Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners Lib/E

by Gretchen Anthony

A formidable matriarch learns the hard way that no family is perfect in this witty, sparkling debut novel.

Dearest loved ones, far and near-evergreen tidings from the Baumgartners!

Violet Baumgartner has opened her annual holiday letter the same way for the past three decades. And this year she's going to throw her husband, Ed, a truly perfect retirement party, one worthy of memorializing in her upcoming letter. But the event becomes a disaster when, in front of two hundred guests, Violet learns her daughter Cerise has been keeping a shocking secret from her, shattering Violet's carefully constructed world.

In an epic battle of wills, Violet goes to increasing lengths to wrest back control of her family, infuriating Cerise and snaring their family and friends in a very un-Midwestern, un-Baumgartner gyre of dramatics. And there will be no explaining away the consequences in this year's Baumgartner holiday letter ...

Full of humor, emotion, and surprises at every turn, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners brings to life a remarkable cast of quirky, deeply human characters who must learn to adapt to the unconventional, or else risk losing one another. This is the story of a family falling to pieces-and the unexpected way they put it all back together.

Genres: Fiction, Christmas, Holiday, Humor, Contemporary, Audiobook, Book Club

Audio CD

First published October 16, 2018

About the author

GRETCHEN ANTHONY is a speaker, humorist, and author of Tired Ladies Take a Stand, a book that the Minneapolis Star Tribune predicted “will almost certainly be snapped up by books clubs everywhere.” Her previous titles include The Book Haters’ Book Club, and Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners. Her novel The Kids Are Gonna Ask received the 2021 Alex Award from the American Library. She lives in Minneapolis with her family, where she stays on the hunt for a good story while listening to 70’s classic rock and scouting a great Manhattan.

She also hosts The Middle Book Club, a virtual book club dedicated to reading novels that feature midlife heroines.
Find us online: https://bit.ly/3XeX7hP
Find us on Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3LoSeQK

Follow Gretchen on BookBub https://bit.ly/3yfnqf0

Follow Gretchen on Amazon
https://amzn.to/3WCYGGQ

Reviews

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I was reading this I kept picturing Violet as Hyacinth Bucket, from Keeping up appearances. Of course Violet isn't as amusing, in fact, she considers it her life's mission to head off any oncoming disasters. She takes this very seriously indeed. Now her Richard is retiring, yes they both have a Richard, and they hope to travel. But you know what they say about the best laid plans, and Celeste, their grown daughter has just thrown her a big curve. No where is it in her plans, or her Christmas letters, does it make room for a daughter who is a lesbian, and her partner Barbara. Not only that but something even more unexpected is afoot, and how is she going to come to terms with this?

An entertaining read, a nice break from some of the other books with weightier subjects that I have read lately. Interesting characters, an amusing plot for the most part. Needed to see of Violet ever does come to terms with her life as it really is. Just wish it had been a little shorter, I had quite enough of the story by books end.

ARC from Netgalley.

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

Barb was steeped in the classics, but the only literary references Cerise knew came from the mandatory hours spent next to her mother watching Masterpiece Theatre on PBS. All that time invested and the only things she had to show for it were a decent British accent and a canny ability to let her thoughts wander behind open eyes.

If the Hesse family were birds, we’d be California condors… No, members of the vulture family and nearly extinct.

He watched as his soon-to-be-former boss, a toad of a guy who kept his dermatologist busy with retinol treatments and mole removal, straightened the pin tethering his Dolce & Gabbana tie to his Burberry shirt… I hope you croak, Richard wanted to say. I hear that’s what toads do.


My Review:

I loved this book from the start and was soon smirking as I relished the smartly written and clever humor, which quickly led to giggle-snorting and then on to full-on laughing aloud, which occurred several times before I finished. I adored the full slate of fascinatingly quirky and odd characters, but the winner, by far, of the most expertly crafted and deftly depicted character sweepstakes was the petty, shallow, and highly manipulative Violet. Violet was a meddlesome helicopter parent who was ridiculously intrusive, arrogant, judgmental, and an exacting perfectionist with everything she did, whether it was controlling the various committees she spearheaded or in keeping her home surgically clean. Violet’s to-do list was never-ending as she was constantly scheming and often had several going at once, although in her rationalizations it was always for the betterment of her family; her inner musings were comedic gold and highly entertaining. The storylines were ingenious and highly eventful while the writing was laced with insightful observations and packed with lip twitching levity. I couldn’t put my Kindle down, as I couldn’t wait to see what outrageous situation would pop-up next. I was stunned and awed to realize this was the author’s debut; it was a delight to read and a treasure to have discovered. Gretchen Anthony is definitely one to watch and has a new fangirl.

