The Accidental Favorite is a novel which explores the complexities of a rather typical family. Alex, Nancy, and Eva are three sisters who have grown up to have their own families, problems, and secrets. Their parents also have some secrets of their own.

While on a retreat to celebrate their mom’s birthday, the family has a naming ceremony for Alex’s newborn. Suddenly a tree falls and seems like it’s going to crush the three sisters. Their father jumps to save only Eva, even though she isn’t the easiest to save. Luckily for the other two, the tree doesn’t end up crushing them, but it certainly makes them contemplate their father’s decision.

The book flips between the present day at the retreat and flashbacks from the family, recalling earlier family dynamics as each sister wonders if they are the favorite or least favorite child. Throughout their lives, their parents unintentionally showed favoritism at times, as most parents do. However, the sister’s memories also don’t always align.

My biggest criticism of the book is that it dragged quite a bit in the middle, and not all of the flashbacks were that interesting. However, it goes to show that sometimes it’s the small things that parents don’t even realize they’re doing which lead to their children feeling like they’re valued less than their siblings.

In the meantime, everybody in the present day family is juggling relationships and secrets, both small and big. While the sisters were once close knit, as adults they have to examine how close they really are. The stress of everything going on begins to add up for each member of the family, leading to a rising anxiety during what should be a fun family retreat.

Eventually all of the tension reaches its peak, and this is the most captivating part of the entire novel. The author did a very good job portraying how everybody slowly became overwhelmed.

This novel is probably relatable for most people, especially those with siblings. While there could have been some more depth in the middle, this was still an entertaining family drama, especially for readers who like something a bit slower paced.

A thoughtful, character-driven story that dives into the messiness of relationships and self-discovery—exactly the kind of novel I love for its focus on familial dynamics and the complexity of being human. The protagonist feels relatable in her imperfections, and the supporting cast adds depth without overshadowing her journey. The pacing is steady, and while some moments are predictable, the emotional resonance keeps it engaging. A solid, enjoyable read! Thanks for Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

I love a good family/sibling drama that looks at a family over time. Fans of Hello Beautiful and The Most Fan We Ever Had will enjoy this one. And while, I didn’t quite connect with these family members as much as I did in those books, this was still a good one (especially the last third).

Oh, I absolutely loved this book! Why can’t I have sisters—even ones as infuriating as these? Fran Littlewood delivers a sharp, heartfelt, and wonderfully messy family story in The Accidental Favorite.

At the heart of it are three wildly different sisters who clash in ways only sisters can. There’s Alex, the eldest and “married-and-in-control” one; Nancy, the middle sister and overworked doctor; and Eva, the youngest, model-beautiful and effortlessly wealthy. Brought together by their parents, Vivienne and Patrick, the family gathers for what’s supposed to be a rejuvenating week in the idyllic English countryside. Laughter, relaxation, and bonding are on the agenda—or so they think.

Instead, the week unfolds as a simmering pot of secrets, petty arguments, and long-buried grievances. Significant others appear who don’t quite fit in, while others fit in far too much, adding fuel to the family dynamics. And it all kicks off with Patrick’s reaction to a near-accident—a moment that unearths the undeniable truth that he has a favorite daughter.

Told through a mix of present-day chaos and emotionally charged flashbacks, Littlewood’s storytelling hits all the right notes. The scenes are vivid and relatable—moments that will remind you of childhood slights, sibling rivalries, and those achingly real feelings of wanting to belong. The family is both exasperating and endearing, and I found myself wishing I could dive right in to be a part of their madness.

It’s a week for the record books, full of humor, heartbreak, and moments of surprising tenderness. The characters are rich, flawed, and utterly human, making it impossible not to love them—even as they drive each other (and you) a little crazy.If you enjoy stories about complicated families, sisters who love and loathe in equal measure, and drama-filled gatherings in beautiful settings, The Accidental Favorite is an absolute must-read.

#holtandcompany #franlittlewood #theaccidentalfavorite

Vivien n and Patrick have three daughters, they gather to celebrate Vivien 's 70 birthday, Patrick has an accident, and it is revealed he has had a favorite daughter. The family has to deal with the results of his admission.

