This book was nearly there. It wanted to be another Little Fires Everywhere (although I may just be saying that because of the title). But the whole thing was too messy. It felt like it had a million subplots but no thread connecting them all, except that all the characters are related. Some people will tell you there were too many characters, but I don't think that's the case. The introductions were smooth and the author fleshed out entire characters in genius one-liners. The problem was each character's journey was almost entirely independent from everyone else's. I expected Gerry's little truth-bomb to be the central mover, but it just kind of happens and although the character occasionally discuss it, it was almost irrelevant by the end of the book. There wasn't even some sort of theme to hold it all together
But this has been an overly critical review. I loved the book and the characters. I couldn't put it down.
But this has been an overly critical review. I loved the book and the characters. I couldn't put it down.