Far and Away

by Amy Poeppel

The “absolutely hilarious” (Real Simple) Amy Poeppel delights once again with a charming new novel about a house swap gone wonderfully awry.

Perfect strangers Lucy and Greta have agreed to a house swap—and boy, are they going to regret it.

Lucy’s hometown of Dallas has gone from home sweet home to vicious snake pit in the blink of an eye after her son makes a mistake he can’t undo. And Greta’s beloved flat in Berlin is suddenly up for grabs when her husband Otto takes a dream job in Texas without even telling her. In their rush to leave town, Lucy and Greta make a deal, pack their bags, and—thanks to martinis, desperation, and some very rusty German—have absolutely no idea what they’re getting themselves into.

Trading Southern charm and barbecue for European sophistication and schnitzel, the two women get a lot more than a change of scenery as they move into each other’s houses, neighborhoods, and lives. Greta and Lucy’s husbands are no help: Otto is winning over his colleagues, swimming laps in the backyard pool, and rooting for the Rangers, while Lucy’s husband is doing a six-month stretch out west, either in a NASA biosphere or in jail, depending on who you ask. Meanwhile, Greta’s daughter Emmi and Lucy’s son Jack get tossed into each other’s orbits, where they both discover secrets they can’t ignore.

When Greta’s biggest career achievement—the buzzworthy purchase of a Vermeer at auction—is thrown into question and Lucy’s past with a hot Viking named Bjørn invades her present, the two women need each other in ways they never could have imagined. Through jet lag, culture shock, suspiciously nice neighbors, and scandals that refuse to be left behind, Lucy and Greta will have to decide if they can ever go home again.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Humor, Travel

388 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2025

About the author

Amy Poeppel is the author of the novels The SWEET SPOT, MUSICAL CHAIRS, LIMELIGHT, and SMALL ADMISSIONS. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she and her husband live in New York City, Litchfield County, CT, and Frankfurt, Germany. Her writing has appeared on The Rumpus, LitHub, The New York Times, Belladonna Comedy, Mock Mom, and Working Mother.

Reviews

[lauren‎♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧ (semi-ia) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5💫

i loved this one so much because its set in the city where i go to school- the place where i met my best friend who is German- and so it was so fun to read a book where I can learn about her culture in Germany while also comparing it to our life in Dallas (even though she doesn’t live in Dallas anymore)

this book was actually so fun to read and i loved every single character in this one. each family had such a different dynamic with each other and it was so sweet to see how they became one big family. they all somehow interloped with one another even though they are on opposite sides of the world, and i enjoyed the connections they made with people from each others worlds too. this book let you into each characters pov in their new environment and i enjoyed reading everyones experience and emotions. I like really don’t want to give anything away so im just going to keep it as broad as possible haha!!

it was so entertaining to read how each family adjusts to the new culture of the place they live in and learn how to adapt to it. struggling with the language leading to all the miscommunication was so funny and i just overall enjoyed how the germans experienced texas and vice versa. i just loved this so much!!!!!

[Kelly • Kell of a Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ Call it the perfect book (for me!), call it the perfect book at the perfect time, I don’t care - I really loved this!

Amy Poeppel’s books are always such a delight. The drama is on the lighter side, but totally engrossing and entertaining, and the characters are charming and lovable (and nerdy!). Plus, I’m always a big fan of a book that can give me a hearty dose of wanderlust.

When a scandal rocks Lucy Holt’s world, she makes an impulsive decision to get the heck outta Dallas and jets off to Berlin with her kids so she can swap houses with a woman she’s never met. (I think it’s important, and refreshing, to note that the big drama here isn’t an affair even though I totally made it sound like an affair!)

I truly adored the quirky Holt family and found Greta so endearing. While the women were definitely the stars of the show, I couldn’t get enough of Jack and Mason. I was genuinely sad to say goodbye to all of these characters and desperately wish I could’ve savored my time with them. Sadly (but actually, amazingly) I couldn’t put the book down so I completely devoured it and now I miss all of them!

While the entire book is a treat, the last few chapters had me smiling so big my cheeks started to hurt. I absolutely loved how worlds collided and all the pieces fell into place. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something light and fun with a lot of heart.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader! All opinions are my own!

[mackenzie (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved that this was simultaneously a lighthearted fun time and also had serious topics with serious commentary. a perfect summer read if you’re looking for one that actually HITS (because literally every summer book ever is disappointing and for what), and if you enjoy a bit of sincerity with your silly.

