A family drama with a stunning cast of characters. Poeppel does a beautiful job developing each of them, bringing light to otherwise flawed humans. It’s emotional, musical and a heartwarming story.

Just the perfect funny, sharp, delicious novel I needed right now. Amy Poeppel orchestrates a fascinating symphony of characters who surprised me at every turn!

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel unfortunately did work for me. While it lived up to its quirkiness, it was a bit much. I didn't particularly find any of the characters memorable or relatable. The story was just fine and at times a little boring.

Thank you Atria and Netgalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Delightful, funny and new!! Author #Amy Poeppel has a novel to read today.#'Musical Chairs will have you laughing one minute and crying the next. I just love books that take you on a unexpected ride.
Thank you,
#Netgalley, #Amy Poeppel and Atria

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

Unfortunately, this book really did not interest me. I had a hard time staying engaged and put it down many times. I felt like Bridget was a little whiny and co-dependent and that rubbed me the wrong way. There was a lot of filler and characters but the details didn't feel fully developed.

Easily one of my most anticipated reads of 2020 I was so excited to be able to read a copy of Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel. Witty and bright, lighthearted, and FULL of fun, this book was an absolute joy to read. The crazy, unique cast of characters alone made the book worth reading, and I am just a huge fan of Poeppel's writing style!

I’ve read two other from Poeppel and really enjoyed them so I was excited to pick up musical chairs. Unfortunately, this one just really wasn’t for me. I didn’t particularly like any of the characters and found the story a little boring. Thank you Atria and Netgalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

1 Star
I went into this believing that it was a romance filled with drama and intrigue but all I got was a bland story that seemed very uninteresting for most of it. We are introduced to Bridget who is portrayed as a very woe is me woman who doesn't know what to do when her boyfriend cancels on her, even though she is perceived to be older and should know better. Every mundane thing was transcribed onto the page and it felt as if 90% of the book was filler. There were also so many different characters that were sprinkled throughout the entire book and we never got an expansion on them, This book could have been better with a lot of editing and an actual plot but I am sad to say that it wasn't.
I have read plenty of romances that feature an older woman as the main character' and they were not boring like Musical Chairs was.

If you like fun, entertaining novels surrounding the world of entertainment - look no further than Amy Poeppel’s novels.

Musical Chairs is a fabulous trip into the classical world of chamber music and follows the lives of Bridget and Will - the best of friends and two parts of a trio.

Amy Poeppel has mastered the mix of humor (there are laugh out loud one-liners), family dynamics,, and character development which once again keeping the reader fully engaged through the happy conclusion.

I can’t wait to see what Amy writes next!!

I just love this book. It was funny and so perfectly paced, with an exceptional cast of characters. You will just adore this book. Right now as the weather turns cold, you will want to jump into a book that is hot!!!! A must read!

This is a heartwarming novel that takes place in Connecticut over the course of a summer. Bridget finds herself back at her Connecticut home without her boyfriend because he just dumped her, but with her two twenty-something year old kids who have suddenly moved back. There is also Will, her best friend and musical partner who is keeping a secret from Bridget but also finds himself with a new reason to spend his time in this small time. With a full cast of other friends and family, a lot of drama ensues over the summer leading up to Bridget’s father’s wedding (another surprise).

I love Amy Poeppel’s novels and this one is no exception. It is good “chick-lit” that focuses more on family and friendships than romance itself. While I am not musically inclined myself, anyone who is interested in classical music will find this extra delightful as many of the characters are musicians and their lives (and this story) revolve around music as the title suggests.

2 uninspired stars
Long sentences and blasé characters did not capture my attention in the beginning of Amy Poeppel’s Musical Chairs. Drinking, conversations, and lots of casual sex alluded to did not capture my attention as the book went on. A familiarity with classical music would be helpful for the many classical music references. (I understood these, but a non-musician might not.) I got confused with some names in the large cast of characters because the author jumped around and because the dogs also had people names. While on a diet, a character’s expression was described as “part Valium, part Botox, part constipation.” Was the author trying to be funny?

…And they all lived happily ever after with the love of their life. I think I’ll go find another chair to sit in. Poeppel’s characters were far to selfish and self-centered. And it wasn’t fun or funny.

