A very entertaining book with a little bit of everything for everyone. A family unexpectedly reunited for the summer is the backdrop for a story about reinventing yourself, expanding your horizons and making peace with your past. Throw in a full scale renovation of an amazing property, your dad announcing his imminent wedding and “ a dog the size of a sofa” , the perfect recipe for an amazing summer.

I loved the writing in this book, and the characters are very vivid and fascinating. But for the most part, it felt like the novel could have been written in 1995, it felt very outdated. Will hates therapy, and Bridget doesn't understand that people can see you on Skype? Are they 75 or 45? It was hard to tell. Perhaps it wasn't what I needed to read at the time, or I was not the right audience. I will recommend it when it comes out, but probably not anyone under 50.

Tapped out around 10%. Should never have requested this book, I think I was distracted by the lovely cover and didn't read the description well enough. It's just not for me, I read up until that point and nothing moved or grasped me, the writing isn't bad at all, I just have no interest in the story. When I start skimming and skipping at the second chapter I know it's time to give up. I hope others enjoy it more than I did!

This book is a lighthearted family drama. It was a fun read with lots of characters and each had their own story plus drama. I did struggle remembering the names and details of some of the side characters towards the end. This book was my first by Amy Poeppel and it read as if it was written for the big screen. I found myself often thinking of who would play each character. A good book for summer reading. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really really wanted to love this book-- and I did, until the last few chapters. I loved getting to know all of the characters and all of the perspectives given throughout the book. However, at the very end, I feel like everything was wrapped up too quickly and perfectly-- with the truth of the children's father, Gavin's family drama that had no resolution, Bridget's audition in London, Emma and Will's ending with Bridget's house (even though their ideals of marriage is different? I think?). I enjoyed the whole book, but did not feel like it sufficiently wrapped up plot points that were developed across the book. (The coda, on the other hand, was a good and amusing way for the book to end; I did enjoy that)

I really enjoyed this book. Not too light but not too heavy. I enjoyed the relationships between the characters and the complexities of theIr stories. I liked that it was told from different points of view so the reader knew what was going on with many of the characters. Because of that, some of it is laugh out loud funny as characters are observing the craziness that is happening. It’s really a story about three generations trying to find themselves and happiness and I was rooting for them all the way.
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy and the chance to review it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I adored Small Admissions, and keep hoping for something from the author to match that, but this and the last one have been DNF. for me. I will buy copies for our fiction collection though, as I'm sure it will find its readers.

At its core this is a sentimental story of love, family, and friendship that strikes the perfect chord. A professional cellist returns to her summer home and quickly finds her plans changed, her world turned upside down, and quite possibly, her secrets reveals. You find yourselves rooting for both her and her classical trio partner, Will, as they face life-changing events. This is a character-driven story with a strong sense of place. It has a wide cast of characters that can be difficult to track at times, but the story has a smooth rhythm with a lovely crescendo provided by a character I wasn't sure would be a villain or hero until the final note.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for an Advanced Readers Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun summer read. Bridget was looking forward to a relaxing summer away from the city with her boyfriend before getting back to her musical trio with her best friend Will in the fall. Within days it had all fallen apart and she had to figure out how to put all the pieces back together. It was loaded with all the layers of chaos, complexity, and love that family and friends bring to our lives. Throw in a crumbling house and barn to be repaired before a surprise wedding and the summer's turn was complete. The role of music was thoughtfully woven throughout.

What a lovely, heartfelt read! I love the theme of parent/child role reversal, and this one stays far away from stereotypical takes. We have likeable, relatable characters who each strives for something they cherish. We have a wonderfully uncomplicated love relationship, music, a marvelous Connecticut home and the speed of life there. Poeppel is a master at putting you in the book's world, with every right take possible in creating settings, breathing life into them, making this one a story to immerse into. This is delightful escapism with just enough to think about afterwards. I really enjoyed this one and will read more of Poeppel's works. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy.

My first book by this author and it was a 5 star read for me. I loved the characters, the family dynamic, and the shenanigans that came with three generations over one summer. Not too light, not too heavy. This felt refreshing and I was totally satisfied by the ending.

A captivating & enchanting read! Expertly crafted & plotted. Charming setting, interesting & engaging characters. The author is masterful in her weaving together of various stories into a multi-layered narrative. From the significance of the title to the meaningful quotes sprinkled throughout, this book completely charmed & delighted me. Cannot recommend it highly enough. Bravo! With abundant thanks to Simon & Schuster for gifting me this ARC.

There were many things I really enjoyed about this book, but also a few places where it fell a little short.

Pros:
- Bridget was a fully fleshed out character who I enjoyed following as her summer was upended and she had to decide what she actually wanted.
- I loved the musical parts of the book!
- the settings of NYC and coastal Connecticut were perfect.

Cons:
- There were SO MANY characters. I could not keep track of them. Will mentioned Frank in one of the last chapters and I still haven’t figured out who that was.
- Because of so many characters there were lots of side stories that seemed pointless. What purpose did it serve for us to read in-depth about Gavin’s terrible kid?

Overall it was a quick read one weekend but not memorable.

Thank you to @netgalley and @atriabooks for the ARC of Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel in exchange for an honest review.

