families have dramas of some kind. Quite addictive read as your left curious as to what the outcome will be.

Minnie is happy that her whole family will be together for Christmas for the first time in forever. But has moody Owen finally forgiven her, and how will he get on with sister Lizzie and her spiritual partner Tamsin, as well as baby of the family Jess, with her wife Anna and newborn baby? With old secrets being revealed and relationships tested, this will be a Christmas to remember!

Every Happy Family is a fun tale about a dysfunctional family trying to get along together without dredging up the issues of the past. Each chapter comes at the story from a different perspective as the characters try to navigate their ways through the holiday. Of all of them, I found Lizzie most annoying, which may well have been the intention, with her drinking mulled wine to lose weight, and the whole spiritual angle, but it’s still an entertaining story.

A great, fun read to keep you amused.

I loved Sarah Stovell's book Other Parents, so it was a no-brainer to request this one.
And it didn't disappoint! Far from it.
I thought I knew where this book was heading - thought I'd worked the plot out. I hadn't! Love it when a novel surprises me.
The blurb describes it as a 'hilarious drama about family secrets' - have to say, I don't think that's particularly accurate. In a book description, the word 'hilarious' makes me think of rom-coms etc. This book is more 'wry smile' than 'laugh out loud'. I enjoyed the family dynamics, the different relationships, rather than the humour of it, but I did enjoy it a lot and will be the first in the queue for the next Sarah Stovell novel.

British family comedy writing at it's best. I could totally imagine Every Happy Family being made into a TV comedy drama, with it's setting and it's characters, the gritty subject matters and the reality of a flawed and dysfunctional but likeable family. Both the flashbacks to the 1990s and the contemporaneous setting were well written and believable. There were enough reveals to keep me guessing but no attempt to have twists for the sake of it. It was believable and felt 'real'.
I was lucky enough to read an early copy and have no hesitation in recommending this lovely book. It would be good for book clubs, for a rainy weekend, or if, like me, you are on a beach.
I fully intend to take up Lizzie's tip for using cinnamon to lose weight next Christmas - pass the mulled wine!

I really enjoyed reading Every Happy Family by Sarah Stovell. Thank you to HQ publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The story jumps back and forth between the past and present day. It is about a family who have been reunited for the holiday season. We are introduced to each character in present day with their back story being filled in during the past sections, explaining why they are the way that they are and why they have the relationships that they have with each other.
There is an element of mystery surrounding Nora, an old friend of the family and an ex love. Her story is quite heart breaking but well worth reading. This was my first experience of Sarah Stovell and I look forward to reading more of her books.

a very funny read with lots of family drama. I recommend for a light hearted book. it made me laugh and cry.

I enjoyed this a lot. There’s nothing as entertaining as a solid family drama, with the character interaction and the secrets lingering in the background of their lives. One of those that I wanted to finish but didn’t want to finish! Not my first Sarah Stovell novel and I’ll be watching avidly for the next!