Meet the Gillespie family. Angela and Nick run an outstation in the Australian outback, have been married for over thirty years, and have four children - the twins Genevieve and Victoria, Lindy, and Ig, the baby at ten years old.

Every year Angela sends out a standard Christmas letter, telling everyone how the Gillespies are getting on, and all of the positive things that are happening in their lives. But what happens when Angela decides this year she would like to tell the truth? That Genevieve, hairdresser to the stars, is a gossip with no restraint that will end up in trouble. That Victoria, who has been publicly humiliated and sacked from her radio job, was actually sleeping with her married boss. That Lindy cannot find her place in this world, and spends most of her time whining and being self-absorbed. That her beautiful, loving little boy Ig, keeps running away from boarding school, and talking to his imaginary friend, Robbie. That Nick has been so distant with her, making serious decisions about their future without her, and has become obsessed with tracing his roots with the help of Carol, his internet 'friend'. And finally Angela herself. What would people say if they knew that Angela was lost, didn't know how to regain her relationship with her husband, and so has created a fantasy life in her mind, where she is married to an old boyfriend Will, in London, where they have the perfect life with their one daughter, Lexie. Taking her friend Joan's advice, Angela writes all of this as a therapeutic exercise, but when it accidentally gets sent out, it starts a chain of events that nobody could have guessed would happen.

When the Gillespie family reunite at home, sparks fly as they try to get their own lives under control, and figure out where they went wrong, and what they want in the future. But when an accident turns all of their lives upside down, they must face their demons, and come together in this time of need, if they have any chance of keeping their family intact. With love triangles, times of sadness, wonderful friendships, childish antics, and unexpected blessings, will the Gillespies be able to find each other again?

HELLO FROM THE GILLESPIES by Monica McInerney is the perfect read! With characters that are vibrant and compelling, this story flows effortlessly from the first line and has everything a reader could wish for. There is love and heartbreak which will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. I have never been to Australia but I could imagine the wide open spaces and landscape, as the author describes it so vividly and poetically. The sibling relationships were so realistic and heartwarming, and Genevieve and Victoria's relationship was my favourite.

HELLO FROM THE GILLESPIES by Monica McInerney is an addictive, emotional, entertaining novel that everyone should read. Quite simply fantastic.