I really enjoyed Shiner by this author, so Mercury was on my most anticipated list. It’s a family drama, which I love, character driven and a quiet story in many ways. It’s the story of Marley West, who settles in Mercury with her single mother, a nurse who works long hours. Marley meets the Joseph brothers who are well-known in town and own a roofing company with their father. She becomes interested in one of the brothers, Baylor, but he is hot and cold. That’s when she and Way connect and fall deeply in love. Marley becomes wife to Way, but deeply in twined in all three brothers lives and becomes a mother figure to all of them after their mother dies.

The relationship between Marley and the family was suffocating in how much they needed her and how desperately some of them wanted her in ways they could not. The story with Elise, the mother, seemed a bit off to me and was not that believable because her character was not very developed. The relationship between Marley and her own mom could have been better developed.

“You can have more than one home, Shay.” She took his hand and held it in her own. “We’ll always be the people you’re from.”

My first read of 2024 was Mercury, and man, it set the bar high for the rest of the year. If you love character driven stories, small town vibes, and complicated family sagas - this is for you! With an underlying current of mystery, Mercury follows Marley as she moves to a small town and forms a bond with the complicated Joseph family.

It’s a beautiful story that had me reading late into the night, which I haven’t done in a long time! Despite the character flaws, the author will have you rooting for each one of them and I was sad to see the book come to an end. While Burns’ writing is unique, I found it similar to Tracey Lange’s books, the slow-burn/character focused nature.

A shoutout to @nightowl.bookworm who shared that this was a ‘read now’ earlier this year on NetGalley and prompted me to request it/read it so fast! Thank you @netgalley and @celadonbooks for the eARC. Mercury is now out in the world and I’d highly recommend picking it up!

I am late on the train with this book but it was a solid read! Recommend for anyone that wants to get lost in a drama story that makes you escape your own life. Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Thank you Celadon books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Mercury was an emotional read. Picking apart the bonds and fissures between a family, Amy Jo Burns beautifully illustrates the complexities in each relationship. There were many times I found myself to be frustrated with the characters and their choices, and I wish I could have reached inside the book and changed their paths. Overall, this story was a great work of literary fiction.

Thank you again for the ARC!

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns is an emotional story about how the decisions we make affect our lives and the meaning of love and family. Marley moves to the small town of Mercury and meets the Joseph brothers. She instantly falls in with their family when dating the oldest brother; however, she ends up marrying the middle brother, and her decision will affect the family bonds. Years into the future, Marley’s marriage is complicated and the brothers’ bond is tenuous. When a body is found in the church attic, they al lol must face the decisions they’ve made in the past, and it will either strengthen their family bond or break it.

I loved this book. I felt the characters were three dimensional and very well written. I give it a four of five stars as u felt it ended a bit abruptly and would have liked to see a bit more of the family at the end.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to Celadon Books for the gifted ARC!

I have so many thoughts on this book and I'll try to make them as concise as possible.

Here's what I loved;

-All of the mystery(ish) plot
-The three brothers and their relationships with each other, especially how their names rhymed (little details like that add a lot to a story for me [Bay, Shay, and Way= perfection])

Here's what I didn't love:

-The order in which the story was told; I really think this could have been better if the story was told more linearly or at least more consistently back and forth
-Marley...I know, I know, but I just never found her character enchanting or even realistic
-The mama drama (Marley and the boy's mom)

Overall, this had so much that I really liked and that is RIGHT up my alley. Amy Jo Burns can definitely write incredible characters and I will be looking forward to what she puts out next!

This book is out now!

3.5 stars rounded to 4 for GR

This family drama is set in a small town in Western Pennsylvania in the 1990s. It’s told primarily from the perspective of Marley, who moves to town as a teenager and finds herself entranced by - and eventually joining - the Joseph family, which consists of older brothers Baylor and Waylon, younger brother Shay, scattered dad Mick who runs the family roofing business, and elusive mother Elise. The book starts in 1999 with the discovery of a dead body in the sealed off church attic, before going back nine years to Marley’s arrival in town, eventually catching up to that time frame with the bookended portions told from the perspectives of other members of the family.