[The Lit Homebody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, oh, oh! What a treasure of a book.

Far and Away for me felt like serendipitous bookish timing at its perfect peak. I started it while on vacation in Germany and there is truly nothing better than reading a book about travel while you’re on your own adventure exploring new places, but what made this even better was the little bits of German sprinkled throughout, oh my goodness I loved it!

Go into this one blind. Don’t read the synopsis, it gives too much away and if you do decide to pick this up you will be so delighted by all the little plot twists and surprises.

The entire book was the biggest treat but the last few chapters had me grinning and giggling and awww’ing the whole way through. The way that worlds and characters collided, it was just so heartwarming and tender.

If you’re looking for a light, charming and very funny read with a lot of heart and a dose of wanderlust, look no further.

[NZLisaM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uplifting, delightful, inspirational, hilarious, and full of heart! I loved this collection of wonderfully quirky characters.

Lucy Holt and Greta von Bosse lead charmed lives in Dallas, Texas, and Charlottenburg, Berlin, respectively. Lucy is preparing for her son’s high school graduation and has just landed a prestigious new client. Greta and her husband Otto are set to embark on a year-long adventure in New York City.

But everything changes in an instant. Lucy’s family is rocked by scandal, and with her husband Mason unreachable for six months (I won’t spoil his profession – it’s too funny to ruin!), she’s left to manage the fallout on her own. Meanwhile, Greta’s New York plans are derailed, and their new destination becomes Dallas – a city that leaves Greta feeling unenthusiastic and deflated as well as scrambling for last-minute accommodations.

When Lucy spots Greta’s Instagram post looking for a house swap, it feels like fate. Berlin offers the escape her family desperately needs. And so, Greta and Otto head to Dallas, while Lucy, her 18-year-old son Jack, and 8-year-old twins Alice and Zoe flee to Charlottenburg.

What could possibly go wrong?

Far and Away was a joy to read. The novel was packed with hilarious misunderstandings and moments of miscommunication. I connected with Lucy and her family immediately. It took a little longer to warm to Greta and Otto, but once they arrived in Dallas and encountered the Holts’ smart home – not to mention their two dogs, three cats, and one guinea pig – I was completely invested.

This book made me laugh out loud so many times. It was funny, sweet, and entertaining, yet balanced the humour with emotional depth, never slipping into slapstick. The final quarter was full of surprising twists, chance meetings, and overlapping plot lines which made the story even more engaging.

All of the characters were well developed. I was genuinely sad to say goodbye. I also appreciated that the narrative occasionally shifted to other characters beyond Lucy and Greta, adding more richness to the story.

I listened to the first half of the book and read the last half, and I have to say the audiobook was a standout. The narrators brought the story to life, with spot-on accents and a clear sense of fun. Their delivery especially helped with the German dialogue, which could have been tricky to interpret otherwise. It’s easily one of my favourite audiobook performances to date.

And can we talk about the Holts’ smart home? Total dream house! Plus, six glorious pets? Yes, please. Interestingly, this was the second Texas-set book I’ve read in a row featuring a high-end designer home. But where Party of Liers had a house that felt cold and foreboding, the one in Far and Away felt warm and welcoming.

After writing this review, I checked the official synopsis and was relieved I hadn’t read it earlier – it gives too much away. I’m so glad I went in only having read friends’ reviews. There were several twists I wouldn’t have wanted spoiled.

Amy Poeppel is now on my list of authors to explore further. If her other books are anything like Far and Away, I’m in for a roaring good time.

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy always brings a cast of fun characters and an enjoyable story that makes me feel the feels and laugh along the way. As someone who is of German descent, I loved the German moments!

Audio was so fun!

[Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect read for summer - or any time, really! I literally laughed out loud several times. Full of wit and humor while covering important topics such as gossip, marriage, friendship, and family. Highly recommend this for when you want a light, feel-good read. 📚

[Lynda Loigman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far and Away is a story so wildly original and so riotously clever that only Amy Poeppel could have written it. When a too-trusting Dallas teen genius jeopardizes his college acceptance, his overworked mother makes a unilateral decision to swap homes with a dissatisfied Berlin-based scientist and his long-suffering wife. What follows is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud romp that is also a fresh and insightful commentary on motherhood, marriage, and the pursuit of joy. An absolutely remarkable achievement!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Poeppel sees into my mind and my heart in such a specific way- I just adore her. I'd love to sit and chat with her and pick her beautiful brain. This book is just perfect- witty, laugh out loud funny, snarky, sweet, and insightful. Five shiny stars.

