This book is lacking something and I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it's the characters that aren't likable or unlikable. Or the the long paragraphs and the amount of unnecessary information. It seemed underdeveloped. Thank you, NetGalley.

Offering such a realistic look at long term partnerships, this was really well written, the characters come across as very human, but…. it dragggggggged for me. I kept putting it down and coming back to it because I was just bored while reading.

I would give this a try again, probably with the audiobook.



Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

This was a good book that explore the inside and out of this couple marriage. The fact that Grant (MMC) has to get lost and disappear for a couple of days for them to come back together and finally getting married! It was a good mix of thriller and drama! There was some parts that I feel that we didn't need (like all the others characters like Melody, Thomas, Raul, Coco). But overall, a good "it makes you think" book!

Unfortunately, this was a story I decided not to finish. I made it about 15 percent, but I wasn't drawn to the plot, and the main character wasn't very likeable. I am rating the book on the portion that I read.

I won't be reviewing on social sites, as I did not finish this book.

I found the characters unrelatable and a bit insufferable and after a time I just didn't really care if they found the guy or not. I love Palm Springs and lived in the area for several years so I was really looking forward to reading this, but I just couldn't find a reason to care about them or their issues. I'm sorry.

Thank you for making it available to read, though.

Wow—what a book! I think this is Christina’s best novel yet. She masterfully juggles a large cast of characters, each distinct and fully developed, making it easy to keep track of them. The dual timeline structure, which could have been confusing in another author’s hands, is executed flawlessly here.

I can’t wait to discuss this with my book club! It’s packed with rich themes—midlife, marriage, hiking, and the weight of our decisions—all of which will spark great conversation. While I don’t typically read mysteries or suspense, I was completely hooked, eager to unravel the story. The ending? Absolutely satisfying.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the early copy—I'm so glad I read this!

This was so much more than I expected. Kim and Grant are at an inflection point-they're empty nesters, the small college where Grant was a professor has closed, she's got time for a sabbatical, and she can't decide whether she wants to marry him after all these years. SO what to do? They go to Palm Springs, to a condo owned by by Kim's ex, where they start to breath a bit until Grant, who has taken up hiking, disappears. This moves back and forth in time to tell the story of their relationship and their time in Palm Springs, where Kim discovers a lot about her ex-mother in law, among other things. Is Grant lost or did he take off? He's got a history of walking away when things get tough but Kim doesn't think that's what happened now. No spoilers. Clancy has nailed the atmospherics of both the Madison and Palm Springs settings but more importantly the sense of a 50 something woman thinking about her past and future. And she's made Grant believable and, surprisingly, sympathetic as well. This has great storytelling and a zippy plot that kept me turning the pages. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

The Snow Birds, by Christine Clancy, is the story of a midwestern, middle-aged couple who have been together for decades, raised their children, but are still questioning who they are and should they be together. Although point of view shifts between the two, most of their relationship and history is told by the woman. While neither of the main characters is particularly memorable, the woman is particularly annoying. Her adolescent self-absorption is unrelenting and frankly, tiresome. There were several times that I almost gave up. Her partner is more nuanced and more adult, although suffers from other issues that propel the story. This is a generous three-star rating. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read a digital ARC. I appreciated the opportunity.

Christina Clancy's The Snowbirds offers a poignant and witty exploration of life, love, and self-discovery through the story of Kim and Grant, a couple at a pivotal juncture in their lives. Having recently relocated to Palm Springs for what was meant to be a temporary change, they find themselves questioning not only their present circumstances but also their individual and shared futures.

Kim and Grant’s journey is rich with humor, heartfelt moments, and sharp insights into the complexities of long-term relationships. The characters surrounding them add depth and color to the narrative, acting as mirrors and catalysts for their personal evolutions. Clancy masterfully balances the gravity of existential questions with levity, crafting a narrative that feels both weighty and approachable.

More than a simple love story, The Snowbirds delves into themes of aging, identity, and the search for purpose. It examines what it means to redefine yourself after years of routine and to rekindle the spark that once lit a relationship aflame. Through her vivid descriptions and layered storytelling, Clancy captures the bittersweet nature of looking back at lost youth while stepping uncertainly into the next chapter.

Ultimately, The Snowbirds is a moving tale about second chances, personal growth, and the universal question: "Is this all there is?" With its clever blend of humor and heartfelt reflection, this novel is a relatable and deeply rewarding read for anyone navigating the crossroads of life.

This book was totally different than I thought it was going to be. I am not sure if I expected more thriller or more romance, but it perfectly included both. It was not cheesy romance, but real life issues in long term relationships and even though the two main characters were not married for most of their relationship that was discussed in the book, they faced a lot of the same issues that married couples face. The thriller part comes into play when Grant disappears on a hiking trip and no one can find him. Both Grant and Kim have realizations about their relationship and what they can do better when they are really tested. I really enjoyed this one and how it perfectly blended thriller and romance/real life problems.

I loved this story and found it very hard to put down as I was swiping through the pages to find out what was going to happen. The visualizations were incredible and I could "see" the landscape and the characters and the area where they were living. Really a fun read and I was very happy with the ending- great satisfying read! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Snowbirds “ by Christina Clancy was a great read. The main characters Kim and Grant have been together for over twenty years. Both have had previous marriages, so never felt the need to marry each other. As their nest becomes empty, they both reflect on the status of their relationship. With an opportunity to go to Palm Springs for the winter, they journey from snowy Madison WI to the sunny valley of Palm Springs. The condominium community has eccentric group of neighbors. As a crisis arises, Kim reflects on her relationship and her future. This was a well written book that draws you in for relatability and reflection. As well the group of characters were fun and lively too. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for this advance read!