Despite starting off with a dead body, this is not a mystery - it’s a family drama, a coming of age novel, and a heartfelt character novel about a bunch of very flawed but interesting characters. It’s a bit of a sad book, but with hopeful notes, and very well-written. Fans of family dramas like Hello Beautiful or The Connellys of County Down should enjoy this one as well.

4.25 stars

I just couldn’t get in to this book. I really did give it a try. It just wasn’t for me. It started really slow and the pace never picked up.

It's 1999 in the small town of Mercury, Pennsylvania, just outside of Pittsburgh, and brothers Waylon and Baylor, who help operate their family's local roofing business, are called to the Presbyterian Church to investigate a leak coming from the ceiling. Upon further investigation, the source of the drip is determined to be a much bigger problem as a body is found wrapped in purple choir robes.

In a flashback 9 years earlier, Marley West, the new girl in town, wanders upon a local baseball game and is introduced to the Joseph family as she tries to break up a brawl between Waylon and Baylor but is stopped by their mother, Elise, before she can step in. Soon Marley is dating Baylor and integrating herself with the entire family. Through the years and many ups and downs, Marley's relationship with the Josephs changes as she marries a brother, forms tight bonds with some members, and tries to steer clear of others. When the present day mystery of the church body eventually causes fingers to be pointed in the direction of the Josephs, they must work through their pasts together in order to weather the storm.

I love a good family drama and was really excited to get early access to Mercury. I enjoyed the depth Amy Jo Burns went into with most of the characters as far as their motivations and feelings, although at times their internal and external dialogue did seem disjointed in that it felt like there were pieces missing in order to get to the sentiments that were conveyed. I also thought starting with the reveal of the dead body followed by the slow development towards the answer of who it was and how they got there made for a really entertaining storyline. Overall, I really enjoyed Mercury and am looking forward to reading more from the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC.

Mercury follows seventeen-year-old Marley West, the new girl in the small town of Mercury, Pennsylvania, a town which sees few incoming people. It begins in the 1990s and follows Marley and the Josephs, a family of roofers, over many years. It is told primarily through Marley's point of view, but also through those of the other family members, which allows for deeper character development. Mercury is an intense character-based slow burn family drama which explores themes of complex family dynamics and dysfunction, found family, intergenerational trauma, mental health, and the expectations and roles that are placed on women within a family. The writing was engaging and immersive and Marley's strong voice and character carry the reader through the story. I especially liked the character of Marley's mother.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley.

This was a great family drama that really delved into some deep issues. It was a nice take on a found family trope and very character driven. I loved how the characters were so real and authentic, and the writing was beautiful. Altogether an enjoyable, entertaining read!

This story delves deep into the complexities of family, loyalty, and the secrets that bind us together. Set against the backdrop of a blue-collar town in 1990, the story follows Marley West as she navigates the turbulent waters of love, loss, and redemption. One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the portrayal of the Joseph brothers and their evolving relationships with Marley. From the moment Marley arrives in town, the bond between them is palpable and it is interesting to explore their unconventional family unit. Marley's journey from a lonely outsider to a central figure in the Joseph brothers' lives is both heartwarming and heart-wrenching, highlighting the power of love and resilience in the face of adversity. I love how the author was able to capture the essence of small-town USA with such vivid detail, that it felt like I was right there. This is a beautiful story of love, loss, and the enduring power of family.

4/5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book first caught my eye as it was a Book of the Month option for January. While I chose a different book for my pick there, I put it on my shortlist of books to purchase. Thankfully, NetGalley and Celadon Books were generous enough to offer an advanced copy.
Any book featuring a family dynamic spanning multiple members always catches my eye and this one didn't disappoint. Its set in the 1990s and follows a family of roofers and the way their life alters when an outsider joins rank. Part mystery, part drama this book truly found its footing in the character work done in the last third. Personally, it happened too late in the book for me and I found it quite jarring compared to the writing of the beginning.
Reading, I could tell the author had some stake in the roofing industry as it all had a personal ring to it. But it felt like the author had so much to say that she reworded and often repeated the same sentiment over and over making the first two-thirds a slog to get through. If the whole book had focused more on the whole cast of characters, I could see my rating being a five star. As it stands, this is a solid three star. I did cry in the last third and there were sentiments that will stay with me, but I almost didn't get to any of that.

