Decent book but wasn’t my favorite. I struggled a bit to stay interested in listening to it. I think it was a good thought for a book but it was lacking something for me to really get into it.
Narrated well. I did like the main character as well.

I enjoyed this take on the nitty gritty of the relationship of a couple, Grant and Kim, who have been together for thirty years through life's ups and downs. The novel starts with the couple as middle aged empty nesters, who decide to shake things up by spending a season in Palm Springs. Kim is quickly enthralled by the quirky residents, who make great supporting characters, while Grant was reluctant to leave their home in the Midwest, but he develops a love of hiking the desert.

Things take a drastic turn when Grant goes missing in the wilderness while on a hike. However, it turns out that he has a habit of leaving Kim and his family when things get tough, so she initially assumes this is another one of his "ghosting" episodes. When Grant still doesn't return and no one can contact him, this leads to a search party and the police getting involved, which presents us readers with the opportunity to learn the backstory of Kim and Grant's relationship, from their initial courtship to the unplanned pregnancy that tethered them together.

I think the author had a very realistic portrayal of the struggles of a long-term couple, including juggling career goals and parenthood, as well as the identity crisis that occurs once the kids are grown and a new phase of life begins. Although I'm younger than the main characters, I could still relate to some of their struggles given that I'm a married working mother. I'm not sure I would have valued this book as much as I did if I had read it when I was even younger/single. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to those who appreciate family drama with a dash of mystery. I felt compelled to keep reading to find out what happened to Grant and what would become of his and Kim's relationship!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audiobook for my review.

3.5 stars

It seems appropriate to share a review of The Snowbirds by Christina Clancy when it’s below zero with 6 inches of snow on the ground in the Midwest. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for advanced access to the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker with Graham Halstead.

While Kim and Grant have been a couple for 30 years, they never married and their partnership has a lot of ‘space’ in it. She’s a humanitarian working in non-profits and he’s an academic/professor who just lost his teaching position. When they have an opportunity to spend winter in sunny Palm Springs and escape the brutal cold and snow of Wisconsin, Kim is thrilled, but Grant is completely reluctant. Will a change in setting impact them as individuals and their relationship?

This plot - mostly character-driven with some action - was not what I expected, and it continually surprised me. It’s told in a Then and Now format, and Grant doesn’t appear in real time until the final chapters. I had some issues tracking the large cast of quirky Palm Springs characters but enjoyed most of them. It was interesting to see how both Kim and Grant grew and changed throughout the story. The ending ties up all the loose ends which was a bit annoying.

This wasn't my favorite but it wasn't bad either. The mystery element is very low compared to the contemporary life aspect of the book. Great for seeing a couple who's been together for 30 plus years and their struggles. Definitely shows how relationships always need work and effort put in.

The Snowbirds was the first book I read by Christina Clancy, and I enjoyed the premise of it. The setting of Palm Springs was great, I absolutely love that area of California, the desert, the midcentury homes that line the streets, so it was very easy to fall right in to feeling at home in the story.
BUT....there is always a but right?

I felt very disconnected to the two main characters, Kim and Grant. They had a long 30 year relationship but I had trouble deciding if they were married, or if they weren't married throughout the book. The book took place during two periods of time, before, then the present when they were in Palm Springs. I felt that both characters were deep in the middle of mid life crisis. They didn't even really live together throughout the book. I feel like the only reason they were together was because of an unplanned pregnancy that resulted in twins, who were grown in the present part of the book.

Kim felt very selfish to me, she refused to move to the town that Grant was in because nothing was in the town other than the small college he worked at. The man even bought a home they both admired to get her to move there.

On the other hand Grant was a boy man, childish and very unlikable. When he went missing in the desert around the Palm Springs area, I really didn't even care, he had come and gone many times in their relationship, so was he really missing or did he just leave again.

The book started out good, but it was the back and forth of their toxic relationship, and there is no other way to describe it, that got old. I don't know, maybe exhausting is a better word to describe it. You know , you might have friends that have been in your life a long time, and they just always have troubles, problems, or complaints, and you have to hear them anytime you see them. It has been going on for so long and then you are just over it...that was how I felt about this book.

Also, the ending. It just happened. Boom. The End. I listened to this on audio, and I rewound it several times thinking that I had missed something, but I hadn't. I think the author said... " opps I need to wrap this up " BOOM the end.

But books are subjective and I am sure this one will have its fair share of fans, I am just not really one of them. It was a decent book, but not great.

What a great story with a strong mid-life female lead. I liked the present day vs. back story point of views. I also really enjoyed the chapters with the male narrator.

I couldn’t get into this one. While the premise of midlife reinvention and relationship struggles had promise, the story never fully grabbed me. The setting and themes were interesting, but I didn’t connect with the characters enough to stay engaged.