[Scarlett Readz and Runz....Through Novel Time & Distance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every family has one of ‘those’ relatives…that aunt that is the center of all things or the uncle that dominates all conversations. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if they ever learned the lesson that the universe doesn’t actually revolve only around them? Well, this comedic sitcom like novel gives a delightful glance at just that.

Violet Baumgartner is a beloved member in her community and Queen of the Baumgartner Realm, Overseer of the Kingdom of her own Creation! She has her hands in charities, fundraisers and events with her church. She has raised her daughter Cerise, who is now an adult, and been proudly by her husband Ed’s side through his career. Violet does not only talk the talk, she embraces everything with enthusiasm and perfection. Her image in the eyes of others is very important to her and always has been so. For thirty years she has written Christmas letters, ‘The Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners’ and never sent them out but filed them in boxes chronologically like a diary. In these letters she could truly express her love for family or share her thoughts when times were hard, but no one ever got to read them or knew about them.

Ed Baumgartner is going to retire, and Violet is planning the biggest party event yet. Invited are their friends and family and everything is glitz and glamor. Until…one of the guests holds a speech of well wishes and reveals unknowingly a secret that shocks Violet so much, that she falls on her head and gets a concussion. (The whole scene was rather comical actually and only the beginning of things to come).

Cerise, Violets daughter, is making a nice life with her partner Barbara with a steady career and a place to call home. She is used to her mother’s little drama and exaggerations, unlike Barb, who comes from ‘good stock’ but has no relations really with her parents. The two of them have wonderful news to share with the family, which creates a whole new commotion at the Baumgartners.

Eldris, her husband Richard and their son Kyle, have been the Baumgartners closest friends since the kids were little. But lately, some funny things are going on…..Richard comes and goes at odd hours and Violet nudges Ed to keep an eye on his friend and what he might be up to. In the meantime, the Feds show up and take Kyle into questioning about some missing boxes and materials from his company…. All the while Richard is exchanging wads of cash in dark alleys and treating Eldris fancier than ever. So what is happening to these people going into retirement? What is up with Kyle? Will Violet be able to concede to the changes happening around her that she cannot change?
Read it to find out!

***

This is a witty satire and fast read. The shenanigans in this novel are ridiculously funny and I almost guessed it to be British. But no, this is all happening in Minnesota, US! Who would have thought?

If you enjoy a lighthearted entertaining book with just a smidge of mystery in it that culminates to an ending of self-reflection and love, then YES, give this book a try. It is a mingled, discombobulated family drama wrapped in a cushions of love and Christmas letters!


I received a digital copy of ‘Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners’ from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you!
More of my reviews here: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5

Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners by Gretchen Anthony is a very humorous look at family and an overbearing mother that just won't quit sticking her nose into everything.

What it's about: The Baumgartner family is going through a lot of changes. Ed is finally retiring from his work in research, Violet needs to cut back from her work at the church and in the community due to a head injury, and their daughter Cerise is having a baby... with a woman. Violet has a hard time coping with the way Cerise is choosing to live her life, and her loss of control with her work in the church has her completely worked up. With everything changing, what is Violet going to do?

The part that really surprised me about Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners was that it didn't have as much of a holiday feel as I thought it would. There are the Christmas letters that Violet writes, but besides that there isn't actually much mention of the holidays at all. I was a little disappointed since I was expecting lots of Christmas related things, but the book made up for it by being absolutely hilarious.

I loved the set up of the book and how you read the Christmas letters plus other types of media; and you get viewpoints that hop around from Violet, Cerise, and Violet's friend's husband Richard. I wasn't really sure about Richard's POV and what the point would be at first, but his ended up being one that I really enjoyed.

