I really enjoyed this novel about a slightly dysfunctional and humorous family. In fact, it felt kind of short to me. A lot of the issues stayed on the surface and it felt like everything happened quite fast. I would have liked to know more about the children - it seems like this could have been a great opportunity to have multiple narrators. Because we jumped right into the action and there are quite a few main characters, I had some trouble at first following along with the dialogue. It just overall felt rushed. The concept was great and I wouldn’t hesitate to read this author again in the future.

4.5 Thank you Netgalley! What a delightful read. I was in a book slump and found this and now i'm back in a book slump because nothing appeals to me. Anyway, the book is about the Figgs. June & Randy. Married for 20+ years. And their three grown children; Tom the oldest, Vanessa and Derek. The book opens with June wanting to organize the basement and start to clean things out. Mostly it's the kid's things. They sort of help as they all have jobs at what would probably seem like crappy places like petland, a recycling factory and a cleaning business. But then Derek announces that Marissa is having the baby. Who's Marissa? The rest of the family doesn't know. But Marissa was a girl Derek dated about 9 months before. The girl that June walked in on at Derek's job the they were getting it on on a counter. The image is vividly burned into her head, that Marissa.
And so the Figgs go to the hospital along with Leslie who was bringing Vanessa to work who also turns out to be Vanessa's girlfriend. June is surprised, not that her daughter is a lesbian but that she's dating a woman old enough to be vanessa's mother.
But the story unfolds as Randy, after seeing the birth of his grandchild, admits to having a son who June never knew about. Also, June was adopted.
SO the story is kind of about adoption and accepting it and finding your biological family and also loving the family you grew up with.
The author has a keen eye for dialogue and was really funny. I enjoyed the story from beginning to end..

I would like to thank the publisher, Freehand books, the author, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. The Figgs is the story of family, a quirky dysfunctional family, but a loving family. Parents are ready to retire and downsize, but 3 adult children and all of their "adult" situations complicate their process. It grew increasingly hard not to like and identify with the family members as they grew and developed during the story.

Charming, realistic novel of a family navigating adoption and parenthood from multiple perspectives. I particularly loved the sibling relationships; this novel was sweet and quirky.

Many who look forward to retirement dream of relaxing, traveling, learning new hobbies, and spending time with their significant other. June Figg dreamed of all those things, but a few short months into retirement, events conspired against her and none of her retirement wishes were coming true. All three adult children still lived at home, and their secrets became slowly revealed; their daughter is a lesbian, their youngest son becomes a new father from a fling and the mother wants nothing to do with the baby, and their oldest son has been feeling the brunt of keeping sibling secrets and quietly trying to help June's adoptive mother who lives with dementia in a nursing home. As the new baby enters the house hold, June's husband reveals he, too, has a child from a teenage relationship who was put up for adoption. This shocking news opens up wounds and desires for June as she try to determine if she wants to know her own birth parents or not. An interesting perspective on adoption and reactions of all parties - the kids, the parents, subsequent relationships and family members - in dealing with the aftermath.

Quirky family, interesting, funny dialogue. Decent overall.

I really loved the premise of this book - I thought it would be right up my alley since I'll be an empty-nester next year but I could not get into this book. It was like listening to a conversation of 5 people just yelling and talking nonsense. all at once. - incessant noise and no logic. Unfortunately, I had to put it down and walk away.

In a world of cozy mysteries, dystopian fantasies, and chick lit, this book stands out. It's not cuddly, sweet, or fantasy. Here's what it is- real life, with a unique voice, outlandish characters and humor that feels like a punch to the gut. If you hang on to this wild ride, like I did, you will end up feeling satisfied.

I have read other reviews about this book, and many described the Figg family as dysfunctional. But they are not really misfits, it's more that they are in transition and stuck. The parents, June and Randy Figg are newly retired and have vague ideas about selling their house. But their three young adult children are all still living at home. The children seem to be unable to launch themselves.

What gets them unstuck is the unexpected arrival of baby Jaxx. The first time June heard about him was when her son announced that he had received a text telling him that the contraptions had started. Now they must all consider what it means to be a family.

The writing in this book is almost existential with unexpected words. We see what June sees, whether it's clumps of families wielding foil balloons, or her husband stretched out like a gingerbread man. At times, this writing style jarred me and made it harder for me to sink into the story and connect with the characters. At other times it added to the grit and despair of the story.

I am glad I read this book. It's different, but I recommend it to you.

This was a fun read. The family members are relatable and interesting. I felt like I was in on the conversation, whenever they were having discussions. My only complaint was the abrupt and unsatisfying ending.

Ah, the Figgs! What A quirky, charming, loving family. I'll admit I laughed, cried a little bit and identified a bit of myself in almost all of the characters. Do parents really want their grown children to leave home?

Well written, with a tongue in cheek touch, it read quickly for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I forward to reading more from this author.

*I'd like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley For the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

The Figgs. A family of mother, father and three grown children. Three grown children that still live st home. June, the mother, can't eat for them to be responsible and ove out. Of course life has a way of laughing at our plans. She finds that they are now grandparents of Jaxx a lovely baby boy. Then her baby boy becomes a single dad living at home. Curiously she likes that.
Through ups and downs, ins and outs, the Gigg family will make it. They may be dysfunctional, but there's plenty of love to go around.
This book made me laugh. The Author is clever in how she writes the dialogue between the characters. June is a perfect example of a harried mother going through menopause. Each character has his or her own personality. Personality that are unique. What a quirky family!!!
5 Stars

We are introduced to the Figgs, a dysfunctional family, but one in which humor abounds. June and Randy are the parents of three adult children, who still live at home in Calgary. All kinds of mayhem develops, as Derek finds out he is a father, Randy admits to another child, June searches for her adoptive mom. This was a fun read, full of love as well.

Well.. I must say I loved the Figgs.
An amazing dysfunctional family who in a crunch, will absolutely support each other!
The kids are all grown up and yet, still live at home. Will they ever leave? This is the dilemma as we turn the pages of this novel. Do June and Randy really want them all to leave?
There is humor, heartache and a lot of love in this book.

I adored this book about a dysfunctional family that underneath it all, cared deeply for one another. An emotional story written with humor about a quirky mother, a sentimental father, and their three adult children who live at home finding it difficult to break away from the apron strings.The story is one that is easy to relate to and I felt the family could have even be my neighbors in the Midwestern U.S.

Ali Bryan writes with a quick wit that is startlingly funny and creative. I couldn't help but laugh out loud several times throughout the book. She is an author I will watch for and recommend.

Really enjoyed this book overall. The Figgs are not your typical dysfunctional family. June and Randy may have more issues than their children in fact. The family was endearing despite this. Ok maybe an exception here for Vanessa who just seemed like a terrible person and left the reader wondering how/why Leslie was with her.

June's inner dialogue was very realistic. Something you don't see often in fiction.

Not a feel good story, just a feel story. The ending left me a little underwhelmed so I would realistically give this 3.5 stars.

Oh, The Figgs....June and Randy are a couple with three adult children living at home. As they work for their children to gain independence, they also discover what family truly means. That sounds like a tag line, but it's true-this book is an in-depth look as what it means to be someone's mother, father, child.....As my husband recently connected with and met his birth mother, this book resonated with me deeply. I enjoyed reading Bryan's perspective on adoption and the influence that may have on a child.

If all this seems to serious, don't let it deter you. The Figgs is also laugh-out-loud funny (the chicken scene in the kitchen? We've all been there....).

All-in-all, it's a great look at the modern American family.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.