A well told story about the relationship between family members, both parent/child and siblings. Good characters and a well told plot which covered a lot of the usual domestic issues. I was disappointed at then ending which came very suddenly and left a lot of unanswered questions.

I really enjoyed this book. The family dynamics shaken by an event many years ago and the need to keep up appearances.

The reunion of a family after 10 years apart is the setting for this family drama. All the issues that you could imagine and more surface in this book. Some sensitive topics are sympathetically covered in this novel. Totally relatable.

General Thoughts 🤔

I was really looking forward to getting to this book and I wish that I wasn’t so behind on my ARCs and therefore could have gotten to it quicker. I really enjoy a family drama book and wow was this family leaking drama from its pores. There were secrets on top of secrets that inevitably all came spilling out at the end, but what I found most interesting was each of the character’s reactions and how they dealt with their broken relationships with one another.

Characters 👫👭👬

All of the family members in this story managed to pull on my heart strings at some point along the way. The secrets they were carrying were far bigger than “I stole my sisters favourite top and ruined it” and I found it completely understandable that some of the characters were reluctant to engage in the family get together.

Owen broke my heart in two. He had been through so much at such a young age and I don’t think that anyone would hold his decision to escape his family and home town against him. I think he had to do it for his own mental health and for the chance to have a functional and stable adulthood. I thought that he was extremely brave to go back home and how the story ended for him had me so upset.

I think the character that I admired the most was Lizzie. She had zero effs to give about what anyone thought about her, but saved all of those effs for caring and protecting those that were close to her. She was young when the family went through turmoil, but I thought that she handled it all very maturely. In her adult life, she had been through trauma but still managed to hold it all together for the sake of her daughter and I massively commend her for that.

Writing Style ✍️

This is the second Sarah Stovell book that I’ve read (see my review of Other Parents here) and I loved it just as much as the first. The book was filled with just as much drama but it was more focused on a smaller pool of characters. Personally, I found that it increased the intensity of the experience and I really enjoyed getting close to this family.

The multiple POVs of course thrilled me, my favourite kind of story to read. I liked that we got to hear the perspective of every family member at least once and the insight that gave to the family dynamic and how they each interpreted events slightly differently.

Conclusion & Scoring 🎖

This was a domestic drama that was perfectly paced, had a fantastic plot line and had me hanging off every word. There was a character in there for everyone; such a wide spread of personalities within one family. Everything about this book was a warm reminder to me that every single family is dysfunctional, they all have their problems and there is no such thing as normal. If you’re looking for a book to binge that is full of emotional ups and downs then I highly recommend Every Happy Family.

This was a very sad story in ma.ny ways but also with lighter moments. Families are complicated untis and it dosn't take much to upset the apple cart. Ienjoyed reading the story, Eventually when everyone started talking to each other the future looked more optimistic.. Nice conclusion.

I really enjoyed this book! I love reading thrillers about dysfunctional families and this one hit the nail on the head! Would definitely recommend.

The book is a family drama with well written characters and a plot that flows well. The family are going to be spending Christmas together and it’s the first time in many years they will all be under the one roof. My curiosity was peaked and I needed to find out what happened in the past to cause such upset. The story is a mix of present day and flashbacks. I enjoyed the book and will be looking out for more from this author. Thank you #netgalley

A story about a somewhat dysfunctional family, most who have experienced troubled and upsetting times in their past are all coming back home to spend Christmas day together. The mother just wants one 'perfect' day as they have not all been together as a family for some time, but tensions are present as on top of the estranged son/brother coming home from Australia with his daughter his old girlfriend is back home too as she deals with the house of her farther following his recent death.
As the story moves back and forth in time, and we learn of each of the characters past, we find out that there has been a lot left unsaid between this family... and I mean ALOT!
The death of their farther, the way the mother handled a situation many years ago, the previous relationship of one of the daughters, and the unanswered questions the youngest daughter has, are all simmering in the background as this family comes together.
It took me a little while to get into this book, and to engage with the characters, but something seemed to click and from then on I was thoroughly engaged. My understanding of the mother character's behaviour wasn't always positive, but as I got further into the book the story took me away from this and I found it an interesting read. There are sad and serious topics in this book, but the characters, partially of the adult female children gave it a touch of humour and lightness.

