CW: racism, parental favoritism, some blood mentioned but accidental (character cuts hand on accident, etc), near miscarriage (partially on page, partially off, kind of fade-to-black but it's obvious what happened), near-death experiences.

So, I think it says A LOT about a book when I want to throw something at the wall.

It means that the book evoked that much in me.

I understand Tess' dilemma, her husband's not perfect, but he tries. And no matter how he acts, it doesn't justify how she acts. I know she marooned in a white community that doesn't represent her. And she's reminded of the position she is in by her mixed twins (one who presents as Black and one as White). But it's obvious to the kids even who she prefers. And it honestly kills me.

I don't see a lot of character growth, but I think that's the point. It's so much more realistic. The family's Golden Child remains as such, and this book is a really good example of how it isn't malicious, but just because it's not doesn't mean it doesn't cause pain.

Fiona Williams' writing is gorgeous, effortlessly so. The way she constructs her narratives, split into seasons and the four POVs from there, and that Richard is the only one who doesn't get First-Person POV, is masterful. The varying lengths of the those POVs, with Max getting shorter chapters, is also a masterful choice.

Really good book, my heart rips into pieces for both of the twins. Their closeness was adorable, and their relationship felt so real. What they go through is hard to read, in a good way.

I just didn't feel the same from Richard's chapters, Tess' anxiety and suffering were there and it was all real, but I didn't connect to her like I connected to the boys. But that could be my own hang-up.

I was a bit confused about the ending-did Sonny die? Did Tess stay? Did I just miss something?

I love how this book takes the phrase "season of life" literally. Four character, four season meaning a character to narrate each one. Such a brilliant idea! The writing was beautiful, and each character was enjoyable in their own way. As for the family dynamic, I found myself relating to. each one in their struggles and their place in the family. It is hard to find a novel that really captures the essence of such a unique family dynamic, but Fiona Williams captures it beautifully. Oh and don't get me started on the setting! The author does a fantastic job at describing the locations. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC Opportunity.

Honestly found this book boring. Not much interesting happens as far as plot, definitely a character driven story. We get a lot of points of view in the story which is interesting but almost too much? The flow felt disjointed between the characters. I wish it flowed better, had good ideas just fell flat.

I thought based on the blurb this book was something i would be in to. Unfortunately it was not for me, and I had to dnf. I did not have a connection with the characters - I really look to be hooked within the first fifty pages and that didn’t happen here.

I received an ARC of The House of Broken Bricks by Fiona Williams through NetGalley. This was my first time reading this author, and while the book had some engaging moments, it didn't fully meet my expectations. The House of Broken Bricks follows Tess, a Londoner of Jamaican descent, who moves to the English countryside with her husband, Richard, and their fraternal twins, Max and Sonny. The twins, one presenting as Black and the other as white, stir up complicated feelings and questions of belonging in their small village. Tess struggles to adapt to rural life, yearning for the chaos of her city roots, while Richard obsesses over his farming duties, avoiding difficult conversations. The narrative spans a year, divided into four parts representing the seasons. Each family member's perspective is explored, with Tess and Sonny enduring microaggressions and Richard grappling with his own issues. The family's dynamics are strained, with secrets and unspoken tensions simmering beneath the surface. As the seasons change, the cracks in their relationships begin to let in light, offering a glimmer of hope for healing. While the book offers a vivid portrayal of family dynamics and the challenges of adapting to a new environment, some plot points felt predictable, and the pacing could have been tighter. However, the characters are well-developed and relatable, making the story engaging. Fiona Williams' lyrical writing and vivid descriptions of the countryside add depth to the narrative. Overall, The House of Broken Bricks is a decent read for those interested in character-driven stories about family and belonging. Despite its flaws, the book's strong character development and immersive setting make it worth a read. I would consider reading more from Fiona Williams in the future. #netgalley #thehouseofbrokenbricks

A touching and powerful family drama. There are themes of healing, acceptance, and the passage of time. The writing is atmospheric and brings the town and the inhabitants to life. I liked the quietness of the book.
Many thanks to Henry Holt and Company and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The BIPOC representation here was well done, and I enjoyed learning about Jess, who is native to London but of Jamaican descent. The alternating perspectives lent depth to the story and the author did a nice job exploring the complexness of heritage, culture and race in a sensitive manner. Overall this was a captivating read, and the way the author wove the scenery was superb.

Honestly the cover drew me to this book and I am soooo glad! A powerful story of family and grief, I really enjoyed this character driven story. This book made me so emotional and I don’t usually get that way reading books. I loved this beautiful story and highly recommend!

This book was an interesting choice for me. It was about the family of Tess and Richard. Tess was a city girl who marries a farmer and her life changes drastically to say the least. The rstory is really about the character growth of these two and how they deal with life’s obstacles. It was my first read by the author.

