Two best friends and their families' lives are about to be forever changed after one dreary night. Lorrie and Eden live in complete bliss. They are best friends who live in the same neighborhood. Their children are dating each other. Everything seems perfect until a trip to the hospital causes accusations to start flying around. Someone is lying, but you do not really know who to believe.

As the drama builds up, you get a deep look into the households of these two women. They look perfect on the outside, but there are secrets that are not on public display. They live in their perfect little bubble all while snubbing new neighbors. Now their personal lives are on full display for everyone to see and comment on.

This book is so emotional that I am completely wrung out after reading it. I could feel the emotions and understand the reasoning behind each mother and father's actions after this event. The mama bear protective instinct is on full display with these two. I also felt deep regret for the kids, Knox and Storm. They are just teenagers who have mocked what they have seen in their homes. It has molded them to be the people they are today. As the author starts revealing more and more secrets, I felt such empathy for almost all of the parties involved. Whew! I need a break after reading this one. I need to watch some comedy. The material discussed in this book is deep and heart-wrenching. As heart-wrenching as it was for me, I could not put it down. One night can ruin lives, but there is always more to the story. Find a comfy seat before you start reading it.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Although I do not typically go for books involving sexual assault, I thought the way that Caitlin Weaver told this story was great from all character perspectives.

I would recommend to anyone that is not sensitive to the topic of rape, but this story kept me wanting to read more.

What a page turner!… Absolutely breathtaking … I can’t believe I read this book in one sitting , it was so gripping

Absolutely loved this.
Thought provoking. Powerful message. Great read.
I could NOT put this down. One of the most realistic stories I've read in a very long time.
I hope to read more of Caitlin Weaver!!


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This extraordinary book is a must-read, capable of evoking laughter, tears, and a profound sense of reflection. It really had me questioning how I would react if this was my child.
It delves into the complexities of motherhood and explores how a mother might react in various situations.
Despite its fast pace, the book is thought-provoking and leaves a lasting impact.
I devoured this book in a day and I can't wait to see what Caitlin Weaver writes next!

This book was so heartbreaking but at the same time unputdownable. I could not hate any of the characters because all of them were so human. Well, except for one (Ed, you absolute POS!).

The author has crafted the story beautifully and with a lot of sensitivity, and that is exactly what this story needed. One of the best books in recent times that perfectly shows how humans are complicated creatures. Definitely recommend!

Picture perfect families are the ones harboring the deepest secrets...

I flew through this book, my intent was to read it over the course of the weekend and I ended up consuming it over 24 hours. It gave me flashbacks to when I was on summer break as a kid, staying up as late as possible to read. But, I digress.

Eden and Lorrie have been best friends forever. As they grew up, they found themselves being wives, mothers, and neighbors. Their lives were fully intertwined, they were family. When their children were born (Summer and Knox) the friends joked about their children eventually marrying each other. However, in an instant, the dreams and jokes are gone. An accusation is made, tearing apart these families and their relationships. Each mother wants to protect her child while trying to navigate the feelings of anger, heartbreak, and loss.

As a mom, this book forced me to stop and think several times throughout. I felt sadness, confusion, and anger. I saw things differently. This book was well written, thought out, and immensely thought provoking.

Many thanks Storm Publishing, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC.

Wow wow wow! Received an ARC of this book and devoured it! In a typical suburban subdivision, family friendships with kids similar ages. Eden and Lorrie become best friends and their kids who have known each other since they were babies start dating. Then whole hell breaks loose. So many different topics covered in this book from infidelity, consent to mental issues. I loved it.

One thing we love is a thriller with some drama involved!! Two mom friends having to fight against each other to get to the bottom of what actually happened! Sign me up for all the drama thrillers going forward. It was captivating and really got my emotions going. I wasn’t sure who’s shoes I could put myself into.

I loved this!!! The characters were so real and I was so invested in each one of them. I loved all the different perspectives we got from so many of the characters. Each one was perfection. I stayed up all night to finish this book! If you are a parent of a teenager, this one makes you feel so much. I will definitely be reading more from this author.

