Alex’s boyfriend Matt tells her right before the holidays that he wants to spend it with his daughter Scarlett. The hitch is, he wants to spend it with Alex, Scarlett , Scarlett’s mother Claire and her boyfriend Patrick. Alex goes into it knowing it probably is not a good idea but they head off to Happy Forest Holiday Park for a few days of fun and bonding. A lot goes on but I am not sure about the fun and bonding. So many things go wrong and so many of them have to do with secrets that come out and an imaginary bunny named Posey. When the story begins, we know someone is shot with an arrow. Use your imagination!

This was a lot of fun. To me, I would call it pure escapism. It is set in England so I loved the lingo and learned a few new terms. Matt got on my nerves a few times but maybe because his slacker mentality could wear on someone. I will say he redeemed himself. All in all, a very enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this advance copy.

My life has been going to hell in a handbasket (clogged sewer line and flooded bathroom for starters), so I decided it was time for a comedy. And I love dysfunctional family stories. This isn’t really a dysfunctional family. It’s two exes and their current partners and the daughter they share. Matt, the ex-husband managed to irritate me within pages. What ever did Alex see in him? Or Clare initially, for that matter? Or maybe I just like men to have balls. Add into the mix the daughter’s imaginary rabbit friend who misinterprets what scientists do.

There’s lots of thinking and second guessing going on here. Things we all wonder about get expressed on the pages. I found myself nodding a lot. Other than her choice of a man, I did find myself bonding with Alex. As a stepmother without her own kids, I remember those initial years of trying to figure out where I fit in. Hurse does a great job of expressing Alex.

Of course, it doesn’t take long for things to start getting snarky. Members of mixed families will relate to how wrong it can go. It’s not laugh out loud funny, more dry humor. In fact, the publisher does a disservice to author and reader by calling the book hilarious.

Hurse mixes her formats, police interviews, excerpts of brochures intermingled with regular storytelling. I liked the mixture, it kept things moving along at a brisk clip. I loved the ending, seeing how it all comes together. I can definitely recommend this book. Just know it’s more chuckles than tears streaming down your face from laughing (which is my definition of hilarious).

My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

We can all tell this is a recipe for disaster. A divorced couple (Matt & Claire) decides to spend Christmas with their daughter (Scarlett) and include their current partners (Alex and Patrick). Five people in a vacation cottage for five days. Oh, plus Scarlett's imaginary friend -- a five-foot bunny named Posey. From the beginning of the book we know that one of the men ends up getting shot by an arrow on the archery range. Police interviews are used in the book to give an additional POV to the story along with the viewpoints of Alex, Patrick and Scarlett. This book reminds me of a scaled down "Big, Little Lies" and I quite liked the magical realism that Posey adds to the story. An entertaining holiday read if you prefer snarky over sentimental. The cover is beautiful and quite drew me in as well.

Thank you, Random House and NetGalley, for a digital ARC of this upcoming release.

The pace of this book was a little slow to my taste but I’m a fan of character development which it had in spades and so I was fully engaged by midway. I had thought this was supposed be a light-hearted book but it wasn’t for me - two couples in one cabin to create the perfect Christmas memory for a seven-year-old girl who just wants her parents to get back together - well, it’s is a recipe for disaster. There were serial rocky moments, and the best part was watching the four adults slowly get honest with themselves and start to grow up.

Patrick (never Pat) drove himself relentlessly to be good enough. I think he still has a way to go but by the end but he had begun to not take himself so seriously and became more likable. Easy-going Matt had created a persona that was a cover-up for the things he didn’t want to admit to. I liked Claire the best, just not with Patrick with whom she put her worst foot forward. Alex was the least clear to me and the most remote, but one of my favorite parts was how she and Scarlett buried the hatchet and became friends.

I’d have to say because of the slow start I’d round down the stars to 3.75. It seems a waste to finally like everyone just as the book is ending. I would like to see a sequel with a punched up plot line. Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for allowing me to read this in prepublication!

100 pages of reading is my make or break point for a book. Unfortunately it was a break here. I didn’t find any hilarity as promised in the summary. The interactions between an imaginary bunny and a girl, the uninspiring characters and the British humor were things I just couldn’t warm up to.

Loved this book!! I never knew what was going to happen next. What could go wrong when exes decide to spend Christmas together with their seven year old daughter, their partners and an imaginary purple rabbit at the Happy Forest Holiday Park??? The answer to that is lots and lots and lots could go wrong!!! There's burlesque dancing for a seven year old, a pheasant who happens to be in the wrong place, staking of old high school classmates, and large amounts of alcohol consumed, just to name a few. What's a fun Christmas holiday without someone getting shot and ending up in the hospital? Scarlett had very little supervision in the lodge, even with four adults always around her. She was a very resourceful seven year old with the googling of Harvey and Watership Down. Her reaction to Posey after watching the bunny movie was heart breaking and funny at the same time, especially after she made Posey leave her bedroom.

