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This Has Been Absolutely Lovely
Family is forever, and there's nothing you can do about it.
The charming, hilarious and all-too-relatable new novel from the author of How to be Second Best Molly's a millennial home organiser about to have her first baby. Obviously her mum, Annie, will help with the childcare. Everyone else's parents are doing it.
But Annie's dreams of music stardom have been on hold for thirty-five years, paused by childbirth then buried under her responsibilities as a mother, wage earner, wife, and only child of ailing parents. Finally, she can taste freedom.
As Molly and her siblings gather in the close quarters of the family home over one fraught summer, shocking revelations come to light. Everyone is forced to confront the question of what it means to be a family.
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is a story about growing up and giving in, of parents and children, of hope and failure, of bravery and defied expectation, and the question of whether it is ever too late to try again.
Praise for Jessica Dettmann:
'A totally engaging and disarmingly charming writer' Kathy Lette
'A natural knack for humour' Better Reading
'Blends the family drama of Liane Moriarty with the humour of Sophie Kinsella' Newtown Review of Books
'Ultimate summer read' Herald Sun
'Heartwarming yet biting' Sunday Telegraph
'Sharp and crisp and funny. I was dazzled.' Mia Freedman
The charming, hilarious and all-too-relatable new novel from the author of How to be Second Best Molly's a millennial home organiser about to have her first baby. Obviously her mum, Annie, will help with the childcare. Everyone else's parents are doing it.
But Annie's dreams of music stardom have been on hold for thirty-five years, paused by childbirth then buried under her responsibilities as a mother, wage earner, wife, and only child of ailing parents. Finally, she can taste freedom.
As Molly and her siblings gather in the close quarters of the family home over one fraught summer, shocking revelations come to light. Everyone is forced to confront the question of what it means to be a family.
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is a story about growing up and giving in, of parents and children, of hope and failure, of bravery and defied expectation, and the question of whether it is ever too late to try again.
Praise for Jessica Dettmann:
'A totally engaging and disarmingly charming writer' Kathy Lette
'A natural knack for humour' Better Reading
'Blends the family drama of Liane Moriarty with the humour of Sophie Kinsella' Newtown Review of Books
'Ultimate summer read' Herald Sun
'Heartwarming yet biting' Sunday Telegraph
'Sharp and crisp and funny. I was dazzled.' Mia Freedman
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 6, 2021
110 people are currently reading
2201 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Dettmann
6 books141 followersJessica Dettmann is the author of two novels, a couple of short stories and many blog posts. She was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, and there she remains, disappointing her fourteen-year-old self who thought she would be living in the pensione in Florence from A Room With A View by now.
She is married and has two children and two cats. She does not enjoy walking on the beach with her dog because parking is very expensive at the beach and she does not have a dog.
Before she became a writer, she worked for a long time as a book editor. She is very lucky Instagram didn't exist back then or she would have been fired for timewasting. Now she is her own boss and she is on her last warning for timewasting on Instagram Stories.
She loves to hear from readers. Preferably readers of her books, but honestly she's not that fussy.
She is married and has two children and two cats. She does not enjoy walking on the beach with her dog because parking is very expensive at the beach and she does not have a dog.
Before she became a writer, she worked for a long time as a book editor. She is very lucky Instagram didn't exist back then or she would have been fired for timewasting. Now she is her own boss and she is on her last warning for timewasting on Instagram Stories.
She loves to hear from readers. Preferably readers of her books, but honestly she's not that fussy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 210 reviews
September 23, 2020
This was absolutely lovely!!!! I inhaled it. This author is gifted at nailing the funny, sad and irritating little nuances of family life. The characters are unforgettable. The story was a delight. Readers of Liane Moriarty will love this book.
November 19, 2021
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely by Aussie author Jessica Dettmann is a cleverly written, engaging and very entertaining novel. Relationships, family drama, love, mental health and secrets are just some of the themes in this book, all of which the author has woven together to create a fun loving and very memorable book.
I absolutely adored this book and have no hesitation in highly recommending it.
I absolutely adored this book and have no hesitation in highly recommending it.
January 15, 2021
I loved Dettman’s debut, How To Be Second Best, so I basically knocked down Netgalley’s door to grab a copy of this, her second published novel. (And they, and Harper Collins Australia came through -- thank you!) I’m happy to report there is no signs of the dreaded curse of the second novel and Dettmann has produced another winner.
Annie was part of a mildly successful 80s band and now that both of her parents have passed away and she seems to have free time, she has decided to try and get back into singing and songwriting. The only fly in the ointment is her daughter, Molly, who is pregnant and, Annie suspects, will need her mother to provide free childcare.
It’s Christmas and Annie’s other two children have also come to stay. Simon, who has returned home to Australia from Germany with his wife and children and obvious money issues, and Naomi, a sweet hippy who seems to be the only one with her life on track, even if it is a minimalist natural vegan type track. Also visiting for the holidays are the other members of the band, Annie’s ex and the children’s father, Paul, and his boyfriend, Brian.
I loved all the characters, flaws and all. I thought this showed quite a lot of skill on Dettmann’s part as there are also many parts where I want to slap the characters silly. We get a lot from Annie and Molly’s point of view in particular, and they didn’t always come across as ‘good’ people but, in the end, I especially warmed to Molly.
My favourite thing about Dettmann’s debut was the humour. It was absolutely hilarious. I admit I didn’t find this book as funny (although it does have its moments) and instead, I found it mostly quite sad. It isn’t really a fluffy chicklit book at all. There’s only hints of romance. The book is about family, a typically dysfunctional and crazy and, ultimately, loving family.
There’s a strong feminist tone throughout the book. The expectation that it’s the women of the world who will sacrifice everything for their children. Dettmann addresses women giving up their careers but also giving up their artistic passions for their family. I dabble in writing myself and rarely, if ever, get a chance by the time I run around doing this or that. I too keep saying that I’ll get back into it when everyone has left the nest. Of course, as Dettmann’s story and characters point out in various ways, you never stop having the responsibility of being a mother, no matter what you choose to do or how old your children become.
One thing I really loved about the book was the Australian setting. There is a lot of fun poked at summer Christmas and our lack of traditions, all while showing that we do have some traditions which we don’t always acknowledge (Boxing Day cricket and playing under the sprinkler, for starters).
I really enjoyed the book overall. There’s a lot of poignant scenes as well as many quotable lines which made me tear up and reflect on life and I highly recommend This Has Been Absolutely Lovely. 5 out of 5
Annie was part of a mildly successful 80s band and now that both of her parents have passed away and she seems to have free time, she has decided to try and get back into singing and songwriting. The only fly in the ointment is her daughter, Molly, who is pregnant and, Annie suspects, will need her mother to provide free childcare.
