BLUEBIRD DAY – Megan Tady
Zibby Books
ISBN: 978-1958506868
December 3, 2024
Contemporary Fiction

Switzerland – Present Day

Claudine Potts is an alpine skiing legend, having won numerous contests and Olympic medals. But she has mostly disappeared from the public eye after she failed to get her daughter Wylie to become a top skiing competitor. In fact, the two are now mostly estranged. Claudine currently lives in Oregon and is employed as a virtual running trainer. Unknown to Claudine, Wylie is one of her “students.” One day, a writer comes to her home wanting to write her biography, hoping to find out about Wylie’s paternity. Even Wylie doesn’t know who her father is. After the writer threatens to go to an old skiing friend in Switzerland to find answers for the story he’s determined to write, she realizes she needs to get there first. Then, Claudine is given an unexpected gift: Wylie needs Claudine to be her partner in a competition in Berlin.

Wylie was supposed to go to Berlin with her boyfriend, but he got injured. She could have refused to go, but after finding out why he needed the money, she agreed to go and turned to her mother. Their relationship is strained, especially since Claudine refuses to tell her about her father. They arrive in Switzerland for an overnight stop to spread Wylie’s grandfather’s ashes, but an avalanche changes everything for them. They are stranded.

Claudine and Wylie go on a journey that brings them together as they learn to survive in BLUEBIRD DAY by Megan Tady. Claudine’s father pushed her to be a top-tier skier and that drive then extended to Wylie. But her daughter suffered from panic attacks and often didn’t finish races. It tore their relationship apart. Both have supposedly found peace, but deep down there is still that friction, especially when it comes to Wylie’s father. The answer may end up being found in Switzerland. Along the way, the two discover a lot about themselves—and each other as they spend several days stranded. Wylie is still determined to get to Berlin but with the way out blocked, she can’t. What happens if she doesn’t make it to the race? Then she will be a failure in her boyfriend’s eyes. Wylie’s lack of self-esteem plays a part in BLUEBIRD DAY, and even Claudine has her own issues.

In BLUEBIRD DAY, the points of view are shared by Wylie and Claudine and readers get to know what their fears are. Part of the problem is that they don’t share them at first. Each woman will tug at the hearts of readers. They have had a bumpy road, despite their early successes. Wylie is all about pleasing her boyfriend, while Claudine worries about hers as he is ill. Maybe it is time they take care of each other. There is plenty of angst and drama, especially as Claudine tries to reach out to her old friend before the author does. Will she succeed? Will Wylie make it to Berlin?

An intriguing tale about two women on a road of rediscovery. Will they mend fences? Find out the answer by picking up a copy of BLUEBIRD DAY.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

A mother, a daughter, a secret. Wylie was a downhill skier who was following in the footsteps of her mother Claudine, who has five Olympic gold medals, and her grandfather when she walked away from the sport as a teen to do what she wanted- art. Now she's happily working arranging exhibits in a museum but estranged from Claudine and unhappily training for a fitness contest. When her loathsome partner snaps his achilles, she impulsively asks Claudine to join her in Berlin. But Claudine wants a side trip to Zermat to see an old friend and that's where things go sideways when an avalanche shuts down the train out. Who is Wylie's father? This hovers over the whole but Tady keeps the reveal until very late. It was less interesting to me than seeing Wylie unwind and find some happiness, even if it was in a pastry, and have a healthy relationship albeit short with a guy. For her part, Claudine is a bundle of insecurity and pain so it was interesting to watch her unwind as well. This is very much about mothers and daughters but it's also about finding happiness. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I really enjoyed this.

"𝘋𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴, 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢 𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘩𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘵."

𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗥𝗗 𝗗𝗔𝗬 is one of those books that sneaks up on you. Set in a quaint Swiss ski village with a colorful cast of characters, it made me laugh and surprised me more than once, but it was the exploration of the dynamic between Claudine and her estranged daughter Wylie that really sucked me in. Meg Tady nails the complexity of their relationship in such a relatable way and realistic way that it's impossible not to be touched by their journey. This is the perfect book to read curled up by a fire with a mug of hot chocolate. And it just may want to make you call your own mother after you're done.

Thanks to Zibby Books for the copy to review.

Champion skier Claudette bred her daughter Wylie to be the next gold medal skier, but Wylie’s anxiety took her off the slopes and out of Claudette’s life. Now Wylie reaches out to Claudette to help her win a European fitness competition after her boyfriend injures himself. Claudette has Wylie meet her in a ski town in Switzerland before the Berlin competition because Claudette has to speak with her estranged best friend to make sure she doesn’t reveal Claudette’s secret to a biographer. Unfortunately, once they arrive an avalanche cancels everything, including both of their plans. Now stuck together in a hostel with some colorful characters, can mother and daughter re-establish their relationship and will it survive once Wylie learns Claudette's secret?

I went into this one blind and was pleasantly surprised by the story and the characters. The mother daughter struggle was painful to read because (1) I’m a mom and (2) the two of them were just so bad at communication with each other. But it was well written and I loved the characters in the hostel which brought such a fun dimension to the story. I enjoyed the duo’s backstories and traveling on their journey to be better people and better for each other. This is a nice cozy winter read even if you have never put skis on.

Thank you to Zibby Books and NetGalley for the ARC to review

A mother and daughter duo that haven’t talked in 2 years end up stuck in Switzerland during an avalanche, where family secrets come out. I liked both Claudine and Wylie. It is fairly obvious that Wylie is struggling with her path in life; while Claudine is struggling to make peace and resolve the past.

