Francesca HornakCritiques

3.5 stars. Appropriate story for Covid year.

I love family books and this one was sad and then turned happy.

A lot going on with The Birches. Olivia, a doctor, comes home to England, after being quarantined with hopefully not Haag. Andrew, a restaurant critic, who was always closer with Phoebe, his youngest, Emma, the mother, who I really disliked, but had her own secret as Andrew. Don't want to spoil Andrew's secret here, but it has to do with his time in Lebanon when he was a war correspondent in the 1980s. It's now 2016/17. Andrew's secret was kept from Emma for years.

The title refers obviously to the quarantine plus two more people obviously. A lot of discontent comes out and anger in this family. Sadness interrupts this family towards the end but some happy news too in a few ways.

When Olivia, older daughter of Andrew and Emma, returns home to England for Christmas from battling an infectious disease outbreak in Africa, the whole family is forced into quarantine at their country home. During the enforced proximity, old resentments come alive, secrets are kept and then revealed, and all four family members learn more than they expected to about one another.

While this was a bit melodramatic and implausible in parts, I enjoyed the read (listen). Dysfunctional families often make for good entertainment, and this one certainly did. No one in the family is a bad person, but they are all rather self-centered in their own ways. Seeing them confront each other and their own pasts was both amusing and heartwarming.

A nice book if you want something seasonal without the romance of so many holiday reads.

This quick paced novel about a mildly dysfunctional family quarantined together over Christmas has moments of warmth and wit. The plot revolves around the relationships of a food critic, his wife, and their two daughters, Phoebe and Olivia. Some of the circumstances this family finds itself confronting just seem to strain belief a bit, but if you can put that out of your mind, the storytelling is enjoyable. Phoebe is an especially fun character as she is quite shallow and most of the humor centers on her. Readers who enjoyed The Nest will probably eat this novel up. Personally, I wasn't one of those readers, but of the two novels, I believe this one is more interesting, more humorous and has better developed characters.

Enjoyed this very much with variety of characters narrating.

Not as Christmas-y as I was expecting but very engaging with all the dysfunctional family things I love!

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/1LI_HzeAdyg

Enjoy!

Ooo… this was just terrific! It reminded me so much of an Elin Hildebrand book in the best way even though we’re not at the beach. You’ve got this huge family with all these damning secrets. They’re all stuck together for the holidays, and everything is about to EXPLODE. I LOVED the characters. You’ve got a daughter planning a wedding, her sister who just returned from treating a terrible epidemic and who may be contagious??, a mother and father with awful secrets of their own, and other people who may be showing up at their door. It’s just all the juicy makings of a great holiday drama-fest, set on the backdrop of Christmas in the English countryside. Love love love! The family relationships were what made this shine, for good and for bad.

fun, lighter than expected

fiction. Really good family drama set in Norfolk, England.

This a quirky story. It is cute and humorous but at the same time very serious. The author is adept at using humor to lighten serious issues. The family dynamic worked really well here and the fact that everyone had something to hide made for great moments in the story.

Despite these good points the melodrama became too much for me at times. In addition, I was not a fan of the ending and it felt rushed.

I know some people loved this book and some were, like me, lukewarm about this one. If you have not read this one yet, all I can tell you is, it may or may not be your cup of tea. I suppose you'll have to read it for yourself and decide which side you fall on.

Liked the premise based on COVID year similarities. Knew family secrets would come out. Andrew having an unknown son, Emma having cancer, oldest Olivia would get sick (pregnant) , youngest Phoebe engagement issues. Jesse,the surprise son, was better than expected causing only humorous parts. However ending felt like a let down. Nothing very shocking except for Olivia’s lover.

A family (melo)drama about being stuck together and facing buried secrets and unvoiced hurts, this novel strikes both a serious and satirical tone. The author captures well the reverse culture-shock older daughter Olivia faces when coming home from Liberia. The rest of the family felt a bit tropey to me, but maybe they're supposed to be? This was a fast and engaging read, and I am curious to hear what my library book club will have to say.

Olivia Birch has just returned to the United States following a humanitarian trip to Africa to help treat an epidemic. She faces seven days of quarantine....with her family....at the holidays. Seven days with her parents and sister without being able to leave the house. Family secrets, jealousies and squabbles all come to the surface as the Birches face Christmas together.

I can completely identify with uncomfortable, yet joyous, holidays spent with family. Tensions, past slights, and different outlooks often clash after a couple days. I can't imagine being effectively trapped with family for seven days, unable to leave the house. Oh dear. lol. This book is witty, often funny, emotional and completely enjoyable. I found myself caught up in the Birch family drama. It seems they all have something to hide and different reasons for keeping their secrets. The truth pops up at inopportune moments. But, the Birch family is strong....stronger than they realize.

I don't usually read this sort of fiction. It's usually just too much emotional fluff for me. But, I have to say....this book was a pleasant surprise! There is drama and lots of emotion....but the story is engaging, purposeful and believable. I found myself identifying with the characters and wondering how this story would end. I didn't feel bogged down in melodrama, but enjoyed this tale of a family coming back together after years of growing apart. This is definitely a great book to read before the holidays.

