In this hilarious, heartwarming tale, mother-daughter skiing champs face the bumps in their own relationship when an avalanche in a Swiss village forces them together.
Alpine skiing G.O.A.T. Claudine Potts and her daughter Wylie have been bred for gold medal glory. They’re skiing their way to fame, but this gilded future is cut short when a fall forces Claudine’s retirement and Wylie’s debilitating anxiety sends her off the slopes.
With the collapse of their ski careers, their relationship falters and now it’s been years since Wylie and Claudine have even spoken. They live on opposite coasts, pursuing different passions, until a chance opportunity to pair up in a European fitness competition drives them back together. Can this duo survive snow-buried regrets and family secrets and have the happy reunion they’re hoping for?
Set in a dreamy Swiss village with a colorful cast of characters, Bluebird Day will make listeners laugh and swoon, as Claudine and Wylie slalom through the complicated terrain of lost ambition, past mistakes, and mother-daughter love.
Megan Tady is the author of BLUEBIRD DAY and SUPER BLOOM, which received IPPY's Best Regional Fiction for the New England region in 2023. She is a freelance writer and editor running the company Word-Lift, and she teaches humor writing workshops. Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, Reader's Digest, Woman's Day, and Ms. Magazine, among others. Megan lives in Western Massachusetts with her family.
Bluebird Day: A Novel By: Megan Tady Pub date: December 3, 2024 Publisher: Zibby Books
This novel is the story about a mother-daughter relationship. Claudine Potts and her daughter, Wylie have been trained for medals. Claudine’s was forces into retirement and Wylie is dealing with her own issues along with her relationship with her mother. Years go by and their relationship has been tested with a long period of silence. A competition leads them back to each other. Can they work through their relationship as it is tested during a trying time? Tady has a way of drawing readers into a story which compels you to read to the last word. I enjoyed this story and the setting in a Swiss village is perfect for a winter getaway.
BLUEBIRD DAY is the perfect book to read cozy up with fireside this winter. This is a complicated mother-daughter story set in the world of competitive Alpine skiing and follows skiing legend Claudine Potts and her adult daughter, Wylie. Claudine has attempted to live out her Olympic dreams vicariously through her daughter resulting in the collapse of their ski careers and their rocky relationships. A European fitness competition brings them together after going years without speaking while living across the country.
There is nothing better than the Swiss Alp setting and the impending metaphorical and literal avalanche the women face. I adored the rich supporting cast of characters and the way the story reminds readers of what is really worth chasing in life.
With her sophomore novel and signature blend of swing-up stories, Megan Tady has cemented herself as a must-read author.
READ THIS IF YOU: -have ever wanted to redefine yourself -know the importance of a sincere apology -occasionally indulge in a European pastry
RATING: 4.5/5 PUB DATE: December 3, 2024 (out now!)
Many thanks to Zibby Publishing for an advanced copy
OUTSTANDING. Please add this to your TBR immediately. Set in the cozy, atmospheric winter wonderland of Zermatt, this is a beautiful commentary on mothers+daughters, forgiveness and letting go. The characters are vibrant and endearing and you’ll find yourself rooting for Claudine and Wylie. Bonus points for two mentions of the 10th mountain division- a unit near and dear to our heart!
Thanks to Zibby Books for a complimentary advance copy of this magical novel. All opinions are my own.
In her second novel following Super Bloom, Megan Tady whisks readers away to the picturesque village of Zermatt, Switzerland, where an unexpected avalanche becomes the catalyst for healing a fractured mother-daughter relationship. The story follows Claudine Potts, a former Olympic skiing champion turned virtual cycling instructor, and her estranged daughter Wylie, an aspiring artist trapped in the world of competitive fitness.
Setting the Scene: A Perfect Storm
The novel opens with both women at crossroads in their lives. Claudine, despite her successful career pivot to CycleTron instruction, yearns to reconnect with her daughter. Meanwhile, Wylie struggles under the weight of her controlling boyfriend Dan's expectations while pursuing a career in art that she hopes will finally earn her mother's approval.
