Such an interesting and challenging title for a book, but as usual Susan Mallery delivers an amazing tale of a family that is exponentially increasing right before our eyes. People are popping out of the proverbial woodwork right into the midst of a Christmas gathering of an amazing family. The mother Julie and her adult children Dana and Nick are the core characters of the Parker family. All have hearts of gold and as would be considered usual a habit of bickering amongst themselves. This would be their first holiday season without their father. Hence the need to be together at the family cabin, and I use that term very loosely. Of course, Nick's new bride Blair is also there. As is Julie’s new boyfriend Heath.
But the fun really starts when characters with connections to various members of this family start popping up, or should I say in. I guarantee that you will have random moments when you laugh aloud, after all, it is a work of literary art by one of the best. And of course, there will be tender moments that will reach out to your heart making each character so real.
ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY is built around a smorgasbord of characters. Each is an essential element of the story. As with any family tale there is angst, regret, tempered with sass, humor, devotion and love. Some of the absolute best conversations. I especially love Julie and just about any object of her attention going at it. I would include an example of any one of a slew of exchanges but that would spoil your fun. Suffice it to say, ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY is a joyous romp by the prolific, imaginative, enormously talented Susan Mallery. Definitely add this to your must-read list. It’s a gift from Susan Mallery, her way of saying have a happy holiday - whatever that might be for you.
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.
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