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You Can Thank Me Later
A short and sweet audio novella that'll leave listeners wanting second helpings, You Can Thank Me Later follows an unforgettable family over the course of three Thanksgivings.
When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie's happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she's gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn't show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.
From the best-selling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, this heartwarming novella embraces the spirit and gratitude of the holiday, and shows how a family's love can endure anything.
Listening Length: 3 hours and 5 minutes
When the Dickenson clan sits down for Thanksgiving dinner in 2016, it is the last holiday when their tight-knit family will ever be the same. Oldest brother Pete and his wife are expecting their first child. Youngest sibling Sophie is too busy running her restaurant, The Little Plum, to bother with any kind of social life. And middle child Charlie's happy, uncomplicated life as a Midwestern science professor is upended when his wife Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Knowing this will be her last Thanksgiving, Annette asks Sophie to look after Charlie after she's gone. Which would be a lot easier if Charlie didn't show up with an insufferable new girlfriend at the next holiday meal.
From the best-selling author of The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, this heartwarming novella embraces the spirit and gratitude of the holiday, and shows how a family's love can endure anything.
Listening Length: 3 hours and 5 minutes
4 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 31, 2019
41 people are currently reading
1202 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Harms
11 books1,578 followersUSA Today, Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestseller Kelly Harms is the author of The Bright Side of Going Dark, The Overdue Life of Amy Byler, The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane and The Matchmakers of Minnow Bay. She worked with bestselling authors, Edgar, RITA, and Agatha award winners, and Indie Next List Picks in her time as an editor at a division of HarperCollins and later as an agent at the Jane Rotrosen Agency. She now lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her beloved family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 797 reviews
April 10, 2024
This has been my first ever story (novella) by author Kelly Harms & I really liked it. There is drama and emotions, but also lots of humour and insight of character to balance it. And there's an imperfect, but realistic and satisfying happy ending (or new beginning).
If I want to be very strict, I would rate it 3,5 stars.
Had I simply read it, instead of listening, it would be 3 only, but the story was very much enhanced by the listening experience. Narrator Lauren Fortgang did a superb job, because in all honesty, the MC Sophie, was not at all likeable, but with her voicing Sophie, I only started to realise this somewhere around the middle of the story, which is no mean feat. It would have been more obvious from the page.
The story, told entirely from Sophie's POV, covers 4 years and 3 thanksgiving dinners.
We start in 2016 while restaurant-owner Sophie is preparing Bruce the turkey (named after her latest ex) and waiting for her family -her 2 older brothers and their wives- to turn up for the meal.
Sophie is a spiky introvert, addicted to her work & devoted to her family. Her brother Pete and his wife, Keiko are expecting their first child. Her best friend, Anette, is married to her younger-older brother Charlie. It's kinda happy families all round, until the bad new explodes: Anette's terminally ill and only has some months to live.
2 years later, another thanksgiving meal is being prepared, with Turkey Rick in the oven this time. And another bomb is about to hit Sophie's world: Charlie is bringing a girlfriend to the sacred family event & Sophie finds it very hard to cope, especially on arrival of Emily with 2 terrible kids in tow. Emily is the complete opposite of Anette, a mess in every sense of the word, with mortgages & an agressive ex and does not seem to suit Charlie, a professor of biochemistry, in the least. So the dinner is anything but a success, from Sophie's POV at least, even though she has a handsome & caring guy around her, however, she hardly notices him.
With the excellent narration, it's only at this point when you start to realise how self-absorbed & judgemental Sophie actually is. While on one hand, you can understand that the loss of her best friend hit her really hard and feel for her (even agree that Emily is just NOT THE THING!), on the other, her perfect selfishness and unawareness about anything else than her own thoughts and feelings, just makes you want to shake & shout at her to wake up.
Things come to a climax at the third Thanksgiving meal, which takes place in Emily's and Charlie's house, to Sophie's utter revulsion and at 1 point you think that a disaster will truly strike this time, but the tension and conflicts are lead to their proper channel, Sophie thankfully starts realising her mistakes and is offered many things to be thankful for in the end.
If I want to be very strict, I would rate it 3,5 stars.
Had I simply read it, instead of listening, it would be 3 only, but the story was very much enhanced by the listening experience. Narrator Lauren Fortgang did a superb job, because in all honesty, the MC Sophie, was not at all likeable, but with her voicing Sophie, I only started to realise this somewhere around the middle of the story, which is no mean feat. It would have been more obvious from the page.
