If you love an easy read with some family drama then Susan Mallery is an author you will love. Add in Christmas and you’ve got a fun holiday read.

Thank you #HarlequinTradePublishing, #netgalley and Susan Mallery for this ARC.

Talk about unexpected relationships, tangled and difficult ones as well as loving ones, and complicated even more by occurring during the Christmas holidays when all are (mostly) stuck in a big cabin/house with snowstorms blowing outside.

Truly what seems to become a nightmare of increasing proportions as more and more people show up (some expected, others not so much), also begins to evolve into more caring and understanding. That is, all but Julie who insists on denying her feelings for Heath when he breaks her rule by declaring that he's in love with her. He's 12 years younger than her; but is that such a bad thing? And why can't Julie see that he's what she needs, even if she refuses to see it. Will all the other people in the cabin convince her otherwise?

Just finished One Happy Family by Susan Mallery, and it was such a comforting read. I really enjoyed the way she captured the ups and downs of family life—messy, real, and full of heart. The characters felt like people I know, and I found myself rooting for their happiness. If you’re into stories about love, forgiveness, and second chances, this one’s a cozy winner.

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One Big Happy Family
By: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing
Pub Date: 10/1/24

One BIG family is definitely right. From in-laws to ex’s and current boyfriend kids and employees this group is huge! Julie is the matriarch who runs a towing business. She’s trying to take it easy this Christmas, that is until her adult kids ask for Christmas at their cabin. She’s determined to give them what they want plus all the other people that come along. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but their personalities really come out which helps keep them all straight. Definitely a great read for a lovely Sunday!

This book has all of the family drama you know and love! I love the cover of the book too! This book had everything you would want in a Christmas book!

This was equal parts family drama mixed with Christmas spirit. I enjoyed the idea of the story line, but the multiple points of view left me a bit confused at times. I wish it could have been a little less drama and a little more holiday. Thank you for the chance to read it!

I loved this book! I loved the family dynamics and the storyline. I couldn't put this one down
This is the second book by this author I have read and I can't wait to read more. I loved the differences of the characters and how they all interacted. I would love to visit this cabin and be a part of this Christmas!

This was a warm and entertaining holiday read that’s as messy, funny, and heartfelt as real family life often is. Susan did a great job balancing the humor and heart, especially through Julie Parker, a mom who just wants a quiet Christmas for once.... until her grown kids change all her plans.

I really enjoyed watching Julie navigate all the chaos, especially while trying to keep her relationship with Heath a secret. And can we talk about Heath for a second? I loved how all-in he was from the very beginning. No drama, just genuine care and commitment, exactly what Julie needed. And Julie herself is such a generous soul. No matter who showed up (invited or not!), she made space for them, showing what the holidays are really about.

That said, I did find the shifting points of view a little tricky to follow at times. Each chapter jumps between characters, and while it added depth to the story, it took me a bit to get used to. Also, I’m still not totally sold on Axel and Dana. I’m skeptical of their relationship and would’ve loved a bit more clarity or development there. All in all, this is a feel-good story about love, second chances, and making room for more joy, even if it comes with unexpected guests and a few bumps along the way.

I think this might be my favorite Susan Mallery book. Julie is a widow and mother of grown children. She is not so sad when her children tell her they aren’t going to their family cabin for Christmas. Julie is looking forward to alone time with her much younger boyfriend, Heath. Well, it all comes crashing down when her son and his new wife change plans, her daughter changes her plans, Heath’s ex-wife changes plans and he will have his kids, and they all want to come to the cabin. Then, the ex-wife ends up coming to the cabin, too. Everyone has a secret they need to share and this holiday has disaster written all over it. There are definitely bumps in the road, but they make the best of it and have a great Christmas! I really enjoyed it!

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. I am happy it has been released.

Susan Mallery doesn't just write romance. She writes stories about women and their relationships with each other. And there's still a healthy side of romance.

One Big Happy Family is another fun read from Susan Mallery with a Holiday twist. Julie Parker is the mama bear. She loves her children and her family. `This year, her kids have decided to forego the usual big family Christmas to do their own things. And Julie isn't upset about that. After years of being the hostess with the mostest, she's looking forward to a low-key holiday with her new much younger and not so public boyfriend.

But plans change. And Julie finds herself hosting not only her daughter, son, and daughter-in law at her mountain cabin. A host of other family and chosen family find their way to the cabin for a Christmas they won't soon forget.

As always, Susan tackles tough subjects like depression, toxic familial relationships, body image, and grief. She also does what she does best and writes supportive, healthy relationships between women. These relationships are what keep me coming back every time she has a new release.

One Happy Family is definitely one of those books you want to read cozied up in your favorite chair whether it be by the fire or on the beach.

Overall…this was cute. The problem is, I feel like there was so much that was just missing. I just kept waiting for this to happen and finally by the end I finished it and I kinda just said “that’s it?? Where’s the rest??”

This just left so much room for more. So much was missing

3.5 🌟 I really enjoyed this book. The characters feel so relatable and I became invested in their lives. Mallery does it all with humor and heartfelt moments. I also just love the small-town setting of Fool's Gold. It’s not groundbreaking, but it absolutely is a solid and satisfying story, especially if you are a fan of romance and family drama.

