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acobbva's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Death
nicolaparty's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
heyyyyitskatelyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
cait_reads365's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
jordanreads's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A bit slow at times, even on audiobook. I probably would’ve gotten bored and quit if I were physically reading it.
The premise leads you to believe that the book will be a lot more mysterious and interesting than it really was, but it was a simple and enjoyable character study nonetheless.
It could’ve been shorter; the entire boyfriend storyline added nothing to the story in my opinion.
I didn’t like the focus on mysterious things that ended up being nothing? For example, the brother is missing for the majority of the book and he’s been at the step-dad’s house all along? The cat was missing for a week and then just showed up with no explanation?
Tw: domestic violence, a graphic scene of assault
The premise leads you to believe that the book will be a lot more mysterious and interesting than it really was, but it was a simple and enjoyable character study nonetheless.
It could’ve been shorter; the entire boyfriend storyline added nothing to the story in my opinion.
I didn’t like the focus on mysterious things that ended up being nothing? For example, the brother is missing for the majority of the book and he’s been at the step-dad’s house all along? The cat was missing for a week and then just showed up with no explanation?
Tw: domestic violence, a graphic scene of assault
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Death of parent
mjs_18's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Cancer, Cursing, Drug abuse, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
webberinr's review against another edition
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
2.5
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, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Animal death
lovins23's review against another edition
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: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
reading_beyond_the_book_cover's review against another edition
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: Death and Drug use