Author:  Hannah Pittard                         
Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing
Genre:  Adult Fiction
Source:  BEA

Publication Date: October 7, 2014

Goodreads:  Heartbreak and hilarity come together in this story of a far-flung family reunited for one weekend by their father’s death, by the author of the highly acclaimed The Fates Will Find Their Way.

Five minutes before her flight is set to take off, Kate Pulaski, failed screenwriter and newly-failed wife, learns that her estranged father killed himself. More shocked than saddened by the news, she reluctantly gives in to her older siblings’ request that she join them–and her many half-siblings, and most of her father’s five former wives–in Atlanta, their birthplace, for a final farewell.

Written with huge heart and bracing wit, REUNION takes place over the following four days, as family secrets are revealed, personal deceits are uncovered, and Kate–an inveterate liar looking for a way to come clean–slowly begins to acknowledge the overwhelming similarities between herself and the man she never thought she’d claim as an influence, much less a father. Hannah Pittard’s “engaging and vigorous”* prose masterfully illuminates the problems that can divide modern families-and the ties that prove impossible to break.

Ope’s Opinion:  The cover of the book made me think of  a warm happy reunion.  The beginning was very depressing and slow moving.  It is interesting to watch three siblings come together and revert to their childhood ways.  

I did like seeing Nell, Elliot, and Kate grow.  They seem to help each other get through the hard time of loosing their father.  I found this to be a familiar story.  There were a few times I wanted the story to move a little faster.

The title of each chapter told you what was going to happen in that chapter.  At the end of each chapter I thought to myself – okay that is what happened!  The chapter headings should have been the outline for the author, but not put into the book.

The book felt like it just ended.  I felt like things were wrapped up, but it fell flat for me.

Rating: Three Chairs – I like the book enough to suggest it to a friend or two.