Standalone Women's Fiction
Please don’t come home for Christmas. . .
Julie Parker’s kids are her greatest gift. Still, she’s not exactly heartbroken when they ask to skip a big Christmas. Her son Nick is taking a belated honeymoon with his bride Blair while her daughter Dana will purge every reminder of the guy who dumped her. Again. Julie feels practically giddy for one-on-one holiday time with Heath, the (much) younger man she’s secretly dating.
But her plans go from cozy to chaotic when Nick and Dana plead for Christmas at the family cabin in memory of their late father, Julie’s ex. She can’t refuse, even though she dreads their reactions to her new man when they realize she’s been hiding him for months.
As the guest list grows in surprising ways, from Blair’s estranged mom to Heath’s precocious children, Julie’s secret is one of many to be unwrapped. Over this delightfully complicated and very funny Christmas, she’ll discover that more really is merrier, and that a big, happy family can become bigger and happier, if they let go of old hurts and open their hearts to love.
"Full of charming characters and hilarious plot escalation. . . fans will relish [Mallery’s] take on holiday romance."
Booklist
"Feel good. . . Mallery does a great job capturing both the chaos and the joy of a family Christmas. Readers will be heartened."
Publishers Weekly
5 Stars "I’ve been reading Mallery for years, enjoyed many of her books, but even among the many Mallery keepers lining my shelves, this book is an all-time favorite. . . The characters are all developed with care and a thoroughness that brings them to life on the page. They are layered, complex, intriguing, and authentic."
The Romance Dish
5 Hearts "One Big Happy Family is a great holiday read which will have you laughing at times, crying from the heartache, and hoping that it won’t end."
Simply Love Books
"A wonderful escape from the day to day. . . a delightful story of family ties with stand out characters and locales."
A Midlife Wife
"ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY is a joyous romp by the prolific, imaginative, enormously talented Susan Mallery. Definitely add this to your must-read list."
Sandra Wurman, Fresh Fiction
"The story was so much fun, with a lot of humor, a bit wild and crazy, some drama, and even chaos. I loved everything about this enjoyable holiday story"
The Reading Cafe
"I found myself laughing out loud over and over again as I was reading ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY by Susan Mallery. I couldn't help it. Some of the conversations were just so funny and they made me feel like I was right there in the cabin with all of these wonderful characters. . . There is so much heart in Susan’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy."
Susan Dyer, Fresh Fiction
"What I love about Mallery’s writing, and particularly in One Big Happy Family, is how relatable and real the characters feel. Julie is not just a mother, she’s a leader with a huge heart, doing her best to manage her life and the people she loves. Her relationship with Heath, her much younger boyfriend, adds a layer of complexity and humour, especially as she braces herself for her kids’ reaction to their secret romance. . . For me, One Big Happy Family is one of Susan Mallery’s best, and it’s a story I’ll be revisiting when I need a reminder of the warmth and joy the holiday season can bring."
That Happy Reader
"All in all, if you’re looking for a happy ever after portrait of a chaotic family holiday with a family that loves each other completely and is going to stick together no matter what and get through this mess, One Big Happy Family does turn out to be a charming holiday portrait of, in the end, really, truly, one big happy family."
Reading Reality
"This book is perfect to escape from the daily grind and become engrossed in the story of a family, likable characters and interesting locales."
Jody Joy
"[T]he writing had a certain snap and humor that made things fun. . . truly entertaining!"
@subakka.bookstuff on Instagram
"[A] fun and heartwarming holiday story packed with family chaos! . . . Julie and Heath’s relationship was seriously swoon-worthy. Heath is the perfect book boyfriend—attentive, loving, and caring."
@the_romance_regent on Instagram
"The cast of characters is dynamic and well-developed, highlighting their strengths, flaws, and personal growth throughout the holiday getaway. . . the perfect book to kick off the Christmas season, and fill you with holiday cheer!"
@books_by_bethany on Instagram
"Susan Mallery knows how to write a story filled with family drama and romance, and she hit this one out of the park!"
@beefaith_reads on Instagram
"Narrator Tanya Eby masterfully handles the large cast of characters in this Christmas story. . . warm holiday treat."
Audiofile Magazine
"There's just something so relatable about a big, messy family holiday. . . a very heartwarming holiday story."
@thebookishlibra on Instagram
"This book has cozy, holiday read all over it. . . Susan Mallery always does a wonderful job with the natural dialogue she creates between characters."
Carmen Green
"Family drama, relationship developments and the chaos that is “family gatherings” had me chuckling, swooning, laughing and experiencing the joy of Christmas. . . warm-hearted. . . touching."
Caffeinated Book Reviewer
4.5 Stars! "Sparkling with emotion and spirit."
Books of my Heart
