I read Flight by Lynn Steger Strong last December but didn't finish writing my review, so Christmas in July it is.
This is a character-driven story of grief and family dynamics. It's the first Christmas since their mother died unexpectedly, and siblings Martin, Henry, and Kate and their families are (awkwardly) gathering to observe the holiday. The siblings and their partners have very different personalities, and without their mom as the common bond, there's all sorts of conflict, chiefly deciding what to do with her valuable home - keep it in the family or sell it.
In addition to focusing on the family members, the plot includes Quinn and Maddie, a family who are clients of social worker/sister-in-law Alice. There's so much the author could've explored with the main family that at times it feels distracting to have them involved, but the plots eventually merge together.
Based on reviews from fellow readers, I tempered my expectations and made a list of the many characters. Both served me well, and I appreciated this novel. Little did I know when I read this that my family would experience its own grief when our father died in January 2023.
While the plot takes place over three days in December, it can be read any time of year.
Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the review copy of this novel.
This is a character-driven story of grief and family dynamics. It's the first Christmas since their mother died unexpectedly, and siblings Martin, Henry, and Kate and their families are (awkwardly) gathering to observe the holiday. The siblings and their partners have very different personalities, and without their mom as the common bond, there's all sorts of conflict, chiefly deciding what to do with her valuable home - keep it in the family or sell it.
In addition to focusing on the family members, the plot includes Quinn and Maddie, a family who are clients of social worker/sister-in-law Alice. There's so much the author could've explored with the main family that at times it feels distracting to have them involved, but the plots eventually merge together.
Based on reviews from fellow readers, I tempered my expectations and made a list of the many characters. Both served me well, and I appreciated this novel. Little did I know when I read this that my family would experience its own grief when our father died in January 2023.
While the plot takes place over three days in December, it can be read any time of year.
Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the review copy of this novel.