As the middle sister of three girls, I knew that I would relate to this book.
Mom is turning 70 years old and the family decided to rent a house so that the family, in its entirety, can get together. This is when the rivalries and secrets creep their way to the surface of their lives.
I enjoyed this book very much. Unfortunately, we lost our eldest sister. However when this book is published and the general public has access, I will be purchasing the hard copy as a gift for my younger sister. She will enjoy it as much as I have.
A very special thanks of appreciation to Net Galley and The Henry Holt &Company for the pleasure of reading this book early.

The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood is a witty yet poignant exploration of family dynamics, sibling rivalries, and the complexities of parent-child relationships. The story is set during a weeklong celebration of Vivienne Fisher's seventieth birthday at a beautiful glass house in the English countryside, where three generations of the Fisher family come together. What begins as a joyous occasion quickly takes a sharp turn when an accidental revelation about Patrick Fisher's favorite daughter sets off a chain reaction of unexpected emotions and long-buried family secrets.

While it’s a bit slow to get into, Littlewood’s novel effectively delves into the undercurrents of sibling relationships. The three daughters—Alex, Nancy, and Eva—are all well-established women, but the revelation about their father’s favoritism forces them to confront years of unresolved tensions, unspoken resentments, and complicated memories. Each woman’s character is carefully layered, revealing the nuanced and sometimes painful ways in which family members shape each other’s lives.

The novel’s strength lies in its ability to blend humor with deeper emotional exploration. As the family members navigate the fallout from Patrick’s unintended slip, Littlewood explores themes of memory, identity, and the delicate fabric of familial bonds. The author also doesn’t shy away from depicting the imperfections and vulnerabilities of each character, making them feel real and relatable.

However, the book is somewhat challenging to get into initially, as the pacing takes time to build momentum. The opening chapters set up the family dynamics and introduce the central conflict, but it’s only later that the emotional depth and complexity of the characters fully emerge. Once the story picks up, it becomes a compelling reflection on how childhood dynamics can shape adult lives and how the truth, once revealed, can forever alter the course of a family’s history.

The Accidental Favorite is an insightful read for anyone interested in the messy, often beautiful reality of sibling relationships. Littlewood’s writing captures the intricacies of family life with a mixture of humor, warmth, and honesty. It may be slow to start, but once it picks up, it offers a rich, layered portrayal of family ties and the impact of favoritism that will resonate with readers who appreciate character-driven stories.

Vivienne and Patrick Fisher bring their family of three daughters, spouses and grandchildren to a fancy “glass house” to celebrate her seventieth birthday. After a near disaster, the three sisters must confront the pressing question, does dad really have a favorite? This is a layered, detailed book about family relationships, particularly sisters, and how all may have differing memories of the same events. The structure is meandering and some characters are more tightly developed than others. The book is sometimes heartfelt, sometimes raw, and sometimes funny. With thanks to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Company for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I really enjoyed this authors first book, but sadly not this one. While the story was good the writing style sadly felt like one big run one sentence and therefore I just could never really connect with the story.

This is one of those great books that shows just how messy families can be! It begins with a "naming" ceremony in the forest where a huge tree almost falls on Eva but she is quickly saved by Patrick. Then we go back in time to 1975 where everything begins We see the hardships, the friendships and everything in between as Eva becomes the family's "favorite" as revealed through diary entries and things kept hidden from family members. It's alternately happy and depressing. as we see a "normal" family come to grips with the fact that each of them are someone's "favorite."
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I really enjoyed reading this book! I love a goof family book and this one was about a favorite child and seeing how it affected them growing up and also as adults. I liked seeing how the author made the daughters so similar yet different from their parents. It is so cool to see how people are formed based off of little things from childhood.


Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

I really enjoy novels that center on family and this is no exception. Not having siblings myself, I really enjoy getting a peak into the world of what it’s like to have siblings and as a parent it’s always such a balance to make sure each kid gets what they need. This was a wonderful story about what if you have a favorite

I was instantly drawn into this book being one of three sisters. I could definitely understand the dynamic of their relationship with each other and with their parents. It was such an eye opening experience to see how we can live life in the same moments but remember it totally different. I think it was beautiful to hear different versions that creates these beautiful lives.

I had trouble getting into this book. However I went back to it and enjoyed it. A tale of three sisters and the dynamics intertwined with mom.

