I enjoyed One Big Happy Family! It was an easy book to read with moments of humor, chaos and the usual family drama that comes with the holidays. There were some characters that I felt like I didn't get to know as well as I would have liked but overall, Gwen and Blair were the two I was most entertained by and that relationship did not disappoint! This was my first book to read by this author and it won't be my last!

This was my first Susan Mallery book, and it did not disappoint. Most Holiday books i read revolve mostly about romance (which we still saw) but it mostly revolved around family staying (plus extra) at the family cabin. With a little love and some drama, it was the perfect balance.

4 stars

“It’s never a good idea to keep secrets. People find out eventually, and if you don’t control the telling, there can be unintended consequences.”

I started this book September 30th of last year. That’s how long it took me to get to finishing this book.

I was really into the Christmas books at the time but this book, unfortunately, is all family drama and not enough Christmas cheer. There are too many insufferable characters and not enough Christmas cheer!

And my God if I heard a character say ONE MORE TIME “take your meds” “did you take your meds” “you need to take your meds” ughhhh. Take your meds. Don’t take them. Just shut up about it!

Thank you to Netgalley, Canary Strret Press, and the author for the complimentary ebook.

I am a fan of this authors work. I have a read a good bit of her backlist, and this one did not disappoint perfect read for the holiday season!

I read a lot of holiday books this year and this one was at the top of the list. Susan Mallery is an author that is an automatic read for me. The story of a mom who hopes her kids DON"T come home for xmas is a fun twist. I enjoy reading novels about strong women that are able to move on. Julie Parker's kids have all baied on Christmas plans and she is OK with it. But when her quiet little Christmas turns into a big crowd at the lake home - Julie is not the only one with secrets. There were a few parts that were a little slow for me and of course, some of the predictability that i depend on, but all and all a great winter read.

I don’t know if this just wasn’t meant for me or if it was genuinely boring. All of the family drama aspects were resolved far too easily or shouldn’t have been considered drama and issues to begin with. I loved the idea of a badass independent woman who owns a towing company but even Julie got to be a bit too much to stand after awhile. The most redeeming part of this book was Blair and Gwen’s relationship evolution.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

This was a sweet and cute read. Everyone has things going on in their personal lives but when you have family support and understanding its far more bearable.

This was a cute and fun book. I enjoyed all of the characters and their stories. It was great to see all of the issues resolved.

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery is a heartwarming and chaotic holiday tale brimming with family drama, humor, and love. Set against the backdrop of a dreamlike Christmas cabin, this story captures the highs and lows of family life, blending moments of laughter, tears, and joy.

Mallery skillfully weaves a tapestry of relatable characters, from ex-wives and new loves to children and even a spirited dog, creating a delightful dynamic that keeps readers entertained. The unexpected twists and heartfelt moments make it more than just a typical holiday read, offering a fresh take on seasonal storytelling. Perfect for fans of clean romance and contemporary fiction, this book is an ideal escape for the holidays, full of humor, love, and the warm chaos of family ties.

I read this to get me into the Christmas spirit and out of a slump, and it sure did! It was a quick read full of festivities. As a mom, it did anger me a bit how selfish the adult children were. Mine aren't quite there yet, but the amount of work this woman was supposed to do last minute was a little much and I would've given them a piece of my mind! lol. But it was sweet and cute and even a little steamy.

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This story is filled with rich emotional depth and humorous moments. It’s a tale of discovering that family is not just what you’re born into, but what you choose to create. Julie’s journey toward embracing both the past and the future, alongside her complicated but loving family.

This story brings up personal memories and emotions. Christmas with family has a unique way of being both joyful and challenging, doesn’t it? There’s often a mix of traditions, old wounds, and the potential for new memories to be made.

This was a great book. Thank you NetGalley for opportunity to read it.
#OneBigHappyFamily #NetGalley

This was a great read if you love family dramas with a holiday twist! It’s the perfect book to cozy up with during the holidays. The characters are lovable, and the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the family chaos. I’d definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a festive, feel-good story.

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this one but once I did I started loving the true family dynamics laid out by Mallery. I connected with the characters and events and truly enjoyed this one. Married, divorced, widowed, single and conflicting relationships all came together to enjoy a beautiful Christmas together as one. Relationships mended and love abounds all in the true spirit of the holiday.

I saved this one for closer to Christmas to get me in the holiday mood. I am a BAH HUMBUG. But I do love a good Christmas read!

Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.

