I found this to be heartfelt and honest. I loved the element of "the things people don't say" and the effect of doing so. This is a novel about coming to terms with yourself, your life, and learning to move on. And it is a beautiful depiction of the bond between mother and son. It's a tear-jerker as well. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for providing a digital ARC for review.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

A compelling and at times heartbreaking book with well-developed characters that you really felt for. It drew you in from the beginning and I found I was really invested in the characters. I found it well-written, poignant and moving and wouldn't hesitate to read more from this author.

Tissues at the ready for such a realistic and emotional read. Lane’s about to leave her husband when he dies in a freak accident. Her life is spiralling and she needs a fresh start. Her 6 year old son, Henry, has stopped talking to anyone but her.

Lane starts to question why she’s never get like she belongs and why her family moved around so much.

I enjoyed this book (with a tissue in hand) and felt I related to Lane. However, I felt it could have been delivered in a more polished manner.

I had to quit this book before the end, it was just too maudlin for my taste. Nancy Star can write well, so I'd be willing to give her another chance.

Amazing book! Loved the plot, characters and how it kept me on the edge of my seat! I will for sure read more by this author in the future!

The way that the story unfolds is really interesting. As a mom of a son who raised him alone when he was still young, I could really relate to their relationship.

Great family drama with a real roller coaster of emotions. Likeable characters with family secrets unfolding and a great mother som relationship

This one is sure to tug at your heart strings. Take a deep dive into the heartache, pain, and eventual healing of a young widowed mother and her young son. Emotionally heavy read…and I was not prepared for the child’s disclosure regarding his refusal to speak. This one is a must read to all moms (especially of little boys since that bond is so strong!) and to all those in child/social welfare professions.

I really enjoyed reading this one. Perfect family saga book, with an amazing view of a mother - son relationship.

Thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Lane's life is a mess - and it has been for some time. She had planned on taking steps to making it better - one being divorcing her husband Aaron who drank too much. Before that could happen, he dies (along with others) in a tragic drunk driving accident. Lane's go-to solution (as it has been in the past) is to move--it's dramatic, and, for her, it's easy. But she soon finds that moving isn't going to help her 6 year old son, Henry, who has stopped talking after his father's death. Lane, accustomed to solving other people's problems as an advice columnist, finds herself without any answers. She thinks in order to find those answers she will have to go back into deep into her family's past and finally confront secrets long since buried.
I enjoyed the characters in this story and felt Lane's journey towards healing for her and her son. It's definitely more of a family drama read with a lot of emotional moments and has a lot of touching, mother-son relationship moments too. Loved the family secrets plot with a splash of romance. Great read overall!
Thanks to Nancy Star, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is beautifully written and also heartwarming, emotional and a tear jerker.
Perfect for fans of family sagas.

Original, entertaining, and engaging. Quirky characters and an advice columnist whose life is currently a disaster. I loved seeing her bravery as she heeds the honest advice, with humor and a lot of empathy she gives her readers.
I very enjoyable read!

A very moving portrayal of a family - I found it thought provoking and honest, keeping my attention to the end. The characterization was really strong. Looking to read More from Nancy Starr!

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really struggled with this to start with - couldn't get into where things fit etc, but gave it a little bit of perseverance and it's left me with a happy feeling inside.
Sad at times but ended with a traditional, if not obvious happy ending!

A heart-warming and memorable read.

This is my first time reading this author's work and what a pleasant experience it was! The characters leaped off the page and entered my heart. Henry was adorable and I enjoyed the way that the author portrayed him - and his thoughts.

The writing reminded my ever so slightly of the work of Fredrik Backman who is one of my favourite authors.

We follow Lane and Henry from an apartment in New York, to a old house in New Jersey, to a seaside house on Martha's Vineyard.

This is a beautifully written novel about parenting, responsibility, regrets, priorities, kindness, and how it feels to be an 'outsider'. The narrative expounds on the intrinsic value of listening and being patient with others.

Recommended highly to all those parents who feel insecure in their ability to parent, parents who suffer from parental guilt, anyone who is a parent or grandparent, adult children of parents... have I left anyone out?

This was just okay for me. Interesting premise. I enjoyed the mother son relationship and how the book dealt with grief. I thought it was a little slow however it did pick up at the end. I did appreciate how the mother was portrayed in the story. She was loving and patient. This story just wasn't for me at no fault of the story or writing. I think a lot of people will enjoy this. I would pick up another book by this author. I actually have Sisters one, two three on my kindle.

This book explores a lot of heavy topics but frames them in such a greatly told story that they are digestible. A great examination of family, childhood, and everything that comes with it! Would recommend.

My thoughts




Narrative and Plot




Rules for Moving starts with quite a nostalgic prologue. The story is about a house with a woman who lived with her son - the boy who only talked to his mother. That almost sums up the entire story. Except the memories of each house is associated with a person's life. I am someone who moved around a lot in my childhood. Personally, I could relate to this story. If I am being honest, I associate each phase of my life with each house. It might sound silly, but I do say goodbye to the empty walls every time I move out of a house for good. I shared this because that is where I come from.


Back to the book, Rules for Moving has quite a strong plot. The narrative shifts between Lane and her son Henry. The story is mostly descriptive, but it doesn't wear you out.



Characters and Conflicts


The story deals with loss and grieving. It explores the topic in deep and if you're someone who doesn't want to read about loss of a loved one, do not go into this. From the beginning, we learn that Lane is not exactly a people's person while her job is a contradiction. She is an advise columnist who tells people what to do with their tricky situations. The way she grows and becomes her own better version is what the book is about.


The other main character in the book is Henry. His perspective was depicted beautifully. It had the innocence and perception of a six year old. The word play as perceived by a kid definitely makes you think about how careful you should be while talking to children. "Wait and Sea" , "Dream on It, and my personal favourite "Heavens Ache" .

The conflict in the story is mainly about Henry and his sudden silence. It would look like one thing on the outside but reality would turn out to be completely different. It is good that stories like these are being told. It should make people think.

That being said, there were certain parts where the story just slowed down for no reason. The romance was subtle and elegant.



Conclusion


Overall, the Rules for Moving is really a close to heart story for me. It emphasizes in family and the importance of communication within a family. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in reading about dealing with grief, child psychology and mental health.