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Body Language
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26Three adult sisters are faced with their mother’s provocative last request in this clear-eyed and moving novel exploring choice, change, and power in the bodies and lives of four different women.
Sloane, a former actress now working as a therapist, is determined to find a meaningful way through menopause, away from marketing schemes, possibly with the aid of psychedelics. Her sister Laurel is managing her own growing rage and restlessness while engaging in work at an environmental non-profit and raising teenagers. Nanette, the youngest, has answered a long-delayed religious calling and is living as a Novice in a convent. All three lives will be further disrupted when Sloane receives a call summoning her to their mother’s house, Laurel discovers possible evidence of her husband’s infidelity, and Nanette finds herself in the middle of a media frenzy after a spontaneous act of public prayer.
Soon, all three are reunited under their mother’s roof, and no one can seem to agree about anything beyond the Barbara has dementia, as did her mother and sister before her. Will it be an opportunity for the closed door of their very private mother’s inner life to crack open? A lesson in care; a shared responsibility that will be the making of this family, divided by large age gaps, parental divorce, and temperament? Or will a stunning revelation upend not only their mother’s remaining time, but divide the sisters permanently?
With razor-sharp prose and undeniable humor, acclaimed author Meg Howrey brings an American family in the midst of a painful crisis to unforgettable life, interrogating memory and emotional inheritance, the right of a woman’s autonomy, and the indelible bonds even the most disparate of sisters can share.
Sloane, a former actress now working as a therapist, is determined to find a meaningful way through menopause, away from marketing schemes, possibly with the aid of psychedelics. Her sister Laurel is managing her own growing rage and restlessness while engaging in work at an environmental non-profit and raising teenagers. Nanette, the youngest, has answered a long-delayed religious calling and is living as a Novice in a convent. All three lives will be further disrupted when Sloane receives a call summoning her to their mother’s house, Laurel discovers possible evidence of her husband’s infidelity, and Nanette finds herself in the middle of a media frenzy after a spontaneous act of public prayer.
Soon, all three are reunited under their mother’s roof, and no one can seem to agree about anything beyond the Barbara has dementia, as did her mother and sister before her. Will it be an opportunity for the closed door of their very private mother’s inner life to crack open? A lesson in care; a shared responsibility that will be the making of this family, divided by large age gaps, parental divorce, and temperament? Or will a stunning revelation upend not only their mother’s remaining time, but divide the sisters permanently?
With razor-sharp prose and undeniable humor, acclaimed author Meg Howrey brings an American family in the midst of a painful crisis to unforgettable life, interrogating memory and emotional inheritance, the right of a woman’s autonomy, and the indelible bonds even the most disparate of sisters can share.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 1, 2026
About the author
Meg Howrey
5 books452 followersMeg Howrey is the author of the novel They're Going to Love You, and the novels The Wanderers, The Cranes Dance, and Blind Sight. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Granta, The Harvard Review, Vogue, and The Los Angeles Review of Books. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Want to Read
March 31, 2026I haven't been this excited for a release since I was 11 years old (waiting for the last book in The Selection series of course)
Want to Read
January 7, 2026Have I read They're Going to Love You yet? No. Am I seated for this regardless because the cover is so lovely? Yes.
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Want to Read
December 15, 2025new meg howrey!!! so sat.
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July 2, 2026Three sisters, not unlike the Karamazov brothers in their defining characteristics (more on this shortly), all simultaneously take a trip home to take care of their aging mother who is suffering from dementia, to further consider the implications of this illness and more deeply discern their mother’s state of mind (and concurrently their own.)
These three sisters, individually and collectively, subtly evoked in my mind the identifying characteristics of the three Karamazov brothers: Sloane being Ivan (singular, searching for meaning), Laurel being Dmitri (headstrong, speculative), and Nanette being Alyosha (innocent, devout). “Sloane pointed at Nanette, Laurel, and herself in turn. “Virgin, Mother, Crone.” She said. “No, I’m the crone,” said their mother. “I’m the crone.””
Staying in the same house for the first time in years, the sister’s conflicting personalities and varying senses of themselves make this uncertain time for their family even more complicated. As they spend time with their ill mother, finding out more about how much their separate relationships with her ranged, their joint pieces of the whole picture paint a conclusive piece much different and surprising than they imagined. Personally knowing someone suffering from Alzheimer’s currently, a lot of the behaviors exhibited by their mother were very recognizable and felt sadly very real, which may be something to note before reading if that could be potentially triggering for you. I do wish the novel would have been a bit more evenly distributed with its attention, and wish it had given a more comprehensive picture of each of our characters and each of their stories, and maybe prioritized overall cohesion more than humor or whimsy, though I did appreciate that it had some humor to balance out the dense subject matter. The novel overall does well in exhibiting the ways in which we can be ropes to eachother, to hold onto or use as an aid to get to our next places in life, as well as an example of the ways that something can feel like the end of the world, and yet the world goes on.
