Another fabulous book from Susan Mallery! I did take me a little longer than normal to get into it, but once I was into the story and plot line , I was fully engrossed! The characters were very relatable in the story. I always love a book with a happy ending and a romance - Susan Mallery delivered on that!!

One Big Happy Family ~ is filled with family drama, relationships as well as being charming and lovely.
Thank you @NetGalley@CanaryStreetPress@OneBigHappyFamily

One Big Happy Family is wonderful book by Susan Mallery. If you like relationships and family drama books, this one is for you.

Julie Parker is a strong independent woman with two adults kids that she loves, but is secretly glad to be without them for Christmas this year as she hasn't told either of them that she is dating a much younger man. Of course, everything goes awry and a Christmas alone because a Christmas overloaded with people.

I could not put this book down. This is a book with close family bonds, drama, and surprises. If you like to read about relationships and families this book is for you. Wonderfully written with relatable people and situations.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

One Big Happy Family is a holiday drama that captures the complexities of family life during the festive season. With a rich tapestry of characters and a sprinkle of romance, this book offers an engaging escape into a bustling family gathering. While I initially expected a stronger focus on the romantic storyline, I enjoyed the family dynamics and the many characters.

This quick and delightful holiday read will either leave you longing for a cozy, chaotic celebration with your own family or feeling grateful for a peaceful, drama-free Christmas, making it a good companion for the season.

I really enjoyed the picturesque setting for this Christmas story. The idea of having your whole family at a cabin for the holidays sounds so much fun. The family dynamic and drama made reading a breeze cause it kept me engaged the whole time.

Really enjoyed a lot more than anticipated! I am not typically a fan of holiday reads and had not read Mallery’s work prior to this one. This one made me excited to get into her back list!

Now this was fun - in an almost frantic way. Watching a very strong, together, dynamic and kind woman, who has a successful business come undone, unwrapped, outed and so much more was hilarious in the most positive way. Lots of family drama, lots of denial, lots of holding it together even when she really wasn’t - it was all done so well, with so much heart and compassion. I had so much fun with this book. A perfect read for the Holidays.

Thanks to Harlequin - Canary Street Press and NetGalley for a copy.

What great laugh out loud family Christmas drama! Families are always a challenge, especially during the holidays and this family brings all of their hurts, their joys and their secrets to a chaotic Christmas family holiday. Grab your favorite glass of Christmas cheer and settle in for a great read! Thanks #NetGalley #Harlequin

Family Christmas drama/dysfunction that keeps the pages turning towards a happy resolution.. Perfect for a cozy weekend read.

Julie Parker is excited to spend the holiday with her new younger boyfriend and skip a big family Christmas. But when her grown children decide they want to spend Christmas together at the family cabin, she knows she will have to introduce them to the man she has been hiding. Soon the guest list starts growing and so goes the drama. From exes to mother-in-laws and even some unexpected kids, the house gets fuller with each passing day and secrets can’t stay hidden with so many people lurking around.

Why Kirsten loves it
Here’s the thing about miscommunication book tropes, I usually hate them! But I was so refreshed by how the conversations in this book were all so adult. Differences were worked out, if someone did something that mistakenly hurt another it was talked out with grace, and secrets weren’t kept for malicious or stupid reasons!

In addition, the holiday antics of the whole crew put me in the Christmas spirit and I loved each new guest that arrived and was folded in. My only complaint is that I wish I could have actually been part of this big blended family.

I do like Mallery's writing and was looking forward to a sweet Christmas story with One Big Happy Family. I did really like the main character, Julie and enjoyed the family interactions. Unfortunately, this book used one of my least favorite tropes - the fake boyfriend that everyone lies about, but that's a me thing. I will still recommend this book to patrons who are looking for a cozy holiday romance, it just wasn't for me. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Christmas story full of family conflict and so much drama.
There are soooooo many characters to keep track of!
Overall, an enjoyable read with a theme of forgiving and loving no matter what happens.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 Stars

This story revolves around a family and friends who gather together with mom Julie, her younger, and ‘secret’ boyfriend, Heath, his children, as well as his ex-wife (who had other plans that fell apart and so she was invited to come, as well) at the family cabin as Christmas approaches, which is large enough to fit in everyone, well, sort of.

As various family members and guests arrive there’s a lot of gathering together to get ready for the big day that all the youngest ones are eager for. There’s finding the right tree, and cutting it down, and all that follows - the decorating, cooking, and wrapping of presents as Christmas draws near.

There’s nothing in this story that feels beyond belief, but it never managed to pull me into the story completely. There is a lot of drama, which seems to weave in and out, much of it coming from past resentments that were never truly shared before, and so they hold onto them, rather than addressing them - until they finally do.



Published : 01 Oct 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Harlequin Trade Publishing / Canary Street Press

Julie Parker planned a quiet Christmas with her new (younger) boyfriend, Heath, since her adult children had plans of their own, But when Nick and Dana struggle with it being the first Christmas without their father, they beg for a family holiday at their "cabin" in his memory.

What starts as a small gathering quickly turns into ALL the people. It is a series of perfect storms but Julie manages it all... until she is blindsided by a revelation and has an accident.

There are several characters in this story, but Julie is by far my favorite. Her attempts to balance new love with old family dynamics are both funny and touching. She gives new meaning to “the more, the merrier”! Susan Mallery's Christmas books are definitely good reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Best Christmas book that I have ever read!!!!!!! Amazing, lovable characters, real situations. Everything a great book needs.

A Christmas love story with some major twists? Sign me up! I LOVE me some Susan Mallery and her Christmas book did not disappoint!!

It's going to be a different Christmas this year for Julie Parker. Her son, Nick is taking a belated honeymoon with his wife, and her daughter, Dana is trying to forget all about her boyfriend that has dumped her again. Now she will be able to spend quality time with her secret younger boyfriend, Heath. But, things change and now everyone wants to be together for the holiday at their family cabin. As the guest list keeps growing, the family learns that it can keep up with the changes and grow from the true meaning of Christmas.

Great plot and great characters! This was such a fun book to read! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for my honest review.

The chaos that is family, love, and Christmas Spirit make for a fantastic read!
With the holidays upon us, this is a great story to delve into. The characters and the storyline will have you hooked. The chaos covers realistic and unrealistic scenarios. There are moments and scenes that will leave you an emotional wreck. But then again, that’s how you know it’s a good book!

Thank you #SusanMallery #NetGalley #CaneryStreetPress for this ARC for an honest review.

4.5* Such a fun holiday read. This had holiday beauty and fun with so much more. There were many issues faced in this book; estranged loved ones, illness, injury, divorce and so much more.