Happy Monday! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour celebrating the paperback release of Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak! Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the invitation! Stay tuned for information on how to win a copy at the bottom of this post!
About the Book:
It’s Christmas, and the Birch family is gathering for the first time in years. Emma is elated to have her family under one roof, even if the circumstances are unusual. Her elder daughter Olivia is only home because she has nowhere else to go. She’s just returned from treating an epidemic abroad and must stay in quarantine for a week… and so too will her family. For the next seven days, no one can leave the house, and no one can enter. It doesn’t sound too hard. But a week with your nearest and dearest can feel like eternity, especially when everyone has a secret. One of whom is about to come knocking.
Alternating between each family member’s point of view, SEVEN DAYS OF US is both a sharp-edged wink at difficult family holidays, and a character-driven look at the real failures, fumbles, and false starts that define family.
My Thoughts:
A few of my friends read this book last year, and it turns out not only did they have a wonderful discussion, they connected to the book and its characters. That’s one of my favorite aspects of reading, and since that time, I have wanted to share in the same experience with reading this book.
The Birch family reunites at Weyfield Hall, their country estate, for Christmas after many years apart.
Olivia is one of the adult children, and she is a doctor who has been abroad and exposed to an epidemic. She is told she and her family must be quarantined for a week. The father, Andrew, is a restaurant critic wiling away his time solo writing reviews, with a secret tucked away, and meanwhile, his wife, Emma, has a secret of her own. Also present is another daughter, Phoebe, who only seems to care about planning her wedding.
The entire Birch family is living under one roof, and they have to interact again, good, bad, or indifferent.
The Birches are on top of each other in the estate, which forces their honesty and communication about past transgressions. But when the biggest secret of all arrives with a knock at the front door, will their family ever recover?
Seven Days of Us is an entertaining family drama. The nuances to each character brought the family dynamics to life. Even though at times the drama is … well, pretty over-the-top, the issues at the heart of this family are distinctly relatable to most anyone, including strained communication, hidden family secrets, and yearning for a sense of belonging. The characters are insightful about themselves, which is refreshing and adds to the relatability.
Seven Days of Us is a heartwarming, dramatic, engaging, and ultimately uplifting read. The Birches are as dysfunctional as they come, and I was fully invested in their escapades and efforts to survive their holiday together. This is truly the perfect book to read this time of year; maybe even share it with one of your favorite (dysfunctional?) family members? I know know I plan to!
Thank you to Berkley for the invitation to be part of the blog tour and for the paperback copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Francesca Hornak is a journalist and writer, whose work has appeared in newspapers and magazines including The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Red. She is the author of two nonfiction books, History of the World in 100 Modern Objects: Middle Class Stuff (and Nonsense) and Worry with Mother: 101 Neuroses for the Modern Mama.
***Book Giveaway***
For a chance to win a paperback copy of Seven Days of Us, please visit my instagram page! Giveaway generously sponsored by the publisher. I’ll have the giveaway posted on 10/29 by 7:00 pm EST.
Have you read Seven Days of Us, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Happy Monday! Sounds good 👌
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Thanks, Sassy! I loved it! Happy Monday to you! ♥️
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I am loving all the Christmassy type book reviews lately. Getting me excited for Christmas 🙂 Great review. This book sounds really interesting and I like the idea of the story being told from so many different points of view. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Michelle! I loved this one. It was quirky and fun and felt real at the same time. Thanks so much for stopping by. ♥️
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Happy Monday!! Wonderful review Jen! I hope my library has this one! I love family drama…..haha! Have a great day my friend!💕😊💕
Still raining here🌧🌧
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Thanks, Sus! I hope your library has it too! It’s a good one! We had some more rain come through last night, but hopefully that’s it for a couple days. Happy Monday to you! ♥️ xoxo
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I’ve not heard of this one. Thanks for putting on my radar and wonderful review!
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Thanks, Jonetta! It was first released in hardback this time last year. I missed out on the TS read for it due to lack of time, and I’m so happy to have gotten to it. It’s a fantastic read!
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Sounds like a great book for Christmastime! Great review, Jenn. Hard to believe Christmas is coming! Yay! 💖💖💖
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Thanks, favorite M! It really is a treat of a read for this time of year. ♥️ Yes- 8 weeks to go- eek! Xoxo
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Enjoyed blog tour. I plan to read this one. I love secrets. Happy Monday! 🎃💕📚🎄
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Thanks so much, Virginia! I loved this book, and I think you will, too! I hope your Monday was excellent! ♥️ xoxo
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Great review Jennifer! And that paperback cover is beautiful!
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Thanks, Heather! That red just grabs you doesn’t it?! I love it, too!
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I tried to read it but got distracted…maybe I’ll try again!
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I hope it grabs you the next time, Jaymi! I really loved it!
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I read this when it came out and thought it was so charming. Love your review! I might have to give it a reread this year.
