Author: Gretchen Anthony
Publisher: Park Row
Genre: Holiday Fiction
Source:  Kristin of Kritters Ramblings

Goodreads:  A formidable matriarch learns the hard way that no family is perfect in this witty, sparkling debut novel

Dearest loved ones, far and near–evergreen tidings from the Baumgartners!

Violet Baumgartner has opened her annual holiday letter the same way for the past three decades. And this year she’s going to throw her husband, Ed, a truly perfect retirement party, one worthy of memorializing in her upcoming letter. But the event becomes a disaster when, in front of two hundred guests, Violet learns her daughter Cerise has been keeping a shocking secret from her, shattering Violet’s carefully constructed world.

In an epic battle of wills, Violet goes to increasing lengths to wrest back control of her family, infuriating Cerise and snaring their family and friends in a very un-Midwestern, un-Baumgartner gyre of dramatics. And there will be no explaining away the consequences in this year’s Baumgartner holiday letter…

Full of humor, emotion and surprises at every turn, Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners brings to life a remarkable cast of quirky, deeply human characters who must learn to adapt to the unconventional, or else risk losing one another. This is the story of a family falling to pieces–and the unexpected way they put it all back together.

Ope’s Opinion: Gretchen Anthony has such wonderful flow in her writing.  She does a lot of descriptive writing, but it is not over done.  I am not sure I am explaining very well – it just flows and makes you go right along for the ride.

This is the perfect holiday read – if you think your family is off the wall, weird or unusual with secrets – read this one and she’ll make you feel like it is all normal!!  It makes you snicker a little at how ridiculous families can be.

The story is told from multiple perspectives – that really helps you get to the truth of what is going on.  Each perspective is distinctively different.

An enjoyable read!