These three sisters, individually and collectively, subtly evoked in my mind the identifying characteristics of the three Karamazov brothers: Sloane being Ivan (singular, searching for meaning), Laurel being Dmitri (headstrong, speculative), and Nanette being Alyosha (innocent, devout). “Sloane pointed at Nanette, Laurel, and herself in turn. “Virgin, Mother, Crone.” She said. “No, I’m the crone,” said their mother. “I’m the crone.””
Staying in the same house for the first time in years, the sister’s conflicting personalities and varying senses of themselves make this uncertain time for their family even more complicated. As they spend time with their ill mother, finding out more about how much their separate relationships with her ranged, their joint pieces of the whole picture paint a conclusive piece much different and surprising than they imagined. Personally knowing someone suffering from Alzheimer’s currently, a lot of the behaviors exhibited by their mother were very recognizable and felt sadly very real, which may be something to note before reading if that could be potentially triggering for you. I do wish the novel would have been a bit more evenly distributed with its attention, and wish it had given a more comprehensive picture of each of our characters and each of their stories, and maybe prioritized overall cohesion more than humor or whimsy, though I did appreciate that it had some humor to balance out the dense subject matter. The novel overall does well in exhibiting the ways in which we can be ropes to eachother, to hold onto or use as an aid to get to our next places in life, as well as an example of the ways that something can feel like the end of the world, and yet the world goes on.
June 3, 2026
I’ve been waiting for a new Meg Howrey since 2022 and this did not disappoint. A master class in dialogue, character development, and how to depict what happens in the quiet spaces between life milestones.
June 29, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for providing me with an ARC of this novel. Overall I’d say this novel sat around a 3.7-3.8 for me. More than a 3 but less than a 4. It might not sit with me for years and be memorable but I highly enjoyed it and found the characters well-developed and relatable in their own ways. I appreciate the tenderness but humor when appropriate that Howrey brought to the characters. One of my expertise as a therapist is working with caretakers and many of the caretakers I work with are caring for adults with dementia or Alzheimer’s. I find this book gives a wide range to the ways that someone could be navigating the challenges of this and what to do. Sloane approaches it therapeutically, Nanette religiously and Laurel approaches it as a Mom to concisely pick my perspective. As a 35 year old woman, I also appreciate a novel that has older female characters at different stages in life with Barbara in her end years and Laurel and Sloane being perimenopause, it was refreshing. Aging is complex and I really felt Sloane spoke about this in such a raw way.
I appreciate how we got thorough contextual factors about them from the past and the present, but sometimes the chapters felt disjointed, which I feel is some of the most common critiques I’ve seen about this novel. I didn’t totally mind it, but at times I felt it could’ve been more smooth. I don’t particularly need a plot based novel, but sometimes I was curious what the author was doing with this writing style. I felt a lot of of the character arcs came with about 20% left of the novel where I like when character arcs are maybe at the latest 70% of the novel so that way we can see how it unfolds from there.
I could see how some people would be perturbed by the ending of this novel, but I don’t mind it at all. I appreciate how it was open and I’m not the type of person that needs clarity. While there is some clarity it also ends swiftly, I appreciated this.
Overall I would recommend this book to the right person, maybe not everyone.
I appreciate how we got thorough contextual factors about them from the past and the present, but sometimes the chapters felt disjointed, which I feel is some of the most common critiques I’ve seen about this novel. I didn’t totally mind it, but at times I felt it could’ve been more smooth. I don’t particularly need a plot based novel, but sometimes I was curious what the author was doing with this writing style. I felt a lot of of the character arcs came with about 20% left of the novel where I like when character arcs are maybe at the latest 70% of the novel so that way we can see how it unfolds from there.
I could see how some people would be perturbed by the ending of this novel, but I don’t mind it at all. I appreciate how it was open and I’m not the type of person that needs clarity. While there is some clarity it also ends swiftly, I appreciated this.
