The setting of this story was so fun! I’ve always wanted to visit Greece, abs this made me even more determined to get there someday! I loved the characters of Eleni and Sue Ellen, but with five different POVs, I felt like I didn’t get a full picture or resolution for some of them. I definitely liked Ginder’s writing style though, and hope to read more from this author in the future!

I typically read intense psychological thrillers or suspense novels. I was looking for a change of pace and Honestly, We Meant Well seemed like a wonderful option. It is about a family that is going through changes and takes a trip together. It was funny, lighthearted, relatable and kept me interested. If you like novels that are about families, you are sure to enjoy this one. Plus, now is the prefect time to read about going on a vacation.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

Parts of this book were laugh out loud funny while other parts seemed to drag a bit for me. I enjoyed The People We Hate at the Wedding more.

{ partner } Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author, and Flatiron Books for the early review copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions in this review are entirely my own.

I finished this book a little while ago, and honestly had been waiting around to review it because I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to say. Did I like it? Love it even? Or was it just slightly missing something for me? And in all honesty, I’m still not quite sure. So here goes nothing.

It took me a long while to really get into this book when I started reading it. Not because I didn’t like it. Even in the beginning I was enjoying the characters (anyone who has read basically any of my reviews now knows that I am obsessed with character driven stories.) But for some reason that I can’t quite put my fingers on, the first half of the novel took me approximately a forever to get through.
I always enjoy when we get to hear a story from the perspectives of different characters, and when you get to see the situations a couple of different ways. However, this book is told from a total of five characters perspectives, which I think may have ended up being just a few too many voices for me. It made it kind of fun for the parts of the book where each character was off doing their own thing, and each chapter was sort of jumping you to a different part of the island, but for the parts of the book where they were all in the same spot and situation, it wasn’t my favorite. In those parts of the story we didn’t get to jump back in time a few minutes and see how the other character felt or saw what we had just read about, at least not most of the times, instead we stayed in the same moment and switched to another perspective right in the middle. Between this and how many characters there were in general, I just found that I almost didn’t have any long enough stretch of time with any one character to care about most of them or their situations. Also, just since this seems to be a previously unknown pet-peeve of mine, one of our key narrators isn’t introduced as such until halfway through the book. I get why she was an important narrator, and I did end up really enjoying her point of view, and I even get why she wasn’t needed in the first portion of the story. But I stand by it – I really don’t like when there is a new narrator introduced that late to the game. I know it happens, and sometimes can be done well. But these are my opinions, and it’s my review, so I’m sticking to it here.

Now here we get to the part of the review where I get to talk about the parts of the book that I really loved, because I promise you that there were a few. First and foremost, the setting of Greece, and how much the book dove into all of the gorgeous sites and history that come along with it. I wanted to immediately jump on a plane, explore some ancient ruins, have a glass of wine or three, and then jump immediately into some clear blue water! Doesn’t that sound perfect right now? But I digress.
I ended up, overall, enjoying the second half of the book better than the first. Whether this is because I was more invested in the characters by then and therefore the jumping around didn’t quite bug me as much, or if the story had gotten going enough that I was more invested and was more invested to see what happened next. And part of it was definitely how busy and crazy my life was while trying to read this during the first round, so definitely take this with a grain of salt. But compared to the first half, the second half completely flew by for me. The only thing that I would say about the ending is that, once I did get fully invested in the characters and their stories, I think I would have liked to get some more information about the choices that they made after “the end.” What I’m saying is, I could have used a Harry Potter style “10 years later” moment, you know? I’m all for a cliffhanger or open ending in case there’s a possibility of a sequel, or more information at a later date, but I’m not sure whether or not I would read a sequel for this particular tale, so I would have liked to get it tied up a little bit better at the end here.
And the last thing that I loved – there are some really beautiful relationships in this book. Not necessarily the romantic ones, but the friendships and the familial relationships that we see throughout the story. There isn’t too much to say about this part, but I just really loved a lot of them.

Overall, I would recommend this book to my friends. It is a really interesting look into the life of a woman and her family, when their lives are seemingly falling apart around them, but possibly falling together instead. This was a fairly fun read, set in a beautiful place, and had a good amount of interesting characters. While I think I’m ready for infidelity (slight spoiler? You learn early on, I’m going to let it pass) to not be one of the main conflicts in such a high percentage of books that I am reading, but there was enough else happening that it didn’t bug me too much. I would just give my friends that I am recommending it to a small heads up before reading it, in case they’re tired of reading about it too. But if it’s something that you don’t mind reading about, or it’s something that you can look past, I think that this is a great choice for a summer read! So pull up a glass of wine and maybe a lounge chair, and then you are all set.