I liked parts of this story, the setting, the premise, but disliked the pace of the book and the characters weren't all that likable either. The last 10 percent of the book is the only part that totally captivated me. I too want to spend the winters in Palm Springs! The supporting cast were a group of fun, quirky characters. Unfortunately, the main characters were both self absorbed and did not leave me cheering for them.

I'm not sure if we're supposed to hope that Grant never comes back, but that's how I felt. He was extremely unlikable and not in a fun way. I was kind of hoping that Kim would get to move on with her life without him. That said, Kim was only marginally better.

Despite how much I didn't like the two main characters, there were things I did enjoy about this book. First of all that cover is amazing! It was also well written with very vivid details. It kept me invested, needing to know the outcome, and some of the side characters were entertaining.

The narration was also another good part. Karissa Vacker and Graham Halstead both did a wonderful job.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for this ALC. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Sadly this one was a miss for me. Karissa Vacker is an incredible narrator though and did a wonderful job! I always love when she narrates.
Unfortunately this story fell a bit flat for me. I wasn’t particularly invested in the characters or the overall story. Personally I was a bit bored.

I believe e there is an audience for this book, it just wasn’t my jam.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an early copy.

I was in this book for the narration. I did not like the relationship here and wasn't sad to see one of the character's missing because they both deserved being away from each other. I think sometimes midlife stories are hard for me because I am not there yet, and I also don't understand why people stay when they seem so unhappy. This unfortunately didn't work me, but I will be sharing it with people that I know will appreciate this story.

I wanted to like this more than I did. The protagonist who tells most of the story is somewhat flat and hard to connect with overall. Her character could have used more development. Her quirky husband is much more likeable because you can imagine him as a real person. The storyline was ok. I think I just expected more from this book.

Have you ever read a book and when it ended you asked yourself if anything actually happened? That was this book for me. This book follows the ups and downs of a long term relationship... and what happens when their children grow up and the life that they once knew changes. Part missing story, part flashbacks, part reflection of a life lived. I enjoyed the audiobook of this more than the ebook - I thought the narrator was great. I enjoyed the story being about an older couple and the natural and normal ups and downs of life. However, I found that not enough happened making the book move very slowly. I also found the female character to be unlikeable - she was whiny and selfish and rubbed me the wrong way. Parts of this book worked very well for me, while others fell short of what I expected. 
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copies.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook! 4.5 stars

The Snowbirds has everything we’ve come to love from Christina Clancy: family drama, dual timelines, and a beautiful vacation setting. This is her third novel, and it’s her best yet.

I love this genre-bending type of story. It’s part mystery, part love story, part family drama, with Grant and Kim’s relationship at the center. I loved watching their bond evolve over the years and learning how they became the people and couple they are today. While the story is largely character-driven, rather than plot-focused, I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a single day.

As with all of Christina Clancy’s books, the setting plays a huge role in the story — both Madison, Wisconsin, and Palm Springs are brought to live so vividly, you’ll feel like you’re there. The way she weaves the setting into the narrative feels like magic, like it’s another character in the story.

Audio: Kim’s POV is narrated by Karissa Vacker, one of my all time favorites. If she read a grocery list, I would listen. Grant’s is narrated by Graham Halstead. While I’ve mostly heard him in ensemble casts, he more than holds his own here and complements Karissa’s voice perfectly.

I enjoyed this book. I feel like it kind of dragged for a while which is why I have it 3 stars instead of 4. I did enjoy the writing style. I just wish it would have moved a little faster for my liking.

2.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm not sure where to begin because this storyline had potential. The plot moved along, but without compelling characters to connect with, it lacked the emotional pull that makes a mystery truly gripping. I never felt fully invested in their journey, and with Grant having gone missing before, the stakes just didn’t feel as high as they should have. Something about it just felt off, making it hard to truly immerse myself in the story.

Kim and Grant are at a crossroads in their thirty year relationship. As a solution to their problems, they have escaped the Wisconsin winter for Palm Springs. The change of scenery has highlighted their differences and desires for their “separate but together” relationship. Kim is forced to reflect upon her past and future when Grant goes missing during a hike.

This is billed as a mystery, but I would really classify this as a literary character study of a relationship. I found the story insightful and poignant. It had enough humor from the side characters to balance out the reflective moments in their relationship. While there were no huge twists in this book, I love how Clancy unfolded the facts and highlighted the messiness of long term relationships or marriages. Having been to or lived in both the Wisconsin and Palm spring locations, I loved seeing those locations come to life over audio.

