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I love a good family drama. I’m not sure if it’s because I do see my family in them or because in comparison, my family looks nice and normal, but that kind of fiction does ring true for me and draws me in as I get to know the characters and as I cheer for a favorable resolution to whatever is bothering them.
Lisa Jewell has never disappointed me, and this book is certainly no different. Jewell portrays a family full of people with flaws, but they are still likable or at least understandable in their own ways.
The beginning of her latest novel The House We Grew Up In was a little tough for me, because it was skipping around in time, featuring the life of the Bird family in the past, plus what was happening in the present with some relatively present emails from Lorelei to Jim.
So, we know something has happened, but we aren’t quite sure what or why. Eldest daughter Megan is at the old house with her teen daughter Molly. Lorelei is gone. We don’t know much about the rest of the family, but the flashback scenes show twins Rhys and Rory growing up as the babies of the family, Beth staying in the shadows and older sister Megan pushing the boundaries, beginning to see her family in a new light, beginning to see their dysfunction, in particular Lorelei’s hoarding tendencies.
The flashbacks center around Easter Sunday, a holiday important to Lorelei, not for religious reasons,but for the festivities that she likes to create. One Easter something awful happens to Rhys, and it changes everyone in the family, pulling them further and further apart.
This is a complex novel of complicated characters, but it’s not quite as dark as it sounds. I was riveted and tried to squeeze as much reading time as I could to figure out what happened to Rhys, how and when Lorelei’s dysfunction grew so strong, how she and Colin split, what caused Beth and Megan to stop speaking, and more.
Enter to Win
I loved this book, and I’m so glad we get to give away a copy. Follow the instructions in the widget below.
Start off by leaving a comment telling me if you are already a Lisa Jewell fan, which is your favorite novel (I loved this one and also The Making of Us). If you have never read any, you’re in for a treat, so just leave a comment!
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Emma says
I’m 30% my way through this book and I’m loving it…I can’t wait to get on the tube for my next fix…I agree with Jennifer it can be quite hard as it jumps around lots, but once you get into the story it seems to all fall into place.
joyce mcdowell says
i have not read her book
Buddy Garrett says
I haven’t read Lisa Jewell.
Laurie Emerson says
I have not read any of her books yet but after reading what this book is about, I am looking forward to finding her books and reading them.
Charlene Kuser says
I am surprised that I haven’t read any of her books.This one sounds very enjoyable.
Diana Hatch says
I have not read any of her books yet but this one sounds great!
Kimberly Schotz says
I haven’t read any of her work but I look forward to it.
wen budro says
I haven’t read anything by this author yet. The plot of this book sounds like my kind of read.
lacie spurlock says
Never have read a book by her, but always hear good things!
Jenny Moses says
I have not read her yet but I’m very excited to check it out.
Kelley Roach says
I haven’t read anything of hers yet
Mihaela Day says
I have never read her books but am looking forward to
James Coyne says
I have never read any of her books
Lori A. says
I have not read one of her books but I’m checking her out now! 🙂
kathy dalton says
I haven’t read any of her books yet.
Sally Carroccia says
Just put this on my to read list after reading a great review on bookbrowse
LeAnn Knott says
I have never read anything by Lisa Jewell. Hope I get the chance!!
Sue J. says
No, I have not read any of her books yet!
Carla says
No, I haven’t read any of her books.
Della Barker says
No, I haven’t read any of her books, and would love to
denise a says
No, I haven’t read any of her books yet.
Jenny Q. says
I have not read any of this author’s books,but it looks like a good book! Recent book I read was Cinder, but I like to read quite a few different genres.
Lori Walker says
I haven’t read her before but am looking forward to it!
Hesper Fry says
I haven’t read any of Lisa Jewell’s books yet.
Ed says
I have not yet read Lisa Jewell.
danielle hall says
i have not read them but im looking forward to checking them out
carolyn d says
I have not, but I am always looking for good new books!
Thanks!
Heather Giovannitti says
I have not read one of her novels, but I would love to!
Brenda Elsner says
I have never read her books.
sue v says
have not read any of her books
kathy says
I have not read any of her books as of yet.
Jane Thomas says
No I havent read any of her books yet, but would like to.
Ru says
Haven’t read any of her books, but better late than never.
Lexi says
I have not read anything by her but it looks like something I would like. I love to read and I’ve made a goal to read one new book a month this year.
Anita says
I have yet to read a Lisa Jewell book I couldn’t put down! I don’t think for one minute that this one will be any different.
Helga says
I have not read her books yet.
Nannypanpan says
I have not read her books
Shannon F says
I have not read any of her work yet but it sounds great!
Daniel Darcy says
I have not!
Valerie Taylor Mabrey says
I have not read any of her work, yet.
vmkids3 at msn dot com
Debbi Wellenstein says
I have not read Lisa Jewell, but I am looking forward to!
Patricia T says
I have not read Lisa Jewell, before, but look forward to reading this one.
samantha wagner says
I haven’t read anything of hers yet.
carol gentry says
I have not read any of her books.
danielle says
I’ve never read any of her books
Nancy says
I have not yet read her books.
amanda hardesty says
I have not read her books before
Sunnymay says
No, I’ve not read any Lisa Jewell’s books yet. However, now that I’ve read your review, her story is very moving and I want to get a copy soon.
Cindy Brooks says
No, I’ve not read any of her books. I love finding new authors!
Liz says
I have not, but it sounds good!
Samantha Londer says
I haven’t read any of her other work yet but I am partway through this novel and it’s wonderful.
Linda Kish says
I haven’t read any of her books yet.
Daniel M says
haven’t read anything by her yet
sara haaf says
I have never read her books, but this sounds interesting! Thanks for the chance to win.
Amy M says
I haven’t read her stuff, but I’ve seen her name around a lot. I’m most curious, and excited to get into a new writer!
Anita Yancey says
I have not read any of Lisa Jewell’s books. But I would love to read this one.
Jeanna says
I have not ready anything by Lisa Jewell, but your review makes me want to start!
amyc says
I have not read anything by this author. This is the first I have heard of her.
Beth Skaret says
I’ve not had the privilege of reading any of Lisa Jewell’s work yet. The review is intriguing and I look forward to getting acquainted with her work.
Kristen says
I haven’t read anything of hers yet.
DEBIJOT says
I have not had the pleasure of reading any Lisa Jewell books.
Christine L. says
I’ve not yet read any of Lisa Jewell’s work but enjoy a good family drama so would like to give one of her books a try.
anne says
I haven’t read this author’s novels but this book sounds captivating and wonderful. thanks.
Angel wells says
I have never read her books but am looking forward to adding her to my list. This book sounds awesome.
Rhonda says
This would be my first sounds like a perfect read forme,
amy tolley says
ive never read one of her books but this one sounds pretty interesting thanks for this chance