The story, told entirely from Sophie's POV, covers 4 years and 3 thanksgiving dinners.
We start in 2016 while restaurant-owner Sophie is preparing Bruce the turkey (named after her latest ex) and waiting for her family -her 2 older brothers and their wives- to turn up for the meal.
Sophie is a spiky introvert, addicted to her work & devoted to her family. Her brother Pete and his wife, Keiko are expecting their first child. Her best friend, Anette, is married to her younger-older brother Charlie. It's kinda happy families all round, until the bad new explodes: Anette's terminally ill and only has some months to live.
2 years later, another thanksgiving meal is being prepared, with Turkey Rick in the oven this time. And another bomb is about to hit Sophie's world: Charlie is bringing a girlfriend to the sacred family event & Sophie finds it very hard to cope, especially on arrival of Emily with 2 terrible kids in tow. Emily is the complete opposite of Anette, a mess in every sense of the word, with mortgages & an agressive ex and does not seem to suit Charlie, a professor of biochemistry, in the least. So the dinner is anything but a success, from Sophie's POV at least, even though she has a handsome & caring guy around her, however, she hardly notices him.
With the excellent narration, it's only at this point when you start to realise how self-absorbed & judgemental Sophie actually is. While on one hand, you can understand that the loss of her best friend hit her really hard and feel for her (even agree that Emily is just NOT THE THING!), on the other, her perfect selfishness and unawareness about anything else than her own thoughts and feelings, just makes you want to shake & shout at her to wake up.
Things come to a climax at the third Thanksgiving meal, which takes place in Emily's and Charlie's house, to Sophie's utter revulsion and at 1 point you think that a disaster will truly strike this time, but the tension and conflicts are lead to their proper channel, Sophie thankfully starts realising her mistakes and is offered many things to be thankful for in the end.
February 26, 2020
When I listened to You Can Thank Me Later back in November 2019, it was timely for this Thanksgiving themed story. Unfortunately, since then, my Goodreads review has disappeared along with another Audible Original review, so this will be short:
I enjoyed the story centered around a family of grown siblings who experience great loss, then try to move forward with their lives following a tragedy. They are tested with competing desires and various emotions along the way. The narrator was very good and I even found myself tearing up at one point. I listened to the story in one sitting (approximately 3 hours) on a road trip. Along with the holidays, the power of family is a central theme in You Can Thank Me Later, a novella I recommend.
I enjoyed the story centered around a family of grown siblings who experience great loss, then try to move forward with their lives following a tragedy. They are tested with competing desires and various emotions along the way. The narrator was very good and I even found myself tearing up at one point. I listened to the story in one sitting (approximately 3 hours) on a road trip. Along with the holidays, the power of family is a central theme in You Can Thank Me Later, a novella I recommend.
May 8, 2024
A quick audiobook about recovering from loss. 💔
May 13, 2020
I listened to the Audible Original production of “You can Thank Me Later” by Kelly Harms, narrated by Lauren Fortgang. I’m becoming a fan of listening to novellas. I find it amazing that a complete story containing fully developed characters can be captured in such a short time.
This is a sweet family drama full of quirky characters that centers around Thanksgiving. Yes, that one meal with expected family dysfunction and zany (if you have a sense of humor about dysfunction) action. The listener is treated to three Thanksgivings, complete with changing family dynamics.
Sophie Dickenson is the youngest of three adult children who detests voicemails. But voicemails are hilariously left, nonetheless. Lots of information can be provided in those voicemails. Sophie owns a small restaurant so she’s in charge of the Thanksgiving meal. At the first Thanksgiving, we learn that the family will be changing with a new expected baby and a new fiancé. Sophie’s two brothers keep changing/growing in their lives through the years, and Sophie wants everything to remain the same.
If you have three hours and want to be fully entertained and laugh-out-loud, choose this treat. It’s highly rated for a good reason!
This is a sweet family drama full of quirky characters that centers around Thanksgiving. Yes, that one meal with expected family dysfunction and zany (if you have a sense of humor about dysfunction) action. The listener is treated to three Thanksgivings, complete with changing family dynamics.