Violet Baumgartner is the quintessential American woman. She couldn't wait to leave her job for motherhood (although she loved her job and it was very fulfilling), loves where she lives, loves and admires her husband, and overall just really loves her life. But she is also the definition of overbearing mother/control freak and drives Cerise's partner Barb nuts. Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners made me laugh out loud so many times and Violet's antics throughout the novel had me practically in tears. I consider myself lucky not to have had a mother as nosy and controlling as her, but she really does mean well.

Besides the characters, I also really enjoyed the setting and how Anthony brought Minnesota alive in her book. I am from Minnesota so it was wonderful to hear about places I was familiar with and I loved that I also got to support a local author in the process.

Final Thought: If you are from Minnesota you should definitely read Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners for the setting alone, but I highly recommend this novel if you like books that make you laugh and books about family. Just don't read this if you are expecting a book with lots of holiday cheer because this book is about much more than Violet's Christmas letters.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahh this is the perfect read to indulge in before the craziness of the holiday season begins, if anything it’ll make you feel better about your own family because The Baumgartners are crazy in a fun way and you will definitely laugh at some of their antics AND there are a few scenes that had me hysterical, which is always a bonus!

Violet is the matriarch of the family and she was insane in the best possible way. She’s a classic Midwesterner but she has her own unique quirks and above all else she adores her family even if she is over the top and extremely overbearing. You also see the perspective of Cerise, her only daughter and then Richard, her best friends husband. Interspersed between chapters are various forms of correspondence that were so fitting to the plot, this was my favorite aspect as it was so telling. The entire cast of characters was just a fun group of normal people caught up in some wacky situations and while I could most sympathize with Cerise, Violet was my absolute favorite simply because she was so wacky.

This was a family drama that was just plain fun, there was a tiny little mystery that I sussed out really fast, but that wasn’t a huge part of the story anyway, it was more about family and how they pieced themselves back together after falling apart. It also had a few tender moments between the hijinks and was written in a really heartfelt manner and had a good overall message about love and loyalty.

Evergreen Tidings From The Baumgartners in three words: Humorous, Quirky and Sincere.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A woman who lives to be in charge of things has trouble coping when she loses control of her own family. Many interminable pages follow.


This was a much anticipated read that turned out to be neither as quirky nor as Christmassy as expected. Like socks under the tree, it was a disappointment.

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This holiday-themed novel focuses on a small group of friends, particularly the Baumgartner family, whose matriarch, Violet, includes a family letter in her annual Christmas cards showcasing her family's accomplishments and happenings over the past year which are interspersed throughout the story.

The story centres around Violet who, unfortunately, I found to be overbearing, manipulative and annoying who gets stuck on one issue regarding her daughter for too much of the book. She quickly became a caricature of a busybody matriarch - one that could easily give lessons on passive aggression for she has honed it into an art form.

The bones of this book were good, but it didn't come together for me. More time needed to be spent developing characters (Ed and Barb, in particular) and giving readers a mystery they can sink their teeth into. Instead, I think this book was trying to be too many things and it became convoluted. It's a Contemporary/Women's Fiction with a mystery that is too obvious, has a fairly strong Christian theme and an attempt at humour which didn't quite get there. Unfortunately, I felt the book was predictable and too slowly paced which lead me to skim much of the last half of the book.

Overall, this light family drama was a miss for me but readers who enjoy a lighter read with a Christian theme about the sometimes complicated bonds between mothers and daughters may enjoy this book.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like your books peppered with quirky characters, a story that makes you laugh at the awfulness of the human condition, groan at the differences between generations and a bit of light froth for your holidays, this might be your next new book. It’s a quick read, full of foibles and a nice wee mystery to boot.
Sorry I’m camping so these are just little reviews until we get home.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this, hoping it would be as good a holiday read as last year's Seven Days of Us, and I was delighted when I found out it was set in Minnesota, but while I did like it, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It is, at it's heart a story about a mother (Violet) dealing with her daughter's pregnancy and impending motherhood, and a daughter (Cerise) learning how to grow up and out of her mother's rather controlling (but loving) clutches. There is also a whole zany cast of other characters including Cerise's partner Barb, Violet's husband Ed, friends Richard and Eldris, and their son Kyle. There were some great moments in the story, especially in the last quarter or so--I loved the over-the-top humor of the pre-baptismal dinner and the baptism, and the ending was very sweet with both Violet and Cerise coming to a more balanced understanding of their relationship. But some parts of the story dragged, and I got a bit aggravated by how controlling Violet was and how annoying Cerise could be. And personally, I am just not as interested in all the new motherhood stuff as some readers might be. Not my favorite, but definitely has some funny moments, and may be worth reading if you really like humorous family dramas, especially about relationships between mothers and daughters.