When Dan's injury prevents him from competing in an upcoming fitness competition in Berlin, Wylie makes the bold decision to ask her mother to be her partner. What follows is an unexpected detour to Switzerland that becomes much more than either woman bargained for when an avalanche traps them in Zermatt.
Strengths: Where the Novel Shines
Authentic Character Development
Tady excels at crafting complex, flawed characters who feel remarkably real. Claudine's journey from the "Stone-Cold Killer" of the slopes to a more vulnerable version of herself is particularly well-executed. The author deftly peels back the layers of both women's personas, revealing the insecurities and unspoken desires that drive their actions.
Rich Supporting Cast
The novel benefits tremendously from its colorful cast of secondary characters. From the free-spirited Bibbidi and her wife Erin to the charming a cappella singer Calvin, each character adds depth and perspective to the central mother-daughter narrative. The hostel's staff, particularly Koa with his environmental consciousness, brings both comic relief and thoughtful commentary on climate change's impact on winter sports.
Vivid Setting
Tady's description of Zermatt is masterful, painting a picture so vivid readers can almost feel the crunch of snow beneath their feet. The author's attention to detail regarding skiing terminology and culture lends authenticity to the narrative without overwhelming readers unfamiliar with the sport.
Areas for Improvement
Pacing Issues
The novel occasionally suffers from uneven pacing, particularly in the middle section. Some readers might find the build-up to certain revelations a bit prolonged, though the payoff generally justifies the wait.
Predictable Elements
While the central conflict resolution is satisfying, some plot points follow familiar patterns in the genre. The romantic subplot, though sweet, treads familiar territory.
Themes and Deeper Meanings
The novel expertly explores several compelling themes:
- The complex dynamics of mother-daughter relationships - The weight of family legacies and expectations - The courage required to choose authenticity over others' expectations - The impact of secrets on relationships - Environmental consciousness and the preservation of winter sports
Writing Style and Technical Elements
Tady's prose is crisp and engaging, with a particular talent for dialogue that rings true. Her background as a journalist shows in her attention to detail and ability to weave complex themes into an accessible narrative. The alternating perspectives between Claudine and Wylie provide valuable insights into both characters' motivations and fears.
Final Verdict
Bluebird Day is a worthy addition to the contemporary women's fiction genre. While it may not break entirely new ground, it delivers a satisfying blend of family drama, romance, and personal growth against a wonderfully realized winter setting.
Claudine and Wiley Potts are an estranged mother and daughter who were once competitive ski racers. Their relationship has been strained for many years. Claudine is a former Olympian, while Wiley, who was groomed to be an Olympian, chose to pursue her passion for art instead, leading to a significant rift between them. They haven’t spoken since. When an avalanche strikes a Swiss village, they are forced to confront their fractured relationship. As they navigate this situation, they begin to share memories and set aside their ongoing conflict.
The story explores the evolution of relationships over time, delving into the competitiveness between mothers and daughters. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging past mistakes to become better individuals. Themes of identity, ambition, and the complexities of family dynamics, particularly among female athletes, are central to the narrative.
✨Mini Review✨ Read this if you love 💙: Mother-Daughter Relationships 🔹Swiss Setting 🔹 Alpine Ski Racing 🔹Paternity Issue 🔹 Finding Your Passion 🔹 Diverse Characters 🔹 Acapella Group
Themes of Mental Health, Forgiveness, and Competitive/Achievement Culture
Narrator Rachel Fulginiti delivers a terrific performance with the dual POV, creating an authentic mother-daughter relationship.
3.75 stars. If you’re looking for a contemporary with winter atmospheric vibes, look no further!
Wylie was supposed to be a skiing prodigy. After all, her mom was the GOAT. Now an adult and estranged from her mother, Wylie is ready to tackle her next challenge. So what happens when her plans unexpectedly change and she end up in a Swiss village at the base of the Matterhorn with said mother?