Sophie Dickenson is the youngest of three adult children who detests voicemails. But voicemails are hilariously left, nonetheless. Lots of information can be provided in those voicemails. Sophie owns a small restaurant so she’s in charge of the Thanksgiving meal. At the first Thanksgiving, we learn that the family will be changing with a new expected baby and a new fiancé. Sophie’s two brothers keep changing/growing in their lives through the years, and Sophie wants everything to remain the same.
If you have three hours and want to be fully entertained and laugh-out-loud, choose this treat. It’s highly rated for a good reason!
December 24, 2019
3.5 stars
December 19, 2019
I almost feel bad only putting two stars on this. I feel like I'm being mean. It was a decently cute little novella. Just.... frustrating I guess? The beginning was great. Made me cry even. But the rest was frustrating as hell. The MC really is kinda a selfish oblivious bitch. If you want something to listen to to pass the time then its decent. If you're looking for a great listen that makes you feel good, this probably isn't it.
August 13, 2020
Cute novella with a great start. Second part tough.... I don't want to be mean but it was like low budget TV afternoon movie with their recycled plots and characters. If you know what I mean 🤣
November 22, 2022
when i tell you it took me until halfway through this book to realize this was not a romance 😭 still heart warming
October 4, 2021
This was a fun audio listen that spans over a number of years for a family celebrating Thanksgiving. From year to show it shows how much things can change, one year someone is sitting at your table and the next they are not.
It's a story about love, grief, letting things go and moving on with life.
The dynamic is not unlike any other family out there, adjusting to changes. Easy to listen to, great narration and well developed characters :)
It's a story about love, grief, letting things go and moving on with life.
The dynamic is not unlike any other family out there, adjusting to changes. Easy to listen to, great narration and well developed characters :)
January 20, 2023
Not sure what magic she wielded, but Kelly Harms has written the ONLY novella I’ve ever really enjoyed. So often, you end up with underdeveloped characters, weak storylines & endings that leave you disgruntled. This one was none of those things, and full of all the best things. ❤️
December 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this freebie Audible book, but unfortunately my well-thought-out review was deleted by Goodreads. Hopefully the reviews will be restored at some point, but for now, I'm posting this so it will remain on my "Read" books of 2019.
November 25, 2020
Listen to this as you prep for your meal tomorrow or while you chilax . A realistic depiction of the holiday not the Hallmark version
November 9, 2024
A quick dramatic listen as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday from Audible Originals.
We meet the Dickenson family of adult siblings and follow their progress throughout three consecutive Thanksgiving gatherings. Told from Sophie’s POV, the fall out from life altering events presents challenges for the family. Sophie was an ideal perspective to hear from because she’s single, career focused, and her family is her emotional support. Being a restaurant owner the holiday gatherings centered around her meal preparations, until a new arrival shakes up tradition.
There’s plenty of drama and tension to stimulate character development. I liked the reminder that the road to healing may look different than one expects.
A story that shows when we put the pieces back together after loss, they sometimes don’t fit the exact way they did before and that’s ok.
We meet the Dickenson family of adult siblings and follow their progress throughout three consecutive Thanksgiving gatherings. Told from Sophie’s POV, the fall out from life altering events presents challenges for the family. Sophie was an ideal perspective to hear from because she’s single, career focused, and her family is her emotional support. Being a restaurant owner the holiday gatherings centered around her meal preparations, until a new arrival shakes up tradition.
There’s plenty of drama and tension to stimulate character development. I liked the reminder that the road to healing may look different than one expects.
A story that shows when we put the pieces back together after loss, they sometimes don’t fit the exact way they did before and that’s ok.
November 18, 2020
Wow! I just loved this three hour absolutely delightful heartfelt novella! Its an audible original - you won't find it in the stores, but it should be there. Now that I think about it, it absolutely could be a movie!
Taking place over Thanksgivings over a five or so year period, we follow the Dickinson Family through the eyes of Sophie Dickinson. Not a spoiler to be found, but it's easy to fall in love with this crazy beautiful family and to see our heroine finally open her heart, as well as her kitchen. By the end I was absolutely crying - and it put me in the perfect Thanksgiving mood, only minus the aromas and delicacies that come from "The Little Plum" restaurant and Sophie herself. Beautifully done!
Taking place over Thanksgivings over a five or so year period, we follow the Dickinson Family through the eyes of Sophie Dickinson. Not a spoiler to be found, but it's easy to fall in love with this crazy beautiful family and to see our heroine finally open her heart, as well as her kitchen. By the end I was absolutely crying - and it put me in the perfect Thanksgiving mood, only minus the aromas and delicacies that come from "The Little Plum" restaurant and Sophie herself. Beautifully done!