It’s Christmas and Annie’s other two children have also come to stay. Simon, who has returned home to Australia from Germany with his wife and children and obvious money issues, and Naomi, a sweet hippy who seems to be the only one with her life on track, even if it is a minimalist natural vegan type track. Also visiting for the holidays are the other members of the band, Annie’s ex and the children’s father, Paul, and his boyfriend, Brian.
I loved all the characters, flaws and all. I thought this showed quite a lot of skill on Dettmann’s part as there are also many parts where I want to slap the characters silly. We get a lot from Annie and Molly’s point of view in particular, and they didn’t always come across as ‘good’ people but, in the end, I especially warmed to Molly.
My favourite thing about Dettmann’s debut was the humour. It was absolutely hilarious. I admit I didn’t find this book as funny (although it does have its moments) and instead, I found it mostly quite sad. It isn’t really a fluffy chicklit book at all. There’s only hints of romance. The book is about family, a typically dysfunctional and crazy and, ultimately, loving family.
There’s a strong feminist tone throughout the book. The expectation that it’s the women of the world who will sacrifice everything for their children. Dettmann addresses women giving up their careers but also giving up their artistic passions for their family. I dabble in writing myself and rarely, if ever, get a chance by the time I run around doing this or that. I too keep saying that I’ll get back into it when everyone has left the nest. Of course, as Dettmann’s story and characters point out in various ways, you never stop having the responsibility of being a mother, no matter what you choose to do or how old your children become.
One thing I really loved about the book was the Australian setting. There is a lot of fun poked at summer Christmas and our lack of traditions, all while showing that we do have some traditions which we don’t always acknowledge (Boxing Day cricket and playing under the sprinkler, for starters).
I really enjoyed the book overall. There’s a lot of poignant scenes as well as many quotable lines which made me tear up and reflect on life and I highly recommend This Has Been Absolutely Lovely. 5 out of 5
April 27, 2021
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*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely by Jessica Dettmann. (2021).
Molly's a millennial home organiser about to have her first baby. Obviously her mum, Annie, will help with the childcare - everyone else's parents are doing it. But Annie's dreams of music stardom have been on hold for 35 years, paused by childbirth then buried under her responsibilities as a mother, wage earner, wife and only child of ailing parents. Finally, she can taste freedom. As Molly and her siblings gather in the close quarters of the family home over one fraught summer, shocking revelations come to light. Everyone is forced to confront the question of what it means to be family.
After really enjoying the author's previous novel, and seeing loads of positive reviews for this one, I was looking forward to reading this novel. It did indeed live up to the hype and was both enjoyable and entertaining. Yes, I found most of the characters slightly annoying and selfish at times; this just added to the charm and realism of the story. The storyline takes a look at family and what that actually means: how much do you do for your family members, what secrets should and shouldn't be kept, what support can and should you provide to your relatives and so on. There were a few funny moments but overall this family was pure dysfunction and I think it made them all feel relatable in one way or another.
Overall: I would happily recommend this Australian domestic drama which makes for an easy and entertaining read.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely by Jessica Dettmann. (2021).
Molly's a millennial home organiser about to have her first baby. Obviously her mum, Annie, will help with the childcare - everyone else's parents are doing it. But Annie's dreams of music stardom have been on hold for 35 years, paused by childbirth then buried under her responsibilities as a mother, wage earner, wife and only child of ailing parents. Finally, she can taste freedom. As Molly and her siblings gather in the close quarters of the family home over one fraught summer, shocking revelations come to light. Everyone is forced to confront the question of what it means to be family.
After really enjoying the author's previous novel, and seeing loads of positive reviews for this one, I was looking forward to reading this novel. It did indeed live up to the hype and was both enjoyable and entertaining. Yes, I found most of the characters slightly annoying and selfish at times; this just added to the charm and realism of the story. The storyline takes a look at family and what that actually means: how much do you do for your family members, what secrets should and shouldn't be kept, what support can and should you provide to your relatives and so on. There were a few funny moments but overall this family was pure dysfunction and I think it made them all feel relatable in one way or another.
Overall: I would happily recommend this Australian domestic drama which makes for an easy and entertaining read.
January 21, 2021
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
Author Jessica Dettmann cleverly delivers the most charming, witty and refreshing new novel named This Has Been Absolutely Lovely.
The characters are wonderfully portrayed and all too relatable.
It’s a story of a family’s dilemmas, with themes of relationships, blended families, dysfunctional families, resentment, regret, birth, death, escape, hope and dramatic secrets.
The drama takes place during the festive season and is set in Sydney Northern Beaches where all the family come together to stay under the one roof in the family home.
Our protagonist is Annie Jones, she has a past as a singer songwriter in a band. Annie chose to put her career on pause while raising her family and then after to care for her elderly parents who are now gone.
Now a grandmother Annie still has her hopes and dreams of musical stardom but although her children are grown up they still make demands on her. Is it too late to try again and how hard is it as a mother to put yourself first?
The family dynamics were absolutely hilarious and at times sadly emotional.
Fast paced, engaging and wonderfully written. A super warm and absolutely lovely book that was so enjoyable I think that we need a sequel.
I wish to thank Netgalley & HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the opportunity to read an advanced copy
Author Jessica Dettmann cleverly delivers the most charming, witty and refreshing new novel named This Has Been Absolutely Lovely.
The characters are wonderfully portrayed and all too relatable.
It’s a story of a family’s dilemmas, with themes of relationships, blended families, dysfunctional families, resentment, regret, birth, death, escape, hope and dramatic secrets.
The drama takes place during the festive season and is set in Sydney Northern Beaches where all the family come together to stay under the one roof in the family home.
Our protagonist is Annie Jones, she has a past as a singer songwriter in a band. Annie chose to put her career on pause while raising her family and then after to care for her elderly parents who are now gone.
Now a grandmother Annie still has her hopes and dreams of musical stardom but although her children are grown up they still make demands on her. Is it too late to try again and how hard is it as a mother to put yourself first?
The family dynamics were absolutely hilarious and at times sadly emotional.
Fast paced, engaging and wonderfully written. A super warm and absolutely lovely book that was so enjoyable I think that we need a sequel.
I wish to thank Netgalley & HarperCollins Publishers Australia for the opportunity to read an advanced copy
February 27, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, a term often used by Jessica Dettmann’s own grandmother when guests have overstayed their welcome, is a gratifying and amusing read. With relatable characters and connective themes, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is a story that will appeal to a wide audience range.
Molly brings Jessica Dettmann’s new novel to life. An expectant new mother when we meet her, Molly is naturally anxious about becoming a mother for the first time. But Molly knows she will have her ever reliant mother Annie on hand to help. However, Molly’s mother Annie is a woman who has broken hopes and dreams. Over three decades ago Annie shelved her plans for music stardom. With motherhood getting in the way of her musical career, Annie fulfilled the expectations placed on her as a mother, carer and employee. Now Annie can finally see freedom on the horizon, but will her new grandchild get in the way of her plans? But a big secret comes to light that will have a direct impact on both Molly, Annie and their whole family. Will the family survive this shock revelation and what will life be like afterwards?