I am grateful to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book made me laugh and this book made me cry. Very few books do that to me. Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for granting me this ARC.

Sometimes, you need a book that will take your mind off heavy matters at hand. Amy Poeppel's Musical Chairs does just that. It has a bit of everything - quirky characters, complicated family relationships and music. Though it sounds like quite a mishmash, Amy Poeppel manages to make her characters really relatable.

This is my first book by this author and I would like to read her other books too. The writing is fluid and well-paced - just what the doctor ordered for the weekend!

I love Amy Poeppel and have enjoyed all of her books so I went into this book knowing I'd like it to.

Bridget has two grown children who seem to be happy and a wonderful group of friends. She has a boyfriend and a career and a summer house, sounds perfect right? Well her daughter just quit her job on a whim, her son dumped his boyfriend because he was cheating, her career as a musician is coming to an end, her Connecticut summer home is practically falling down, and her boyfriend just dumped her. On top of all of this a man who may or may not be the father of her twins is coming back to join her and her best friend Will as the trio they use to be. Bridget told him there was a possibility he was the father but basically talked him out of having any involvement. No one knows he could be the father, but now that he's returning Bridget must decide if she'll let everyone know. With her best friend Will by her side they have has raised her children, worked together, and have a very close relationship. Their practically married in every way that counts. This summer will change everything for Bridget. Her home, career and personal life will get the face lift it needs and deserves.

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel. This book is my favorite type of book, a well written & witty escape into another person & their family. Poeppel has written a story that provides a welcome escape & it made for a quick read. Delving into the lives of Bridget, her family members, her friend Will, & others, each character is well developed & has different voices that make them come to life on the page. The character of the assistant to Bridget’s father was particularly funny & had razor sharp observations & thoughts abut the other characters that made me laugh aloud. The story background of the musical trio was new for me to read about & I thoroughly enjoyed this new framework. I really enjoyed Musical Chairs; it’s a smart & fun book.

Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I really, really wanted to be able to finish this book because Small Admissions another book by this author was on of my favorite reads last year. However, I could not get into this book at this time. It just didn't pull me in like Small Admissions did. If I do get back into this book and finish it I will give more feedback at that time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

This is my first Amy Poeppel, but it won't be my last. I loved this book. I loved the writing and I loved the characters. They felt like real people to me with real problems. I was worried that it would be too much about the musical trio and music, but instead found it to be about relationships. It was amazing! Highly recommend.

Musical Chairs follows Bridget and Will, two thirds of a musical trio, up to Bridget's cottage. In their mid-40s, Bridget has led a privileged life as the daughter of a world renown musician, Edward. Will is her dearest friend, one who cares for her but sometimes struggles to make ends meet.

During this trip, they both reach different crossroads, and this family dramedy comes together as Bridget's adult children return home unannounced, and she learns about some of her father's romantic plans.

There is a sense of dysfunctional, pretentious behavior a la The Nest, exposing people's behaviors and challenges to bring them closer together. If you enjoy those types of reads, this one is for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Atria Books for the review copy - all opinions are my own.

I'm glad I read a review about this book from a trusted book blogger that I follow. She stated it took her a bit to get into the story because there were a lot of characters to keep track of in the beginning, but that she was so glad she stuck with it. I agree!
I really enjoyed this story of family, diversity, perseverance, tenacity, and love told with humor and surprises! The author did a great job of weaving several character's stories together yet not following the easy path for any of the character's journeys.
This is the first book I've read by the author and will definitely read her other books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this fun story!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel. This is likely one of my favorite reads of 2020. When I first heard about this book I wasn't sure it would be for me given that it was about members of a musical ensemble, but it was about so much more than that. The world of professional musicians did provide an interesting backdrop though. I loved the dynamic between the characters. They felt like real people with real problems and real flaws. I think this book explored every relationship dynamic that you could conceive of, although some were certainly more developed than others. I liked that these characters had things going on, but most were rather mundane, ordinary problems, not huge life-changing drama. Another thing that I enjoyed was how time moved, although it took a while to get used to weeks going by and action that you missed that was reflected on later. For instance, there would be a lot leading up to a scene and then you only hear about the effects of the scene a week later through the eyes of another character. I think this was something Poeppel did successfully to juggle a rather large cast of characters. I will definitely recommend this title to others!