Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery on October 1, 2024
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 331
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.
But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.
As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.
A woman towing company owner has a lot on her plate entering the holiday season and is looking forward to a holiday getaway with her boyfriend while her adult kids are off doing their own thing and his kids are with the ex. But, holiday mischief abounds and her secret man and their combined extended family are about to make Christmas for two multiply exponentially. One Big Happy Family in the large family cabin produce mischief more than mistletoe. Susan Mallery’s latest holiday release kicked off the Season nicely.
The central figure of One Big Happy Family is Julie and by central figure, I mean the person everyone else revolves around. Julie is strong-minded, forthright, capable, and warmhearted especially to her children, but she is also hiding a desperate need to be in tight control and not give more than necessary when it comes to matters of the heart. No one sees this side as she hides it well behind a large, generous personality.
She owns and operates the family towing company and it is a successful business she hopes to pass down to her son. But, lately, she’s been itchy about doing it all alone and has been dating a wonderful guy, Heath, who just happens to be a decade younger. Julie isn’t ready to put her adult kids in the know she’s with a younger man, though he is a solid businessman himself, dependable, and has it all together. Just the two of them this holidays and she can’t wait.
Then, plans change when her son, Nick, and daughter, Dana rethink things when they are missing their recently deceased dad, Julie’s ex, and want to have a family holiday at the cabin in honor of him. Julie is generous and goes with it making the plans and getting it done for a dozen odd people come together to celebrate the holidays.
The narrative bounces among most of the adults who end up at the cabin from Nick’s estranged mother in law, Dana’s on again off again boyfriend breaking her heart, and Heath’s ex and kids. One Big Happy Family is not trying to do something original or complex, but simply showcases a family who are good and solid, but keep it real with the mishaps, miscues, and mistakes common to all during the holiday season in a woodsy setting and a not-so rustic six-bedroom cabin. There are funny moments and my favorite is the way the acoustics work so any conversations or arguments or otherwise are overheard by many others. Cracked me up when it happened.
The conflicts have their emotional impact, but doesn’t get overly dramatic which is how I like it. People messed up, but they figure it out and with the help- wanted or not- from family. The cozy holiday vibe was strong and I enjoyed the romances though they were not center stage. An all-around good pick for a holiday contemporary fiction sparkling with emotion and spirit.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Whew, all the characters sound like they are going through something. This sounds good.
Oh yeah, this was a motley crowd of misfits if I ever saw one, but it was a fun story as a result. 🙂
I always enjoy her books, so I know I would love this one too.
This was only my second by her and I really enjoyed it so I hope to read more.
Sounds like a good find. I do enjoy when an author can walk that fine line between emotional and overly dramatic.
Yes, there were several spots where she could have turned it into an overblown drama, but kept it just this side of the line.
This one sounds so good! I will have to make sure it is on my TBR for my holiday reads next year maybe. Great review!
Yay! Glad it will make your Christmas list, Lisa.
I really like that this doesn’t get overly dramatic. I have a low tolerance for angst. I will have to give this one a try!
You and me both, Katherine. I don’t mind some drama and internal conflict, but tap out when it gets too much like Jerry Springer. 🙂
“conflicts have their emotional impact, but doesn’t get overly dramatic” love that!
Yes, drama just to my taste. 🙂
I quite liked this and I enjoyed Julie and Heath’s story the most.
I enjoyed Heath a great deal the way he supported her.