The book was written well and it wasn't annoying or confusing that there were a lot of points of view in every chapter. However, the story is a bit slow so it got boring through the end of the book.

Musical Chairs
By Amy Poeppel
Publication Date Aug 1, 2020,

I thoroughly enjoyed every word in this book. Amy really has a way of bringing the characters to life. I was completely invested from the start and wanted to know what was going to happen next in this family. You can't really go wrong with a story of a modern musical family all staying in the same house for the summer.

It was a light read which is perfect for the times. It gets your mind off more serious matters and you can relax for a bit. As with any family, there are break up's,, life decisions and a few accidents along the way. All makes for an enjoyable read.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

As someone who spent the better part of her high school career labeled as a band geek, and an ex-violinist who’s over the years participated in many a chamber group, string ensemble and symphony orchestra, reading Poeppel’s Musical Chairs felt a lot like coming home after a long trip away. Between all the musical references and the commentary on the day-to-day reality of being a working musician in today’s economy, I found this novel to be good, solid fun, and a strong choice for anyone musically-inclined in search of their next summer read. Bridget and Will are wonderful protagonists who instantly drew me in and made me want to see where their futures would take them.

And I have admit I had no idea where that was going to be! After reading the synopsis online, I had a few expectations going into it, and I must say, absolutely none of them came to fruition – a quite rare experience for someone like me who prides herself on almost always knowing where a book is headed. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing! While it did turn out to be a very different story than the one I was anticipating, it was a pleasant read nonetheless.

I will note that this story featured a variety of perspectives throughout its execution – something I am wary of, because I find it to be sometimes confusing and often unnecessary. I felt in the case of this novel, including so many different POVs was both a strength and a weakness.

With so many important characters in the midst of a variety of different decisions and dilemmas, having the ability to see into the perspective of many of them helped to give both breath and depth to the novel in its entirety. Nevertheless, I felt even given that, there were still a number of additional perspectives shown once or twice throughout the book that were excessive, unhelpful, and unable to add anything productive to the plot in general.

However, I believe overall Musical Chairs is an enjoyable story, that manages to almost expertly balance its lighthearted-nature with the more serious plot points found along the way.

Thank you to the publisher, Atria/Emily Bestler Books (Simon & Schuster), and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This book felt like a light, enjoyable, witty summer spent with friends. There were breakups, major life decisions, and a few accidents, but nothing seemed heavy. I enjoyed reading about the friendships and family relationships, the hope for new love and heartache over lost love. I didn’t come away with any lasting moral or underlying life lesson, but I will look back on this story fondly and chuckle at my time spend with Bridget and her entertaining gang of family, friends and neighbors in her Connecticut summer home. I recommend for a fun read.

“Music is the universal language of mankind,” said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. For someone who has spent more than half my life playing some form of music, much of it classical music, this book tickles my music-geeky heart in just the right way. The mile-a-minute references, the constant obsessions and discussions about renditions and arrangements, even the nerve-wracking sensations before auditions all hit a lovely and familiar note.

Then again, <i>Musical Chairs</i> is also about professional musicians, hashing out the reality of a cutthroat and challenging industry that incites my personal no-thank-you, can’t-cut-it attitude. We’re talking Julliard here, and the closest brush I had to that was my flute teacher, an alumni of those hallowed grounds who absolutely abhorred my flute embouchure (only a year later, I ran away, tail between my legs). Undoubtedly much more successful, main characters Bridget and Will were rising stars of the Forsyth trio in their early Julliard days, only to have their violin player leave them for a spot in an Australian symphony a few years later. Though the missing violin has found numerous seat-warmers over the years, it is 30 years later that Bridget and Will are finding themselves unceremoniously jostled out of relevance, struggling to hold onto the spot they have carved out in the chamber music scene. In danger of becoming true has-beens in their middle age, they are desperate to invite a rising star to revitalize their trio.