The House of Broken Bricks by Fiona Williams is a poignant exploration of loss and resilience. The novel follows a broken family living in a crumbling house, each member grappling with their own grief and searching for a way forward. While emotionally resonant, the story's strength lies in its ability to weave personal struggles with broader social themes. This creates a rich tapestry that's both engaging and thought-provoking.

The narrative unfolds slowly, offering multiple perspectives from each family member. While this technique allows for a deeper understanding of their individual journeys, the frequent viewpoint shifts can be jarring at times. Some chapter endings may leave you feeling disoriented before jumping to another character's scene.

Despite the occasional pacing challenges, Williams' raw and emotional writing style effectively conveys the raw pain and vulnerability each character experiences. It's a story about facing hardship, rebuilding lives, and ultimately finding hope within the cracks.

A slow beautiful burn of a story. A set if twins is burn to a family--oddly, two very different slin colors. The marriage is slowly falling apart as Tess dreams of life back in the Carribean. Wonderfully written prose that draws you in.

A slow burn story about a family. There are 4 POV and each painted a very bleak future. It was hard to read, at times, but I did like the ending. It's an interesting family study and I liked the bi-racial themes. It was just a tough read.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

The story was beautifully written and lyrical. I just found it jumped around a bit. A little extra time to fully develop the characters and chapters would take this from good to great. The ending was a bit of a let down.

First of all the cover of this book 😍⁣
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Second, this one being literary fiction I think might just not be my fav to read. Sometimes I like them and sometimes I don’t. ⁣
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Blurb: ⁣
Ain’t nothing wrong with being broken. Nothing at all. You’re like these houses, not a whole brick in em and look how strong they are. As Tess traces the sunrise over the floodplains, light that paints the house a startling crimson, she yearns for the comforting chaos of life as it once was. Instead of Max and Sonny tracking dirt through the kitchen - Tess and Richard’s ‘rainbow twins’ - Tess absorbs the quiet. The nights draw in, the soil cools and Richard fights to get his winter crops planted rather than deal with the discussion he cannot bear to have. Secrets and vines clamber over the broken red bricks and although its inhabitants seem to be withering, in the damp, crumbling soil - Sonny knows it - something is stirring . . . As the seasons change, and the cracks let in more light, the family might just be able to start to heal. This is the story of a broken family, what they see and what they cannot say laid bare in their overlapping perspectives. It is a tale of life in the cracks, because in the space for acceptance, of passing and of laying to rest, the possibilities of new energy, light and love, are seeded.⁣
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⭐️⭐️.5 stars, this could be partly me, I just had a hard time getting into this one, sometimes I had to flip back and see what I felt like I missed.⁣
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This is a very raw and emotionally written book. You definitely could “feel” the emotion in this one. It felt sad and broken. But the author does a beautiful job weaving the story and picture. ⁣
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Each chapter moves to a different character so you have to remember what was going on with each one. I was slightly disappointed with the ending, it didn’t tie things up or deal with anything that happened.

"The House of Broken Bricks" by Fiona Williams is a haunting exploration of family secrets and the lingering effects of trauma. Set against the backdrop of a crumbling mansion, the story unfolds through the perspectives of two sisters grappling with their dark past. Williams' atmospheric writing vividly portrays the eerie ambiance of the house, drawing readers into its mysterious depths.

However, the pacing at times felt uneven, with slow moments that detracted from the overall suspense. The characters are well-developed, each harboring secrets that slowly unravel throughout the narrative. Despite its flaws, the novel's atmospheric setting and psychological depth make it a compelling read for fans of gothic fiction. I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book, allowing me to delve into its intriguing tale of family dynamics and hidden truths.

The only thing I didnt like is that this books is narrated in different points of views between family members , however rte story is really nice and will definitely break your heart! It’s imposible to not fall in love with characters and love story.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

I loved The House of Broken Bricks. I loved the family story and the exploration of race. The writing was excellent.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A broken family lived in a broken house. They are struggling with loss and trying to rebuild themselves, each other, and their house and gardens.

3.5 stars. There were so many elements I loved about this book- it truly is a beautiful read. The lyrical prose style and the use of multiple POVs really works in this story. I found myself feeling extremely emotional on Tess' behalf on multiple occasions.

I did find myself getting repeatedly distracted by the fact that the dad's chapters are the only ones written in third person; everyone else's chapter's are first person. Now having finished the story I can understand the justification for this choice, but I did find it grating.
Sonny's chapters brought a different challenge: word soup. The writing style itself is stunning, however in Sonny's chapters (with a couple of exceptions) it felt like next to nothing was being said. It was pretty to read, but didn't add anything to the overall story. A lot of times his chapters felt very disjointed.

The themes in this book are intriguing and are explored in a really unique way, I just personally didn't love the execution 100% or the way the story was wrapped up.