November 28, 2020
Don’t be fooled by the cute cover, this novella made me cry! Set on several Thanksgiving Days, each two years apart, one family deals with loss, grief, and major life changes. There are happy moments as well including a feel-good ending, which was a relief. A solid way to spend a couple of hours.
December 28, 2019
Reposting after the deletion of 12 Audible Originals Dec. 17-19, 2019.
Goodreads purged about 12 (that I could identify) Audible Original audiobooks at the end of the year 2019 as they apparently did not meet guidelines. Those audiobooks that have been converted from podcasts are apparently the main issue. Others that are short novellas or audio productions of theatrical plays may be restored. This current edition of You Can Thank Me Later is a restoration. Thanks to Goodreads and SuperLibrarians who listen to appeals!
Original Review:
Thanksgiving Dramedy
Review of the Audible Original audiobook edition (2019)
This is a Thanksgiving centered comedy-drama with a somewhat Scrooge-like neurotic restaurant owner Sophie who gradually learns to accept herself and others through a series of annual family gatherings built around meals. The audio production is well done including a variety of voicemail messages and with all voices performed very well by sole narrator Lauren Fortgang.
You Can Thank Me Later was one of the free Audible Original audiobooks for members in November 2019 but is available to all for regular prices.
Goodreads purged about 12 (that I could identify) Audible Original audiobooks at the end of the year 2019 as they apparently did not meet guidelines. Those audiobooks that have been converted from podcasts are apparently the main issue. Others that are short novellas or audio productions of theatrical plays may be restored. This current edition of You Can Thank Me Later is a restoration. Thanks to Goodreads and SuperLibrarians who listen to appeals!
Original Review:
Thanksgiving Dramedy
Review of the Audible Original audiobook edition (2019)
This is a Thanksgiving centered comedy-drama with a somewhat Scrooge-like neurotic restaurant owner Sophie who gradually learns to accept herself and others through a series of annual family gatherings built around meals. The audio production is well done including a variety of voicemail messages and with all voices performed very well by sole narrator Lauren Fortgang.
You Can Thank Me Later was one of the free Audible Original audiobooks for members in November 2019 but is available to all for regular prices.
February 4, 2020
Great novella about life, love, family, and letting go. This was amazing! I thought the audible book was entertaining and wonderful.
November 26, 2022
This book wasn't for me. I didn't enjoy the main character (Sophie), she got on my nerves.
The story is about 3 siblings (a sister and 2 brothers) and 3 Thanksgivings.
Adult siblings:
Oldest - Pete
Middle - Charlie
Youngest - Sophie
1st Thanksgiving:
Sophie's best friend, Annette, is married to her brother, Charlie. And we learn that Annette had cancer in the past and it has returned.
2nd Thanksgiving:
It's been a couple of years since they celebrated Thanksgiving because they were all too sad since Annette died. And Charlie has a new girlfriend which makes Sophie upset.
3rd Thanksgiving:
The next year. Sophie is still upset over Charlie's girlfriend. Sophie doesn't care for her because she has children and Charlie & Annette never wanted children. Plus the girlfriend is messy because she is all over the place. Sophie's attitude towards her was hard to watch.
The story is about 3 siblings (a sister and 2 brothers) and 3 Thanksgivings.
Adult siblings:
Oldest - Pete
Middle - Charlie
Youngest - Sophie
1st Thanksgiving:
Sophie's best friend, Annette, is married to her brother, Charlie. And we learn that Annette had cancer in the past and it has returned.
2nd Thanksgiving:
It's been a couple of years since they celebrated Thanksgiving because they were all too sad since Annette died. And Charlie has a new girlfriend which makes Sophie upset.
3rd Thanksgiving:
The next year. Sophie is still upset over Charlie's girlfriend. Sophie doesn't care for her because she has children and Charlie & Annette never wanted children. Plus the girlfriend is messy because she is all over the place. Sophie's attitude towards her was hard to watch.
Audiobook source: Audible Original
Narrator: Lauren Fortgang
Length: 3H 05M
December 28, 2019
3.5 (round up to 4)
When this novella popped up as an option for a free Audible original this month, I instantly snagged it for a Thanksgiving-themed read. It was short--a mere 3 hours long--but it was not lighthearted. It was actually kind of sad, but had a happy ending.
Sophie and Annette have been best friends since college. Annette also happens to be Sophie's sister-in-law, married to Sophie's older brother Charlie. But, when Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness with little time left, she makes Sophie promise to help Charlie through his grief after she is gone. Sophie agrees, never thinking that part of that promise would be dealing with Charlie bringing someone new to their Thanksgiving tradition a mere two years later.
Told over the course of three Thanksgivings--2016, 2018, and 2020--we check in on Sophie, Charlie, and their brother Pete to see how the siblings are doing and where they are in their lives. Obviously, this story deals with death and coping with losing loved ones, but also address how you honor their life and move on.
The novella was not as light-hearted as I typically like for my holidays, but was better than I expected. I am glad it was short though
When this novella popped up as an option for a free Audible original this month, I instantly snagged it for a Thanksgiving-themed read. It was short--a mere 3 hours long--but it was not lighthearted. It was actually kind of sad, but had a happy ending.
Sophie and Annette have been best friends since college. Annette also happens to be Sophie's sister-in-law, married to Sophie's older brother Charlie. But, when Annette is diagnosed with a terminal illness with little time left, she makes Sophie promise to help Charlie through his grief after she is gone. Sophie agrees, never thinking that part of that promise would be dealing with Charlie bringing someone new to their Thanksgiving tradition a mere two years later.
Told over the course of three Thanksgivings--2016, 2018, and 2020--we check in on Sophie, Charlie, and their brother Pete to see how the siblings are doing and where they are in their lives. Obviously, this story deals with death and coping with losing loved ones, but also address how you honor their life and move on.
The novella was not as light-hearted as I typically like for my holidays, but was better than I expected. I am glad it was short though
January 22, 2020
I have never in my life encountered a less likable set of characters.
December 1, 2020
A wonderful story about siblings and their family dynamics. This was perfect to read over Thanksgiving. There was a little heartbreak and some family dysfunction but overall it was a story of healing and it was beautifully heartwarming.
November 13, 2020
A good short audiobook. great for thanksgiving. 3.5 stars
December 10, 2022
I’m new to the Audible audiobook scene, & I have only listened to a few. But this was my favorite so far. What a gem of a story ! It has everything….family drama, loss of a loved one & many, many laugh out loud moments between Sophie & her siblings/ in laws. Highly recommend !!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 28, 2019
Furious at Goodreads for deleting my review without warning. At least let me come screenshot the poor thing or cut n’ paste it to... apparently ANYWHERE BUT GOODREADS. Fellow reader-reviewers, I’d love to know where you suggest a good-hearted (if slightly ascerbic) unpaid reviewer go where she can feel secure in the knowledge that some corporate behemoth won’t just take down her reviews.
There. With that out of the system, I don’t have the energy to go back and try to rewrite my carefully thought out review. Basically I said I thought the author beat up on the only character I found at all likeable- the protagonist- and that the single mom nurse character kinda sucked hard. I assure you, I was much more eloquent and tried to be more constructive in my criticism. Suffice it to say that even though it was short and free, it wasn’t worth it and it’s not worth doing a second unpaid review, that much is certain. And a merry flippin’ Christmas to you too, Good Reads
There. With that out of the system, I don’t have the energy to go back and try to rewrite my carefully thought out review. Basically I said I thought the author beat up on the only character I found at all likeable- the protagonist- and that the single mom nurse character kinda sucked hard. I assure you, I was much more eloquent and tried to be more constructive in my criticism. Suffice it to say that even though it was short and free, it wasn’t worth it and it’s not worth doing a second unpaid review, that much is certain. And a merry flippin’ Christmas to you too, Good Reads
January 11, 2020
*potential spoiler alert*
While I do not like picking apart or negatively reviewing a book, I have also been wanting to write a bit about each book in order to better recall. So, quandary...
I admire another's ability to write, particularly to the point of being published, and also appreciate free, but again, in the spirit of recall and with a qualifier about disliking unkind reviews, a couple of things: I'm not sure a novella is enough space to cover such a big topic. The brevity did not lend to enough character development to solicit a more generous degree of empathy for the characters and their loss. Additionally, the protagonist was a complete witch with a 'b'. I get that her behavior, words, and reactions were supposed to be rooted in the loss, but there was just not enough balance between her demeanor and even subtle insinuations or reference as to what was behind her attitudes. Thus, she just came off as an unkind, unforgiving, unlikable person. While in the end she had some redeeming qualities, it was just a little too little and a little too late. I can't recall so disliking a character. (I also can't recall what I had for breakfast 2 days ago, so there's that... :)
While I do not like picking apart or negatively reviewing a book, I have also been wanting to write a bit about each book in order to better recall. So, quandary...