Awesome book! Emotional and witty without being overdone. I will definitely be reading more by this author!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Berkley Publishing via NetGalley. I also won a print ARC through Goodreads. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**

Maybe 3.5? This sets itself up as a farce, though it took me a little while to figure that out....it starts out rather serious in Liberia with an epidemic of Haag virus threatening many, including aid Doctor Olivia Birch. She returns to England in time for Christmas with her family, but must be quarantined until she is deemed Haag (pronounced Hog) free. The family (sister Phoebe, mother Emma and father Andrew) all hole up with her at the family country estate, Weyfield Hall. Emma is excited for quality family time because Olivia is so seldom home -- perpetually doing medical missions all over the world. But the rest of the family is dreading this enforced togetherness and each person has a secret: Emma has a medical diagnosis her family doesn't know about, Andrew just received an email from someone claiming to be his son, Phoebe is engaged to someone she doesn't love, and Olivia has been more exposed to the Haag virus through a love affair than she is willing to let on. This sets the scene for a week's confinement on top of holiday hysteria, and the fact that several people are converging upon the sequestered family and will either risk virus exposure or have to join them in quarantine. Very funny, sometimes in a madcap way, but some serious issues too -- a little too saccharine at the end, but entertaining throughout.

4.5/5 stars

“Only the most extraordinary circumstances can reunite the Birch Family for the holidays...”

The British Birch Family will be together, quarantined for 7 days, as the eldest daughter, Olivia has just returned from treating an epidemic in Liberia. Over the course of the week we experience the twists and turns of dysfunctional family relationships, awash with secrets, jealousies, misunderstandings, but also with humor and love.

Hornak’s character development and dialogue kept me turning the pages. Looking forward to her next work of fiction!

I had heard so much about this book I had to read it. Wasn’t sure it was for me at the very beginning, but after a few chapters, the family had me hooked. Thoroughly enjoyable read, was unable to put it down. A lot of family dynamics in this book, but easy to follow, and relatable. Author had a little twist towards the end that I didn’t expect. Gave me an ‘awww’ moment. Ms. Hornak wrote of a Haag virus and the horrors that the saintly workers go thru, even after they come home. Highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy of this book from the Great Thoughts Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.

In Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak, a seven day quarantine means the dysfunctional Birch family are sequestered together during Christmas. With each of them keeping secrets, will this tense reunion prove to be a time of healing once the revelations begin to unfold?

Oldest daughter Olivia is a doctor who spends most of her time volunteering with humanitarian agencies during health epidemics in third world countries. With her latest rotation over, she is forced into quarantine to monitor for symptoms of the deadly Haag virus. She and fellow doctor, Sean Coughlan, ignored the strict no contact rule and for the first time in her life, she has fallen in love. Olivia has zero patience for her self-centered and frivolous younger sister, Phoebe, and her relationship with her parents, Andrew and Emma, is also quite strained. Olivia is already struggling with her reintegration into regular life when her world is rocked by possibly devastating news.

Twenty-nine and still living at home, Phoebe is happy about her recent engagement despite her disappointment with some aspects of her fiancé George's proposal. Now completely wrapped up in planning her upcoming nuptials, she has no interest in anything negative intruding on her excitement. Needless to say, Phoebe is not exactly the most sympathetic family member due to her self-absorption and unhappiness when she is not the center of everyone's attention.

Matriarch Emma is determined to make the most of Olivia's first Christmas with the family in years so she conceals some unexpected news about herself. Relentlessly upbeat and positive, she refuses to let anything mar their time together and it is almost comical how she acknowledges bad news yet immediately pretends it has no effect on her or her family. When she learns some very troubling information about her husband, Emma becomes quite reflective about their marriage but will she confront Andrew about this discovery?

A former war correspondent who gave up his career for his family, Andrew is a restaurant critic whose distant past unexpectedly collides with his present. As he looks back on the early years of his courtship and marriage to Emma, he barely recognizes who they used to be. He delights in Phoebe's sparkling personality and they are quite close but his relationship with Olivia has always been distant. Turning his back on a stunning disclosure, how will Andrew react when is forced to deal with this life-altering bit of news head on?

Despite a rather slow beginning, Seven Days of Us is ultimately an engrossing family drama that is sure to resonate with readers who can relate to imperfect family relationships. The characters are quite eclectic and diverse with relatable flaws and strengths. The storyline is refreshingly unique and Francesca Hornak bring the novel to twist-filled emotional conclusion.

At first all of the characters irritated me and how they all interacted with each other didn’t ring true, however, it all grew on me and I ended up really enjoying this family drama

So good! I actually ate dinner two nights in a row without putting this book down.

Olivia comes home for Christmas after treating patients with a disease called Haag. Because of this, her and her entire family are put into quarantine for an entire week together.

At first, the parents almost think it’ll be fun. After all, what’s not to love about some mandated family time?

But spending a week in each other’s company causes some huge secrets to come to light and it also enhances the differences in their personality types.

