family and other calamities
by leslie gray streeter

my rating: 3.4/5
tropes: family love, miscommunication, second chance(?)

thanks to netgalley, the author and the publisher for giving me a chance to read and review this ARC.

opinion:
as i was reading this book in the bus this morning, it had me sitting on the edge of the chair the whole time to keep reading and figuring out on the whole drama happening in it. this book is written in the first pov of dawn (fmc), a grieving widow, successful journalist with a dark unresolved past and her getting back to her hometown just unlocks and triggers so many drama and unspoken feelings between her family members.

the characters were all likeable (except for joe) and has their own personality traits and each of them has valid reasons for their own actions. plus, the love between family members is also being portrayed in the book very well and there were a lot of situations showing that unconditional love and support from family members is the best gift you'll ever receive.

it's an overall an enjoyable read for me despite some dialogues get a little cringe, personally but since it does get the points across, i don't really mind it too much.

wardah ꨄ

I enjoyed this book a lot. Sometimes you just need a lighter read that makes you want to cheer for the protagonist. In this book, the main character returns to her hometown, where she has plenty of family drama. As she tries to unravel her past, there is humor, but also some heart. The first chapter didn't quite hook me, but right after that I was drawn right in. I'd recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is such a fun read! A journalist returns to her hometown to face her messy past, full of family drama, revenge, and some hilarious moments. As she works to clear her name and make things right, you can't help but cheer her on for a fresh start and maybe even a little love. It's funny, heartfelt, and a great reminder that it’s never too late to change your story.

A successful journalist returns to her hometown just as her biggest mistake becomes headline news in this vibrant, funny, and heartfelt novel about facing life and the past, and its secrets, head-on.

Entertainment journalist Dawn Roberts has a lot to work a widow’s grief, betrayals of family and friends, and scandals that almost tanked her reputation. Not that Dawn dwells on the past. Well, hardly. When she returns to Baltimore with her husband’s ashes, she can’t avoid it. In fact, she’s diving into decades of backstabbing and treachery for her first trip home in years.

She’s looking at you, Joe Perkins. Her former mentor, whose explosive exposé about big-city corruption is being turned into a slanderous movie, is also back in town. The villain of the piece? Dawn. The good news is that this could all be a chance to reset—heal family wounds, admit to her own mistakes, and maybe even reconnect with the one who got away. Oh, and get even with Joe any way she can.

With the surprising help of an up-and-coming journalist and a legendary R & B diva, Dawn will finally set the record straight. Returning home might just be the biggest story in Dawn’s life, a fresh start—and happy ending—she never expected.

Loved it. Will recommend to others.

Leslie Gray Streeter’s *Family and Other Calamities* is a vibrant, laugh-out-loud, and deeply heartfelt novel that captures the messy beauty of going home, facing the past, and finding redemption in unexpected places. With its sharp humor, richly drawn characters, and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, this story is as entertaining as it is poignant.

Dawn Roberts is a force to be reckoned with—a successful entertainment journalist who’s witty, determined, and just a little bit chaotic. But beneath her polished exterior lies a tangle of grief, regret, and unresolved betrayals that all come roaring back when she returns to her hometown of Baltimore. Streeter masterfully balances Dawn’s sharp humor with the raw vulnerability of a woman grappling with loss and a complicated past, making her a protagonist who feels wonderfully real and relatable.

The plot takes off when Dawn discovers that her former mentor, Joe Perkins, is back in town, riding high on the success of a movie based on his scandalous exposé. The problem? The movie casts Dawn as the villain. With her reputation on the line, Dawn decides it’s time to set the record straight—and maybe settle a few scores while she’s at it. Streeter delivers this premise with humor and energy, filling the story with twists, turns, and plenty of biting banter.

But *Family and Other Calamities* isn’t just about revenge—it’s about reconciliation. As Dawn digs into her past, she’s forced to confront not only Joe but also her fractured family, her own mistakes, and the one who got away. Streeter writes these emotional moments with depth and sensitivity, ensuring the story has plenty of heart to balance its sharper edges.

The supporting cast is a delight, from the up-and-coming journalist who becomes Dawn’s unlikely ally to a legendary R&B diva who steals every scene she’s in. These characters add layers of humor, charm, and wisdom to the narrative, making Dawn’s journey feel like a collective effort rather than a solo act.

The Baltimore setting adds texture and authenticity to the story, grounding the drama in a city that feels as much a character as the people who inhabit it. Streeter’s vivid descriptions and keen observations bring the neighborhood dynamics, local flavor, and cultural nuances to life, immersing readers in the world Dawn left behind—and the one she’s trying to reclaim.

The pacing is pitch-perfect, with enough drama and humor to keep the pages turning while leaving room for moments of introspection and emotional resonance. Streeter’s prose is sharp, witty, and infused with warmth, making even the heaviest topics feel accessible and relatable.

*Family and Other Calamities* is a beautifully crafted novel that celebrates resilience, forgiveness, and the power of facing your truth. Leslie Gray Streeter has delivered a story that’s as funny as it is moving, reminding readers that it’s never too late to rewrite your story—and maybe find a happy ending along the way. Five stars for this witty, heartfelt gem that will have you laughing, crying, and cheering for Dawn every step of the way.

Leslie Gray Streeter does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed getting to know the main character. The plot worked well overall and was hooked from the first page. The overall feel worked with the type of story and was glad everything worked overall. I hope to read more from Leslie Gray Streeter as this was a fantastic read.

Family and Other Calamities was the perfect read to pull me out of a slump. With sharp, witty dialogue and deeply relatable characters, the story of Dawn returning to her hometown of Baltimore to face family drama, grief, and unresolved emotions is both funny and heartfelt. I loved how the book portrays Dawn’s tendency to run from her problems—something I could really relate to—and how it captures the messy, beautiful reality of family life.

That said, the ending felt a bit rushed and didn’t provide the closure I was hoping for after such a complex build-up. Still, this book was a wonderfully engaging reminder of how chaotic yet meaningful family can be. It’s a quick, emotionally resonant read that left me reflecting on the ties that bind.

"Family and Other Calamities" was the perfect book to pull me out of a reading rut. This book is full of sharp, witty dialogue that paints realistic, flawed characters that immediately connect with the reader emotionally. Faced with a confluence of events that pull her back to her hometown of Baltimore where Dawn encounters grief, shame, guilt, truth, and all the feelings that come along with being a part of a family. With the exception of a couple of flashbacks that slow the pace, this book moves quickly through a complicated web of events that don't slow down until the very end.

I really love how deeply I can relate to Dawn and her perpetual habit of running when things feel like they've become too much. Returning to the pieces she left behind is messy, and I think that mess is beautiful and relatable. The only part of the book that felt lackluster was the ending. While I like things to be resolved neatly, I got to the last two chapters and wondered how everything would be pulled together. In my opinion, the ending feels a bit rushed, which detracts from the complexity of the intricate web that had been woven throughout the book.

All-in-all, this book made for a lovely morning of allowing humor to remind me of the ways that family is messy, but they are family nonetheless.

Great book. Relatable characters and plot. The book was the correct lengthy to adequately tell the story.