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A Friend of the Family
Brothers Tony, Sean, and Ned had the perfect upbringing, but now that they are grown-up, real life is starting to get in the way. Tony's dealing with divorce and a weight problem, novelist Sean is up against a serious case of writer's block and a shock announcement from his "perfect" new girlfriend, and their parents have a new lodger, Gervase. Why is Bernie, their mother, so keen to give this unsavory waif a home? And what is the real reason for kid brother Ned's surprise return from his travels in Australia?
Audio CD
First published June 2, 2003
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About the author
Lisa Jewell
47 books88.7k followersLISA JEWELL was born in London in 1968.
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
Her first novel, Ralph's Party, was the best- selling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has written another twenty novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa is a New York Times and Sunday Times number one bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over twenty-five languages. She lives in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters and the best dog in the world.
Lisa's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LisaJewelloff...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 530 reviews
March 19, 2024
Three stars for the three London boys. Tony, Sean, and Ned have grown up in a loving home. Still, as their parents prepare to celebrate four decades of marriage, the boys seem to all be losing the plot. Then Mom Bernie brings home a lodger named Gervase. At first glance, he seems like a bad fit for the family. Just wait! I did really love the heartwarming ending of this early Lisa Jewell title. The language was a bit much for me. Perhaps it was a mistake to choose the audio version. 🎧
March 12, 2022
I just love how Lisa Jewell feeds us tiny morsels at a time to keep our attention and curiosity so that we keep flicking those pages.
I’m determined to work my way through this authors backlist of books. Four more to go!
We get to know each family character, the good the bad the ugly and insight and the hidden agendas behind this family dynamics.
Families can be funny things, so, I questioned sometimes about the individual support of each other; was this because they had to or because it was freely heartfelt given?
I really enjoyed my time with the family and wouldn’t want to single out any character…..oh ok then…..I’m quite partial to Ned.
I’m determined to work my way through this authors backlist of books. Four more to go!
We get to know each family character, the good the bad the ugly and insight and the hidden agendas behind this family dynamics.
Families can be funny things, so, I questioned sometimes about the individual support of each other; was this because they had to or because it was freely heartfelt given?
I really enjoyed my time with the family and wouldn’t want to single out any character…..oh ok then…..I’m quite partial to Ned.
October 5, 2016
Yet another enjoyable quick read from Lisa Jewell. The story flowed beautifully and the characters felt effortlessly real. Picking up books by this author feels like the equivalent of sitting down after a long hard day - I therefore read them inbetween grittier novels!
January 26, 2020
This is not only spoilers, but high-points and ending.
This is not what I was expecting from Lisa Jewell. The previous Lisa Jewell books I've read were suspense thrillers, this was more a love triangle and it wasn't thrilling in any way.
Mom and Dad have three grown boys - Tony, Sean, and Ned. Their 40th wedding anniversary is coming up so dad plans a big surprise party and all the boys come home. Mom sings in a local bar for fun and meets a man one evening - Gervase. Gervase is a drifter and mom invites him to stay with them while he's in town.
Tony is divorced and seeing a woman named Ness. Since his divorce, he's let himself go a little. He has tons of fun with Ness, but he's getting a little pudgy around the waistline. He doesn't see a future with Ness because he dreams of his brother's girl, Milly. Tony is the oldest. He started his own greeting card business and it is now well established. He's the oldest.
Sean is a writer. His first book was a best-seller, but his second book is due soon and writer's block has got him down. He's seeing Milly. Sean and Milly love to party, but there's been no commitment talk. Sean's been staying at Milly's place for a few weeks and he gets the bright idea to propose to her with the thought that they wouldn't actually get married for a few years. He buys a ring.
Ned is the baby of the family. He was with his high school sweetheart for years until he meets a woman at a bar and decides to go off to Australia with her. His high school sweetheart was regular and normal and boring, but this new girl was exciting and thrilling. But the new girl turned out to be a bit crazy. When he gets the news about the party, he leaves a note for her leaving her and coming back home. He intends to get back with his high school sweetheart and just live at home. He may be 27, but he loves it at home. When he arrives, he finds Gervase sleeping in his room.
Sean proposes to Milly, she says "yes". They announce it to the family on her first meeting the parents. Then Milly finds out she's pregnant. Sean isn't so happy about it. He likes their life of bar-hopping and recreational drug use. She wants to keep it and Sean starts avoiding her under the pretense of writing his book. He get the idea to write about how women make all the decisions in the world because they are the only ones to decide to keep a baby.
