Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. I love a good family drama and this did not disappoint. The characters were so well written. I loved each character in their own way especially Marley's character. I admired her relationship with each one of the Joseph's and how she evolved. I know these characters will stay with me for a while. If you enjoy family dramas, I highly recommend this one.

This is a story about a dysfunctional family at its core. The story starts with seventeen year old Marley and her mom moving into the town of Mercury. Marley meets the Joseph family of Baylor, Waylon, Shay, Mick and Elise. The Joseph’s own their own roofing company. Soon she is integrated into the family.

As the story unfolds, we find out the secrets the family has. Can they over come them or will the secrets swallow them up? This is a wonderful character driven novel about having secrets and what it means to be a family.

Thank you to NetGalley, Celadon Books and Amy Jo Burns for Arc copy of this book.

Emotionally resonant and deeply nuanced, MERCURY will hit all the right notes for family drama lovers.

The character-driven story follows the Joseph family known for their roofing business and their three boys destined for it. Told in a non-linear fashion, the layers of this family are slowly peeled back to reveal vulnerable characters searching for a place in their family and in the world.

When Marley arrives as the new girl in a small town and finds a seat at the Joseph’s dinner table the family dynamics are forever altered. An unlikely matriarch of the family, Marley plays a different role to each Joseph son which speaks to the myriad of roles we each play within our families.

This is a story of dreams set aside, complicated family dynamics, and the consequences of loyalty above all else. As a mom of three boys, the 3 Joseph sons really stole my heart with their distinct triumphs and tribulations over the years. As I turned the final page, I knew I was going to miss these guys.

READ THIS IF:
-You want to read unforgettable characters that leap off the page
-A satisfying character arc warms your heart
-You enjoy multi-generational family stories that explore the cost of quiet sacrifice


RATING: 5/5
PUB DATE: January 2, 2024

Many thanks to Celadon for an ARC and the chance to discuss with the Celadon Reads Together group.

4.5 Stars

This is a story of family, the one we are born into, and the ones we form through love.

Set in 1990, as this story begins, Marley West along with her mother have left the town where they previously lived, and have decided to settle in the small town of Mercury, Pennsylvania. Marley is seventeen, and will once more be the new girl in her new school. She is cautiously hopeful, but frequent moves have left her weary of trying to fit in, of trying to find the place and the people where she can feel like this is home.

This story goes back and forth through time, sharing her life in this town, the family she meets, the mother who welcomes her into their home, and the brothers who soon all seem like family. It isn’t long at all before she is sitting at their dinner table, sharing their food. The father owns a roofing business, and the oldest sons work for him, while the one that Marley meets at her new school is closer to her age. She loves being a part of this family, so different from the life she’s lived with her mother, who as a nurse is frequently working different hours from Marley’s school hours, they are like ships passing in the night, most nights.

It doesn’t take long before she becomes a wife to one, and the family grows. The men in this family are used to ruling the roost, and her mother-in-law doesn’t seem to have any say about it, and when she does, they dismiss her.

As time passes, the mother seems to be slipping further and further away, and so Marley steps in to help, watching over her, assisting her in a somewhat risky task that may come back to haunt her, and helping the company whether or not the men want her help.

There is a story of family, of love and sacrifices made, the bond of friendships, and the deep dark secrets we keep.


Pub Date: 02 Jan 2024


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Celadon Books

Mercury A Novel by Amy Jo Burns Poignant family drama with well developed and relatable characters. Engaging and emotional read.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Mercury is a tale of complex family and community dynamics. The characters are well developed and grow through a number of years together. It is at the same time a heartbreaking and heartwarming story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I always forget just how much I love family dramas until I’m actually reading one. And this was such a hit for me.

Short Synopsis:
Marley is 17-years-old and new to the town of Mercury. She immediately meets the Joseph’s brothers and fits a permanent seat at their dinner table. The ties to all three brothers are complicated and messy. This family story spans years and shows how marriage, babies, love and loss affect all of them differently.

My Thoughts:
I was immediately immersed into this story. I loved how Marley how very different relationships with all of the Joseph family. And how she came into her own confidence and story. The secrets and mystery was fun to unravel along with the characters.

Read if You Like:
🏠 We are the Brennans
🏠 Messy family dynamics
🏠 Character driven stories
🏠 Multi-generational stories
🏠 Small towns

I do hope the final copy includes trigger warnings though. Miscarriages and parent death are big ones and I wish I knew before going in.

MERCURY is a jewel of a novel - intricately crafted, shiny in just the right light. Burns' writing begs to be savored and highlighted. There are so many lovely lines and descriptions of the characters. And make no mistake, this is a character-driven story. The author knows the Josephs and Marley inside and out. Her psychological insights are perhaps my favorite aspect of the novel and what kept bringing me back to its pages.

This is not "women's fiction" despite the marketing copy on NetGalley. In my opinion, this is, no question, literary fiction. I'm not casting a judgment, but rather trying to convey what type of reader I think will enjoy this book. The writing and the emphasis on characters' inner lives will appeal to fans of literary fiction.

The family in this novel has been through a lot and, at times, they are frustrating. But I grew to adore them.

I look forward to Burns' next novel.

Mercury is a great family drama. At first I thought it would be about three brothers…. but it is so much more, and more about mothers and daughters. The writing style was just a little difficult at times for me. But great story. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.