The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
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
emmareidy's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
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
ella_pittsford's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, and Domestic abuse
alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
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
3.0
Listened to the audiobook. Overall enjoyed it, but was also a bit bored at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Vomit
Moderate: Addiction, Cancer, Death of parent, and Drug use
yelsnail's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Drug use
zoopalsfanaccount's review against another edition
2.5
Not really a fan of this one. I found it more frustrating than intriguing to not know what this huge, life-altering event was until chapter five. I felt the tonal shifts were strange, going from YA/romcom to mystery to full on romance. Like, your brother is nowhere to be found, could have relapsed and overdosed, why are you flirting with his coworker?? Conflicts seem avoidable and easily remedied and therefore not very relatable at best and extremely frustrating at worst. It feels like watching an episode of Dora and being like “It’s right behind you! Just look!” Like she gets a free ticket to the gala but is like ‘oh no what ever will I wear’ - girlie, you JUST got paid for your illustration work and your best friend owns a high end boutique like be fr. Or when she keeps contemplating going back to Boston where there’s NO REASON to go back there!!!! She has a dream job offer, better man and better/more friends in California, what is the cause for such hesitation and dedication to Massachusetts?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Gaslighting and Death of parent
Emotional manipulationreading_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: Drug use and Death
erinreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Drug use, and Drug abuse
feistygarlicroll's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Emotional abuse