A wonderful novel about a grown-up relationship. I love how Christina Clancy writes about the complications, pleasures, and frustrations of long-term, mid-life relationships. Her characters are thoughtful and ambivalent and, most important, feel real, which makes for an interesting ride as Grant goes missing from a hike in Palm Springs and Kim, his partner of 30 years, tries to figure out if something terrible has happened to him or if he's gone on one of his occasional emotional walk-abouts. Loved the Palm Springs setting as this midwestern couple figures out what it means to be truly committed to each other for the long haul. Clancy's writing is beautiful and goes down so easily; a pleasure to read!

The Snowbirds is a compelling domestic drama that delves into the complexities of a long-term relationship at a pivotal moment. Kim and Grant, together for 30 years and parents to grown twin daughters, face a significant crossroads. Both previously divorced, they have never married each other. Amid recent upheavals in Grant’s life, Kim is eager to escape the cold and spend the winter in the sunny haven of Palm Springs. However, Grant is hesitant, and while Kim quickly integrates into the Palm Springs community, Grant finds himself struggling to adapt. The tension escalates when Grant fails to return from a mountain hike. As the narrative unfolds, Kim grapples with the uncertainty of whether Grant is truly missing or has chosen to abandon their relationship. Through the ongoing search, the story reveals the couple’s shared history, their past relationships, and the personal challenges they face during this transitional phase.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found myself deeply invested in Kim’s journey as she anxiously awaited news about Grant. The writing was captivating, keeping me engaged throughout. I appreciated the depth of the characters, who were developed layer by layer, much like an onion. The narrative beautifully highlights the challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship and how life’s changes compel us to reassess our desires and priorities. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of choosing to stay committed, even when times get tough.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Summary: Kim and Grant have been a common-law couple for thirty years. Their daughters are adults now and living their own lives. Grant’s position as a college professor ended since the college closed, and rather than struggle through another bitter Mid-West winter, Kim has persuaded Grant to go to Palm Springs for the season. Once there, Kim quickly adapts and finds new interests and new friends, but Grant struggles to adapt to the changes in his life, his surroundings and his partner. Will their relationship survive the upheaval? When Grant fails to return from a solo hiking excursion, and efforts to find him are unsuccessful, Kim grapples with two difficult scenarios: either Grant is lost in the desert wilderness, or he has finally left for good.

Thoughts: I was completely engrossed in this gripping story of a couple at a crossroads in their lives and relationship. Palm Springs is sparkling, sexy and glamourous on the surface, but underneath is a hidden seedy side of homelessness and human vice, as well as a harshly challenging natural environment. Kim and Grant have a “successful” thirty-year partnership and two adult children. Underlying this however, they both have their personal demons which has led to periodic episodes of intense relationship strife during which Grant unceremoniously walked out. When he disappears yet again in Palm Springs, Kim isn’t sure if he has intentionally left or if he is lost and endangered in the heat and wilderness. This engaging novel is an intense look at the challenges of committing to a long-term relationship, the roles we take on and choices we make, and the unsettling questions that arise when we know our lives are more than half over. I enjoyed it so much and would recommend to any reader that enjoys a domestic drama with some tension and mystery.

I always love reading from the perspective or point of view of a character who is closer to my age. With that. being said, I was totally invested in this book. The character development and the plot were really well written.. Kim and Grant’s relationship was definitely relatable at times and written with both humor and emotion. I’m not sure how it is that I have never written a book from this author before. I enjoyed The Snowbirds so much that I will. be checking out the other books by Christina Clancy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were all so fun and full of personality, the story is told beautifully, and through all the twists and turn, you see the value of friendship and community. Definitely worth the read!

"I don't know about that," Thomas said, raising his glass to make a toast Grant did not participate in. "You'll have a hard time working on your relationship in a place where everyone starts drinking at three in the afternoon." Christina Clancy, The Snowbirds

Thank you #stmartinspress and #netgalley #gifted for this advance copy of:

The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy
Pub Date: February 4, 2025

Four 1/2 stars

A thoughtful, humorous and heartfelt story of a decades long relationship of Kim and Grant. They are at a crossroads in their lives - what to do next, where to go next and how will that impact those around them. This cast of characters are funny, sensitive and downright genius in the evolution of this couple and their recent temporary move to Palm Springs. Is it too late for each to find themselves and also find the spark that brought them together in the beginning? More than a love story, this is a life story. Of lost youth, next chapters and the age-old question, 'is this all there is?"

*** 9/3/24 *** Finished! Coming soon with a 2/4/25 pub date, this is really a relationship story about Kim and Grant (and their twin adult daughters), with a mystery glaze on top - will Grant be found or not??? And we have a side mystery about whether Kim and Grant will get married/stay together. And even a 3rd mystery about what location they might choose to live in.

Like many interesting books, this one has its share of memorable characters, including Kim's first husband, a very famous, very rich and very gay man, as well as his wealthy mother (all books need a very rich character or two to provide 'houses to borrow' and well paying jobs when needed). We also meet the Palm Springs crew, most of whom ooze personality, and Grant's first and ever-present wife.

The writing was very good and the portrayal of Kim felt very authentic. The book kept my attention between plot, character development, and mystery reveals, and I finished it in 2 days. With that said, the last 5% or so was good, but just too pat and perfect for my taste, even though I like a happy ending. 4.5 stars rounded up.

*** 9/1/24 *** Thank you, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press, for an advanced copy of this combo relationship/slow burn mystery novel by Christina Clancy. I've never read this author before, but am really enjoying this book, told from the POV of Kim, who is a 50-something mother and partner to Grant. Women in that age range will empathize with Kim's telling of her story - balancing career aspirations, love, family, her own personal desires and life preferences - against a backdrop of how she was raised, financial needs, and others' needs. I really like the structure and writing, which feels authentic.

We know from the beginning of the book that Grant goes missing after presumably starting a hike - a new hobby he adopted when Kim basically insists they "winter" in her ex's home in sunny Palm Springs after many winters in Wisconsin. I read that the author is from WI, which I love, as I grew up near there and have visited the state many times. But is Grant really lost? Did he want to disappear? What is the truth of Kim and Grant's relationship, and how will they decide on a future? Who knows? I'm 50% in and will review when complete.

This author has given us a quick read about a couple who is making changes in life. Although together for years, with twin daughters, they have never married. Now they believe the time is right. However, each has doubts. While trying to discern what to do, the husband-to-be is lost on a hike in Palm Springs. Chaos ensues in both their lives. Although the story lends itself to realistic fiction, at times, there was too much confusion. The different time periods made for some difficulty also. That being said, this is a story of love and committment that many readers will love.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

This was such a good book. I really enjoyed it. More than I thought I would. I loved the writing style. This book had me hooked from page one. This is a first for me by this author but will not be my last!!

I made it a quarter of the way through before I finally threw in the towel. It just did not hold my attention, I couldn’t tell where the story was going or why I was supposed to care.

What truly stood out to me was the author’s ability to blend humor and tenderness, exploring the redemptive power of change and commitment. The story left me reflecting on my own life and relationships, appreciating the depth and authenticity of Kim and Grant’s journey.