I enjoyed the story but felt the reveal was a bit anti-climatic..

I really enjoyed the mother daughter story about professional downhill skiing and the descriptions of Zermatt. There were more than a few instances where I just wanted to grab a character by the shoulders and say “just say it !” - but I guess that’s what makes it an interesting story…. miscommunication!
Thank you Netgalley and Zibby Publishing for the digital ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Zibby Books for the ARC of Tady's new book, Bluebird Day. I was excited to get into this novel because I read Tady's first book and loved her witty writing style. Bluebird Day was even better! The setting and characters had me invested in the outcome immediately. I adore mother and daughter stories and Bluebird Day explores a complicated relationship between the two. At certain points I was rooting for the mom and at others for her daughter, but by the end for both. The pacing was delightful, and I finished early because I couldn't put it down. This book will stay with me longer than a skiing season.

I preferred this to Megan Tady's first book. It's a sweet story about a mother/daughter relationship but her plots always have a bit of a farcical feel so it feels a bit silly. It would be a fun Apre Ski reads.

I enjoyed Meg Tady's debut, SUPER BLOOM and I want to shout from the Matterhorn about how terrific BLUEBIRD DAY is! I received an ARC of this fantastic novel and felt like I was in Zermatt along with the characters. My mother is from Switzerland and my brother just returned from a trip to Zermatt, so I can tell you in all honesty how realistic this book will make you feel. From the village scenes to the incredible fondue and pastries, I feel like I've just come back from a Swiss vacation...but with drama! The story of Wylie and her mom is one many of us can relate to...one in which as mothers we struggle to do our best but realize we must accept ourselves and our past mistakes in order to show up as the best versions of ourselves. As daughters, we often wonder if we are living up to expectations and making our moms proud. This was a story that made me cry more than once! I loved bearing witness to Wylie discovering not only who she is but what she wants out of life while Claudine was doing the exact same thing.

Meg truly hit it out of the park on this one! I LOVED it!

This is one of the best mother/daughter stories that I have ever read. The author drums up the family drama big time in this book!!!

Claudine and her daughter Wylie are not on good terms at all!! Claudine was one of the best skiers ever but had to retire due to injuries. Wylie becomes a skier too but suffers from anxiety. Claudine is her coach and does not know his to deal with not winning. Their relationship is very strained and they have not talked to each other in 2 years. Wylie is set to be in an athletic competition and needs a new partner. She contacts her mother and they are set to go to Switzerland before they go to Berlin. A lot will happen while they are in Switzerland as they will finally start being honest with each other. They are staying in a youth hostel and I loved the cast of characters there!!

This is a story of secrets that need to be revealed, listening to what your heart is telling you and that love can conquer all if given the opportunity. This one is out on 12/3/24 and I highly recommend that you preorder now!! This book will pull you in quickly and hold on to you until you get to the last page!!

A wonderful story about a mother and daughter reconnecting and learning to see from each others perspective. Wylie and Claudette, her former Olympic champion mother, get snowed into a Swiss village after an avalanche, and a lifetime of secrets and resentments come out. Both Wylie and Claudette have to work through their own issues, their issues with each other, and also realize the cycle of emotional abuse started by Claudette’s father. The emotional victories are not easily won and steer clear of being too much of a quick fix or relying on tropes. The cast of characters snowed into the village, as well as the mountains themselves, round out the story.

Bluebird Day: A Novel
By: Megan Tady
Pub date: December 3, 2024
Publisher: Zibby Books

This novel is the story about a mother-daughter relationship. Claudine Potts and her daughter, Wylie have been trained for medals. Claudine’s was forces into retirement and Wylie is dealing with her own issues along with her relationship with her mother.
Years go by and their relationship has been tested with a long period of silence. A competition leads them back to each other.
Can they work through their relationship as it is tested during a trying time? Tady has a way of drawing readers into a story which compels you to read to the last word. I enjoyed this story and the setting in a Swiss village is perfect for a winter getaway.

Great premise, loved the Swiss backdrop and the examination of a strained mother-daughter relationship getting its due to right the wrongs of the past. While I was drawn to the themes of identity, family expectations, and legacy, I had a hard time connecting with the characters as the story progressed and the plot reveal was more predictable than I would have liked. But for those looking for a lighthearted story, this is a great wintry choice!

Having a ski champion mother who is driven to continue the family legacy by creating a champion out of her daughter is not easy, especially when Wylie doesn’t measure up. Why can’t her mother help her face her anxiety or support her love of art? Why does her mother keep secrets Wylie deserves to know the answer to? The dynamics of this once loving, now strained mother daughter relationship is relatable to the reader, as well as the regrets of a parent looking back.

The setting of a snowy mountain in Switzerland was unique and will make a great book to read by the fire this winter. Loved the quirky, unique characters who brought some humor to lighten the mood. Themes of mental health, global warming, and toxic achievement culture make Bluebird Day relevant to the world today. Don’t let the cute cover fool you!

thought I couldn’t love Meg Tady’s writing more than when I read Super Bloom, but I was wrong. I adored this book and everything about it: the cast of quirky characters, the mother-daughter relationship, the transformation of them both, the beauty of the season and the location…all of it. Wylie is on a mission to win a European fitness contest so she can finally prove that she can win at something. But when she must pair up with the mother she hasn’t spoken to in years to compete as a duo, things get complicated. Grounded planes, stuck trains, dizzying snowy beauty, delicious food and family secrets make this an unputdownable book. It’s a must read and will publish just in time for the perfect season to read it in.