How did you feel about the novel's end, regarding Leo's fate?

How did you feel about the novel's end, regarding Leo's fate? Did the epilogue satisfy enough of your desire for a 'happy ending,' or with Leo's absence, was it more melancholy than expected?

Leo ended up better than he deserved. But in the end the fact that the others and Stephanie were able to move beyond their co-dependent roles was good for them. So Leo just has himself to deal with and that is some kind of justice. If I were Stephanie, I would not have told Leo he was the father. Then he would just have a reason to use their child too.

The family was probably more fortunate than they realized to have Leo out of the picture. I agree with Audrey that Leo ended up better than he deserved—he was manipulative and self-centered all his life. But hopefully he'll get his just desserts. . . . The epilogue gave a happy ending as every family member had a satisfying life and adjusted to their fate after the loss of the nest.

Great ending! Sweeney skillfully tied up all the loose ends of this dysfunctional family (and friends). Leo got what he perhaps wanted and deserved with a self-imposed exile...wonder how he will feel in ten or so years.

I thought the ending was perfect - everyone learned something - except perhaps Leo, but he will eventually (though he may not like or accept what he learns) - and moved forward in a much better way than they may have had they actually received the Nest. Also, friends were made; this family and friends actually began to act as a family and friends and care for each other. A new meaning for nest was created.

I think Leo got what he wanted, but in time he will miss his family. Some day he will pay the price for not being in his daughter's life. He is the one missing out, but it will be hard for his daughter also, not knowing her dad. The family was moving on dealing with mathers in their own way, not dependent on The Nest. Money and Family always makes for an interesting story...

I also agree with Audrey1. Leo would have continued using everyone around him, including his daughter, if he had remained in their lives. I imagine Leo was probably thrilled with his new life because he never had anyone else to consider or care about; just the one person who mattered most to him in the whole world: himself.

Normally, I am not ambivalent woman but I cannot fully subscribe to either side on this one. Having never known my own father, I know what a life like that can do to a young woman. On the other hand, having had a mother who was a user like Leo, I feel that the child has been protected from the roller coaster that she could have ridden because of Leo. Regarding the family, the whiners finally grew up and made the realization that money cannot make you happy - whether you have it or you don't! We need to be strong on our own, without any crutches, and I think the cast of characters were beginning to grasp that concept and put it into action.

I thought that the ending made sense. Leo chose to stay and hide. He may not have known about the baby, but he didn't care enough about his family to let them know he was alive and well. He knew what taking that money meant to his siblings and he didn't care! If it had ended any other way, the rest of the story would have been a lie! I would have thrown the book away!

I agree with the sentiments above, but what do you think happened to Leo? When his siblings recall their childhood, he seemed like he was a good older brother. (I'm thinking especially of Melody's birthday "party.") Seems like he wasn't always the jerk he turned out to be as he got older.

As Leo said, he was flawed. He moved on maybe to just help himself, but it was good for the family. I think it was a good ending. It's hard to tell if someone of that personality understands the big picture. Maybe for a small point in time.

I did not like the ending, Leo seemed to escape all responsibility. I wanted to find out more about Leo and for him to reconcile with his family.

The ending was perfect. No one cared about Leo or what he was doing. Because of his absence, the family became a family that cared about one another and learned they didn't need the nest after all.

I feel like Leo should have paid a price for what he did to his family. I don't thinking spending the rest of his life living away from his family is any sort of punishment for him. It was the "easy" way out for him. However, it was a relief that his family no longer had to deal with him.

The siblings finally began to grow up - albeit maybe too late. A Zebra doesn't change it's stripes.
Leo, what a waste. He needed to be made accountable and once again he slipped the noose. There will always be someone there to pay his way forward and then find out he doesn't look back.

Most of the respondents noted that the each member of the family grew as individuals and as a family, and I think that is what made the end so satisfying for me. Leo may have escaped responsibility but he was Peter Pan, never growing up, never becoming the best version of himself. Whereas his siblings, and Stephanie, gave up the crutch of the nest, and became better as individuals and better as a family.

I agree with KarenAnn. Leo only cared about himself and he will never change. The family has moved on for the better. It is his loss.