Janine, her partner Phil and daughter Katie move in with his Phil’a dad Roy when they’re unfortunately made homeless. Janine and Roy don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, which results in Janine taking to an online forum where she puts her father in law on blast for hosting a princess party of Katie, when she wanted a pirate party. The community begin to take sides and the drama quickly unfolds.

Definitely a lot different to what I was expecting after having read All the Fun of the Fair by the same author.

I wasn’t a fan of any of the characters - I found Janine to be quite insufferable. Even just reading the book, I was exhausted hearing about her because she was just so full on and incredibly petty. She let such a small thing spiral into something that came with so many knock on effects like a domino. Phil was neutral on a lot of things like a man trying to keep the peace, until he finally decides to grow a backbone and have his own thoughts but even then I didn’t like or dislike him. As for Roy, I started off liking him and felt sorry for him but he did have some problematic behaviour like using an ableist slur and toxic masculinity but I do like how at the end, he was able to reflect on some of his problematic behaviour and take accountability for his actions and words. Mark was also another insufferable character and deserves nothing good in this world.

I feel like despite all of the drama surrounding these characters, I went away not really knowing anything about them - it felt very surface level so I never truly became invested in them. Whilst in the subject of taking accountability, I think Janine definitely could have took a leaf out of Roy’s book and took accountability as I felt like she hadn’t taken responsibility of her actions (for a lot of different things), as well as the things that happened as a result of her actions.

I did like the writing. For the most part, it kept me engrossed in the story however I do think that it took too long to get to the point of this book, as well as to the actual main plot. When it did finally reach it, I found myself bored and skim reading from 60% onwards because the drama felt so ridiculously petty, especially when it began to escalate so badly. I did like the setting for this book and felt like I could picture what was happening in my head, exactly like a reality TV show. I just couldn’t stop reading, despite the petty plot line.

⚠️ CWs: death, alcohol use, cursing, car accident, ableist slur, sexism, physical assault; mentions fire, derogatory language, mental illness, grief, misogyny ⚠️

Thank you Orion and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early, in exchange for a honest review.

I found this a hard read. It was very mundane, dragged on certain points and at times utterly bizarre.

The fmc janine is completely unlikeable. She’s rude, selfish, outspoken and highly opinionated. The whole way she treated Roy really got on my nerves and I found it unreadable in parts. I get her situation was hard but she was absolutely NOT thinking about her daughter first and felt very controlling and narcissistic.

I liked the underlining message about how not everything should be posted to social media and that it WILL come back to bite you on the bum (as that’s very much how I feel)

I wouldn’t recommend this book tbh and I don’t think I’ll be reading anything else by this author

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc! I appreciate the privilege of reading it and experiencing the world the author has created!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 ok stars. The problem I had with this book was that the characters (except Roy) were awful. Janine was a mean bully, Phil was a spineless coward, Sal was a cold hard to read character, Tessa was a bitter woman and Yvonne just blended in.

The way that Roy - who is 78 by the way - is treated is horrible and I felt like giving up at various points so I didn’t have to read more about how badly they were treating him.

Not sure why this book is hyped so much

What a wonderfully warm, sweet, read. I can see it appealing to Fredrick Backman fans, with Roy reminding me very much of an English Ove! A few interwoven plots with likeable characters and enough intrigue to keep this reader entirely engaged. Utterly charming.

I could not decide what I made of this novel - I did not find it particularly humorous but it did make me think about how we judge each other and our motivations for our actions.

Janine is having a tough time - made redundant, lose her home and struggling to find her identity. She agrees to moving in with her partner’s father who has recently been widowed. His assistance with her daughter’s birthday party ends up causing upset and has far reaching repercussions for them all.

Tried by public opinion Roy is made to think about his views and beliefs and to recognise his own shortcomings. Janine has to come to terms with the unintended consequences of her views and need to vent on her closest relationships.

It is a book about family, values, beliefs and the darker side of social media. A tale very pertinent to our times.

In Reasonable People we meet Janine. She is having a pretty rough day as she gets some bad news at work and her ex has decided he wants to sell their house... the one she is currently living in with their 5 Yr old daughter and her new partner, Phil. They can't afford to buy him out so they have no choice but to move in with Phil's dad, Roy.

Roy is recently widowed and set in his ways, so the addition of three extra people into his home is more than a little bit unsettling, but he really wants to help out as much as possible, as well as keep himself busy. When he offers to throw a party for young Katie's birthday, Janine is dubious, but Katie has been really clear on the type of party she wants so what could go wrong?
Apparently a lot! The aftermath of the party escalates quickly, particularly with Janine adding the details to an AITA type page on the internet causing a whole load of drama for everyone involved, and some that aren't!