This was a different kind of read for me.
I still pretty much liked it especially more towards the end.
I liked Kim and my heart went to her in more ways than one. I really loved in getting to know her.
I'm gonna be honest about why I chose this book. It was because the dynamics and the Florida setting sounded intriguing.
Palm Springs is South of us. A place I've never been and enjoyed through this story.
There were some parts that I didn't like; like the slow pacing at first
I didn't like some of the characters either.
But overall it was OK. I will recommend this book to others as well.
4 stars for the excellent writing and some of the wonderful characters like Kim.
My thanks for a copy of this book I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

Publication date: February 4th, 2025

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Kim and Grant technically together but separate at the same time there been a couple for over 30 years they’re trying to escape the bitter cold of mid west winters for the hot sun Palm Beach, Florida

Set against the slower-paced backdrop of Palm Beach, a community filled with older residents, the story feels authentic and relatable. The main characters are well-developed, with complex relationships between their friends and family. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic. between Kim and Grant as they navigate personal growth and forgiveness. Their journey felt heartfelt and engaging, making this a memorable read.

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin Press
The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I loved the vibes based off the synopsis on the back of the book. I was left wanting a little more. I feel the characters weren't as deep as I wanted then to be, but overall, it was a decent read.

Kim and Grant, a couple that have been together for thirty years, are at a crossroads. Grant is in a particular place of upheaval after losing both his mother and his job. With their twin girls also all grown, empty nest syndrome has begun to rear its ugly head. Now Kim finds herself itching to leave behind the cold, midwestern winters in exchange for the warmth of the sun. This is how the couple end up making the ever popular late in life trek to Palm Springs, Florida.

Kim takes to life in their new community like a duck to water, but Grant flounders in finding his place, never big on the migration to begin with. Then one day, Grant goes out on a hike in the mountains and doesn’t return. This causes Kim to reflect on their life for the past three decades, and what a life without him going forward might look like.

If I’m being honest, I had a hard time getting into this book. When I read the blurb I expected more of a quirky couple finding renewed purpose in a new landscape of colorful characters. It opens with the fact that Grant has gone missing, flashing back on the life that they had. The flashbacks themselves didn’t leave me loving either Kim or Grant, and actually left me wondering why they stayed together for so long to begin with. As soon as I saw the direction the story was going I bailed. Maybe it got better, but I too decided to migrate to greener pastures, so to speak.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC/ALC.

I thought this book was a delightful mix of romance, women's fiction, and mystery thriller genres. I thought this story was fun and unique. I don't think I have read anything quite like it. I also really enjoyed the colorful cast of supporting characters in this story. Everyone was quite a hoot!

Karissa Vacker and Graham Halstead do a great job narrating the audiobook -- and I think this is one major reason that I enjoyed the story so much.

I will definitely be looking for more books by Christina Clancy in the future!

Thank you to the publisher for a free Netgalley.

3.5 stars

What I Liked:
- The characters-- I do enjoy how fleshed out the characters were and then the secondary characters were also just an enjoyable.
- Story Format-- I liked equally both the current and past timelines

What I Didn't:
- The past chapters were longgggggg. So at times it felt like the story was dragging a bit. It felt a lot longer than 272 pages.
-Also it is listed as a mystery, but I would call it more of a domestic drama

Christina Clancy’s The Snowbirds is an intriguing exploration of midlife transitions and long-term relationships, but it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. The setting of Palm Springs provides a vibrant backdrop, and the premise—Kim and Grant navigating their relationship amidst personal reinvention—holds promise.

Kim’s journey of self-discovery and the quirky Le Desert condo community add some charm and moments of levity. However, Grant’s character feels underdeveloped, making it harder to connect with his struggles, and the pacing falters at times, especially in the buildup to the central mystery of his disappearance.

While the themes of reinvention and commitment are relatable, the execution occasionally feels predictable, and the emotional stakes don’t always land as deeply as they could. The writing has moments of warmth and insight, but the story lacks the tension and depth needed to make it truly memorable.

The Snowbirds is a decent read for fans of character-driven stories, but it doesn’t soar as high as it could. A solid three stars for an enjoyable, if not entirely gripping, tale of midlife change and self-discovery.

Thank you MacMillan and St Martins for review copies. I loved this one on audio, there was a richness to how the voice actors captured the story but also the feeling and insights of the characters; voice acting here was so crucial for this elegant character and relationship study!
The Snowbirds is a welcome read, I loved that Clancy focused on a less than typical committed relationship, let her characters be at a turning point not just in their relationship but also within themselves (so common at midlife) and that empty nester themes were nicely developed along with the idea that hitting later midlife, family and relationship transitions is a time of expansion and self growth, a time to think about and reflect on where you are going, not just where you have been. I really loved the way both Kim and Grant were developed, how we learned about their backstory, their mindsets, and how the trip to Palm Springs became such a powerful, ironic and even funny part of their relationship and self growth journeys. Clancy is a talented writer and there is a richness to her writing that really resonated with me, I really do love strong character driven stories!