Exploring what it really means to commit to someone for a lifetime. Kim and Grant have been living as a couple separate but together for years, never committing to a marriage with each other. They had twins after an accidental pregnancy early on in their relationship and are recent empty nesters. They have also deal with recent loss of parents, job changes, etc. and find themselves drifting apart more than coming together. They decide to take the opportunity and travel south for the winter to see if that can bring back the spark.

They end up in a super busy, super nosey condo community where Kim makes friends right away, Grant - not so much. It goes from past and present where we learn about the evolution of their relationship from that start. Also, how the dealt with each other's previous short marriages to other people that they are still very much connected to. There was a mystery elementary to it as well as Grant is missing in the present day timeline.

Their journey was funny, emotional, and raw. A different type of genre and book for me, and while I can't relate to the point they are at in their lives, it was still a fun read that I can see a lot of people connecting to.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. Release date 2/3/25.

(4.5⭐️) This was one of those books that quietly snuck up on me with how wonderful it was.

This was a little slow to start and took me a minute to get into, but once I was in, I was fully in it. While there was a bit of a plot, this was a strongly character-driven novel (which I always love) with fully fleshed out characters. Kim and Grant were flawed, relatable, real, and had a lot of depth. There were times where they each got on my nerves, but mostly I was really rooting for them or felt for them. I loved seeing their relationship grow over the years, and how the past sections contrasted with the present day chapters. I got so wrapped up in their story, and was itching to pick my book back up any time I wasn’t reading just so I could be back with these characters.

There is also a little bit of found family in this book. The people Kim and Grant meet in Palm Springs were full of life and each had their own personalities, and it was fun to see all the dynamics at play between everyone. The mix of personal growth and social/outward growth for the MCs was lovely and well-balanced, and the group they had behind them made it that much better.

If you’re in the mood for a slower, slice of life kind of book with self-discovery and love themes, definitely pick this up! I can tell it’s one that I’ll be thinking about for a while.

🏝️ W I S H F U L W E D N E S D A Y review 🏝️ featuring “ The Snowbirds” by Christina Clancy!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Kim and Grant have been a common law couple for 30 years and have adult twin daughters who are off living their own lives. They lead separate lives )but are together) and lately they have been bickering about where they want to settle down and what they want their lives to be like.

After the college Grant works at closes down and he becomes unemployed, Grant feels lost and insecure. He takes up hiking as a new hobby which helps to keep him in a much better head space

Kim decides that she wants them to escape the cold winter in Palm Springs at her ex-husband’s condo resort. But once they arrive, Grant goes on a solo hiking excursion and never returns! Did something bad happen to Grant or is this him leaving Kim for good??

WOW, when I received a copy of this book I had no idea what I was getting into! This is a story about family relationships and a couple being at a crossroads … but also all tied into a mystery! I found myself totally hooked and desperate to find out answers! The Palm Springs setting was also chef’s kiss!

“Had I manifested this situation? I was the one who’d felt restless. I was the one who’d pushed us to come here. Palm Springs had been my dream, not his. I rarely asked for much, and look what happened when I did”.

Thank you kindly to @christinaclancyauthor @stmartinspress @netgalley for my #gifted advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on February 4, 2025!

I am literally the WORST secret keeper.

I get way too excited and just can’t help myself, I need to share my news. Even if it’s not my news (per se) I still can’t hold it in or I’ll just about burst.

So, when I see the little reminders that tell me I’m not allowed to post until 30 days before, I nearly lose control of my bladder.

Well, I tried my best and I made it! This little blabber mouth, did not ruin the surprise for all of you. It’s 15 days before release day and I’m allowed to shout it from the rooftops!

I fell head over heels in love with Kim! Honest and genuine., full of dimension and layers ! There is even some hidden humor and silly banter that lays within these characters. Kim and Grant will have you rooting for them the entire way. They are slightly flawed which makes them all the more real . Kim and Grant opened my eyes to a deeper seeded love .

What happens if you’re “too late” to make things right , Getting to know these two opened my eyes to a whole new world and I enjoyed every bit of it.

This book is out Feb 4, 2025 and you don’t want to miss it! Here’s a little teaser:

Kim and Grant are at a turning point. A couple for thirty years, their "separate but together" partnership is running up against the realities of late middle age: Grant’s mother has died, the college where he taught philosophy was shuttered, and their twin girls are grown and gone. Escaping the bitter cold of a Midwestern winter for the hot desert sun of Palm Springs seems as good a solution as any to the more intractable problems they face.

When they arrive at Le Desert, a quirky condo community where everyone knows everyone’s business, Kim immediately embraces the opportunity to make new friends and explore a more adventurous side of her personality. Meanwhile, Grant struggles to find his footing in this unfamiliar landscape, leaving Kim to wonder if their relationship can survive the snowbird season. But when Grant goes missing on a hike in the Palm Springs mountains, Kim is forced to consider two terrifying outcomes: either Grant is truly lost, or this time, he’s really left her.