Overall I would recommend this book to the right person, maybe not everyone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Body Language" is told across the rotating perspectives of a family of four women: Sloane, the eldest of three siblings, works as a therapist, still holding onto her past as a failed actress and is dealing with the looming prospect of menopause. Laurel, the middle child, has become a devoted mother mother while juggling her work at an environment nonprofit, but soon comes to suspect her husband of infidelity. And Nanette, the youngest, has entered the convent as a Novice nun, and soon finds herself at the center of public attention after she's filmed protesting gun violence. The siblings have lived apart for years, but are drawn back home to Illinois after receiving a call about their mother's worsening dementia - and her informal caretaker flees with her car.
All under the same room, the family has to confront the reality of their present while also having to contend with the memories and emotions of their shared pasts, including being abandoned by their father who left after having an affair. I appreciated that the novel gave fairly equal time across all sisters, and also included their mother Barbara's perspective as well. We come to see just how different each of these women are from each other, evident in not only their differing life paths but also their characters, and see them evolve over the course of the story as well. It's a classic story of a family splintered and then brought together - one that I would typically embrace - but as with "They're Going to Love You", I struggled with the writing. Much of the novel feels like a lot of telling, versus showing, and the sentence structure and prose feels limited and terse at times.
I think for those who've come to enjoy Howrey's writing, this will be welcomed in September 2026, but is not one of my personal contemporary fiction novels.
All under the same room, the family has to confront the reality of their present while also having to contend with the memories and emotions of their shared pasts, including being abandoned by their father who left after having an affair. I appreciated that the novel gave fairly equal time across all sisters, and also included their mother Barbara's perspective as well. We come to see just how different each of these women are from each other, evident in not only their differing life paths but also their characters, and see them evolve over the course of the story as well. It's a classic story of a family splintered and then brought together - one that I would typically embrace - but as with "They're Going to Love You", I struggled with the writing. Much of the novel feels like a lot of telling, versus showing, and the sentence structure and prose feels limited and terse at times.
I think for those who've come to enjoy Howrey's writing, this will be welcomed in September 2026, but is not one of my personal contemporary fiction novels.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A classic adult siblings navigate the fraught ties that bind them together novel. While I found each sister interesting, some more bearable than others, I wish there was a bit more to round out the storylines. 3.5/5
Sloane is a former semi-failed actress who has pivoted to become a therapist and is looking into psychedelics as a way to navigate menopause. Laurel is working at an environmental nonprofit, juggling raising teenagers with concerns over whether her marriage is failing. Nanette, the youngest of the three sisters has finally answered her religious calling and is living as a novice in a convent. When Sloane gets a call summoning her to their mother's house, Laurel finds proof of her husband's potential infidelity, and Nanette has a spontaneous act of public prayer that goes viral, the three converge upon their mother's home to help her navigate her late-stage dementia.
The three sisters couldn't be more different, and it becomes apparent that they don't agree on next steps for their mother either. Their mother, Barbara expected this for herself after watching her mother and sister face down the disease, and long ago shared her plans for when it became too much with her favorite of the three. Sloane deals with her own sense of lost identity, her interest in the neighbor, and her sense of authority within the group. Laurel must face the way she indirectly helped her father hide his affair as a teenager, and wonders if her child is doing the same now. Nanette wonders whether God spoke to her, and what she is meant to do with what she heard. Simmering resentments, family secrets, and menopausal hormones erupt as the three deal with their own issues and attempt to help their mother.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Sloane is a former semi-failed actress who has pivoted to become a therapist and is looking into psychedelics as a way to navigate menopause. Laurel is working at an environmental nonprofit, juggling raising teenagers with concerns over whether her marriage is failing. Nanette, the youngest of the three sisters has finally answered her religious calling and is living as a novice in a convent. When Sloane gets a call summoning her to their mother's house, Laurel finds proof of her husband's potential infidelity, and Nanette has a spontaneous act of public prayer that goes viral, the three converge upon their mother's home to help her navigate her late-stage dementia.
The three sisters couldn't be more different, and it becomes apparent that they don't agree on next steps for their mother either. Their mother, Barbara expected this for herself after watching her mother and sister face down the disease, and long ago shared her plans for when it became too much with her favorite of the three. Sloane deals with her own sense of lost identity, her interest in the neighbor, and her sense of authority within the group. Laurel must face the way she indirectly helped her father hide his affair as a teenager, and wonders if her child is doing the same now. Nanette wonders whether God spoke to her, and what she is meant to do with what she heard. Simmering resentments, family secrets, and menopausal hormones erupt as the three deal with their own issues and attempt to help their mother.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was my first book by this author, so it may just be her writing style, but I found this book to be far too chaotic and disjointed. It felt like a ride through an ADHD brain where every couple pages, SQUIRREL!