The general consensus around This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is that it is a charming book. I found Jessica Dettmann’s second release to be witty, funny and realistic. What this book does really well is highlight the exact everyday struggles faced by families. For a follow up novel to a highly regarded debut, Jessica Dettmann has proved that she is a skilled and talented writer in the contemporary fiction field. I know that Jessica Dettmann has made it to my auto buy list, as she has for many other readers out there in search of a solid women’s fiction novel.
It can be tricky to balance serious themes such as parenting, motherhood, obligations, roles, responsibilities, life choices, love, relationships, family conflict, mental health, personal secrets, friendships, birth, grief, loss and addiction in the form of a witty and in touch contemporary novel. However, I feel that Jessica Dettmann is no novice in terms of her theme development and her deep understanding of common life issues. In This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, we are presented with a multitude of issues and problems. Dettmann is deliberate in her approach, issuing her readers with a realistic, authentic, insightful and intuitive look at the scenarios faced by her cast. It was also comforting to witness a dysfunctional family just a crazy as my own! Thank you Jessica!
Dettmann’s characterisation is to be commended. Moving from a mother figure, a daughter, husband and more, Dettmann’s approach is knowing and on point. With flawed and troublesome protagonists leading the way, the reader caught up in a variety of family spot fires, trying situations and general interactions. I managed to feel both sympathy and frustration with Dettmann’s characters, which is always a good sign – I definitely enjoyed my time with this cast. This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is a book that really makes you feel human, we have all been through these problems in some form or another!
Told with plenty of positivity, wisdom and of course Dettmann’s signature charm, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely presents both funny and serious in the one format. Jessica’s Dettmann’s follow up novel to How to be Second Best was a great book to close the summer reading season on. I hope you can experience all this novel has to offer!
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is book #13 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, a term often used by Jessica Dettmann’s own grandmother when guests have overstayed their welcome, is a gratifying and amusing read. With relatable characters and connective themes, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is a story that will appeal to a wide audience range.
Molly brings Jessica Dettmann’s new novel to life. An expectant new mother when we meet her, Molly is naturally anxious about becoming a mother for the first time. But Molly knows she will have her ever reliant mother Annie on hand to help. However, Molly’s mother Annie is a woman who has broken hopes and dreams. Over three decades ago Annie shelved her plans for music stardom. With motherhood getting in the way of her musical career, Annie fulfilled the expectations placed on her as a mother, carer and employee. Now Annie can finally see freedom on the horizon, but will her new grandchild get in the way of her plans? But a big secret comes to light that will have a direct impact on both Molly, Annie and their whole family. Will the family survive this shock revelation and what will life be like afterwards?
The general consensus around This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is that it is a charming book. I found Jessica Dettmann’s second release to be witty, funny and realistic. What this book does really well is highlight the exact everyday struggles faced by families. For a follow up novel to a highly regarded debut, Jessica Dettmann has proved that she is a skilled and talented writer in the contemporary fiction field. I know that Jessica Dettmann has made it to my auto buy list, as she has for many other readers out there in search of a solid women’s fiction novel.
It can be tricky to balance serious themes such as parenting, motherhood, obligations, roles, responsibilities, life choices, love, relationships, family conflict, mental health, personal secrets, friendships, birth, grief, loss and addiction in the form of a witty and in touch contemporary novel. However, I feel that Jessica Dettmann is no novice in terms of her theme development and her deep understanding of common life issues. In This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, we are presented with a multitude of issues and problems. Dettmann is deliberate in her approach, issuing her readers with a realistic, authentic, insightful and intuitive look at the scenarios faced by her cast. It was also comforting to witness a dysfunctional family just a crazy as my own! Thank you Jessica!
Dettmann’s characterisation is to be commended. Moving from a mother figure, a daughter, husband and more, Dettmann’s approach is knowing and on point. With flawed and troublesome protagonists leading the way, the reader caught up in a variety of family spot fires, trying situations and general interactions. I managed to feel both sympathy and frustration with Dettmann’s characters, which is always a good sign – I definitely enjoyed my time with this cast. This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is a book that really makes you feel human, we have all been through these problems in some form or another!
Told with plenty of positivity, wisdom and of course Dettmann’s signature charm, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely presents both funny and serious in the one format. Jessica’s Dettmann’s follow up novel to How to be Second Best was a great book to close the summer reading season on. I hope you can experience all this novel has to offer!
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is book #13 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
December 16, 2020
Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
This story was ABSOLUTELY LOVELY, pun intended.
A close up look at parental / sibling dynamics in a dysfunctional family and when a secret is exposed everything turns to chaos.
Molly is the one that’s organised and she is about to have a baby.
Feeling a little out of whack she thinks that her mother Annie, will help out with looking after the newborn.
But Annie has other ideas, a past as a singer with a moderately successful pop trio she still has dreams of the spotlight.
Commitments and responsibilities took over and now is the time to revisit the music.
Molly, her sister Naomi and brother Simon and their children gather at the family home for one busy summer and when revelations and secrets surface, everyone is compelled to confront the issues and learn about each other.
Jessica has crafted a seamless tale that is fresh, witty, relatable and very funny.
The author has the natural ability to make us laugh and leave the reader feeling deeply contented.
A wonderful insight into a family’s chaotic mess that’s addictively paced and enjoyably punchy.
Characters navigating their way through modern parenting, blended families, friendship, secrets and the past experience of life.
The title is apt as it’s comical origin are explained within the plot.
A unique storyline with multilayers, great character development and family dilemmas all wrapped up in a book of charm and elation.
Tightly written, wonderfully showcased and a shining moment of pure bliss.
This story was ABSOLUTELY LOVELY, pun intended.
A close up look at parental / sibling dynamics in a dysfunctional family and when a secret is exposed everything turns to chaos.
Molly is the one that’s organised and she is about to have a baby.
Feeling a little out of whack she thinks that her mother Annie, will help out with looking after the newborn.
But Annie has other ideas, a past as a singer with a moderately successful pop trio she still has dreams of the spotlight.
Commitments and responsibilities took over and now is the time to revisit the music.
Molly, her sister Naomi and brother Simon and their children gather at the family home for one busy summer and when revelations and secrets surface, everyone is compelled to confront the issues and learn about each other.
Jessica has crafted a seamless tale that is fresh, witty, relatable and very funny.
The author has the natural ability to make us laugh and leave the reader feeling deeply contented.
A wonderful insight into a family’s chaotic mess that’s addictively paced and enjoyably punchy.
Characters navigating their way through modern parenting, blended families, friendship, secrets and the past experience of life.
The title is apt as it’s comical origin are explained within the plot.
A unique storyline with multilayers, great character development and family dilemmas all wrapped up in a book of charm and elation.