I loved the story, characters and writing style. The holiday just seemed doomed from the start. Who wants to go on a holiday with people you don't know and stay in a lodge with them for five days? What's worse two of them were previously married and one is a large purple bunny who hates scientists. I felt bad for Alex, although she did choose to be with Matt. What grown man hides mail throughout the house because he doesn't want to read it.

Definitely recommend the book and I look forward to reading more by the author. It's a perfect book for the holidays, especially if you feel the need to spend it with you ex and current partner!! Just don't go to any type of shooting range!!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House and the author, Caroline Hulse, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Clever read. Though I'm not sure I'd agree in the slightest with the blurb which calls this book "hilarious." It portrays some ridiculous family situations where everyone acts badly and tension mounts, but this is by no means a lighthearted family farce. To be clear though, this isn't a heavy drama either. It's simply a book about relationships and the baggage that comes with them.

I think it's interesting that chapters alternate focus between all of "the outsiders" involved -- the new partners, Alex and Patrick, and Claire and Matt's daughter Scarlett (and her imaginary friend Posey.) We assume Claire and Matt no longer fancy each other and that's why they've concocted this vacation idea, but none of the outsiders really knows if that's exactly true (thus, we the readers do not either) and that creates just enough tension to keep the story moving along at a nice pace. (Along with the low stakes mystery of what happened with "the arrow incident.")

I think the addition of Scarlett's perspective in the chapters really changes the tone of the book for the better. Without her (and Posey!) the book might have gotten bogged down in relationship drama. Scarlett's childlike misunderstanding (and sometimes laser clear insight) into the things going on around her, combined with Posey's meddling, are, in my opinion, the best parts of the book.

One small quibble-- I would have flipped the order of the final two chapters. While Patrick's perspective gives us information we need for closure on "the arrow incident," Posey's gives us that dramatic thrill.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Really enjoyed this book - what could go wrong with two exes and their new significant others, along with the shared daughter and her invisible giant rabbit? The answer is everything, obviously. The dynamics between the adults were believable and made for a great story, and the way the novel skipped back and forth among the characters kept the mystery of who got shot in the opening scene going. Quick light read, I recommend!

I found the cringeworthiness of the situation completely understandable, relate-able, and sometimes hilarious. I can see why it could definitely ruffle the feathers of some readers, but I found the story to be a bit of a fun romp. I mean, what could possibly go wrong???

This book starts with someone being shot with an arrow at The Happy Forest. Then the story goes back to the beginning to tell about Matt & Claire wanting to take their daughter Scarlett to spend Christmas at The Happy Forest, along with Matt's girlfriend and Claire's boyfriend. As you can well imagine, all those dynamics in one cabin for days during one of the most stressful times of the year is a recipe for disaster.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The drama between both of the couples was funny and written so well you could almost see it happening in front of you. The book kept you guessing until the end about who shot whom. I highly recommend this book!

This book starts with a sticky situation, exes spending the holidays together so their 7year old can have a great Christmas. The wrench thrown in was that the exes also brought their S.O.
You know at the beginning that Patrick gets show with an arrow at the archery range, but don’t know til the end what the whole story is.
A fun holiday read with a some drama and an imaginary friend to boot!

This was an interesting and slightly twisted take on the importance of family togetherness during the holidays. The format in which each chapter is written from a different character's view point, built suspense and created small twists that kept me from determining exactly how the plot would unfold. This was a quick and engaging read, a nice diversion for your own "family reading time".

Who doesn’t deal with dysfunctional family around the holidays? Big family drama is the main theme of Caroline Hulse’s The Adults. The way she flips back and forth from characters, relationships and events kept me not wanting to put my kindle down and “adult”.
The Adults is a funny read that has a twist of mystery. I really enjoyed The Adults and look forward to reading more from Caroline Hulse!

Every reader will start this book with the same thought: "Are they NUTS?"
Followed soon by "What DOES Alex SEE in Matt that would make her decide this vacation is ok?"

But reading and finding out the answers to those questions are the allure of this book! Scarlett is spoiled (obviously), Matt is a grown up child, Patrick is the lost kid trying to fit in, Alex has no idea where she has landed and Claire, well Claire is the sun they all orbit around. But should she be? This book is more than just a look at family dysfunction, it's a look at relationships and what ignites our like for each other, that turns into love. It's a cautionary tale of settling and accepting, of taking the easy way out. It's a book that will stay with you long after you read the roller coaster ending (which you will see coming a mile away, but like the proverbial car wreck, you can't look away from!). Be sure to add this one to your fall reading list!