Ned finds high school sweetheart, but she's all grown up and over him now. Ned's Australia girl starts sending him pieces of herself (hair, toenails, eyelashes, etc.) in the mail and texting him "cunt" over and over. He finally writes a letter to her parents and we never hear anything more from her. Ned finally decides he needs to get a job and starts working for a temp agency. He meets a girl on the job and they hit it off, but when Ned makes a move, she turns him down stating that he hasn't grown up yet. Ned and Gervase are get close.
Tony is with Ness, but he really wants Milly. Milly has confided in him about what an ass Sean is being about the baby. Sean has confided in him about how he doesn't really want a baby. Tony told Sean to grow up. They have a dinner one evening and things comes to blows between Sean and Milly and Sean leaves. Ness goes to bed and leaves Tony alone with Milly. Tony tells Milly how wonderful he thinks she is and they kiss. Then Tony realizes he doesn't really want Milly and that them doing anything would be a huge mistake. And all of a sudden, he's over his crush. He makes love to Ness that night and professes his love, but in his head, it was just something he said not something he meant. He breaks up with Ness. Ness is close to mom so she heads to her house, but mom is out. Only Ned is there. Ned comforts her and realizes how great she is. He decides to escort her to the party.
During all this drama, Gervase has spent time with each of the boys. He does this thing where he holds their hands and looks deep into their eyes and they go all gooey inside and wind up spilling everything to him. Turns out he's a bit psychic, a gift he got from his mom. He advises all the boys.
In the end, Tony decides he needs to travel a bit. So he sells his business, but not before giving Ned a high-paying, important job and tells him to stay in his flat while he's gone. Ned accepts Tony's offer and he and Ness get together. Sean finally comes to terms with the baby and him and Milly get back together. That's it. The end.
This is not what I was expecting from Lisa Jewell. The previous Lisa Jewell books I've read were suspense thrillers, this was more a love triangle and it wasn't thrilling in any way.
Mom and Dad have three grown boys - Tony, Sean, and Ned. Their 40th wedding anniversary is coming up so dad plans a big surprise party and all the boys come home. Mom sings in a local bar for fun and meets a man one evening - Gervase. Gervase is a drifter and mom invites him to stay with them while he's in town.
Tony is divorced and seeing a woman named Ness. Since his divorce, he's let himself go a little. He has tons of fun with Ness, but he's getting a little pudgy around the waistline. He doesn't see a future with Ness because he dreams of his brother's girl, Milly. Tony is the oldest. He started his own greeting card business and it is now well established. He's the oldest.
Sean is a writer. His first book was a best-seller, but his second book is due soon and writer's block has got him down. He's seeing Milly. Sean and Milly love to party, but there's been no commitment talk. Sean's been staying at Milly's place for a few weeks and he gets the bright idea to propose to her with the thought that they wouldn't actually get married for a few years. He buys a ring.
Ned is the baby of the family. He was with his high school sweetheart for years until he meets a woman at a bar and decides to go off to Australia with her. His high school sweetheart was regular and normal and boring, but this new girl was exciting and thrilling. But the new girl turned out to be a bit crazy. When he gets the news about the party, he leaves a note for her leaving her and coming back home. He intends to get back with his high school sweetheart and just live at home. He may be 27, but he loves it at home. When he arrives, he finds Gervase sleeping in his room.
Sean proposes to Milly, she says "yes". They announce it to the family on her first meeting the parents. Then Milly finds out she's pregnant. Sean isn't so happy about it. He likes their life of bar-hopping and recreational drug use. She wants to keep it and Sean starts avoiding her under the pretense of writing his book. He get the idea to write about how women make all the decisions in the world because they are the only ones to decide to keep a baby.
Ned finds high school sweetheart, but she's all grown up and over him now. Ned's Australia girl starts sending him pieces of herself (hair, toenails, eyelashes, etc.) in the mail and texting him "cunt" over and over. He finally writes a letter to her parents and we never hear anything more from her. Ned finally decides he needs to get a job and starts working for a temp agency. He meets a girl on the job and they hit it off, but when Ned makes a move, she turns him down stating that he hasn't grown up yet. Ned and Gervase are get close.
Tony is with Ness, but he really wants Milly. Milly has confided in him about what an ass Sean is being about the baby. Sean has confided in him about how he doesn't really want a baby. Tony told Sean to grow up. They have a dinner one evening and things comes to blows between Sean and Milly and Sean leaves. Ness goes to bed and leaves Tony alone with Milly. Tony tells Milly how wonderful he thinks she is and they kiss. Then Tony realizes he doesn't really want Milly and that them doing anything would be a huge mistake. And all of a sudden, he's over his crush. He makes love to Ness that night and professes his love, but in his head, it was just something he said not something he meant. He breaks up with Ness. Ness is close to mom so she heads to her house, but mom is out. Only Ned is there. Ned comforts her and realizes how great she is. He decides to escort her to the party.
