This book has already been published and we did purchase a copy for the library but I just could not get into it. The characters were are to connect with and there were strange, scratch your head kinds of things that happened and in the end, I just did not finish the book.

Life is complicated. Family is complicated. Add a long-ago tragedy in the mix, and it’s easy to see why the main character struggles to find her way. An honest look at dealing with grief and loss.

I like the dysfunctional family trope in women's fiction. Amy Willoughby-Burle offers readers a very complex unfolding of family secrets. lies, relationships and dreams in The Lemonade Year. There are a myriad of situations going on at once in this novel, sometimes you need a scorecard to keep track of the players. The character portraits are fairly layered, and I was able to become invested in the outcome of their individual stories. The technique of adding in fantasies and flashbacks got a little overwhelming, I wanted to see less of it, and I tended to skim as time passed. I went with 4 stars because I appreciated the tightly woven story for the most part, and I would read more from the author.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing a copy of this book for review. I enjoyed these characters, especially the quirkiness of Lola (the main character's sister) and thought the author did an applaudable job capturing the messiness we call "family." This family is especially struggling, living life in the rearview mirror, but even at their lowest points, you cheer for them and want them to find their way forward. This novel deals with some heavy issues, but still feels fairly "light" and enjoyable. Recommended

I enjoyed reading this book. The story of family and forgiveness was well written and the family could be living next door. There were times I wanted to shake Nina and tell her to open her eyes. Nina is the sister that appears to be the rock of the family. She visits her father in the nursing home and is the one to take care of his funeral while dealing with her divorce and the rebellion of her teenage daughter wanting to live with her dad. Sister Lola has lapses in her memory and thinking patterns since a childhood accident and brother Ray is just out of prision in time for the funeral. Mom is a recovering alcoholic and everyone is determined to solve life's problems on their own. There are some great moments between Nina and her family. It's funny and a tear jerker all in one. I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love the cover for this book, and I liked the blurb. But I just couldn't get into it. I'm not leaving a review because it was a DNF for me.

Really liked the way the author unboxed a series of emotions and experiences that allow readers to become a part of Nina's world. The Lemonade Year is a fast read!

Nina had a life and she was on cruise control when a few parts of her life went a little off track. She was a mom of a teenager, a devoted wife and a full time photographer for a publisher of food books. Before the book starts, her marriage has crumbled and she is post divorce, her full time job doesn't look so secure and her daughter is definitely in the midst of full teenage angst! A death in the family sets a few things in motion.

I like a good family drama, but this one seemed way too full of the drama. I would have toned it down just a little. It just seemed like way too much and I couldn't get my head around all of this happening to her at the same moment. I liked the concept of trying to turn what could be a "sour year" into something with some "sweetness", but It just seemed too much.

Nina was a fine character, but for some reason, I just couldn't get connected with her. I don't mind reading a book when I can't connect, but I couldn't seem to find the care emotion to care what happened next to her and that kept my reading enjoyment level at a low level. There were many moments in the book where I would have loved to hear more about her sister Lola's story, both in the past and her present story. I wouldn't have minded reading a few chapters throughout this book from her perspective, it could have broken up Nina's story a bit and maybe given me a more appealing perspective of Nina.

I have not read Amy's previous book and I would still go back and read it. I wouldn't rule her out after this one read.

Nina Griffin is a food stylist and photographer and is currently working on “32 Ways to Make Lemonade.” Her father has just passed away and she hopes that her mother doesn’t start drinking again.

Nina and her husband, Jack, are divorcing. They have been discussing custody of their teenage daughter, Cassie. Things have not been good between Nina and Jack for several years now since Nina lost a baby she was carrying. Nina is worried that after the divorce she and Cassie will have to move in with her mother as she cannot afford her condo. Nina has recently met a man some years younger than she is who truly likes her. Cassie is being a petulant teenager and insisting that she wants to live with her father.

Nina has a sister, Lola, who has occasional memory lapses from when she was in a severe auto accident as a child. The doctors call it a swiss cheese brain. However, she lives on her own and is a gifted artist. She also has a boyfriend, Chris.

Nina and Lola have a brother, Ray, who has been in trouble for many years. After serving time in prison, he is now out and has come to his father’s funeral. He feels responsible for the accident that Lola was in. In addition, he has learned that his girlfriend of some years back has a son and says he is the father. He wants so much to see the boy.

As the family members catch up, we find that all of them have some sort of problems. They get together and share their worries.

Good grief. What a bunch of Wendy Whiners. This is a very depressing book of a family of weak siblings. Sorry. Not for me.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Happy #pubday to The Lemonade Year! 🎉 I found this book to be quite enjoyable and relatable. In The Lemonade Year we meet Nora. Nora's life is spiraling out of control-she is recently divorced, has a teenage daughter that is taking her anger out on her, her father has just passed away, and her job is in jeopardy. When life is handing you a bowl full of lemons, how do you sweeten it up to make lemonade? This book was her journey to find hope and peace in situations that left little hope to be found. Also found in this book is some family dysfunction, a new love interest, and an ex-husband looking to reconcile. I enjoyed all of the characters and was rooting for this family to come together, and for them all to find happiness in their lives. I found the relationship between Nora and Oliver strange at first but then we find out why and it all makes sense. This was a quick, easy read that had me invested and engaged. Thank you @shadowmtnpublishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review. This book hits shelves today!

This is a book about family and secrets. I highly enjoyed it and recommend it.

Thanks NetGalley and Shadow Mountain.

The Lemonade Year is a story about a dysfunctional family, with a lot of secrets that are ready to blow up. A story about childhood experiences, family relationships, divorce, parenting and of course love. The story transitions between childhood memories and trying to make it through each day. This was a easy read.

Please see my notes that I sent to the publishers.

Thank you to NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wish I could have finished this book. I loved the cover so much but these characters were all so bitter, so angry at themselves and each other, so unhappy – I just couldn’t.

Nina – get over it. You’re the middle child – you’re supposed to be ignored. Sorry you’re not you’re not “damaged” enough like your brother and sister to warrant some attention from your mother. Stop looking for validation from her and move on. You’re never going to get it.  Your husband is a cheater – you did the right thing. Your daughter is a teenager – of course she hates you. Its what they do and if they don’t then you’re not doing a good job of parenting. Maybe if you actually did your job at some point in the book you may get better shoot options other than photographing lemonade. Bang Oliver – he makes you smile because nothing else in this book does.

Overall Grade:  C-

Unfortunately, this book didn't appeal to me. There was just too much dysfunction to make it enjoyable. Each of the characters lives are a mess. Add them together and their family was a train wreck. I felt like the first 75% of the book was just the characters going around in circles, complaining and afraid to do anything. The last 25% of the book was better, but not enough to redeem the book. The writing was good, but the way the author interspersed huge sections of flashback sometimes left me confused.

The Lemonade Year is a highly readable book of women's fiction. It is witty and can be sweet, without being cloyingly so. The book is about separation, divorce and family issues with a teenager and a mother dealing with the issues together. A cut-above a lot of women's literature - not silly and the dialogue is realistic.

Once in a while you read a book that you identify with so strongly, you would swear the author was writing about you. For me, this is that book. Nina’s life is a mess of crap, her family is a powder keg about to blow, her marriage is over and her teenage daughter doesn’t seem to need or want her anymore. Her job is on shaky ground too, and she’s left trying to find a way to photograph images for the book 32 Ways to Make Lemonade, (is that even a thing?) Add in the sometime attention of a younger man and her ex deciding he wants he wants her back and you have a woman on the edge. This book made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me feel like I had found a kindred spirit in both Nina and Amy