The Adults starts out with a brochure description of The Happy Forest. A blissful place for people to get away from the city and experience the outdoors. The next page gives us the transcript of a 999 call (911 in the US) on Christmas Eve from the none too happy Happy Forest. It’s a mystery that will unfold in the rest of the book. A story of extremely bad behavior by children and adults alike.

At first glance, The Adults reminded me in some ways of The Dinner by Herman Koch. The setting is a beautiful one, but the dark underlying behavior of the adults in the room is disturbing. Unlike The Dinner, this foursome is more lighthearted, the situation is less dire and far less sinister. Alex and Matt are a fairly happy couple cohabitating in Alex’s home in Nottingham, England. Alex has never been married. Matt is divorced from Claire. They have a seven year old daughter named Scarlett. Scarlett of course wants her parents back together. She has an imaginary friend named Posey, a five foot tall purple rabbit, with whom she converses regularly. Posey is as real to Scarlett as you or I would be. Claire is cohabitating with Patrick, a barrister who is obsessively competitive and concerned about outward appearances.

For some crazy reason this extended/blended family decides to holiday together at The Happy Forest. It is in this close setting that the chaos ensues. There are underlying fears and concerns that the new partners have when they view the couple of Matt and Claire in a household setting together. There is the child who is not terribly fond of the new partners and only wants what any child would want, her parents back the way they were. Especially once she does have them under one roof once again. Of course there is also the inability to be oneself when you are living in a small, vacation lodge with people you barely know. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Some of my favorite moments in this novel were the conversations Scarlett would have with Posey. How Scarlett could so cleanly divide her personality into Posey, the naughty child egging her on, and herself, the child trying to get Posey to behave. That her parents did not discourage nor encourage this behavior is admirable, until you realize how out of control it has become. The adults in this book all needed a good smacking around at different portions, or perhaps a time out, and definitely no more alcohol!

Caroline Hulse has created real people who have flaws and issues just like the rest of us. It was an engaging story the way it was laid out with interspersing details about the 999 call and the players involved. While the climax was revealed before the story even began, it was enough of a tidbit to make me want to get to the end to find out what really transpired between this group of people. Adults behaving badly can end up with someone getting hurt. This story played out perfectly and wrapped up nicely without lingering questions. Definitely a good read.

I got about 10% into this book and realized it’s really not for me, so I don’t think it’s fair to post a review on my bookstagram account or Goodreads when this is a purely personal feeling. Thanks for the opportunity to read.

A couple of exes decide it's a good idea to spend the holidays together at a resort with their daughter and new partners--which of course is a disaster right from the start. This is an interesting premise, but the book seems to try too hard to make everyone misread each other and do the absolute wrong thing. I especially got tired of the ridiculous situations Alex kept getting into. The best part of the book was Scarlett and her imaginary friend.

I was not as impressed with the content as some of the other reviewers. I am a divorced parent that tried to stay "friendly" with my ex, for the children. Sometimes it was easy, sometimes it was difficult. Most times, it was just down right awkward!

The book is written in different POV's that is enjoyable. But, overall, for me, this was just too painful.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced readers copy.

Let me start with I love how this book is written. It toggles between each person and their perspective of the situation. 4 adults, 1 child and a giant invisible bunny. What could possibly go wrong? Oh boy!!! I read the description of this book and was quite pleased to get an advanced copy. I just couldn’t get into it. I did not like any of the adults likable. Not even a little! I really didn't find it funny and I like to think I have a pretty decent sense of humor. I am most certainly in the minority. I really wanted to like this book, but just couldn't find any of the I firmly believe that divorced or separated people need to love their children more than they dislike or even hate each other, but these people are clearly not there yet. They are not mature enough to handle the situation they created. It was clearly too soon for them to all try to be together. Claire knew her relationship was for all intents and purposes over and yet she brought Patrick. Matt brought his girlfriend while still not over his ex who is clearly uncomfortable about the whole trip and very nervous about being with his daughter. Maybe as one without children I am not one to judge, but this was not for me.

The Adults is a light read for a cozy weekend when you co-parent and need to have the “who gets the kids on the holiday “ discussion. While the publisher is touting this as humorous, I, for one, never felt there were situations that deserved “humorous”, or “funny”. The situations all seemed ditzy and not well thought out, but I guess that makes for flawed characters and an interesting story line.

Not much could be more awkward than the parents’ holiday plan. Claire and Matt are divorced, both in new relationships and co-parent Scarlett. They decide that spending the holiday with their new partners and together under one roof for Christmas would be a good idea. Add an imaginary 6 foot rabbit, who is Scarlett’s best friend to the mix and you do have some well recognized scenarios. Silly with some bittersweet moments, this book may be a welcome break from the holiday stress we all feel.

It is an easily read book, just not one that grabbed me immensely. It is well written and will be a easy read for some. I give it 3.5 stars.

Thanks to #NetGalley, the author, and the book publisher for an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.