A review by jg34
A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey

  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

It was an ok story but I couldn’t get past the main conflict. I get that drug and crime issues in general are not just black and white and right and wrong and perhaps it was a brash decision but the whole “it’s all Natalie’s fault” thing doesn’t work for me.
the fact that still after 15 years Jake and Lynn don’t take responsibilities for their own actions is mind boggling. I get them being mad while they are young and maybe even though out their sentence but to hold a grudge for that long??? Like the fact that they were actively engaging in illegal activities is definitely not at all the reason they were sent to prison? I guess it gets complicated with Carlos and I understand some guilt around that but everyone is at fault for that, not just Natalie. How would she know that he would do what he did. And she didn’t even really call the cops because of the drugs she called because her sister was hurt and her brother was too lit to do anything to help. They never in 15 years considered how scary that was for Natalie? Or the fact that she was basically still a child???????? That would be so traumatizing to see your siblings doing heroin and then all the aftermath on top of it! Idk it doesn’t track for me even the mom basically exiling her. Natalie took way too much shit for one “mistake” if you can even call it one.
really ruined the book for me I kept waiting for a proper reconciliation but I didn’t think it was good enough
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