Kate Sawyer writes and immerses the reader in a beautifully realised and moving family drama set in Suffolk, with all its complexities, the dysfunctions, joy, regrets, betrayal, loss, grief, love, pain, heartbreak, squabbles and conflict. 4 decades of memories and nostalgia tumble out during a sweltering September day in which Mary is getting married again in the beloved family home with its willow tree, a day to remember as she is moving out soon, for the home has been sold. In a non-linear narrative, Mary is hoping her 3 daughters manage to be civil to each other, for the family has been broken for some time. As preparations get underway, we become aware this is an unconventional wedding, present is Mary's ex-mother in law, Irene, whom she has been caring for, and the catering, with its centrepiece of a hog roast, is being done by her ex-husband, Richard. Sunflowers are the significant central motif of the celebrations.

All the characters are distinct, sensitively depicted and feel so very real, eldest daughter Emma has been living in California and its hinted that she is at the heart of a major conflict, Phoebe, an ex-alcoholic, sweeps in with her famous actor partner, Michael Regis, and their 2 children, the young Clara and baby Albie, and medic Rosie is with boyfriend, Danyal. Mary has raised them all here, as we slowly learn of their childhoods, the chaos and mayhem, their changing relationships through the years as they become adults, scattering upon leaving for university. All of them were close to Iain and Liz, Mary's closest friends through the years after their unforgettable meeting involving pigs at a market when she was pregnant with Emma. We don't find out who Mary is marrying until almost half way through, is this a family that will be able to reconcile? And just when we think the dramas are over, a terrifyingly scary event unfolds near the end.

There is much about Sawyer's skilfully drawn characters, relationships, and subtle picture of family that emerges over a wedding day, that will resonate with readers in terms of aspects of their own multigenerational families. Mary's relationships with her daughters are pierced throughout with love, a fierce maternal love that can overcome the most polarising of political views. There is turbulence and change, but through the decades somethings do not change, like love which can survive the most challenging of circumstances. This is a understated but powerful read as we become acquainted with each flawed family member, and come to care for them as we learn about them through one slowly dripped revelation after another. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy intelligent family dramas. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I wanted to like this book so much as it sounded a great read, a brilliant family saga. The book was set over the course of an English summer’s but it drifts backwards and forwards over the last forty years which I found confusing as I was never entirely sure what year it was and I had to keep going back and rereading and this spoiled what could have been a very compelling read for me. It also took me awhile to get into the book, to sort out who the characters were in, between what seemed unnecessary , irrelevant description at times . I was sorry my interest had not been held as much as I had hoped.
Many thanks to Netgalley , and Hodder and Staughton for providing me with this proof copy..

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book as The Stranding was my top read in 2021 and a difficult one to follow. But Kate Sawyer has written another very good book. This one about Mary and her family. Set on the day of Mary's wedding it goes back into the often messy and emotional histories of the various characters and the way they relate to, and with, each other. I enjoyed it very much as the characters and events all felt so very real. It was like being there and really knowing them. I do enjoy authors who can write quite different novels rather than series about the same characters. Ms Sawyer looks to be shaping up as one to watch for just that reason. With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an advanced copy to read and review.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Family
by Kate Sawyer

The opening scene of this gloriously layered family story is of Mary preparing her English country garden for her long awaited post-lockdown wedding, stringing lights, flicking out table cloths, arranging sunflowers, lining up mismatching tables and chairs. It's a beautiful September day and she will soon be surrounded, for the first time since the pandemic, by all the people she loves and who love her, but her only wish is that her three daughters park their feuds and allow her one day of peace and joy.

The story is told over the course of this one day but the author cleverly winds in past reflections of several characters to show us just how the family dynamics evolved, where each choice was made that resulted in friendship or hurt, offense or love, betrayal or exile.

Why are these sisters getting together such a concern? Who is Mary marrying? As you progress through the first few chapters, even more questions arise. This family is like a jigsaw puzzle and none of the pieces fit.

