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Just an Ordinary Family
Liane Moriarty meets Jodi Picoult in this tensely negotiated story of family ties, betrayal and sacrifice.
Every family has its secrets...
Alice Hunter is smarting from the raw deal life has thrown her way: suddenly single, jobless and forced to move home to her parents' tiny seaside town. And now she faces an uncomfortable truth. She wants her twin sister Libby's enviable life.
Libby's closest friend Jess Dekic has been around the Hunter family for so long she might as well be blood. She's always considered herself a sister closer to Libby than Alice ever could be...
Libby Hunter has all of life's boxes ticked: prominent small-town doctor, gorgeous husband and two young daughters. But when she is betrayed by those she loves most, it reveals how tenuous her world is...
For Karen Hunter, her children are a double-edged sword of pain and pride. She's always tried to guide her girls through life's pitfalls, but how do you protect your children when they're adults?
As the family implodes, the fallout for these four women will be inescapable...
Bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe wields a deft hand, creating utterly addictive storytelling that will have you questioning your own perceptions of what family is.
Every family has its secrets...
Alice Hunter is smarting from the raw deal life has thrown her way: suddenly single, jobless and forced to move home to her parents' tiny seaside town. And now she faces an uncomfortable truth. She wants her twin sister Libby's enviable life.
Libby's closest friend Jess Dekic has been around the Hunter family for so long she might as well be blood. She's always considered herself a sister closer to Libby than Alice ever could be...
Libby Hunter has all of life's boxes ticked: prominent small-town doctor, gorgeous husband and two young daughters. But when she is betrayed by those she loves most, it reveals how tenuous her world is...
For Karen Hunter, her children are a double-edged sword of pain and pride. She's always tried to guide her girls through life's pitfalls, but how do you protect your children when they're adults?
As the family implodes, the fallout for these four women will be inescapable...
Bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe wields a deft hand, creating utterly addictive storytelling that will have you questioning your own perceptions of what family is.
470 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2020
326 people are currently reading
2807 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Lowe
186 books646 followersMulti published, Fiona is very excited about her 2026 release, The Drowning a novel about a family, a holiday house and a dead body. Previously published with Berkley and currently with Harper Collins Australia, (HQ Fiction) Fiona's been the recipient of a RITA and two RuBY awards. Families and communities intrigue her and she loves creating characters you could meet on the street and enjoys putting them in unique situations where morals and values can blur and she begs the reader to ask themselves, 'What would you do?'
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
February 2, 2020
Just an Ordinary Family by Aussie author Fiona Lowe was a brilliant read which I couldn’t put down. A really great story about families, friends and secrets with characters that I came to love very quickly. I must admit I’ve only read one other book by this author (Home Fires) which I thoroughly enjoyed and I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This was a very enjoyable book which I LOVED and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a great read. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
This was a very enjoyable book which I LOVED and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a great read. With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
March 18, 2020
I clearly enjoyed this book because I sat up until midnight last night to finish it. I had got past the point of being able to put it down and just had to read on to the end.
It is a story of ordinary people who get things wrong as often as they get them right. There are misunderstandings and arguments, relationships pushed to the brink and then recovered, and endings both happy and not. Somewhere in the middle I fell to wondering why books in this genre are always so long, too long by my reckoning. And then I became totally engrossed and it ceased to matter how many more pages there were.
A very engaging tale with many appealing characters who the reader can really care about.
It is a story of ordinary people who get things wrong as often as they get them right. There are misunderstandings and arguments, relationships pushed to the brink and then recovered, and endings both happy and not. Somewhere in the middle I fell to wondering why books in this genre are always so long, too long by my reckoning. And then I became totally engrossed and it ceased to matter how many more pages there were.
A very engaging tale with many appealing characters who the reader can really care about.
February 19, 2020
Earlier this year I read my first Fiona Lowe book - Home Fires. It was a deeply emotional book that I became so immersed it that I did not want it to end. So when given the opportunity to read another of this authors books I jumped at the chance. Just an Ordinary Family was a very different story, but still a character study. Once again I was caught up in the lives of this family and the small town. Fiona Lowe gets you so involved in her characters that you feel as if you are there and that you are part of it all. I highly recommend this book and author.
Just an Ordinary Family is the story of 4 women, a family in a small seaside town of Kurnai Bay in Victoria, Australia. There are the twin sisters who are living completely different lives - Alice and Libby. Alice has returned to her hometown after finding herself suddenly single and unemployed. She moves back in with her parents and tries to get her life back on track. Libby is a successful doctor, married with 2 daughters. Everything that Alice desires. But Libby's picture perfect life is about to come crumbling down around her and things will never be the same again.
Then there is Jess, Libby's BFF and basically part of the Hunter family. She has had a tough upbringing and is now a single mum. Karen Hunter is the mother in this family, trying to hold them all together and do what is best for her girls.
But like in all families, there are secrets. Secrets that will tear them all apart and wonder who they really are. There will be broken hearts, tears and love. This book will make you laugh but warning - it will also make you cry. It was a roller coaster of emotions for me as my feelings towards the characters changed as we learn more about them.
Thank you to Better Reading Australia and Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Just an Ordinary Family is the story of 4 women, a family in a small seaside town of Kurnai Bay in Victoria, Australia. There are the twin sisters who are living completely different lives - Alice and Libby. Alice has returned to her hometown after finding herself suddenly single and unemployed. She moves back in with her parents and tries to get her life back on track. Libby is a successful doctor, married with 2 daughters. Everything that Alice desires. But Libby's picture perfect life is about to come crumbling down around her and things will never be the same again.
Then there is Jess, Libby's BFF and basically part of the Hunter family. She has had a tough upbringing and is now a single mum. Karen Hunter is the mother in this family, trying to hold them all together and do what is best for her girls.
But like in all families, there are secrets. Secrets that will tear them all apart and wonder who they really are. There will be broken hearts, tears and love. This book will make you laugh but warning - it will also make you cry. It was a roller coaster of emotions for me as my feelings towards the characters changed as we learn more about them.
Thank you to Better Reading Australia and Harper Collins Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.
Read
September 22, 2020Dear Readers,
I wanted to take a few moments to tell you about JUST AN ORDINARY FAMILY, a novel about one family and a very close friendship.
I wrote this book, wanting to explore the themes of trust, betrayal and regret. To shine a light on how often we delude ourselves that our actions will only result in one specific outcome and that when we explain ourselves, others will understand and forgive.
This got me thinking about the types of forgiveness that different situations demand. Sometimes, forgiveness is cheerfully given and other times it’s demanded. When it involves compromise and sacrifice, it can sometimes feel like a hand is reaching down inside us, hauling forgiveness out kicking and screaming. Some people rise to meet the forgiveness challenge, while others never come close to attempting it. What impact does our choice to forgive or not to forgive have on our lives?
I also toyed with the question, is there a difference between a stupid mistake and a calculated betrayal? Does someone have the right to feel betrayed when they’ve lied themselves? And who is judged more harshly when moral and ethical lines are blurred?
Of course, there are no clear answers to any of these questions. My characters learn this as they deal with their lives being turned upside down by breaches of trust. There’s betrayal by their family, their friends, their town and their bodies. I’m familiar with the impact of my body’s betrayal and I definitely mined some of my own experiences.
I also did a bit of ‘method research’ writing the book, which included a sailing holiday and signing up to a variety of online dating sites and apps so I understood how they worked. My husband was far more understanding of this than my young adult sons. I listened to podcasts about relationships, I read self-help books, interviewed people and I sent up a general hope that I would never have to personally deal with what I’ve thrown at Alice, Libby, Jess and Karen.
The women and men in this book are as flawed, complicated and unwise as they are loving, well-intentioned and striving to be their best selves. Readers will have differing opinions about the decisions they make. This excites me, because life is not black and white and all of us are far from perfect, but we’re out there trying our best.
I hope you enjoy AN ORDINARY FAMILY. It's on sale in Australia and NZ February 24th 2020.
Best wishes,
Fiona Lowe
Just an Ordinary Family
I wanted to take a few moments to tell you about JUST AN ORDINARY FAMILY, a novel about one family and a very close friendship.
I wrote this book, wanting to explore the themes of trust, betrayal and regret. To shine a light on how often we delude ourselves that our actions will only result in one specific outcome and that when we explain ourselves, others will understand and forgive.
This got me thinking about the types of forgiveness that different situations demand. Sometimes, forgiveness is cheerfully given and other times it’s demanded. When it involves compromise and sacrifice, it can sometimes feel like a hand is reaching down inside us, hauling forgiveness out kicking and screaming. Some people rise to meet the forgiveness challenge, while others never come close to attempting it. What impact does our choice to forgive or not to forgive have on our lives?
I also toyed with the question, is there a difference between a stupid mistake and a calculated betrayal? Does someone have the right to feel betrayed when they’ve lied themselves? And who is judged more harshly when moral and ethical lines are blurred?
Of course, there are no clear answers to any of these questions. My characters learn this as they deal with their lives being turned upside down by breaches of trust. There’s betrayal by their family, their friends, their town and their bodies. I’m familiar with the impact of my body’s betrayal and I definitely mined some of my own experiences.
I also did a bit of ‘method research’ writing the book, which included a sailing holiday and signing up to a variety of online dating sites and apps so I understood how they worked. My husband was far more understanding of this than my young adult sons. I listened to podcasts about relationships, I read self-help books, interviewed people and I sent up a general hope that I would never have to personally deal with what I’ve thrown at Alice, Libby, Jess and Karen.
The women and men in this book are as flawed, complicated and unwise as they are loving, well-intentioned and striving to be their best selves. Readers will have differing opinions about the decisions they make. This excites me, because life is not black and white and all of us are far from perfect, but we’re out there trying our best.
I hope you enjoy AN ORDINARY FAMILY. It's on sale in Australia and NZ February 24th 2020.
Best wishes,
Fiona Lowe
Just an Ordinary Family
February 24, 2020
The family in this novel is ordinary in that every one of them is someone you might meet in your home town and strike up a casual conversation in the supermarket or local cafe. But even ordinary families have their tragedies and deep buried secrets and this family is no exception.
At the heart of the Hunter family are four very different women. Mother Karen, who overcame a difficult childhood to marry a good man and raise twin daughters, Libby and Alice. Libby is the strong confident twin who excelled at school, became a doctor and is married with two adorable children. Alice on the other hand was always the more fragile twin, less confident and needing more support, not one of the popular girls at school, but very artistic and has become a talented artist. She was living and working in Melbourne but after her long term relationship fell apart, Alice has returned to her parents house in Kurnai Bay, the small coastal town where she grew up. The fourth woman is single mum Jess Dekic, Libby's best friend since they were thirteen, closer to her even than her own twin. Welcomed into Libby's family, they shared everything, living together during Uni and eventually both settling back in Kurnai Bay. But now Libby has discovered that Jess has done something so unthinkable that her family has been blown apart and will never be the same.
Fiona Lowe is so good at forming her characters that at some stage of the book it is impossible not to understand their point of view and feel sympathy for each of them. Over the course of a year this family will face great difficulties that will rupture relationships, uncover long kept secrets and change all their lives. A thoughtful and emotional rollercoaster of a novel. 4.5★
With thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a copy to read
At the heart of the Hunter family are four very different women. Mother Karen, who overcame a difficult childhood to marry a good man and raise twin daughters, Libby and Alice. Libby is the strong confident twin who excelled at school, became a doctor and is married with two adorable children. Alice on the other hand was always the more fragile twin, less confident and needing more support, not one of the popular girls at school, but very artistic and has become a talented artist. She was living and working in Melbourne but after her long term relationship fell apart, Alice has returned to her parents house in Kurnai Bay, the small coastal town where she grew up. The fourth woman is single mum Jess Dekic, Libby's best friend since they were thirteen, closer to her even than her own twin. Welcomed into Libby's family, they shared everything, living together during Uni and eventually both settling back in Kurnai Bay. But now Libby has discovered that Jess has done something so unthinkable that her family has been blown apart and will never be the same.
Fiona Lowe is so good at forming her characters that at some stage of the book it is impossible not to understand their point of view and feel sympathy for each of them. Over the course of a year this family will face great difficulties that will rupture relationships, uncover long kept secrets and change all their lives. A thoughtful and emotional rollercoaster of a novel. 4.5★
With thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a copy to read
February 16, 2020
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Just An Ordinary Family by Fiona Lowe. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free advance readers copy of this novel; due to be published 24 February 2020**
Alice is suddenly single, jobless and living back at home with her parents in a tiny seaside town. And now she realises she wants her twin sister Libby's life...
Libby's best friend Jess has been around so long she might as well be family. She's always considered herself a closer sister to Libby than Alice...
Libby is a prominent small-town doctor with a gorgeous husband and two daughters. But when she is betrayed by those she loves most, it reveals how tenuous her world is...
Karen is the twins' mother. She has always tried to guide them through life's pitfalls but how do you protect your children when they're adults?
As the family implodes, the fallout for these four women will be inescapable...
Oh my gosh if I could give this book more than 5 out of 5 stars I would, it's that good! It's such an excellent depiction of the fact that each and every one of us have flaws. It also shows how traumatic events can change our personalities and actions completely. I think when you read the story you won't be able to help leaning towards one character more than another depending on your own personality and life circumstances, but equally you won't be able to help feeling for the other character. That may sound confusing but that's the best I can do without a spoiler and it'll make sense when you are reading this book. Close to the end of this book I was genuinely crying which is always a sign of fantastic writing; I felt emotionally invested in all of the characters. I think that's because they all felt so realistic like you could imagine each of them being your own family or neighbours. The small town atmosphere was exactly how I imagine a tiny town to feel. The dramas were intense in the storyline! I can't recommend this book more, it's a seriously fantastic read that you won't want to put down.
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Just An Ordinary Family by Fiona Lowe. (2020).
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free advance readers copy of this novel; due to be published 24 February 2020**
Alice is suddenly single, jobless and living back at home with her parents in a tiny seaside town. And now she realises she wants her twin sister Libby's life...
Libby's best friend Jess has been around so long she might as well be family. She's always considered herself a closer sister to Libby than Alice...
Libby is a prominent small-town doctor with a gorgeous husband and two daughters. But when she is betrayed by those she loves most, it reveals how tenuous her world is...
Karen is the twins' mother. She has always tried to guide them through life's pitfalls but how do you protect your children when they're adults?
As the family implodes, the fallout for these four women will be inescapable...
Oh my gosh if I could give this book more than 5 out of 5 stars I would, it's that good! It's such an excellent depiction of the fact that each and every one of us have flaws. It also shows how traumatic events can change our personalities and actions completely. I think when you read the story you won't be able to help leaning towards one character more than another depending on your own personality and life circumstances, but equally you won't be able to help feeling for the other character. That may sound confusing but that's the best I can do without a spoiler and it'll make sense when you are reading this book. Close to the end of this book I was genuinely crying which is always a sign of fantastic writing; I felt emotionally invested in all of the characters. I think that's because they all felt so realistic like you could imagine each of them being your own family or neighbours. The small town atmosphere was exactly how I imagine a tiny town to feel. The dramas were intense in the storyline! I can't recommend this book more, it's a seriously fantastic read that you won't want to put down.
February 13, 2020
Twin sisters Libby and Alice Hunter had always been close – as twins usually are – but when Libby met Jess Dekic at thirteen and they became fast friends, Alice felt pushed to the background. Jess was a part of the Hunter family, but Alice felt like a third wheel. After a disastrous break up with her boyfriend of three years, Alice moved home to Kurnai Bay from Melbourne. Her grief and heartbreak took away her fragile confidence and she found herself once again living with her parents, feeling like a child.
Libby was married to Nick and they had two beautiful daughters. Their marriage was rock solid; but after a tragedy rocked Libby and Nick’s world, it felt to Libby that they were on shaky ground. She saw more of Jess as she had moved home to Kurnai Bay with her small son Leo and while tensions continued, Libby found she wasn’t coping. Libby and Alice’s parents, Karen and Peter, were loving, caring people and a great role model for their two girls. But secrets long held were set to be exposed, and heartbreak would follow…
Just an Ordinary Family by Aussie author Fiona Lowe was a fabulous read. Four strong women as the main characters living their lives, everyday normal lives, showing how easily things change. How sudden heartache can rock the core of your life; how the strength of holding a secret for almost forty years can have shattering repercussions when that secret comes to light. And how so much can make you stronger in the end. Highly recommended.
With thanks to HarperCollins AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Libby was married to Nick and they had two beautiful daughters. Their marriage was rock solid; but after a tragedy rocked Libby and Nick’s world, it felt to Libby that they were on shaky ground. She saw more of Jess as she had moved home to Kurnai Bay with her small son Leo and while tensions continued, Libby found she wasn’t coping. Libby and Alice’s parents, Karen and Peter, were loving, caring people and a great role model for their two girls. But secrets long held were set to be exposed, and heartbreak would follow…
Just an Ordinary Family by Aussie author Fiona Lowe was a fabulous read. Four strong women as the main characters living their lives, everyday normal lives, showing how easily things change. How sudden heartache can rock the core of your life; how the strength of holding a secret for almost forty years can have shattering repercussions when that secret comes to light. And how so much can make you stronger in the end. Highly recommended.
With thanks to HarperCollins AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2019
Just An Ordinary Family is the fourth novel under the Australian Sagas banner by award-winning Australian author, Fiona Lowe. Thirty-three-year-old GP Libby Hunter has had, except for one tragic event, a charmed life. She’s happily married to the wonderful Nick Pirelli, has two beautiful daughters, a lovely home and a successful medical practice in the small summer tourist mecca of Kurnai Bay.
Alice Hunter is Libby’s slightly-younger, completely-unexpected twin. Alice has always lived somewhat in Libby’s shadow, having none of her charm, her self-assuredness, her single-minded determination or focus. Alice is artistic, and often seems dreamy and vague. And since she lost her job, her home and her boyfriend, she’s back from Melbourne, living with her parents, doing menial casual work and feeling rather directionless.
Despite their very different characters, the twins were, understandably, best friends. Until, that is, Jess Dekic turned up at Kurnai Secondary College when they were thirteen. Jess was confident and exciting, and had just a hint of danger about her, something Libby couldn’t resist. The firmest of best friends ever since, Libby will not hear a word of criticism against Jess, reminding everyone just how admirable Jess’s rise from her difficult childhood has been.
Now-single mum of sweet little Leo, Jess, too, is back in Kurnai Bay. Libby is thrilled to have her best friend close by, sharing child-care, social outings and their deepest thoughts, feelings and fears. But not everyone quite so delighted by Jess’s constant presence.
Karen Hunter has always tried to protect her twins, and to give them the unconditional love she was denied during her childhood. But now, as the bombshell hits, she watches as one of her daughters, painfully trying to find a way forward through her anguish, transforms into a controlling, vindictive creature she barely recognises.
“The Apocalypse” does not just change her daughter, it polarises the town: “It had been years since something this sensational had electrified the town and it would grease the rumour mill for months until someone else made a spectacular mess of their life worthy of frantic feasting by the gossip vultures.”
And the person on whom so much blame is laid? A psychopath, or simply the product of poor upbringing that left them with disordered thinking and values, “floundering in a moral and ethical morass when it came to the responsibilities inside friendships and intimate relationships”?
The back-cover blurb is a tiny bit misleading but more cannot be said without including spoilers. Lowe’s tale manages to include many themes, both topical and age-old: online dating, sexting, single parenting, infidelity, friends-with-benefits, infertility, menopause, stillbirth, cancer, friendship and loyalty, love, trust, betrayal, grief and forgiveness all feature, and the comparison to Jodi Picoult’s work is certainly valid.
If the plot has some predictable aspects, the journey through a year in Kurnai Bay is, nonetheless, one to savour, and Lowe‘s portrayal of the Bay will resonate with anyone who has experienced the claustrophobia of a small tourist town with its inherent lack of privacy.
Fiona Lowe’s latest novel is an excellent read with an authentic Aussie flavour. Her characters are thoroughly relatable and believably flawed, making poor decisions and plagued by secrets and guilt. Lowe throws her protagonists a number of challenges, the sort that might confront any ordinary family, and then lets the reader observe their reactions from several perspectives. A thought-provoking piece of contemporary fiction that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and HQ Fiction Australia.
Alice Hunter is Libby’s slightly-younger, completely-unexpected twin. Alice has always lived somewhat in Libby’s shadow, having none of her charm, her self-assuredness, her single-minded determination or focus. Alice is artistic, and often seems dreamy and vague. And since she lost her job, her home and her boyfriend, she’s back from Melbourne, living with her parents, doing menial casual work and feeling rather directionless.
Despite their very different characters, the twins were, understandably, best friends. Until, that is, Jess Dekic turned up at Kurnai Secondary College when they were thirteen. Jess was confident and exciting, and had just a hint of danger about her, something Libby couldn’t resist. The firmest of best friends ever since, Libby will not hear a word of criticism against Jess, reminding everyone just how admirable Jess’s rise from her difficult childhood has been.
Now-single mum of sweet little Leo, Jess, too, is back in Kurnai Bay. Libby is thrilled to have her best friend close by, sharing child-care, social outings and their deepest thoughts, feelings and fears. But not everyone quite so delighted by Jess’s constant presence.
Karen Hunter has always tried to protect her twins, and to give them the unconditional love she was denied during her childhood. But now, as the bombshell hits, she watches as one of her daughters, painfully trying to find a way forward through her anguish, transforms into a controlling, vindictive creature she barely recognises.
“The Apocalypse” does not just change her daughter, it polarises the town: “It had been years since something this sensational had electrified the town and it would grease the rumour mill for months until someone else made a spectacular mess of their life worthy of frantic feasting by the gossip vultures.”
And the person on whom so much blame is laid? A psychopath, or simply the product of poor upbringing that left them with disordered thinking and values, “floundering in a moral and ethical morass when it came to the responsibilities inside friendships and intimate relationships”?
The back-cover blurb is a tiny bit misleading but more cannot be said without including spoilers. Lowe’s tale manages to include many themes, both topical and age-old: online dating, sexting, single parenting, infidelity, friends-with-benefits, infertility, menopause, stillbirth, cancer, friendship and loyalty, love, trust, betrayal, grief and forgiveness all feature, and the comparison to Jodi Picoult’s work is certainly valid.
If the plot has some predictable aspects, the journey through a year in Kurnai Bay is, nonetheless, one to savour, and Lowe‘s portrayal of the Bay will resonate with anyone who has experienced the claustrophobia of a small tourist town with its inherent lack of privacy.
Fiona Lowe’s latest novel is an excellent read with an authentic Aussie flavour. Her characters are thoroughly relatable and believably flawed, making poor decisions and plagued by secrets and guilt. Lowe throws her protagonists a number of challenges, the sort that might confront any ordinary family, and then lets the reader observe their reactions from several perspectives. A thought-provoking piece of contemporary fiction that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Better Reading Preview and HQ Fiction Australia.
November 13, 2019
Just an Ordinary Family by Fiona Lowe
I was completely immersed reading this realistic and raw family saga
Alice and Libby Hunter are twins in their thirties. Alice finds herself single and unemployed and is forced to return back to her seaside hometown of Kurnai Bay, Victoria and move in with her parents Karen & Peter.
Twin Libby has the perfect husband Nick, two beautiful young daughters and she’s the small town’s doctor. Alice wonders why her life can’t be that perfect.
Jess has had a turbulent childhood, she’s a single mum and Libby’s best friend. Jess is practically part of the Hunter family and Alice has always felt jealous of the bond Jess and Libby have together.
This is a family saga about love, loss, betrayal, toxic friendships, forgiveness and sacrifice. It’s captivating and intense with engaging characters and wonderful storytelling. Life can change in a breath, a great read!
With thanks to Better Reading for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I was completely immersed reading this realistic and raw family saga
Alice and Libby Hunter are twins in their thirties. Alice finds herself single and unemployed and is forced to return back to her seaside hometown of Kurnai Bay, Victoria and move in with her parents Karen & Peter.
Twin Libby has the perfect husband Nick, two beautiful young daughters and she’s the small town’s doctor. Alice wonders why her life can’t be that perfect.
Jess has had a turbulent childhood, she’s a single mum and Libby’s best friend. Jess is practically part of the Hunter family and Alice has always felt jealous of the bond Jess and Libby have together.
This is a family saga about love, loss, betrayal, toxic friendships, forgiveness and sacrifice. It’s captivating and intense with engaging characters and wonderful storytelling. Life can change in a breath, a great read!
With thanks to Better Reading for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
March 6, 2020
I have heard so many good things about this book I was worried that I would not like it. How wrong could I be, I absolutely loved it!
This book has great characters and a totally believable and incredible story line. The setting is a small coastal town near the Victorian town of Bairnsdale.
Alice and Libby are twins. Alice is the one who always falls short, no steady job, broken relationship and living at home with her parents. Libby is the town GP, married to a wonderful man with two beautiful daughters and a close, doting best friend Jess. Jess is always there for Libby and Alice feels constantly left out.
Alice juggles menial part time jobs trying to find a way forward and discovers dating apps. Is this the way for her to find the perfect family life that her twin appears to have?
What follows is romance, drama, heartbreak and for all of them a tragedy. I could not put this down and cannot wait to read more by Fiona Lowe. This is family drama and chick-lit at its best.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book has great characters and a totally believable and incredible story line. The setting is a small coastal town near the Victorian town of Bairnsdale.
Alice and Libby are twins. Alice is the one who always falls short, no steady job, broken relationship and living at home with her parents. Libby is the town GP, married to a wonderful man with two beautiful daughters and a close, doting best friend Jess. Jess is always there for Libby and Alice feels constantly left out.
Alice juggles menial part time jobs trying to find a way forward and discovers dating apps. Is this the way for her to find the perfect family life that her twin appears to have?
What follows is romance, drama, heartbreak and for all of them a tragedy. I could not put this down and cannot wait to read more by Fiona Lowe. This is family drama and chick-lit at its best.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2020
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Since reading ‘Birthright’ Fiona Lowe has become one of my must read authors. She has the ability to write about family dramas without them becoming overly dramatised. The families she develops and their problems are relatable. They could be families you know or even your own family.
Just an Ordinary Family follows the Hunter family; Karen, Peter and their twin daughters Libby and Alice and Libby’s long time best friend Jess. Lowe’s characters are flawed; there are arguments, jealousies and misunderstandings, which in turn make the characters real and relatable.
Alice at 33 and with a recent failed relationship behind her, is worried she won’t find a partner and start a family before her biological clock runs out. Libby is desperate for another child but is this unfulfilled longing affecting her marriage? Their mother, Karen, still worries about her grown daughters and Alice now back in her parent’s home finds her mother’s concern can be stifling.
Libby’s best friend Jess is happy to be back in her home town and part of a real family as the Hunters welcome her with open arms. Libby and Jess are the best of friends almost like sisters and they have shared everything all their lives. Libby is happy to have Jess and her baby boy back in her life.
Secrets will be revealed that will rip families apart and also answer lingering questions. There is a lot of own voice facts about sex and couples counselling which fits into the story well as this is an area that Lowe can write about with some expertise.
Fiona Lowe has written a compelling story about trust and betrayal, regret and forgiveness, fertility, motherhood and family ties, bringing to the fore many issues that are pertinent to women everywhere making this a book not to be missed.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Since reading ‘Birthright’ Fiona Lowe has become one of my must read authors. She has the ability to write about family dramas without them becoming overly dramatised. The families she develops and their problems are relatable. They could be families you know or even your own family.
Just an Ordinary Family follows the Hunter family; Karen, Peter and their twin daughters Libby and Alice and Libby’s long time best friend Jess. Lowe’s characters are flawed; there are arguments, jealousies and misunderstandings, which in turn make the characters real and relatable.
Alice at 33 and with a recent failed relationship behind her, is worried she won’t find a partner and start a family before her biological clock runs out. Libby is desperate for another child but is this unfulfilled longing affecting her marriage? Their mother, Karen, still worries about her grown daughters and Alice now back in her parent’s home finds her mother’s concern can be stifling.
Libby’s best friend Jess is happy to be back in her home town and part of a real family as the Hunters welcome her with open arms. Libby and Jess are the best of friends almost like sisters and they have shared everything all their lives. Libby is happy to have Jess and her baby boy back in her life.
Secrets will be revealed that will rip families apart and also answer lingering questions. There is a lot of own voice facts about sex and couples counselling which fits into the story well as this is an area that Lowe can write about with some expertise.
Fiona Lowe has written a compelling story about trust and betrayal, regret and forgiveness, fertility, motherhood and family ties, bringing to the fore many issues that are pertinent to women everywhere making this a book not to be missed.
*I received a copy from the publisher
January 26, 2020
WOW this is a brilliant story, a story of family and friends, of love and hurts, secrets and truths, one that had me up very late last night finishing it, MS Lowe has gone deep into the characters feelings and emotions and showed us what can happen when things collapse, this is one that I highly recommend I do hope that you will come along for the journey with Karen, Alice, Libby and Jess, you are going to need tissues handy.
Karen Hunter is the mother of twins Libby and Alice they live in the small fishing town of Kurnai Bay happily but Karen always worries over her daughters especially Alice the last twin born, Karen is protective and is always trying to steer them in the right direction even when they are adults, she has secrets that she keeps.
Alice has moved back home to Kurnai Bay after a failed relationship, she is now thirty three and single again, she grew up in her twin’s shadow always feeling left behind and wanting a family herself she is feeling her biological clock ticking away.
Libby is married to Nick, she is a doctor and has two beautiful little girls but life has been tough lately and there has been a little strain on her marriage, but she has always had her best friend Jess to support her as well as Alice and her mother.
Jess moved to Kurnai Bay when she was thirteen, Jess is very confident, she has her secrets and soon finds Libby her best friend, and finally she has found what she has always wanted family.
My feelings about people in this book changed a few times while reading this one, my emotions went from anger, frustration to joy, happiness and such sadness, I was pulled into their lives as a terrible betrayal pulls them all apart, it sees secrets revealed that rock the family, and then forgiveness and openness that will bring a lot of tears, this book was an emotional roller coaster that is so beautifully told it really is amazing and fabulous, it is one that will stay with me for some time to come, I loved this one.
If you have never read a Fiona Lowe book them pick this one up, I am sure that you will want to read all that she has written, her stories truly are a must reads she knows how to bring her characters alive on the pages.
Karen Hunter is the mother of twins Libby and Alice they live in the small fishing town of Kurnai Bay happily but Karen always worries over her daughters especially Alice the last twin born, Karen is protective and is always trying to steer them in the right direction even when they are adults, she has secrets that she keeps.
Alice has moved back home to Kurnai Bay after a failed relationship, she is now thirty three and single again, she grew up in her twin’s shadow always feeling left behind and wanting a family herself she is feeling her biological clock ticking away.
Libby is married to Nick, she is a doctor and has two beautiful little girls but life has been tough lately and there has been a little strain on her marriage, but she has always had her best friend Jess to support her as well as Alice and her mother.
Jess moved to Kurnai Bay when she was thirteen, Jess is very confident, she has her secrets and soon finds Libby her best friend, and finally she has found what she has always wanted family.
My feelings about people in this book changed a few times while reading this one, my emotions went from anger, frustration to joy, happiness and such sadness, I was pulled into their lives as a terrible betrayal pulls them all apart, it sees secrets revealed that rock the family, and then forgiveness and openness that will bring a lot of tears, this book was an emotional roller coaster that is so beautifully told it really is amazing and fabulous, it is one that will stay with me for some time to come, I loved this one.
If you have never read a Fiona Lowe book them pick this one up, I am sure that you will want to read all that she has written, her stories truly are a must reads she knows how to bring her characters alive on the pages.
May 26, 2020
An intriguing story about family dynamics and family ties, more specifically the relationships between the women of this particular family and how they relate to each other and their external family members.
Karen is the mother of twin daughters Libby and Alice who grew up as close as their mother could monitor and orchestrate.
Coming from a difficult upbringing herself, Karen wanted to make sure her daughters never knew such hardship and always felt loved and connected to a tight knit family.
She wanted them to have that inseparable twin relationship that you always hear about.
But from an early age it was clear that there were big differences in the personalities of the twins, really they were like yin and yang, and although close...they had many different interests, and were growing apart as they reached their teens and Libby felt her sister was cramping her style somewhat.
Libby was a teenager now and wanted to spread her wings and experience life and all it's evolving mysteries with her newfound close friend Jess, and her sister didn't share the same interests at all. Nevermind that Jess herself had no time for Alice, who she regarded as a bit of a third wheel in their friendship.
It got to look more like Libby and Jess were the twins as they did everything together and shared everything.
Karen didn't discourage Jess as she knew that Jess came from a difficult background also, as an only child to a single mother.
But Alice was more reserved and lacked the confidence and social desires that her twin took for granted and they began to grow further apart and live independent lives.
Now they are grown, Libby became a doctor and remained in her hometown whilst Alice moved interstate to Melbourne, to pursue her interests in Art. Jess became a single mother to a baby boy named Leo.
The story really begins when, through a course of life events, they all find themselves back together, living in the town they all grew up in.
The pace picks up as we follow the interactions of this extended family through many emotional upheavals and how they deal with the repercussions of their lifestyle choices.
This was a really good read, with highs and lows and everything in between keeping the story building all the time and gaining momentum as you would expect with any real life family saga.
And, as with any real life family saga, there is never just one climax that brings everything to a head, but many mini climaxes to keep the reader turning the pages into the wee small hours, hoping for answers.
This is a quite long book for such a story but I found myself so invested in the characters that I wanted it to keep going. The sort of story that I could imagine being made into a mini series.
A really good choice of book to read during this recent lockdown period, it would be a great holiday read.
4.5⭐️'s
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
Karen is the mother of twin daughters Libby and Alice who grew up as close as their mother could monitor and orchestrate.
Coming from a difficult upbringing herself, Karen wanted to make sure her daughters never knew such hardship and always felt loved and connected to a tight knit family.
She wanted them to have that inseparable twin relationship that you always hear about.
But from an early age it was clear that there were big differences in the personalities of the twins, really they were like yin and yang, and although close...they had many different interests, and were growing apart as they reached their teens and Libby felt her sister was cramping her style somewhat.
