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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
katosta8815's review against another edition
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, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
marieeveparentroy's review against another edition
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: Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
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: Death and Drug abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
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: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence, Vomit, and Death of parent
skyba3's review against another edition
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: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Blood, and Vomit
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
mega_reader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, and Vomit
van_wolfing's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Moderate: Death and Drug use
erebus53's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.25
I picked up this one as a Big Library Read book. Libby sets things up so there are unlimited library eCopies of the book to download digitally (including Audiobook versions). Looking at the cover I presumed it might be pretty corny, but I was pleasantly surprised.
I was surprised to find myself as the target audience. The main character is a woman who has been settling for much of her life and has never chased up on her passion projects. She has allowed her partner to belittle her efforts and has fallen into a rut where it is normal for him to be the controlling partner in her life. When 2 life changing influences coincidentally shake her life up, she is given the headspace to reassess what she is doing with her life.
The main character is someone who is interested in drawing biological specimens. I vibed with her whole habit of finding cool minibeasts or bits of broken animal and wanting to keep records of them. FOR SCIENCE! I deeply identified with the feeling of having others disgusted by the objects of your fascination, wanting to get pictures of dead birds' feet, and also the problem of having baby mantises accidentally hatch in your bedroom.. or.. all over your bedroom.
This is also a story of family reconciliation. Getting an estranged family back together again as part of a family bequest makes this an inheritance story with some cool twists. It's got a lot more trauma than I was expecting. The sister is a kick-ass goth who is a trained mortician. I think I can see a theme in the way this family works.
Didn't really expect it to be so focused on romance though. I found the development of friendships and relationships in the story so captivating that I forgot to stop the book.. and then found I had oopsed a 1-day-read. Uhm.. yes I quite liked this one.
I was surprised to find myself as the target audience. The main character is a woman who has been settling for much of her life and has never chased up on her passion projects. She has allowed her partner to belittle her efforts and has fallen into a rut where it is normal for him to be the controlling partner in her life. When 2 life changing influences coincidentally shake her life up, she is given the headspace to reassess what she is doing with her life.
The main character is someone who is interested in drawing biological specimens. I vibed with her whole habit of finding cool minibeasts or bits of broken animal and wanting to keep records of them. FOR SCIENCE! I deeply identified with the feeling of having others disgusted by the objects of your fascination, wanting to get pictures of dead birds' feet, and also the problem of having baby mantises accidentally hatch in your bedroom.. or.. all over your bedroom.
This is also a story of family reconciliation. Getting an estranged family back together again as part of a family bequest makes this an inheritance story with some cool twists. It's got a lot more trauma than I was expecting. The sister is a kick-ass goth who is a trained mortician. I think I can see a theme in the way this family works.
Didn't really expect it to be so focused on romance though. I found the development of friendships and relationships in the story so captivating that I forgot to stop the book.. and then found I had oopsed a 1-day-read. Uhm.. yes I quite liked this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit