ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Simon truly loves his wife Tansy, but her family is another matter. Gloria, his mother-in-law, is formidable, particularly in her role as Matriarch. Nick is the golden boy, effortlessly athletic, charismatic and indulged. Kylie moves through the world with equal parts efficiency and annoyance. They are the tightest of family units, and Simon, who has recently lost his business and home (and almost the will to keep going) feels like the perpetual outsider. Having been bullied into landscaping his best friend's backyard for the memorial service of the long-divorced now-deceased father-in-law David, Simon vacillates on the work. But it isn't long before the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons turns up - David's fourth child. And Monica wants her place with her older siblings… Combining charm and astute observations, wit and warmth and believable situations, this is a good-natured and enjoyable examination of what makes family, and how your relatives can be the worst things that happen to you - and the best. Lindy
'I loved every page of this funny, warm, delightful novel!' LIANE MORIARTY
Toni Jordan has worked as a molecular biologist, quality control chemist, TAB operator and door-to-door aluminium siding salesperson. She is the author of six novels including the international bestseller Addition, which was longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award, Nine Days, which was awarded Best Fiction at the 2012 Indie Awards and was named in Kirkus Review's top 10 Historical Novels of 2013, and Our Tiny, Useless Hearts, which was longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. Toni has been published widely in newspapers and magazines. She holds a Bachelor of Science in physiology and a PhD in Creative Arts. Toni lives in Melbourne.
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Simon truly loves his wife Tansy, but her family is another matter. Gloria, his mother-in-law, is formidable, particularly in her role as Matriarch. Nick is the golden boy, effortlessly athletic, charismatic and indulged. Kylie moves through the world with equal parts efficiency and annoyance. They are the tightest of family units, and Simon, who has recently lost his business and home (and almost the will to keep going) feels like the perpetual outsider. Having been bullied into landscaping his best friend's backyard for the memorial service of the long-divorced now-deceased father-in-law David, Simon vacillates on the work. But it isn't long before the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons turns up - David's fourth child. And Monica wants her place with her older siblings… Combining charm and astute observations, wit and warmth and believable situations, this is a good-natured and enjoyable examination of what makes family, and how your relatives can be the worst things that happen to you - and the best. Lindy