Libby was a teenager now and wanted to spread her wings and experience life and all it's evolving mysteries with her newfound close friend Jess, and her sister didn't share the same interests at all. Nevermind that Jess herself had no time for Alice, who she regarded as a bit of a third wheel in their friendship.
It got to look more like Libby and Jess were the twins as they did everything together and shared everything.
Karen didn't discourage Jess as she knew that Jess came from a difficult background also, as an only child to a single mother.
But Alice was more reserved and lacked the confidence and social desires that her twin took for granted and they began to grow further apart and live independent lives.
Now they are grown, Libby became a doctor and remained in her hometown whilst Alice moved interstate to Melbourne, to pursue her interests in Art. Jess became a single mother to a baby boy named Leo.
The story really begins when, through a course of life events, they all find themselves back together, living in the town they all grew up in.
The pace picks up as we follow the interactions of this extended family through many emotional upheavals and how they deal with the repercussions of their lifestyle choices.
This was a really good read, with highs and lows and everything in between keeping the story building all the time and gaining momentum as you would expect with any real life family saga.
And, as with any real life family saga, there is never just one climax that brings everything to a head, but many mini climaxes to keep the reader turning the pages into the wee small hours, hoping for answers.
This is a quite long book for such a story but I found myself so invested in the characters that I wanted it to keep going. The sort of story that I could imagine being made into a mini series.
A really good choice of book to read during this recent lockdown period, it would be a great holiday read.
4.5⭐️'s
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my digital copy to read and review.
February 5, 2021
Why did I read this? I have cried alot over this book. I am not going to lie and say I enjoyed it but it was well written. I hated almost all of the characters, especially Jess of course, but Libby too and Nick. Regardless of what he did with Jess after he was married, he lied by not telling her about his relationship with Jess before he married, and he lied even after he was caught out. I have no idea what the truth really was ever. But regardless there were consequences, heartbreaking consequences and Libby did step up to the plate at the end and was ultimately the better person. Poor little Leo is the center of the tragedy. I understood Libby though and I was angry and hurt along with her by the betrayal. I am not sure I could ever forgive like she did. But ultimately she did. And Jess never redeemed herself in my opinion. Yes she was abused as a child, but she abused her friendship by doing what she did. And Nick, he got his son and he probably did love Libby but he really disgusted me. This was a hard story to read and it was well written but I can't give it too many stars. It was just depressing and angsty and sad. Not my type of story at all. So this is just my personal opinion. And I wish I had never read it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2020
Just An Ordinary Family is a fantastic contemporary drama from Fiona Lowe.
Life in Kurnai Bay may not be perfect for sisters, Alice - who is nursing a broken heart, and Libby = mourning a recent loss, but neither are prepared for the shocking secrets that are about to tear their worlds apart.
Exploring several sensitive issues including, stillbirth, infertility, adultery and child abuse, as well as broader themes including friendship, loss, love, betrayal, and forgiveness, this a compelling family drama.
I found myself totally caught up in this character driven story that focuses on the relationships of four women, twins Alice and Libby, their mother Karen, and Libby’s best friend, Jess. Portrayed with complexity and authenticity, even after I turned the last page, I found myself thinking about the characters, the decisions they were faced with, and the choices they made.
For me, Just An Ordinary Family was an excellent read, stirring and thought-provoking.
Life in Kurnai Bay may not be perfect for sisters, Alice - who is nursing a broken heart, and Libby = mourning a recent loss, but neither are prepared for the shocking secrets that are about to tear their worlds apart.
Exploring several sensitive issues including, stillbirth, infertility, adultery and child abuse, as well as broader themes including friendship, loss, love, betrayal, and forgiveness, this a compelling family drama.
I found myself totally caught up in this character driven story that focuses on the relationships of four women, twins Alice and Libby, their mother Karen, and Libby’s best friend, Jess. Portrayed with complexity and authenticity, even after I turned the last page, I found myself thinking about the characters, the decisions they were faced with, and the choices they made.
For me, Just An Ordinary Family was an excellent read, stirring and thought-provoking.
abandoned
June 12, 2021Giving up at page 80 after skimming the final chapter to see what happens. This is an Australian family drama about three women in a small town negotiating love, friendship, family, and loss.
Unfortunately they all are unlikeable and obsessed with motherhood, which is not something I can relate to in any way, and I’m not enjoying the passive-aggressive bitchiness between people who are supposed to be friends/twins so I’m moving on.
Unfortunately they all are unlikeable and obsessed with motherhood, which is not something I can relate to in any way, and I’m not enjoying the passive-aggressive bitchiness between people who are supposed to be friends/twins so I’m moving on.
February 4, 2020
‘No one tells you that being a mother’s both exhilarating and terrifying.’
Four women, four very different stories. Karen Hunter is the mother of twins Libby and Alice. Even now they are both grown up, she wants to protect them. And there’s Jess Dekic, Libby’s closest friend. Closer to Libby than Alice, Jess has been around the Hunter family for so long that she’s considered family.
Alice returns to the tiny seaside town of Kurnai Bay after her relationship fails. She’s unemployed, and envies Libby her life as a doctor, a happily married woman with two children. Karen worries about Alice: she wants her to succeed. Jess, a single mother with a young son, is also in Kurnai Bay. Libby’s daughters and Jess’s son get on well together. But things are about to go wrong, for each of the four women, in very different ways.
‘Luck was such an arbitrary event—one person’s luck was too often another person’s misfortune, but she couldn’t think about that.’
Secrets, medical issues, betrayal. They are all part of the story that unfolds in Ms Lowe’s novel. Just when I thought I’d figured it out, there was another twist, another issue to be faced. Karen will need to revisit the past, while Jess and Alice will need to come to terms with quite different futures. And Libby will have some issues of her own to confront.
‘Sometimes the means justifies the end.’
There were times when I found the number of issues in this novel to be quite overwhelming. Yet Ms Lowe makes it work drawing our attention (along the way) to several significant and confronting life issues. Be warned: both happiness and sadness make several appearances, and some readers may find some aspects unbearably sad. Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride.
I finished this novel with mixed feelings: a number of the characters had become part of my life.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ Fiction for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Four women, four very different stories. Karen Hunter is the mother of twins Libby and Alice. Even now they are both grown up, she wants to protect them. And there’s Jess Dekic, Libby’s closest friend. Closer to Libby than Alice, Jess has been around the Hunter family for so long that she’s considered family.
Alice returns to the tiny seaside town of Kurnai Bay after her relationship fails. She’s unemployed, and envies Libby her life as a doctor, a happily married woman with two children. Karen worries about Alice: she wants her to succeed. Jess, a single mother with a young son, is also in Kurnai Bay. Libby’s daughters and Jess’s son get on well together. But things are about to go wrong, for each of the four women, in very different ways.
‘Luck was such an arbitrary event—one person’s luck was too often another person’s misfortune, but she couldn’t think about that.’
