DNF at 23% I found both main characters reasonably insufferable and overtly self-centred and couldn’t find enjoyment in the story unfolding before me unfortunately. Although it seems realistic of most modern couples it wasn’t for me.

I could not get into the plot of this story because I felt that the characters are fake but the plot was heartfelt and with more likeable/realistic characters it would have been a great book.

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.

First and foremost I love all the different POVs in this story. It really brought it to life. I couldn’t trust a single character in this book but that is what made the story so interesting. I devoured this in less than a day because I was so invested and while this is her debut novel I hope it’s not her only. I would definitely recommend this book!!


Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

A family deals with divorce and custody disputes in this novel by Margaret Klaw. There are multiple POVs providing insight into the different aspects of the book, which gives a great look at the different ways a divorce can challenge a family. We get to see the selfishness exhibited by the parents, which as a child of divorce, I can certainly relate to. Klaw practices family law and her expertise really comes through in this well-written novel. I appreciate an advanced copy in exchange for a review!

This was a very moving and emotional story. I enjoyed it a lot and will recommend it!
I felt pulled in by the characters and what they each had to go through to grow throughout the book. Every Other Weekend us a book I will definitely recommend to my two FCebook book groups and to those whom follow me on Goodreads.

Thank you for the advanced copy!

A divorced couple working through tough times. Quick and interesting read. This book is told through multiple points of view. It highlights into relationships as in general not only of the main characters but other people's too. Nice read for pastime. Recommended for the fans of family drama.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a very compelling read! The storyline is told with multiple perspectives of very well drawn characters. Marriage and children can be complicated and this book walks us through one families journey. Highly recommend.

This was a compelling read, that I found I did not want to put down! Great, multi-faceted characters. Very interesting plot. Vivid descriptions. Suspenseful and thrilling. I felt every emotion. Kept me intrigued from the first page to the last. Simply a GREAT read!

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.

Every Other Weekend offers multiple POVs: Lisa, Jake, their daughters, Lisa’s and Jake’s attorney, and the judge from the family court, along with a few others. With all these POVs, the reader witnesses that no POV is the exact truth, especially highlighting the unreliability of Lisa and Jake's POVs. Throughout the story, both Lisa and Jake feel a bit self-righteous, with little concept of how their actions affect their children. Their lousy behavior gives the reader a front-row seat to childhood trauma resulting from divorce and custody battles.

Adding to the challenges of the custody battle is that Jake’s girlfriend is polyamorous. Margaret Klaw unlayers this lifestyle for the reader, which I knew little about. However, at times, Jake’s girlfriend's explanation feels more like justification.

Margaret Klaw practices family law, which brings authenticity. Some of my favorite scenes involve the courtroom drama. Klaw highlights the moral dilemma judges and attorneys weigh when determining what is best for the kids. I hope she continues on this theme for future books.

Marriage is complicated. On the surface, Lisa and Jake’s marriage seems solid. He works at a startup but his real love is music. He plays in a band that has regular local gigs. Lisa is a busy nurse practitioner and volunteer. They are loving parents to daughters Elizabeth and Charlotte.
But you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Lisa blindsides Jake and asks him for a divorce. He’s despondent and shocked, as are their daughters. He consults Ellen, an attorney, and asks her for a legal agreement as Lisa doesn’t want a lawyer. They’ll have joint custody. Then, as in so many divorces, it all breaks down and devolves into a bitter custody case.

Every Other Weekend is told in many voices. Jake, Lisa, Ellen, her daughter, the Judge, and various local groups. The multiple perspectives provide an interesting look at thought processes. While Jake seems to be a very sympathetic character, we see how he continues to make bad choices, the main reason why Lisa wants a divorce. We learn Ellen’s private life influences her public one and how the Judge’s ambition drives her. Every Other Weekend is compulsively readable and sad. It will stay with you long after you’ve finished the last page. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, She Writes Press and Margaret Klaw for this ARC.

From the moment I finished the first page of this book I knew this was a book I was going to love. The author is a family law attorney who is clearly well-versed in court procedures and some of the common courtroom behaviors of people involved in them.