Thank you to Atria for providing me with a complimentary advance copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

[Angie Miale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lucy and Greta swap homes for a year; what could be a fish-out-of-water story becomes a dual POV fishes-out-of-water story. Greta's husband Otto is taking a position in Dallas, temporarily, and they list their small Berlin apartment for a home swap saying "perfect for someone in need of an escape." Lucy and her kids fit the bill. Her husband, Mason, is unreachable and out on assignment from NASA, is he on Mars? Jack has been expelled from high school the day before graduation and his dreams of going to MIT are crumbling. Lucy's parents live in a small home on their property, and Greta meets them and takes care of the cats. Otto gets into living in the US more than Greta.

This was a fun read, easy to examine and fun mis-translations. Lucy has twin girls who are written almost perfectly, I only wish we had gotten more of the twins. Her son Jack was treated so unfairly it seemed almost impossible for his life to be ruined so thoroughly over a misunderstanding. Everything, naturally, works out for the best, and that really is the lesson. That sometimes we need to move an ocean away to see ourselves clearly. Although I found Lucy a bit boring, the interweaving storylines kept things interesting.

This is best read on kindle so that you can translate the German phrases and sentences. I shelved it as women's book club fiction, it is contemporary and lighthearted. Easy to read this is very accessible to many readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC. Book to be published June 10, 2025.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far and Away by Amy Poeppel is so much fun! I inhaled it in just two days. Last year, I loved The Sweet Spot and why Poeppel isn’t a household name yet is beyond me. But hey, fingers crossed this gem of a book puts her on everyone’s radar. Poeppel divides her time between Dallas and Germany, so I love that she took some of her own experiences into this book.
The setup is delightfully chaotic: two families, one in Dallas and one in Berlin, decide to swap houses after life throws them some wild curveballs. Lucy’s son commits a colossal mathematical flub that tanks his graduation and torpedoes his shot at MIT. Meanwhile, her husband? Oh, he’s locked up in a New Mexico biosphere (or is it prison?) and has no instant way to contact the family, totally normal. Then there’s Greta, whose husband Otto just up and decides to hightail it to Texas for a job, without so much as a heads up.
So, what do these two families do? Obviously, they strike a deal and swap houses for the summer. No solid plan, no clue what they’re doing, just a desperate need for a reset.
There's a fun mix of drama and surprises. Handsome neighbors? Check. Juicy family secrets? Double check. Art history lessons, soul searching about what "home" really means, and more twists than you’d expect? Triple check. A little bit of art history, quadruple check! I enjoyed looking up Vermeer, the artist of Girl With a Pearl Earring.
It’s all here, served with charm and unpredictability. While Berlin was far more descriptive and fun than Dallas, I found that there is A LOT of German in here. If you don't have a Kindle, be prepared, the translations can be tough if you don't follow along closely.
This book is such a quirky, refreshing take on a genre that’s often full of clichés. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, and now I’m counting down the days until Poeppel’s next book is published.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. This fun spin on the house swap trope is everything you’d expect from Amy Poeppel with lots of depth, humor and tender moments. A perfect for summer read as it’s chockfull of family drama (nothing heavy), fabulous female characters, and around the world travel destinations. Really great on audio! 🩵🎧

[Stephanielikesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

After having read and loved this author’s previous novel, The Sweet Spot, I knew I had to read this one. I’m glad I did.

Told in a dual location/dual POV, this story about found family, parent-child relationships, friendship, taking chances, and romance, had a lot of heart.

Although it had a bit of a slow start, I was soon wrapped up in the story and its very likeable main characters. There were many secondary characters to keep track of at first but they were such a great addition. A couple of plot points were a bit far fetched but the charm of the story and the storytelling made that only a minor quibble for me. The ending was very satisfying and the epilogue was so heartwarming. I turned the last page with a smile on my face.

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A house swap between two families on opposite sides of the world—what could go wrong?

When Lucy’s teenage son, Jack, makes a monumental mistake, she sees only one way out: escape. Enter Greta, a German woman whose husband has just accepted a job in Dallas—right where Lucy and her family live. The solution seems perfect: Greta and her family will move into Lucy’s house, while Lucy, Jack, and her twin daughters, Alice and Zoe, take up residence in Greta’s Berlin flat. A fresh start for everyone.