Secrets, medical issues, betrayal. They are all part of the story that unfolds in Ms Lowe’s novel. Just when I thought I’d figured it out, there was another twist, another issue to be faced. Karen will need to revisit the past, while Jess and Alice will need to come to terms with quite different futures. And Libby will have some issues of her own to confront.
‘Sometimes the means justifies the end.’
There were times when I found the number of issues in this novel to be quite overwhelming. Yet Ms Lowe makes it work drawing our attention (along the way) to several significant and confronting life issues. Be warned: both happiness and sadness make several appearances, and some readers may find some aspects unbearably sad. Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride.
I finished this novel with mixed feelings: a number of the characters had become part of my life.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ Fiction for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 22, 2021
Just An Ordinary Family is the fourth novel under the Australian Sagas banner by award-winning Australian author, Fiona Lowe. The audio version is narrated by Rebecca Macauley. Thirty-three-year-old GP Libby Hunter has had, except for one tragic event, a charmed life. She’s happily married to the wonderful Nick Pirelli, has two beautiful daughters, a lovely home and a successful medical practice in the small summer tourist mecca of Kurnai Bay.
Alice Hunter is Libby’s slightly-younger, completely-unexpected twin. Alice has always lived somewhat in Libby’s shadow, having none of her charm, her self-assuredness, her single-minded determination or focus. Alice is artistic, and often seems dreamy and vague. And since she lost her job, her home and her boyfriend, she’s back from Melbourne, living with her parents, doing menial casual work and feeling rather directionless.
Despite their very different characters, the twins were, understandably, best friends. Until, that is, Jess Dekic turned up at Kurnai Secondary College when they were thirteen. Jess was confident and exciting, and had just a hint of danger about her, something Libby couldn’t resist. The firmest of best friends ever since, Libby will not hear a word of criticism against Jess, reminding everyone just how admirable Jess’s rise from her difficult childhood has been.
Now-single mum of sweet little Leo, Jess, too, is back in Kurnai Bay. Libby is thrilled to have her best friend close by, sharing child-care, social outings and their deepest thoughts, feelings and fears. But not everyone quite so delighted by Jess’s constant presence.
Karen Hunter has always tried to protect her twins, and to give them the unconditional love she was denied during her childhood. But now, as the bombshell hits, she watches as one of her daughters, painfully trying to find a way forward through her anguish, transforms into a controlling, vindictive creature she barely recognises.
“The Apocalypse” does not just change her daughter, it polarises the town: “It had been years since something this sensational had electrified the town and it would grease the rumour mill for months until someone else made a spectacular mess of their life worthy of frantic feasting by the gossip vultures.”
And the person on whom so much blame is laid? A psychopath, or simply the product of poor upbringing that left them with disordered thinking and values, “floundering in a moral and ethical morass when it came to the responsibilities inside friendships and intimate relationships”?
The back-cover blurb is a tiny bit misleading but more cannot be said without including spoilers. Lowe’s tale manages to include many themes, both topical and age-old: online dating, sexting, single parenting, infidelity, friends-with-benefits, infertility, menopause, stillbirth, cancer, friendship and loyalty, love, trust, betrayal, grief and forgiveness all feature, and the comparison to Jodi Picoult’s work is certainly valid.
If the plot has some predictable aspects, the journey through a year in Kurnai Bay is, nonetheless, one to savour, and Lowe‘s portrayal of the Bay will resonate with anyone who has experienced the claustrophobia of a small tourist town with its inherent lack of privacy.
Fiona Lowe’s latest novel is an excellent read with an authentic Aussie flavour. Her characters are thoroughly relatable and believably flawed, making poor decisions and plagued by secrets and guilt. Lowe throws her protagonists a number of challenges, the sort that might confront any ordinary family, and then lets the reader observe their reactions from several perspectives. A thought-provoking piece of contemporary fiction that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
Alice Hunter is Libby’s slightly-younger, completely-unexpected twin. Alice has always lived somewhat in Libby’s shadow, having none of her charm, her self-assuredness, her single-minded determination or focus. Alice is artistic, and often seems dreamy and vague. And since she lost her job, her home and her boyfriend, she’s back from Melbourne, living with her parents, doing menial casual work and feeling rather directionless.
Despite their very different characters, the twins were, understandably, best friends. Until, that is, Jess Dekic turned up at Kurnai Secondary College when they were thirteen. Jess was confident and exciting, and had just a hint of danger about her, something Libby couldn’t resist. The firmest of best friends ever since, Libby will not hear a word of criticism against Jess, reminding everyone just how admirable Jess’s rise from her difficult childhood has been.
Now-single mum of sweet little Leo, Jess, too, is back in Kurnai Bay. Libby is thrilled to have her best friend close by, sharing child-care, social outings and their deepest thoughts, feelings and fears. But not everyone quite so delighted by Jess’s constant presence.
Karen Hunter has always tried to protect her twins, and to give them the unconditional love she was denied during her childhood. But now, as the bombshell hits, she watches as one of her daughters, painfully trying to find a way forward through her anguish, transforms into a controlling, vindictive creature she barely recognises.
“The Apocalypse” does not just change her daughter, it polarises the town: “It had been years since something this sensational had electrified the town and it would grease the rumour mill for months until someone else made a spectacular mess of their life worthy of frantic feasting by the gossip vultures.”
And the person on whom so much blame is laid? A psychopath, or simply the product of poor upbringing that left them with disordered thinking and values, “floundering in a moral and ethical morass when it came to the responsibilities inside friendships and intimate relationships”?
The back-cover blurb is a tiny bit misleading but more cannot be said without including spoilers. Lowe’s tale manages to include many themes, both topical and age-old: online dating, sexting, single parenting, infidelity, friends-with-benefits, infertility, menopause, stillbirth, cancer, friendship and loyalty, love, trust, betrayal, grief and forgiveness all feature, and the comparison to Jodi Picoult’s work is certainly valid.
If the plot has some predictable aspects, the journey through a year in Kurnai Bay is, nonetheless, one to savour, and Lowe‘s portrayal of the Bay will resonate with anyone who has experienced the claustrophobia of a small tourist town with its inherent lack of privacy.
Fiona Lowe’s latest novel is an excellent read with an authentic Aussie flavour. Her characters are thoroughly relatable and believably flawed, making poor decisions and plagued by secrets and guilt. Lowe throws her protagonists a number of challenges, the sort that might confront any ordinary family, and then lets the reader observe their reactions from several perspectives. A thought-provoking piece of contemporary fiction that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
March 13, 2020
I experienced the shortest train trip ever reading this book, lost in my own little world of intrigue on the first half of the trip. It made me the worst lunch date ever, because all I wanted to do was see what happened next (I was having lunch with my dad for his 75th birthday) On the way home I inhaled the other half. Luckily, there was no one next to me to take out my angst on or wipe my tears.... Just an Ordinary Family is full of twisty turns and clever smokescreens to keep the reader guessing. I wanted to smack a few of the characters, but they were too easy to love/sympathise with.
April 6, 2020
A very messy ordinary family. So many dilemmas to ponder.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was amazing.
