One Big Happy Family

Author: Susan Mallery
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Harlequin, 2024
Pages: 320
Rating: Do Not Recommend

Synopsis: Julie Parker's kids are her greatest gift. Still, she's not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son, Nick, is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride, Blair, while her daughter, Dana, will purge every reminder of the guy her dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she's secretly dating.

But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie's ex. She can't refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she's been hiding him for months.

As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair's estranged mom to Heath's precocious children, Julie's secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she'll discover that more really is merrier and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.

Review: Not up to Mallery's usual caliber, this was just an okay novel, even if one of the characters shares my name. It was a fast read, but a disappointing one as well. I don't think Mallery's heart was in this one - she had a deadline to meet and that was it.

Other Novels by Susan Mallery
The Christmas Wedding Ring
The Friendship List
The Sister Effect
The Vineyard at Painted Moon

Wishing Tree Series
The Christmas Wedding Guest
Home Sweet Christmas

Mischief Bay Novels
The Girls of Mischief Bay
The Friends We Keep
A Million Little Things