Caffeinated Reviewer

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery is her latest holiday tale. You’ll want to pack your bags and head to the mountains with Julie Parker, her younger boyfriend, his kids, her adult children and their families. Did I mention his ex-wife? This delightful tale of love, holidays and family will leave you laughing, swooning and filled with holiday cheer.

Please don’t come home for Christmas…

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.

I love stories about large families. Julie Parker is proud of her adult children and runs a towing company that she hopes her son will one day run. This year her son Alex and his new wife Blair are planning a winter holiday and she is looking forward to a low-key Christmas with her younger boyfriend Heath, whose own kids will spend time with his ex. Ha- as a mother of adult children, I know nothing ever goes according to plan.

When Julie’s son Nick and daughter Dana inform her they want to celebrate Christmas at the cabin to honor their father (who passed this past year) she dons her mama boots and prepares to create the perfect holiday week. I loved the family dynamic, and that she invited her boyfriend along. Her son is married, but her daughter has had an off again on again relationship with Axel; who happens to works at the towing company. Blair brings her estranged mother, whose gift is complaining. It’s gonna be a full house, and Julie plans with style. Ho-Ho-Ho!

Things get complicated when Heath’s ex asks him to take the kids for the holiday, so she can go on a vacation with her new boyfriend. Julie opens up the cabin to them and other unexpected guest. Family drama, relationship developments and the chaos that is “family gatherings” had me chuckling, swooning, laughing and experiencing the joy of Christmas with this lovable, somewhat disfunction family. We see character growth, reconciliations and romantic developments on several fronts.

If you are looking for a warm-hearted, multiple perspective story about family, holidays and relationships, this touching tale is for you.

Amazon | Audible

About Susan Mallery

Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. She's best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Website | Twitter

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

• By Susan Mallery
• Same Genre