September 18, 2021
4.5 stars. Heavy women's lit cheating story, chock full of family dynamics. This was another Australian audiobook for me, which I loved!
I have to write a paper, so I'll add more to this review when I'm finished!
I have to write a paper, so I'll add more to this review when I'm finished!
September 5, 2020
Our lives are constructed by how we respond and attempt to resolve the issues that we face. An ordinary life suggests that maybe, hopefully, not too many difficulties and dramas will befall us. Our hope is always that everything works out just fine.
Libby and Alice Hunter, twins and their parents, Karen and Peter believed they could be that ordinary family that navigates life’s issues with strength and intelligence.
From the outset, the book scopes out what is to follow by suggesting that maybe all is not what it seems.
This clever device by Fiona Lowe is the hook that will keep you reading and engaged.
The relationship between Libby and her close friend Jess is intriguing and captivated my attention absolutely.
Alice’s difficult development and her sense of personal worth is something that many of us can relate to.
As the plot unfolds, somewhat too slowly for my liking, we are challenged by dilemmas that chip away at the easy judgements we can make.
I found myself identifying with the personal life challenges that were presented and questioned how I managed over the years.
Just An Ordinary Family has an excellent storyline, the characters are real and the plot is engaging.
The book is somewhat convoluted and has too much unnecessary content and too often I wished that the author would get to the point.
Is it believable? My view is that it’s worth the read to find out.
Libby and Alice Hunter, twins and their parents, Karen and Peter believed they could be that ordinary family that navigates life’s issues with strength and intelligence.
From the outset, the book scopes out what is to follow by suggesting that maybe all is not what it seems.
This clever device by Fiona Lowe is the hook that will keep you reading and engaged.
The relationship between Libby and her close friend Jess is intriguing and captivated my attention absolutely.
Alice’s difficult development and her sense of personal worth is something that many of us can relate to.
As the plot unfolds, somewhat too slowly for my liking, we are challenged by dilemmas that chip away at the easy judgements we can make.
I found myself identifying with the personal life challenges that were presented and questioned how I managed over the years.
Just An Ordinary Family has an excellent storyline, the characters are real and the plot is engaging.
The book is somewhat convoluted and has too much unnecessary content and too often I wished that the author would get to the point.
Is it believable? My view is that it’s worth the read to find out.
September 22, 2025
Every character had something going on but it all tied together. Never boring!
February 27, 2020
This is the fourth of Fiona Lowe's excellent family saga stories and for me this one is tied for first place as my favourite with her last novel, Homefires. Lowe is a strong writer with a strong moral compass and she deals with modern issues with dexterity and an unflinching eye. This is a book populated by real people - your next-door-neighbour, the woman you went to school with, the guy who owns the local boat-hire business - but they all have secrets and this is what makes the story so compelling. I love the way the author makes you ask yourself "what would I do if I were in that situation?" or 'how would I feel if that happened to me?" Just an Ordinary Family has a truly difficult question at its heart and the author does a great job of handling the answers. I loved the characters: Jess, Libby and Alice and the stories of their intermingled lives. Each woman is very different from the other but there are ties that bind and plenty of unexpected events to throw their lives into turmoil. This book has lots of twists and turns but it also feels real - the setting, the people, the dialogue. If you love Lianne Moriarty or Jodi Piccoult you'll love Just an Ordinary Family.
January 11, 2023
This year one of my reading resolutions was to pick up some books with higher page counts as I've been avoiding them like crazy for the last couple of years. This one comes in at 507 pages and, as such, I imagined lots of padding. However, I was pleasantly surprised as I never skimmed or got bored once.
Just an Ordinary Family is told from the POV of Libby, her twin sister Alice, and her best friend Jess. Alice easily stole the show with her romantic entanglements which caused me to sit up late at night to find out if she chose the right man for her HEA.
Lowe included lots of modern themes including ghosting, sexting, found family and toxic friendships. There's quite a bit of tragedy and I will admit to crying towards the end of the book, so get your tissues ready.
Obviously I loved Lowe's style and am looking forward to reading her other titles.
5 out of 5
Just an Ordinary Family is told from the POV of Libby, her twin sister Alice, and her best friend Jess. Alice easily stole the show with her romantic entanglements which caused me to sit up late at night to find out if she chose the right man for her HEA.
Lowe included lots of modern themes including ghosting, sexting, found family and toxic friendships. There's quite a bit of tragedy and I will admit to crying towards the end of the book, so get your tissues ready.
Obviously I loved Lowe's style and am looking forward to reading her other titles.
5 out of 5
March 5, 2020
4.5 stars. Any book that makes me want to keep coming back to pick it up and read is a winner in my view. It is complicated family relationships at its best. It made me waver back and forth about all the characters - did I like them, did I agree with them, could I accept them for all their flaws? Final verdict is that I did hold them in my heart - wept at times and smiled at times. Cheered them on. After reading Home Fires I decided Fiona Lowe would be an automatic buy and read - that hasn't changed!
July 10, 2020
The fertility theme that wove throughout the book was interesting. As was the time line of the story told through social events in a small coastal town. Themes of family, friendship and betrayal. Quite an emotional story at times.
January 29, 2020
Fiona Lowe has become a must read author for me.
This story is set in the small coastal town of Kurnai Bay. Centred around the Hunter Family, eldest daughter Libby is the local Doctor, happily married with two young daughters. Her twin sister Alice has recently returned home after a failed relationship in Melbourne. Their mother Karen despairs that Alice will never find her feet and get a ‘good’ job. But vague, dreamy Alice is learning to love herself and take control of her life. Also back into the fold of the family is single mother Jess, with her young son Leo. Jess is Libby’s BFF from way back in their teenage years and they have always been there for each other.
But what happens when boundaries are crossed? Exploring many themes, I loved these characters. I felt many emotions from disbelief, anger to sadness, understanding and happiness.
An extremely satisfying story that I highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read
This story is set in the small coastal town of Kurnai Bay. Centred around the Hunter Family, eldest daughter Libby is the local Doctor, happily married with two young daughters. Her twin sister Alice has recently returned home after a failed relationship in Melbourne. Their mother Karen despairs that Alice will never find her feet and get a ‘good’ job. But vague, dreamy Alice is learning to love herself and take control of her life. Also back into the fold of the family is single mother Jess, with her young son Leo. Jess is Libby’s BFF from way back in their teenage years and they have always been there for each other.
But what happens when boundaries are crossed? Exploring many themes, I loved these characters. I felt many emotions from disbelief, anger to sadness, understanding and happiness.
An extremely satisfying story that I highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read
May 15, 2020
So flipping good. Gave me goosebumps reading it.. everything about it is just so real and raw and I would read it again a thousand times. Definitely recommend this book, it also opens your eyes to what love is like and a realistic perspective of a happy ending
August 4, 2020
This is the 1st novel I have read by Fiona Lowe. I really enjoyed the story and particularly the places she names are very local to me. I highly recommend this novel as a light easy read.
I will be looking out for more from this author.
I will be looking out for more from this author.
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