Andrew, the dad, is a grumpy restaurant reviewer whose daughter Phoebe most connects with.
Emma is the mom. She’s the one always trying to keep the peace. Sometimes going too far to avoid upset.
Olivia is the oldest daughter, a doctor, she’s very responsible but so serious that she clashes with Phoebe.
Phoebe is the youngest daughter whose biggest concern in life is planning her wedding.

When an unexpected stranger arrives during the quarantine, family drama reaches an all time high.

At times funny, others serious, and sometimes sad.
Each character was really well developed, they all had a distinct voice.

It was almost 5 stars for me. The ending of the book kind of just drifted off. Does that mean a sequel could happen? I know I’d be onboard for that.

For the first time in years the Birch family are spending Christmas together, isolated in the family home in Norfolk on account of daughter Olivia's return from Africa where she has been working with victims of a deadly virus, this means the family is quarantined for a week. For Phoebe her recent engagement is cause for celebration, for mother Emma, a recent diagnosis is worrying her and she wants to celebrate to forget. For Andrew a disturbing set of emails have forced memories to the surface. Over the week the members of this dysfunctional family will each have to face the truth and reassess their future.
In many ways this is the sort of book that I would avoid but I decided to take a risk and I'm happy I did. This book is the perfect reading for Christmas week as it is very heartwarming and life-affirming but in a non-schmaltzy way. For every sugary chapter there is a counterpoint and, whilst there seems to be a happy ending for everyone, no-one escapes unscathed. For that reason I found Horniak's writing a cut above every other 'feel-good' novel that I've come across, of course the time of year did help!

It’s just a seven-day quarantine, not really a lock-down, but the inmates are restless and some are looking to break out. It’s Christmas time and the whole Birch is home, and because one of them is a doctor who had been treating people in a third-world country plagued by a deadly epidemic, she and the rest of her family are behind closed doors. They are not exactly a close family, and soon they get on each other’s nerves. Throw in some unexpected guests and some closely guarded secrets that work their way to the surface, and the pressure builds to a boiling point. But the more they learn of others, the better they know themselves. This may not be the typical warm and cozy holiday novel, but it is entertaining and most unusual, just like the Birch family is.

The entire Birch family is gathered together for Christmas for the first time in many years. Unfortunately, they are also under quarantine for seven days during that same period of time. The oldest daughter, Olivia who is a doctor, has just returned from a mission trip to help with the HAAG epidemic, and the whole family will need to stay isolated until there is no chance that she is contagious.

Each of the family members tells his story as the week progresses. Emma has just been diagnosed with cancer. Andrew is unhappy with his current job and has just learned that he has a son who he fathered when he was a war correspondent before he was married. Olivia is having difficulty readjusting to being back from Liberia and the HAAG crisis. Phoebe is only thinking of planning for her future wedding to George.

During the week many secrets and hidden issues come to the surface. Tension mounts between and among the family members. Unexpected guests arrive. The drama during the week ebbs and flows. And by the end of the week the reader develops an intimate relationship with each individual family member.

The book plays out somewhat like a soap opera. There are a few light and compassionate moments but the week brings mostly anxiety and discord. In the end, however, the love for family does prevail.

The book is a quick read with short engaging chapters. By employing the individual point of view method of narration, the author draws the reader into the turmoil of the lives of the Birch family and also creates an ending that leaves the reader wondering what the future will hold for each of them.

A week is a long time to spend confined to your house as a family, especially if each of you is hiding something from the others. Andrew and Emma Birch and their two grown daughters are spending Christmas together for the first time in years, and because eldest daughter Olivia, a doctor, has been working among patients of a deadly disease outbreak in Africa, they will spend it in strict quarantine. And due to the things that each member of the family is not telling the others, it's bound to be anything but a calm, quiet week at the country estate.

I enjoyed this a great deal. The author does an excellent job with characterization -- I found my self both liking and being annoyed by each character in turn (though, of course, some annoyed me more than others!). She also walks a fine line with the possibility that Olivia might develop symptoms of the disease, finding ways to keep up the dramatic tension, when it might have otherwise evaporated. And all of that is balanced with plenty of pleasantly humorous moments. If you enjoy family dramas, especially set during the Christmas season, you'll probably find this to be just the thing.

The Birch family will all be together for Christmas for the first time in years--and they'll be spending it at their country house in quarantine as eldest daughter Olivia has just returned from a months-long aid trip to Africa to treat patients at the center of an outbreak of a hemorrhagic fever. As they are all cooped up together until Olivia is officially declared symptom free, their enforced proximity intensifies the pressure of the holidays--a situation made even more volatile by the fact that every member of the family is keeping something to themselves that they really probably ought to tell everyone about.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel that works like a character study of a family. All the characters were interesting and I cared about each of them (even the ones I found annoying). The tone is just the right mix of light and heavy--think a slightly heavier, slightly less overtly humorousThe Family Stone set in the UK rather than New England, and you'll about have it. Recommended if this sounds your kind of thing.