The story opens in the present with a scene in Judge Jones’ courtroom during a hearing on a motion brought by the mother’s attorney to modify a child custody order in a case involving a divorced couple, Jake and Lisa Naudain, both of whom are represented by counsel. The motion to modify the custody order has been brought by Lisa’s attorney. Lisa is alleging that their seven-year daughter, Charlotte, with whom she shares custody of with Jake, told her that Charlotte had been in bed with Jake and his “naked paramour,” and that she had witnessed them “engaging in several acts of sexual conduct.”

From there the story takes off. Most of it is told in a series of vignettes, each through the eyes of a different character, including Lisa, Jake, their children, Jake’s polyamorous girlfriend, as well as Jake and Lisa’s lawyers, among others. The plot moves seamlessly through the well-developed storyline, with the vignettes narrated by the characters interspersed with narrative about the trial to keep the reader apprised as the court case plays out.

One of the things I loved most about this book is the characters created by Ms. Klaw. Each one is flawed in some way and even a bit quirky, which makes them seem very human and therefore relatable. They are also complex and very well-developed. It impressed me how the characters act and speak so realistically and in a way that seems similar to the way actual litigants and the others involved in a similar case might. Finally, I’m an attorney and it frustrates me to no end when authors write courtroom scenes that are completely implausible and characters who are shallow. Fortunately, these are offenses for which I resoundingly find Ms. Klaw “Not Guilty.”

Every Other Weekend felt so real - perhaps because it was told from multiple perspectives. I really enjoyed being "inside" everyone's head, hearing what they were thinking, and experiencing everyone's feelings first hand. I think the combination of the book's format and the author's professional experience, made it very plausible. The storyline moved back and forth, again something that I enjoyed - to me, this made it a very compelling way to view the timeline. The fact that every character was flawed in some way, again lent more realism to this heart wrenching yet enthralling story.

This is the Real Housewives meets family court drama! What a great book. Super fast read! This is a great book to have as a poolside read this summer.

I had a really hard time enjoying this because the characters were frustrating and not people I wanted to root for. The plot didn't seem to advance very much, so it didn't feel like it had much of a point to it. I know a lot of other people have given it high ratings, but this book just wasn't' for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, She Writes Press and the author for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

If the Real Housewives series and Family Court had a baby, it would resemble this book. We follow a suburban, upper class family in the aftermath of their divorce and child custody proceedings. The drama unfolds through multiple points of view among the family and those close to them including: the family court judge, the lawyer and her promiscuous teenage daughter, the ex-husband’s polyamorous new girlfriend, and even the family dog. We are also privy to the neighborhood gossip surrounding the demise of this “perfect” marriage.

I found this novel compulsively readable and flew through the short chapters in a day and a half. I enjoyed seeing things from different perspectives and there were a few unexpected, salacious plot twists. I understand the author is a lawyer so the scenarios seemed to be quite realistic portrayals. I found my opinions of the characters waving throughout the novel and could trust no one. I also enjoyed that the neighborhood was painted very distinctly and Greenwood was a character in its own right.

However, the epilogue at the end seemed a little too abrupt and tidy for me. I was left wanting a little more from the story. Overall, it was a good time and I think this would be a great summer beach read.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

I'm only giving it 2 stars because it kept me on my toes till the end but otherwise, it would be 1 star for me…

One thing though is that maybe this book wasn’t for me. It got my attention because of its cover but after I read the first chapter I knew I wasn’t going to love it, still it got interesting after that so I went ahead and read it with an open mind but the truth is… Nothing happens! Absolutely nothing 💀

I was having a hard time with the multiple POVs and on top of that some were in first person and others in third!!! This is not as confusing as you may think but I couldn’t connect with any of the characters 😭

And then we’ve got the dog pov?!?!? Like why? And it was like nothing that added value to the book!!!

The only good thing is that it was fast-paced so I manage to finish it really quickly, but other than that is a big no for me 😞

This book was an interesting and provocative look into a marriage and the relationships that surround it. I wasn’t a huge fan of the format at first but once I got used to it, I enjoyed the way the story was told.

Another book about the complications of divorce. This is told via multiple narrators. I simply felt unsympathetic to the characters. Of course, there is a level of predictability and the plot points and conflicts come as expected.

Thank you Netgalley.

This is a poignant story with a strong voice. Loved these characters. Debut author who should keep writing