This is the first book I have read from this author and wasn't really sure what to expect. The book starts out at the end and circles back while fleshing out the characters along the way. The character changes and the story reverts to what is going on with that character, however Marley is covered the most.

Marley moves to the small town and is drawn initially to one of the boys, however she finds that she is more drawn to the family and finding her place within it. This book follows the dynamic and world of the Joseph family as they transform, survive, and exist. There are so many minute rules that this family follows and lives with that is harmful to each one of them, however they all feel that they are being selfless to each other. This book unwraps these things that have created their dynamic and shows their lives, thorns and all. I really loved this book and want to read more from this author. Thanks for the ARC, BookishFirst.

This was a great story on audio. This book is full of family secrets in a small town. Thier are dual perspectives and timelines to tell the story of a family over the years.

This was a beautifully, complex story that focused on the family dynamics of the Joseph family. The story was captivating and I couldn't help but fall in love with all of the characters and to root for them all to find happiness. This is a story that will stick with me for a long time.

It was a bit of a slow start for me, but once I was invested, I was IN. Another reviewer wrote that it was a book about a family that doesn't know how to love each other and I think that is the best summary of the story that I've seen yet. I love Burns writing. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book== it was published on January 2, 2024, and one I'd recommend you add to your list.

Mercury by Amy Jo Burns tells the story of the Joseph family, roofers by trade, who have their obvious flaws, but somehow manage to make it each day in the name of family loyalty, determination, and love. Marley married into the family when she became pregnant in her last year of high school. Determined not to end up like Elise, her mother-in-law, Marley starts running the family roofing company behind the scenes. Her husband, Waylon, is the emotional tie in the family, steadfast and dependable. Oldest brother, Baylor, is a bit like a bull in a china shop - rough around the edges and lost, trying to find his way. Shay is the youngest and he finds in Marley the love he didn’t get from his mother. Mick, the patriarch, does what he wants and gets away with it, the rest of the family turning a blind eye to what he does. In the end though, this family will circle and protect what is theirs. This is a book to savor and take your time with. Even with all their glaring faults, you don’t want to leave this family behind. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the advanced copy. Opinions expressed are my own. This book was published on January 1, 2024.

#netgalley #arc #bookstagram #Mercury #AmyJoBurns #CeladonBook

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for a free ARC of Mercury in exchange for my honest review.

I'm going to be very honest here: I chose to read this book because my dog's name is Mercury and I think she's just one of the greatest things to ever exist.

Also, it was very hyped on a lot of different book lists, which had me very curious.

Mercury tells the story of a multigenerational roofing family, specifically their love, secrets, and dramas.

This one ended up just being ok for me. I will admit that my own personal preferences and life experiences probably clouded my judgement and enjoyment of this book. Plain and simple: I'm likely just not the market audience. In fact, family dramas might not be one of the genres that I enjoy reading at all.

Most characters were not only unlikable, but down right insufferable to me. I found the men to be extremely selfish; while the many of the women characters were weak and suffered immensely because of said men. I wanted Marley in particular to realize her worth and act on it. The lack of communication between characters also kept me constantly frustrated.

I also found the pacing to be very inconsistent. The first 30% or so of the book I enjoyed. I wanted to see where the story was taking me. I soon realized that it didn't take me really anywhere. A lot of descriptive words are used, but essentially nothing really said or problems solved. Overall, I just didn't have a desire to keep reading it, which made finishing it a bit of a chore.

Final rating: 2 1/2 ⭐️

#Mercury #CeladonBooks #NetGalley

This story took a bit to get into for me but once it starting going I did enjoy it. This is a story about the Joseph family, a body in an attic, and the drama that ensues. This book follows Marley, a girl who finds herself entangled with the Joseph family, and her relationship with each member.

Overall a good book but slow to start. Thank you for the ARC for my honest review.