Book Review: One Big Happy Family by A.M. Hart
When I first stumbled upon One Big Happy Family by A.M. Hart, I was immediately drawn in by the premise of a chaotic holiday gathering—who hasn’t felt that pull around the festive season? But as I delved deeper, I quickly realized that this book would be more of a tangled ball of yarn than the heartwarming story I had hoped for. What I thought would be a cozy read turned into a sprawling mess of cringeworthy moments and frustrating relationships that left me groaning more than chuckling.
At the center of the story is Julie, the perfectionist matriarch who feels the pressure of hosting her family for the first Christmas since their father’s passing. In a decision that could only be described as questionable, she invites not only her children but also their estranged partners, exes, and various other figures tied to the family. What ensues is a cacophony of interpersonal dramas that, instead of being a charming tableau, feels more like a soap opera gone wrong.
One of the major gripes I had was the array of unlikable characters—no one truly stood out as empathetic or relatable. You have Julie, who’s embarrassed about dating a younger man; a woman grappling with body image issues; a perpetually bickering couple; and oh, let’s not forget the abusive mother whose lack of self-awareness is infuriating. I found myself rolling my eyes multiple times, wishing I could distance myself from these fictional lives. The audiobook narrator didn’t help matters either, muddling up voices and leaving me struggling to keep track of who was who in this colorful cast of characters.
The book also grapples with themes of grief, yet somehow fails to deliver the emotional weight that such a topic deserves. I expected deeper reflections on loss, especially as the characters were supposedly reuniting to honor their late father. However, his presence barely loomed over the storyline, feeling more like a plot device than a significant emotional cornerstone. As someone who has navigated my own grief, the lack of depth in this representation felt like a missed opportunity.
On a lighter note, the focus on IBS and chronic illness did pique my curiosity, although it felt overly included. I mean, yes, we all have our challenges, but the frequency with which it was mentioned quickly shifted from relatable to exhausting. It raised the question: did the author have personal experience with this, or was it simply an attempt to diversify character struggles? Either way, it was a narrative distraction at best.
And let’s not forget the cringe-worthy sex scenes—why they were included is a mystery that remains unsolved! Rather than adding depth to relationships, they felt awkward and unnecessary, leaving me wishing for a button to fast-forward past those moments.
In conclusion, while One Big Happy Family may resonate with those seeking a glimpse into chaotic familial gatherings or the struggles of modern relationships, I found it more draining than delightful. If you’re looking for a read that’s meant to be cozy and funny, you might want to steer clear—or perhaps dive in with lowered expectations. For me, this was a reminder that it’s perfectly okay to DNF books that aren’t serving me. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC, but I think I’ll pass on revisiting this family gathering.
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