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lauren_soderberg's review
4.0
Christina Clancy’s The Second Home is, in many ways, a treatise on growth amid adversity. (Or, in some cases, the lack thereof.) It’s a story about the power of familial bonds, and of the ways that life can be achingly imperfect.
When Ann Gordon meets Michael Davis, their connection is instant. Recently orphaned, Michael is welcomed into the Gordon household, and is eventually adopted. He is embraced as a brother by Ann’s little sister, Poppy, though Ann’s feelings for Michael (and his for Ann) are far more complicated. After an eventful, traumatic summer spent at the Gordon’s summer home on Cape Cod, Ann, Michael, and Poppy become estranged. Fifteen years later, their parents have died, and the three of them must come face-to-face with the ghosts of the past.
Personally, I think this novel packs quite a punch. The use of close third person narration style, with each chapter alternating between Ann, Michael, and Poppy’s perspectives, was highly effective. The manner in which the story unfolds creates a sense of nostalgia as well as a sense of irritation. Without providing any spoilers, there is a significant miscommunication that transpires between two of the protagonists that festers, and it’s difficult to read about. I also had a difficult time empathizing with Ann's anger and unwillingness to communicate, but perhaps that is kind of the point. Clancy’s characters are all flawed in their own ways and are written in an achingly human way.
This would be the perfect novel for those who enjoy a female-centric, introspective read, and who appreciate compelling, imperfect characters.
An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.
When Ann Gordon meets Michael Davis, their connection is instant. Recently orphaned, Michael is welcomed into the Gordon household, and is eventually adopted. He is embraced as a brother by Ann’s little sister, Poppy, though Ann’s feelings for Michael (and his for Ann) are far more complicated. After an eventful, traumatic summer spent at the Gordon’s summer home on Cape Cod, Ann, Michael, and Poppy become estranged. Fifteen years later, their parents have died, and the three of them must come face-to-face with the ghosts of the past.
Personally, I think this novel packs quite a punch. The use of close third person narration style, with each chapter alternating between Ann, Michael, and Poppy’s perspectives, was highly effective. The manner in which the story unfolds creates a sense of nostalgia as well as a sense of irritation. Without providing any spoilers, there is a significant miscommunication that transpires between two of the protagonists that festers, and it’s difficult to read about. I also had a difficult time empathizing with Ann's anger and unwillingness to communicate, but perhaps that is kind of the point. Clancy’s characters are all flawed in their own ways and are written in an achingly human way.
This would be the perfect novel for those who enjoy a female-centric, introspective read, and who appreciate compelling, imperfect characters.
An ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review.
maymay's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ngalbani's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it! It was a little slow moving at the beginning but the story is truly precious and captivating!
If you love family saga this is a very good book! I will look forward to reading next novels from Christina Clancy!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin Press for the ARC in change of my honest review!
If you love family saga this is a very good book! I will look forward to reading next novels from Christina Clancy!!!
Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin Press for the ARC in change of my honest review!
seachell1's review
4.0
Thank you to St. Martin's and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this novel for my honest opinion,
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Christina Clancy. I recommend this book for someone looking for their next great summer/beach read. Set in the late 90's and present day it tells the story of the Gordon family and how secrets and lies can tear a family apart for years. I enjoyed the characters and the setting and this great new voice in the women's literature genre.
I really enjoyed this debut novel by Christina Clancy. I recommend this book for someone looking for their next great summer/beach read. Set in the late 90's and present day it tells the story of the Gordon family and how secrets and lies can tear a family apart for years. I enjoyed the characters and the setting and this great new voice in the women's literature genre.
daniellersalaz's review
4.0
I received an advanced reader's copy of this book through NetGalley.
This book takes just a little time to get into, but then I found it very engrossing. The characters are well written and the writing is very evocative. Although my Rocky Mountain family has never summered in Cape Cod, I feel like the descriptions in the book brought me there and helped me imagine what that lifestyle might be like. And isn't that what we read fiction for, to be transported into other people and places?
There's not a lot of intrigue in the book, but I don't think that's what Clancy set out to create. It's the journey and not the destination that this book excels at. Really, I think the story is about family and how what goes unsaid can be do even more damage than the most hurtful things we can say to each other.
An enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more of this debut author's work in the future!
This book takes just a little time to get into, but then I found it very engrossing. The characters are well written and the writing is very evocative. Although my Rocky Mountain family has never summered in Cape Cod, I feel like the descriptions in the book brought me there and helped me imagine what that lifestyle might be like. And isn't that what we read fiction for, to be transported into other people and places?