Bridget has played the cello in the Forsyth Trio for years along with her best friend Will who plays the violin. Bridget and Will are currently looking for a new member for the trio in hopes to reignite their careers. Bridget decides to spend the summer with her boyfriend Sterling at her summer home in Connecticut to get away from New York City. Bridget is also the daughter of Edward Stratton, a well known music conductor, who lives in Connecticut . Bridget is looking forward to spending her summer with Sterling. But, that soon changes. Sterling changes his plans and backs out and before you know it Bridget’s adult children, Isabelle and Oscar, unexpectedly decide to come spend the summer with their mother as they go through challenges of their own This is not at all what Bridget had anticipated. Her loyal friend Will, also comes to spend time with her to offer his support. They all spend time renovating Bridget’s Connecticut home and fixing themselves.

Musical Chairs is a sweet, fun, romantic story told through out the course of a summer. It reminds us that when life seems to be falling apart; it really might be falling into place. Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel will be released this summer on 07/21/2020. It's the perfect summer read!!!!!

Do you know any book makes you uncontrollably cry and laugh at the same time? Your emotions are in everywhere: your smile keeps widen and your tears keep spilling, than you laugh out something till your abdomen hurts and later you start blowing your nose! This is one of those books help you awaken your soul!

This is sentimental, entertaining, poignant, beautiful story with lots of lovely characters. But I have to warn you; it’s sometime hard to concentrate on your reading because too many characters sit on the circle of musical chairs. You gotta pay attention each of the stories. They are memorable, likable and perfectly crafted characters.

It takes place in old a little dilapidated place: most of the musicians, artists, creative people called it “home” in Connecticut.

We’re firstly introduced with Bridget and Will (long- time friends since they were students at Julliard) Bridget plays cello as Will plays the piano. All those years they stuck together, became their confidantes and now things are changing, they’re getting older: Will is having hard time to find proper gigs to make ends meet and especially Bridget is worried about her life choices and she starts thinking maybe she has to be brave enough with her relationship Sterling who is novelist and think more seriously about him. Maybe he was her last chance. ( As for me the guy is scumbag who is looking for a new model of her mother and he was never a great candidate as a lover. I truly started booing at the parts his character appears)

But as far as we can see her 20 something twins suddenly decide to spend their summer with their mommy and her scumbag, narcissistic lover decides that he doesn’t want to stay in relationship with her. And when she thinks she cannot take any more she finds out her 90 years old father decides to remarry!

So we become observant of Bridget’s bumpy, entertaining, whirlwind summer adventure as if it’s a musical chairs play: participants start moving between chair to chair till the music stops so at this summer holiday so many different characters come into her life and leave again till her summer ends and her inner music stops.
Interestingly Hudson was my hero. I adored his friendship with Will. Who am I kidding? I adore dogs and I confess most of the time I prefer sweet dogs over some people (they never makes you furious with their inappropriate and know-it-all comments, they’re always sweet, honest, loyal and ready to play, have so much fun!)

But I think Isabelle, Nicholas ( because he is described as Colin Firth and throughout my reading I started daydreaming Mr. Darcy. Maybe I’m too superficial to like a character because of his description. Who knows!) and of course Marge were my favorites. (Marge is the key character, observing people’s lives and wanting the best for them: she is a person who can objectively see things about your life and when you ask for blunt, ugly truth, she may directly tell it to your face. She is definition of best honest friend you may ever meet.)

Overall: It’s sweet, entertaining, emotional story about family dramas, relationships, friendship, loyalty and of course: there are lots of music!(I keep listening concertos during my reading to feel the rhythm of the characters and their interactions.)

That’s the magical feel-good book you urgently need right now and I highly recommend it.

Special thanks to NetGalley and AtriaEmily Bestler Books for sharing this lovely ARC with me in exchange my honest review.

This was a delightful read! I loved the strong characters and the laugh out loud moments. This was the perfect kickstart to my summer reading. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.

I enjoy Poeppel’s amusing writing and her original storylines. This is the second of her books that I’ve read. I loved the way she started the book in the past and then jumped right in to the main story - a great hook. I found the number of storylines and characters a little overwhelming and the changing viewpoints felt a little tricky to keep track of at times. The story itself was interesting, but a little slow moving for me. I did enjoy the ending, however. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an early look at this book. She’s an author I would read again.

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel was a surprising novel and I loved it. The characters, setting, careers, family relationships, and decision-making processes were nothing like me or my life – but they still seemed completely relatable. The characters were pretty unique, almost extreme but they felt real to me. The story was heartfelt but also hilarious. The storyline was almost far-fetched but completely believable. The ending was good – not too predictable or neat and tidy but satisfying. I heard about this book from Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Summer Reading Guide and agree it would be a great vacation read – or a relaxing weekend on the porch or by the pool read at home. I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book on Net Galley, all opinions are my own.

I loved Amy Poeppel’s Musical Chairs! This book is a fun and charming read. Bridget seeks solace at her country home up in Connecticut away from her troubled and busy life in New York City. Over the summer she unexpectedly gathers friends, family, and their animals around her and finds herself needing to fix not only her neglected home but also the many different relationships surrounding her. I loved spending time with these characters and so enjoyed this laugh out loud book! Thank you to Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler books.

Bridget planned for the perfect summer ... but then it all went wrong. First her boyfriend breaks up with her, over email (!). Then her two twenty-something children, each dealing with their own crisis, invade her empty nest. And then the classical trio that is her livelihood comes unglued, and her aging father sets his own nearby house on fire. In the course of one short summer everything that can go wrong, does go wrong—and to fix it requires Bridget to fess up to secrets she’s buried for more than twenty years. It’s not the summer Bridget planned for, but it delivers the second chances she needs—and it’s hilarious, with laugh-out-loud dialogue and a pitch-perfect ending.