Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Kauffman tells the story an extended family during times of transition and yearning. This quiet novel about the joys and anguishes of family relationships starts with an awkward dinner in January, 1995, between two divorced people who don’t seem to hit it off. Ellen and Gary’s bad date sets off a chain of vignettes that encompasses Ellen’s son, Paul; his wife, Corinne; their baby-to-be; and Corinne’s family over the course of a year. By 50 pages in, readers have met the wide cast of characters, learned what each person is hoping for, and how powerless or inadequate each of them feels. Every chapter is named for the month, ending in December. It’s not clear why the book is set in 1995 except that common use of cell phones could have taken the tension out of a few key scenes, and no specific cultural or historical moments are referenced. Kauffman takes time to explore the inner lives of her characters, some more than others, and each character’s vulnerabilities are made clear through the compassionate narration. Corinne’s brother, a car salesman, uses cash left over from a failed bachelor party to paper over the awkwardness of a career-day speech that embarrasses his sons. In a heartbreaking scene, Corinne’s mother, Janet, attempts to hide her husband’s dwindling memory with Just For Men hair dye. Physical injury and a missed baby shower ensue. Throughout, the characters are grasping at what they hold dear, fighting insecurities and jealousies that coexist with desperate love and hope. Kauffman sets a scene that ultimately allows for generosity and togetherness. Thoughtful characterization and light humor make for a pleasant, if not gripping, novel. Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.