SNOWBIRDS by Christina Clancy is an enchanting exploration of a long-term complicated relationship between Kim and Grant, two beautifully flawed characters. The luscious setting of Palm Springs comes alive on the page through the masterfully crafted prose. The question about whether Grant has left her or has gone missing in the desert and may not survive is the spine of the story, and the question of whether their relationship will survive if he does return is another layer to this engaging story. I’m a huge fan of Christina Clancy’s two previous books, THE SECOND HOME and SHOULDER SEASON and SNOWBIRDS did not disappoint. It’s a wonderfully emotional journey, and the writing is absolutely gorgeous.

I liked this book. It is a book about relationships. It's about all sorts of relationships, but mostly about the relationship of an unmarried couple who has been together long enough to have two grown daughters. They find themselves on different paths and no sign of them merging.

Suddenly, Kim is pressing Grant to go to Palm Springs for the winter to stay in her ex-husband's condo. That increases the tension even more. They find themselves in another world full of eccentric people and different opportunities in Palm Springs. Then Grant goes hiking and fails to return. The days that follow are a time in which Kim must re-evaluate her feelings for Grant and give her actions and what she has said to him a thorough review. She wonders if he's really lost in the wilderness or if he has just walked away from her yet again. She also has to wonder if he's ever coming back, one way or another.

I'll admit that I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more in the book about the time that Grant was lost and what he went through. The journal entries that he wrote at that time gave some of that, and that was very revealing since the rest of the book was from Kim's perspective.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the copy. All thoughts are my own.

Kim and Grant are educated, midwestern professionals who are quintessential empty nesters. When given the opportunity to winter in Palm Springs, they have a chance to make different choices, and The Snowbirds is the story of how they make the decisions that will carry them into their third act.
Sounds simple? Not when you learn that Kim and Grant never actually married, that they have lived in separate cities for thirty years, and that they both have exes with whom there are complicating relationships. And then Grant gets lost on the mountain…no spoiler here because the book is framed by this mishap. The book is primarily told in first person from Kim’s point of view until later in the book when we are given Grant’s journal in pieces. The characters are well drawn and fun, and the story moves in a back-and-forth manner, juxtaposing the current crisis to past ones. Some of those flashbacks get tedious (you will get tired of hearing (or not hearing) about the ex-wife,) and there are so many characters, past and present, that at times it is hard to keep track of them. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read that addresses the issues of long-term relationships in an honest and humorous way.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advance copy. The Snowbirds will be released on February 4, 2025.

I gave this one a chance but I couldn’t get much far into it. It bored me from the beginning & it felt like there was not enough dialogue, so much was written as inner thoughts from the FMC. I had to DNF, but someone else may like it.

There was a lot to like about this book. It does a deep dive into the rather non-traditional relationship between Grant and Kim who a 'snowbirds' staying in Palm Springs. As it begins, Grant has gone missing while hiking and we move back and forth between the present day search for him and the time they've spent sin California after leaving Madison, Wisconsin.

Throughout we're doled out information about Grant and Kim's relationship which though long lasting has never included a trip to the altar. Grant also has a history of bolting when things get tough so is he actually missing?

It depicts a lives and relationship that were fascinating to read, but I was often not convinced these two were good for each other. They were each selfish in their own way and expecting the other to compromise, but maybe that's what a 30 year relationship is?

Loved many of the secondary characters as well.

Well written, character driven, relationship novel. Using the backdrop of a missing person, the story delves into the history of the main character's relationship with the person missing. I expected more suspense and mystery so it didn't really hold my interest very well. Recommended for those looking for relationship/character driven novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy

3.5 stars

There was a lot to love about this book, and I did enjoy it. The characters and their relationships are authentic, and the drama feels real. I think this could be a good book club selection.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Snowbirds tells a wonderful story about what happens when you are a little past middle age and have to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. With their twins grown and flown and each facing major career changes, Kim and Grant head to a friend's condo in Palm Springs for a bit of a sabbatical.

When Grant goes missing on a hike in the dessert, they really come face to face with who they want to be, separately and together.

This was reminiscent of The Guncle with the Palm Springs setting and the great cast of neighbors. The other people who live or vacation in the condo complex are so well written you feel as if you had been there and met them.

