Thank you Atria Books @atriabooks , Netgalley @netgalley , and Amy Poeppel @amypoeppel for this free book!
“Far and Away” by Amy Poeppel⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Location: Dallas, Texas, USA and Berlin, Germany. Time: present.

Lucy’s Dallas neighborhood shuns her family after her intelligent, sweet teen son makes a mistake he can’t undo. Greta’s Berlin flat is up for grabs when her dissatisfied scientist husband Otto takes his dream job in Texas without telling her. Perfect strangers Lucy and Greta agree to a house swap and-thanks to martinis, desperation, and rusty German-they have no idea what they’re getting. They’re switching Southern charm, pets, and bbq for tiny European apartment sophistication and schnitzel. Their husbands are no help: Otto happily swims laps in the Dallas pool. Lucy’s husband is gone for 6 months, either in the NASA biosphere or in jail, depending on who you ask. Greta’s daughter Emmi and Lucy’s son Jack meet, Greta’s Vermeer auction purchase is questioned, and Lucy’s past with hot Viking Bjørn is outed. Can they fix their problems and go home again?

Author Poeppel has written a funny, original commentary on families, motherhood, community, and love. Her plot (and her characters) skip back and forth between Dallas and Berlin. Her clever writing sprinkles German words and phrases throughout the book, across the characters-sometimes translated, sometimes not. Her descriptions are evocative: (“…a place to go barefoot, and not know what day of the week it was.”) Poeppel takes us through jet lag, culture shock, suspiciously nice neighbors, scandals, and reminds us of the power of family. If you like laugh-out-loud, heartfelt, easy reading novels, pick up this book! It’s 4 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼‍♀️🎀 #farawayaway #amypoeppel

This book was such a fun ride! Two women, complete strangers, agree to a spur-of-the-moment house swap (one in Dallas, the other in Berlin), and let’s just say… it does not go smoothly. Between unexpected family drama, career chaos, culture shock, and a surprise Viking or two, Lucy and Greta find themselves way over their heads in the most entertaining way. Hilarious, heartwarming, and full of sharp wit, this is classic Amy Poeppel at her best. I flew through it and loved every second. 5 star read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed Musical Chairs when I read it years ago after hearing Annie Jones recommend it on her podcast years ago. It's difficult for me to find contemporary fiction that goes down easily and quickly, is entertaining, but NOT a romance or thriller. Musical Chairs fit the bill, and happily, so did Far and Away!
Lucy and Greta, who live in Dallas and Berlin respectively, who are both looking for unexpected last minute getaways in different countries for the summer; Greta, for her and her doctor husband Otto as he seeks to work abroad with other doctors for summer, and Lucy, to escape a controversy her son has found himself in that has made the family neighborhood pariahs. There's much more going on here with both families, but I'll leave those bits to be revealed to the next readers!
These are smart, professional, and yes, very privileged women juggling demanding work, marriage, motherhood, and also being daughters. There is enough here to make them relatable despite their privilege and Lucy and Greta and the whole cast of supporting characters are likable and fun to spend time with. It was also entertaining to be immersed in the culture shock they both experience, and particularly entertaining for this Southerner to watch our German friends adapt to Texas culture. This is an absolutely perfect summertime read and helped break me out of a book slump I hit the last week or two of May. Throw this one in your beach bag and have fun!

I love everything Amy Poeppel writes and this book is no exception. No write makes me laugh more or like characters more than Amy Poeppel does. I think it’s the way her characters are so relatable with their flaws makes them feel like friends. Everyone is quirky including both homes in the home swap. I was rooting for everyone and in classic Amy Poeppel style, everyone wins.

Amy Poeppel has such a knack for writing smart, funny, and heartfelt novels, and Far and Away is no exception. I love her style, her humor always hits the mark for me, and this one had me laughing out loud while also tugging at my heart.

The premise of a house swap with a total stranger is both terrifying and fascinating, and the author uses it to set the stage for some hilarious, chaotic, and totally original moments. The story is packed with family drama, long buried secrets, and unexpected twists, but it never feels heavy. Instead, it’s the fun kind of chaos; messy, unpredictable, and full of heart.

If you love character driven stories with a strong emotional core, sharp humor, and a lot of heart, definitely add this one to your list. It’s the perfect blend of drama and comedy, I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to these characters.

What an absolute delight of a novel! I had so much fun following along on the adventures these two families had, and loved how they connected toward the end of the novel. Greta’s trajectory was especially compelling to me as she had a reckoning with her life and her choices thus far, and the evolving nature familial relationship ships can take. Will recommend to all my friends and family members who are looking for entertaining and heart warming beach reads!

I'm just over here regretting that I read this and didn't dnf. I'm going to be brutal here. I have had Amy Poeppel books on my tbr for a very long time but Far and Away was the first of her's I've picked up.