But swapping houses doesn’t mean escaping problems. As Lucy navigates motherhood, a demanding job, and the fallout from Jack’s actions, Greta struggles with leaving behind her beloved flat, sister, and mother. What unfolds is a lively, heartfelt, and often hilarious tale about family—the ones we’re born into and the ones we find along the way.

Poeppel’s characters leap off the page, brimming with personality, quirks, and dreams. Lucy and Greta, despite being separated by an ocean, become quickly entangled in each other’s lives. Greta envies Lucy’s spontaneity, while Lucy admires Greta’s discipline—though only sometimes. Meanwhile, Greta and her husband, Otto, are drawn into Lucy’s world thanks to her well-meaning parents, who live in her backyard. Clueless but endearing Otto embraces Texas life with gusto, donning cowboy boots, diving into barbecue culture, and developing a love for Costco, while Greta struggles to find her footing, focusing instead on her complicated relationship with her teenage daughter, Emmi.

Poeppel masterfully weaves these storylines together, blending humor with heartfelt moments. Lucy’s absent husband, Mason, is at a NASA training facility in New Mexico—or, as Greta thinks, possibly in jail. "Mason is on Mars." Regardless, Lucy is left to handle everything on her own. Despite a colorful supporting cast, the novel never feels overcrowded; every character serves a purpose.

Equal parts funny and poignant, FAR AND AWAY will have you laughing one moment and tearing up the next. From hilarious moments (you’ll never hear The Chicks' "Goodbye Earl" the same way again) to the deeply personal struggles of marriage and parenting, Poeppel delivers a rich, emotionally resonant story.

As a longtime fan of Poeppel’s novels, I can confidently say this one continues her tradition of witty, character-driven storytelling. When I reached the final page, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. And the epilogue? Absolutely perfect.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for FAR AND AWAY on 06/10/2025!!

[Amanda up North · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is perfect.
I loved the cultural dynamic of this novel, with alternating settings in Dallas and Berlin.
(A few other locations thrown in: New York City, Copenhagen, Heilgenhafen, etc.)

I was reluctant early on, having a hard time believing that Jack would be exiled from his high school graduation because of the events that transpired. I wasn't buying it, and found that disbelief frustrating. But.. Perhaps we live in hyper-reactive times. Perhaps mean girls sometimes wield their power in a way that harms the greater female population as much as the males they target. Perhaps bullying, attention seeking, influencing, and character assassination are all too believable. And I eventually made the realization that Jack attended a private school, perhaps they get to play by their own rules.

There is frequent mixing of English and German languages, which also put me off a tad at first, but I took to it. If you speak English and German, this book is for you.

Early qualms aside, I grew to love a lot about it. While the one storyline (aforementioned Jack) is YA in a way I found unpleasantly angsty, Amy Poeppel includes every age level and does it well. I loved her novel, The Sweet Spot, and I believe the same was true for that book. She writes children, dogs / pets, spouses, mid-lifers, and retirees. The whole shabang! It's loaded with life, and everyone that comes with it.
I liked that art appreciation and some nerdy NASA stuff are incorporated into the story. I enjoyed the dual cultures, thought it was original and entertaining, if but silly sometimes. There's a lot going on here. Some of it is a hoot.
I see it's shelved as Romance, and I wouldn't say so. It's a story of a big multi-generational, multi-national family-by-chance.

4+ stars. I'd love to read more international house swap stories, so fun.
I could've done without the the gross, popular-priveleged highschool kid behaviors.
There is plenty more to it, though. Otto and Greta were (surprise) my favorite part. Two adults who respect eachother - their part of the story was a humanly complex mesh of humorous, sad, surprisingly lovely.

[Andrea | andrea.c.lowry.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far and Away was such a fun and heartwarming story full of quirky and endearing characters. Amy Poeppel has truly written a delightful and charming story filled with hope, discovery and redemption.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

I loved how this story focused on family and trying to get away from current frustrations in life. The story itself is based on a misunderstanding and a job change, from there a very charming cast of characters come together to help each other in so many different ways.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

House Swap
Dallas and Berlin
Quirky Characters
Laugh out loud moments
Tender family moments

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Slow burn/character driven

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

Talk about a book that is touching, sweet and filled with so much heart and humor! I’m already missing the fun cast of characters and all their little quirks. You definitely have got to read this one, just so you can feel like you are part of their family too!

Thank you, Atria, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[jenny reads a lot]

AM rec from event

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two families, one in Texas, one in Berlin (yep, Germany) swap houses for the summer. What could go wrong?!