The central premise and heart of the story, 3 sisters coming home to care for their mother suffering from dementia, was incredibly well written. Unfortunately, that story was surrounded by very random, drawn out plot points involving the three sisters’ lives (past and present) that were constantly taking me out of the story and had me thinking “get on with it already”. I’m guessing the intention was a standard character driven story, but it was too disjointed and jarring for me to enjoy.
Some of the chapters, like one with the sister becoming a nun at a gun range, were so very long and tedious that I felt like I started skimming the paragraphs to get to the next part. I never want to feel like that in ANY novel, because it usually means I’m headed for a DNF. It also really bothered me that an actress turned life coach was trying to obtain illegal substances and diagnose/medicate her mom. I’m not sure when casual drug use and practicing medicine without a license off of “research” became such a common thing, but it’s a no for me. Also, the sister with the marriage issues? Those chapters were so uncomfortable and awkward. Are there people who actually communicate so robotically like that? It was weird.
Overall, the central story was fantastic, it was just too bogged down by the massive number of tangents the author went on. In all honesty, I think this book is more a 2 star read, but I’m giving it a 3 because the main plot deserved a better rating.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
The central premise and heart of the story, 3 sisters coming home to care for their mother suffering from dementia, was incredibly well written. Unfortunately, that story was surrounded by very random, drawn out plot points involving the three sisters’ lives (past and present) that were constantly taking me out of the story and had me thinking “get on with it already”. I’m guessing the intention was a standard character driven story, but it was too disjointed and jarring for me to enjoy.
Some of the chapters, like one with the sister becoming a nun at a gun range, were so very long and tedious that I felt like I started skimming the paragraphs to get to the next part. I never want to feel like that in ANY novel, because it usually means I’m headed for a DNF. It also really bothered me that an actress turned life coach was trying to obtain illegal substances and diagnose/medicate her mom. I’m not sure when casual drug use and practicing medicine without a license off of “research” became such a common thing, but it’s a no for me. Also, the sister with the marriage issues? Those chapters were so uncomfortable and awkward. Are there people who actually communicate so robotically like that? It was weird.
Overall, the central story was fantastic, it was just too bogged down by the massive number of tangents the author went on. In all honesty, I think this book is more a 2 star read, but I’m giving it a 3 because the main plot deserved a better rating.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've been dealing with a bit of a self-inflicted crisis lately in which I have to come to terms with being a middle-aged woman. Most of the time, I still feel like I'm 27, but then I wake up with night sweats, and I remember.
Body Language is the story of a family of four women dealing with the realization that time and age have caught up with them and they need to face hard truths. Sloane, the eldest daughter, is a former actress turned therapist who is venturing into the world of menopause. Laurel, the middle sister, is a devoted mother who is currently questioning her marriage, while also struggling with gender identity with one of her children, all while working at a non-profit. Nanette, the baby of the family, is a Novice nun at a convent, who accidentally finds herself the focus of a viral video.
The sisters reunite for the first time in years when their mother's caretaker leaves, and they realize the depth of their mother's dementia.
Meg Howrey did a wonderful job with the multi POVs. I truly enjoyed how we knew PARTS of the past, but not enough to go overboard. We knew about Carol, about Laurel as a gymnast, and Nanette as a child. We also learn about each of the women, just as they discover things about themselves.
I think books about women in middle age often get a bad rap. This isn't a pulpy romance or commentary on social media. This is the story about family and difficult choices. It's about the truth and the story we think we know. It's about doing what's best.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Body Language is the story of a family of four women dealing with the realization that time and age have caught up with them and they need to face hard truths. Sloane, the eldest daughter, is a former actress turned therapist who is venturing into the world of menopause. Laurel, the middle sister, is a devoted mother who is currently questioning her marriage, while also struggling with gender identity with one of her children, all while working at a non-profit. Nanette, the baby of the family, is a Novice nun at a convent, who accidentally finds herself the focus of a viral video.
The sisters reunite for the first time in years when their mother's caretaker leaves, and they realize the depth of their mother's dementia.
Meg Howrey did a wonderful job with the multi POVs. I truly enjoyed how we knew PARTS of the past, but not enough to go overboard. We knew about Carol, about Laurel as a gymnast, and Nanette as a child. We also learn about each of the women, just as they discover things about themselves.
