Fun, engaging, family drama romp during a Christmas to remember. I enjoyed this book and all of it's eccentricities and crazy fun. Sometimes it felt that the coincidences just kept on coming but this added to the endearing story of family plus more family plus other people that used to be family. A few things were a bit far-reaching but didn't detract from this book. I received an ARC in exchange for my opinion and I thank the Author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity.

One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallory is an odd book. Not really a romance as much as a family comedy. Through a series of life twists, a woman her two adult children, her daughter in law, that DIL’s monther and Uncle, the woman’s boyfriend, his kids and ex wife, and two of the woman’s employees (one of whom is her daughter’s on again off again boyfriend) all end up in a very large “cabin” for Christmas together..All because Julie (the woman) invites them all (when she was going to have a quiet Xmas with her boyfriend). The over under is a lot of working through various old traumas which is nice. It is a solidly nice book. Fans of the movie ‘Home for the Holidays’ will love it. It was a few too many characters and Julie’s ultra people pleaser characteristics that kept it for being my cup of Christmas, but it was a well written romp. Great for passing around to the romance reading cousins at thanksgiving.

Overall, this was a nice heartwarming story about family and romance with a couple of cute kids and a dog thrown in for good measure. I wasn't quite sure when I started reading this book if I was going to like it as the multiple plot lines seemed a bit complicated. However, I soon warmed up to the characters, especially Heath and Julie., with Blair and Nick running a close second. I liked most of the rest of the supporting cast of characters as well.

***SPOILER ALERT*** The one aspect of the book that I just couldn't buy into completely was Axel and Dana's story. I mean, I could understand him leaving her once but three times??? I found his explanation to be pretty lame and just couldn't believe in their HEA.

Some R-rated love scenes.

Susan Mallery hooked me with the premise of a family at Christmas and the dynamics of the family relationships when everyone is together.

When her children urge a family Christmas to honor her ex-husband, their father, Julie is reluctant and doesn't really want to bring her new, younger boyfriend to her big family. Add a lot of fun secondary characters, the usual craziness of the holidays and everyone dealing with their own feelings and you have a great book.

I really enjoyed that Julie was an independent woman in a field normally occupied by a man and that she was basically a great role model for her children.

Add in Susan Mallery's usual charm and fun storyline and I really enjoyed this book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this in lieu of an honest review.

Great book by Susan Mallery. It was a fun,different kind of twist on characters and their extended families. Very unique and fun to read !

What a fabulous read One Big Happy Family is!. Susan Mallery captures the multitude of personalities as friends, family and Rufus gather athe cabin to celebrate Christmas together and remember Elden, Dana and Nick's late father - who tended to get lost as the story progresses. Brother, sister, sister in law, former boyfriend, are among the cast of holiday guests along with the mom her boyfriend and yes, the boyfriend's children, dog and former wife. It makes for a very interesting gathering.
I very much enjoyed this book and it will be on my holiday reread list for years to come.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #Harlequin for the chance to early read One Big Happy Family. I am One Big Happy reader!

I loved this book. It was a hard one to put down. It definitely was One Big Happy Family. I loved all the characters and their stories. It brought lots of laughs and a few tears. I highly recommend.

Another heartwarming, romantic family story from Susan Mallery! Julie Parker inherited Parker Towing from her father. There's nothing she can't do, and being a woman in a traditionally male business doesn't stop her from being financially successful. After her ex-husband dies, her two adult children convince her to spend another Christmas at their luxurious, roomy "cabin" in the woods. Julie had been hoping to lay low over the holidays with Heath, her younger new boyfriend, getting to know one another better. But she goes to the cabin, and before long what was to be a small family gathering gets much bigger, as she ends up inviting in-laws, old friends, and even the ex-wife and children of her boyfriend. Each person she invites has their own story, so there is a lot going on, but Susan Mallery manages to make us care about each character and want to know how their story ends. I look forward to recommending this great title to romance readers who enjoy good family oriented stories with appealing characters.

A favorite author has written a page turner about a family wanting to spend Christmas together to honor a deceased father. A mishmash of characters, somewhat like a soap opera, keep this novel moving quickly. It is somewhat confusing...trying to keep the characters apart...which ones are the moms...which are the kids...adult kids at that...throw in a cabin at Christmas...along with some family members who don't get along...and there you go...a story that is quirky yet poignant. Curl up in a cozy chair...grab a cub of steaming herbal tea...enjoy an afternoon with these characters. Thanks Netgalley.

This was such a good book! I loved the characters, and their story. The dialogue was realistic and enjoyable. I was very surprised by the ending!

I enjoyed this book. It was fun to read. It was romantic and funny. I had tears in my eyes from the laughter and because it was emotional. I'm grateful that netgalley and the publishers let me read this in exchange for an honest review.