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A Very Typical Family
A Very Typical Family: A Novel | Sierra Godfrey
12 posts | 18 read | 4 to read
"I couldn't put it down. Engrossing, satisfying. The minute I turned the last page I messaged three friends to tell them they had to grab it." KJ Dell'Antonia, New York Times bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick The Chicken Sisters For fans of Emma Straub and Jennifer Weiner, comes a heartfelt, darkly funny novel about learning to love (and forgive) your family...even when they accidentally put you behind bars. All families are messy. Some are disasters. Natalie Walker is the reason her older brother and sister went to prison over 15 years ago. She fled California shortly after that fateful night and hasn't spoken to anyone in her family since. Now, on the same day her boyfriend steals her dream job out from under her, Natalie receives a letter from a lawyer saying her estranged mother has died and left the family's historic Santa Cruz house to her. Sort of. The only way for Natalie and her siblings to inherit is for all three adult children to come back and claim ittogether. Natalie drives cross-country to Santa Cruz with her willful cat in tow expecting to sign some papers, see siblings Lynn and Jake briefly, and get back to sorting out her life in Boston. But Jake, now an award-winning ornithologist, is missing. And Lynn, working as an undertaker in New York City, shows up with a teenage son. While Natalie and her nephew look for Jakemeeting a very handsome marine biologist who immediately captures her heartshe unpacks the guilt she has held onto for so many years, wondering how (or if) she can salvage a relationship with her siblings after all this time. Written with delightfully dark humor and characters you can't help but cheer for, A Very Typical Family will have you reveling in the power of family and second chances. No one can change the past, but every day is an opportunity to choose your future.
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Kris10H
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Panpan

My main complaint is that the whole premise hinges on this terrible, unforgivable thing that the main character did as a teenager, resulting in her brother and sister both going to jail. What is this terrible thing she did? Upon arriving home from a date and finding her siblings having a drug-fueled party in which her sister becomes injured and her brother's friend dies from a drug OD, she calls the cops.
I mean...

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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

Enjoyable

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TamTracy
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Pickpick

I‘m a big fan of a good family drama. This one is about siblings who haven‘t spoken for over a decade who have to gather at their family mansion together in order to inherit after their mothers death. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ruthiella I like a good family drama too, they come in many variations too. Have you ever read 1y
TamTracy @Ruthiella No I haven‘t! Thanks for the recommendation! 1y
57 likes2 comments
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Reading_Beyond_The_Book_Cover
Very Typical Family | Sierra Godfrey
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Pickpick
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peanutnine
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Bailedbailed

I started this on a whim when it was part of Libby's #biglibraryread last month. It seemed like an interesting family drama and I really loved the first couple chapters. But I was turned off once they revealed the big bad event that caused the siblings' falling out (see spoiler comment below) and was too annoyed to continue

peanutnine The main character as a teenager comes home to find her siblings high and calls an ambulance when someone gets hurt, but another guy freaks out that the cops are coming and ODs rather than face arrest so the siblings get sentenced for supplying him but blame the main character for it for FIFTEEN years. Like what? That seems excessive. I can't handle addict nonsense 1y
41 likes1 comment
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DebbieGrillo
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, even though it was highly predictable in several spots. We journey along with Natalie as she navigates difficult relationship dynamics, regret, and grief. She clarifies what she wants in life, and we see dynamic growth in her as a character.

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Sci.Cricketts
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Mehso-so

The book was okay. I felt like it dragged on. It was a cute story overall, pretty predictable.

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peaKnit
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This was on the home page of my digital consortium and was available on all platforms, so I listened on Hoopla. I enjoyed it and the discussion with random others. It was like an accidental book club. I look forward to what is next. hoopla has had so any books available that my Audible account is lonely.☺️ #thebiglibraryread

23 likes2 stack adds
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Reading_Beyond_The_Book_Cover
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Natalie…I‘m looking at you.

#BLR #biglibraryread #audiobook #AVeryTypicalFamily

peaKnit I just finished this for the big library read too, a good audio to walk to. 1y
Reading_Beyond_The_Book_Cover @peaknit It was my work and commute audiobook and I really enjoyed it. I felt like a fly on the wall. ☺️ 1y
peaKnit @Reading_Beyond_The_Book_Cover I enjoyed it also, though I thought Natalie did the right thing and didn‘t get why they punished her so much. But I also worked as a probation agent for over 25 years so there are not enough Natalie‘s☺️ 1y
See All 7 Comments
Reading_Beyond_The_Book_Cover @peaknit I know that‘s right. Loyalty often clouds people‘s judgement. ☺️ I agree, we need more Natalie‘s. She internalized everything that happened and allowed it to run her life. 🤦🏾‍♀️ It‘s a shame that she carried this weight for so long. I teared up towards the end because the person she feared facing the most embraced her without a second thought. 🥹 1y
peaKnit You are so right, without a hesitation. I would always tell my clients (and my kids and basically anyone who will listen…lol) the minute you start taking responsibility for your mistakes, you have arrived! and you are ready to grow! Yay Jake found opportunity in his situation and got on with “becoming”🎉 1y
Reading_Beyond_The_Book_Cover @peaknit 💜 p.s. I wish they had reaction buttons on this app. 😅 1y
peaKnit Agree! ☺️ 1y
4 likes7 comments
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chicks0830
Mehso-so

Cute, quick read.

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RebelReader
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Pickpick

I can‘t believe this picture of my very typical family was taken 3 years ago already. Time flies!
This book was very enjoyable even though the ending might of been predictable and sappy. I love a good family drama so it‘s a pick for me.

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Rhondareads
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Looking forward to a cozy relaxing weekend with lots of reading time.First up A Very Typical Family it‘s getting rave reviews.

14 likes2 stack adds