Every Happy Family by Sarah Stovell

‘All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in it’s own way’. Anna Karenina Leo Tolstoy

I’ve been wanting to try a Sarah Stovell novel for the last couple of years, because it’s a name that’s come up with other bloggers as someone I would enjoy. This story had me gripped to the very last page. This is the history of a family, but told like a thriller. We know that one central incident is the lynchpin of the whole story, explaining the family’s geography, personalities and dynamics with each other. Yet the incident isn’t laid bare for the reader. We must go back and forth in time, with the truth only revealed in short bursts and from different family member’s perspectives. Minnie is an academic, a professor of sociology and women’s studies and is married to Bert, another academic. Minnie is also the matriarch of the Plenderleith family: Owen, his wife Sophie and daughter Layla; Lizzie who lives in a platonic partnership with Tamsin and has a daughter, Ruby; then there’s baby Jessie and her wife Anna who have had two babies in quick succession. For the first time, Minnie will have her entire family under one roof for Christmas. This is a rare occasion because Owen lives in Australia and everyone leads very busy lives. Plus there is a tension at the centre of this family, something they never talk about, which has led to misunderstanding, distance and fear. Fear that if the incident is brought into the open and talked about, the family might implode. However, Owen hasn’t brought his wife to England and his teenage girlfriend Nora is in the village, sorting out her father’s house after his death. Could Nora be the catalyst that for an explosive Christmas?

The depth of characterisation in these family members is brilliant. I found myself understanding each family member as I read their section of the narrative. Even where their point of view clashed completely with someone else, or where they’re acting from a complete misunderstanding, I could empathise with their position. I fell in love with Lizzie, probably because I am overweight, nearing middle age and have an abusive relationship behind me. There was an instant understanding of her emotional need for calm, quiet and meditation. I also understood her medication, whether it was food or a prescription from the GP. Lizzie left a physically abusive relationship when her daughter Ruby was 16, with her self-esteem and sense of self eroded almost beyond repair. Lizzie is the jolly, overweight sister who jokes about her love of cake and seems outwardly confident, someone who owns her choices. Underneath though, is a animal that stays curled into a ball waiting for the next kick. Perhaps unable to trust men, or even trust her own judgement, she has found solace in a platonic family unit with friend Tamsin and although they perhaps don’t fully understand it, the family accepts it as a life choice and Tamsin is very much part of the family. Twenty years earlier, when Owen started dating Nora, Lizzie made friends with this unusual girl. Nora is the opposite of Lizzie, she looks like a fragile waif that you would want to feed and look after. Having lost her mother at a young age, Nora only had her father and it wasn’t an ideal relationship, so when Owen started bringing her home, his family became Nora’s family too. Minnie is impressed with her son’s choice, because she’s not into fashion or anything superficial, she’s bright, idealistic and wants to change the world. She’s going to spend summers working on conservation projects in different parts of the world and she follows through on her dreams. She might seem frail, but she’s determined and not scared of stepping out into the world alone. She’s so different to Owen but they have a connection that’s natural, deep and all encompassing.

I really did understand Minnie, a woman with so much education, intelligence and personal experience. She is the centre of the incident and takes so much of the blame for what happened, even though her point of view isn’t unreasonable. Minnie is on her second marriage, her first was to Owen and Lizzie’s father who was a drunk. Minnie was trying to hold down an academic position, run a household and two children, but always on tenterhooks for the next crisis to hit. Would she come home from work and find their father had hurt himself, given away the family car or worse? When he died, it was more of a relief than anything but Minnie was burned out. I could see immediately that Minnie was one of life’s ‘copers’. She’s used to picking up the pieces of whatever disaster her family members bring home, always without complaint and assuring them it will be ok. Holding the anxiety and responsibility for everyone creates burn out and resentment. When is it someone else’s turn to hold it together? She just wants one opportunity to fall apart. So when the big incident happened Minnie decided this was one mess she would not be clearing up. The fall out from this decision will last twenty years, compounded by miscommunication, layers of regret and grief, and the blame never apportioned out loud.

When trauma isn’t processed and discussed it grows and can come out in the most unexpected ways. Like on Christmas Day, when at least three generations of the family bring the trauma into the present. I loved how the author brought all those strands together to create this tension filled and momentous day. There’s all the usual stuff; prepping the veg, opening the presents and playing games. Between the celebrations, we’re told parts of the story by those who were there and those who are living in the aftermath. Even the grandchildren are affected, because things that are never spoken about can be misunderstood and blown out of proportion. The sections become shorter and faster towards the end, driving then tension and compelling you to keep reading. This is a brilliant, emotional and addictive read that’s a must read for this spring and would make a great TV thriller.

A look back at a dysfunctional family through the memories of the grown up characters. Told from different perspectives of brother, sister, mum and sisters friend.
A very emotional story about relationships and how people view the same events very differently.
It is a good story and the events don't impact on the 3rd generation to much. Loveable and human characters that make you care about them.