The atmosphere was so good. I loved being trapped in a snow-filled Swiss village with many personalities! I was very drawn into the story and the family secrets and mother-daughter definitely propelled the narrative.
If you want a heartfelt story about mother and daughter relationships, forgiveness and finding your way when one chapter ends, definitely check this book out!
Thank you to Zibby Publishing for this gifted copy!! Out now!
3.5 ⭐️BLUEBIRD DAY follows a mother-daughter duo as they navigate a complicated past ripe with family secrets and attempt to repair their fractured relationship.
Claudine Potts was arguably one of the world’s greatest alpine skiers and hoped for similar success for her daughter, Wylie. Unfortunately, anxiety prevents Wylie from living up to her dreams (or maybe Claudine’s dreams?) and neither woman handles the fallout well.
Fast forward a few years when Wylie needs a favor and Claudine jumps at the chance to reconnect with her daughter. The girls just need to make a pit stop in Zermatt so Claudine can handle a little family business first. From there, absolutely nothing goes to plan - sometimes for the best.
I think because I was so into the content of the book (🎿+🇨🇭= 🤗) I was able to overlook some of the parts that weren’t all that amazing. The plot does drag a bit and while there’s quite a lot of emotions being thrown around, none of them really landed for me.
I did really appreciate the complicated mother-daughter relationship and Claudine’s willingness to go to therapy and work on bettering herself before reconnecting with Wylie. I think one thing that hit home for me was how much of an impact Claudine’s childhood had on her parenting style.
There’s some drama but it’s pretty mellow so I’d recommend this if you’re in the mood for something lower stakes and atmospheric. Overall, not the GOAT as far as books go, but it was the perfect thing to read on a snowy weekend while wishing I was at a ski resort!!
Personally, if I found my self snowed in somewhere in Switzerland I would be over the moon.
Thanks to Zibby Books for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
This book felt like being curled up under a fluffy blanket next to a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night. Great portrayal of mother-daughter dynamics in adulthood, quaint Swiss Alps setting, fun characters, a sprinkling of romance, and a dash of suspense rounded out this cozy read. And ya’ll know I ❤️ local authors! Great audio narration.
Beautiful, yet realistic story of a strenuous relationship between mother and daughter. Both ski champs, they now face the toughest challenge. Finding their footing with each other again after a falling out. A trip to Switzerland, an adorable singing group, a hostel with a random disco inside, a cast of quirky characters, and the truth. This novel is a cup of hot cocoa by a roaring fire while the snow blankets the ground. Five stars!
Having a ski champion mother who is driven to continue the family legacy by creating a champion out of her daughter is not easy, especially when Wylie doesn’t measure up. Why can’t her mother help her face her anxiety or support her love of art? Why does her mother keep secrets Wylie deserves to know the answer to? The dynamics of this once loving, now strained mother daughter relationship is relatable to the reader, as well as the regrets of a parent looking back.
The setting of a snowy mountain in Switzerland was unique and will make a great book to read by the fire this winter. Loved the quirky, unique characters who brought some humor to lighten the mood. Themes of mental health, global warming, and toxic achievement culture make Bluebird Day relevant to the world today. Don’t let the cute cover fool you! Thank you to Zibby Books and Netgalley for the advance copy. Look for Bluebird Day this December.
I love that it took me 357 days of the year to read the worst book of the year. This was so bad. Terrible. Weak story. Weak characters. So blah they need a new word for blah.
I always love when I pick up a book randomly from my library apps, and it ends up being absolutely stellar. Bluebird Day was on of those picks! It was a bit serendipitous if I’m being honest, because Wylie’s story was the perfect one to take me out of the reading slump that I was in. We meet her at the peak of her mental stress. Filled with anxiety, and unsure what her next move should be, Wylie spoke to me so much. All I kept hoping was that she’d find her way out the other end, and I was willing to follow her through the madness.
