Member Reviews
If you like books like Little Fires Everywhere or Big Little Lies, this is for you! I love multiple points-of-view and how they can show you the same story from so many different perspectives, and Caitlin Weaver did a great job of making you understand the mindsets of Lorrie, Eden, Jules, Summer, Archie, and Knox.
An emotionally charged novel that tests the bonds of family/friendship and how far a parent will go to protect their children. Two families struggle to find answers while trying to protect their children. It’s a heart wrenching story that sadly is a reality far too often. Powerful dynamics between each of the characters and they all brought something to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Subject matter is heavy, but relevant in today's climate. Solid writing and an all around good domestic read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.
For me this one is probably more a 3.5 - 4 stars.
TW: sexual assault
Lorrie and Eden are best friends who have children around the same age and have lived across the street from each other for years. It seems like a dream come true when Lorrie's son and Eden's daughter start to date. That is until Eden's daughter makes an accusation that turns best friends against each other.
I really liked the multiple POV"s and we get every one's side of the story. We get to see how more that just two people are affected by a single action. I feel like the author did a good job with it too, kind of giving us some blurred lines - did he do it, did he do it on purpose? She makes you feel for and makes you angry at more than one character. The reactions from the characters are believable and overall the story was addictive. I wanted to keep going to see what the outcome would be for everyone. This was a quick read, the chapters were short, and she gives you all the answers you need by the end.
I do feel like the middle of the book slowed down some for me, but overall this was good.
This one was decent, similar to other thrillers. Nothing crazy, very simple and easy to read. Good writing.
Book Title: Such a Good Family
Author: Caitlin Weaver
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Family Drama
Pub Date: June 12, 2024
My Rating: 4.5 rounded up
Pages: 369
Lorrie and Eden have been best friends ever since they became neighbors years ago. Their children Knox and Summer are close in age and have always been friends now their senior year in high school they are dating. Lorrie and Eden are both excited as they actually have been planning their wedding since they were toddlers.
One night Knox comes home late after a party with scratches on his collarbone, and doesn’t want to discuss it. The next day Eden calls Lorrie and tells her discover Summer is in hospital and states Knox raped her.
Each family handles this different. Immediately Ed, Knox’s dad wants to hire aa high profile lawyer.
Eden -Summer’s mother has always been over protective but now calls approximately every fifteen minutes on her phone (while she is at home) to check on her.
Summer is an only child. She is quite and very smart in fact, heading to Princeton There is no doubt that I feel for her.
Knox is the eldest of three – Chloe the youngest and Archie the middle child and completely different than the other two – quiet and a bit of a nerd the other two are popular and outgoing.
Knox is the golden son, a Big Man on Campus, smart, out stand athletic, used to getting his way and certain doesn’t hear ‘no' when he wants something. He spends a lot time on porn site and not sure if his parent ever gave him “the talk”
As I read this I thought this is an emotional story but I read on I changed it to this is a ‘Powerful’ story!
I enjoyed the author’s note (something I always look forward to reading)
She tells us that this sprang from conversation with friends regarding parenting- Are we doing this right/” What would you do if?”
She also states she is in agreement with Gloria Steinem, who said~ “I am glad we have begun to raise our daughter more like our sons however it will never work until we raise our sons more like our daughters”!!!
This book is definitely a great one to discuss at a Book Club Meeting.
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 12, 2024.
I stayed up WAY too late the last two nights finishing this one 😬😴☕️☕️☕️ @caitlinrweaver you know how to write a FANTASTIC story….as a mom this one tugged at every single heart string. Wow! Just pure wow! Such a gripping story.
Add this to your TBR lists for June 11 📖📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Two moms, absolute BEST friends, live directly across the street from one another and two of their kids are the same age. They did play dates 24.7 and the kids were like family. Then fast forward to high school. They start to date. Adorable couple, and what a perfect inlaw situation- everyone’s dream, right? Not when one night everything goes completely wrong. The daughter comes home, and is found by the neighbor she babysits for, and is taken to the hospital with the need to check for sexual abuse…..from the boyfriend. What happened? Best friends, but now two moms fighting for the rights of their kids. Did it really happen? Was alcohol involved? Police keep showing up and questioning the families, the kids, the neighbors, the school. But the daughters mom has a secret past….she too was raped, but got a rape test, and it ruined her life trying to fight for her rights against the teacher who did it. She wants different for her daughter and doesn’t have her get tested. Well now it’s his word vs hers. A school article is secretly to come out to allow the girl a voice to say what happened. The boys family uses a great lawyer and he’s going to walk away with nothing to happen. Not if the neighbor can have a way with it. A boy, a drone, a fight for the right thing to happen, and a graduation ceremony gone completely wrong. But the boy has a secret problem…and doesn’t know how to find his voice either. The moms are lost without each other, but watching both their families crumble and change in a matter of one night. This book as a mom was my worst nightmare as a mom of a daughter and three sons. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Such an emotionally gripping, and suspenseful story. Thank you @netgalley @caitlinrweaver for the advance copy.