*I received a free copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like a Baby-Sitter's Club book for grownups but without a single likable character. It's a passive-aggressive treatise on the pitfalls of the passive-aggressive strategy known as "Minnesosta nice." Despite the blurbs, it bears NO resemblance to a Wes Anderson movie. (If that's what you're looking for, try Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Raculia, which is also just ok, but much more Wes Anderson-y.)

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty funny parts in this book I must say!! Gave me the "Meet The Parents" vibes! Actually lol'd a few times! If you like family drama with hysterical moments I say check this one out!! Maybe wasn't as christmassy as I expected, but pretty funny!

[Jeimy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know what to expect from a book that began with a hoity toity holiday letter, but the book is a midwestern soap opera filled drama. Violet Baumgartner, the family matriarch, is a control freak who is forced to relinquish some of the control she has over family, friends, and even her church group. The book is amusing, exasperating, and contains a few unexpected twists and turns. All in all, a very fun read.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming enough, although not as festive of a read as I was hoping for. I’d recommend it to people specifically looking for books set during Christmas but probably not under other circumstances.

[Sterlingcindysu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rounded down. Despite the title this isn't really a Christmas book at all. Sure, there are samples of the Baumgartners' Christmas letters with their glowing achievements from over the years but it's more of a family history.

Another friend compared this to the old British show Keeping Up Appearances and that's true! Violet here is a control freak, but let's hear it for those energetic women who do things and do them right and the best thing is just to stay out of their way. But what happens when a husband retires? Or there's a medical emergency?

The cast of characters here is Violet and her husband and daughter, her friends and their son Kyle and financee, and her daughter's friend Barb and her parents. It takes place in Minnesota which is an odd place to put a character like Violet.

Sure, people make fun of "those" Christmas family letters but you know what? Considering I don't hardly get any cards, let alone letters, I'm not going to cast any stones on the tradition. How quaint it seems now when one person reported on a family's activities for a year (in a positive light) and that was the only update you had.

[Jennifer]

DNF

Unfortunately, I had to abandon this book mostly because one of the main characters, Violet, was driving me crazy. She didn’t seem like a real person but rather a construct of the overbearing mother type. While I wanted to find out what happened in the story, that feeling wasn’t enough to continue on reading about Violet. This just wasn’t for me.

[Frosty61 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This story about an overbearing mother who writes a 'brag' letter each Christmas didn't quite live up to expectations, but was still entertaining. It started out strong as we get a taste of how Violet perceives her life and those of her family/friends. She thinks of herself as superior and expects her version of perfection from those around her. She's heartily disappointed in the world but her annual Christmas letter is outrageously positive (and full of fabrication). The story lagged in the middle as Violet's narrow mindedness became tiresome - hence 3.5 stars. However, the last third of the book was great - funny and filled with some twists to wrap things up nicely.

[Amber Novoselac · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book centers around two families who have many ups and some downs but love fiercely. Violet, the mother, is very controlling but she feels she has to because she wants to protect her daughter. It turns out her daughter just needed a mother and now a grandmother in her life. Great book also about the LGBTQ community. It teaches how to navigate being a family while in a same sex couple relationship. I feel everyone can related to this family in some ways.

[Ericka Seidemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners has a family of cracked characters just trying to do their best for one another, and often failing.
Violet Baumgartner is the quintessential formidable matriarch. She loves her family fiercely, but sometimes that fierceness can be smothering. She is a busybody and a perfectionist who is obsessed with tradition, but every annoying thing she does is done out of love. Her husband, Ed, is just trying to endure her frenetic antics while he’s stuck at home adjusting to retirement. And their daughter, Cerise, has a secret she’s been waiting to share that just erupted unexpectedly at her father’s retirement party. Throughout the story are Violet’s annual Christmas letters that are often as earnest as they are snarky.
Throw in Violet’s best friend whose marriage is crumbling and the other child, a son, who’s being investigated by the feds, and you have a cocktail of crazy for the holidays.
The crisis in Evergreen Tidings leads to some hilarious family blow-ups worthy of “Arrested Development”. I couldn’t stop reading even though the book was shaking in my hands from laughter. Underneath it all, however, are some tender insights about how familial roles change with time.
Definitely pick this up in time for Christmas. It’s one you’ll want to re-read every year.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Hanover Square Press for the review copy.