There's not a lot of intrigue in the book, but I don't think that's what Clancy set out to create. It's the journey and not the destination that this book excels at. Really, I think the story is about family and how what goes unsaid can be do even more damage than the most hurtful things we can say to each other.
An enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more of this debut author's work in the future!
htsmusicmaven's review
4.0
A wonderful family saga with a deep sense of place. Perfect for reading in the summertime as a great deal of the book takes place in Cape Cod. I enjoyed the way the story was laid out as well and how each character had they time to grow, shine, and unfold throughout the years.
agrayreads's review
4.0
The family saga that restored my faith in family sagas: The Second Home!
On my plane home from Europe last week, I fully expected to read a bit, get a couple hours of sleep, and maybe watch a movie. Instead, I devoured this entire book.
The Second Home is the story of the Gordon family, made up of parents Ed and Connie and siblings Ann, Poppy, and adopted brother Michael. The narrative covers the time from when the three siblings are teens to when they are in their forties and trying to find their footing after the loss of Ed and Connie.
I found the Gordon family lovable, quirky, and completely relatable. They are people with big hearts and good intentions AND plenty of mistakes and miscommunication. I found my heart invested in each of the siblings as their stories unfolded.
Also, the setting of the story, Welfleet, MA on Cape Cod, is very special to me. I spent two weeks in Welfleet almost every summer of my childhood, so it is a spot near and dear. I loved the way the author captured the details — the beach, the vendors, and the snobbiness of the people who vacation on the “Outer Cape”.
It was no surprise to learn she, too, spent many childhood summers there, too! This one comes out on June 2, 2020 and would be the perfect book to bring to any beach destination (or couch!) this summer.
Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this one early!
Rating: 4/5 #agrayreviews
On my plane home from Europe last week, I fully expected to read a bit, get a couple hours of sleep, and maybe watch a movie. Instead, I devoured this entire book.
The Second Home is the story of the Gordon family, made up of parents Ed and Connie and siblings Ann, Poppy, and adopted brother Michael. The narrative covers the time from when the three siblings are teens to when they are in their forties and trying to find their footing after the loss of Ed and Connie.
I found the Gordon family lovable, quirky, and completely relatable. They are people with big hearts and good intentions AND plenty of mistakes and miscommunication. I found my heart invested in each of the siblings as their stories unfolded.
Also, the setting of the story, Welfleet, MA on Cape Cod, is very special to me. I spent two weeks in Welfleet almost every summer of my childhood, so it is a spot near and dear. I loved the way the author captured the details — the beach, the vendors, and the snobbiness of the people who vacation on the “Outer Cape”.
It was no surprise to learn she, too, spent many childhood summers there, too! This one comes out on June 2, 2020 and would be the perfect book to bring to any beach destination (or couch!) this summer.
Thank you to @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this one early!
Rating: 4/5 #agrayreviews
susanthebookbag's review
5.0
The end of the synopsis for this book says this is a 'story of a family you'll quickly fall in love with, and won't soon forget'. That is so, so true. I fell in love with this story from the start and with each of the characters as soon as I met them. And I'm still thinking about them.
The Second Home delves into the lives of Ann, Poppy, and Michael. The dual timeline of the past and the present help us discover why these three siblings are estranged and what drove them apart. Can the past be reconciled? Or will the family lose their summer home, a home which meant so much to all of them?
This is a very well written book with the words just flowing off of the pages and into my imagination. This debut novel by Christina Clancy is an impressive work of fiction and she is an author I'll be reading again. I can't wait to see what she produces next. The Second Home is a title you definitely need to add to your summer reading list.
The Second Home delves into the lives of Ann, Poppy, and Michael. The dual timeline of the past and the present help us discover why these three siblings are estranged and what drove them apart. Can the past be reconciled? Or will the family lose their summer home, a home which meant so much to all of them?
This is a very well written book with the words just flowing off of the pages and into my imagination. This debut novel by Christina Clancy is an impressive work of fiction and she is an author I'll be reading again. I can't wait to see what she produces next. The Second Home is a title you definitely need to add to your summer reading list.
haylstorm3's review
5.0
this was my favorite book of the year. i started and finished it in one day because i couldn’t put it down!! it made me laugh and cry i’ve been recommending it to all of my friends!!