Oh, but life would still be too simple and soulless without even more drama thrown into the mix. Here comes a summer ripe for revelations, replete with: a 90th birthday celebration and a wedding for Bridget’s famous composer and musician father; an ever-shifting quagmire of broken, mending, or new relationships and marriages; a complete makeover of her Connecticut country home; and a multi-generational family reunion. Populated by a slew of characters, <i>Musical Chairs</i> tells a story as dramatic as Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” and as dynamic as Saint-Saëns's “The Carnival of the Animals.” Amy Poeppel writes flaws into each character; they are not wholly likeable, perhaps downright unlikeable, but their imperfections keep them from becoming caricatures. Though each is offered solo moments to shine, not every point of view is a perfect addition to the symphony. Introducing pieces of backstories and motivations from so many perspectives drags the pace down, especially early in the novel. Only later do they settle in to become a layered, interwoven harmony.

With a book like this, I have to suspend some disbelief in order to let the more silly, romantic machinations toss me around, but luckily, <i>Musical Chairs</i> is anchored by an abiding appreciation for strong friendships, unconditional familial ties, and personal growth. Whether through romantic fulfillment, upholstering frayed relationships, or grasping at straws to find direction in midlife, I found myself committed through swells of heartache and disappointments. Yes, I have never thought 50 something year olds could be <i>so</i> preoccupied with romance, romance, romance, but who am I to think otherwise?

<i>Musical Chairs</i> is much more than a book about music, but it still reaffirms a lovely place for the intricacies of classical music, pretension and all. Perhaps unbelievable at times, I loved Poeppel’s subtle humor, never too affected as she presents an uplifting yet open-ended narrative on the promise of growth in midlife and beyond. Left with a smile and a contented sigh, I call this one a win for me.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a big hit for me! Fun, funny, well-plotted with a believable and well-developed cast of characters. Musical Chairs is a terrific escape during a summer when we all need a bit of escapism. I loved the Litchfield County, CT setting and the researched detail of the world of chamber and orchestral music, new to me, and fun to read about. Grab a glass of wine on a lazy August afternoon and enjoy this delightful book.

This book sounded like my kind of quirky novel - convoluted family, lots of animals and all manners of relationships.
But I initially had trouble getting into this one. There are a lot of characters and not all of them are likeable. Bridget, the main character, seemed a bit of a doormat. She’s also a procrastinator and it worried me that she was letting her summer house fall down around her. So, she wasn’t someone I initially bonded with. But I give Poeppel credit for making her characters realistic - flawed and struggling to find their ways no matter their age. And as the book progressed, I definitely came to care about each of the characters and what decisions they would make.
The book is definitely sweet, sometimes overly so. There are several extremely humorous moments. I enjoyed the weirdly complicated situations that everyone found themselves in.
So, if you’re looking for something light, yet moving, this will fit the bill. “Playing Synchronicity...reminds me that life is a perfect combination of chance and choreography. Much like the baroque dances. I had in mind when I wrote the piece. Imagine: a group of people come together and delight in the act of rearranging themselves into new configurations. One person turns, leaving a space, upsetting the arrangement, but the other dancers follow suit and they all align themselves anew. For a moment they are all are in motion, shifting with a chasse or crossover, until a new constellation forms and there’s a moment of equilibrium...before it bes again.”
My thanks to netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.

This was such a charming, delightful read! I honestly can’t remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book (years at least!). From the story to the characters to the plot to the descriptive writing (and everything in between), there were so many things I adored about this book that I honestly don’t know if I can do it justice even with a lengthy review. Where do I even start? Ok, perhaps with one of the elements that made this story so good: the quirky, yet realistically drawn characters who, despite their flaws, turned out to be so endearing. I love the fact that the two central characters in this story, Bridget and Will, have such a unique, special, long-standing relationship — one that transcends both friendship and romance and instead is akin to family, with a shared bond closer even than siblings. To say that the family dynamics in this story are complicated is an understatement — I would say that “dysfunctional” is a better term to describe this family, albeit in a completely lovable and irresistibly charming way. I adored nearly every character in here (both human and pet alike, lol, though of course, special shout-out to Ronaldo, the funniest parrot on the planet in my opinion). Some would say that there were too many characters in the story and it was hard to keep track, but I was actually fine with it, as I appreciated the different perspectives that each character brought to the story. In fact, I’m glad the author, Amy Poeppel, structured the story the way she did — basically allowing us to see the various events from each character’s viewpoint while at the same time giving us insight into the characters’ backgrounds.