First of all, can I please applaud the setting for this book? Being stuck in a small Swiss village at the base of the Matterhorn sounds like the most idyllic accident ever. For Wylie and her mom though, it’s too much closeness to bear. See, the two of them haven’t been on speaking terms for a few years. Both wanting to reach out, both wishing to bridge that gap, but neither wanting to really make the first move. What ensues is a sweet story of two people who love each other very much, attempting the awkward job of rebuilding a relationship.
That’s what I loved so much about this book honestly. It was so realistic, especially Wylie’s anxieties over feeling like she fit in her own life. There was a great conversation about the expectations that others set for us, and the immense pressure that comes form trying to fit into those boxes. I especially appreciated seeing things from Claudine’s point of view as well. This wasn’t just all about Wylie resenting her mother’s expectations, but equally about how Claudine was raised the same way. It showcased how hard it is to unlearn habits to build healthier ones, and bonus points for all the therapy talk too!
Add in a super sweet mini romance, the rediscovery of long lost friends and the making of even more new friends, and this book just stole my heart. I had a lot of fun following along as this mother/daughter duo relearned how to coexist. There were a few parts I thought ran a little long, and I’ll admit that more than once I got a little annoyed at Wylie. But you know… sometimes we are annoyed when we see things that we ourselves have battled and won. So I brushed that aside. All in all this was an excellent read. Would recommend.
This is the perfect book for the winter season! If you’re not a big fan of holiday themed novels, but want something with cold weather vibes, this is it! BLUEBIRD DAY takes readers on a skiing adventure to Switzerland! This novel checked so many boxes for me and included a lot of my favorite elements: family drama (and secrets) with a major focus on mother/daughter relationships, complicated female friendship, dynamic characters, a hint of mystery throughout, and even a touch of romance. Tady’s sophomore novel is full of humor and heart, and absolutely perfect to curl up with on a cold winter’s day.
Thanking this book profusely for pulling me out of a few-weeks-long reading slump! It was just what I needed to get through the cold, snowy days of February -- and a perfect reminder that somewhere out there it is much colder and much snowier than where I live 😏
What I appreciated most about this book was the fact that it isn't your typical snowed-in romance novel (though there is a love interest plot in the background), but rather a complex love story between a mother and her daughter. Not to cast any digs on romance novels, obviously, but sometimes the change of pace is refreshing and welcome.
I enjoyed this one and it was a perfect winter read. A mom and daughter are going on a trip and get stuck due to an avalanche that's hit the town. They are forced to deal with their estranged relationship.
Quirky characters, deeper meanings and a lesson on breaking cycles. The big reasoning for things took me by surprise and thought it made perfect sense for the outcome.
Easy and not too long but probably not a book I'll continue to think about. It's also heavy on skiing which is not something I'm interested in.
I really liked this one! Perfect audiobook & loved the mother daughter relationship read. For some reason, I couldn’t make the turn for it to be five stars, but some of you might believe it to be so! Also great for the winter season! Thanks Libro.fm for the copy!
Family drama revolving around a mother and her daughter set against a Switzerland & downhill skiing setting. There was a lot of drama and miscommunication to unpack with this story, along with finally choosing your own path and being truthful. 3.5 stars
While the story overall was readable and the setting was great, I feel like there were sooooo many holes here. I think the story took way too long for Wylie and Claudine to make amends and it kinda just happened?? If it happened earlier on and we got the aftermath, I think I would’ve been happier. Also, wtf is gonna happen with Barry and his story? What’s going to happen with Claudine and Zosel? What’s going to happen with Wylie and Dan or Calvin? Like give me something here, geez.
An outstanding read from Megan. I loved her first novel, she has an amazing way of writing thought seeking while still being light novels. This one follows a mother-daughter duo, working through some complexities of their past and present. I love the Olympic theme involved in this, and I highly recommend reading this especially to get you into the mood for the Winter Olympics!