I'll start with my thoughts on the family from Texas. I thought the drama with the teenage son was not interesting, the husband's job and absence was weird, the mom's job was interesting but her impulsiveness in a difficult situation was wild. The family from Germany was actually a story I would have wanted to learn more about but I did not like the way their storyline unfolded. There were a few intriguing characters in this book but overall, I didn't care enough about any of them to desire to pick up the book time and time again. I wish I would have dnfed at my first sign of boredom.

There were a few glimmers of hope throughout so I think I will try another book by this author in the future. Even still, thank you to Atria Books for my advanced copy.

When two families need a change, a house swap seems like the perfect solution. In a hasty moment of desperation, the deal is made, and these two families are leaving the familiarity of their own cities and homes for completely new experiences.

This was such an enjoyable novel. I was immediately invested in these characters’ lives. You really couldn’t get two families who were more different than these two. Greta is an art curator, Otto is a foot surgeon, and they reside in a classic apartment in Berlin, decorated with antique pieces and furnishings. Lucy has a new job that she loves, she’s a mother of a high school student and twin girls, and her husband is away for six months for work. She lives in a sleek, modern home in Dallas that is well lived in, with multiple pets (and pet fur). It’s the differences between these two families that make this novel so much fun.

Right from the start, I knew that there was bound to be mayhem and hijinks. How could there not be? Traveling to live in another country for a few months, disrupting your normal routines, and trying to adapt to a different culture with a different language would be a nerve-wracking experience for even the most well-traveled individuals.

Otto needed a change from his current work environment; he was unhappy and stagnating in his position in Berlin. For Lucy, she just wanted to flee and whisk her kids away to escape the growing condemnation that was happening to them in their neighborhood as a result of the mistake her son had made. Everyone just wanted a few months of change, but this change also offered up time for some discoveries, both personal and professional that had the potential to change the course of their lives.

There was a lot to love about Far and Away. I enjoyed the back and forth between Dallas and Berlin. I was equally interested in knowing what was going on in each of these homes and how they were adapting to their new lifestyles and in their own relationships. Each family had their own issues to deal with, and I was a happy observer in their lives.

Far and Away was just a wonderful read. I enjoyed my time with these characters. It was filled with humor, heart, and second chances.

*4.5 Stars

Far and Away centers on the story of two moms, one American, one German, who swap homes in a last minute situation where both are desperately in need of new surroundings. The storyline about Lisa's son, who was kicked out of school the day before graduation for semi-unclear reasons and whose offer might be rescinded from MIT, was incredibly compelling to me, and I mostly was reading to figure out what had happened in that story. I would have read a whole novel just about that situation and characters. The other storyline was less compelling to me, but I still liked how the two stories came together in the end.

FAR AND AWAY by Amy Poeppel is classic Poeppel—funny, fast-moving, and full of lovable chaos. Two women swap homes (Dallas and Berlin) to escape their messy lives… only to find more mayhem waiting. Culture shock, family drama, secrets, and schnitzel—what’s not to love?

A perfect summer escape with heart and humor. (And don’t miss her promo videos—they’re hilarious!) Releases June 10th!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have mixed feelings on the story. I liked parts and disliked others. The characters were ok, but not one in particular stood out to me. Just a fun fluffy read.
I didn’t like what unraveled with Jack’s prank at school - seemed unrealistic. I thought the characters were okay but not one really stood out to me.
Not sure whether it was the netgalley/e-read format, but at times I felt like the story jumped from one thing to another with no pause in between. I had to go back and think about what I was reading about/which character was being referenced.

Poeppel's book are a delight to read, and Far and Away captures all her signature wit and charm. Lucy's life is thrown upside down when her son makes an awful mistake. She needs out of Dallas. And Greta from Berlin quickly needs a place to stay in Dallas, so the two strangers agree to a house swap. The stage is set for a hilarious and heartwarming adventure as these two and an array of characters tackle culture shock and scandals and what it means to be family. Loved it.

This is such a cute book! I really love how Amy Poeppel is able to weave so many characters & storylines together and bring everyone around to a big wonderful family by the end. This one focuses on 2 families, one in Berlin and one in Dallas, who both need to leave their respective cities in a hurry and end up doing a house swap. I loved these characters and I loved how they fit so perfectly into each other’s lives despite their differences. Delightful & heartwarming.

Amy Poeppel’s **Far and Away** showcases the same warm, insightful prose that made **The Sweet Spot** such a joy. The well-drawn characters embark on richly emotional journeys, and Poeppel’s keen eye for humor and human connection keeps the narrative engaging. The pacing is smooth and inviting—though I occasionally craved a bit more tension to heighten the stakes. With its delightful travel theme and vivid settings, it’s the perfect fun summer read. Fans of **The Sweet Spot** won’t want to miss it!
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria for the free digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

When Lucy’s son Jack makes a bad decision that is taken way out of context close to graduation, he’s banned from graduation, shunned by his friends, and parents threaten to have him thrown in jail. Lucy’s husband Mason is on assignment in “Mars” - really in New Mexico where scientists and engineers are living in a biosphere trying to replicate how people and things will react to living on Mars. Lucy is at her wits’ end as to how to solve the issue - all she knows is that she and the family need to escape.

Greta and her husband Otto live in Berlin, but some bad rapport between Otto and his colleagues have made his life unbearable at the university where is a surgeon. Greta’s sister knew Lucy years ago when she was in college and lived in Berlin. Since both parties needed to escape, they agreed to a house-swap; Lucy, Jack, and twins Alice and Zoe would fly to Berlin and live in Greta and Otto’s house, and Greta and Otto would fly to Dallas and live in Lucy’s house, as Otto had obtained a temporary position at the university there.

Uprooting 2 families is bad enough, but add to the mix the language barrier (I’m not sure what was funnier - Otto trying to speak English and dressing the part of a cowboy, or Lucy trying to speak German, which she obviously doesn’t remember!) and you have a really funny story. As Jack tries to undo his mistake, Greta’s daughter Emmi steps in to help. I really liked how all the families came together in the end!

A quick read with laughs and heart - pick this one up if you can! Thanks to the author for sharing with our book club!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Far and Away by Amy Poeppel. This was a very charming and relaxing book to read. I love a story where characters swap homes/locations, and this one didn't disappoint!
The book centers on Lucy and Greta, who do not know each other and impulsively decide to swap homes within a day's notice. Lucy's teenage son Jack gets in a lot of trouble over a misunderstanding, so Lucy decides on a whim to take Jack and her twin daughters to Berlin, Germany, to stay in Greta's apartment. Greta and her husband Otto must make fast accommodations when Otto is offered a position at a university, so they go to Texas to live in Lucy's house.
The plot is silly and unbelievable in the best and most entertaining way. I wish it was so easy to simply decide to spend the summer in another country and travel at a drop of the hat. The perspectives alternate between Texas and Germany. Each character is out of their elements and comfort zones, which makes the story light and funny. I especially loved the parts in Germany. It seems so elegant and fun. It was great how their family and friends crossover and interact with each other. There are also misunderstandings due to sending messages and conflicting comments between the families. I loved how Greta slowly loosened up as the story progressed. I loved how spontaneous Lucy was. The side characters were funny and original.
The book was cozy to read. It gave writer/director Nancy Myers vibes. I would consider the book contemporary and not a romance. The perspectives change, but it was easy to follow, and it added layers. It was fun and easy to read. There was light tension but never anything incredibly stressful. It was enjoyable to read and I can't wait to read more by this funny and original author!

Enjoyed this very clever story about two families, one from Dallas and one from Germany, whose lives intersect under extreme circumstances. The beginning was a little difficult to grasp given all the different characters, locations and perspectives, but after a while it all worked. The author did a great job of tying up all the loose strings by the ending. Recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Lucy’s son Jack has just been expelled and the neighborhood is very much against their family. Meanwhile, Greta and her husband should be preparing to spend the summer in New York, but his situation has changed and he is now headed to work in Dallas Texas. Both families need a place to stay when someone mentions a house swap. The two families are not prepared for the change and just a bit of chaos ensues.

This is a very hard synopsis to write, because there is so much to this story but I didn’t want the synopsis to be a page long. Amy Poeppel is a G-D delight! As per usual with her books, this one had me laughing out loud while reading! The miscommunications between Greta and Lucy were beyond hysterical. I just loved each and every character in this book and want everything to work out for them all! My heart broke for Jack and what happened from his stupid, but not malicious mistake, and how it affected his entire family. I don’t want to go too far and give things away, but this book is seriously just perfect. I always love Amy’s books and this one was no different. If you love a good laugh, found family, and a bit of chaos, look no further than Far and Away!

Thank you to @atriabooks or my gifted copy of this book!

I ended up loving this book about two women swapping houses for a summer, one in Berlin and one in Dallas. They find themselves entangled in each other’s lives and cultures while on their own journeys with self-discovery. It was also hilarious and just a lot of fun. Thank you atria for my copy! This is out June 10th.

Traditional format 📕 (digital). Release
date June 10,2025

Wow this book was one wild and crazy ride (in a good way). So many characters and multiple plots within plots it was non stop action from beginning to end. I loved the laugh out loud moments and different country locations and overall a very charming book.

If you like a quirky and fun book this one is definitely for you. I give this a very solid 4/5!

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books for a digital ARC copy in exchange for a review.