“A delicious family drama; look no further for your perfect poolside read!” –Jamie Brenner, bestselling author of The Forever Summer A Lee Woodruff “Book Marks” Pick * A Liz and Lisa Best Book of May * A Zibby Owens Recommended Summer Read Meredith Parker has made the journey to Bolton, her twins’ college, dozens of times. This weekend, though, is different. Dawn and Cody are about to graduate … Cody are about to graduate and move away to separate corners of the country. Meredith is proud of her kids, and she’s proud of herself for helping them get this far. She just never expected the tidal wave of emotions sweeping over her–or the tangled family dynamics complicating everything.
Meredith doesn’t miss her cheating ex, Roger, one bit, but sitting across from his very young, very gorgeous second wife threatens to unravel the graceful facade she’s trying so hard to maintain. Joel, Meredith’s husband, can see she’s feeling the first pangs of empty-nest syndrome and wants to soften the blow–but he’s distracted by a familiar face. Meanwhile, Cody and Dawn are sitting on their own secrets, and Roger’s new wife, Lily, wonders if she really wants to be a part of this wild, mixed-up family.
As tensions simmer with each passing appetizer tray, Meredith’s vision of the perfect weekend goes up in flames. But before the party’s over, as best behavior gives way to brutal honesty, there’ll be a chance for this new blended family to truly come together–in all its messy and glorious imperfection.
“A delightful, smartly paced read written with grace, depth and humor.”
–Meg Mitchell Moore, author of The Islanders
more
What could go wrong when you put a blended family up against the perils of a college graduation weekend and mix in twin graduates, divorced parents, opinionated grandparents and a young stepmom out of her depths? Enough to populate a delightful, smartly paced read in which plenty goes right too. Francis writes with grace, depth and humor about complex family dynamics and the joy and heartache of watching young adults spread their wings and fly from the nest.
Best Behavior by Wendy Francis has Meredith Parker along with her husband, Joel and her mother, Carol are heading to Bolton College in Boston, Massachusetts for the graduation of her twins, Dawn and Cody. Meredith is not looking forward to seeing her ex-husband, Roger and his bride of six months, Lily along with Roger’s extended family. Meredith has a variety of emotions swirling through her. She is proud of the twins graduating from college, but also upset because they moving to different states. Of course, Meredith is not the only one worried about the upcoming weekend. The tension is palpable from the beginning. Best behavior can only so last so long and then watch out. Best Behavior is a story about a blended family trying to get through seventy-two hours. There is a banquet to attend, graduation, Roger’s elaborate graduation party as well as get the twins moved out of their dorm rooms. They all want the weekend to go well, but there is always tension when families get together. Meredith is especially touchy because she is going to miss her children who will soon be living in different states. She resents her ex-husband, Roger who is now wealthy and flaunts it (I believe Meredith needed a better divorce attorney). Meredith loved raising her kids and now is not sure who she is without them. Best Behavior has secrets, lies, anger, drugs, bitterness, jealousy, love, and vast quantities of alcohol (they will need it to get through the weekend). I do want to mention there is foul language in the book (I know people use it, but I still find it offensive). The point-of-view alternates between Meredith, Joel, Dawn, Cody, and Lily. It can be a little confusing at first until you adjust. It does allow you to see each situation from different perspectives. You never truly know what another person is thinking, feeling, or going through as we discover. The book is well-written with complex characters. I liked that there was humor sprinkled throughout to help lighten the tale. Best Behavior shows the complex dynamics of a blended family. Escape reality for a time by diving into Best Behavior.
No big surprises but held my interest while reading.
Wendy Francis captures all the joy and pain of being an (almost) empty-nester in her latest novel. Picture a college graduation weekend on a lovely New England campus. Now mix in some booze, an ex or two, the in-laws, a trophy wife, and loads of secrets/scandals. Soon enough, no one is behaving at their best. A terrific summer read.
With a title like Best Behavior, you can be sure you’re in for some very juicy BAD behavior—and Wendy Francis doesn’t disappoint. With warmth and humor, Best Behavior delivers a delicious family drama; look no further for your perfect poolside read!
I don’t read a lot of chick-lit/women’s fiction, but I could certainly identify with Meredith being an empty nester, which is what I think drew me to this one. There were things I liked about Meredith and things that kind of rubbed me the wrong way, but that’s merely the sign of a well-rounded character. After all, how many people do we meet in real life and actually like every single thing about them? Anyway, this story is told from a handful of perspectives and everyone has a secret as this blended family gets ready for a graduation weekend. Did I like every character? Definitely not, but like them or not, this group of characters certainly made for interesting drama. And let’s be honest, we all kind of enjoy the bird’s eye view of family drama as long as it’s not our own. So, there you have it – An entertaining bit of family drama in a story that has a steady enough pace to make for a good bit of beach reading or a pretty good way to while away a weekend.
I read this story in what can only be called a highly anticipatory state. Based on the blurb, it felt like I was waiting to come upon the train wreck that the impending weekend promised. Admittedly I was looking for a drama-filled read and being in the heads of family members at odds with themselves, I had great expectations. With a blended family situation, this domestic drama is told from a few different points of view, and I quickly saw that my needs would be well met.
Centered around the college graduation weekend of twins Dawn and Cody, their mother Meredith grapples with her long time ex Roger, and his new wife Lily, hosting the big celebration party. But before that, they must get through pre-party events including a mixer, the actual graduation, and the post-graduation dinner.
The story is mostly given to us from Merediths’ POV, she spends a lot of time reminiscing and through the weekend activities and we learn a lot about the history of this family. She’s long been remarried to Joel who has been a great partner and stepfather. But as each of the main character’s insights are shared, as they navigate their interactions with each other, we quickly come to understand the current dynamics.
There were many moments where expected major fireworks, but everyone seems to be treading water, coping in their own way. As the events of the weekend unfold, they all realize things aren’t exactly as they seem, people aren’t what you make them out to be, and in a pivotal moment in life, assumptions must be reexamined.
Wendy Francis delivered on the promise of an engrossing read, with complex characters in potentially tumultuous life moments, who are working through conflicting emotions. 5 Stars and recommendation!!