What readers think of Seven Days of Us, plus links to write your own review.

Such a broad spectrum of problems! This was a perfect summer read--funny, real, and human. The sisters' rivalry and hostility reminded me of my daughters and of my relationship with my sister. Emma and her desire to have everything perfect could have been I when my family all come home. I want everyone to get along, the food has to be perfect and themed, and no conflicts about anything. I really want them all to love the activities I've planned. Yes, that doesn't happen! It was optimistic and realistic and funny and sad, a little dysfunctional just like most of our families.. I loved the British slang, also. If your book club meets in the summer, and you want something light, this might be just the good, quick read for which you are looking. For me, it was the perfect book to curl up with and read until I was finished. Meals and cleaning waited. I thought it was predictable, but wait. We've been through most of those situations, so, of course, I knew what would happen. Some of the situational coincidences seemed as if they just couldn't happen, but that's life. It was such a welcome reprieve from the historical book about the Mayflower I am slogging through.

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak is a light, enjoyable read which is ironic considering the serious and dramatic issues that each of the four family members must confront.

Ms. Hornak's writing is reminiscent of Maeve Binchey in both style and subject. A group of people (in this case a family) faces a problem or problems which finally enables them to change or grow or get on with their lives. Giving each character their own chapters allows us to get to know them more intimately especially through their inner monologues and various dialogues. Their words are somewhat clipped and to the point and it's the words themselves which gives the reader insight into each character's motivation and thought processes.

This family is not particularly likeable in the beginning, rather shallow and self-involved, and their secrets and dilemmas seem a little unbelievable to handle in seven days. However, Ms. Hornak manages to move the story along in such a way that when it is over, everything is revealed and we see growth in each character.

All in all, this book is a good example of a fast paced family drama with enough twists and turns to make the reader want to continue to the end.

I enjoyed the book! I read it in about 3 days. I thought it was a little predictable at times, but it was a good read. I liked the characters and the setting. Each character had a different personality and a secret to hide and eventually it all came out in the end. I would have liked a different ending, but it was fine.

I started out not liking this book at all. There wasn't one character that I felt I could root for. It took me to about the half way point to figure out that my family growing up was just like this one.

The whole family is really only concerned about themselves, until a crisis developed and then they grudgingly start to think about other people, but only half heartedly. It really starts to pick up toward the end. I'm glad I stuck with it, because it ended way different than I though it would.

From beginning to end, this book was a joy to read, not too predictable and with twists and turns and a bit of humor thrown in.
A flawed family is forced to be together under unusual circumstances, adding to the intrigue of each character...
Hard to put down, would highly recommend to book clubs of all ages.

This book was a quick and entertaining read. I enjoyed the development of the characters very much. The only relationship that didn't completely ring true for me was between the two sisters, Phoebe and Olivia. The two seem to have no commonalities, but when their family's secrets begin to unfold, their relationship changes. The change seemed just a bit 'overdone' to me. The rest of the story was very enjoyable and entertaining. This might be a great book club read, plenty of topics for discussion, like family secrets, sibling rivalry, cancer, just to name a few. Oh, one other thing that seemed a bit far-fetched is that Olivia is allowed to be at home with her family during the quarantine period. I can't imagine this actually being permitted - but it was pivotal to the plot, that the family is thrown together for seven days, and unable to leave the house. I can't wait to see what this talented author comes up with next!

Author Hornak is a sharp observer of everyday modern life, as her popular column in the Sunday times attests. In Seven Days of Us her focused lens is pointed at each member of the Birch family in turn. Enforced togetherness, a component of any popular holiday, will resonate with readers wherever they live. Each family member has the opportunity for intimate communication with the others in a cherished country home. Grappling with the bonds of family makes for emotional struggles and revelations that will engage fans of family drama. The contemporary storylines, reflecting the conflicts of self-serving vs. self sacrifice and the caring for immediate family vs. caring for the global village, artfully unfold and draw the reader in. Sympathies for one character over another will stimulate book group discussion. Fans of Penelope Lively take note: Hornak crafts a country house novel for our times that begs comparisons with Lively's 2009 Family Album.

I love charming British novels and this is a good one. A family under quarantine during Christmas brings out the dysfunction in every member. A few surprising twists and revealed family secrets, keep the pages turning. An entertaining, light read that most will find satisfying.