Best Behavior
Fiction
Graydon House Books
May 5, 2020
Advance reader copy
336
Free from publisher
A modern-day family gathers for a weekend to remember in a novel rich in both humor and heart... Meredith Parker has made the journey to Bolton, her twins' college, dozens of times. This weekend, though, is different. Dawn and Cody are about to graduate and move away to separate corners of the country. Meredith is proud of her kids, and she's proud of herself for helping them get this far. She just never expected the tidal wave of emotions sweeping over her--or the tangled family dynamics complicating everything. Meredith doesn't miss her cheating ex, Roger, one bit, but sitting across from his very young, very gorgeous second wife threatens to unravel the graceful facade she's trying so hard to maintain. Joel, Meredith's husband, can see she's feeling the first pangs of empty-nest syndrome and wants to soften the blow--but he's distracted by a familiar face. Meanwhile, Cody and Dawn are sitting on their own secrets, and Roger's new wife, Lily, wonders if she really wants to be a part of this wild, mixed-up family. As tensions simmer with each passing appetizer tray, Meredith's vision of the perfect weekend goes up in flames. But before the party's over, as best behavior gives way to brutal honesty, there'll be a chance for this new blended family to truly come together--in all its messy and glorious imperfection.
My review:
I jumped at the chance to read this book since I have a daughter graduating from college (her graduation ceremony would have been today....sigh). Of course, that is where the similarities to this book with my life end, but this one was a really great read! I loved all the drama (from the parents, the exes, the kids), but it wasn't so over the top as to not be believable. It may have veered a bit off the path at the very end, but it certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment, or cause me to wonder if it could happen in some families. Great characters, especially the mother Meredith. I've always been perfectly happy seeing my daughters make their way out into the world, but I found her empty nester story well done and very credible. There was also a nod given to how our perceptions of our children may not always be as we see them, which is a good life lesson for parents.
It will be interesting to see if future readers of this book will think back and say "wait, doesn't this take place in the year when there were no May graduations?" Obviously the author could not have predicted this while writing this novel, but it definitely gives the graduation year, and got me thinking about that 🙂
All in all a great extended family tale that could easily apply to any formal occasion where exes and parties are involved. Great beach read.
It is so sad that all the graduations are being canceled. My cousin gets to do a drive-thru graduation at his school. It has been fun to see how these institutions are adapting to try to still recognize the students' hard work.