Annie Hartnett is a delightful storyteller. This is a quirky tale that centers around Emma, who has returned to her New Hampshire hometown, to help care for her father and figure out her life.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a charming book about a small New Hampshire town complete with a Greek chorus of its citizens buried in the town graveyard ! There is also a 19th century back to nature "ghost" based on Ernest Harold Baynes a real historical figure. Vignettes of his life and work (embellished by the author) are a refreshing part of the story.
There is just so much to the book. It is the story of Emma and her family who are dealing with dementia and addiction in family members. It is a finding yourself story for Emma. And it is a mystery about Emma's friend Crystal who has been missing for many months. It is also a story for animal lovers as wild and tame animals figure prominently in the story.
The book is perfectly constructed with great flow, especially considering all the disparate elements to the story.
The characters are lovable for their flaws and feel very real. Their lives are chaotic, sad at times but also laugh out loud moments. The author does a brilliant job of resolving the ending.
This is a magical book, one I really enjoyed. Just writing this review excites me to read it again!.
Publication date April 12 2022.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House, this book is a gem!

This book was just a little too out there for me. I just couldn't get into it with the ghosts/ dead characters and their backgrounds. Guess it just wasn't the type of book I enjoy reading

Thank you to Ballantine Books via NetGalley for a copy of this delightfully humorous, but deft and nuanced, book from Annie Hartnett; I loved how challenging topics were presented with an effectively light touch as it made it easier for me to see the whole story, not just the themes on opiates and family strain, and to appreciate that challenges we face can be seen with some humor and grace. The use of a Greek type chorus of cemetery voices worked well to give this book charm and quirkiness that will stick with me for some time.

3 things that stood out
1. Strong writing and well developed characters, even secondary characters. I love character driven stories and this is a strong example of how a talented writer can make characters dimensional and personable; the different voices carried the narrative forward nicely. The themes on healing and community really stood out to me as well, effectively woven into the story.
2. The humorous moments, the ability to bring a reader into a laugh despite as noted some big themes is welcome. I think many of us face tough challenges with humor, a running commentary in our heads (esp when it comes to family interactions). Humor can make the tough topics easy to process and appreciate the points being made.
3. A style and series of themes, and settings, that reminds me of other writers I like, including John Irving, Richard Russo, Maria Semple, and writers who are able to tackle tough topics with care and respect (themes and tropes of course also remind me of Lincoln in the Bardo).

I have not read other work from Ms. Hartnett yet but I plan to so I would recommend this book for fans of her work as well as readers who appreciate a quirky set of characters and strong writing. I think this would be great for many book clubs as well as there are a lot of ways to explore the themes presented as well as strong characters to talk about.

This is a quirky read. The quirks are all over the place, from the eccentrics in town, to wild animals being part of various households, to the Greek chorus commenting throughout from the cemetery,

The cemetery voices reminded me a bit of George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo"; there are rules, of course, about interacting and meddling with the living. There are scenes with the animals that are laugh out loud funny and could be scenes from "The Hotel New Hampshire". There's a sense of "A Prayer for Owen Meany" as the action propels to its elegantly unpredictable conclusion. I wasn't surprised with Hartnett's acknowledgement of John Irving in the credits.

There's a lot to like about this book. How many books start with a quote attributed to Ozzy Osbourne? A lot of heart, not treacly, just the right amount of sentiment. Each of the family members has a lot of personality, the cast of supporting characters well drawn (the fifth graders are a riot). There's a mystery to be solved. There's fictional history woven into the true story of Ernest Harold Baynes, the "real-life Doctor Doolittle of New Hampshire and alleged total ladies' man." A very creative, unique, joyful read.

My thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House- Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for this review.

Really great book and happy to have it on our shelves- Annie Hartnett is a really great writer and we will likely use this novel as a book club pick.

Full Disclosure: I received an advanced copy of Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.

I had heard about this book on the Nerdette Podcast. Everything about it called to me. Adult woman returns to small hometown and becomes a substitute teacher. I've done that. Even though it is set in New Hampshire, I couldn't stop visualizing it as Wilmington, IL. On the drive to move back home, she picks up a stray animal and brings it home with every intention of keeping it. Yep, done that too. So much love for animals in this book! Needed that. There are stories within the story related to the naturalist, Ernest Harold Baynes and his own animal adventures. Love epistolary story-telling! And finally, an unconventional narrator....Nailed it! If you are looking for something a bit quirky with a splash of dark humor but still leaves you feeling uplifted, this is a great choice.

As an aside, I got real George Saunders vibes from this book which is a compliment from me. Fox8 is one of my favorite short stories.

Bonus points for a cute cover and having amazing animal characters! I would read The Adventures of Rasputin and Moses.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC: This is a deft and light hearted exploration of very weighty topics: opiate epidemic, aging, death, career dreams, families--it's set in a town based on a real New Hampshire town and a quirky naturalist. The Starling family is dealing with a dying father, a strained marriage, a son in recovery and a daughter who is trying to find her way. The graveyard ghosts witness--but carefully don't meddle--and care deeply for the town residents. The story is engaging and deftly juggles the profound topics, moving the narrative along in an engaging manner. It's a mystery, an exploration of the natural world, social inequality--all told with light humor and grace. A book to be enjoyed.

This is the story of Emma Starling, who returns to her hometown of Everton, New Hampshire. She had gone to college in California but then not to medical school, as her family believed. She has returned home because her father is dying of an unknown brain disease.