I finished this book 2 days ago and haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I’ve been really thinking about how I can describe the emotions and feelings that I had while reading this book and put it into words, but I just can’t. This was definitely an emotional roller coaster of a ride. The story follows two best friends and neighbors Eden and Lorrie and their families. Lorrie’s son, Knox, and Eden‘s daughter Summer end up dating their senior year in high school. But one night rips these two families apart and changes everything. Eden and Lorrie will do anything to protect their children. It is devastating to read how one night, one moment, can affect so many different people and just tear families and friends apart. I don’t really want to give much more away than that but this is definitely a book that I’m glad I picked up. I’ve never read anything by Caitlin Weaver before this, but I will definitely look for more of her books in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced reader copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such A Good Family
By Caitlin Weaver

This is an emotional and thought-provoking, amazing debut.
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC for my review. The book will be released in the UK on 12th June (and only £1.99 on Kindle)

The story follows two mothers, Lorrie and Eden, and their families. Lorries and Eden are best friends and neighbours who both have children. They have often joked that whilst growing up, their children should get married when they grow up. However, when Eden's daughter Summer accuses Lorrie's son of sexual abuse, all of their lives are impacted.

This book is, first of all, very well written and a very easy read. The subject of sexual abuse is handled sensitively, and due to the characters in the book being so realistic and relatable, the emotions really shine from this story.

There were many thoughts and questions that the author provoked during her storytelling that were interesting and compelling throughout, making the pages turn easy. This kind of work made me compare the author to the likes of Jodi Picoult, but written by a multiple of character viewpoints.

As the story progresses in this domestic drama, Weaver shows that awful things and bad decisions can be made by good people and how this can have a big impact on others and their relationships.

I really loved this book and would highly recommend it if you like a thought-provoking, emotionally charged family drama with good character work that tackles a sensitive topic.

I was reeeeeeally liking this up until 65% or so.


The fact is that both families failed their children so much. Lorrie and Ed failed Knox by not seeing that he literally had a porn addiction.

He even tried to talk with his dad, but he was being an asshole and a machoman, and he wasn't able to see the problem.

Witt and Eden also failed Summer, BUT DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON EDEN. When something like that happens, you have to put your daughter first. I get it. You have a trauma, and you think the same thing is going to happen to your daughter, BUT YOU HAVE TO LET HER TAKE THE KIT.

YOU HAVE TO LET HER MAKE THE DECISIONS.

YOU DONT GET TO CHOSE HOW SHE ACTS AFTER THIS, IT'S HER TRAUMA, NOT YOURS.

F you, Eden.

Overall, I didn't like the characters (none of them except Archie), and it kind of felt like there wasn't any plot. If I wanted to read a story that ended that way, I just have to open a newspaper, it's sadly an everyday thing.


Thanks NetGalley and author for the eARC!

This is probably one of the best domestic dramas I’ve read this year it was such a hard read but in all the right ways, it’s emotional, impactful and thought-provoking.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs and the character development throughout the book even if I didn’t agree with the decisions of some characters you can understand their feelings.

★ ★ ★ ★
———————
Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to review this book.

It's an old story. Two families grow up side by side. The mothers are the best of friends. Then a son begins to date a daughter. And an unthinkable four letter word comes between those two families: rape.

This is not an easy read. It is domestic fiction with scenarios you only want to see in fiction. Yet you know that sexual abuse is real to far too many. One might say a simple, "No" should solve all problematic interactions. In a simpler world this would be true. Unfortunately there are factors that influence young minds including social media body image messages, pornographic content, a sense of entitlement, high school cliques, and much much more. It's complicated!

Knox's mom Lorrie and Summer's mom Elena wake up to a whole new world after one fateful night at the end of their children's senior year. That one night will have a ripple effect throughout the community. Caitlin Weaver gives us a variety of perspectives in addition to the moms and the teens at the center of the storm.

As a mom of three boys who are well past their teens, I found this to be a compelling read. Caitlin Weaver, a mom of two boys herself, got the idea for this story after many "What if" conversations about raising children. If you are in the mood for a thought-provoking domestic thriller, give this one a try. Publication date is June 11, 2024.

