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There are currently 36 member reviews
for Seven Days of Us
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Donna W. (Lansing, NY)
Everyone has secrets...
From beginning to end, this book was a joy to read, not too predictable and with twists and turns and a bit of humor thrown in.
A flawed family is forced to be together under unusual circumstances, adding to the intrigue of each character...
Hard to put down, would highly recommend to book clubs of all ages.
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Jennie R. (Highland, CA)
Enjoyable read!
This book was a quick and entertaining read. I enjoyed the development of the characters very much. The only relationship that didn't completely ring true for me was between the two sisters, Phoebe and Olivia. The two seem to have no commonalities, but when their family's secrets begin to unfold, their relationship changes. The change seemed just a bit 'overdone' to me. The rest of the story was very enjoyable and entertaining. This might be a great book club read, plenty of topics for discussion, like family secrets, sibling rivalry, cancer, just to name a few. Oh, one other thing that seemed a bit far-fetched is that Olivia is allowed to be at home with her family during the quarantine period. I can't imagine this actually being permitted - but it was pivotal to the plot, that the family is thrown together for seven days, and unable to leave the house. I can't wait to see what this talented author comes up with next!
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Claire M. (Wrentham, MA)
Home Sweet Home
Author Hornak is a sharp observer of everyday modern life, as her popular column in the Sunday times attests. In Seven Days of Us her focused lens is pointed at each member of the Birch family in turn. Enforced togetherness, a component of any popular holiday, will resonate with readers wherever they live. Each family member has the opportunity for intimate communication with the others in a cherished country home. Grappling with the bonds of family makes for emotional struggles and revelations that will engage fans of family drama. The contemporary storylines, reflecting the conflicts of self-serving vs. self sacrifice and the caring for immediate family vs. caring for the global village, artfully unfold and draw the reader in. Sympathies for one character over another will stimulate book group discussion. Fans of Penelope Lively take note: Hornak crafts a country house novel for our times that begs comparisons with Lively's 2009 Family Album.
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Sylvia G. (Scottsdale, AZ)
Plenty of British Charm
I love charming British novels and this is a good one. A family under quarantine during Christmas brings out the dysfunction in every member. A few surprising twists and revealed family secrets, keep the pages turning. An entertaining, light read that most will find satisfying.
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Julie M. (Golden Valley, MN)
Family Drama Galore
The Birch family is quarantined for the week between Christmas and New Year's when their oldest daughter comes home from treating victims of the Haag epidemic abroad. Every member has a secret or is misunderstood and being together for a whole week forces them to confront deep seeded feelings and redefine how they view each other. I was able to relate to each member of this family or saw someone I know in them. I found myself rooting for them all even Phoebe who is a bit harder to like in the beginning. If you like books with lots of family drama, Seven Days of Us should certainly be on your TBR list for fall!
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Cam G. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Seven Days of Us
This is a charming, funny book that the reader will enjoy. Olivia, the oldest daughter of the Birch family, is a doctor working in Liberia caring for patients who have contracted the "Haag Virus". She is returning home to her family to spend the Christmas holidays, her first time home in a number of years. In so doing, however, she must be quarantined to ensure she hasn't contracted the disease. Of course, this means the whole family and whoever decides to come into the house must also be quarantined.
Each of the members of the family all have issues, and when they get together they all come in to play!
Needless to say, there's a lot of angst, tears, and lots of love! This is truly an enjoyable book.
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Lisa R. (Salem, OR)
7 Days of Us
I guess I am going to be the odd one out here. Or maybe it's because I'm dealing with some dysfunctional family issues right now! I've tried several times to get into this book, and it just isn't happening. I was really looking forward to it, and at face value it sounds wonderful. One thing of note: I at least want to like a character or two, And none of these seem all that likeable, Seriously. For some reason, I was pulled out of the story quite often by the switching around, and trying to keep up. There were too many secrets/issues that seemed crazy to keep hidden, and that really bothered me too. I hate having to give a not so good review, and for what's it's worth, I will continue to try and read this book a few more times.
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