Trigger Warnings - alcoholism, domestic abuse, overdose, teen pregnancy.

Wow talk about family drama!! And yes I reckon every family is almost as messed up as this one at one point or another!

This story is told in both the past and the present taking us on a compelling journey through the lives of a fairly dysfunctional family. Its really well written and descriptive. Some serious topics are covered however its done with grace and the author has even added some light hearted humour along the way.

The characters all have their own issues however they are all so likable so I really wanted everything to work out for each of them.

Overall I enjoyed it and if you love a family drama then you will too.

Minnie lives in a wealthy town with her (second) husband, Bert. She is excited to have her three grown children coming for what she hopes will be a perfect Christmas. They have not all been together for years due to something that happened when her only son and oldest child, Owen, was a young adult. He was seen as the problem child by everyone, so there were fears of how things would go with Owen at this gathering. There were some questions when he arrives without his wife and only his daughter with him.

Also at this Christmas celebration is Lizzie, the middle child. She brings her daughter, Ruby, and her 'Eternal Feminine Ally, Tamsin, with whom she shares a platonic, committed relationship in which they raise their children together, pool their resources, and create a family unit. They are also going to start a wellness business. Lizzie is misunderstood by pretty much everyone. She is trying to lose weight and give up drinking, but mulled wine doesn't count. Finally, there is Jess, who is many years younger than the other two siblings. She has just given birth to her second baby, but decides to go to the family Christmas anyway with the two children and her wife, Anna. Everyone is thrown for a loop when they discover that Nora, who was an important part of the event that caused Owen's estrangement all those years ago, is in town

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were times I laughed out loud and times when my heart ached. I enjoyed moving back and forth between the present day and decades ago as the reader is told about what led up to 'the event.' I liked the way each chapter came from a different point of view. The book deals with serious societal and personal issues, but not in a heavy-handed way. I could relate to much of the pain and many of the difficult issues the characters were dealing with in their own clumsy ways. I liked seeing them grow in self-awareness, admit mistakes, learn things about each other, and care for one another. The book is well-written and the pace is good. It's a book that ends in a way that a sequel would be quite possible and if there was one, I would happily read that, too.

I received a digital copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. I thank them, the author, and the publisher.

I really enjoyed this book, to my knowledge I haven't read anything else by this author but I can't wait to read more. I enjoyed the writing style, the storyline and the characters. An enjoyable read.

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.

Thank you for the advanced copy.

I really enjoyed this book and I believe it may be my introduction to this author, I could not actually put it down.
Really well put together, really well written and I found the characters likeable, who doesn't love a book about a dysfunctional family. Family life laid bare with all its ups and downs.

Highly recommended

Every Happy Family is a well written domestic drama.
A bit of a slow burner but overall an enjoyable read.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Are all families dysfunctional? Bert thinks that might be the case. He and his wife Minnie are delighted their three children will finally be together under one roof as it’s been a decade since that last happened. They are especially pleased since it’s Christmas, a season Minnie embraces fully. Or is that full on???! There is Lizzie who alarms them with what they consider her “hippie ways“ but Minnie is glad she’s off the alcohol though apparently mulled wine does not count!! Jess their youngest daughter who is married to Anna is struggling and juggling with a newborn and an active toddler. However, it’s son Owen who has the capacity to cause incendiary chaos especially since he’s not been home from Australia in 10 years. It all dates back to when he’s 18 and dating Nora Skelly who it transpires is also back home after many years of working abroad. As Jess’s daughter Ruby asks “are all families mad or just ours?“ though all Minnie wants is a perfect Christmas around the dinner table.

This is a compelling domestic drama in which past and present are on a collision course with unpredictable results. It is very well written and an intense slow burner as you find yourself immersed in their lives wanting the best for them but fearing the worst. I love the tone at the start which is really funny especially from the perspectives of Lizzie and Minnie but you grow to appreciate this is a family that has damage and there is papering over of cracks. A few bombshell revelations drop into the storytelling and then things take a different direction.

The characterisation is excellent and though you appreciate they all have issues they are a very likeable family. Sure there is damage, pain and suffering in the past and from life experiences in this snapshot of a family over time but they’re still standing and surviving. The issues covered here are wide and diverse and some are very identifiable. It builds well and arrives at a good destination at the end.

Sarah Stovell takes us on a real journey in her latest book and if you like a family drama then this is for you.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HQ for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

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!

Thank you to Netgalley for early access to this book. Messy family drama, I liked the ending of the book. It redeemed the reading experience for me.