Maybe it was the unexpectedly hot and sunny weather that allowed me the chance to sit in my own garden for the first time this year, but this book just matched my mood perfectly. I'm a sucker for a complicated family novel, especially among sisters, and this gave me vibes of "The Most Fun We Ever Had" where miscommunication and misinterpretation of feelings and reactions can build into years of resentment and estrangement.

For a book that has quite a meditative tone, it is not at all slow paced. The chapters are fairly short, and it is very difficult to end a reading session on a present day chapter because the next one will segue into a memory that you will be curious to access.

How will it all play out? Will we find out how these sisters, that we will come to care so much about, fell apart so completely? Will they be able to restrain themselves for just one day? Will Mary get harmony for her wedding day?

Publication date: 11th May 2023
Thanks to #netgalley and @hodderbooks for the egalley

A really well told, multi layered family drama told from different perspectives and over the course of a few decades. This is an arty, extrovert, comfortably off clan and relationships are strongly forged but toxic when broken. The main drama is set around Mary’s second marriage in the garden of the family home when all the siblings will be together after a long time apart. Liked the actual events woven into the story and found the whole thing a satisfying read.

With this novel I got vibes of BBC One/Abi Morgan's "The Split" starring Nicola Walker and I loved it and this novel alike. A unique family drama told from multiple perspectives over a long period of time gave us a much more in-depth connection to the characters and what led to their individual decision making.
In my minds eye I could really imagine the main settings of the family homes and gardens in which a lot of the action is set. I enjoyed the writing style of Sawyer and her method of connecting the reader to the characters. When I think back about this book it feels like a memory of a film I must have seen recently, that is how well her descriptive prose resonated with me. Definitely looking forward to reading The Stranding as I know I will love it too.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Mary has raised a family in this house. Watched her children play and laugh and bicker in this house. Today she is getting married in this house, with all her family in attendance. The wedding celebrations have brought her fractured family together for the first time in years: there's Phoebe and her husband Michael, children in tow. The young sensitive Rosie, with her new partner. Irene, Mary's ex-mother-in-law. Even Emma. Mary's eldest, is back for the wedding - despite being at odds with everyone.

This story tells us about Mary's wedding day. Her guests include her ex-husband, his daughter, Mary's daughters and her ex=mother-in-law. I found the chapters confusing as the book spanned over the last forty years, but I was never sure what year they were talking about. It did take me a little while to get into the book. The story flips back and forward from forty years ago to the present day and covers - love, loss, hope, heartbreak and joy.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HodderStaughton and the author #KateLawyer for my ARC of #ThisFamily in exchange for an honest review.

Initially I found the storyline quite confusing because it was jumping backwards and forwards into each characters lives, which I appreciate was the description in the intro of the book, so it took me a while to actually get into the book as it felt like I had to work hard to bring together the characters, however in saying all of that once I was in it was a great story of family life. I would say for any new readers please persevere as it is so worth it when you get to the end

Simply wonderful.

Mary wants to bring the family together again for her wedding. She wants it to be fun, but more importantly a harmonious day. Surely that’s not too much to ask.

The story is covering the day of the wedding, but it dips back covering the various family members lives in the past, then brings them back to the wedding day again.
I felt nostalgic during the parts talking about the 1980’s.
What I also liked was the true to life lines, not just pretty butterflies and hearts - not that I’m suggesting I’m against that..
It’s an emotionally charged book. Messy complicated lives and relationships, told at their best.
I was sad when the book ended, I wanted to read on and on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

An intricate and touching deep dive into a complicated modern family with changing loyalties loves and dynamics that had my attention from start to finish.

Mary is getting married for a second time and hopes the day will be all it can be without complication and the rows and disagreements that have been part of the family's past.

The action takes place on Mary's wedding day, but cleverly looks back at the past in between preparations for the day and the changing future to come.

You find out there are plenty of reasons that arguments might break out, that families are messy and complicated and that nothing is greater than the love we have for those we are lucky enough to hold close.

It is Mary's wedding day, the reception is to be held at her home all she has asked is that there are no arguments at the wedding. Present will be her daughters, her ex-husband, his daughter and his mother. Spanning 40 years this book tells the story of those will be there and the reasons why arguments might happen.