One Big Happy Family is a heartwarming and hilarious holiday story that explores love, secrets, and the unexpected joys of family. Julie Parker's plans for a quiet Christmas with her younger boyfriend Heath are upended when her children ask for a family gathering at their cabin. As her hidden relationship with Heath and the growing guest list stir up old emotions and new surprises, the story beautifully balances humor and heartfelt moments. The characters are relatable, and the chaotic holiday gathering offers a delightful mix of laughter and warmth. It’s a charming reminder that sometimes, the best things happen when we embrace the messiness of life and family.

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery is a heartwarming and entertaining contemporary romance that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and love. The story centers around three sisters, their relationships with each other, and their evolving romantic lives. As each woman faces her own personal challenges, they learn about the power of family, forgiveness, and second chances. With Mallery’s signature blend of humor, emotion, and relatable characters, this novel is an uplifting and feel-good read for fans of family dramas and sweet romance.

Author Susan Mallery gets holiday chaos. In One Big Happy Family, Mallery's most recent Christmas-focused release, towing company owner Julie Parker isn't upset when her grown children decide to skip Christmas for a year; it's the perfect opportunity for her to spend it with her new, younger, and very secret boyfriend, Heath. However, plans change when her daughter, Dana, and son, Nick (along with Nick's wife, Blair), suddenly have a change of heart and push for a big celebration at the family cabin. Of course, Blair can't leave her mother, Gwen, alone for the holidays, nor her Uncle Paul. And Heath's two young children need a place to stay since their mom is jetting off on vacation ... Actually, scratch that. She gets dumped, and Julie just can't stand to see anyone alone on Christmas. Oh, and there's a dog.

It's gonna be a full house. But Julie, the plucky and capable matriarch (she's maybe not ready for grandma just yet), swings into action with the assurance of someone who's handled countless family functions. It's refreshing to see a mature heroine who has her wits about her, and the bulk of the conflict rests on interactions with the other guests. Blair struggles understanding her mother, who in turn struggles with just about everyone. Nick withholds a massive secret from Julie, while Dana can't seem to get over an ex-boyfriend. All of this isn't to suggest Julie is a perfect person, and Mallery expertly teases out her own insecurities that primarily stem from dating someone younger than her.

It's a cacophony of storylines. With a lesser writer, the book might feel as overcrowded as the cabin becomes. Yet Mallery finds a way to squeeze all of their problems, heartbreaks, and happy endings into satisfying sections that gives each member of the household a time to shine without feeling overwhelming or under done.

Joyfully chaotic, it's a pretty nice way to spend a holiday.

Another solid read from Susan Mallery. Sweet story, relatable characters. A simple but enjoyable read. I always know I’ll enjoy a book when it’s written by Mallery.

Ever dreamed of a picture-perfect family Christmas? Well, One Big Happy Family is here to remind you that holiday gatherings can get real messy, real fast. Julie Parker was hoping for a quiet, cozy holiday with her younger secret boyfriend, Heath (get it, girl), but instead, she finds herself in the middle of a full-blown family reunion. Her adult children, Nick and Dana, want to recreate old traditions in honor of their late father, and suddenly, the holiday headcount skyrockets. Add in Heath’s kids, a long-lost mother, and enough family drama to power a holiday soap opera, and Julie’s peaceful getaway turns into pure festive chaos.

Now, don’t get me wrong—Susan Mallery knows how to write heartfelt, family-centered stories. But this one? It felt like trying to untangle a string of Christmas lights that just kept going. The pacing dragged, and with so many characters, it was hard to really connect with anyone. I wanted to be fully invested in all the emotions, but instead, I found myself checking how many pages were left more than once.

I’m giving One Big Happy Family 3 out of 5 stars—it’s got warmth, heart, and plenty of holiday spirit, but it just didn’t fully click for me. If you love big, messy family dramas and don’t mind a slower pace, this might be your holiday vibe. But if you’re looking for a festive read with a little more zip? Maybe grab a stronger cup of cocoa and set your expectations accordingly.

Susan Mallery’s One Big Happy Family is a heartwarming holiday story about love, family, and the surprises that come when we least expect them. Julie Parker, a mother who has spent the majority of her life raising her kids, is looking forward to a quiet Christmas with her secret (much younger) boyfriend, Heath. But as the holiday approaches, everything she’s planned goes awry, and she’s swept into a whirlwind of family dynamics and unexpected revelations.

The novel shines with its rich exploration of family relationships—especially the tension between Julie and her children, Nick and Dana. While Julie’s attempt to keep her relationship with Heath under wraps is one source of conflict, it’s the unexpected arrival of other family members, including Heath’s children and Blair’s estranged mother, that truly complicates matters. Julie’s struggle to balance her own happiness with her children’s expectations is both humorous and touching, capturing the complexities of life after divorce.

What sets One Big Happy Family apart is Mallery’s skill at blending humor and heart. While the chaos of a big, blended family makes for plenty of funny and sometimes awkward moments, the story also explores themes of healing, forgiveness, and opening our hearts to new possibilities. Julie’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns that the true meaning of family isn’t about perfection, but about love and acceptance.

With its charming characters, witty dialogue, and the perfect holiday setting, One Big Happy Family is an ideal read for anyone looking for a feel-good, festive story about second chances, family bonds, and the joy that comes with embracing life’s surprises.

It's possible I may have just been "over" Christmas by the time I read this book, but since it wasn't overly Christmassy anyway, I don't think it mattered much. When I do read Holiday books, I prefer them to be on the upbeat side and this one was definitely not. All the family members were extremely negative and unlikeable. I don't think I was truly interested in a single one of their storylines. The plot was repetitive and the dialogue was cringey at times. Just unfortunately not a good reading experience overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.