This book may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy slower, character driven books of have been in a long term relationship or marriage, I highly recommend this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, SMP, and Macmillan Audio for early reader and listener copies in exchange for my honest opinions.While in Florida for the weekend in late Jan/early February with a group of octogenarians, many of whom were actual snowbirds, my mind kept returning to The Snowbirds, which I read last week.
The Snowbirds follows an interesting couple, Kim and Grant, who leave the Wisconsin winter for Palm Springs. The two have led separate-but-together lives, having raised two daughters while also living apart without marrying. They seem to have hit a bit of an impasse, and neither is sure which direction is best. The book focuses on their time in Palm Springs, and there is a mysterious element when someone goes missing.
I enjoyed the author's previous release, Shoulder Season, and I particularly enjoyed the narration of The Snowbirds by @karissavacker - she really added something special in her narration, along with Graham Halstead. If you like reading about realistic characters in situations that may seem a bit far-fetched at first but actually are not, this read may be right for you. If you can get your hands (or ears?) on the audiobook, even better.

❄️ The Snowbirds - Christina Clancy

3 ⭐️- This has a meaningful story of a couple’s relationship over 30 years and a side of mystery. It was fine, but I wanted to like it more.

Grant and Kim have a “together but separate” kind of approach to their relationship. After 30 years, some ups and downs, they decide to escape to warm Palm Springs from the cold Midwest. When Grant struggles to find his footing in their quirky condo community, Kim wonders if their relationship will survive the Snowbird lifestyle. But when Grant goes missing on a hike in the desert, Kim is left wondering if he is really missing or if he’s left her for good.

I was drawn in by the cover and the fact that I’m surrounded by snow and soon escaping to warmth for vacation. I liked the location of Palm Springs. I liked the mystery, and I liked the addition to the husband’s journal in the last 1/3 of the book. I just felt I couldn’t really connect to the characters and at times felt bored. THAT said, just because it wasn’t totally for me, doesn’t mean you won’t love it! If you do decide to read it, I recommend the audio narrated by Karissa Vacker.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin Press, and Macmillan Audio for the early ARC and audio. This one’s out now!

"Simply marvelous! Wise, witty, and glamorous with sparkling dialogue."

Christina Clancy's THE SNOWBIRDS, a term used to describe people who migrate from the north to warmer climates in the winter, is a beautifully written tale of a mid-life couple who flee winter in the Midwest for Palm Springs, where they find their relationship at a crossroads. Do they want different things in life?

From the stunning front cover, from beginning to end—a moving, page-turning story of love, humor, mystery, understanding, and self-discovery.

About...

Meet Kim and Grant, a couple who have shared their lives for 30 years with twin girls. Now, in their late middle age, they find themselves at a turning point, often leading separate lives.

Grant's mom died, and the college where he was teaching philosophy ended, and empty nesters with twin girls were off to college. Kim feels like she always supports Grant and follows him, but what about what she wants?

Kim gets the idea of the two of them escaping the Midwest winter to Palm Springs. Both have exes that are still in their lives. Grant is not as warm to the idea as Kim, but he goes along to please her finally, but not exactly happy about it.

Upon arrival at the quirky, fun condo at Le Desert, a vibrant community where everyone knows everyone's business, Kim is excited to make new friends and embark on new adventures.

On the other hand, Grant is a little out of his element. Can their relationship survive?

Then Grant goes missing after taking a hike. Did he knowingly leave her, or is he missing and hurt?

My thoughts...

THE SNOWBIRDS is dazzling with an essential takeaway message. It's a story that delves into real-life relationships' raw emotions, mysteries, and complexities, told with a rare blend of compassion and honesty. The journey of these two adults to find themselves is a testament to the power of a change in perspective.

It is an intensely satisfying novel with vibrantly, terrifically human, relatable characters and a happy ending.

THE SNOWBIRDS is a charming, witty, thoughtful, and glamorous tale set against the backdrop of Palm Springs and a cast of fun and engaging supporting characters. I have a soft spot for stories about older couples navigating life's challenges, and this book does not disappoint. The author's exploration of long-term love and family is insightful and humorous, offering a fresh take on modern love and unexpected choices. The ending was deeply satisfying.

Live your life fully because life is short, and we never know what tomorrow brings.

Audiobook...

I had the privilege of reading the book and listening to the audiobook, which was exceptional! My favorite narrators, Karissa Vacker and Graham Halstead, gave a remarkable performance, making the characters come alive with perfect pacing, emotion, and wit! I highly recommend the audiobook.

My first book by the author, and I cannot wait to read more. I love her style!

Recs...

THE SNOWBIRDS is for fans of the author and those who enjoy Elizabeth Strout, Anne Tyler, Elizabeth Berg, Rufi Thorpe, and smartly written women's domestic and family dramas and literary fiction.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for a gifted advance review copy and advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. #MacAudio2025

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 04, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
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