The residents of the Maple Street Cemetery provide the narration for this story.

The novel has a cast of unique individuals, including the ghost of a long-dead naturalist, a missing young woman who was Emma’s best friend in high school, Emma’s brother who is back from another stint in rehab for opioid addiction, a small class of elementary students with unhappy pasts, and – of course – Emma’s father.

There is nothing at all typical about this novel. It is, in fact, quite bizarre, but it also carries truth and honesty as it deals with the successes and failures that are a part of family and friendships.

What an unexpectedly delightful, quirky book that I will be thinking about for a long, long time. I'm so glad I was able to read an early copy through NetGalley. I love the chorus of dead voices from the cemetery and the father's animal hallucinations. An inventive concept to begin with—and pulled off so beautifully from cover to cover.

This was one of those unusual books that required me to sit with my thoughts after finishing before writing any sort of review. The premise was absolutely original, which is what drew me in. At times it was chaotic and slightly unhinged, at others it drew you in with the feeling of being part of the family. If that doesn't describe the opioid crisis, I don't know what does. I think the best word to describe this story is unsettling. Definitely worth the time and the emotion you will inevitably invest in it.

My thanks to Penguin Random House, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This is such a unique book. Unlikely Animals is a book about family, friendship, mystery, and drama with a touch of magical realism where even the residents of Maple Street Cemetery have their say throughout the book. Emma Starling has returned to her small hometown of Everton because of her father's illness. Once home she discovers there is more going on than just her dad's illness; her once best friend Crystal is missing and no one knows where she has gone. This is a whimsical read everyone would enjoy. Thanks to author Annie Hartnett, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book for an honest review.

I received this book as an ARC and this is my review. This story is quirky and loaded with flawed but memorable characters. The animals play a major role in this dark comedy with a twist. I totally recommend this book to readers who welcome a fresh approach to illness, addiction and obsession.

weeks after finishing this book I still think of it fondly from time to time. the story follows Emma in her move back home that is accompanied by secrets, a set of curious characters both living and dead, a dog named Moses, and a “domesticated” fox via Russia. the writing was fantastic and the fanciful, delicate, and sometimes magical intricacies had me hooked. it’s not going to be a book for everyone, but I genuinely enjoyed my time in this universe. many thanks to Ballantine for an advance readers copy.

I enjoyed getting to the know the Starling Family and their town. I loved the quirkiness of everyone and how the community watched out for each other. I may not recommend this for my class (I teach early elementary) but will recommend this to family and friends.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The characters were a delight, including (and especially!) the cemetery narrators! The family dynamics felt genuine, funny at times and also sort of sad, but realistic. This book made me think about my own mortality and how I would want to be remembered by family and friends. It was an all-around good read, meaningful and fun, and I highly recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Emma is a young woman who was born with the ability to heal others with her touch. She returns to her home in rural New Hampshire to care for her failing father. Unfortunately, she has lost the ability to heal.

Her father is beginning to imagine things…particularly wild animals. He is also having an on-going conversation with the ghost of Ernest Harold Baynes (1868-1925), a real-life naturalist and writer who had lived in the area and had made friends with many wild animals. At the same time, strange things are happening in a nearby private hunting preserve. Corbin Park (also known as the Blue Mountain Forest and Game Preserve) is an actual, highly-secretive park. It is known to be the hunting grounds of Teddy Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, and many other noted individuals.

This book is an imaginative combination of a fictitious story set in a real background, populated with real and made-up people and, oh yes, ghosts.

I enjoyed the book and was happy to investigate the history of Baynes and Corbin Park. The information I learned enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

A wry, thoughtful, introspective book about a young woman trying to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. I thought the town characters were very well-drawn out, and I especially loved Emma's relationship with her students. The family dynamics were fascinating and realistic, and really shone in its portrayal of Emma's father's decline and how it affected those around him. The animals were also a fun touch! No spoilers here about the ending, but I did cry (and also gasp at how characters' storylines ultimately tied together).

Unlikely Animals is told in part by the small-town residents residing in the cemetery. The long- and recently-dead have amusing thoughts on the lives of those around them. Though the novel involves sad subjects like opioid addiction, depression, and dying, it does so in a quirky and ultimately uplifting way.

Emma Starling used to have a healing touch. She went to college across the country in California and got into medical school, but she realized she lost whatever gift she had. Her father has some degenerative brain disease—it’s not Alzheimer’s, but he does see hallucinations in the form of various animals, which forced the school where he worked as a professor to have him retire before the semester is over. Emma’s brother Auggie is out of rehab for the second time, and she realizes she has to face reality and admit to her family that she never showed up for medical school. When she comes home, she learns that her best friend from high school has been missing for months. Crystal also was battling addiction.

Though dealing with a dying older man and a younger man still trying to get back on his feet has its challenges, as a family and community, they come together to heal.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES APRIL 12, 2022.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher, and the author for providing this book for review. This heartfelt story is such a fun read. This is a story about a young woman who comes back home to be with her family and to find herself. Plenty of family and small-town drama ensue. These topics are treated with care by the author yet are also lighthearted and entertaining. The narrators are so unique and unexpected. They add a great deal of whimsy to this book. I also loved the historical bits added at the start of each section. I can easily say I have never read anything like this before, and I am so glad I was given the opportunity. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magical realism and small town family dramas. Thank you again to Net Galley, the publisher, and author for providing this book for my review.