I admire another's ability to write, particularly to the point of being published, and also appreciate free, but again, in the spirit of recall and with a qualifier about disliking unkind reviews, a couple of things: I'm not sure a novella is enough space to cover such a big topic. The brevity did not lend to enough character development to solicit a more generous degree of empathy for the characters and their loss. Additionally, the protagonist was a complete witch with a 'b'. I get that her behavior, words, and reactions were supposed to be rooted in the loss, but there was just not enough balance between her demeanor and even subtle insinuations or reference as to what was behind her attitudes. Thus, she just came off as an unkind, unforgiving, unlikable person. While in the end she had some redeeming qualities, it was just a little too little and a little too late. I can't recall so disliking a character. (I also can't recall what I had for breakfast 2 days ago, so there's that... :)
January 4, 2020
OMG the feels! The story starts at Thanksgiving with Sophie, a professional chef with her own restaurant, making the meal, the oldest brother Pete, and his wife are having their first child and the middle brother, Charlie and his wife have just received the worst news, her cancer is back and she won't survive this round. The news shakes them to the ground and Sophie is asked to help her brother navigate the loss of his wife and Sophie's best friend. It follows them for the next several years through the loss of Annette to healing enough to move on. I wept and I laughed and I cried some more. I want to make time to listen to this book without stopping to get out of the car and run errands.
December 22, 2019
I learned not to leave my reviews on good reads only 😅
What i remember from my review is that its 4 hours of the main character being self deprecating then suddenly has an “aha” moment and shifts characters ... Transitions weren’t smooth at all, i didn’t see self growth. I remember something about the trying too hard with the sound effects like the voice mail, but i appreciated that attempt..
Im not gonna bother trying to remember/ detail anything else because i didnt like this book that much, I’m just glad I’m technically not behind my good reads reading goal anymore
What i remember from my review is that its 4 hours of the main character being self deprecating then suddenly has an “aha” moment and shifts characters ... Transitions weren’t smooth at all, i didn’t see self growth. I remember something about the trying too hard with the sound effects like the voice mail, but i appreciated that attempt..
Im not gonna bother trying to remember/ detail anything else because i didnt like this book that much, I’m just glad I’m technically not behind my good reads reading goal anymore
February 7, 2020
I really didn’t like this story. I hated the main character, she was an awful bad person. The rest of the characters were weak. I spent most of listening to this story thinking about the bad review I wanted to write for it. And I didn’t come up with much but it’s still better than the story.
December 19, 2019
I really enjoyed the audible version of this book. Despite the sadness at the heart of the story, there was enough humor throughout to help alleviate the sadness.
November 12, 2020
This is a short novella that I received for free from audible last year, but just got around to listening to this year. There aren't a lot of bells and whistles to this story, but I think that it is a nice little story that hits the spot as I prepare for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. This is simply the story of a family of siblings, a sister and two brothers, who gather together with their significant others each year for Thanksgiving dinner. The story is told through Sophie's point of view, and Sophie has some growth to go through over the course of three years. In Thanksgiving #1 the family learns of the impending death of Sophie's sister-in-law and best friend due to cancer. The rest of the short story is really about Sophie coming to terms with this. She's a bit of a mess at times, and she is even worse because she doesn't really see that she is mess, so she ends up being a bit of a Judgey McJudgey at times. But she's a good person to tell this story. Like I say, there isn't a lot to the story. Really it is just the story of Thanksgiving family gatherings over three different years. But where I normally find novellas to be either shallow or incomplete, I felt like this story was just right. Kelly Harms was able to capture the family dynamics, the various personalities within the family, and the drama that shaped their interactions very well. Nothing felt rushed or formulaic. I managed to care about all of the characters in a short amount of time, and I also felt like I was able to feel satisfaction at the ending of the book. There weren't loose ends or rushed endings. It was well-written. This was a bit of a departure from the romance books I tend to grab. Romance is not the goal here. But I appreciated the character growth immensely. I give it three strong stars. I liked it.
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