I love a book like this that kind of hits me where I am, late forties and trying to figure out who I want to be. If this is you as well, you should definitely pick this up.

“The Snowbirds” is the story of Kim and Grant, a couple from Wisconsin who’ve been together for a zillion years and have two daughters together but have never gotten married, and the trip they take to Palm Springs at a turning point in their marriage. While in Palm Springs Kim and Grant make new friends and develop new hobbies until one day Grant goes for a hike and winds up missing.

The story is told in alternating timelines – you learn about Kim and Grant’s decades long relationship and life back in Wisconsin, the months they’ve spent in Palm Springs, and the days in which Grant is missing and Kim and the community are searching for him and waiting to find out what has happened to him.

In some ways this book has similar vibes to “The Guncle” or some of Amy Poeppel’s books – the characters that Kim and Grant meet while in California are the highlights of the book for me. But Kim and Grant aren’t immediately likable the way that characters from those books are, so this book will be a better fit for readers who like messiness, grey area, and character driven stories. I think it’ll also be a hit for older readers who’ll relate to Kim and Grant’s attempts to navigate changing dynamics in their relationship.

This story had me rooting for every single character and dreaming of a trip to Palm Springs.

Thanks to the publisher for making this available to read and review through NetGalley.

I was so excited to read The Snowbirds—from the cover and synopsis it sounded like a fun, lighthearted romp of a middle aged couple. And while the opening was immediately engaging, it soon gave way to a cliched cast of insufferable people. At 20% in this will be a DNF because I’m just not invested to care what happens to any of them. The actual content just does not match initial expectations.

Kim and Grant decide to leave Wisconsin for the winter, they go to Palm springs, meet new friends and have different adventures.

While at a crossroads in their 30 year relationship, Kim and Grant decide to spend the winter away from their Wisconsin home and instead spend the time in sunny Palm Springs. While there, they meet new friends, live a different lifestyle, and are forced to explore their relationship in ways that hadn't ever before.

I liked the way this story was outlined and although there were some parts that were a little sappy I found it to be authentic and was compelled to keep reading. There are multiple layers of mysteries to this story that made me even more engrossed in the second half of the book. Did Grant run away? Can they reconcile their differences? And if they do-- where will they live? I would say this one is a strong 3.5 stars, for fans of the Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Always such a treat!

Kim and Grant don't know where to go with their lives. They have been together forever and temporarily move to Palm Springs. It's there that they meet a funny group of characters and evolve to find themselves while still being a couple. I thought this book did a great job of tackling the big questions of life.

engaging and well written look at the challenges of one's relationships. not really a mystery in any real sense of the word. more of a character study. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Authentic and brilliant. Clancy is now a go-to/auto-buy author for me!

A heartfelt, thoughtful, and humours take on a long-term relationship.

I adored this novel. It's got a great balance between present and past while keeping the momentum of the overall story at a steady pace, with a tension that was perfectly balanced. I loved how invested I became in the character's lives and even the side characters - who I feel could each have interesting novels of their own. This is a truly fascinating story about self discovery and exploring what it means to love someone over time. I'd recommend this for fans of A Man Called Ove, Oona Out of Order, The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett or Ladder of Years.

3.5 stars
Kim and Grant are a couple in their '50s from Madison, Wisconsin who have been together for thirty years but never married. Kim wanted to escape the cold and snow by spending the winter in Palm Springs, California and Grant, a professor who has recently lost his job at a liberal arts college, didn't like the idea but reluctantly agreed. Kim embraced life in the condo community from the moment they moved in but it was taking Grant longer to find his footing - until he discovered hiking. The story opens as Kim learns that Grant has gone missing on a New Year's day hike in the Palm Springs mountains and the narrative moves back and forth between the search for Grant in the present timeline in January 2023 and what has happened over the weeks that they have been in Palm Springs while also shedding light on the history of their relationship.