Is it ever too late to become the person we wanted to be―and is there still time to change into someone better? The exhilarating, but often confusing transitions of midlife are pitched against the promise and glamour of Palm Springs in this tender, honest story of what it takes to commit to someone for a lifetime. With compassion and humor, Clancy explores the redemptive power of finding ourselves, and of being found.

Wow! What a good read. My first Christina Clancy novel but definitely not my last. A fantastic cast of characters that kept me totally enthralled. I resonated with several characters and appreciate the midlife and late life questions. Great look at love and longevity.
Thank you NetGalley, Christina Clancy and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is my second book in very recent days about a couple facing challenges. But how it is viewed and handled in each book was so completely different. In this book, I felt hope at all times. I felt that there was love but confusion. With dual timelines, and then further flashbacks included, over the course of the book the reader gets great insight into the characters even though there is only one point of view. I understand why this book was title The Snowbirds, but I felt like that simplified the depths of the characters and the storyline. I mean, come on, Grant goes missing and Kim doesn't know if he is dead or has left her! That is a bit heavier than the pink poolside cover would imply. Over the course of reading the book, I came to care about so many of the characters. It was like spending quality time with friends!

Here is the feedback for the snowbirds. First and foremost thank you so much net galley for allowing me to read this book in advance in exchange for an honest review. The review is linked below 👇🏾

Once again, I chose a book because of its cover. I was expecting something fun and fluffy. Instead, I got a book about a relationship at a crossroads. It drew me in quite quickly.

Grant and Kim have been a couple for 30 years. They are not married. They don't exactly live together. But they love each other. The story is about their decision to spend a winter in Palm Springs, which turns out much differently than they expected.

I love the setting, Palm Springs sounds like a very interesting place. Unique homes, different lifestyles, quirky/eccentric people. There is some name-dropping of celebrities from the past and their homes. I took the time to Google a few of the homes……very interesting.

Much of the story is told as a back story…..I'm calling it the journey of Grant and Kim. The present story has a very dramatic turn of events. Grant is a professor of philosophy. Much of his dialogue and thought process is philosophical. As a very factual person who thinks in black and white, there were times when I grew weary of it. That’s my only criticism. And, conversely, being philosophical is who Grant is.

Interesting read. Food for thought about relationships. And, a mini-documentary about Palm Springs, past and present. Very satisfying. Even though I got a story that I didn't expect, I’m very glad I chose it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

🥾 This is a slower-paced contemporary fiction book about a relationship in trouble, set against the backdrop of a winter in glamorous Palm Springs- and I really enjoyed it! Thank you to @stmartinspress for the sneak peek. This is out February 4th!

🥾 This is about Grant and Kim. A couple who has been together for 30 years, but never been married. Now, facing an empty nest, jobs in flux, and more time together than ever before— they’re going to have to figure out if they’re still each other’s forever.

🥾 Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book. It’s a fantastic reminder to make space for your partner— even when kids and a job and hobbies all take up so much of your time and energy. And to not take your person or their love for granted.

🥾 I especially loved…
- not just the depth of the MC’s but all the fantastic side characters too
- the Palm Springs lore and glam
- the relatability of where Grant and Kim were in their relationship
- the mystery elements that kept me hooked and helped me see this through

🥾 One piece of advice: don’t try to tear through this in one sitting. To me, it’s a sip and savor novel, not one to be chugged in one gulp. If you can be patient with it, I think it’ll pay off! Again, this is out February 4th. Will you be adding it to your TBR?

🥾 Have you ever been to Palm Springs? Between this book and The Guncle, I am wanting to book a trip there stat!

This was a solid read but lost me about halfway through and it was hard to continue. I’m not sure if the narrator’s voice grew stale or the time-jump format just stopped working for me, but it got a little tedious. I thought some of the characters were very well-formed while others fell flat, and I didn’t really understand Kim and Grant’s relationship. The backstory of their previous marriages also got a little confusing.

I wanted to love this but I couldn't get into it.
It wasn't the right book for me or maybe not the right timing.

I hope it reaches other hands and hearts.
thank you to SMP for gifting me the arc in return for an honest review

Unfortunately this one didn’t work for me. I didn’t like Kim, the main character. She just grated on my nerves. I didn’t like her daughter’s name, Dort. I cringed every time I read it. And I found some inconsistencies, like a park ranger talking about Coachella being a local thing, but the book is set in Florida and Coachella is in California. I wish I had enjoyed this one more.

The Snowbirds travelled from cold Wisconsin to warmer Palm Springs to find a different view on life. After not getting married, they start questioning the relationship that they have, will it work out for them or will everything fail and break hearts. Loved the journey, loved the new relationships that were built from people they never would have talked to. This was a read that left me wondering what I would do in this situation. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, glad I got to read this story that kept you second guessing.

A unique story of a middle-aged couple at a turning point, and the many times, both small and big, that they choose to stay or go. You could definitely feel the frustration and the tension in this marriage, but admittedly a less-than-likable and very vocal narrator caused me to struggle a bit and I felt it dragged a bit throughout. Definitely enjoyed all the Madison-area references, though!