I think books about women in middle age often get a bad rap. This isn't a pulpy romance or commentary on social media. This is the story about family and difficult choices. It's about the truth and the story we think we know. It's about doing what's best.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A compelling story of sisterly love and renewal of connection told as they face their mother’s decline and wonder if they can fulfill her final wish.
Sloan at 49 is a failed actress turned psychotherapist dealing with perimenopause. Her sister Laurel, 45, is a mom of two, working part-time for an environmental group and wondering if her husband, Michael, is cheating. The youngest, Nanette, 35, is becoming an Episcopalian nun, and her praying at a gun range has gone viral. They arrive at their Indiana home to deal with their mother, Barbara, a practical woman, who knows her mind is slipping but who doesn’t want to lose it totally at the very end.
The book gives us glimpses of the sisters with their mother growing up. There is such a remarkable bond there. Barbara who sees major crises as “no big whoop” is a calming source. There’s a sweetness that comes through especially as the three create a nest outside their mother’s door that final night of their stay. I enjoyed my introduction to each of the sisters. Laurel’s freezing on the balance beam story from the past leads to Nanette recognizing her other sisters’s powers and concluding they all have lived “fearfully and wonderfully.”
This is such a simple but unbelievably powerful story. The writing is so smooth and the pacing glides. The love of family and its power oozes off the pages. A most enjoyable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for allowing me access to this ARC.
Sloan at 49 is a failed actress turned psychotherapist dealing with perimenopause. Her sister Laurel, 45, is a mom of two, working part-time for an environmental group and wondering if her husband, Michael, is cheating. The youngest, Nanette, 35, is becoming an Episcopalian nun, and her praying at a gun range has gone viral. They arrive at their Indiana home to deal with their mother, Barbara, a practical woman, who knows her mind is slipping but who doesn’t want to lose it totally at the very end.
The book gives us glimpses of the sisters with their mother growing up. There is such a remarkable bond there. Barbara who sees major crises as “no big whoop” is a calming source. There’s a sweetness that comes through especially as the three create a nest outside their mother’s door that final night of their stay. I enjoyed my introduction to each of the sisters. Laurel’s freezing on the balance beam story from the past leads to Nanette recognizing her other sisters’s powers and concluding they all have lived “fearfully and wonderfully.”
This is such a simple but unbelievably powerful story. The writing is so smooth and the pacing glides. The love of family and its power oozes off the pages. A most enjoyable read.
My thanks to NetGalley and Doubleday for allowing me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Body Language follows three adult sisters as they reunite to care for their mother…whose dementia forces them to confront old wounds…family dynamics and an impossible final request. Through each sister's distinct path…Meg Howrey explores aging…caregiving…memory…autonomy and the complicated ways families love one another✨📖
I absolutely loved Meg Howrey's previous novel…They're Going to Love You…so this was an immediate "I need an ARC" book for me and it completely lived up to my hopes💛 I went in knowing very little and I'm so glad I did. This is one of those novels that deserves to be discovered with care.
The subject matter isn't always easy but it's handled with such honesty… compassion and even moments of humor. It's thoughtful and deeply human. If you enjoy literary fiction that isn't afraid to wrestle with life's hardest questions while celebrating the enduring bonds between family…I'd absolutely recommend adding this one to your list🌿
Thank you Doubleday for the gifted ARC!
Releases 9/1
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
I absolutely loved Meg Howrey's previous novel…They're Going to Love You…so this was an immediate "I need an ARC" book for me and it completely lived up to my hopes💛 I went in knowing very little and I'm so glad I did. This is one of those novels that deserves to be discovered with care.
The subject matter isn't always easy but it's handled with such honesty… compassion and even moments of humor. It's thoughtful and deeply human. If you enjoy literary fiction that isn't afraid to wrestle with life's hardest questions while celebrating the enduring bonds between family…I'd absolutely recommend adding this one to your list🌿
Thank you Doubleday for the gifted ARC!
Releases 9/1
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
There’s nothing like family — the singular ecology that sees, understands, protects and uplifts you while irritating, provoking, disappointing and misunderstanding you. In her latest triumph Body Language, Meg Howrey doesn’t merely write about family so much as she magically transports the reader into the complex weather system the exists between adult sisters Sloane, Laurel and Nanette as they come together to try to decide what to do about their mother, Barbara, who is showing clear signs of dementia and has a distressing request. Howrey masterfully crafts these characters and the precise emotional and psychological valences that exists between them with warmth, depth and humor to create a rich exploration of responsibility, personal autonomy, care and love. If I had to deliver one message to Body Language, I’d merely evoke the title of Howrey's previous — also wonderful — novel: they’re going to love you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed Body Language overall, even if it wasn’t a total standout for me. Meg Howrey’s writing is thoughtful and emotionally perceptive, especially when it comes to family relationships and the complicated realities of aging and caregiving. The dynamic between the sisters felt believable, and there were a lot of small, quiet moments that carried real emotional weight.