The other thing I loved about this story was the humor. Most people may prefer “deliberately funny,” but I’m actually more of a fan of subtle humor — the kind that comes across so naturally that you don’t even realize how hilarious it is until you find yourself suddenly laughing out loud (and getting sideways glances from people around you). This kind of humor is extremely hard to pull off well, especially in written format where words always convey the intended emotion properly — yet Poeppel absolutely mastered it here! I don’t know how she did it, but she was able to make the story consistently funny in a thoughtful, respectful way, even while exploring some pretty heavy topics. Again, not an easy feat by any means. I talk about emotional resonance a lot in my reviews because this is a key component for me when it comes to reading. How does the book make me feel? What was the reading experience like? These (among others) are the types of questions I ask myself after each book and the answers help me figure out what rating best aligns with my feelings. One of the things that many of my 5 star reads have in common is that they move me to tears in some way (which isn’t easy given that I can be quite the cynic when it comes to emotions). With this book, while it didn’t move me to tears exactly (though a few scenes were mighty darn close to doing so), it did move me to (constant) laughter, which is even harder in my opinion given the type of humor I prefer.

I also like the fact that there was depth to the story and, like many of the best books out there, a meaningful message that was both thought-provoking and poignant. My favorite scene is the toast that Edward Stratton (Bridget’s father) gives at the wedding, which, aside from being one of the most best scenes I’ve ever read in a book, also perfectly captured the brilliance that Amy Poeppel was able to achieve with this story: hilarious and heartfelt! The brilliance wasn’t just in the story though....the many nuances with the book’s title – in reference to a website, the menagerie of characters and their various positions as they go through life, the throwback to the actual music component in the story, etc. – and the way it tied into the story in such a significant way, also added a fun dynamic to reading this book.

Obviously, I enjoyed this one tremendously and so of course would wholeheartedly recommend it! If you want a smart, well-written, hilarious story with lots of heart that also features a wonderfully eclectic group of quirky but lovable characters, Musical Chairs is all that and then some. Those who know me know that I’m a picky reader and usually very stingy with my 5 stars (case in point – out of the 38 books I’ve read so far this year, not including this one, I’ve only rated 2 of them 5 stars), but this book absolutely deserves it! And yes, I have every intention of going back and reading Amy Poeppel’s backlist, as I’ve been told her previous novels are great as well.

Received ARC from Emily Bestler / Atria Books via NetGalley

3.5 stars

Amy Poeppel's 'Musical Chairs' is a story focused on friendships, family, and love in all its forms. It's filled with many entertaining and complex characters whose threads all manage to tangle with each other (and oft times knit themselves together) in interesting and unpredictable ways.

The showpiece of this book is definitely the friendship between protagonists Bridget and Will, who are literally just best friends, and the exploration of their friendship dynamic is a delight to read. There's no element of the "they've secretly been in love with each other for years" idea, though there's definitely a place for that in other novels. Just not this one. Poeppel provides us with many richly sketched characters, all with their own frenetic energies and unique quirks. The dialogue is rich with humor and wit. And the sweet way that everything kind of comes together in the end makes this a delightful and witty summer read.


Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for generously providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Both of Amy Poeppel's prior two novels, Small Admissions and Limelight, are on my ever-growing to-read list, but Musical Chairs is the first one that I've actually read. And I'm convinced that I started with the right one.

Bridget and Will have been best friends--and just friends--since they met at Juilliard ~30 years ago, and together they run the Forsyth Trio, a chamber group that they started back in college that has enjoyed modest success. But they're both getting older and dealing with a lot of issues. Will is worried about gigs and making ends meet. Meanwhile, Bridget gets dumped suddenly by her jerk-off boyfriend, her grown-up twins decide to move back in with her temporarily for the summer, and her ancient father, who's in his 90s, is getting remarried.

At its heart, Musical Chairs is the story of Will and Bridget's crazy summer, and all the people who dance in and out of their lives during it, whether they be friend, family, lover, or other. Without a doubt, it is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, full of ups and downs (both big and small), as well as so many characters that keeping track of them all requires active mental effort. Ultimately, it is a feel-good drama about love, in all its messiness and all its forms, that ends on a heart-warming and uplifting note.

If you're looking for something that makes you feel good after finishing it, Musical Chairs is the book to read. And I will definitely be reading more of Poeppel's books in the future.

This book was so in my wheelhouse, it was like it was written for me specifically. Taking place over one Summer, Bridget and Will who have been friends forever, have major life decisions to make.

Bridget and Will have been part of a reputable Piano trio since College. There is one problem they are down one player. They think they have one of the biggest violin players signed, when that all falls apart.

During this time Bridget goes to her summer home in Connecticut, which she is planning on spending with her boyfriend. In the course of day, he breaks up with her, her two adult children move home with her, and she finds out her father is getting remarried to his best friend’s wife.

Will, is very single, and about to lose his apartment in NYC. He also happens to meet a woman on the way to Connecticut, who he quickly discovers he has feelings for.

This all culminates into a very charming complicated family story. This is a very loving family and yes, Will is family to Bridget and her kids. I loved this book so much, even the supporting cast was perfectly written in. One thing that bother me sometimes is that everything has to be tied up at the end with a bow. While this has a very satisfying ending, Poeppel has left the ending up to interpretation.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Somehow I missed last Tuesday’s pub date for this one ... I had it for August 4th release, it was actually July 21st so, I’m splitting the difference! 🤷🏼‍♀️

Musical Chairs was a fun read with a good storyline and interesting characters. If you enjoy Amy Poepple’s books, this one won’t disappoint 👍🏻 Quirky characters, charming setting descriptions, romance, drunken mishaps, pets and plenty of humor make this a perfect summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Publishing for the gifted copy.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Musical Chairs by Amy Peoppel.

I was actually able to tell the author how much I enjoyed this book, and that felt so glittery and nice.

Bridget is a woman who has lived. Being the daughter of a larger than life musician, she's been given opportunities galore. She is also a musical in her own right and has sustained a long term friendship with her fellow trio member Will. But the story starts with her looking very much forward to escaping the world for a summer in an old family home with her new boyfriend Stirling. However, after several mishaps and unannounced visitors, it turns out to be a summer that she could never have bargained for.

I had SUCH a good time with this book. It really was such a dreamy summer fairy tale, but without being over saccharine. I adored the relationship between Bridget and Will, how they fought, and leaned on each other. I loved the complicated relationship she had with her dad and children. It was such a delightful family drama to watch unfold, I was sad when it ended.

Musical Chairs is a clever and entertaining read! This book hits both the emotions and the funny bones at the same time and I can't recommend it enough!

Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel. Such a fun read!! Bridget and Will have been friends since college and they have a trio called the Forsyth3. Will plays piano and Bridget the Cello. They usually have a Violin in their trio, and when this book starts they are waiting on a new violin player. Bridget has two grown children, a boy and a girl that are twins. Both of her kids wind up joining Bridget at her summer home in Connecticut. Will joins them as well. This book take you through the summer and what each of these characters are dealing with in their lives. Along the way the author introduces you to many other people that she is able to intertwine into their story and it makes for a great book! Love, betrayal, happiness, and in the end redemption. This book was just published last week and is definitely a book that is worth buying! 4⭐

For me, every season brings its favorite reading spot and genre of book to read. In the summer, that spot is poolside; feet in the pool and fizzy drink by my side. My genre of choice? Breezy reads, with plots that move and/or endearing characters you want to spend more time with.

I’m new to Amy Poeppel, but “Musical Chairs” fit right in with my summer reading wishes. Bridget is surrounded by lovable characters and chaos. She’s dreaming of a quiet summer away with her boyfriend in her East coast rural getaway. He’ll work on his book, she’ll practice her music, they’ll drink lots of good wine and indulge in some much-needed quiet romance. But then, like all of us can relate to in 2020, every single plan and expectation of normalcy flies out the window. Grown children move in for the summer, an aging parent needs help, the house starts falling apart around her.