I loved Christina Clancy's first two books so I was excited to receive this ARC from Edelweiss. This one is about a couple, Grant and Kim, that have been together for thirty years. They are not married and have twin adult daughters. They decide to winter in Palm Springs and Grant gets lost on a hike. So Kim is looking back on their relationship for the past thirty years while Grant is being searched for. Grant is someone who runs when things get tough. So is Grant really lost or did he just flee? I have to say that I am not sure if Grant and Kim should stay together after finishing book. Maybe with therapy. They both have issues to work on. Most of the time Grant was away working and would just see his family on weekends and now Grant and Kim will spend all winter together because he has just lost his job. I wanted to know how it would all end but part of me was thinking that it shouldn't take a tragedy to make you see how much you love someone, but unfortunately I guess it can take a tragedy to see things clearly.

-...the only thing worse than letting a good relationship die is letting a bad one go on forever.

-If we weren't careful, we might discover that we actually enjoyed relaxing, and we would become lazy and...old.

3.5 Palm Springs Stars

This is my third Christina Clancy book, and I like her writing style. This one even has a mystery for the second half.

Kim and Grant are the couple at the core of this book. They’ve been partners for 30 years but never married. They also have two adult daughters. Their relationship is at a crossroads. For much of the 30 years, they lived somewhat separate lives. Grant commuted for his work at a college and spent the week about an hour away, only returning for the weekends. Now, his college has closed, and he’s at loose ends as Kim is beginning a work sabbatical.

They are offered a chance to spend the winter in Palm Springs, and they mostly welcome the change from Wisconsin winter. However, as Grant pushes to get married, Kim hesitates, and their relationship is on thin ice.

We met a whole host of interesting characters, and I enjoyed the descriptions of Palm Springs. It was also fun to explore the snowbirds' culture. Grant takes up hiking to fill his time and becomes lost.

The chapters alternate between the modern day and filling us in on their past. In the book's second half, it becomes a race to find Grant in the desert. Kim realizes how important Grant is to her, but is it too late?

The description of this book appealed to me as a resident of Palm Springs. A middle-aged couple escapes the Midwest winter to the desert, and one of them goes missing on a hike. It was a decent setup.

Unfortunately, the couple is so unlikable, and their relationship is incomprehensible. Why have these people been together for 30 years? They seem so incompatible, and their dynamic is truly dysfunctional.

Every other chapter is a flashback to either their life before coming to Palm Springs or their time in the desert before Grant’s disappearance. These chapters drag incessantly. Grant is a philosophy professor and comes across as boring as that sounds.

The scenes in Palm Springs mention so many attractions, locations, and stores that it seemed as if the author had visited once and made a list of identifiable names and places.

Overall, I would say the book was just OK.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I picked up The Snowbirds, I was drawn in by the premise—who hasn’t dreamed of escaping to a sunny, carefree paradise or wondered about the secrets hidden in seemingly perfect lives? It sounded so relatable, and I was ready for a poignant, emotionally rich story. But, unfortunately, the characters made it hard for me to fully connect.

Both main characters lacked the relatability and warmth I crave in a good book. Neither felt likable enough to root for, which left me holding the story at arm’s length. Their choices and motivations often felt frustrating or perplexing, making it tough to stay fully invested in their journey.

By the middle, I found myself a little bored, waiting for the emotional payoff I had hoped the book would deliver. But here’s the thing—the ending? It was just right. It tied things together in a way that felt satisfying and brought a depth I wish the entire story had maintained. If the rest of the book had captured the same tone and resonance as the ending, I think it would’ve been a much more impactful read.

While this one didn’t fully click for me, I could see others enjoying it for the coastal settings and themes of self-discovery. If you’re drawn to stories about flawed relationships and finding closure, you might still want to give it a try.

This book has a great premises but I just couldn't get invested in the characters.The writing was fine. i don't think this was a book problem but this book just wasn't for me. If it sounds like something you would like I would definitely give it a try. You may be able to get invested in it. DNf at 40%.

****Publishing February 4, 2025****

Christina Clancy sheds light on the ups and downs of midlife empty nesters. She brought a humorous spin into the story about a couple, Kim and Grant, deciding that they would try out being snowbirds in Palm Springs, CA. Kim was on sabbatical from her job and Grant had lost his job due to the college shutting down. This couple had been together 30 years, but never married. They had twins together who were grown and living on their own. They both still each talked to their exes. The house in Palms Springs was owned by Kim’s ex-husband. Everything was going pretty well until Grant went missing. Grant had a history of leaving and coming back. Was this one of those times? Is this the beginning to end of their relationship?

I love the banter between Kim and Grant. It made for an entertaining story! This book will have you laughing-out-loud, but also shaking your head at times! Perfect for book clubs as this book would lead to interesting discussions!


Thanks to St. Martin's Press, I was provided an ARC of The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.