This is about a family trying not to fall apart on vacation in Greece. I felt like the alternating viewpoints were the highlight but I didn't find any of the stories overly original - the professor husband who had affairs with students, the female wife regretting the one that got away, the gay son who has flamed out in his MFA program - probably the inn owner felt the most original but her story didn't get as much focus.

Is there anyone who better emulates the voice of a snarky character better than Grant Ginder? If so, I’ve yet to read their books! Following the snarky fun ride that was The People We Hate at the Wedding where germaphobe therapy was making patients climb into dumpsters, we now have the Wright family - cheating husband and a disillusioned son, plus poor scorned wife Sue Ellen - on their voyage to the Greek Isles Aegean Sea. While these characters hide hurt behind wit and humor, emotions can’t stay buried for long. With a cast of side characters like Marxist Ginny Polanski, the characters are well rounded and fun to spend time with. Kudos to Ginder and I’ll be eagerly awaiting his next novel.

When I first heard this book took place in Greece, I immediately wanted to read it. This was one of my favorite book settings and I loved how the descriptive writing made me feel as if I were right there on the island. I also enjoyed the characters of Sue Ellen and Eleni and I thought both were relatable and likeable.
The book is told from five character POVs, but I felt that it was a bit to much. The characters didn't receive proportionate time and that left me feeling that not every character got the closure I was looking forward to. I would have loved to see more of Eleni at the end and maybe an epilogue with Sue Ellen. Grinder's writing is humorous, thought provoking, and descriptively satisfying and it was a quick easy read. This book would be perfect for anyone looking for a family drama read, but personally it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you Netgalley and Flatiron books for an copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was the perfect intelligent summer read! Couldn't get enough. I flew through Honestly, We Meant Well by Grant Ginder in a day and immediately went out and purchased his previous novel, The People We Hate at Weddings. Highly recommend! 5 Stars.

Honestly, We Meant Well, Grant Ginder
We’re under a blazing sun, on the Greek island of Aegina. Bestselling author Dean, his wife Sue Ellen, a classics professor and son Will, who is gay, are spending four weeks at Aronica, a rustic inn about to be sold to a Swedish chain. Each checks in with plenty of baggage: philanderer Dean is dodging texts from his latest indiscretion. Will fears the knows the world is about to learn what a fraud he is. And Sue Ellen had a life-changing love affair at the Aronica 22 years ago. Ginder’s prose sparkles.

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2019/07/02/five-beach-reads-for-a-weekend-getaway.html

“All art is appropriation.”

Sue Ellen Wright is a professor of Greek classics; she’s headed for Greece to deliver lectures and reminisce about the experiences of her youth. At the last minute, her philandering husband Dean and the couple’s lovesick son Will decide to tag along. Grant Ginder has made a career of writing hilarious prose about disastrous families, and Honestly, We Meant Well made me laugh out loud more than once. Thanks go to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for the review copy. This book is for sale now.

The book opens as Sue Ellen is conferring with a freshman who’s come to her office to challenge his midterm exam score:

“’I’m pretty sure I got this one right.’
“Connor points to a picture on his midterm…it’s an artifact that he was meant to identify.
“’That’s not a bong, Connor. That’s a Corinthian urn from the fifth century B.C.E…’
“But can’t you see how it could have been a bong?’
“’No,’ Sue Ellen says, ‘Actually, I can’t'.”

Teachers, are you experiencing flashbacks here? And those of you that aren’t teachers can appreciate that Sue Ellen needs a break, one that takes her as far away as possible. Her bags are packed.

Dean is a professor as well, and he’s a celebrated one. As the writer of a bestselling novel, The Light of Our Shadows, he is permitted to cherry-pick which students may enroll in his seminars. He knows he ought not to have sex with any of them, but they’re so insistent; and why shouldn’t they be? He’s a genius. At the moment, though, he’s a genius with writer’s block, and he thinks a Grecian holiday might just be what he needs; it will strengthen his marriage and get his creative juices flowing as well.

Will is a student, but who can chart a course, academic or otherwise, when his heart has been shattered? His boyfriend broke up with him and has instantly turned up on Instagram with kissy-face photos of himself with his new squeeze. It’s humiliating. It’s horrifying. Worse: everyone is liking those photos. Meanwhile, he has committed an unforgivable academic sin, one he’s desperate to keep his parents from learning.

Ginny Polonsky works at the university, and she knows where the bodies are buried. Readers know what Ginny knows—well, most of it anyway—and as the family unknits itself and copes with one unforeseen event after another, we are waiting for Ginny’s other shoe to drop on them. It’s immensely satisfying when it does.

There’s not a lot of character development here, but not much is needed. I believe each of these characters, which are written with admirable consistency. The prose is tight and the resolution surprises me. I would read this author again in a heartbeat.

The Wrights are Caucasian and middle class, and this is the demographic most likely to enjoy this book. It’s just the thing to toss into your suitcase or carry on when you’re headed on a trip of your own.

Five Stars for HONESTLY, WE MEANT WELL, by Grant Ginder, who is now one of my very favorite contemporary writers. Tucked into a world of academia, ( Berkeley!), Ginder gives us a close up and personal view to a family unraveling.... in Greece. Having just finished reading THE PEOPLE WE HATE AT THE WEDDING, also by Ginder, I knew I was in for a treat. I was not disappointed. I was fortunate to read this fabulous book in a city neighborhood, in which I discovered a Greek restaurant right down the street - if I hadn't, I might have had to immediately hop on a plane to Greece; so beautifully did Ginder paint a picture of this ancient land. Ginder is witty, hilarious, actually: but it is his depth of compassion and true understanding of family relationships, the hidden frailty of a long marriage....and growing, um, oldish, which is the true literary gem. I will read everything Grant Ginder writes, and I don't always say that about every fab author I happen to stumble upon. Truly. I am besotted. Go read this book.

It is rare that something can make you both laugh hysterically and feel very deeply, but that is what Grant Ginder does. A lot of novels now a days are of the "fresh start" variety, but "Honestly, We Meant Well" stands out.

I really enjoyed Grant’s last book, The People We Hate at Weddings, so I was very excited to read this one. I really enjoyed the story from Will and Dean and sometimes Sue Ellen but tired sometimes of the narrative. The book was engaging and exciting it truly was that. I found myself wanting to constantly read and wanted to be in Greece. Grant’s descriptions of people, places and food are delicious and makes you want to drink beer and eat copious amounts of Feta. Grant’s writing style is incredibly infectious and in a style that keeps the reader engaged and you can keep a good sense of character by the changes of their narrative.

I received a copy from the publisher and chose to write a review of my own opinions.

This book is more than a novel, and I sincerely hope my review can convey the beauty of its prose, the smart nod to dramatic comedy, and the raw realities life throws at us at every turn. Grant Ginder combines the elegance of literature with knowledge of old classics blended smoothly with urban existence. The story is told from four points of view (POV); two majors: Sue Ellen and her son Will, and two minors: Dean, her husband, and Ginny, Dean’s student and Will’s student-peer. We also hear from Eleni, who owns and runs a hotel on the island of Aegina, in Greece.
Two highly educated professors at UC Berkeley, in California, with their twenty-two-year-old son, Will; have survived as a family unit to this point where, Sue Ellen Wright and Dean Wright, are on the cusp of becoming empty-nesters. The question now is, will this unit survive the upcoming graduation.
In the past month, Sue Ellen, tenured Professor of Classical Studies, respected writer, lecturer, winner of countless awards; has discovered that her husband, Dean has been cheating on her. Within this same time, she’s also learned that her long-ago “love” from her summer in Greece while studying for her thesis, has passed away. These sorrows grew heavier when she realized her son, Will was centimeters away from not graduating given his poor grades and yet-to-be-written thesis, due in mere days.
Dean Wright, Professor of Literature at the same university, has written several novels, one of which has become a best-seller, thereby making him famous and popular with his students. It’s also turned him into an even bigger pompous ass than he was previously, thus convincing him the affair he was conducting went with his “author status.”
Will has always liked his parents for the most part, as much as any teenager usually does. Now at twenty-two and a senior in college, Will realizes he’s had more than a reasonable amount of independence growing up, and may have made some mistakes he regrets. He’s a little in awe of his father’s writing talent and knows that particular gene skipped him entirely, as he struggles to write his final thesis. In his desperation and time constraint, Will goes looking on his father’s computer for unfinished stories just to get some ideas. He finds what he’s looking for and before you know it, he’s copied almost an entire story and submits it as his own. Dazed, he just thinks to himself, “What did I just do? Did I just do what I thought I did? Shit!” (or words to that effect.)
Meanwhile, while Sue Ellen feels her world is coming to an end, her phone rings with an offer to be a guest speaker in Greece this summer, in Athens and on the island of Aegina, discussing Greek history and architecture. She doesn’t hesitate, “YES, I accept. thank you.” Details are worked out later.
Dean gets wind of this trip and figures he can make up with Sue Ellen by coming with her on this trip, (which he normally hates) and why not bring Will with them and make it a fun, family adventure. What could go wrong? That’s half the book, but written in a loving, intelligent and snarky way.
So, Dean begs, literally, and Sue Ellen agrees. However, right before they leave two more things happen that set the tone for even more revelations to come. Oh, it’s worth every word, which of course I can’t tell you.
Ginny Polonsky, the student extraordinaire. She’s Dean’s student and enamored with him, she’s also very bright and a little obsessed. Remember ‘Gilmore Girls?” Think of Paris, Rory’s ‘frenemy’ from her school days. The smart girl, desperate for attention, perfectionist, dated her professor: that’s Ginny. Well, Dean and Ginny have a little fling right before Dean leaves for Greece. Also, Will’s professor wants Ginny to publish Will’s final paper, which he received an A- on, in the school’s final publication for the semester. Ginny might know a little something about that paper, but all she tells Will is that she’s agreed to put it in the paper. Will, is not happy about that news.
So, the family takes off for Greece, and they eventually stay at the hotel on Aegina, where Sue Ellen finally meets Eleni, the daughter of Christos, the man she met when she herself was twenty-two, and fell in love but had to return to the U.S. to finish her degree. She’s never been back since that time; Eleni has just inherited the hotel after Christos recent death.
This is a big, beautiful story for every one of these complicated characters. They learn and grow, so when they each make their decisions for their futures, they’ll know it’s the best one for them.
Highly recommend!!!

Thank you NetGalley, Flatiron, and Grant Ginder, you nailed it! Hope we get a movie!

First of all fantastic work on the cover! So freaking cute! I loved this super cute fun read! I cant wait to read more by this author! This is sure to be seen by the pool or on the beach!

Unfortunately this read just wasn't for me. Read to 26% and could not connect with the characters or story line. I do not review or post about my DNF's.

Thank you To NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review!

Honestly, We Meant Well follows the lives of a family and their struggles. Sue Ellen is a Classics professor who is trying to put back together her marriage and family. Her husband, Dean, is an author and has let fame get to his head and ends up cheating on Sue Ellen. Their Son Will, has just graduated college and is looking for a career, which he fails at. Will is struggling with recently being dumped, having no job, and living in his fathers shadow who he admires greatly. Sue Ellen gets offered to present in Greece for Golden Adventure Cruise and has an opportunity to stay in Greece for a whole month. She jumps at the opportunity to return, where she stays at the hotel where she first fell in love with a greek man, and fell in love with Greek culture. Dean, wanting to repair their marriage, says that he and Will want to tag along in hopes to rebuild their family and relationship.
If you are in need of a summer read look no further! Grant Grinder has managed to transport his readers to Greece right along with his characters. I love nothing more than vacation reads! I fell in love with Sue Ellen and the story of her first love Christos. We also get to know Christos daughter Eleni who runs the Alectora Inn. This story touches on first loves, marriage, betrayal, adolescence, history, greek culture, greek legends, dysfunctional families and loss. With all these themes though the book still manages to have a light feel to it! I would have given this book five stars but I felt myself at times kind of straying from the pages due to the lengthy descriptions of greek history. I did however really enjoy the different points of view for each character! If it's not already, this should be on your summer reading list!

This book follow's the story of several characters in the novel. I enjoyed the different perspectives and the author's clean and easy prose. I felt the beginning was a little slow to start, but once it picked up I really enjoyed reading it and the family drama! I would recommend this book for a day at the beach.

I very much enjoyed a new summer novel, "Honestly, We Meant Well," by Grant Ginder.  It is light, realistic, well-written, and comical, a literary novel that can double as a beach read.  Ginder is a master of fast scenes and witty dialogue in this adroit portrayal of a  family vacation in Greece.  When Sue Ellen, a classicist, accepts a gig lecturing in Greece, she isn’t entirely happy that the family is accompanying her.  She’s annoyed with her philandering husband and grieving  the death of Christos, a former lover who ran the inn where they’re staying.  Her husband, Dean a writer and creative writing professor, is worried about his next novel and, unbeknownst to her, is cheating on her again.   Their  son, Will, is in agony over a breakup with his boyfriend and has also plagiarized a short story. Then there’s  Eleni,  Christos’ daughter, about to sell the inn.  The novel is also a  kind of guide to Greece.  Delphi, Athens, Aegina…  Great fun.