I related to Bridget trying to always look on the bright side of things. I also loved they way Poeppel included a deep relationship between a male and female character that was deeply rooted in friendship, without a hint of one of them secretly longing for the other - so refreshing!

Humor, heart, dogs, and sheep.Amy Poeppel has written a wonderfully whimsical story of family and friendship. Bridget is excited to spend the summer in her summer home in upstate Connecticut with her new boyfriend Sterling. A nice quiet summer with just the two of them. That is until Sterling ends things over email and Bridgets adult twins show up with crises and without notice. Not only that her 90-year-old father has just announced his pending marriage, and guess who’s hosting the wedding? Suddenly Bridgets quiet summer has turned quite chaotic. Thank goodness for her good friend Will! Bridget and Will have known one another since college. Most people assume they have been romantically involved at some point, but they truly have only ever been friends. Bridget plays the cello, will plays the piano, and they make up 2/3 of a trio. It’s that third member, that third chair that keeps changing.

This was the perfect title for this book not only was the trio constantly in search of the third chair, but the book itself had a constant changing of characters. At first I had a little trouble keeping track of who was who, but it did not take that long to get into the rhythm of the story. The book really highlighted the complexities and chaos of family life. Each character in this book brought something special and necessary to the table. There were so many humorous moments some involving sheep and chickens, some not. But my favorite moments of the story were when all these crazy characters were together, truly never a doll moment. Amy Poeppel’s descriptive writing style made me feel like I was right there with these characters. A well told story packed with characters I grew to adore.

This book in emojis 🎼 🎻 🐈 🐕 🐑 ☔️ 🏚 🍷

*** Big thank you to Atria for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***

This is my first book by the author and I have to say that the beautiful cover drew me in. This is a story about love , lost and new beginnings. What I enjoy the most is the beautiful friendship between Will and Bridget . I love the care and reverence they Have for each other . I also enjoy the transformation and growth I see with them throughout the story, the essence that’s it not too late to make big decisions and try something new. This story had a lot of characters , which at times can be challenging to remember who’s, who. In the beginning I was really invested, but somewhere in the middle , it lagged and I got bored. It picked up back again towards the end . I didn’t connect with the characters , which had a big effect on me not enjoying this story. If you like home renovations and stories with multiple characters then this book will definitely be for you.

Thank you Netgalley and 'Atria' books for sending me an advance readers' copy for 'Musical Chairs'.

'Musical Chairs' is about love, relationships, humour, heartfelt, breakups, and music. Bridget and Will have been best friends for three decades. They have nurtured their baby, the Forsyth Trio—a chamber group they created as students with their Juilliard classmate Gavin Glantz. Bridget, who is dumped by her recent boyfriend and her children going through their breakups and revelations, is trying to recuperate their group on her father's wedding but it doesn't seem that easy.

I was gripped from the very first page of the book. The book not only gives you surprises but some sweet surprises as well. I am a sucker for old love stories and second chances. This book was perfect for me to kindle those romantic choices. The description of the countryside mansion and Bridget's old house with the barn seemed so realistic that I felt roaming in Cincinnati countryside. There are music and talks of music in this book so be prepared to embrace the knowledge of music with a lot of other interesting elements this book has to offer.

All the characters are likeable. I loved all the characters and wanted to befriend most of them. The relationship between father-daughters and sisters are my favourite in this book. Will and Bridget's long-lasting friendship is so adorable and is a goal.

It is a perfect book for a binge-reading in one summer afternoon with a little music playing in the background. If you love music, love to read about music with a string of humour, romance and surprises, grab this book.

This was a very cute novel. Loved all the musical references throughout, like beginning with the prelude and ending with the coda.

I loved Bridget. She was a fun and relatable character.

However, this novel was a little difficult to get into. Despite all of the musical references, it didn't quite capture my attention like I had hoped it would.