This really does delve into the importance of communication, particularly when there is a generation gap, but Janine was not good at this at all! Roy was just trying to help in the best way he could and a bit of an honest conversation with him would have probably avoided most of the issues! As for Phil, I just wanted to give him a shake!

All in all, a quick and entertaining read that I recommend if you are in the mood for some modern family drama.

This story touches on many of the contemporary issues people deal with on an everyday basis - raising children, family politics, relationship issues, internet encounters etc. Except in this book, things don't just go big, they also hit home!

Janine and her 5 year old daughter Katie live in her house, as a blended family, with her second husband, Phil. While Phil is easygoing, if somewhat passive, Janine is anything but. When she loses her job and her house - after her ex decides to sell it - they move in temporarily with Phil's father Roy, who has recently become a widower.

Although tensions between Roy and Janine are quickly evident, things come to a head when Roy decides to throw a princess party for Katie instead of the pirate party that she wanted.

Afterwards, Janine posts about it online to seek validation on who is the villain of the piece. And although this is ostensibly done anonymously, the post goes viral, and there are consequences for Janine, Phil and Roy, as the entire internet - plus national media - decides to sit in judgement of their actions.

This is a well-observed and funny (if slightly long) novel. An easy read, it provides some food for thought about the consequences of our instant gratification culture when it comes to social media, in particular - and why it is best to be circumspect when it comes to family matters. And even to grin and bear it, whenever possible...

I give it 3.5 stars - and more judicious editing lengthwise would have got it 4 stars.

What a great book to wrap up July’s blog entries – I’m delighted to be helping to start the #blogtour for Reasonable People. This is a book which takes many topical issues, adds some excellent characters and brings out a great story which feels very realistic and relatable! Janine is having a pretty rough time. She’s been made redundant, her ex has landed on his feet despite being the same useless person he always was, and she is on the verge of homelessness. Despite this, she is trying to remain positive and be an encouraging and supportive mum to her lovely daughter Katie, as well as a good partner to Phil. Things haven’t been easy for Phil either, his mum has recently died and his dad, Roy, is throwing himself into all manner of activities to fill his days, although he has always been a very busy man even before he was widowed. Janine and Roy have had a reasonably good relationship. Roy is delighted to have a step-grandchild, although frets over the nomenclature, and dotes upon her. The flashpoints come when he chooses to use language and praise which is quite outdated, although well meaning. After a disaster of a party, Janine is furious and the internet is right there as an outlet. Except that once something goes online, it is easy for it to start taking on a life of its own and perhaps the initial intention gets buried somewhere within.

I loved this book because I could so easily see the scenes playing out. I really liked the majority of the characters and found their interactions, even the awkward ones, worked so well together. There are so many of these websites ostensibly set up for canvassing opinions and entertainment, yet so often end up in a pile on with the original point becoming so tortured, misconstrued and twisted that it is barely recognisable. I think using this as the background was an excellent idea. Although a light hearted read in many ways, it does raise some really important and interesting debates surrounding language and expectation. There were certainly many parts which resonated with me, particularly around societal expectations of girls and how we pigeon hole from an early age! Roy is quite a delightful character – so quirky and earnest but also so lost in many ways. There are parts of the story where he visits an old friend Jospeh and they are only a small element of the book but so powerful in the imagery and emotion they bring.

This is a story which would be brilliant for a book club. There’s plenty to talk about, the story isn’t overly complicated but is likely to feel relatable and current and you’ll get a great laugh at certain points. I have previously enjoyed The Adults by Caroline Hulse and I know that I have All the Fun of the Fair on my bookshelf so I will be bumping it up the queue asap!

This book has some really interesting things going about it. And it is also rather funny at certain places. However I didn't really care for the main character and couldn't warm to her.

I absolutely loved this book. The premise was unique and I thought quite brave, it felt timely and was such an interesting tale. I adored Janine despite her flaws and felt she was fully relatable. What woman hasn't felt all that pressure? Similarly I adored Roy. He was a brilliant character and I felt so sorry for him at times. All he wanted to do really, was to help out his family but he kept getting things wrong. Filled with humour and bitingly smart observations, this was a great read with loads of laugh out loud moments.
Highly Recommended.

This book did have some moments that made me laugh but because I didn’t particularly like Janine and the way she went about things I found it an uncomfortable read in places.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

This was a brilliantly hilarious story - just like all the other Caroline Hulse's books, I am always waiting impatiently for her next release.