Thank you to Storm and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a Good Family by Caitlin Weaver had me glued to my kindle all weekend. Lorrie and Eden are best friends and their children Summer and Knox grew up together and are both seniors in high school. They recently realized they had feelings for each other and started a relationship. One night at the park things didn’t go as planned and Knox broke up with Summer. But that isn’t the only thing that happened that night. Summer is accusing her boyfriend Knox of sexual assault. This puts Lorrie and Eden in a horrible position since they both stand by their children. I could feel the tension oozing from the pages. The story shows how something like this can affect everyone and how the views differ from the vantage point of males vs females. There were other story lines woven throughout that kept the story even more interesting. I could feel what Lorrie and Eden were going through. Me and my best friend had our kids 2 months apart. I have a daughter and she has a son. I couldn’t imagine how devastating that would be. This book was so good and thought provoking. Don’t miss it! Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the eArc.

Many thanks to @stormbooks_co, and @netgalley got my #gifted (free) copy. This one came out yesterday, so get your copy today!

I was shocked this was written by a debut author because the writing and the format were flawless. If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult or Liane Moriarty, you will love this author and this book! Once I started, I could not stop, and I did not want to do anything besides read. This was a tough and important subject to cover, and the author did an amazing job. This will definitely make it to my top books of the year category, so get your copy today!

Eden and Lorrie have been best friends and neighbors for fifteen years. They always dreamed of their now teenage kids growing up together and eventually dating and getting married, and then reality hits when they are found in bed together. Knox and Summer’s relationship is going as Eden and Lorrie envisioned until Eden gets a call that Summer is in the hospital. Told through multiple POVs that we get to hear everybody's side of the story as we piece together what happened that devastating night. The side characters' storylines were just as important, and I absolutely loved hearing their thoughts on the matter. Their lives are all changed forever in this heartbreaking novel.

An impactful narrative unfolds in "Such a Good Family," delving into the lives of two intertwined families grappling with a life-altering accusation. The story navigates through the emotional turmoil faced by the mothers as they confront the harsh reality of the accusation and the lengths they are willing to go to shield their loved ones. The narrative skillfully captures the complexities of familial relationships and the profound effects of unforeseen events on seemingly harmonious families.

The author, Caitlin Weaver, exhibits exceptional prowess in character development, cultivating a deep connection between the readers and the characters. Through the lens of the characters, the novel explores themes highly pertinent to contemporary society, offering a poignant reflection on the repercussions of traumatic events within families. Weaver adeptly portrays the intricate web of emotions and decisions that emerge in the wake of adversity, prompting readers to contemplate the characters' choices and the underlying motivations that steer their actions.

Moreover, "Such a Good Family" ventures into sensitive territories, notably addressing the aftermath of sexual assault and its enduring impact on the victims. The narrative provides a raw and authentic portrayal of the multifaceted experiences of those affected by sexual violence, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of post-assault trauma. By presenting multiple perspectives on the subject, the novel offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate dynamics surrounding sexual assault, urging readers to confront the harsh realities faced by survivors in the aftermath of such traumatic events.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review. If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.

Book Review: Such a Good Family by Caitlin Weaver

Such a Good Family by Caitlin Weaver is a compelling exploration of the delicate balance within friendships and family dynamics. The narrative centers on two women whose close friendship faces severe trials when their teenage children, who are dating, break up amidst accusations of rape. This devastating event disrupts the lives of both families, challenging the once strong bonds between the mothers and creating a divisive "he said, she said" scenario within the high school. It also raises crucial questions about addressing rape allegations when law enforcement declines to pursue charges.

Weaver skillfully examines the complexities of human relationships and the pain of confronting uncomfortable truths. The novel adeptly portrays the fragility of individual teenagers and the vulnerabilities of a school community expected to provide safety and support. The characters' growth throughout the incident offers a thought-provoking reflection on trust, justice, and personal resilience.

This one was intense! What happened one night managed to have a domino effect that rippled through the community. So many relationships were fractured or completely broken because of what happened between Knox and Summer. Told in muliple POVs, the story moved quickly and keeps the reader drawn in. It's a gut-wrenching but also thought-provoking story that I would certainly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review and opinion.