Resolutions: A Family in Stories by Jen Knox is a collection of short stories that depict the struggles and resolutions of a troubled family. The stories take place between 2014 and 2030 and tell the story of Jasmine, a widowed mother of four who works hard to support her family and encourages her children to set goals. The book explores the complexities of family dynamics, mental illness, and loss, and how the family members deal with these challenges. The main narrator is Molly May, the middle child, who tells most of the stories and takes on the role of a substitute parent to her younger brothers. The book is well-written and engaging, and it explores the political context of pre-pandemic, pre-racial-protest America. Overall, the book offers hope and models of individual and family survival, and suggests that life doesn't always offer solutions but literature can.

I found this book to be painful in places and captivating in others. So many of Jasmine's (the Mother) actions and choices were cruel and awful! Her four children were in essence trapped in her crazy - no other real adults (except an occasional boyfriend) were around to help them, until Allie decided to act. Kept me reading, but not always a pleasant experience.

I guess I didn't get it. Kept me interested, to find some sort of ending.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

* spoiler alert ** When I started this,I thought the missing daughter was going to be the star of the show,mainly due to her absence.
But second child Molly Mae stepped firmly into that role,as she held the family together.
The whole thing was full of family tension,sibling love and crazy mother.
It came as no surprise that Jasmine had mental health issues,and really was trying to do her best for her kids.
Quite the emotional read.