The story is definitely more character-driven than plot-heavy, so the pacing can feel slow at times, but I appreciated how reflective and honest it was. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you emotionally rather than relying on big dramatic moments.
While I wanted a little more resolution by the end, I still found it moving, well-written, and very human. A solid read for fans of literary fiction centered on family, memory, and complicated women.
The story is definitely more character-driven than plot-heavy, so the pacing can feel slow at times, but I appreciated how reflective and honest it was. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you emotionally rather than relying on big dramatic moments.
While I wanted a little more resolution by the end, I still found it moving, well-written, and very human. A solid read for fans of literary fiction centered on family, memory, and complicated women.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is nothing better than a novel that explores the female experience. Meg Howrey has created four essential characters that resonated with my life, from youth to old age. Roberta is the mother of three daughters, Sloane, Laurel, and Nanette. Each daughter has a complex life, filled with questions about what direction is best for mother Roberta. Suspecting the onset of Alzheimer's disease, which is genetic in the family, the plot circles the four women's attitudes to life in general and how to help Roberta.
This novel hits the facts of life hard and was often difficult to take in. I appreciated MH's creativity and incredible writing skills in opening up a painful story for all women at all stages of life.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. The book will be published on September 1, 2026.
This novel hits the facts of life hard and was often difficult to take in. I appreciated MH's creativity and incredible writing skills in opening up a painful story for all women at all stages of life.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. The book will be published on September 1, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Doubleday books for the ARC.
I'd love to see this book adapted into a play - the tension and the joy would be equal parts agonizing and mesmerizing for the audience. Agonizing and mesmerizing is certainly how I would describe how these women see each other - all so different, all so far apart, and yet all so deeply connected. The struggles to accept themselves and each other define much of the book. At times the writing felt a little clunky and a bit slow but things build to a solid enough payoff. I enjoyed the snippets of Barbara's perspective, though it left me wanting more. She and Nanette were the most interesting characters to me, but I recognize that they were made all the more fascinating by their existence in contrast to Sloane and Laurel. A good fit for those who like family dramas and explorations of aging.
I'd love to see this book adapted into a play - the tension and the joy would be equal parts agonizing and mesmerizing for the audience. Agonizing and mesmerizing is certainly how I would describe how these women see each other - all so different, all so far apart, and yet all so deeply connected. The struggles to accept themselves and each other define much of the book. At times the writing felt a little clunky and a bit slow but things build to a solid enough payoff. I enjoyed the snippets of Barbara's perspective, though it left me wanting more. She and Nanette were the most interesting characters to me, but I recognize that they were made all the more fascinating by their existence in contrast to Sloane and Laurel. A good fit for those who like family dramas and explorations of aging.
June 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is definitely my favorite book by Meg Howrey (so far). All four women are expertly crafted characters, different and complicated yet strong and entwined. I personally connected with and felt seen by Laurel's character the most, though to me she was definitely giving "eldest daughter" energy (but I guess I'm biased). I also felt personally connected to the plot as a whole as someone who has seen what disease can do to someone you love and has questioned the morality surrounding end-of-life care. Overall, this was a thoughtful and entertaining novel, and I will definitely be reading more of Howrey's work!
This is definitely my favorite book by Meg Howrey (so far). All four women are expertly crafted characters, different and complicated yet strong and entwined. I personally connected with and felt seen by Laurel's character the most, though to me she was definitely giving "eldest daughter" energy (but I guess I'm biased). I also felt personally connected to the plot as a whole as someone who has seen what disease can do to someone you love and has questioned the morality surrounding end-of-life care. Overall, this was a thoughtful and entertaining novel, and I will definitely be reading more of Howrey's work!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“Body Language” by Meg Howrey is a wonderfully written story about family and grief.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Barbara, the family matriarch, brings together her three adult daughters to convey her final wishes. The narrative traces and examines each woman’s relationships—both with their mother and with each other.
This unique premise drew me in immediately, and Howrey’s elegant and simple prose is very easy to get sucked into. The story has a lot of depth, but it was carefully constructed in bursts of information. I was easily able to finish this in one single day.
This drew comparisons to Blue Sisters, a favorite read of mine a few years back,
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for the advanced copy. This book releases on September 1, 2026.
Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Barbara, the family matriarch, brings together her three adult daughters to convey her final wishes. The narrative traces and examines each woman’s relationships—both with their mother and with each other.
This unique premise drew me in immediately, and Howrey’s elegant and simple prose is very easy to get sucked into. The story has a lot of depth, but it was carefully constructed in bursts of information. I was easily able to finish this in one single day.
This drew comparisons to Blue Sisters, a favorite read of mine a few years back,
Thank you to NetGalley and Doubleday for the advanced copy. This book releases on September 1, 2026.
May 30, 2026
I've never read a Meg Howrey book, but I loved this. It was well written. I loved the complicated relationships each sister had with one another and with their mother. Each sister was very different from one another and it made sense that there were some resentments/jealousies/issues within their relationships and that they had such vastly different views on how to help their mom and if they wanted to respect her last wishes. This was a very character driven novel and its one I will be thinking about for a while.
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Meg Howrey is a must-read author in the literary fiction genre. If you are a major litfic reader, I definitely think you need to look into her work. Her ability to translate the characters, their feelings, and connections onto the page is unbelievable. I adore her writing style, and I find it very sophisticated. Every character in this book is so intriguing that you want to learn more. As a woman, I found this to be a very enlightening read with the themes.
Thank you NetGalley, Doubleday, & Meg Howrey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Body Language is released on September 1, 2026!
Thank you NetGalley, Doubleday, & Meg Howrey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Body Language is released on September 1, 2026!
August 4, 2026
A book with an in depth look at the relationships of 3 sisters and their mother. The author spends most of the book on internal thoughts and dynamics of the characters. The premise of the book explores how the mother and sisters navigate a serious health issue while also exploring their past with each other in different variations of the family.
Personally, this book just wasn’t for me, I would give it a 2.5 (rounded up to a 3). The author takes us on several side quests or tangents which I didn’t always feel like those were necessary. This likely could have made for a better short story.
Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday for an advanced copy of this book.
Personally, this book just wasn’t for me, I would give it a 2.5 (rounded up to a 3). The author takes us on several side quests or tangents which I didn’t always feel like those were necessary. This likely could have made for a better short story.
Thank you NetGalley and Doubleday for an advanced copy of this book.
August 11, 2026
3.75 rounded up. Ooof, if you have experienced having a loved one that has been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s (which I have), then this book feels very relatable—well, maybe other than the nun sister, who is great as a character, but definitely adds a bit more of the fiction element to this book. The other two sisters and mom feel more rooted in real life characters.
It took me a little while to get into the book, but it starts to flow more in the second half. And the situation itself, is certainly one that many will have to reckon with, grappling with the concept of what is fair and kind and compassionate in this type of diagnosis.
It took me a little while to get into the book, but it starts to flow more in the second half. And the situation itself, is certainly one that many will have to reckon with, grappling with the concept of what is fair and kind and compassionate in this type of diagnosis.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the ARC i've been most excited to get and I was soooo glad I did!
Meg Howrey is so good at capturing the complexities and tenderness in family relationships and does it with love and humor even with some of the saddest topics.
They're Going to Love You is still my favorite and I wish I felt a little more resolution at the end but I definitely think anyone who liked that / enjoys character driven books ab complicated women (me) would like this.
THANK YOU NETGALLEY this is basically why I signed up for ARCs
Meg Howrey is so good at capturing the complexities and tenderness in family relationships and does it with love and humor even with some of the saddest topics.
They're Going to Love You is still my favorite and I wish I felt a little more resolution at the end but I definitely think anyone who liked that / enjoys character driven books ab complicated women (me) would like this.
THANK YOU NETGALLEY this is basically why I signed up for ARCs
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Body Language was a slow burn for me. I struggled to get into it but by the end I was glad I stuck with it. Laurel was my favorite sister to read and I honestly could have enjoyed the book just from her perspective. that aside, i think the author did a really great job of capturing and portraying the nuances of the different sisters and their relationships with one another and their mother. the book took an interesting turn that i didn’t expect and I only liked it more as i kept reading!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Body Language by Meg Howrey is the kind of literary novel I love: intelligent and layered without sacrificing readability. Howrey's prose is clear and concise, and she manages to explore some incredibly difficult questions without turning the novel into a philosophical lecture.
The story centers on three very different sisters who must decide how to honor their mother's wishes after she develops Alzheimer's. Barbara has long planned to end her life once the disease progresses to the point where she is no longer herself, but now that the time may be approaching, the decision falls to her daughters. Each sister has a different relationship with their mother, different beliefs, and different ideas about what should happen next.
