Welcome to Litsy!

I really enjoyed this family drama which centres on the Joseph family and the girl who enters their life. What secrets do people keep in the name of love? I loved this writer‘s novel Shiner and this book was similarly quiet and thoughtful. 4.5 ⭐️

This was a heavy family drama, and excepting the rotting body in a church attic represents many families. Often it‘s the deep connection (good and bad) of a spouse‘s family keeping a marriage together. The telling is intriguing because for 3/4s of the story Marley was the MC and the Joseph‘s were her supporting cast. The last quarter completed the drama by allowing the reader inside the head of each Joseph during the same events.

After reading this book, I feel like I‘m a part of the Joseph family. The story sounded so familiar. I feel like I lived this life, or many parts of it. The Joseph family sounds very much like the family that my Mom married into, right down to 3 sons. They weren‘t roofers, but had a family business. It makes it hard for me to let this book go now that I‘ve finished it. The story is not at all fast paced, but it was very good. Kudos to the author.

I am drawn to stories of messy family dynamics, especially a good sibling story, and this one fit the bill. The small town setting and a likable main character also made this a pick for me. This was my April #Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks

This is hard for me to review as I jumped right it, got quickly bored but then it kick- started half way through. The 2nd half was too jam packed so it felt rushed but at least compelling enough to finish and call a light pick.

With a non linear plot it touched marriage and motherhood roles, losing and finding your identity and self-worth.

Thank you to #Celadon Books and NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I was so blown away with this book. I can't believe I waited so long to read it. It's a phenomenal story. So well written and pulls you right in from the very start.

The Joseph family are a typical dysfunctional group but also there for each other most always. The older two boys tend to get into fights with each other but one word from their mother and they break apart and go on about their business.

Review: https://tinyurl.com/37uj88a6

When Marley & her capable single mom end up in a new town,the Joseph brothers gain her attention. They have a roofing company, are known all over town. Two brothers, both vie for her attention. A family story that has great characters , even the ones with flaws you root for. Marley longing for family, falls hard, not knowing the secrets of the past can make for problems down the road.A well written book looking at the complex lives of reg.people

This is a family saga for people who are most interested in literary fiction that examines relationships between characters. Most of the characters are 3-dimensional, with things to like and dislike about them. Each person's perspective is understandable - the author is good at showing all the sides of an argument and how easily misunderstandings happen.

The writing was good. It took itself a bit too seriously.

Enjoying this one so far.

Mercury is not the typical genre that I find myself reading; for the most part I enjoy it. The writing style allowed me to immerse myself into the lives of Marley and the Joseph family. I could understand their feelings and emotions, along with their decisions and motivations. I was also able to experience, along with the characters, their personal growth and development. Mercury is a raw, honest novel that contains some significant themes.

♥ 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐩 ♥

I delivered 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐲 by 𝐀𝐦𝐲 𝐉𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 to a 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 here in Lodi, CA, thanks to 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬. It's a gripping, emotionally resonant story of a girl who finds what she has always wanted: a family. They're complicated & she struggles to find her place & hold her marriage together. Their dynamics & a mystery make it riveting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

At first, I thought the pace was slow, but now I think it needed to be. I think if it was paced faster, you wouldn't be able to build relationships with all the characters. 4⭐️

I went into this expecting just a good family drama, but when the book opened with a body being found in the church attic, I knew there was more in store 😃

I loved this story about a woman in a family of men - her growth, the secrets she keeps, and the fact that the guys couldn't live without her.

Marley and her mother-in-law never much cared for each other, but they are the backbone of the Joseph family.

I devoured this one!

January picks was good to me!! Plus, I went back and added a December pick as well!😁

My first read of 2024– though I did start it last year! This family drama set in the small town of Mercury, PA includes multiple perspectives across decades in the Joseph family. Roofers by trade, this saga covers their loves, their secrets & their struggles to communicate with one another. An engaging read that is sure to start discussion, there were a few elements that I wish came to a more complete fruition! Strong setting & narrative voice!

Marley grows up constantly moving with her single mother but once she meets the Josephs all she wants is a permanent seat at their family dinner table. After she becomes an integral part of the family and the business they run together Marley realizes that everything she thought she wanted might not be what she actually needed. Told through differing perspectives which added depth to this family drama. Whole heartedly recommend.

It‘s my birthday month in Jan which means two #BOTM books!

This novel follows the Joseph family, a family of roofers, in the small town of Mercury, Pennsylvania. This was a family drama full of struggles and secrets. This book had me feeling a whole range of emotions. One chapter I was happy, one chapter I was sad, and the next chapter I was ready to throw my kindle across the room.
I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The holiday season has begun! I will be spending the day reading these two books, decorating for Christmas and eating Thanksgiving leftovers.

QOTD: How do you spend your Black Friday?

Amy Jo Burns weaves together each character and draws them all together in a single event that changes them all forever. Combining masterful character development, emotions and family connection, Burns creates a mystery, a love story and a saga all rolled into one.

I‘m excited to read this as part of the Celadon‘s Read Together Initiative.

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

I'm excited to read 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐲 by 𝐀𝐦𝐲 𝐉𝐨 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬, which will be published January 2, 2024, with a great group of early readers, courtesy of Celadon Books. Amy Jo is the author of acclaimed novel 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 & 𝘊𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥, a memoir. We will begin reading on November 1. If you have an ARC & Instagram account, comment below to be added to the group & read with us!