An enthralling read, full of family dynamics.

This Family, out 11th May.

I was so excited to get this Netgalley ARC of Kate Sawyer's second novel, due for release next month, as The Stranding was one of my favourite books of 2021.

It is the weekend of Mary's wedding, but her excitement is overshadowed by her pervading worries about the upcoming return and reunion of her three children. The uncomfortable heat, and mentions of an on-going climate crisis, add to the general tension and unease as preparations get underway and we are introduced to each of the family members one by one.

This is a beautifully written family drama, with multiple timelines where the history behind their strained relationships are gradually revealed. It's one of those books which you could pick up and re-read again after some time had passed, and pick up on nuances of character which you had missed first time around.

I really enjoyed this book as a nice gentle read, and if you're looking for something to relax with over the holidays then this would be a perfect choice. 3.5*

I really enjoyed this book and the family dynamics, I have never read anything by this author before and interested in reading more by her. It take me a while to get into but once it got going I didn't want to put it down.
Huge thanks to hodder and stoughton and netgalley for sending me a copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed This book and loved the dynamics of the family in this book and loved the scenes set in Suffolk where I am from ,

Wishing the author the best will this book and Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book

It took me a little while to get into This Family, as the opening chapters make you work hard to link up the various timelines, connections and relationships (outing myself as an occasionally lazy reader, here!) - but once I was in, I was fully engaged. It's a quiet novel, not driven by plot, but rather the complicated dynamics within a large, messy family. I was in tears by the final chapters. It's completely different from The Stranding, but just as good.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for my proof copy of This Family.

I haven't managed to finish this book as found it difficult to get into so cannot give a full review. I don't want to say anything negative as I'm sure for many it's a good book just not to my taste

A moving book which covers most of the issues of modern life.
Although the main characters are a little 'entitled' for my taste, the settings and the storylines more than make up for this.
It is so difficult nowadays for authors to follow all of the guidelines of society for acceptable publication, but the author has done this vey well
I really liked the punk characters, it is refreshing to see them portrayed in a good light.
I am looking forward to reading the stranding to see if it is as good as This Family.
Many thanks to the author, and to the publisher for an advanced copy for honest review.

I love the smart clever nuance in this domestic drama about a house that has housed a family. Pushing the boundaries of family and friends and emotion and relationships

This book delves deeply into the life of a patchwork family and carries one message: family life is messy but love conquers all.

Mary is preparing for her wedding day and has invited her three daughters and their families, her ex-husband and her ex-mother-in-law. On her invitation she makes her expectations clear that she wants everyone to leave their animosities at home and to remember to love each other. She is however full of apprehension and so are her guests. The reader very quickly develops a sense that there must be a history of hurt and unresolved tension. This history slowly unravels during the course of Mary’s special day as her guests arrive and we are introduced to their view of their relationships with each other.

The return to their childhood home evokes memories in Mary’s daughters, which reveal the deep-seated love they have for each other amongst all their sibling rivalry and which make them realise that they have something quite precious and important that is worth protecting.

Because of this, Mary’s credo that life is jumbled up, out of order, random and that the loose ends don’t get tied up in a neat bow, feels quite reassuring for the reader who leaves ‘This Family’ with a warm feeling and a sense of hope.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A family like no other yet exhibiting the acceptance of casual hurts and insults like every family until breaking point. A family irretrievably damaged by the thoughtlessness and jealousies that so easily rip families apart yet continue to reoccur throughout generations. A young women struggles with an unexpected pregnancy, the demands of motherhood, ongoing neglect from a selfish husband all exacerbated by loneliness and an opinionated mother in law. A callous act resulting in an estrangement catapulting this family into a heartbreaking set of family dynamics that will rupture relationships for decades. Beautifully written with a light touch, deeply hurtful actions that demonstrate the ease in which loving siblings sever the ties of blood ricocheting across the generations. A shared journey of friendship and love , betrayals and deceit with one last opportunity to repair broken relationships. A five star read of a families descent into acrimony and and total breakdown towards redemption and forgiveness. A life affirming very moving conclusion of what constitutes happiness in the real world. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.