Having watched Alzheimer's affect members of my own family, I found this aspect of the novel especially powerful. Body Language doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it explores autonomy, caregiving, family responsibility, and the uncomfortable possibility that what we believe is best for someone may also be influenced by how their choices affect our own lives.
What I enjoyed most, though, was the messy, believable sisterhood at the heart of the novel. These women aren't always likeable, but they are always recognizable. Despite their differences, they have to find a way to listen to one another and make a decision they can all live with. It's a deep story, but also a surprisingly funny one, and a very compelling exploration of family, memory, aging, and choice.
You can read my full literary analysis on my website at: https://writeontheworld.com/2026/08/2...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story centers on three very different sisters who must decide how to honor their mother's wishes after she develops Alzheimer's. Barbara has long planned to end her life once the disease progresses to the point where she is no longer herself, but now that the time may be approaching, the decision falls to her daughters. Each sister has a different relationship with their mother, different beliefs, and different ideas about what should happen next.
Having watched Alzheimer's affect members of my own family, I found this aspect of the novel especially powerful. Body Language doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it explores autonomy, caregiving, family responsibility, and the uncomfortable possibility that what we believe is best for someone may also be influenced by how their choices affect our own lives.
What I enjoyed most, though, was the messy, believable sisterhood at the heart of the novel. These women aren't always likeable, but they are always recognizable. Despite their differences, they have to find a way to listen to one another and make a decision they can all live with. It's a deep story, but also a surprisingly funny one, and a very compelling exploration of family, memory, aging, and choice.
You can read my full literary analysis on my website at: https://writeontheworld.com/2026/08/2...
An advance reader copy of this book (ARC) was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Body Language is such a beautiful story about sisters, mothers, and the complicated ways the women in a family love and understand one another. Meg Howrey captures the messiness of those relationships with so much tenderness, exploring the things we inherit from our mothers and the bonds between sisters that can stretch, change, and still endure.
A thoughtful, emotional read that reminded me just how much I love stories centered on the relationships between women.
Thank you to DoubleDay for this gifted galley copy. All opinions are my own.
A thoughtful, emotional read that reminded me just how much I love stories centered on the relationships between women.
Thank you to DoubleDay for this gifted galley copy. All opinions are my own.
June 17, 2026
My heart 😩 loved everything about this book, even though it had me weeping at the end. LITERALLY wept. I really appreciate when an author can capture nuance in grief and make the reading experience feel so personal. I don’t know how else to sing praises of this book. I just adore it.
Won in a giveaway and I really feel like it was meant to make its way to me. 5 billion stars. Graham crackers and icing for life.
Won in a giveaway and I really feel like it was meant to make its way to me. 5 billion stars. Graham crackers and icing for life.
June 27, 2026
This book was a disappointment for me, considering that the themes were right up my alley and I enjoyed They're Going to Love You.
I found most of the characters somewhat insufferable. I connected with Laurel the most, but I found Sloane's obsession with her perimenopause to be tiresome. Nanette's story was the most unique, and I found her experience finding religion quite interesting.
The core premise of the story is certainly one worth exploring. I found the way the three sisters reacted differently to their mother's declining memory and the struggle to determine a care plan quite realistic. However, the story just moved so slowly, and I felt there was really very little true plot.
Overall, this was a miss for me!
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found most of the characters somewhat insufferable. I connected with Laurel the most, but I found Sloane's obsession with her perimenopause to be tiresome. Nanette's story was the most unique, and I found her experience finding religion quite interesting.
The core premise of the story is certainly one worth exploring. I found the way the three sisters reacted differently to their mother's declining memory and the struggle to determine a care plan quite realistic. However, the story just moved so slowly, and I felt there was really very little true plot.
Overall, this was a miss for me!
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Meg Howrey has given us yet another gorgeous novel. (How lucky are we?!) I loved getting to know these three very different adult sisters and witnessing them coming together in their mother's house at a time of crisis. Body Language is raw and complex and so deeply human. The surprises and revelations kept coming in the most satisfying ways. The attention to bodies--from adolescence to perimenopause to end of life--moved me deeply. Engaging and profound!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This novel is about three sisters going back home to figure out how they can help their mom who has Alzheimer’s. I enjoyed reading about each sister’s perspective as well as their mother’s. This topic sounds really heavy but was handled with care as well as humor.
Highly recommend this novel.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Highly recommend this novel.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
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