This was so aggravating. Not lighthearted and hilarious like advertised. I think I'm having a hard time with marketing expectations not meeting reality with the last couple books I've read. I understand that there needs to be conflict and that mother-daughter relationships can be complicated. I love the work on herself that the mom Claudine was doing and that she was trying to break a cycle and become better. I just don't think this was very well written. There's a lot of awkward scenes in the bathroom (who needs to read about how someone is using the toilet or grooming themselves in the shower??) I also didn't like the daughter at all. She was so self-absorbed and irritating. The "romance" was super awkward and not at all sweet. I wish I had put this down a lot earlier and didn't power through to the end.
Content: lots of language, mentions of affairs no details
my favorite part of this book was listening to the audio talk about how we won’t have skiing because of climate change while driving through a snowstorm in the Rocky Mountains.
This was quite boring unfortunately and was not a very fun book either with the heavy topic of a strained mom/daughter relationship. Not my cup of tea for a book
Bluebird Day is one of those books that was delivered at the perfect time. I love a book that matches the current season and though I don’t have snow outside, it is winter and I’ve been craving a snowy setting. Throw in Alpine Skiing, a European Fitness competition, a chance for a mother and daughter to reconcile with a back drop of a Swiss Village and a hostel! This was a fun one that dives into past family secrets, forgiveness and discovering what you truly want in this short life we have.
Though I have been a mother for 17 years, I haven’t found a book that made me feel like the Mother character, in my head I tend to think I’m the daughter. This one I felt like I was in both the characters shoes… Claudine (Mom) doing what is right, knowing you can’t change the past but show up and be a better version today. Wylie (Daughter) living up to expectations. Did you make your parents proud? This one really made me ponder and I’m curious going forward after having this feeling how I’ll respond to those roles in future reads.
I’m already planning a reread in the next winter season. I think I definitely need to pick up Megan Tady’s debut Superbloom which sounds perfect for the Spring!
Thank you Zibby Books for the beautiful/intentional PR box!
Bluebird Day was such an unexpected delight for me. Thanks so much to Zibby Books and Libro.FM for the gifted audiobook.
Bluebird Day is a heartfelt redemption story about a mother, Claudine, and her daughter, Wiley, who have always struggled to truly understand each other. The pressures they’ve faced and their clashing priorities have strained their relationship to the breaking point. Now, stranded together in a quaint European ski town, they’re forced to confront their own demons. Through this process, they begin to see things from the other’s perspective, gradually rebuilding their relationship and recognizing how precious their time together truly is.
I loved this story for its flawed but deeply relatable characters, its cleverly constructed plot, and the coziness of its setting. It would make a great January read—seasonal and atmospheric but not holiday themed.
The story alternates between Claudine’s and Wiley’s perspectives, but the audiobook features a single narrator, Rachel Fulginiti. Her performance is excellent—her pacing, inflection, and emotional delivery let the words and characters to shine. That said, I generally prefer different narrators for alternating POVs, and I think the audiobook could have been even stronger with a second voice. Still, it’s an enjoyable listen and one I’d definitely recommend.
3.5 ⭐️ for this cozy winter read. I enjoyed the complicated mother-daughter relationship in this story between Wylie and Claudine. Furthermore the setting of Zermatt, Switzerland was picturesque in the small Swiss Alp town. Tady really made you feel like you were there and even made the Matterhorn seem like a supporting character in the story. The quirky cast of characters the mother and daughter duo encounter at the hostile made for delightful and funny moments. However, I felt like the story dragged at times and I wanted more about skiing and more character development. I wondered why the author never mentioned Bluebird day as I only learned about that from a friend who likes to ski. I think it could have added to the story as it is a skiing term for the perfect ski experience with blue skies, ideal visibility and snow conditions. Wylie and Claudine are having anything but a Bluebird day as they haven't spoken in two years but unfortunate circumstances reunite them and dig up old secrets and family drama. Overall, an easy, pleasant and enjoyable read.