Tightly written, wonderfully showcased and a shining moment of pure bliss.
January 6, 2021
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, Jessica Dettmann’s sophomore novel, was my first read for the new year, and happily, an ideal selection.
Witty, warm, sharp and sincere, this is a story of responsibilities, regrets, secrets, anxieties, dreams and dysfunction, as the family of Annie Jones, which includes her three adult children, their partners and offspring, her ex-husband, and the man he left her for, gathers under the same roof for Annie’s father’s funeral in the days before Christmas.
No family is without complications, but at this particular moment, Annie’s can be said to have more complications than most. Though she had imagined that with her father’s passing she would finally be free to pursue her own dreams, as the week unfolds, Annie begins to doubt that escaping the needs of her family will ever a possibility.
I quickly became invested in the characters of This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, even though I had little in common with them. They are realistic and nuanced, as are the dynamics between them. Annie garnered my complete sympathy, her daughter, Molly, not so much. I felt sorry for Simon’s wife, Diana, while Annie’s friend, Jane, made me laugh.
Taking place in the northern coastal suburbs of Sydney over the Christmas period, the details of the setting are very familiar, as I spent several summer holidays with cousins who lived in the same area. We too made the daily pilgrimages to the beach, ate meals in the back yard, and played hide and seek among the plumbago.
Dettmann’s writing is perceptive, tender and poignant, deftly portraying the complexities of the modern family, and exploring themes of choice, resentment, expectation, freedom, and creativity. An absolutely lovely read.
Witty, warm, sharp and sincere, this is a story of responsibilities, regrets, secrets, anxieties, dreams and dysfunction, as the family of Annie Jones, which includes her three adult children, their partners and offspring, her ex-husband, and the man he left her for, gathers under the same roof for Annie’s father’s funeral in the days before Christmas.
No family is without complications, but at this particular moment, Annie’s can be said to have more complications than most. Though she had imagined that with her father’s passing she would finally be free to pursue her own dreams, as the week unfolds, Annie begins to doubt that escaping the needs of her family will ever a possibility.
I quickly became invested in the characters of This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, even though I had little in common with them. They are realistic and nuanced, as are the dynamics between them. Annie garnered my complete sympathy, her daughter, Molly, not so much. I felt sorry for Simon’s wife, Diana, while Annie’s friend, Jane, made me laugh.
Taking place in the northern coastal suburbs of Sydney over the Christmas period, the details of the setting are very familiar, as I spent several summer holidays with cousins who lived in the same area. We too made the daily pilgrimages to the beach, ate meals in the back yard, and played hide and seek among the plumbago.
Dettmann’s writing is perceptive, tender and poignant, deftly portraying the complexities of the modern family, and exploring themes of choice, resentment, expectation, freedom, and creativity. An absolutely lovely read.
March 5, 2021
This is a charming, funny, warm and wholly relatable tale of a family at a crossroads at Christmas time in Sydney. I loved it.
January 5, 2021
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is the second contemporary novel from Australian author, Jessica Dettman. I loved Dettman’s debut novel, How To Be Second Best, so I knew I was in for a good time with this one. Taking place in Melbourne, Dettmann captures the Australian lifestyle with all its nuances of family life. It is the story of two women, Annie and Molly, as they navigate life at different stages. Through these stages Dettmann explores scenarios that readers will be able to relate to. From motherhood to ageing to societal expectations, the power of dreams is at the heart of it all.
Annie was the matriarch of the family and as a young woman, she had dreams of being s singer and song writer. She took the first steps to achieving her goal when she joined a band with Paul and Brian, forming Love Triangle. Predictably, Annie fell in love with one of the band members and got married. Married for over a decade and a mother to three children, Molly, Naomi and Simon, Annie left behind her aspirations to raise a family.
Years later, Annie was facing her twilight years as a single woman. Annie's husband had left her for another man, a topic that Dettmann sensitively deals with. I appreciated Dettmann raising the issue of the family not being able to be angry as he had ‘come out of the closet’. It would be difficult to have to put on a happy face when your heart, as a wife or son/daughter, would be broken and confused. Forming an unconventional family, Annie showed that she was a strong woman. Now with her babies living their own lives, Annie feels the pull to be a musician once again.
Of the three siblings, Naomi was the most well-rounded adult. A single mother to Sunny, she was a sensitive soul who was intuitive to the needs of others. This was aided by her ability to read auras. With her caring nature, Naomi provides unexpected support for Annie. Simon was the opposite of his sister. He had followed the traditional path of marriage and, a child yet he was unhappy. An addiction threatened to tear apart everything he held dear.
Molly was the sister to Naomi and Simon that I couldn’t warm to. In her late twenties, she was unlikeable with an immature and selfish attitude. Her flighty nature meant Molly was never prepared or ready for anything, including pregnancy. Unfortunately, Molly was not someone you could depend on. In contrast, Molly had high expectations of everyone else, including her own family, yet never discussed anything with them. My blood boiled when Molly assumed that Anne would babysit her third grandchild so she could return to work in under six months. When their grandfather dies, everyone's life will be turned upside down.
With the unexpected death, the family descended on Annie’s house for the reading of the will. Shocks are in store for the grandchildren while Annie was given what is rightly hers. To Annie’s disbelief, nobody left after her father’s wishes were revealed. For various reasons, the family decided to stay on and live in the house with her. They needed to be told “This has been absolutely lovely”, a polite expression used to tell your guests it is time to leave. At the same time, the neighbours son and his mother return, unearthing long buried secrets. Throughout all the drama, Annie’s heart was telling her it was time to follow her dreams. Yet no matter how old her children were, Anne was still a mother and needed to learn how to navigate a world where she could still be true to herself.
Will Annie find middle ground? Will her dreams come true?
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for the opportunity to review this book.
Annie was the matriarch of the family and as a young woman, she had dreams of being s singer and song writer. She took the first steps to achieving her goal when she joined a band with Paul and Brian, forming Love Triangle. Predictably, Annie fell in love with one of the band members and got married. Married for over a decade and a mother to three children, Molly, Naomi and Simon, Annie left behind her aspirations to raise a family.
Years later, Annie was facing her twilight years as a single woman. Annie's husband had left her for another man, a topic that Dettmann sensitively deals with. I appreciated Dettmann raising the issue of the family not being able to be angry as he had ‘come out of the closet’. It would be difficult to have to put on a happy face when your heart, as a wife or son/daughter, would be broken and confused. Forming an unconventional family, Annie showed that she was a strong woman. Now with her babies living their own lives, Annie feels the pull to be a musician once again.
Of the three siblings, Naomi was the most well-rounded adult. A single mother to Sunny, she was a sensitive soul who was intuitive to the needs of others. This was aided by her ability to read auras. With her caring nature, Naomi provides unexpected support for Annie. Simon was the opposite of his sister. He had followed the traditional path of marriage and, a child yet he was unhappy. An addiction threatened to tear apart everything he held dear.
Molly was the sister to Naomi and Simon that I couldn’t warm to. In her late twenties, she was unlikeable with an immature and selfish attitude. Her flighty nature meant Molly was never prepared or ready for anything, including pregnancy. Unfortunately, Molly was not someone you could depend on. In contrast, Molly had high expectations of everyone else, including her own family, yet never discussed anything with them. My blood boiled when Molly assumed that Anne would babysit her third grandchild so she could return to work in under six months. When their grandfather dies, everyone's life will be turned upside down.
With the unexpected death, the family descended on Annie’s house for the reading of the will. Shocks are in store for the grandchildren while Annie was given what is rightly hers. To Annie’s disbelief, nobody left after her father’s wishes were revealed. For various reasons, the family decided to stay on and live in the house with her. They needed to be told “This has been absolutely lovely”, a polite expression used to tell your guests it is time to leave. At the same time, the neighbours son and his mother return, unearthing long buried secrets. Throughout all the drama, Annie’s heart was telling her it was time to follow her dreams. Yet no matter how old her children were, Anne was still a mother and needed to learn how to navigate a world where she could still be true to herself.
Will Annie find middle ground? Will her dreams come true?
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for the opportunity to review this book.
January 7, 2021
What an absolutely hilariously lovely read. I want more about toggles!!!! I have never laughed out loud more!! It should be concrete osteoporosis!!! And under all the wit and humour there is a real family, with real dynamics and issues. The exportation of motherhood and sacrifice were so heartfelt and I so appreciate that they weren’t resolved with a solution akin to an internet scam...I can’t recommend it highly enough, I loved it
January 18, 2021
Loved this witty and completely relatable book about family function and dysfunction. Jessica Dettmann is such a clever writer - her imagery is fresh and hilarious and her 'take' on life is so dry and funny. But beyond the humour, this is a book that also has something profound to say about mothering at any age. So, so good!
January 30, 2021
‘It was like a murder of crows had muscled in on a couple of pigeons.’
Back in the 1980s, Annie Jones was part of a mildly successful band named Love Triangle. But her dreams were derailed by family responsibilities. Thirty-five years later, with her parents now dead and her three children grown, Annie wonders whether she can try again.
But families are complicated. Annie’s family is together in the days before Christmas, to attend her father’s funeral and will then celebrate Christmas together. They are all staying in the home of her late parents. Meet Molly and her partner. Molly is pregnant with her first child. Meet Simon, his wife and child, who have flown in from Germany, and Naomi and her child. And then, there are the other two members of Love Triangle: Annie’s ex-husband Paul, and his partner Brian.
Molly wants Annie to help look after her baby, Simon wants Annie to sell the house. At least Naomi seems content. Can Annie find her own space, and freedom to pursue her dreams? Or is it too late?
‘This was impossible, Annie thought. How was she supposed to know who knew what about whom and if they did know how they had found out, and how long they had known for and what they were planning to do with information they may or may not have? This felt like picking up an Agatha Christie novel halfway through. It was a murder mystery, and the victim was Annie’s whole history.’
Ms Dettmann has peopled her novel with a delightful (mostly) collection of very human characters, with their anxieties, concerns, dreams, and regrets. Most of our view of events is delivered from the perspectives of Annie and Molly. There’s humour here, as well as all the complicated dynamics of family. An enjoyable read.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Back in the 1980s, Annie Jones was part of a mildly successful band named Love Triangle. But her dreams were derailed by family responsibilities. Thirty-five years later, with her parents now dead and her three children grown, Annie wonders whether she can try again.
But families are complicated. Annie’s family is together in the days before Christmas, to attend her father’s funeral and will then celebrate Christmas together. They are all staying in the home of her late parents. Meet Molly and her partner. Molly is pregnant with her first child. Meet Simon, his wife and child, who have flown in from Germany, and Naomi and her child. And then, there are the other two members of Love Triangle: Annie’s ex-husband Paul, and his partner Brian.
Molly wants Annie to help look after her baby, Simon wants Annie to sell the house. At least Naomi seems content. Can Annie find her own space, and freedom to pursue her dreams? Or is it too late?
‘This was impossible, Annie thought. How was she supposed to know who knew what about whom and if they did know how they had found out, and how long they had known for and what they were planning to do with information they may or may not have? This felt like picking up an Agatha Christie novel halfway through. It was a murder mystery, and the victim was Annie’s whole history.’
Ms Dettmann has peopled her novel with a delightful (mostly) collection of very human characters, with their anxieties, concerns, dreams, and regrets. Most of our view of events is delivered from the perspectives of Annie and Molly. There’s humour here, as well as all the complicated dynamics of family. An enjoyable read.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 13, 2021
Annie’s music career never really took off. Maybe she could have been a pop star but now she’s a grandmother, albeit a pretty cool, youngish one, and this could finally be her time to shine. With a full house at Christmas time all sorts of family dramas come to a head and Annie feels burdened by her responsibilities; she’s had a gut full of being the carer. I don’t believe women can have it all and career and motherhood don’t mix very easily but I thought this was a pretty extreme and negative example of being forced to choose between the two. There were some astute observations and well drawn characters in this story, all a bit selfish but probably quite realistic.
Young parents should definitely not expect their mothers to provide childcare for their children. That is fact. Maybe some grandmothers would be happy to do it but it should not be expected or assumed and they should rightly be remunerated for their services. This book explored this and other interesting social issues in the context of a nice big chaotic family all thrown together. There literally was birth, death and marriage occurring all in the space of a week between Christmas and New Year. What fun.
Young parents should definitely not expect their mothers to provide childcare for their children. That is fact. Maybe some grandmothers would be happy to do it but it should not be expected or assumed and they should rightly be remunerated for their services. This book explored this and other interesting social issues in the context of a nice big chaotic family all thrown together. There literally was birth, death and marriage occurring all in the space of a week between Christmas and New Year. What fun.
March 6, 2021
A celebrity of sorts whose opinions I usually am interested in and respect a great deal casually mentioned This Has Been Absolutely Lovely on his social media feeds one day, so naturally I knew I needed to snatch it up once it became available at my local American library. I didn't appreciate it nearly as much as I was hoping to, although I should have known that even recommendations I get from people I agree with just about everything else on would fall flat. And so this one did too—so it gets a 1.5-star rating from me.
At any rate, I found This Has Been Absolutely Lovely too convoluted, juvenile and irrelevant for my liking. Annie Jones, a one-time potential pop star who dreams of more than her provincial motherhood in the suburbs, welcomes her entire family back to her sort-of ancestral house once her father dies, and naturally chaos and complicated family relationships ensue. Her children, Simon, Naomi and Molly are a narcissistic asshole, a weirdo hippie and a naive oblivious millennial about to have a baby that she is not ready for—all respectively. Add into the mix a mysterious next-door neighbor who turns out to be far more relevant to any of them than they want, and you've got a potentially tragicomic book.