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Thank you, Christopher! I bet it would bea. Great re-read! I agree- completely charming. I hope the author’s next book is just as engaging.
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On my TBR! Seems like the perfect Christmas season read 😊
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Yay, Tina! I hope you enjoy! Yes, it’s perfect for Christmas- not too overly holiday, but a nice, cozy backdrop!
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Sounds like the perfect holiday read Jennifer. 🌼
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It was a wonderfully fun read, Brigid. ♥️
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Sounds like a very engaging read! Great review!
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Thank you! I definitely found in engaging and so much fun, too!
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Thanks for the recommendation, Jennifer. This sounds like a must-read!
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You’re welcome, Jacquie! It’s a wonderful read! I enjoyed every bit!
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I’ve been looking for a holiday read and this book looks perfect! I like how it’s told from different viewpoints and I am sold on it after reading your review! 🙂
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It’s such a charmer, Darina! I hope you find it as engaging as I did. ♥️
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This is one of the book on my list to read soon. Wonderful review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Marialyce! I hope it’s one you find endearing too!
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Sounds like a good book. I don’t think I could spend 7 days locked inside a house with my family. We don’t even really have issues. It’s just that I have 3 brothers. It’s a lot of testosterone to be trapped with for 7 days. Lol!
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Lol Very true! I think it would be hard for many families these days just because we are pulled in so many different directions. I enjoyed this book. It was such a good story and well-told!
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Lovely review. I read this sometime last year as well. I don’t think I enjoyed it as much, but I’d actually have to go back and read my review to remember why. 🙂 I’m glad you liked it though!
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Thanks, Myndi! The family issues resonated with me, and the timing was great too!
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Aaaarghhh! The idea of being shut in for seven days with my nearest and dearest is more horrifying than any of the horror books I’ve read this year… 😉
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You’d have to have the porpy there to distract everyone with prickly snuggles! ♥️ (I mean this in an innocent way, but I’m not sure how it will come across!) 😉
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😂😱
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This sounds like a fun book for Christmas- great review! 😀
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Thank you! It was terrific- lots of fun but plenty of substance too. 😊
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I have this book on audio and I have yet to listen to it! Fantastic review!💕💕
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Thank you, Berit! Oh, I can’t wait to hear about the audio. I think it’ll be terrific and probably add to the charm. ♥️
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Sounds like a perfect book for me! I love books you can talk about with your friends later, and I love connecting with characters and the story. Women’s fiction happens to be my favorite genre, so I honestly can’t see a reason why wouldn’t I put it on my tbr.
Loved the review, btw! 😉
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Thank you, Irena! Oh, this will be a a terrific fit for you for so many reasons. I feel the same about all your thoughts. I unexpectedly connected to this story and it scharacters, and there is no greater feeling when reading a book. ♥️ Thanks for your kind comment!
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Beautiful review, Jennifer. This one definitely sounds perfect for the holiday season. Even the cover and your photo makes me feel like listening to Christmas Carols. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it 🙂
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Thank you, Diana! It was a great fit for this upcoming season. Aww, I am happy you found my photo festive. I needed to bring out some Christmas decorations for it! Thanks so much for your always supportive comments. ♥️
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A secret come knocking?? Well, thank God they’re under quarantine and can’t let it in! 😂😂
I could understand how being stuck in a house with your family could have tensions running high, and secrets coming out!!
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I thought about that as I was writing it. 😂 No spoilers! About the family being stuck together, especially when you aren’t used to spending much time together anymore! It can get pretty touchy!
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This sounds like fun Jenni! Great review! 😁
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Thank you, Beth! It was such great fun! 💗
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Jennifer, your blog is not at all good for my TBR. You feature wonderful books and then write these really sweet and enticing reviews! Lol
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I’m sorry, Nina, and thank you! 😂 ♥️ I don’t want to entice you further, but on Friday I have a review for a cozy mystery! 😬 Have you read any of the Murder, She Wrote series, like from the TV show?
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I haven’t as yet. I want to start but I haven’t gotten any of them as yet 😊😊
I’ll have to look out for that review 🙈😂
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It’s dangerous for both of us because there’s about 50 books! 😬
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Oh no! But also… how lovely! Lol. You’re right… terrible for the TBR!
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This book sounds great! I am getting excited for Christmas and for reading holiday books. I entered your giveaway and added this to my list!!
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Thank you for entering, Theresa! I loved this book, and it’s truly perfect for this time of year! Good luck and thank you again!
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This sounds absolutely cozy and heartwarming! I love, love Christmas movies and books (even the cheesy ones!) and I will definitely give this a try when December comes. 😀
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Oh, I think you’ll love this then, Kathy! It’s got some depth to it that surprises, and it’s a wonderful read for this time of year for sure!
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Great review Jennifer, I love reading about dysfunctional families. It sounds like a fun story.
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Thanks, Carla! Me, too. I never tire of these types of stories. There’s always a new perspective and some insight to be found.
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