During all this drama, Gervase has spent time with each of the boys. He does this thing where he holds their hands and looks deep into their eyes and they go all gooey inside and wind up spilling everything to him. Turns out he's a bit psychic, a gift he got from his mom. He advises all the boys.
In the end, Tony decides he needs to travel a bit. So he sells his business, but not before giving Ned a high-paying, important job and tells him to stay in his flat while he's gone. Ned accepts Tony's offer and he and Ness get together. Sean finally comes to terms with the baby and him and Milly get back together. That's it. The end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 24, 2022Lisa Jewell is my favourite author. Not sure what this book was. Not like her other books I have read. Painful read. Did not enjoy. Completely uneventful. Don’t waste your time!
August 28, 2019
Dragged. I didn't mind the story in the end but wouldn't recommend it as it just took forever to get going.
December 10, 2020
2 Stars
This may be partially my fault as i only knew Lisa Jewell as a thriller/mystery author, and A Friend of The Family certainly isnt that. But i have to say i found this story just okay. It's not awful, but i was glad to have finished it.
A Friend of The Family is a character driven story that follows the London family. Parents Gerry and Bernie and their adult son's Tony, Sean and Ned. The three brothers are dysfunctional and spoiled, and the blame for their problems is shunted onto the women in their lives. Its Tony's girlfriend Ness's fault he's overweight and unhappy. It's Sean's fiance Millie's fault for becoming pregnant and ruining his independence. And it's Ned's ex girlfriend Monica's fault he chose to dump his long-term girlfriend Carly and move to Australia with her. The female characters are only there as plot devices and to cause issues in the lives of the male characters. Then we have Gerry and Bernie's new mysterious tenant Gervase who ends up being psychic and helps the three brothers find the error of their awful decision making and fix their problems. With barely ten pages to go everything is going perfectly and gets tied up witb a neat bow just as Gervase decide's to disappear from the London family home.
This may be partially my fault as i only knew Lisa Jewell as a thriller/mystery author, and A Friend of The Family certainly isnt that. But i have to say i found this story just okay. It's not awful, but i was glad to have finished it.
A Friend of The Family is a character driven story that follows the London family. Parents Gerry and Bernie and their adult son's Tony, Sean and Ned. The three brothers are dysfunctional and spoiled, and the blame for their problems is shunted onto the women in their lives. Its Tony's girlfriend Ness's fault he's overweight and unhappy. It's Sean's fiance Millie's fault for becoming pregnant and ruining his independence. And it's Ned's ex girlfriend Monica's fault he chose to dump his long-term girlfriend Carly and move to Australia with her. The female characters are only there as plot devices and to cause issues in the lives of the male characters. Then we have Gerry and Bernie's new mysterious tenant Gervase who ends up being psychic and helps the three brothers find the error of their awful decision making and fix their problems. With barely ten pages to go everything is going perfectly and gets tied up witb a neat bow just as Gervase decide's to disappear from the London family home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2023
I Love Lisa Jewell so I’ve been making my way through all of her books. This one is so different than her newer books. Definitely not thriller/mystery but still beautifully written.
October 7, 2020
I really enjoyed this backlist Lisa Jewell title. I love books where we get to know a whole family and spend time with each member of that family. It reminds me of classic Marian Keyes or those kind of family dramas that revolve around siblings on TV. Whilst we have a mysterious incomer to the family in the form of an unexpected lodger, the title of this one could mean any member of this family, are they actually looking out for one another or just playing it that way on the surface.
I was sucked into this story right from the beginning because I was so intrigued by how these brothers all related to one another. They've all found themselves at a crossroads of sorts and so have kind of come to rely on the family home and the unit to support them at these interesting times. I think I found myself siding with Ned a lot more than the other brothers because he had taken certain risks in his life that I admired although Toby did seem to be a support for every member of the family, including those who were related through relationships rather than by blood.
One of the things that Lisa Jewell always does so well is to drip feed a small amount of information at a time when it comes to character development so we find out something about one character and then the story moves on to find out whats going on with another character so you have to keep turning the pages and reading on to find out how that information fits with the story and how the other characters are going to react to that!
I loved being back in a Lisa Jewell novel. This one reminded me of a cross between Ralph's Party, the Making of Us and The House We Grew Up In so if you liked any of those I am sure you will like this one too!