But it was dull. I found Jessica Dettmann's writing on par with a middle school (or, fine, maybe high school) who is just learning how to write anything and experiments with writing boring, drawn-out dialogue that would never happen that way in real life. I found her pacing downright strange in terms of which family member she talked about when and and for how long. And, by the end, I found Annie's music career a perfectly fine bookend but with nothing but pointlessness and unnecessary drama in between. The relationship between Annie and Molly was almost redeemable, but Molly's pregnancy and unexpected birth quickly became a backdrop to all the other family drama that was going on. Dettmann added too much conflict and plot events into a book that should have been more about the relationship of Annie to her children and Annie to her music.
Instead, all of the characters were incredibly—almost comically, unrealistically—self-centered and naive and stupid. All of the children, Simon, Naomi and Molly were completely absorbed by their own delusions about life, different though they all were, and Annie's ex-husband Paul and his current partner Brian were evne unlikeable because of how bumbling and sitcom-husband they both seemed to be. Even Annie, by far the most likeable character in this book—was far from a character that I wanted to get to know. Her actions were just as baffling and annoying as everyone else. I can chalk some of it up to the characters being constructed this way, for advancing the plot or developing a tone for a specific scene or interaction or personality, sure. But I think more than that it was just bad writing on Dettmann's part in not developing her characters well enough for us to like them at all. Writers always know more of the characters' backstories than readers do, but this time it wasn't enough and it didn't translate.
At any rate, I found This Has Been Absolutely Lovely too convoluted, juvenile and irrelevant for my liking. Annie Jones, a one-time potential pop star who dreams of more than her provincial motherhood in the suburbs, welcomes her entire family back to her sort-of ancestral house once her father dies, and naturally chaos and complicated family relationships ensue. Her children, Simon, Naomi and Molly are a narcissistic asshole, a weirdo hippie and a naive oblivious millennial about to have a baby that she is not ready for—all respectively. Add into the mix a mysterious next-door neighbor who turns out to be far more relevant to any of them than they want, and you've got a potentially tragicomic book.
But it was dull. I found Jessica Dettmann's writing on par with a middle school (or, fine, maybe high school) who is just learning how to write anything and experiments with writing boring, drawn-out dialogue that would never happen that way in real life. I found her pacing downright strange in terms of which family member she talked about when and and for how long. And, by the end, I found Annie's music career a perfectly fine bookend but with nothing but pointlessness and unnecessary drama in between. The relationship between Annie and Molly was almost redeemable, but Molly's pregnancy and unexpected birth quickly became a backdrop to all the other family drama that was going on. Dettmann added too much conflict and plot events into a book that should have been more about the relationship of Annie to her children and Annie to her music.
Instead, all of the characters were incredibly—almost comically, unrealistically—self-centered and naive and stupid. All of the children, Simon, Naomi and Molly were completely absorbed by their own delusions about life, different though they all were, and Annie's ex-husband Paul and his current partner Brian were evne unlikeable because of how bumbling and sitcom-husband they both seemed to be. Even Annie, by far the most likeable character in this book—was far from a character that I wanted to get to know. Her actions were just as baffling and annoying as everyone else. I can chalk some of it up to the characters being constructed this way, for advancing the plot or developing a tone for a specific scene or interaction or personality, sure. But I think more than that it was just bad writing on Dettmann's part in not developing her characters well enough for us to like them at all. Writers always know more of the characters' backstories than readers do, but this time it wasn't enough and it didn't translate.
July 25, 2021
Well I shamefully admit that I did skip paragraphs as I found this very slow, for me the characters were shallow and not developed enough to get interested. When I picked this book I thought it was going to be something I could really identify with being a Mum and Nanna myself but I didn’t get even close to connecting until chapter 26 which was 3/4 of the way through😟I did find some parts amusing but not laugh out loud and I am questioning why Dettmann felt the need to include swearing in the dialogue as I felt it really didn’t add anything to the development of the story.
The basis of the novel follows the struggles of a divorced mum sacrificing her career of stardom to raise her three kids, now her children are all adults she finally gets the opportunity to focus on herself and her music career. Her daughters just had a baby but isn’t coping well and the expectations of her to babysit are making her feel trapped and stressed, added to that drama are the other family members who are also living under the same roof where hidden family secrets are spilling out everywhere. This novel covers living with regrets, trying to balance parenting and life’s choices, relationships, addiction, mental health and grief. It’s just such a shame it only got going right at the end and there wasn’t more insight into the characters.
After getting such good reviews I’m quite disappointed but hope you enjoy it more than I did as it had so much potential but failed to deliver for me 😔
The basis of the novel follows the struggles of a divorced mum sacrificing her career of stardom to raise her three kids, now her children are all adults she finally gets the opportunity to focus on herself and her music career. Her daughters just had a baby but isn’t coping well and the expectations of her to babysit are making her feel trapped and stressed, added to that drama are the other family members who are also living under the same roof where hidden family secrets are spilling out everywhere. This novel covers living with regrets, trying to balance parenting and life’s choices, relationships, addiction, mental health and grief. It’s just such a shame it only got going right at the end and there wasn’t more insight into the characters.
After getting such good reviews I’m quite disappointed but hope you enjoy it more than I did as it had so much potential but failed to deliver for me 😔
Read
December 16, 2020I found myself absolutely engrossed in this story. I finished the second half in one sitting, with plenty of tears and laughs. A very relatable take on modern motherhood. Full review and author interview to come. Thanks to Harper Collins for the advance copy.
October 31, 2020
This is honestly and literally the funniest book I have ever read. I laughed out loud spontaneously more often than I can count. It isn’t all laughs, and covers some deep topics, but Jessica’s wry humour abounds. An absolutely brilliant book and Dettmann has grown as an author. If you are looking for a summer read, this is the one.
May 10, 2024
I enjoy Jessica Dettmann’s novels so much. She is genuinely funny, which is no mean feat to come across in a novel. I’m a bit picky when it comes to reading novels that are supposed to be funny – so many just come off as silly and overboard. But I have not yet encountered that with any of Jessica Dettmann’s novels and now that I’ve read This Has Been Absolutely Lovely, I’ve read them all.
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is the story of a family that could be any family in Australia, children grown up and now having their own children, coming together for a big family Christmas celebration. Annie, the matriarch of this family, has not long completed the cycle of nursing her parents into their deaths. She is tired, her parents are now gone, her children are grown and have their own lives. Surely, she can now take some time for herself and no longer be required to constantly ‘care’ for others?
Enter her grown children with their own messy lives they are quietly expecting their mother to assist in the cleaning up with. Molly, expectant of free childcare once her baby is born. Simon, expectant of a home for his family now that he’s lost his own. And likely free childcare too. Only Naomi, the middle child, has her ducks in a row. She was a lovely character. A free spirit who also offered a calming and supportive presence to any situation. I really liked her.
