I won’t be finishing this book unfortunately. I got about 20% through but am finding it hard to keep the characters straight, mostly because I don’t really seem to care about any of them. I’m sure this is a great slow burn for someone, but not for me.

This is a slow-burn, introspective, family-focused story. While not typically my favorite, I was pleasantly surprised with this one and how much I liked it. The writing style does take a bit to get used to, but it didn't take long for me to become invested in the dynamics between siblings and their secrets. I do wish that the structure of how it's told had a bit more editing to make it flow more seamlessly. I struggled sometimes with the timeline of events because of how much it jumps around, but it didn't necessarily detract from my enjoyment. I agree with the comp titles in the synopsis (Patchett and Lombardo) and I'd add Coco Mellors to it as well - this story is very much in the same realm in vibe and tone as some of their works. It's messy and emotional. I liked the environmental commentary and the Florida setting. It's not completely plotless, there's a bit of mystery to it, but it's definitely majority character-driven. I was invested in this family and along for the ride with them.

Something about the cover of this (yes, sometimes I'm guilty of judging a book by it's cover) made me think it was a romance, but, a romance it definitely is NOT.

The Float Test is a gripping family drama, which I think fans of Claire Lombardo and Coco Mellors will enjoy. This is definitely a character driven novel - there are very few plot points - more of a telling of this family's way of being as they all come together after the matriarch's death.

There are a lot of notes that speak to motherhood, secrets, family, ambition, secrets, and love. It's a beautiful exploration of this flawed families and all their layers and dysfunction. I really loved the bits about Ellen. This is a relatively slow pace, but definitely worth it.

I loved this emotional story of family dynamics!!!!!!!!!! It was truly inspiring and eye opening. A one of a kind book that everyone should read

This book wasn’t for me. It felt jumpy and sudden and just didn’t seem to be my preferred style of reading. I think this book could have been improved with more than one POV.

The Float Test drew me in by the cover but sadly this one was not for me. It is about four siblings who come together after their mom passes and they decide to go back to Florida to be near their dad and the place they grew up in. The plot moved slow for me and at times I did not understand what was going on. All of the characters were interesting in this one. Overall, this book was not for me but I do hope other readers enjoy this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for this read in exchange of my honest review of The Float Test by Lynn Steger Strong.

Next evolution of the writer's previous works. Fantastic, and I hope it finds a wide(r) audience than her previous feats.

I trudged through this book and wish I hadn’t. I should’ve just shelved it as DNF. It was boring, none of the characters were likable and there was no cohesive plot. Would not recommend.

Thanks NetGalley and Mariner Books for this ARC.

A deep look at the complexities of family through loss, age, change.
The Kenner family is unexpectedly reunited when the matriarch of the family suddenly dies. The reader receives an interesting perspective as our first person narrator is largely absent for much of the book and is instead looking at events primarily through her semi-estranged sister, Fred, and other two siblings. The reader is held in the dark about the nature of why the two sisters are not talking until near the end, which ended up being an incredibly emotional reveal. I particularly liked this choice as we had time to explore but not really understand Fred as we weren't getting her first hand account of events and emotions. This was somewhat of a slow burn but I realllyy enjoyed the writing and the very realistic depictions of both complications of family and the strange land of Florida.
This was a great read & I will definitely be recommending, though it may not be for everyone.

This wss a mediocre read about four adult siblings and their father dealing with the death of their sharp lawyer mother. The segue ways are disjointed, and I didn't care for the characters and the choices they made. There are a couple of heat wrenching scenes and not in a good way.

Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley

Wow…this was the slowest, meandering story. I can usually handle a slow burn, but this one felt pointless most of the time. It also felt very politically motivated - endless references to climate change in Florida. Overall, too much agenda and not enough plot.

epic sense of place, that is NOT mached by the sense of character. disconnected asides, characters being the narrator that shouldn't be..... tysm for the arc. 3.5 stars..

Easy to get through and finish in one sitting.
However, didn't feel connected to any of the characters. Overall relatively slow read that doesn't say much.

In "The Float Test," four siblings reunite at their family home in Florida to mourn their mother’s passing. The humid and oppressive atmosphere of Florida serves as an ideal backdrop for each sibling as they confront their shared family traumas and reflect on their current lives. Although the narrative unfolds slowly in the initial chapters, the pace accelerates significantly after the first quarter of the book. I can envision this story being adapted into a limited series television show.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Float Test by Lynn Steiger Strong. This was a really good read. It follows the Kenners over the course of one summer as they meet in Florida after the death of their mother. While they are dealing with her death, the siblings are at odd with each other or at life. Many secrets are woven between the various characters of this story and they come to a head this summer. This was a quick read, in part because the writing flowed, but also because it’s the type of story I enjoy reading . Whenever family dynamics are at the center of a novel, I usually really enjoy it.