[Janet Rosfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I was getting a sweet little Christmas book - instead I got a funny, sly, subversive hoot of a novel. The Baumgartners are headed by the matriarch Violet who rules her family & church with a tiny, little iron fist of manners & rules. Her husband Ed, is newly retired from a medical research job, and her daughter Cerise & her partner Barb are hiding a secret. Violet's best friend, Eldris, who could double for Edith Bunker, has problems of her own. Her out of work husband Ed is leading a double life and their son Kyle is being investigated by the F.B.I. This is set in Minnesota and it felt reminiscent of a Wes Anderson movie. I laughed out loud many times while I read this dizzy romp.
Many of the chapters are started with a Baumgartner holiday missive - you know- the kind your cousin sends you to innumerate her family's many achievements . These letters are hilarious and also are a key to Violet and the story. This book is a gem.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Minnesota Lutheran woman who writes annual Christmas letters I could easily relate to the main character in this book. The witty humor triggered a low rumble of laughter just below the surface on most of the pages more than big bursts of out loud laughter. There was wisdom in this story as well as humor and I could relate to Violet's role as a mother too. Definitely a worthwhile read!

[Caryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review and giveaway on my blog: http://www.thebookwhisperer.org/2018/...

[Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher free of charge in return for an honest review. This book is a satire of those smarmy, boastful Christmas letters that some families send. The characters are realistic, likable or at least tolerable (like some relatives in the best of families) and others are hilarious. The plot surrounds a Minnesotan matriarch who has the "perfect" family, tons of volunteer positions and attempts to throw the best parties. She covers all of this in her annual Christmas letter, Evergreen Tidings From the Baumgartners...At her husband's retirement party, a secret is revealed, that differs greatly from the surreal family that she likes to project to the community. I fond it to be quite the page-turner with a few plot twists near the end. This will make a great pre, during, and after holiday read and reminds us that blood is thicker than water and no family is perfect.

[thefourthvine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I was hoping for something funny and involving Christmas letters, and I got — something involving Christmas letters, kind of. And also a lot of drama and characters I mostly didn’t enjoy reading about. And no real humor to speak of. I — did not enjoy reading this. (I didn’t hate reading it, either. It was just ... kind of a null experience, pretty much.)

But, hey, one of the key plotlines is lesbians becoming parents, and they stay together and everything at the end (uh, spoiler?), so it gets an extra star for that. Married lesbians without tragedy! Always a bonus.

[RG Halleck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read a novel for grown-ups with this many choke-on-your-saliva laughs in ages. Disguising tragedy as comedy is an underappreciated art form. Anthony is a master. The relationships of upper Midwest protestants provide Anthony layers of cringey tension. It's that same kind of humor you get from Michael Scott in The Office. "Oh please no. Please no. Turn back."