I was sucked into this story right from the beginning because I was so intrigued by how these brothers all related to one another. They've all found themselves at a crossroads of sorts and so have kind of come to rely on the family home and the unit to support them at these interesting times. I think I found myself siding with Ned a lot more than the other brothers because he had taken certain risks in his life that I admired although Toby did seem to be a support for every member of the family, including those who were related through relationships rather than by blood.
One of the things that Lisa Jewell always does so well is to drip feed a small amount of information at a time when it comes to character development so we find out something about one character and then the story moves on to find out whats going on with another character so you have to keep turning the pages and reading on to find out how that information fits with the story and how the other characters are going to react to that!
I loved being back in a Lisa Jewell novel. This one reminded me of a cross between Ralph's Party, the Making of Us and The House We Grew Up In so if you liked any of those I am sure you will like this one too!
March 16, 2012
This book was a fantastic read! It was completely enjoyable from cover to cover. The author does a great job describing the characters, so that you get a good rounded sense of each one and even wish you were a "friend of [their] family." The quote on the back is a "great summer read." I wouldn't necessarily agree with that... It is a great anytime read, but if anything a "great busy person read," because the chapters are short. You can easily read a chapter before bed, standing in line, waiting for the doctor, or on lunch break, thus keeping you interested and feeling like you're actually progressing through the book.
There is nothing spectacular about the story. There aren't any (major) twists or guess who's. It's just a nice, comforting (even with the slight every-day-drama included) story that you like to have there even if it's not mind blowing.
A definite read!
There is nothing spectacular about the story. There aren't any (major) twists or guess who's. It's just a nice, comforting (even with the slight every-day-drama included) story that you like to have there even if it's not mind blowing.
A definite read!
February 24, 2020
I can’t say that I really loved this book. I am a big fan of Lisa Jewel but this one just didn’t catch me. I have to say two main reasons may be my own fault. I listened to it and I did not like the narrator so that could be one reason why I didn’t care for it and the second is I was waiting for a mystery because every book I’ve read that is by the schedule has been a suspenseful book but this was just a romance. With that being said after I looked up the synopsis and realized it was not a thriller, I was able to focus a little bit more on the actual story and not waiting for what was coming.
It was a sweet story but all in all I wouldn’t say one that I thought was fabulous.
It was a sweet story but all in all I wouldn’t say one that I thought was fabulous.
February 18, 2021
A Friend of the Family is a charming book which tells the story of the London family. Bernie and Gerry and their three boys Tony, Sean and Ned. The “friend” is a mysterious lodger who works to help the brothers who all have problems in their lives. Weight gain and middle age spread, a newly pregnant new girlfriend and a crazy stalker left in Australia. The book knits all these stories together and it leaves you with a warm feeling about being part of a family. It was an easy read and I felt quite sad after it ended because I liked the characters and wanted to know how their lives continued. This writer never fails to impress and always leaves you with a good story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2020
For me the worst Lisa Jewell book so far.
I could neither connect nor sympathize with any of the simply awful characters.
The three brothers and their girlfriends were equally pathetic, acting uncomprehensible.
The strangely diffuse characterized parents of these boys hosting a complete stranger who turns out to be a weirdo and a loser (LJ has a soft spot for losers), whose true intentions remain unclear, as it is also unclear why his advice is appreciated by anybody.
A lot of swearing - what for Lisa Jewell? And, are there no interesting stories about NORMAL people worth to be told?
I didn't finish, because of disliking the people and disinterest in their story.
I could neither connect nor sympathize with any of the simply awful characters.
The three brothers and their girlfriends were equally pathetic, acting uncomprehensible.
The strangely diffuse characterized parents of these boys hosting a complete stranger who turns out to be a weirdo and a loser (LJ has a soft spot for losers), whose true intentions remain unclear, as it is also unclear why his advice is appreciated by anybody.
A lot of swearing - what for Lisa Jewell? And, are there no interesting stories about NORMAL people worth to be told?
I didn't finish, because of disliking the people and disinterest in their story.
March 19, 2021
It took me too long to finish this book, it just didn't do it for me. the story was kind of slow starting and before I finally was into the book I felt like forcing myself to read it.
I still gave it 3 stars because in the end I kind of understood the story and thought it was kind of okay. Considering to read it again, maybe it just wasn't the right time for me to read it.
I still gave it 3 stars because in the end I kind of understood the story and thought it was kind of okay. Considering to read it again, maybe it just wasn't the right time for me to read it.
