Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners

By: Gretchen Anthony

Narrated by: Donna Postel, Andi Arndt, Eric G. Dove

Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Best Books of Fall 2018 Selection by PopSugar

"Stunning... An intricately satisfying story about love and understanding that is full of both nostalgia and surprising optimism." (Kirkus Reviews)

"A propulsive and endearing debut." (J. Ryan Stradal, New York Times best-selling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest)

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

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

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

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

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

©2018 Gretchen Anthony (P)2018 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Families are difficult, but worth it sometimes

I read this book mainly because of my biased connection with the author. But that aside, this review is really my reaction.

I hated Violet. She is meddlesome and judgmental and self-justified in her actions because of assumed better breeding. The worst kinda human being. She was surrounded by people, while flawed themselves, allowed her to be this bossy person. And I LOVE a flawed character but she made people feel bad about themselves and felt that it was her duty to do so. But as the story unfolded and came to an end I'm kinda intrigued to read it again see to see, if knowing what I know now, will I hate Violet so much? Or will I bee Violet one day?

This was a great book to read as we head into the holidays where being with family is a blessing and a curse

some hilarious moments mixed with preaching and redium

preaching and tedium. I would not recommend this even though there were moments of hilarity.

Unlikeable characters

I don’t think I liked any of the characters in this story. Violet the mom was the most passive aggressive person I have ever read about. And a FBI investigation over donated eye glasses was absurd. The only thing I liked was the reader who did use a charming Minnesota accent.

Lighthearted and Slow

This was a cute story, but not at all the deeply troubled characters and intricate plot line promised in the description. I was hoping for something with more substance, but this was not it. It's not bad; just not what I enjoy listening to. Would be a good beach read or winter break read.