[thewanderingjew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evergreen Tidings From The Baumgartners, Gretchen Anthony, author, Donna Postel, Andi Arndt, Eric G. Dove, narrators
The book takes place in Minnesota. Minnesota is unique. With extreme weather a certainty, the citizens usually depend on, and help, each other. Basics are stressed, rather than the material life. Additionally, there is an unwillingness to voice an opinion which might offend outright, so there is often a great deal of passive-aggressive conversation with a pull me, push me kind of narrative. Minnesota is a place where people avoid confrontation, where people obey the rules, have faith in G-d, and are more concerned with family life than most other things.
Violet Baumgartner is an overbearing and a bit over-confident wife and mother. She is busy planning a party for her husband Ed’s retirement and her sense of herself is enough to make one smile. She is authoritative and somewhat of a know it all. When the results of all of her hard work and planning for a beautiful sendoff for Ed actually go terribly awry, the consequences that arise are revealed with a wry wit that feels just short of slapstick comedy. The warts of life are exposed vividly.
Cerise Baumgartner has recently returned home after years away at school. With her, is her friend, Barb Hesse. Barb is really more than a friend, but Violet, Cerise’s mother, pretends that they are simply roommates. When Violet unexpectedly discovers that Cerise is pregnant, she decides that it is her right and duty to find out who the father is in order to make sure the child’s future is secure. When Cerise won’t reveal the intimate details of her pregnancy, Violet decides to try to discover them for herself. At this same time, she wants to make sure that everyone she knows believes that she is thrilled with the relationship between Barb and Cerise. She doesn’t want wagging tongues, but she knows the tongues will wag anyway. Violet is very controlling and intercedes herself into their lives, but with her knack for expressing herself, she makes her interference seem reasonable. Cerise concedes to her wishes, and mayhem is certain to follow.
While Violet is dealing with all this stress in her life, her friend Eldris confides in her about her troubles. Although she is planning the wedding of her son Kyle, she is a bit overwhelmed because the FBI is investigating his business venture. At the same time, her husband Richard has suddenly begun to disappear for long periods of time without explanation. He, like Ed, has recently retired. Eldris and Violet, unbeknownst to Ed, plot to use him to try to find out where Richard goes when he is MIA. Havoc ensues.
The little tidbits that are revealed throughout the book are alternately heart-warming and humorous as the character’s innermost thoughts are revealed. They each have their own set of fears and insecurities that they keep hidden from public view. Although Violet seems to be consumed with the effort to move all the people in her life like chess pieces, in order to ensure that they make the right decisions, she also has her doubts about many things that are out of her control. Violet, though, is a piece of work, and by the end of the book, she will have endeared herself to every reader as she tries to exert her influence over everyone.
This novel is partly epistolary with the inclusion of the Xmas letters that Violet wrote yearly for about four decades. These letters are what truly reveal what has happened, in Violet’s life and the life of the Baumgartner family, but they also reveal the lives of other families and explore the way they all deal with their experiences. Violet can be over solicitous and overly involved in the lives of others, but she is convinced that she has been called upon to use her effort to benefit others, that it is her duty to keep everyone on the straight and narrow.
So many books today are about social issues. Most are written in a way that makes some readers feel uncomfortable. This is not one of them. This book contains both laugh out loud and chuckle softly moments. It also inspires thoughtfulness about the difficulties that we all face in life and the methods that we use to deal with them. Life’s conflicts, large and small, are handled so adeptly that it is impossible not to find some pleasure in their resolution while reading this novel. They are delicately described by the author so that they are revealed realistically and without judgment. The author always adds a touch of humor to relieve any tension that might be created. The novel brings up almost every experience a person might encounter in life, but even when it touches on a doleful subject, it is done with such a light touch that the reader is never forced to share the sadness but rather looks from afar and becomes as resilient as the characters do, as they adapt to each situation, most often with grace.
The author shares many subjects with the reader, like ordinary day to day events, parent/child relationships, husband/wife relationships, relationships between partners in same sex marriages, misplaced suspicion, infidelity, retirement issues, family conflicts and the unplanned debacles that often just arise. All aspects of parenting and child rearing, with its dangers and its pleasures, are examined. The reader is challenged to examine their own thoughts on relationships. In the end, like a bird, one has to know when the child is ready to leave the nest and make their own decisions, right or wrong. The reader is left with the optimistic view that life will go on, even after retirement.

[Alicen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp of a novel set in Minneapolis.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a hoot! Violet and her high-flalootin' ideas. Glad she came around.

Borrowed on Hoopla through JCPL.

Listening length 10 hr 21 min

[Karen Germain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Harlequin- Hanover Square Press for providing me with a copy of Gretchen Anthony’s novel, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, in exchange for an honest review.

PLOT- Cerise Baumgartner is pregnant with her first child and her parents are thrilled. Thrilled and very involved, especially Cerise’s over-bearing mother, Violet. Violet likes Cerise’s girlfriend, Barb, but is left feeling concerned and nosy over how the child was conceived, a personal issue that neither Barb nor Cerise is willing to disclose.