These characters are fantastic and I enjoyed the family drama and all the little quips! Don’t we all have family drama on one of the best days of the year! 😜.

Susan Mallery weaves an adorable Christmas tale full of Christmas cheer…well at the end of the story!

Need a family drama to get you in the fighting (ugh…Christmas) spirit…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I loved everything about this one! It's a big chaotic mess, with families of all kinds coming together, plenty of drama and some heartbreak. But it's also filled with love and hope and holiday magic! The main character Julie, has the biggest heart, and I loved her story. Her relationship with her kids, her younger boyfriend, all of it. This was truly a magical story!

I loved the “found family” aspect of this story! The chaos that ensued from the gathering of random people was fun. The setting was spectacular and full of festive cheer! By the end, the antics became a bit over the top and eye roll worthy. However, it was fantastic leading up to it!

If you're interested in a crazy big family holiday story with laugh out loud moments and tons of drama look no further! Thank you to NetGalley, Susan and Canary Street Press for the eARC!!!

Rated 3.75!

What to Expect:
⭐ Age Gap Romance
⭐ Healing after loss of a husband and father
⭐ Christmas with a big family at the holidays
⭐ Crazy family situations
⭐ Family Holiday Traditions

My Thoughts:
Lets start with the good parts! I love Susan Mallery and her way she doesn't make the romance the center of the story. This is another one of her plot driven stories. I enjoyed the comical, almost ridiculous family dynamics and drama of this story. Poor Julie the head of the family is driven to a holiday she didn't want, in a house she loves but brings some sadness, but will do it for the love of her children. Who doesn't love a mom willing to go to all lengths to keep tradition alive for her kids...even if they're adult. The characters are well developed but there are SO MANY!

The sides of the story I didn't love. The beginning was delightfully paced. This is personal opinion but age gap romances aren't my favorite, just because the women in the stories always seem to struggle with the perception of it. Whether its of their family or the public. I just wish for once there wasn't some sense of guilt or embarrassment about it. So many stories that feature this troupe spend too much time focused on it. This was the same. Additionally, while this should be low spice, as it is mostly about family, there are DEFINITELY areas that are almost too graphic. They felt unnecessary. Which is what brings us to the end it felt rushed! I closed the book thinking what the heck! I will also say while the start is quick paced I had started and stopped it several times before finally committing.

All in all It was an easy holiday read to get in to the swing of the season. While it wasn't MY personal favorite it could definitely be someones! And if you're a fan of Susans then this story definitely falls in line with MANY of her others!
Synopsis:
Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.

But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.

I absolutely loved and adored this sweet Christmassy book! It had all the family hype and feels for a fun holiday read! The storyline and characters were so much fun to read. A fast paced, Christmas read to enjoy!

This is contemporary women's fiction for the holidays. Fortunately, the main character is older and that is much needed for holiday fiction. Julie Parker is dealing with a new younger boyfriend and so many unexpected visitors for the holiday when her own kids change their plans. Throw in the boyfriend's kids and ex-wife, and you have family drama all under one roof. I enjoyed this book and the characters, but I did find that it was hard to keep up with all of the characters if I put it down for too many days. Susan Mallery is a go-to author for me and I look forward to her next book. I also hope she will continue to write for the holidays as there are not enough choices featuring older characters. I recommended this to all ages of readers who enjoy contemporary fiction for the holidays.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you HTP, Canary Street Press, and The Hive for the gifted digital copy.

One Big Happy Family
Susan Mallery
Publishing Date: October 1, 2024

I am lingering in Christmas/holiday mode for a bit longer! I really loved this book! This is definitely more of a character study, and while there is a plot, it very much just feels like you are joining this family in their cabin for the holidays and living life with them.

Nick and Dana lost their father and feel that they need to spend Christmas at their family cabin this year as a way to heal and keep his memory alive. Their mother, Julie, had plans of spending a quiet holiday with her secret boyfriend as she thought her children had other plans. Like a good mom, she quickly pivots and does what she needs to do to help her kids. A mish mosh of extended family, friends, in laws, and exes wind up at the cabin with them, and the way Susan Mallery executed this was just magical. You could totally feel the chaos in the best way and it all had me smiling.

The way the family dynamic was portrayed was just so genuine and realistic. There was really nothing over the top or far fetched and I so so appreciated that. I could have done without the brief third act breakup, but the resolution was well executed. This book has the holiday vibes while also adding depth as the characters experience personal growth, healing, and forgiveness. One of my top holiday reads this year, I will be checking out more of this authors work for sure!