May 19, 2025
A little predictable but we'll written
July 15, 2021
The title is misleading; the friend of the family was like a pathetic Mary Poppins for adult children. The character for whom the book is titled appears so infrequently the first half of the book I kept wondering why he is even in the story. Supposedly sage advice from a person who has some limited but unclear psychic powers??? Completely undeveloped character and creepy at best. I think the only reason I finished is because I thought there must be some twist, some big ah-ha, but it was a waste. The only reason I didn’t give it one star is because I did finish it so either I am a fool or it deserves two stars for tricking me into hanging in there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2021
3.5⭐️
🎧audiobook version.
The narrator is pretty good.
Its unlike the other books of hers that I’ve read and is a go to author for me, as it’s listed as contemporary fiction and romance.
My description would be light fluff. It’s an enjoyable easy listen to what is a family drama set with unconventional parents and their 3 sons and associated relationships. It’s very character driven. I found it an ok listen, not one of her best for me.
🎧audiobook version.
The narrator is pretty good.
Its unlike the other books of hers that I’ve read and is a go to author for me, as it’s listed as contemporary fiction and romance.
My description would be light fluff. It’s an enjoyable easy listen to what is a family drama set with unconventional parents and their 3 sons and associated relationships. It’s very character driven. I found it an ok listen, not one of her best for me.
March 30, 2020
This book was about 3 brothers going through fucked up relationships. You know I adore Lisa Jewell books but in her old books I don't get why she had to put really dumb guys in her books. One of these brothers was REALLY REALLY dumb and it made me crazy but at the end he sorted everything out, thank god! If you want a brotherly, family book this is your book!
March 1, 2024
Lisa Jewell has so many other great books, this was definitely not one. It was slow (not in a good way) and pretty boring. Sean is an asshole, even if he "changes". Ned and Milly's relationship is pretty inappropriate. It was a whole lot of everyday "drama" for an unclimactic ending.
Would not recommend.
Would not recommend.
March 19, 2020
too much swearing did not finish
July 28, 2024
Ummm, just a story that didn't really get anywhere. Was expecting a twist, but no twist. Ho hum.
April 3, 2025
A strange one from Lisa Jewell! Published in 2003, this is one of her earlier works and very different from other ones of hers I've read. Objectively, there wasn't much of a plot, the characters were all a bit dull and all the female characters were just 2 dimensional plot devices. BUT having said that, I found this book very addictive and easy to read. I could barely put it down. So for that reason, I give it 3 stars because it wasn't very good but I still really enjoyed it!
Also, Gervase was a bizarre character and I'm not sure why he was even in it, but he was pretty funny!
Also, Gervase was a bizarre character and I'm not sure why he was even in it, but he was pretty funny!
October 10, 2020
3.5 stars
This was enjoyable, and Gervaise's role was interesting. All three boys made some entertaining choice at times, and it was fun when they each seemed to have crushes on each others girlfriends 🤣
This was enjoyable, and Gervaise's role was interesting. All three boys made some entertaining choice at times, and it was fun when they each seemed to have crushes on each others girlfriends 🤣
July 5, 2024
Very enjoyable 👍🏼 strong characters.
January 4, 2021
I found this to be very different from Lisa Jewell’s more recent books. That’s not a bad thing, it was just very different. I didn’t realize at first it was released in 2004, which could have something to do with the difference in writing and style and even subject matter.
Overall, it was very enjoyable and I even laughed out loud a few times, which is always nice. Apparently I liked it so much I even listened to the audiobook at a later date. I think the audiobook made it much more real and enjoyable.
Overall, it was very enjoyable and I even laughed out loud a few times, which is always nice. Apparently I liked it so much I even listened to the audiobook at a later date. I think the audiobook made it much more real and enjoyable.
October 20, 2023
3.5 Stars
October 24, 2024
weird but entertaining !
February 5, 2025
This book was good but I was hoping for more of a story to do with Monica and I was a bit sad when Gervase just left without saying bye to anyone :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2022
2.5 ⭐️
This book was super slow with many unlikeable and selfish characters. Very unlike any Lisa Jewell novel I have read before. I only read this because I have loved almost everything else I have read by Lisa Jewell (her thrillers). This is not a thriller but is trashy chick lit.
I only finished it because I had already invested so much time.
This book was super slow with many unlikeable and selfish characters. Very unlike any Lisa Jewell novel I have read before. I only read this because I have loved almost everything else I have read by Lisa Jewell (her thrillers). This is not a thriller but is trashy chick lit.
I only finished it because I had already invested so much time.
June 21, 2021
BORING as bat ……… I’m up to page 330 and I’ve given up. Must be the most boring book I have ever read. It just bounces along with no real story. Having read “Then she was gone”, which was very good, this book feels like it was written by a completely different author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 530 reviews