However, this time, even though the characters were really were drawn, I couldn't completely warm to them. Especially to Janine - she was "too much" on every level and with my own philosophy of "live and let live" I think I couldn't have a friend like Janine. She was oberbearing and bossy and I know she wanted well but so much drama. No. Just no, Janine.
Roy was also well - meaning and yes, I can see the conflict here, I am not siding with him, but I am so tired with what's happening right now, with all other people telling me what is good and what's wrong, which words I can use and which not and which film under which title I can watch. And it was Janine, so perhaps this is why I couldn't side with her so completely.
So the author really, really well explored the pros and cons of both sides, capturing the ridicoulousness of it all and also going deep into how much harm can an innocent internet post do - and this is the worst. She writes about this digital hostility skillfully and her observations are spot - on, sharp, brutal and genuine. I hope that the book will make some people think twice before thy post something on internet.

This was a quick read and I really didn't want to put the book down and no, I didn't guess "who did it"! The chapters were snappy and the pacing was brilliant, the writing engaging, the topic controversial - perfect read.

First thing first: there's a Reddit forum call Am I the Assxxe or AITA and there's plenty of people posting. It would be quite hard to guess who is talking about whom unless you're unlucky and your neighbour is reading your post.
This blah-blah to say that I found the basic idea of one of those post going viral a bit unbelievelable.
A bit like this book: there's some very funny moments, there's the male that are all nearly saint and Janine who is a sort of wicked witch.
I think it's a good book but I had to suspend my belief and read it as a sort of massive-what-if
Had fun and apppreciated the style of writing and the storytelling
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This book, even though defined as a comedy of error, was surprisingly dark in its' many layers. 3 protagonists in their minds are undoubtedly "Reasonable People". Their experiences and motivations to them are clear as day. However, given two other perspectives on each of the events and troubling interactions, the reason kind of fades away when it's not communicated well.

In this novel, Caroline Hulse explores a triangular relationship between an older man, his son and the son's partner. Each of them experienced great hardship and loss--of the loved one, home, career prospect. However, instead of processing their feelings properly, the characters seem to be drowning in assumptions and sticking to their comfortable perspectives that don't promote connection, but fuels conflict. And the conflict is in abundance. From looking for answers amongst the internet crowd on the "AITA" type of forum to being forced to choose sides--there are many flavours of misunderstanding.

Sadly, the story felt rushed towards the end and the resolution seemed way too sweet and not very probable for my liking.

This is my first book by Caroline Hulse and certainly won’t be my last and I have already downloaded The Adults and All The Fun of Fair since finishing Reasonable People.

I read this book alongside my buddy reader friends and I can confirm that we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is the story of a blended family – Janine and her 5 year old daughter Katie live with Janine’s boyfriend Phil in her family home, but when her ex-husband sells the house, they are forced to move in with Phil’s elderly father Roy on a short-term basis.

Janine is a marmite character, she’s outspoken, opinionated, rude, unforgiving, selfish and stubborn (and that’s just her good points). Now I really like Marmite.. however I did NOT like Janine and the more we get to know her, the less I felt any sympathy towards her as a mother, wife, employee or human being. Even when she loses her job and home her behaviour and attitude remains just as unlikeable.

Now before you wonder why I continued to read the book with such an unlikeable main character it’s because the rest of the cast are WONDERFUL. We have Phil, the boyfriend and practically a saint for putting up with Janine, then we have the “hero” or “villain” Roy. Roy is a very recent widow, his beloved wife died suddenly and he finds himself alone in his house. Offering to help Janine and Phil out on a temporary basis whilst they find somewhere to live, he also wants to give Katie a special party for her 6th birthday. She wants a Pirate Party, however Roy arranges a Princess Party and that’s when all hell breaks loose!

Janine decides to post anonymously on an online forum about her father-in-law’s behaviour which goes viral overnight and soon the entire world knows about Janine and Roy, airing their dirty washing to all and creating a huge family divide.

Reasonable People is a book about family, value and the darker side of social media. It’s heart-breaking in places, humourous in others and will definitely make you think twice before you post something on the internet.

I definitely spend far longer than I should on mumsnet forums and Reddit posts, working out what I’d do in any given situation and who's being unreasonable.

But when the super - stressed and overloaded Janine posts anonymously about her annoying but well meaning father in law Roy, seeking reassurance that her reactions are correct and that he is in fact a dinosaur stuck in his sexist ways, she leaves in a few too many identifying features and people soon clock that she is the OP (original poster). Janine is angry that Roy arranged a princess party for her daughter rather than a pirate party, and brings up a few other issues that have been bubbling under the surface too.

Soon local and national media have picked up on the story and the repercussions for Roy, Janine and their family are getting out of hand. Roy’s son Phil (Janine's partner) is stuck in the middle of the argument -‘I’m Switzerland 😂’ but it’s not a comfortable situation for any of them and each side gets more entrenched in their views.

I read 'Reasonable People' with my head in my hands, anticipating the delicious cringe fest that builds and builds - and when it all comes to a head at the school quiz night fundraiser, no-one knows where to look. The school mums, Janine's best friend, her ex-husband - they're all there and can see the battlelines being drawn between Janine and Roy.