As Violet tries to interfere with her daughter’s life, she has other concerns to contend with, such as her recently retired husband, Ed, who doesn’t quite know what to do with himself. Her best friend, Eldris is also going through a crisis. Eldris’ husband, Richard, has lost his job and is acting very secretive. Their son, Kyle, who is also Cerise’s best-friend and the would be godfather to her baby, is being investigated for domestic terrorism. To top it all off, Violet is desperate to please Barb’s parents, who, at least on paper, seem to be the perfect family.

LIKE - Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners is a delightful novel. It’s funny and has a lot of heart. I appreciated the complexity of Violet and how the truth of her character unfolds. She is quite a lot to handle early in the story, but Anthony does a fine job of teasing out the details of her inner-life and I finished the story with a very different impression of Violet. One of the overriding themes of the story is love and despite the many flaws that the characters have, there is a lot of love to be found.

I think most people have a Violet Baumgartner in their life. She is a force of nature, but also someone who is very sensitive and hides it behind her controlling behavior. She loves fiercely, but also drives people away with her take-charge attitude. I have relatives that are so similar to Violet, that it was very relatable. I could easily understand Cerise’s reaction to her mother and I’ve been in her position.

I’m a big fan of the Christmas card letter. I even save my favorites that are sent to me, certain families have a way with words. I enjoyed the way that Anthony used Violet’s Christmas card letters to give us backstory about the Baumgartner’s life. It really works well with the story. Although I finished reading Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, in February ( on a snowy afternoon), it is definitely an ideal book to read during the Christmas season. It will put you in a holiday mood.

The disastrous dinner party scene at the end really made me laugh. I also found that Anthony had some great plot twists that I did not anticipate.

DISLIKE- Nothing to dislike. Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners is not a life-changing read, but it is a very cozy, charming story.

RECOMMEND - Yes! If you are looking for a family drama with a strong dose of comedy, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners is a great pick. I throughly enjoyed it. It’s a feel good story that will give you the warm fuzzies!

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[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a humorous look at the strong matriarch who views her family as perfect and wants to make sure that the rest of the world is aware of their perfection. Each section is tied together by the Christmas letter that she wrote that year - boasting of all of the achievements of her husband and daughter and their perfect lives. As the novel begins, she is planning her husband's retirement party with only the best food to impress their guests. Due to a surprise announcement at the party, Violet's world comes tumbling down around her. She knows that there is no way that the shock of finding out that her unmarried daughter is both pregnant and a lesbian will allow her to keep up the facade of her perfect life. So she decides that she will take over control of her daughter's life and pregnancy so that she can be the best grandmother in the world and make everyone else envious of her again.

Full of humor, emotion and surprises at every turn, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners brings to life a remarkable cast of quirky, deeply human characters who must learn to adapt to the unconventional, or else risk losing one another. This is the story of a family falling to pieces--and the unexpected way they put it all back together.

Even though Violet would be an easy person to dislike - and I have known some 'Violets' in my life - I thought she was funny and emotional and really cared about her family. Unfortunately she cared more about what the world thought of her family which was an unhealthy situation. I enjoyed the quirky interesting characters in this book and the way that they handled Violet as their mom, wife or best friend.

This was an impressive debut novel and I'm anxious to see what Gretchen Anthony comes up with for her next novel.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every year Violet Baumgartner writes a detailed annual Christmas letter, starting with:

Dearest Loved Ones, far and near -
Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners!

I found the letters to have just a little too much information, and not always the happy, Christmasy sort. They actually reminded me of a Christmas letter I once received that detailed a cross-country trip resulting in the author's getting out of the car on a lonely, midwest highway to "walk home" after a particularly ugly argument. Not really the stuff of a Christmas letter I thought then and I still think now.

Violet does her best to present a happy family: her husband "dear Ed", her educated, accomplished daughter Cerise, Cerise's partner Barb, and her grandson sweet Adam. Only, like any family, they're not always happy and everything is not always great and wonderful.

The cast of characters is rounded out by the Baumgartners' best friends, Eldris, Richard, and Kyle Endres, Kyle's ambitiously duplicitous fiancee Rhonda, and Barb's Trust fund-turned-Hippie parents, "handsy" Elliott and substance-abuser Amanda.

Part funny, part sad, part mysterious, this is an unusual Christmas story.