As an ARC reader, I had the privilege of diving into Caitlin Weaver's "Such a Good Family" before its release, and let me tell you, it's a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish.
The premise of the book, described as "an unforgettable and emotionally charged story of two mothers whose lives are changed forever by a devastating accusation," immediately drew me in. Weaver masterfully crafts a narrative that explores the depths of maternal love and the lengths mothers will go to protect their children.
The story centers around two families whose lives intertwine in unexpected ways. When a shocking accusation rocks their tight-knit community, secrets begin to unravel, and trust is put to the test. As a mother myself, I found myself deeply invested in the characters of both mothers, grappling with their fears, doubts, and the overwhelming desire to shield their loved ones from harm.
The character development in "Such a Good Family" is superb. From the moment the accusation is made, the reader is drawn into the inner turmoil of each character, particularly the protagonist, who struggles to reconcile her image of her perfect family with the harsh realities that come to light. The emotional depth of the story is palpable, and I found myself turning pages late into the night, desperate to uncover the truth alongside the characters.
Weaver's writing style is engaging and immersive, effortlessly transporting readers into the world of the Richardson and Knox families. The pacing is spot-on, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. The exploration of themes such as betrayal, forgiveness, and the complexities of family dynamics adds layers of depth to the story, making it more than just a gripping thriller.
Overall, "Such a Good Family" is a compelling and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've finished the last page. Caitlin Weaver has crafted an unforgettable story that will appeal to fans of domestic dramas and psychological thrillers alike. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an addictive and unputdownable tale of family secrets and the power of maternal love.
This had me in a chokehold. I can see this being one of the next big things on thriller booktok. Check your TWs if that’s a thing for you. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!
4.2 ⭐️ Ok so this one really gets you thinking. It’s rough, it’s sad, you find yourself empathizing with everyone. It was done quite well. I find myself struggling with it in some aspects but that is just my own thoughts on certain things. It really makes you look at how something like this affects everyone involved. The only person I absolutely hated was Ed. Lmao. I loved Archie and felt like he was mature way behind his years. Knox had a lot of issues that he needed professional help with, I don’t think I ever got a clear answer for whether he for sure heard her say no. But again, she said it so that’s it. Being inside his head and watching him struggle to come to grips with what he did was rough. The book did such a good job of showing how women can feel pressured into doing things they wouldn’t normally do nor do they want to do but they do it to please whomever they’re with, which happens everyday in the real world. I think that’s what makes this such a compelling and hard to read book. This exact situation has happened thousands of times and will likely continue to happen thousands more. I wasn’t a huge fan of Eden honestly. I understand that she had some unhealed trauma but it’s her responsibility to take the necessary steps to heal it for her daughter’s sake. I absolutely feel like she completely took on Summers situation and made it her own. I felt like Summer could barely have her own feelings because Eden was there to make it about herself. She absolutely ruined any court justice Summer could’ve had and I know she thought she was helping but that part angered me so much. I did love how fierce she was for her daughter though. I get that she was just trying to protect her and keep her from having to go through what she went through. I liked Lorrie, I know some felt she had her head in the sand but I honestly feel like she had the most realistic portrayal. Ofcourse she wasn’t going to just jump out there and immediately name her teenage, high school, son a rapist and disown him without taking the time to process and look into it. This wasn’t a situation with lots of evidence and hard proof you couldn’t look away from. This is the child she birthed and raised who is telling her both parties were drunk and that to his knowledge she didn’t say no and the only thing different from every other time is they fought after. I feel like most mothers would need more than a week to process and as we see she eventually did. I felt for her plight. Witt was amazing and I loved him and Jules was a throw in for me. I honestly didn’t care that she was there and wouldn’t care if she wasn’t. Lol. I really was crushed by Eden and Lorries beautiful relationship being destroyed. There was so much love there and it was just ripped away and you can feel their struggle with it. All in all I really did throughly enjoy this book and I think it does what the author wanted it to do. It evokes feelings. Thank you for this ARC from Netgalley and the publishers
This was not an easy read as a mom of a young teen girl as it deals with a very sensitive subject but the book was about so much more.Unlike other books that I have read involving this subject type, this book dealt more with the effects it had on everyone involved. Well written and I flew through it
Written from the perspective of several characters, the author has done a great job of taking the reader into the minds and lives of the families of those involved in a date rape incident and all the events that followed. The writing really drew me in and I had to keep reading to find out how everyone reacted and interacted with each other. Everything felt very realistic and I like that the final pages didn't try to turn something messy into a perfect ending. There were some lovely, heartwarming moments but also some heartbreaking ones.
I received this arc from netgalley and Storm Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
What can I say about a story that has love, hate deception lies. Such a Good Family has it all and then some. Two women Lorrie and Eden have been friends since their kids Knox and Summer were little. These two women were more sisters than friends and they were over the moon when their kids started dating. Everything seemed picture perfect until it wasn't.
What really happened the night in the park? Knox said Summer was fine with what they did. Once Summer told her friend what happened a specific word was used and Summer said no way. Allegations start flying and the perfect couple with the perfect families are at odds. Of course Lorrie wants to protect her son, Eden wants to protect her daughter. Things really come to a head when Lorrie finds out a hidden secret concerning her husband that really throws the family into a tailspin. Then there is Jules the outsider who had who really added fuel to the fire and blew it all up. On top of it all this was Knox and Summer's last hurrah as high school students. It's college for them or will they make it?
This book was so well written. With such a heavy subject matter the author approached it head on but with care. She showed how each mother wanted to protect their child. Eden wanted people to realize this really happened to her daughter and yet she wanted to hide Summer away so she could protect her. What I liked was how Summer with the help of friends took control of her situation and wanted to be able to get on with her life. She really grew and knew what she had to do to help herself. I also think she and her mother found each other in a totally different way which was nice to see. Lorrie tried to help her son. She didn't always agree with Knox in what he should do,. Especially when he really took a look at himself and reexamined the kind of man he really is. I felt he also grew and did what he had to do to move on. He re bonded with his brother Archie who always seemed to be left in the dust. They became real brothers again. Can Lorrie and Eden survive this horrible ordeal? Now how does Jules fit in to all of this?
This book was excellent. I liked everything about it. Nothing disappointed me at all. I would give it five stars because the subject matter was written with care and the characters were very real. So thank you NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for the ARC. Thank you Caitlin Weaver for such a heart wrenching book.
I was so happy when my son, Knox, began dating my best friend’s daughter. Our kids grew up together and we used to joke, as we sipped wine and watched them play, that they’d get married one day. But when Knox came home late after a party, zipping his hoodie up to hide the scratches I caught a glimpse of on his collarbone, a chill went down my spine.
That night, our whole world shattered. Now, I hardly recognize my husband as he sweeps into action, calling in a hot-shot lawyer to defend our boy.
I love my son, but what if I don’t know him at all? It turns out, everything I thought I knew about my perfect family is a lie. And I’m about to discover just what I’ll do to stop it from falling apart.
I love how this story navigates through a shocking event by using multiple POV’s of characters. Everyone shows the picture perfect family and life, no one ever shows the dark or difficult times. Lorrie try’s to keep her family’s picture perfect life together while trying to deal with allegations made about her son. I love how we get to see how different characters react, how they feel and how the process this event. It shows you how no one deals with something like this the same way. It also shows the perspective of two mothers who would do anything to protect their children.
Caitlin Weaver does a fantastic job of writing about a difficult topic. Especially showing it through all of the different characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC read.
3.5⭐️
This one was a hard one.
The characters were well-developed and complex. The subject matter was difficult. It did really highlight how everyone is affected, especially in small communities and especially with how families are impacted.
I did really feel like Lorrie was just keeping her head in the sand and refusing to acknowledge what happened.
I really understood where Summer was coming from having been in her shoes. The guilt, the shame, the still wanting to contact and missing him; I felt all that.
I really felt that the author approached the subject with empathy and was able to write all sides subjectively. It was a hard topic, and I think the author handled it well.
Thank you to Caitlin Weaver, Storm Publishjng and NetGalley for an eARC of this book!
This was incredible. I was hooked from the start and read most of it in a day. All of the characters and events had significance. It was a heavy storyline but flowed throughout. So impressive for a debut. The cover is also beautiful. It has been “done” before but the way everything was pieced together was great, in my opinion, and I was interested, feeling a range of emotions, the entire time.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & Storm Publishing for the DRC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fascinating read! The storyline was gripping and engaging! I found myself reading so fast to find out what would happen next. The only slight drawback was the multiple narrators:points of view switching so much—it was a little harder to follow at times. However, getting to hear from multiple characters internally was very interesting!
Thank you for this ARC. This book touched on a difficult topic, and handled it beautifully. It kept me interested all the way through.
Summer and Knox grew up together. When they began dating as teenagers, their families were thrilled and hoped that one day they would marry. Their lives and hopes for the couple soon came crashing down after Knox came home from a party one evening with scratches on his neck and chest. He had been involved in some kind of altercation. After Knox was accused of assault and pulled in by the police for questioning, his father immediately called in a hot-shot lawyer to defend him.
Suddenly their perfect family life was torn apart. His mother loved her son and the promising life he had ahead of him. He was about to graduate from high school and had been accepted into a fine college. Her perfect family was perfect no more. Had it all been a lie?
She desperately came up with a plan to protect her family from falling apart but would she succeed?
Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for an early copy of Such a Good Family. This is the BEST BOOK I read so far in 2024! I’ve never heard of this author, I read in 1 day, I literally could NOT put it down! The cover and then the synopsis caught my eye and I’m sooooo GLAD it did. What a tough subject and the author wrote about it in a way that we the reader could feel each characters emotions. FANTASTIC writing, I cried soooo hard at the end. The marriage between Witt and Eden was one I envied. Archie was such an awesome character. The friendship between Eden and Lorrie were one we all wish we had in life and I’m glad I do have friends like that. Seriously the Best Book of 2024 as of now.