I really enjoyed this book about family, secrets and the past meeting the present.

Minnie wants to have all her family together for Christmas and for it to be a time of happiness and healing. But everyone is on edge, and the tension ramps up even more when the family learn that Nora Skelly is back.

Lizzie eldest daughter and previously best friends with Nora.

Owen, troubled young man, brought back to happiness when he fell in love with Nora.

Nora, an independent spirit who wanted to travel the world.

Jess, half-sibling to Lizzie and Owen, and having questions about her parents.

Dealing with themes of grief, PND and DV, this is however not a overly heavy read. It's a testament to the skill of the writer that she writes with a light touch about serious subjects without ever trivialising, but also without leaving the reader too burdened.

I really became invested in this family's story and it left me with a warm heart and a big smile.

I found the book quite slow to start with but once I'd got to know the characters it was an easy read. I was keen to pick the book up to become immersed in the story again. There is a slight twist near the latter part of the book where i made a presumption with one of the characters. Over all I really enjoyed this book and found the characters believable and easy to like Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nora has her family coming together for Christmas for the first time in over a decade. Each has secrets and unresolved differences which could put her perfect Christmas in jeopardy.
This family tale has lots of intertwined threads and is told from various family members in turn. Sarah Stovell's characters are well drawn and believable. Definitely Italy recommend.

A wonderful family drama. A family back home for Christmas - dysfunctional and real. I loved this story. Set today and in the past leading to Christmas today with all the drama's about to out. A fun and heartwarming read.

The tale of a dysfunctional family told in present day and also in flashbacks to the past.
I enjoyed most of it although at times I skipped paragraphs that seemed repetitive. Once the events of the past were revealed then the run up to Christmas became more intense and kept the reader engaged.
The ending wasn't really tied up enough for me, I like there to be no questions left in my mind and would have appreciated something like an epilogue from a year later.
3.5 stars

Every Happy Family is a novel surrounding a family and their past and present lives. We begin by meeting Lizzie and her daughters who are going to stay at the family home for Christmas. There will finally be a reunion after many years apart with siblings new mum Jess and brother Owen. The book opens with us finding out that something happened many years ago between Owen and Nora who is also back in town and who used to be in a relationship with Owen. Minnie the head of the family invites them all over and we flick back to past and present to find out what happened over the years. I enjoyed reading the book however I was waiting for something to happen, some kind of twist or plot to unfold but there wasn't anything and ended unsure of what direction the book was going in as I didn't find the book to be character based or plot driven unfortunately.

Thank you to #Netgalley for my copy of #EveryHappyFamily by #SarahStovell
Minnie and her second husband Bert are looking forward to Christmas, it will be the first time in a decade that all three of Minnie’s children will be home, something happened 10 years ago that resulted in Owen moving to Australia. Told over two timelines the story emerges of family life behind closed doors. A gentle start that builds.

This was good. The eternal optimism of the mother wanting her adult children home for christmas. Complete with all the secrets and problems that have beset the past few decades. I felt for Lizzie - judged by her mother for her size and life choices. Minnie, the mother, having not wanted to interfere (for once) even when she knew Lizzie was being abused - although her actions worked in the end. Jess, confused as to her real parentage because of the big family secret. And Nora Skelly, a blast from the past, at the centre of the family issue that tore them apart. Can the past be put to rest and a family restored? #netgalley #EveryHappyFamily

Having read this author before, I jumped at the chance of reviewing her latest novel and it was fab-U-lous!

Minnie and Bert are thrilled that all three of their children are joining them for Christmas; it's many years since son Owen came home from Australia for the festive season and, truth be told, they are all a little nervous about the get together but determined to think positively. This all stems from an incident with Nora Kelly - and who should be back in town?

It's wonderful to read about other dysfunctional families, especially set around Christmas time. There are usually niggles below the surface but, boy, this is all out there in the open. I loved the characterisation; none of them flawless but then, are any of us? Beautifully told and with some big laugh-out-loud moments I just loved absolutely everything about this one. A fantastic read, and one I'm happy to highly recommend and, as such, give all five sparkling stars!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

I adored Other Parents and now with Every Happy Family, Sarah Stovell has written another brilliant, hilarious yet moving and very true-to-life, relatable story. I love her writing style and she really has such a fantastic grasp on humanity and parenthood. She tackles often unspoken issues with sensitivity (and sometimes humour), and her books are compulsively readable. Just wonderful. Highly recommended.
With very grateful thanks to NetGalley, HQ and Sarah Stovell for my advance copy in exchange for an honest review.