Play Book Tag discussion

Claire Lombardo’s debut novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had, is a compelling and emotionally rich family saga that delves into the complexities of love, identity, and the ties that bind. Set in suburban Chicago, the story spans four decades, focusing on the Sorenson family - Marilyn and David, whose enduring marriage serves as both anchor and backdrop, and their four daughters: Wendy, Violet, Liza, and Grace. Each daughter grapples with her own set of challenges and secrets, from Wendy's struggles with widowhood and self-doubt to Violet's hidden past and Grace's fabricated achievements.

The story takes a pivotal turn when Wendy reintroduces Jonah, a teenager given up for adoption by Violet years earlier, into the family fold. His arrival forces long-buried emotions and unresolved tensions to surface, leading to a series of revelations that test the family's bonds. Lombardo's portrayal of the relationship between the siblings, particularly the rivalry between Wendy and Violet, is both poignant and authentic, capturing the nuances of familial love and conflict.

The novel’s length - over 500 pages - felt excessive at times. While there was a lot of needed character development, certain storylines and flashbacks could have been trimmed or tightened without losing the emotional impact. Some sections felt repetitive, which slowed the momentum and made the narrative occasionally meander. A more concise structure would have given the plot greater urgency and clarity.

Despite all the wonderful reviews of this book, I really struggled to get through the story.

Olivermagnus wrote: "Despite all the wonderful reviews of this book, I really struggled to get through the story."

I felt that way at times. As I was reading it, I felt that I should be liking it more, but all of the flashbacks and re-going over some of what had happened made it longer than it needed to be, and a bit slow and repetitive at times.