You’re not simply turning pages while getting to know what drives the characters, you’re pulling a seat up to the table, listening to intimate conversations between four siblings who aren’t exactly getting along, on top of holding onto their own secrets, as they’ve come together after the death of a parent. It’s raw, it’s real.

Meet the Kenners of Florida. One sister flits about thinking she’s doing her share, but is she. Another is struggling with her writing. Yet another sister left the law behind while nursing a major chip on her shoulder toward the sister she used to put on a pedestal. The baby of the family left his wife behind for reasons not yet revealed. The title of the book’s meaning will soon sink in (pun intended).

Complicated literary families are the best kind of families.

Love this passage: “The language of a family often lives outside of what is spoken. Here are details, facts, instances accumulated and then offered, but what’s missing is the feeling in your belly when your big sister says something nice to you, that feeling in the creases of your face, the balls of your feet, when she looks you up and down and you know absolutely that whatever it is she sees makes her want to puke.”

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I appreciated the gradual development in The Float Test. It offers a thoughtful reflection on youth from the perspective of middle age, exploring how these siblings were raised together and the paths they took as adults. If you're intrigued by sibling relationships over an extended period, this serves as an excellent character study on the subject. Thank you Net Galley and Harper Collins for the ARC.

In "The Float Test," Lynn Steger Strong dives into the complicated relationships within the Kenner family, focusing on the struggles of the siblings. Each character has their own battles: Jenn, the overwhelmed mom, is trying to juggle family demands while feeling crushed by her own expectations. Fred, the stuck novelist, is trying to reconnect with her passion for writing while dealing with family life. Jude, the recovering lawyer, has some hidden resentment towards Fred, which adds tension to their interactions. Then there's George, the brother who's distant and hiding secrets about his old job and an awkward crush on one of his sisters' friends. This mix of relationships makes for an engaging story that keeps you hooked.

Set in a sweltering Florida summer, the story reveals deep family secrets that test their trust and connections. The Kenner family comes together after a big loss, forcing them to face not just their shared grief but also the unresolved issues that have haunted them for years. Strong’s writing is both beautiful and gripping, drawing readers into the Kenner family's journey toward healing. As the siblings work through misunderstandings and past conflicts, they discover the importance of being open and honest to rebuild their bonds. With themes of ambition, love, and the challenges of family, I’d give this book 4 out of 5 stars. "The Float Test" shows that even with their flaws, families can be a source of strength and growth. Strong's keen insights into human behavior and family dynamics make this novel a captivating read, encouraging us to think about our own family relationships and how we can improve them.

I wanted to read this one because I really like the cover, and the plot seemed interesting enough - four siblings come together after their mother passes, and we see family drama unfold. However, I felt the story moved very slowly, and it took me a while to even understand what was happening. It finally comes together at the end, but I have to say it was a struggle to finish this one.

In Lynn Steger Strong's newest novel "The Float Test," the Kenner siblings - Jude, Fred, Jenn, and George - are forced to confront their complicated family dynamics and personal struggles after the unexpected passing of their mother. Growing up in an affluent Florida household, the siblings each carry their own insecurities and disappointments, which are amplified when they reunite to grieve and sort through their mother's affairs.

While the novel's pacing at times feels meandering, there is a strong sense of character development throughout. The author artfully explores the nuances of sibling relationships, as the Kenner children navigate their own adult lives while processing their shared childhood experiences and the legacy of their parents. The central "float test" metaphor, which represents the difficulty the siblings have in simply allowing themselves to be passive and let go, serves as an apt analogy for the family's struggle to find balance and resilience. Though the payoff may not be as dramatic as some readers hoped, the ending feels true to the tone of the story, which is ultimately about the enduring bonds of family, even amidst its complexities.

As someone who grew up in South Florida, I connected strongly with the vivid depiction of the state's lush yet oppressive landscape, which acts almost as another character in the novel. Steger Strong's nuanced exploration of environmental issues facing the region also adds an extra layer of depth. While "The Float Test" may not have reached the same high bar as the author's previous acclaimed novel, it is still a thoughtful, character-driven family drama that will resonate with many readers.