The Snowbirds is an enjoyable read about mid-life transitions with a relatable couple assessing what's next for each of them individually and whether there is a future for their relationship. There's also an element of suspense relating to Grant's disappearance and I particularly enjoyed the sense of place - Palm Springs sounds quite appealing as I'm in the midst of a Canadian winter!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Blurb: Kim and Grant have been coupled up (but not married) for thirty years, living a fairly ordinary existence in Wisconsin, with their twins and jobs and the usual trivial issues of life. But facing an empty nest and professional upheaval has both of them questioning their lives together. Kim suggests wintering in Palm Springs to shake things up, and Grant reluctantly agrees. About halfway through their Snowbird adventure, Grant leaves on a hike - and doesn't return. This isn't the first time he has run when things have gotten hard, so Kim isn't sure whether his disappearance is intentional, or whether he's in serious trouble.

Mood Reader Guide: midlife couple / midlife crisis / self-reflection / Palm Springs / eccentric side characters / dealing with the past / slow pacing / desert hiking / Midwest sensibilities

Thoughts: Despite that blurb sounding like it could be the premise for an mystery-thriller story, The Snowbirds is actually a great work of general fiction, and the story of two people, their relationship, and midlife. (Which may not sound nearly as page-turning, but left me very satisfied.) The book travels through Kim and Grant's relationship, with chapters from the present day missing-Grant saga in Palm Springs to keep the mystery going. I loved how the author makes you understand Kim's point of view throughout the years, while also showing her flaws. The book is also really about the twists and turns that happen in your life, and how things don't usually turn out the way you expected, and whether that's a good or bad thing. Being a Wisconsin girl, I loved all the Madison and Wisconsin touches, and this book made me want to visit Palm Springs! There are a bunch of fun side characters in this book (Palm Springs setting seems to lend itself to that) that pop up throughout the story bringing comic relief and wisdom in equal parts. Another part I really enjoyed was the journal entries from Grant, allowing us a peak into his time spent in the desert.

Lines That Resonated:
"Our relationship felt like a Jenga tower that was built out of both love and resentment. One small insult, one uncomfortable truth spoken aloud, and we could precariously wobble and come crashing down."

"Everything but despair." as code for something strange

"His forthrightness made me wonder if he seemed different simply because he wasn't Midwestern."

"Not even at Packers game had I been so outnumbered." (Referencing being in a gay bar in Palm Springs as a woman.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A story of contrasts. A story of conflicts. And a story of pairs. Each pairing, be it a couple of people, or choices to be made, contained their own sets of polar opposites that needed to be faced and dealt with. All of this in a story about two people who go off to spend the winter in Palm Springs. Kim and Grant must face their own challenges along the way, both back home and while snowbirding in Palm Springs. Together for life, but never married which is one of several of the polemic battles that need addressing along the way. For the most part, these are some of the underlying stories.

The main plot involves a missing Grant who had gone off hiking along the desert trails. Though no one was sure of that because Grant had a history of wondering off during rough times. Along the way, Kim gets to know the neighbors, with their quirks and endearing characteristics. They make for some entertaining reading and add personality to the story. My personal favorite is Melody, Kim's ex-mother-in-law who is a wealthy socialite. Then there's 'the husbands', Thomas and Raul. As you can imagine, they added the zest and flames to perk things up. A few others add more detail and variety.

It did take me a while to really get into this book. Not sure if it was something about the story or if it was just me not being up for reading at the time. Granted, I really didn't take to some of the characters early on, especially the main ones, Kim and Grant, but things perked up when Melody and the others became more involved. I didn't fall in love with any of these characters, but some were entertaining. Occasionally, I got a bit fed up with the gist of the story, but then someone would flash their personality to make the story more interesting.

Everything then ties together nicely; albeit, in a very predictable manner. An interesting enough book for those who like to read and find simple romantic intrigue to be their cup of tea while dealing with a search and rescue mission on the side.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of the eBook in lui of a review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy.

I thought I'd give Christina Clancy another try (I started but couldn't finish The Second Home), but The Snowbirds just didn't work for me. The premise--a couple thirty years into their "separate but together" relationship, relocates to a quirky community in Palm Springs. When Grant, one half of the couple, presumably goes missing when he's on a hike, Kim has to figure out whether he's truly lost or whether he's left her--sounded interesting enough. Quirky communities and slice of life stories can be really well told. Christina Clancy writes in a frictionless style that made it hard grip onto any character in a way that made me want to stick with the story. I found that I didn't really care about whether Grant had left or whether Kim would be distraught over it. There are just too many books out there to try and get through to push through one that left me apathetic.