Member Reviews
"It was unsettling to feel so unsure in middle age—more unsure of life than I'd ever felt. I'd always thought this was a time when I'd stop struggling and striving and finally just...be. Instead, I was at loose ends."
I seem to be on a "stories about older couples" kick lately and enjoyed adding Christina Clancy's new book to the mix. As someone who *is* half of an older couple, lives in the midwest, and dreams of being able to snowbird, I was up for whatever Clancy had in store for me. I hadn't read her previous novels, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Though I hoped for a happy ending, it felt dicey to walk through the ups and downs of the years with this couple, Kim and Grant. Of their 30-year relationship, Kim says it "felt like a Jenga tower that was built out of both love and resentment. One small insult, one uncomfortable truth spoken aloud, and we could precariously wobble and come crashing down."
Told with humor, a keen eye, and the poignancy that comes with being on the earth for more than fifty years.
I really like this story of a couple (Kim and Grant) who leave Madison Wisconsin to spend the winter in Palm Springs and to see if they can continue together as a couple. They've grown apart--can Palm Springs bring them together? The story is told from Kim's point of view and in multiple time periods that give the reader a great overview of their history, but the main focus of the novel is--where is Grant? He left to go hiking on New Year's Day and never came home. I really had to force myself from reading ahead to see if Grant was OK. I liked both characters--they were both very real, meaning they had their good parts and their bad parts, and the other people who come in and out of the story were great as well. All in all, I think this is a good portrait of a long term relationship and I'm glad I read it and will search out other books by the author as well.
The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy was, I am sorry to say, just ok. There wasn't enough of a storyline and the characters were neither likable nor well developed. This is my first book by this author and I would definitely try another one of her books. Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary ebook in exchange for a review.
In my head this was two old people dating in Florida for the winter, a funny romcom....
But in reality, it is a commitement phobic couple out in California for the winter. I didn't relate to them AT ALL and therefore took forever to read this book. It was good... just not what I was hoping for.
The cover is what drew me in to this novel. It started out OK and kept my interest. However at 35% it lost me. It failed to keep my interest and I didn't care for the main characters. So I ended up DNF.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
The writing was great! I struggled relating to the characters or even liking the characters but it was still a slow read!
Thanks for the review copy. I didn’t like the main characters much but had to know what happens with Grant. The writing was done well, though. I’m sure others will like it more than me.
I liked that this book started right away with Grant missing. So there is some suspense. Then it takes us back. I really liked the characters and the setting of this book. I think this felt like a real relationship with grownups making real choices. There was love and humor and great writing in this book.
The book was very slow for me. I couldn’t relate to the characters. I had hoped the story would pickup as I got further into the book. Sadly that did not happen. I don’t think it’s a bad book, it’s just not one that resonated with me. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
This book started off as one of those incredibly real, emotional reads. However it fell off quickly and I struggled to stay "involved" with the book. Grant and Kim weren't entirely unlikeable characters but I had zero connection to either of them and didn't care what happened.
This book started out fine to me. It kept me intrigued and waiting for what was coming up.
Sadly, a little before halfway through it failed to hold my attention and it just lost me. I never really cared for the characters, but I was curious to follow their journey, but then it got a little repetitive and slow, for my taste. I might consider giving this book another chance in the future, though.
2 stars
Starts off feeling very deep and emotionally driven. The problem is that neither Grant nor Kim are likeable characters.
At 36%, I just couldn't make myself care anymore. I skimmed to the end
I received a complimentary copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher.
Okay, I have never read a book quite like this one. It was so honest, true, and real. The main characters were fantastic! I loved the journey they went on. Christina, Id love to sit with you and hear all about the process and behind story of writing this. It was just so good! Highly recommend. Add to your TBR list for February 4. -Kelsey Vogeney @little_blue_book_hutch
Thank you for this e-ARC!
This is my first novel from this author and I was quite impressed by it. I loved the characters and representation of grown-up relationships where it details the frustration, confusion, pleasures and complications of their lives.
Overall, I enjoyed this read which left a little emotional impact.
First, what a gorgeous cover! The inviting scene drew me to read this story. The Snowbirds are a couple that have been married for thirty years and have grown children. They spend time in the desert of Palm Springs and the book takes off from there. Some points were slow, but overall I was into the story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Sadly this is not for me. Lost me several times. I had high hopes for this one. Hopefully it will be a better fit for someone else. Thank you for the chance to
Read it.
I have read this author’s precious books and enjoyed them so was happy to get a copy from NetGalley. It’s a well written novel about an older couple navigating life after kids are grown and facing life decisions. The writing kept me engaged by seeing both viewpoints of the main characters and the descriptions of life and the characters in Palm Springs.
I enjoyed the concept of this story and found it very relatable. The writing was OK an dit certainly kept me turning pages and wanting to know what happens next. Thanks for the opportunity to read and good luck with the book.
This was a nice story about a couple who has been together for 30 years. It was a vacation-y book and the characters were all written well. I liked the drama and the humor and the story overall. It had good pacing and it was a fairly quick read!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
The Snowbirds is a compelling drama about Kim and Grant, a couple of 30 years, facing a turning point. As they spend winter in Palm Springs, tensions rise when Grant disappears during a hike, leaving Kim unsure if he’s missing or has abandoned their relationship. The story explores their shared history, past relationships, and the challenges of long-term commitment. Engaging and well-written, it highlights the emotional complexities of staying together through life’s transitions.