Two adults from Berlin come to Texas and move into a huge house (everything is big in Texas), with 4-5 bedrooms, an unbelievable kitchen, a pool in the backyard and two dogs, three cats and a guinea pig. 🐹 Culture shock is an understatement.

Meanwhile, the Texas family, with twin 8 year old girls and a teenage son, move into a fifth floor (no elevator) apartment filled with priceless antiques and two small bedrooms. They make do as best they can.

Each family has a specific reason for swapping locations. One has a one year job opportunity and the other, an expelled student who can’t explain his program of putting price tags on senior high girls. He’s basically an excellent student and good kid but socially a bit awkward. No one gives him a chance to explain.

This delightful story has great ups and downs with kids, adults and language. Amy Poeppel has written another fantastic book! (I’ve read them all.) This doesn’t publish until June, 2025, but I couldn’t wait.

Thanks Edelweiss and Atria.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far and Away by Amy Poeppel is a smart, funny, and unexpectedly moving novel that had me laughing out loud and genuinely rooting for its two flawed but lovable heroines.

Picture this: a desperate house swap between two women at the absolute breaking points in their lives—Lucy in Dallas, trying to outrun a scandal surrounding her son, and Greta in Berlin, blindsided by her husband’s Texas relocation and in need of a fresh start (or a strong drink, preferably both). What unfolds is a delightfully tangled comedy of errors filled with sharp wit, cultural mishaps, and a surprising dose of heart.

Amy Poeppel has a gift for capturing the absurdity of real life—martini-fueled decisions, awkward conversations with suspiciously perfect neighbors, and the slow-burn realization that sometimes running away forces you to face what really matters. Lucy and Greta are relatable in the best ways: messy, self-deprecating, and trying (and often failing) to keep it all together.

From Texas BBQ to Berlin art auctions, Poeppel takes us on a journey that’s as emotional as it is hilarious. The side characters shine too—especially the kids, Emmi and Jack, whose intersecting stories add depth and surprise—and there’s even a little romantic chaos involving a dreamy Viking named Bjørn. What more could you want?

If you enjoy smart women’s fiction with heart, humor, and a touch of chaos, Far and Away is your passport to a perfect escape.

Highly recommended. Five stars!
✔️ Perfect for fans of The Rosie Project, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, or Fleishman Is in Trouble
✔️ Best enjoyed with a martini in hand and your passport nearby—just in case.

[Ranjini Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounding up. This has the trademark Poeppel zany energy and motley crew of characters that are fun and heartwarming. I felt like this one was maybe far too packed with characters and sometimes I had a hard time tracking who was who and where they were as they traveled the world. But it left me feeling warm and fuzzy

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

I didn’t know what to expect, but this was such a joy. Loved it!

Thank you to Atria Books for the gifted book and Simon Audio for the gifted audiobook.

Pub Date: 06/10/2025

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read and my new favorite Amy Poeppel book! Everything from the characters to the setting to the storyline was just fun and delightful, so much that I breezed through it in 24 hours. A basic house swap doesn’t feel like it has the makings for a 5 star read but this just expanded into something perfect and I highly recommend it.

[Rochelle Weinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've never met an AP book I haven't LOVED. it's like a dose of joy.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an utterly delightful story. For fans of The Holiday and any of your favorite rom-coms. I would also compare it a little to Lula Dean in just the way community and family come together. Each of the characters is so unique and vibrant. I mean Otto is just perfection.

I loved the way the story unfolds, with varying perspectives and voices.

This is a wonderful story about family, both the one that you’re born into and found family. About following your gut and also not being afraid of a challenge. Just perfect.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy for my feedback.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A witty novel about two families doing a house swap. They each have their reasons for the swap. Berlin and Dallas are two worlds apart. Can the families enjoy their time away from home?

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Amy Poeppel's novels ever since I checked out Limelight in 2018 (reviewed here). That was a top pick for me at the time. I'm pleased to share that another one of her novels has earned a spot on my top picks list this year: Far and Away. It's like The Holiday, but about parenthood and only slightly more chaotic. 😂 I loved every bit of it, including the quirky characters, armchair adventure, humor, and pets, just to name a few things. Of course, the synopsis had me at "Viking named Bjørn" because of Ghosts .

I felt so bad for Lucy with everything that happened from Jack making an error in judgment. I can't even imagine having to see my child's dreams get taken away because of a misunderstanding that got out of control. Then to add insult to injury, everyone was ostracizing Lucy and her family. And her husband was doing this Mars simulation so he wouldn't even take her calls and he had no idea what was happening. 