It Has Been Absolutely Lovely is not only lively and funny, but deep and meaningful in its exploration of the roles of women as carers for their families, motherhood at all of its stages, grief, and family relations. It’s an explosive Christmas for the Jones family and none of them will be the same at the end of it. This was a most enjoyable read with much to relate to within it. I found it funny, engrossing, and thought provoking.
At one point towards the end of the novel, Annie exclaims in frustration, ‘When will it stop? All this caring?’ To which, her daughter-in-law replies, ‘Never. You’re a mother forever.’ Indeed. So true. But even so, are we expected to be carers until our own decline cedes way for someone else to finally take over the role? There’s a lot to dwell on there. A cracking good read. I highly recommend the audio version which was narrated with perfection.
This Has Been Absolutely Lovely is the story of a family that could be any family in Australia, children grown up and now having their own children, coming together for a big family Christmas celebration. Annie, the matriarch of this family, has not long completed the cycle of nursing her parents into their deaths. She is tired, her parents are now gone, her children are grown and have their own lives. Surely, she can now take some time for herself and no longer be required to constantly ‘care’ for others?
Enter her grown children with their own messy lives they are quietly expecting their mother to assist in the cleaning up with. Molly, expectant of free childcare once her baby is born. Simon, expectant of a home for his family now that he’s lost his own. And likely free childcare too. Only Naomi, the middle child, has her ducks in a row. She was a lovely character. A free spirit who also offered a calming and supportive presence to any situation. I really liked her.
It Has Been Absolutely Lovely is not only lively and funny, but deep and meaningful in its exploration of the roles of women as carers for their families, motherhood at all of its stages, grief, and family relations. It’s an explosive Christmas for the Jones family and none of them will be the same at the end of it. This was a most enjoyable read with much to relate to within it. I found it funny, engrossing, and thought provoking.
At one point towards the end of the novel, Annie exclaims in frustration, ‘When will it stop? All this caring?’ To which, her daughter-in-law replies, ‘Never. You’re a mother forever.’ Indeed. So true. But even so, are we expected to be carers until our own decline cedes way for someone else to finally take over the role? There’s a lot to dwell on there. A cracking good read. I highly recommend the audio version which was narrated with perfection.
June 19, 2022
This was a rollercoaster of emotions. Sometimes hilarious, a bit sad and at times, it made me angry. All the things you need Ina great read.
This is a tale of a modern Australian family. Full of sibling rivalry, frustration, unrealised dreams and a family trying to understand each other. I really felt like I was a part of this family. I could feel the frustration at being in a crowded house during a hot Australian summer. I really thought that each character had an important part to play and they were all fleshed out well.
I did find Annie rather annoying as she battles to "find herself". She was both mothering and narcissistic in equal measure. Her relationship with her children, her ex-husband and her deceased parents were present through the book and as she negotiated these tangled webs, she began to discover herself.
I would describe this book well in truely in the "chick-lit" genre. If you are after a well told family story, set in modern Australia, then this would be highly recommended.
This is a tale of a modern Australian family. Full of sibling rivalry, frustration, unrealised dreams and a family trying to understand each other. I really felt like I was a part of this family. I could feel the frustration at being in a crowded house during a hot Australian summer. I really thought that each character had an important part to play and they were all fleshed out well.
I did find Annie rather annoying as she battles to "find herself". She was both mothering and narcissistic in equal measure. Her relationship with her children, her ex-husband and her deceased parents were present through the book and as she negotiated these tangled webs, she began to discover herself.
I would describe this book well in truely in the "chick-lit" genre. If you are after a well told family story, set in modern Australia, then this would be highly recommended.
December 31, 2020
Christmas is always a stressful time and in This Has Been Absolutely Lovely by Australian author Jessica Dettman we are thrust right into the middle of Annie Jones/Thorne’s family. This happens just a short time after the death of her father who she had been looking after for five years and now being free of the caring roles, is contemplating revisiting a future in music.
Joining her for Christmas are:
*her youngest daughter, a millennial home organiser about to have her first baby, moving in with her husband Jack because their inner city flat has concrete cancer;
*her eldest son Simon, over from Germany with his wife Diana and son Felix, carrying his
own tensions and secrets;
*her eldest ‘hippy’ daughter Naomi, a single mum and her daughter Sunny;
*her ex-husband and long-ago fellow band members of Love Triangle, Paul and his partner
Brian visiting from London -
all staying together in the family home.
Add to this the tensions with Ray next door whose son Patrick and long-time-no see wife Heather turn up.
This all leads to a lot of dramas.
This story explores the complexities of families, the ramifications of secrets, the demands of motherhood, the expectations of children on their parents, the role of grand parents and of relationships and who people really are.
That being said it was easy to read and enjoyable to watch the unraveling of the the storyline.
This quote about the title adds another dimension to the story.
“‘Are you “This has been absolutely lovely” -ing us?’ Molly said indignantly.
‘What is “This has been absolutely lovely” -ing? asked Diana.
‘It’s something our grandma used to do, said Naomi. ‘When guest had outstayed their welcome she used to get up and say, “This has been absolutely lovely,” and then stand there until they got the hint.’”
A highly recommended read.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for a copy to read and review.
Joining her for Christmas are:
*her youngest daughter, a millennial home organiser about to have her first baby, moving in with her husband Jack because their inner city flat has concrete cancer;
*her eldest son Simon, over from Germany with his wife Diana and son Felix, carrying his
own tensions and secrets;
*her eldest ‘hippy’ daughter Naomi, a single mum and her daughter Sunny;
*her ex-husband and long-ago fellow band members of Love Triangle, Paul and his partner
Brian visiting from London -
all staying together in the family home.
Add to this the tensions with Ray next door whose son Patrick and long-time-no see wife Heather turn up.
This all leads to a lot of dramas.
This story explores the complexities of families, the ramifications of secrets, the demands of motherhood, the expectations of children on their parents, the role of grand parents and of relationships and who people really are.
That being said it was easy to read and enjoyable to watch the unraveling of the the storyline.
This quote about the title adds another dimension to the story.
“‘Are you “This has been absolutely lovely” -ing us?’ Molly said indignantly.
‘What is “This has been absolutely lovely” -ing? asked Diana.
‘It’s something our grandma used to do, said Naomi. ‘When guest had outstayed their welcome she used to get up and say, “This has been absolutely lovely,” and then stand there until they got the hint.’”
A highly recommended read.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for a copy to read and review.
January 29, 2021
I loved this book! The writing style was right up my alley, and I really appreciated the realness and the honesty that the characters demonstrated.
This story is very witty, the sense of humour was spot on. It was also super relatable, with the family's chaotic nature making me laugh along. The representation of motherhood was great, and I was completely engrossed in this story from start to finish.
