“Poeppel has created a story that is well thought out, well plotted, well written, and fully developed. A delightful novel that celebrates the messiness and joy to be found in real life.” –Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “100% page-turning delight…Pull out a lawn chair and prepare to read this gleefully entertaining novel.” –Stephen McCauley, author of My Ex-Life The award-winning, … Ex-Life
The award-winning, “quick-witted and razor-sharp” (Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six) author of Limelight and Small Admissions returns with a hilarious and heartfelt new novel about a perfectly imperfect summer of love, secrets, and second chances.
Bridget and Will have the kind of relationship that people envy: they’re loving, compatible, and completely devoted to each other. The fact that they’re strictly friends seems to get lost on nearly everyone. For three decades, they’ve nurtured their baby, the Forsyth Trio–a chamber group they created as students with their Juilliard classmate Gavin Glantz. In the intervening years, Gavin has gone on to become one of the classical music world’s reigning stars, while Bridget and Will have learned to embrace the warm reviews and smaller venues that accompany modest success.
Bridget has been dreaming of spending the summer at her well-worn Connecticut country home with her boyfriend Sterling. But her plans are upended when Sterling breaks up with her over email, her twin twenty-somethings arrive unexpectedly, and her elderly father announces he’s getting married. She concocts a plan to host her dad’s wedding on her ramshackle property, while putting the Forsyth Trio back into the spotlight. But to catch the attention of the music world, she and Will place their bets on luring back Gavin, whom they’ve both avoided ever since their stormy parting.
“In this funny, profound, and brilliantly alive novel about all the messy, wise, and wonderful chords that love can strike in our lives, Poeppel gathers together fathers and daughters, old flames and new sparks, music, writing and gardening, to explore what it really means to feel at home, and how life can open you up in ways you never saw coming” (Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author).
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Wow, wow, wow! I loved this book. I will admit that I struggled through the first few (short) chapters as a lot of characters were introduced. It felt like I was thrown into the middle of a storm with all the character introductions. However, I took a calming breath, jotted down some character notes and forged onward. So apropos since part of the theme of the book seems to be about regrouping amid chaos and moving forward.
I might have developed a bit of a girl crush on author Amy Poeppel, so forgive the gushing. I adored the myriad cast of characters in this book. I loved the fluidity of the relationships between the characters. People grow and perceptions change. People fight hard to defend the life they have been telling everyone they love, only to ultimately find out that there are many alternative locations and lifestyles that they could equally love.
The title, Musical Chairs, is a double entre. It represents the heavy focus on music and careers in music. It also represents life’s chaos and the scrambling for a seat at life’s table like the childhood game of the same name..
The story is nicely layered with musical references and philosophical quotes. I deeply empathized with Bridget’s life predicament of needing a quiet summer of contemplation and ending up with life-changing chaos. I adored the epilogue written as one of Bridget’s father’s long-winded toasts/speeches. I so want to discuss details and add quotes from the book, but even more, I want you to read this book!
Musical Chairs is the funny and heartwarming story of The Strattons, a modern family which consists of not only those related by blood or marriage but also the other people with whom they’ve chosen to spend their lives. Their world revolves around music – patriarch Edward Stratton is a renowned composer and his daughter Bridget is a professional cellist – and when the group unexpectedly comes together for a summer in Connecticut, it changes them all forever.
Bridget, middle-aged and recently single, is trying to decide what her future holds. Meanwhile, her two grown children, twins Oscar and Isabelle, move in with her while they deal with issues in their own lives, her best friend and musical partner, Will, is reassessing his life choices, and her 90-year-old father surprises everyone with the announcement that he’s getting married. Definitely not the makings of a relaxing summer in the country.
Amy Poeppel has created characters you want to get to know and whose motivations and quirks feel completely realistic. There are a lot of people in this book – aside from the family, there are co-workers, friends, new acquaintances and more – but they’re all so well written that it never gets overwhelming. The author also has a gift for comedy and I can’t count how many times the dialogue and interactions between characters literally made me laugh out loud. I rooted for Bridget and Will and Edward and Oscar and Isabelle to find happiness in their next acts and while I wish the event at the end of the book wasn’t so rushed, I loved the way their stories wrapped up. Edward says “Life is a perfect combination of chance and choreography” and that proved to be true for all of the Strattons.
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for an advanced copy to review.
Bridget Stratton is single and is enjoying her life as a cellist in Manhattan. She has two adult children who are now involved in their own lives. She has a home in upstate Connecticut and is looking forward to spending time with her boyfriend Sterling. Her plans for the summer quickly change when they break up and her two children arrive in Connecticut seeking refuge from their own problems.
Bridget always leans on her best friend Will for his advice and unwavering support. The two have played together for over thirty years and their friendship has stood the test of time. With Bridget distraught over recent events, Will travels to Connecticut to lend his support. However, their relationship is tested when secrets from the past begin to surface.
Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel is her third novel. It depicts family and friendships at their best and worst moments. Life is messy so get ready for disagreements, arguments, and plenty of secrets.
I’ve previously read three other books by Amy Poeppel, enjoyed them all and absolutely loved this book. Her characters are always so well developed and interesting, and this one was so much fun.
Bridget and Will have had a trio group since college, but have never been able to keep a steady violin member, and they are currently desperate to find someone before they flop into obscurity. They live in NYC, but spend a lot of time at her beautiful old summer home in Connecticut with multiple dogs, cats and Bridget’s twins, and her nearby father, a famous musician and composer.
This is a lively well written and well researched novel, with beautiful descriptions of musical instruments, concert venues and the world of classical music. It’s a journey through old well used houses, children, parents, friends and lovers, that keep this story going. I just felt like I was living the summer with all the ups and downs and the crises that threatens to damage families and relationships, while strengthening the love of those close.
Amy Poeppel is a masterful storyteller that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. I want to thank #SimonandSchuster and #NetGalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own and easily a
Amy Poeppel is one of the funniest and most entertaining writers I know. Do not miss this latest book! It is her best yet!
XOXO
Lynda
While reading Musical Chairs, all I wanted to do is drive to Litchfield and spend the night with this cast of characters. From dogs and cats to musicians and dilapidated farmhouses, to siblings and lovers and a snarky parrot, Poeppel creates a big, loving family filled with her signature wit and a whole lot of heart. Highly recommend.
The best word for this fast paced family dramedy is delightful. The characters are all quirky and interesting, each with their own secret pasts and uncertain futures. The central character is Bridget, a middle aged woman who has decided to spend the summer at her ramshackle country house in Litchfield County, Connecticut with her relatively new boyfriend. But when he dumps her unexpectedly and her grown children both decide to move back in, her summer plans fly out one of her leaky windows. Bridget is left to deal with these problems along with those of her aging, narcissistic father who is also a famous conductor, and her music partner and best friend, Will. The scenes are all perfectly crafted and the book is full of quippy one liners and hilarious turns of events. I flew through this wonderful novel and was left wanting more of this fantastic story. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect escapist read.
Musical Chairs by Amy Poeppel is a great fictional novel that at its heart addresses the age-old important concepts of: friends, family, support systems, love, loss, and what stays the same and what changes during these milestones.
I enjoyed reading about Bridget and Will’s pasts (together and apart). Both were like able and realistic characters and to see their respective struggles, flaws, and family hiccups made them both refreshing. I enjoyed reading the dynamics and the constants that are present despite the changes that are inevitable and the revolving door of changing family components. It always great to immerse yourself in a world that is separated from reality. A nice escape.
4/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.