This Is Who We Are Now

This book really caught my eye. I could really relate to the relatability of the situations and life lessons learnt among the way. I really feel this would make an excellent movie and Incan ot with to share more on this a mbd bring it to readers attention

This engaging narrative follows Henry Bradfield as he returns to his childhood home and is reunited with his family. The book evokes that sense of nostalgia that accompanies a homecoming after a long absence. The prose adds a layer of authenticity to the story, with characters so realistic it's easy to forget they are fictional. This book is an honest depiction of the intricacies of family dynamics, highlighting their complexities and encompassing both old wounds and enduring love. I was pleasantly surprised by this story and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I feel like this is one many of use can relate to - dealing with the past while also addressing challenges in the present. It’s both funny and filled with pathos and the author does a terrific job in giving depth to the various characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. This is the first book I've read by James Bailey and it was a good slice of life story. Henry is on the verge of his 50th birthday and, if he doesn't get his act together, his marriage is on the verge of a break-up. His wife Denise is sensitive and Henry doesn't often recognize when or why she's upset. Henry, Denise and their two boys return to his parent's home for a week and to celebrate the 50th birthday. The siblings and cousins are there but much to Henry's chagrin, he keeps running into his high school sweetheart Erin. This is Who We Are Now is a fun study in family dynamics and what could happen if and when we don't appreciate the people who matter to us.

Wonderfully written, complex well developed characters and story that grips you from word one- don’t miss this book!

This book caught my eye on Netgalley. It’s a self-published author (only the second that I’ve read this year (with one more to read by end of 2023). The synopsis of the book appealed to me as did the cover art, and it turned out to be a lovely, well-written novel on midlife, relationships, parenting, family dynamics and figuring out what’s worth salvaging.

Henry Bradfield is on the brink of turning 50 and has returned home to his parents’ house for a birthday celebration with extended family. His layabout brother Danny is back living with their parents, his lively sister Margo is dealing with her own demons, his teenage sons Rusty and Kyle are getting up to all sorts under his nose, and his wife Denise, who doesn’t want to be there, is feeling unloved and frustrated with her lot. When Henry bumps into his childhood sweetheart Erin and feels a little something stir to life in him, he has to challenge his own passivity and decide what’s what worth fighting for.

The author’s note at the back of the book is wonderful - he gives a short description of his previous novels (there are several), many of which were inspired by his twin loves of Adrian Mole (a fave of mine growing up) and baseball.

There’s no baseball in this one thankfully but the writing is great, the pacing is perfect and the relationship dynamics play out really well - the only aspects of the book I didn’t like were the poker scenes (mercifully short but boring) and the paintball scene, though the latter did facilitate the resolution of the Henry/Danny storyline. I’d happily read more from James Bailey. I feel as though I’ve read and enjoyed a lot of similar books to this but by female authors - this one nicely captures the midlife male perspective. 3.5-4/5⭐️

The cover of this book caught my eye and I am so glad it did. I began reading knowing nothing about the book or the author and was quickly drawn into protagonist Henry's life.
As he approaches his 5oth birthday, Henry returns to his childhood home in Vermont with his wife and teenage sons. Tensions rise and old sibling rivalry is reignited as is Henry's feelings for his first love. This is a really thoughtful, insightful and considered meditation on middle age, stability, family, marriage , memories and hope. A real surprise of a book and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.
Henry is turning 50 and goes back to his childhood home. His marriage is a mess, his children are driving him nuts and his siblings have their own issues. On top of that, his high school sweetheart reappears, just as his wife disappears.
The characters are all very relatable and will remind you of your own crazy family.