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Glass Houses: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 20 Apr 27“Heartfelt [and] hilarious. . . . Mileti rides this swelling narrative tide with grace, never losing her balance, and I was swept along.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Mitchard
In the tradition of Emma Straub, Catherine Newman, and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, a comedic and moving story of one family’s fraught reunion at their adulterous father’s astonishingly designed Berkshires lake house—and the decades' worth of fiercely kept secrets that unravel when the family is once again under the same roof.
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
For the Stein family, the adage is especially fitting. Decades back (and with a little help from his formidable first wife, Hannah), Allen Stein built a modern marvel of glass architecture on the shores of a beautiful lake in the Berkshires. The family only enjoyed two summers at the house together before Allen’s affairs imploded his and Hannah’s marriage, leaving forty-plus years of acrimonious estrangement in its wake.
Now nothing—not even a lifetime achievement award—could lure Allen back to that house . . . at least while his bitter ex-wife is there. But when Allen and Hannah’s children Sam and Sara send their mother thousands of miles away on an Arctic cruise, Allen reluctantly agrees to return.
Then Hannah’s trip is cancelled last-minute, and—much to everyone's horror—the family is marooned in the house together. Sam and Sara—each bearing different scars from growing up in their parents’ crossfire—are forced to batten down the hatches to deal with the storm. The unfolding drama only heightens the hilarity as it compounds the crises brewing in their lives, including Sam’s daughter Esme, on a journey of self-discovery that is causing her to re-evaluate her relationship to marriage and partnership, infidelities past and present, and several generations of emotional baggage. As every piece of their dirty laundry is aired, the Steins must face a long overdue reckoning with themselves and one another.
Poignant and rich with humanity, Glass Houses is a bittersweet and warm-hearted exploration of marriage, love, betrayal, and forgiveness that illuminates what binds us together and drives us apart.
In the tradition of Emma Straub, Catherine Newman, and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, a comedic and moving story of one family’s fraught reunion at their adulterous father’s astonishingly designed Berkshires lake house—and the decades' worth of fiercely kept secrets that unravel when the family is once again under the same roof.
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
For the Stein family, the adage is especially fitting. Decades back (and with a little help from his formidable first wife, Hannah), Allen Stein built a modern marvel of glass architecture on the shores of a beautiful lake in the Berkshires. The family only enjoyed two summers at the house together before Allen’s affairs imploded his and Hannah’s marriage, leaving forty-plus years of acrimonious estrangement in its wake.
Now nothing—not even a lifetime achievement award—could lure Allen back to that house . . . at least while his bitter ex-wife is there. But when Allen and Hannah’s children Sam and Sara send their mother thousands of miles away on an Arctic cruise, Allen reluctantly agrees to return.
Then Hannah’s trip is cancelled last-minute, and—much to everyone's horror—the family is marooned in the house together. Sam and Sara—each bearing different scars from growing up in their parents’ crossfire—are forced to batten down the hatches to deal with the storm. The unfolding drama only heightens the hilarity as it compounds the crises brewing in their lives, including Sam’s daughter Esme, on a journey of self-discovery that is causing her to re-evaluate her relationship to marriage and partnership, infidelities past and present, and several generations of emotional baggage. As every piece of their dirty laundry is aired, the Steins must face a long overdue reckoning with themselves and one another.
Poignant and rich with humanity, Glass Houses is a bittersweet and warm-hearted exploration of marriage, love, betrayal, and forgiveness that illuminates what binds us together and drives us apart.
432 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 20, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
* thanks to Harper for the NetGalley review copy (pub date: April 20, 2027)
LOVED!
As a Child of Acrimonious Divorce who did everything possible while growing up to make sure my parents were *never* in the same room together, this setup had me sweating for the Steins. Alas, my avoidant tactics did not include spending a summer in an architecturally significant house in the Berkshires -- mine were more along the lines of navigating middle school band concert auditorium seating arrangements in suburban Milwaukee -- but the unceasingly furious mom/cheating dad/DRAMA felt very familiar. But much, much funnier.
I am always a bit dubious when authors are compared to Catherine Newman and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (AND Emma Straub), but Meredith Mileti fully nailed it! I'm now on the prowl for a copy of her first book, Aftertaste, because I loved this so much. I can't wait to get this at the bookstore and start foisting it on people!
LOVED!
As a Child of Acrimonious Divorce who did everything possible while growing up to make sure my parents were *never* in the same room together, this setup had me sweating for the Steins. Alas, my avoidant tactics did not include spending a summer in an architecturally significant house in the Berkshires -- mine were more along the lines of navigating middle school band concert auditorium seating arrangements in suburban Milwaukee -- but the unceasingly furious mom/cheating dad/DRAMA felt very familiar. But much, much funnier.
I am always a bit dubious when authors are compared to Catherine Newman and Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney (AND Emma Straub), but Meredith Mileti fully nailed it! I'm now on the prowl for a copy of her first book, Aftertaste, because I loved this so much. I can't wait to get this at the bookstore and start foisting it on people!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Glass Houses by Meredith Mileti was such a fun and heartfelt read! I had a great time getting to know this family, even when they were driving each other crazy. Their relationships felt so real, and I liked that everyone had their own problems and different ways of dealing with them. I loved how this book could make me laugh one minute and then hit me with an emotional moment the next. There was plenty of family drama, but there were also super sweet moments. By the time I finished, I felt like I had been right there with the Stein family through all of their ups and downs. This was a funny, touching story that left me smiling, and I’m so glad I picked it up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed Glass Houses! I’ll admit, all the architecture talk wasn’t really my thing, and I did skim it a bit, but I loved the story of the Stein family. It was funny, heartfelt, and had just the right amount of family drama. I really enjoyed getting to know each of the family members and seeing how everything played out for them.
I also really liked the ending. It felt satisfying and gave you closure for everyone without being too perfect or predictable. Overall, a funny and heartfelt family story that I really enjoyed!
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this ARC to review.
I also really liked the ending. It felt satisfying and gave you closure for everyone without being too perfect or predictable. Overall, a funny and heartfelt family story that I really enjoyed!
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for this ARC to review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Allen and Helen designed Barkin House in the Berkshires decades ago, facing the lake with walls of glass windows, so that every room has a view. This was before their marriage ended with Allen's infidelity. Many years later, the family reunites at the house. For one week Allen and Helen will be in the same house, along with their two adult children Sam and Sara--plus spouses--and grandchild Esme, recently returned from Paris. I can't resist a family drama, and what better setting for one than a glass house? This one is perfect for the beach.
September 3, 2026
This family drama, centered around one family's romantic relationships, explores marriage in all its stages and probes the role marriage plays in the lives of its characters. Along the way, we also get a coming-of-age story that reminds us that every age offers an opportunity to grow into a new era.
Centered around the family's summer home nestled in an idyllic Massachusetts coastal town, Mileti tells the story of the Stein family, who have gathered to celebrate their father, who is being honored for his architectural achievements, including the design of their summer home. The gathering becomes the impetus for exploring old wounds, exposing new ones, and meandering through the past, present, and future of the Stein family. More importantly, we follow the characters as they morph through their various stages of life and learn that coming of age happens at every stage.
Centered around the family's summer home nestled in an idyllic Massachusetts coastal town, Mileti tells the story of the Stein family, who have gathered to celebrate their father, who is being honored for his architectural achievements, including the design of their summer home. The gathering becomes the impetus for exploring old wounds, exposing new ones, and meandering through the past, present, and future of the Stein family. More importantly, we follow the characters as they morph through their various stages of life and learn that coming of age happens at every stage.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews