I was disappointed in how little I enjoyed this book. I just could not find myself invested in the story or the characters. It was a little too lightweight and no depth to the story. Maybe that is the way Chick Lit is headed any more. Though I hope not! I think there are still plenty of authors who can present a wonderful story in that genre. I typically enjoy dual timeline books, this one was missing something. I did not like either of the two main characters … Kim and Grant. While I did not care for this one, there are enough positive reviews, that if this seems like it would appeal to you, then I would encourage you to give it a try. You may enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Chick Lit
Contemporary
Fiction
Mystery
Mystery Thriller
Romance

Interesting, quirky read about a couple who snowbird to Palm Springs and their unusual relationship with each other and others leads to some soul searching and other interesting outcomes.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martins Press and the Author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5/5 stars

I have mixed feelings about The Snowbirds. The premise was genuinely intriguing, and there were moments where the story showed real promise. However, I found it difficult to connect with the characters on a deeper level, and much of the narrative felt a bit scattered—especially through the first three-quarters of the book.

That said, the final stretch was the most compelling for me. By the end, the pieces came together and offered a sense of clarity that had been missing earlier. It’s a thoughtful story with interesting themes, just not quite my cup of tea.

Many thanks to #NetGalley for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own and freely expressed.

This was okay. It wasn't a page turner for me, and I didn't find the main characters very likable (which I need in books). It's a relationship story about an odd relationship that didn't seem very healthy, combined with a mystery-will Grant, the missing partner, be found? I was a little bored.

Once again my habit of picking books based on vibes backfires; I thought this was going to be a romcom but is actually a marriage in crisis. The couple are empty nesters from Wisconsin who head to winter in Palm Springs for the first time, hoping a new place will help them make tough decisions about the next chapters of their lives. Then one gets lost on a hike alone. I did enjoy the audiobook! Would recommend if you like books about marriages in crisis or with older characters trying to figure their life out.

I’ve read all of Christina Clancy’s books and think she’s such a gifted historical fiction writer. The Snowbirds had a slower pace than her earlier work, but I still really enjoyed it. The story follows Kim and Grant, who have been together for thirty years but never married, as they escape a harsh Midwestern winter for Palm Springs. Their "separate but together" partnership faces new challenges as they adjust to life in a quirky condo community. Kim embraces the change, making new friends and exploring her adventurous side, while Grant struggles to find his footing. When Grant goes missing during a hike, Kim is forced to confront the realities of their relationship and her own desires for the future. It’s a quiet, thoughtful book that really captures what it means to grow older with someone—and sometimes grow apart. Not as plot-driven as her other novels, but a really strong portrait of a relationship at a crossroads.

The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy is a beautifully written novel.
It captures the complexities of love, family, and identity with warmth and insight.
I have not read anything by this author before, and I will read more.
Clancy has an impressive ability of bringing her characters to life, creating people who feel real, flawed, and deeply human.
At times very real, so be prepared for some triggers.

What stands out most to me after reading this novel is what it means to grow older while still yearning for growth and reinvention. That it’s never too late to ask questions, take risks, or discover who we really are.

The Snowbirds is a quietly powerful novel that stays with you.
I would love to see this one brought to film.

Thankyou to author Christina Clancy, St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this and give an honest review.
Charlene @lastnownext

The Snowbirds is a slow-burn mystery/thriller that mixes a bunch of different elements while showing the ups and downs of the main couple's relationship over the years. It’s also about how life can change in a snap and the journey of finding yourself again.

I really enjoyed how the author wove together Grant’s disappearance with Kim’s reflections on their relationship. It created a cool dynamic.

The main characters were pretty unlikable, which sometimes took away from the story, but I still found myself hooked. Normally, I don’t get into stories with unlikable characters, but the writing was so gripping that I couldn’t help it.

Sometimes, the slow burn was a bit too slow for me, and I looked forward to the chapters about Grant’s search.