Amazing read, highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this absolutely lovely book!
This story is very witty, the sense of humour was spot on. It was also super relatable, with the family's chaotic nature making me laugh along. The representation of motherhood was great, and I was completely engrossed in this story from start to finish.
Amazing read, highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this absolutely lovely book!
January 22, 2021
Funny, heartbreaking, relatable and poignant. I love Jessica’s writing style - her dialogue is witty and sharp. Lots of moments that made me nod my head and think yep I’ve been there! This book brought me out of my newborn haze reading slump.
January 13, 2021
I devoured this book. I am a big fan of Jessica Dettman’s writing, including her first novel (How to be Second Best), so this was not a surprise. However, in some respects, This Has Been Absolutely Lovely was a surprise. It has plenty of Dettman’s characteristic clever wit, but it also deftly deals with some serious themes - motherhood, family secrets, betrayal, the creative process and unfulfilled ambition. I think it’s rare that you get a book that can give you both comedy and poignancy but This Has Been Absolutely Lovely does just that. Readers of Caitlin Moran, Marion Keyes, and Nick Hornby will not be disappointed. It was funny, thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend it.
February 23, 2021
Having been a massive fan of Dettman's first novel, I had been looking forward to this one for ages and was not disappointed at all. "This has been absolutely lovely" was a phrase Annie's mum used when she was growing up, to signal the end of a gathering. Annie, now a mother of three adult children and a grandmother, is now feeling this way about her family who come to stay after the death of her father. Annie and her husband and their best friend used to be pop singers and she almost sang at Eurovision until motherhood happened. Now her parents are dead and her children are grown and her husband is gay, she wants to rediscover her musical aspirations. But it seems her family has other plans for Annie as they rely on her once again to get them through a variety of dramas. A great read with a good dose of drama and great writing that keeps you wanting to turn the pages and ignore your own life. Loved this book and already looking forward to the next one!
August 24, 2021
This is an enjoyable and amusing family saga, which has wonderfully nostalgic Australian Christmas vibes throughout! It held my interest while reading it but I definitely wasn’t banging to finish it (which I usually am which light and easy reads) and don’t think it will stick with me long term.
There was a lot of exploration of motherhood in this book and this was defiantly my favourite aspect of it. There was Diana with a hopeless husband doing none of the cooking or child-rearing, Annie a single mother trying to navigate caring for three adult (and still hopeless) children and Molly who became a mother at 27 (practically a teenage pregnancy as the book tells us) but wasn’t quite ready for it. I really enjoyed the differing elements of motherhood which were able to be shown but found that they all lacked the nuance I was hoping for. There are paragraphs were the mental load is literally explained to us as the women do all the preparation for Christmas and I just would have preferred it to be more subtle and complex.
There was one standout quote which made me laugh for a long time:
“Heather: ‘it was wonderful travelling the world with my baby and doing all sorts of things which I could get into jail for. And here’s the thing I learnt Annie: the fun men, the sexy men, are the bad men.’
Annie wondered why Heather hadn’t learned that the way everyone else had: from reading a Jane Austen book or Tess of the D’Urbervilles.”
Classic.
————————————————————————
When To Read: A good beach holiday read!
TW: post-partum depression
There was a lot of exploration of motherhood in this book and this was defiantly my favourite aspect of it. There was Diana with a hopeless husband doing none of the cooking or child-rearing, Annie a single mother trying to navigate caring for three adult (and still hopeless) children and Molly who became a mother at 27 (practically a teenage pregnancy as the book tells us) but wasn’t quite ready for it. I really enjoyed the differing elements of motherhood which were able to be shown but found that they all lacked the nuance I was hoping for. There are paragraphs were the mental load is literally explained to us as the women do all the preparation for Christmas and I just would have preferred it to be more subtle and complex.
There was one standout quote which made me laugh for a long time:
“Heather: ‘it was wonderful travelling the world with my baby and doing all sorts of things which I could get into jail for. And here’s the thing I learnt Annie: the fun men, the sexy men, are the bad men.’
Annie wondered why Heather hadn’t learned that the way everyone else had: from reading a Jane Austen book or Tess of the D’Urbervilles.”
Classic.
————————————————————————
When To Read: A good beach holiday read!
TW: post-partum depression
February 25, 2021
Great read, one I wanted to keep reading even when life needed me. Very relatable.
February 28, 2021
3.5 stars
I picked this one up because the main character was about to have her baby and the story centred around her hoping her mum would look after it and her mum wanting to finally chase her dreams. It just felt a relevant time for me to read!
I’m not 100% sure how to rate this one. I was slow going with it but became much more engaged after Molly had her baby. There was a fair bit of family drama but not in an overly outrageous way, it reminded me quite a bit of Seven Days Of Us! It was also full of flawed characters, I didn’t particularly like any of them. I was torn between relating to, and seeing so much truth in their selfishness that it made me kind of hate people. I’m still not sure if it is a true reflection of how people are or if these characters were particularly selfish. I did find it to be a fairly realistic depiction of a modern Australian family unit.
I think if you like family-centred dramas you will like this one. Probably a ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me
I picked this one up because the main character was about to have her baby and the story centred around her hoping her mum would look after it and her mum wanting to finally chase her dreams. It just felt a relevant time for me to read!
I’m not 100% sure how to rate this one. I was slow going with it but became much more engaged after Molly had her baby. There was a fair bit of family drama but not in an overly outrageous way, it reminded me quite a bit of Seven Days Of Us! It was also full of flawed characters, I didn’t particularly like any of them. I was torn between relating to, and seeing so much truth in their selfishness that it made me kind of hate people. I’m still not sure if it is a true reflection of how people are or if these characters were particularly selfish. I did find it to be a fairly realistic depiction of a modern Australian family unit.
I think if you like family-centred dramas you will like this one. Probably a ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me
August 30, 2023
This Has Been Absolutely (not) Lovely. This book was just so ridiculously bad. There were glimmers of a good storyline here and there but every single character was a terrible human being and in the end it all worked out with zero growth or consequence. The only decent character was Patrick and to some extent Annie, although there were numerous jokes sprinkled throughout about how neglectful she was as a parent, but again she just followed this same path throughout. I found the post partum depression storyline mildly offensive and again ridiculous and not set in any kind of reality. Just an average read that has no depth.
December 25, 2020
What’s a normal family? Really loved this book, the characters slide under your skin without you noticing, so your ever so gently cheering each of their eccentric characters along.
But what it really made me think about is that everyone has hopes and dreams and sometimes we have to have the courage to go forward.
A beautiful read that had me feeling lots of things. Thank goodness for a lazy Christmas afternoon, that allowed me to be transported within this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read
But what it really made me think about is that everyone has hopes and dreams and sometimes we have to have the courage to go forward.
A beautiful read that had me feeling lots of things. Thank goodness for a lazy Christmas afternoon, that allowed me to be transported within this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read
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