A family rents a house for a week to celebrate their mom's 70th birthday. 3 grown daughters and their families all gather with their parents. The first day they gather in the woods and a tree almost falls on all there daughters. In that instant, their father reaches to save just one, the one also least likely to get hit. The tree doesn't land on anyone, but the almost accident brings up many memories and a lot of drama for the week. It's very relatable and a good reminder of how memories vary from person to person, and no one is really sure what actually happened.

The premise of this book was extremely appealing. I think the sister relationship is one of the most fraught There is rivalry, competition, and insecurity all wrapped up in love and history.. There also is the promise of the closest relationship you’ll ever have. So, having a sister myself, I was intrigued by a book that promised a dive into complex emotional territory.

In a nutshell, three generations of the Fisher family gather at a glass house (metaphors everywhere) in the country to celebrate the matriarch’s seventieth birthday. Although it took me time to sort through who belonged to who, I’ll break it down. Vivienne and Patrick are the parents. Alex, the eldest is married to Luc and has three children. Next comes Nancy, a physician, divorced with a daughter. The youngest is Eva, very successful financially (she paid for the vacation house), her daughter, Lucy, and supposed boyfriend, Scott who she married but hasn't yet told her family.

The book opens in a forest clearing. They are having a naming ceremony for the youngest baby. A tree begins to crackle and before it falls, Patrick runs past daughters Alex and Nancy to protect Eva. Thus the story begins. How could he? Why did he? Why not me? Was she always the favorite? And so on.

I had a hard time getting the daughters straight in my mind. All three are pretty much traumatized by life, doubt all their decisions, and question their relationships and future. This, in spite of many successes in their lives.

The structure of the book also confused me. It flips back and forth through time. Present. A sister’s memory. A. stream of conscious reflection. An incident that happened in the past etc. Back to the present. There are no chapters and I had to keep flipping back and forth to figure out who I was reading about.

It wasn’t until three quarters through that the story took off. A long ago hidden incident is finally exposed and there is the promise of resolution. Because I was engaged at the end, I’ll move my rating from 2.5 stars to three.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Henry Holt and Company for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced reading copy and provide an honest review.

The Accidental Favorite, by Fran Littlewood, explores the age-old conundrum of what happens when a parent, whether accidentally or knowingly, declares their favorite child. Not only could such a mistake lead to sibling rivalry, anger, jealousy, and quite possibly disdain between the siblings, the parent/child relationship may suffer irreparable damage as well. Thus is the case in The Accidental Favorite, but the book really gets good when everyone realizes what is going on and tries to heal. This book is a fantastic family saga, dealing with lies, secrets, hurt, and all of the things that make a family saga such a terrific and enjoyable genre.

As a fan of the author’s debut Amazing Grace Adams, I found this one even more enjoyable.

I grew to love this flawed family almost immediately. The dual timeline kept my interest and filled in all the plotline holes in a very clever way.

Highly recommend if you like family fiction told in a non-traditional way. This will be an instant bestseller!

I loved this book! I didn't really know what I was getting into when I downloaded it, but I am so glad I read this one.

I seriously loved everything about it. The main strength of this book IMO is how well Littlewood brings the three sisters to life. Each is dealing with her own struggles while also facing the fallout from their dad’s favoritism. Their flaws and emotions feel so real, from Alex’s lingering bitterness to Nancy’s doubts to Eva’s need to stand out.

This book really hit close to home for me, bringing back memories of growing up with my own sisters (and a brother) and all the ups and downs of sibling relationships. I couldn’t help but laugh at how their memories of certain childhood moments don’t always line up with each other's! It's crazy how our perspective of certain situations can warp the actual memory in our heads. Littlewood accurately captures what it's like to have a "family story" - my mom and I were just going back and forth today about a specific memory of when and why we got one of our pets. We ended up agreeing to disagree!

The book also made me think about how resentment can build between siblings over time, but no matter what, the love and bond you share is something unbreakable. By the end, I found myself missing the chaos and closeness of growing up in a house full of siblings.

In the end, The Accidental Favorite is a heartfelt and engaging look at sisterhood, identity, and the complicated dynamics of family life. Littlewood does a great job showing that while no family is perfect, there’s something beautiful about the messy, imperfect connections that hold us together. If you’re into domestic dramas with sharp humor and emotional depth—like something from Celeste Ng or Liane Moriarty—you’ll definitely enjoy this touching and entertaining novel.