Reasonable People is a brilliantly light-hearted but fiercely perceptive story about how sticking to your principles may cost you more than you know.

Caroline Hulse has totally nailed the moral whirlwind that can be conjured by social media, with people blithely posting without caring that they may be hurting someone important to them, and with the original argument descending into thousands of spin offs.

I was hugely entertained throughout and would recommend it to anyone

My understanding of what the author has tried to do here is wrapped up in my own family. Which I think is very clever on her part as it really does make you look at your own and the generational divides, especially regarding technology.

Janine is being made homeless and jobless. Roy her father in law has just lost his wife. So Janine, husband Phil and their six year old daughter Katie move in with Roy. All trying to make the best of what they hope is a temporary situation it soon all blows up when Roy fluffs up big time with his decision to change Katie’s pirate birthday party into a Princess one.

Now most people would keep their opinions to themselves, especially when they are doing you a huge favour of letting you live in their home. But oh no not Janine, she takes it to an online forum, which we all know is the court of public opinion and before long it’s one big dogpiling with poor old hubby Phil caught in the middle of the side choosing debate.

Digital hostility, shaming and a family fallout all written with such keen observational skill and humour. Unlikeable characters that still manage to elicit empathy and a reminder to us all that things change, we all grow old and sometimes it’s better to just keep your mouth shut or your fingers away from keyboards.

Have you ever turned to the Internet for something you were struggling with? I know I have. A recipe? Google! Doubts about a word's spelling? Online dictionaries! A general question about life? Hello, polls! 

It is precisely what one of the main characters does in Reasonable People. After her father-in-law changes her daughter’s birthday party theme without telling anyone, she decides enough is enough. You get that much from the blurb. But there is more to it. 

Leading to this … let’s call it personal WW3 or incident. Janine and her partner Phil had been hitting a couple of bumps, including being kicked out of the house they rented by the owner; Janine’s ex and the biological father of her daughter. Roy, soon-to-be killed online father-in-law, recently lost his wife, the love of his life. You can quickly pick up from the interactions that all the characters are going through a lot. W all know it can bring out the best and the worst in us! 

It was the ordinariness of the sound, rendered extraordinary by the circumstances. 

Now the biggest thing I’ve asked online was about having an egg on a pizza. To my knowledge, it has never had any lasting damaging effect. Life had been challenging everyone and the birthday acts as a catalyst. 

Reasonable People surprised me with its clever take on the generational gaps and how society the evolution of society’s codes can be hard to navigate. I felt the author chose to make her characters really stand their ground and sometimes (often for you, Janine!) sound unlikeable. Roy, despite his cantankerous side, won my heart as he struggled to understand what went wrong while dealing with his grief and trying to care for his family without appearing vulnerable. His generation did things differently and he doesn’t have the 21st century translator. But he does try. 

One character tried my patience. Phil. Janine’s partner. Roy’s son. Caught in the middle of the battle, he was unable to speak up for most of the book, and it irked me so bad!!!! I remember thinking: “Come on, grow a pair” a dozen times. However, it did make me think. From an outsider’s perspective, it was easy for me to say who was right and wrong, and why. But Phil’s position was a tricky one and sometimes staying neutral is harder than picking a side. I still believe we could have avoided a lot of drama if he’d spoken up, but if he had, we wouldn’t be discussing the book! 

Janine took her role as a protective mother and ambitious woman very seriously. Too seriously? I sometimes wished she’d take a break from sitting on her high seat to join the real world and stop feeling she had to react to everything. About her decision to air her laundry online… Well, we do live in an era in which we turn to the internet for everything. I understand but disagree. Still, Caroline Hulse cleverly uses the comments section to show Janine’s journey with Roy, and her feelings. I thought it was a really good move and helped me not hate Janine!

Reasonable People intertwines serious matters with light but spot-on writing, making it an easy read while giving you food for thought. It was surprisingly refreshing and really enjoyable. I had fun revisiting what reasonable means! Let’s not fool ourselves, we can all fall into those scenarios in which small issues take massive proportions and end up swallowing us!

Oh this made me proper LOL! I've had a tough time recently and Reasonable People was the perfect read to lose myself in. There were moments of food for thought when it came to the family dynamics and uncertainty surrounding the life of Janine, and how interfering families can be, even if their actions are well meant. I loved the whole premise of the storyline from light hearted to not, especially finding out peoples opinions on Roy's actions. I wouldn't have been impressed either but he did seem like a harmless teddy bear!

Caroline Hulse really does write fun novel which have all elements you could want for your next read. A highly recommended, laugh out loud, relatable read that kept me hooked until the very end.