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There are currently 36 member reviews
for Seven Days of Us
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Laura C. (Dubuque, IA)
Spend Your Holidays with the Birches
Spend the Holiday's with the Birches.
They are the kind of people we all know – or think we know. The successful, older daughter. The beautiful younger daughter. Dad with his career and mom keeping the altogether. Just your average, suburban family.
Until quarantine puts them under one roof. For a week. Over the Holidays.
In short order the veneer of "doctor", "food critic", "self-absorbed daughter" and "mom" peels back to reveal real people with real problems – and often a very real sense of humor. The Birches can laugh at themselves, fight among themselves, laugh some more and come together when it counts.
Crisp writing, effortless character development and a touch of humor make Seven Days of Us an enjoyable and memorable story. You will find yourself hoping that Francesca Hornack returns to these characters - any one of them would make for a stand-alone book. Long before you turn that last page, you will be wondering, "What if Olivia … " and "Maybe Phoebe and Jesse could …"
And, as an added bonus, the best epilogue ever.
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Linda W. (Summit, NJ)
Lovers Knots Unraveled
The birch family is full of secrets waiting to be unveiled. Every member is backed into a corner where their inner selves are peeled back to reveal hidden secrets and strengths. The contemporary topics and challenges keep you on your toes and asking for more.
I especially enjoyed the evolving relationship between Andrew and Olivia. It is a revelation to Olivia that her father has had a past life that was every bit as passionate, dangerous and interesting as her own experience fighting Haag in Liberia. That 'ah ha' moment when she realizes she has much in common with her father is worth waiting for.
I highly recommend this book as a good beach/pool read for the summer. The interjection of an illegitimate son and a homophobic boyfriend only add to the fun and complications as they all work out new relationships with each other.
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Susan R. (Julian, NC)
Family Quarantine
We all have dreams of that perfect Christmas at home with our families and it never seems to happen. Imagine being in quarantine for seven days at Christas with your immediate family that you usually try to avoid at the holidays. That's just what happens in this wonderful novel about a family - who all have secrets from the others - being forced to spend seven days together.
Olivia is the oldest daughter. She is a doctor just returned from fighting an epidemic in Africa. She is serious and always questioning all of the extravagance of her family's life in England compared to the poverty she sees in Africa. Her younger sister, Phoebe, is a flighty daddy's girl who just wants to party and plan her wedding. Their Dad is a columnist who writes scathing restaurant reviews and Emma, the mom, is thrilled to have her family together for the holidays even though she has a major health secret that she plans to reveal after the quarantine. Then someone unknown to all of them joins them in their quarantine and secrets are revealed.
This is a lovely story about a family in crisis. Though it deals with some serious subjects, there is also a lot to laugh about. The characters are well written with all of their goodness and flaws on display. I loved this family and I loved this novel - put it on your tbr lists, you don't want to miss it.
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Elizabeth L. (Salem, OR)
Couldn't Put It Down
Despite its many serious topics - ebola-like disease, PTSD, cancer, death - this book is really quite funny. The author doesn't shy away from those topics but uses a light touch and focuses on how they affect the family dynamic. Even the slightly less weighty issues - estrangement in a long term marriage, sibling rivalry, adoption - are resolved in a thoughtful and funny manner. Highly Recommended!
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Beth T. (Savannah, GA)
Couldn't Put It Down
I planned to spend a couple of hours with SEVEN DAYS OF US, then go on to other things. I never got to them. :-) This book pulled me into the first chapter and didn't let go until the very end. I love these people. Serious Olivia, remote Andrew, flighty Phoebe, fluttery Emma - how will they ever live through seven days of Christmas quarantine? And then the twists begin. I adore this book. It has it all - wit, wisdom, friendship, suspense, passion, disappointment, heartbreak, and love. If you enjoy modern family stories with a twist, don't miss this one. It's a winner.
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Louise E. (Ocean View, DE)
Thoroughly Enjoyable
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Seven Days of Us and didn't want it to end. I was surprised how I got into the story. Life changing events occur with each Birch family member. And these events are revealed to the other family members when they are aquarantined for a week at Christmas. I saw my family members and our relationships in the Birch family. It would take at least a week to have these deep, revealing conversations in my family as well. With a couple of twists I wasn't expecting and the simple ending I would highly recommend this book.
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Barbara B. (Holbrook, NY)
Seven Days of Us Francesca Hornak
In the entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking about my own family in a situation such as this and many times i found myself making comparisons. I think anyone who,reads this book will do the same. This was a beautiful book that I feel had it all. It touched me in every way possible. I think the mother had a heck of a lot more patience than I could have mustered up, but that was what made this story so entertaining. I also loved the writing. That is what always catches me first, on the first page I will always know; am i going to struggle through this book or fly right through. I haven't been wrong yet.This will just keep you going,on and on on. It is a beautifully written book with all the elements that make a great story.
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