Oh What Fun!

This isn't the typical book I usually enjoy. I love lots of twists, mystery, and horror. But occasionally, I'll seek out a book in the family or life-drama genre.

I have never read Lombardo before, and the first line about where she received her MFA initially turned me off. So I was, in some regard, trying not to like it because of annoyance. :) Regardless of my irritation at the possible pretension, I really enjoyed this story.

The Most Fun We Ever Had follows the Sorenson family. Marilyn and David met and fell in love in the 1970s, got married, and began their life together. They had four daughters: Wendy, the eldest; Violet; Liz; and Grace, the youngest by many years, a 'just one more' impulse decision by the couple. Fast forward to 2016, and the four daughters are grown and living different lives with very different circumstances. Then, a bombshell secret that two of the daughters had concealed for years is exposed, and the family grapples with their particular style of dysfunction about how to move forward.

The book goes back and forth in timelines and has multiple POVs. The author did an amazing job of making me feel invested in each character and understanding their quirks. She wrote them all with such layers and complexity that they almost jumped off the page as real people rather than fictional characters.

The book has a decent pace and has enough suspense within the family to keep it exciting. Alongside many laugh-out-loud quips mixed in as well.

This one isn't really a quick read, but it is excellent and engaging. If you decide to give it a try, give the book time to warm up; you'll be happy you did!