Thank you St.Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

3.5 stars
Kim and Grant are at a crossroads in their relationship. They've been together for 30 years but never got married. Will a summer in Palm Springs give them the perspective they need to decide where to go from here?
I really enjoyed this novel. I always like reading about characters that are a little closer to my age and stage of life. Kim was a very likable main character with nuanced feelings and concerns about her life. The setting in Palm Springs was fabulous. There was such atmosphere! Several times, I looked up different settings online to get a better feel for the surrounding scenery.
The characters processed the messiness of life together, and Clancy weaves in humor and tenderness as Kim and Grant reconcile their future together.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

While the missing aspect and the side characters were ok, I just didn't feel the relationship or love between the couple. Honestly I think they shouldn't have been together from about 1/3rd of the way until the end. Therefore I didn't enjoy the before chapters and it was so going when those came into play.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed The Snowbirds but it wasn’t quite what I expected at the title of the book. I thought it would be more lighthearted and funny, but it was heavy, emotional and deep. I loved the depth and internal growth of the main characters, Kim and Grant and the thought provoking results of their actions. I’d definitely recommend this novel.

A story of the relationship of Grant and Kim while facing a crossroads in their 30 year relationship. After Grant loses his job and Kim is on a 6-month sabbatical from her job, they travel to Palm Springs for the winter and are experience all the area has to offer. When Grant goes missing while hiking, Kim revisits their origin story and how they reached this point in their relationship and where they go from here. It started a little slow but picked up with the search for Grant.

The Snowbirds was such a cozy, feel-good read. The characters felt real, and the story had the perfect mix of heart and humor. It’s one of those books that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and just keep reading. If you’re in the mood for something warm and uplifting, this one’s a great pick.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was not really for me - it was rambling and long-winded, which is not my thing. I enjoyed certain aspects (Le Desert setting, Grant's mystery) and really liked some minor characters (I fell for Melody and Cassie), but overall, this was a flop for me. It took me over a month to read because it didn't capture and hold my attention. The bouncing between then and now was inconsistent and was a major reason I struggled with this book... it just felt like it was pulling at one to many threads.

Christina Clancy’s The Snowbirds surprised me with its emotional depth and quiet wisdom. At first glance, it’s a story about a Wisconsin couple, Kim and Grant, who head to Palm Springs to escape the cold. But beneath the surface, it’s a layered look at marriage, identity, and the possibilities of starting over—even when you think you already know who you are and who you’re with.

Clancy’s writing is tender and observant, with a strong sense of place. Palm Springs isn’t just a setting—it’s a character in its own right. The contrast between Midwestern practicality and desert flamboyance works really well to highlight the internal changes Kim and Grant are going through.

I especially appreciated how honest the novel is about long-term relationships. Kim and Grant’s marriage isn’t perfect; it’s real. Their miscommunications, emotional distance, and moments of reconnection felt authentic and gave me a lot to think about. I also liked the way Clancy uses Kim’s journal entries—they added depth and a sense of reflection that worked well with the story’s themes.

That said, some parts of the book moved a little slowly, and there were moments when I felt more like an observer than a participant in their journey. But overall, I found The Snowbirds to be moving and insightful—a great pick for readers who enjoy character-driven fiction about relationships, reinvention, and the quiet courage it takes to keep choosing each other.

The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy is a gentle, character-driven novel that explores themes of identity, reinvention, and the complexities of long-term relationships. I appreciated the unique premise—retirees heading to Florida for the winter—and the way Clancy captured the quieter, internal shifts that come with big life transitions.

While the writing was solid and the setting was vivid, the pacing felt slow at times, and I found it a bit hard to fully connect with the characters. Some of the emotional arcs felt a little muted, and I was left wanting more depth or urgency in certain moments.

That said, this is a thoughtful read with a refreshing focus on older protagonists and the idea that growth doesn’t stop at any age. A good pick if you’re in the mood for something reflective and tender, just not one that wowed me personally.

I enjoyed this book very much. It’s the story of empty nesters who escape the Wisconsin winter by traveling to Palm Springs. There is a good bit of intrigue when one of them disappears. Beautifully written, with realistic and relatable characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

The book starts off with Kim's long-term boyfriend, Grant, missing in the desert. Kim and Grant came to California for a little reset by escaping the cold midwestern winter. Kim is the peacekeeper while Grant is needy and expects Kim to just be there for him. Their relationship seemed toxic and especially so while reading the flashbacks. I didn't love either character and thought both to be insufferable. This book was a lot slower than I thought and while I did finish it, it was pretty forgettable afterwards.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this eARC.

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. interesting way to combine a missing person story and a multi-decade marriage story. i thought the writing was well-done however more could have been done for the story itself.