Greta seemed to have it slightly easier, but she walked into a messy situation...and house, not knowing what to expect. Her husband was living the dream in Texas and she was just trying to get by. I could understand how awkward she felt at times, and how homesick she truly was. I liked seeing her communication with Lucy and how they started to understand each other's situations after a while.

I loved all the narrative from the variety of characters and seeing them in so many locations throughout the story. I was picturing one of those toy planes going back and forth on a map. I have never been to Berlin, but Amy made it easy to picture everything there. There was so much livelihood throughout the story and I never knew what to expect from one chapter to the next. I wanted to live inside the book even longer!

It would have been nice to have translations for everything that was just written in German. Some context was available here and there, but if I were watching this as a movie and the subtitles were missing, I'd be totally confused.

I'm excited for everyone to read this soon, so I can enjoy it again vicariously through them. (I'm re-enjoying it just by writing this review.) It's such a refreshing and creative novel and I'm glad I got the opportunity to check it out!

(Trigger warning at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Lucy: Rachael Leigh Cook
Greta: Diane Kruger
Jack: Finn Wolfhard
Emmi: Lilly Krug
Irene: Caroline Lagerfelt
Adam: Dan Jeannotte
Otto: Til Schweiger (which is funny when you read the book...)

Originally featured at Chick Lit Central, along with a giveaway (ends June 15th).
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TW: Bullying

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up an Amy Poeppel book is like picking up a burst of joy and all of the good things. I’ve read all of her books and she has become an autobuy author for me.

Far and Away was another fun, sweet, laugh-out-loud journey. This one took us across the globe when the Holt’s and Van Bosse family’s unforeseen circumstances force them into a house swap to beat all house swaps.

I loved learning more about Germany.

The characters as always, were so fun and unique, beautifully developed and they all served a purpose and helped moved the story along. The plot was engaging and Poeppel’s writing envelopes you without suffocating you or overcomplicating the story. What I admire most about her writing is the ability to have these plots and subplots and having them all come together beautifully. It is evident that she has great skill and takes great care to not make a mess of it and honor the story and characters.

Amy Poeppel has another winner on her hands and I recommend this for fans of Emily Henry, Courtney Walsh, and Clare Pooley. There a bits of german phrases throughout and I did have to use google translate but it did make it that much more fun for me to read.

I’d like to thank NetGalley, Emily Bestler Books/Atria for my ARC in exchanged for an honest review.

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.25/5

Thank you @atriabooks @simon.audio #partner for the gifted copies of this book!

Okay, friends — HOW did nobody warn me that I was going to fall head over heels for this book?! This was my first Amy Poeppel read and let me tell you, it will not be my last. I’m officially a fan, possibly a groupie.

It starts with a high school senior making a truly epic teenage mistake — the kind that gets your whole family shunned faster than you can say “oops.” And just when they’re about to drown in small-town side-eye, they get an offer to swap houses. Not like, across town. Nope. Dallas to Berlin. Casual.

Naturally, it’s chaos from the jump. Culture shock, jet lag, and more family drama than a Thanksgiving dinner gone wrong. But underneath all the hilarious disasters is this heartwarming, charming story about found family, forgiveness, awkward friendships, questionable choices, and new love. What follows is a wonderfully chaotic, heartwarming, and hilarious adventure filled with themes of found family, personal growth, friendship, new love, and all the beautiful, messy things in between. I adored every single character in this one!

If you love to travel (or at least love pretending you’re about to book a spontaneous flight), adore messy, lovable characters, and enjoy laughing out loud while secretly getting a little misty-eyed — this one’s for you. 10/10 would house swap with these people.

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two women swap houses in Dallas and Berlin at the last minute with minimal communication via Instagram as Lucy knew Greta's sister during a college semester abroad.

Greta and her husband Otto were planning on a one year sabbatical at a New York City hospital that becomes a year in Dallas instead. Their apartment in Berlin will be empty and they need somewhere to live in Dallas. Lucy, her eighteen year old son and eight year old twins are looking for a break for at least the summer while Lucy's husband is on a six month work engagement with NASA.

There are so many fun moments as both families adjust to different cultures and lifestyles and languages. Both families took big chances and will grow, and change, and take a few more big risks in their "new" hometowns. Greta's mother and sister and Lucy's parents are terrific supporting characters.

Thank you Atria Books | Atria/Emily Bestler Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. #FarAndAway #NetGalley

[Delaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC