Scan barcode
webberinr's review
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death and Drug use
ellezagna's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It wasn't horrible but I wasn't wowed by it. The writing style was engaging. There were times that the plot felt a little muddled. Overall a decent "beach read".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Animal death
lovins23's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Animal death
reading_beyond_the_book_cover's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Full Review: https://readingbeyondthebookcover.com/a-very-typical-family/
A Very Typical Family was a journey that I didn't expect to enjoy.
The characters aren't likable, but their flaws are what make them real and relatable.
The book is medium paced, and we spend a considerable amount of time with Natalie as she takes a trial-and-error approach in mending or forging a relationship with each of her siblings. There's not one way to build a bridge with either of them, so witnessing Natalie's efforts in trying to reclaim lost time is inspiring and heartwarming.
The major theme of this book is forgiveness. Forgiveness is not always expected, nor is it given. When either occurrence happens, it's suprising to at least one party; either the forgiver or the forgiven. In A Very Typical Family, we see how lack of explicit forgiveness can warp connections.
Another social theme highlighted throughout the book is the evolution of familial relationships. Natalie hasn't seen her siblings in years. The large gap of time contributes to her being out of touch and blindly navigating how to communicate with them. People change, and that's something that Natalie comes to grips with in each situation she's placed in that involves her siblings, Lynn and Jake.
These themes and the character development is what I enjoyed most about the book.
Along the way of meeting the requirements of her mother's will, Natalie meet people. One of those people becomes a romantic interest that's somehow obvious and not so obvious to read because of the interference of other characters. Considering Natalie's purpose of returning home to settle her mother's estate, romantic elements in the book felt out of place to me.
I've read that some readers enjoyed the romance because the flirting was cute, and I can see how it would be a focus for some. I didn't really care much for it. However, I did appreciate how exposure to a supportive relationship helped the main character realize her worth.
Natalie was so accustomed to being under the influence of her so-called "found family," Teensy and Paul, that she thought that what they had to offer her was all that she's capable of experiencing. It was sad to witness, though extremely rewarding once Natalie removed her rose-colored glasses. All the red flags were blurring her vision.
This Sierra Godfrey book is the first I've read. It will not be my last. Her writing style is easy to follow, and the story she's constructed for the characters in A Very Typical Family is impactful.
You should choose A Very Typical Family for next book pick, especially if you enjoy complicated family dynamics and second-chance stories.
A Very Typical Family was a journey that I didn't expect to enjoy.
The characters aren't likable, but their flaws are what make them real and relatable.
The book is medium paced, and we spend a considerable amount of time with Natalie as she takes a trial-and-error approach in mending or forging a relationship with each of her siblings. There's not one way to build a bridge with either of them, so witnessing Natalie's efforts in trying to reclaim lost time is inspiring and heartwarming.
The major theme of this book is forgiveness. Forgiveness is not always expected, nor is it given. When either occurrence happens, it's suprising to at least one party; either the forgiver or the forgiven. In A Very Typical Family, we see how lack of explicit forgiveness can warp connections.
Another social theme highlighted throughout the book is the evolution of familial relationships. Natalie hasn't seen her siblings in years. The large gap of time contributes to her being out of touch and blindly navigating how to communicate with them. People change, and that's something that Natalie comes to grips with in each situation she's placed in that involves her siblings, Lynn and Jake.
These themes and the character development is what I enjoyed most about the book.
Along the way of meeting the requirements of her mother's will, Natalie meet people. One of those people becomes a romantic interest that's somehow obvious and not so obvious to read because of the interference of other characters. Considering Natalie's purpose of returning home to settle her mother's estate, romantic elements in the book felt out of place to me.
I've read that some readers enjoyed the romance because the flirting was cute, and I can see how it would be a focus for some. I didn't really care much for it. However, I did appreciate how exposure to a supportive relationship helped the main character realize her worth.
Natalie was so accustomed to being under the influence of her so-called "found family," Teensy and Paul, that she thought that what they had to offer her was all that she's capable of experiencing. It was sad to witness, though extremely rewarding once Natalie removed her rose-colored glasses. All the red flags were blurring her vision.
This Sierra Godfrey book is the first I've read. It will not be my last. Her writing style is easy to follow, and the story she's constructed for the characters in A Very Typical Family is impactful.
You should choose A Very Typical Family for next book pick, especially if you enjoy complicated family dynamics and second-chance stories.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use and Death
katosta8815's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse
marieeveparentroy's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Violence, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Cancer, and Death
megs_bok's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Grief
sammykat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A family drama with romance, mystery and sibling relationships. The book was fun and lighthearted despite some darker themes of prison, drugs, death, animal gore and the characters were interesting and had good depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Animal death, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Violence
skyba3's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Addiction, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Drug use
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, Death, and Cancer
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.0
Eh it was an okay family drama type of read. Not really my thing but tried it since it was my library's "bookclub" read so there was unlimited availability. I did enjoy the ending of the siblings but didn't care for the romance in it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Drug use