Monday, November 4, 2024

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

A family story that’ll tug at your heartstrings and leave you yearning for more.

Claire Lombardo has knocked it out of the park with her first novel. "The Most Fun We Ever Had" is a testament to the power of family—both the ones we're born into and the ones we create for ourselves. It's a reminder that love, in all its messy, complicated glory, is what makes life worth living.

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You know that feeling when you finish a book and you’re not quite ready to let the characters go? That bittersweet ache of saying goodbye to people who’ve become as real to you as your own family? Well, buckle up, folks, because Claire Lombardo’s debut novel “The Most Fun We Ever Had” is going to give you one hell of an emotional hangover.

A Sprawling Family Saga That’ll Make You Laugh, Cry, and Call Your Mom

Let’s get one thing straight: this ain’t your grandma’s family drama. Lombardo dives headfirst into the messy, complicated, sometimes downright ugly world of the Sorenson clan with a fearlessness that’ll make you wince and nod in recognition. It’s like she’s taken a magnifying glass to every family secret, every unspoken resentment, and every moment of pure, transcendent love, and laid it all bare on the page.

The story revolves around Marilyn and David Sorenson, a couple so in love it makes their four adult daughters want to simultaneously swoon and gag. But as we follow the family through a tumultuous year, we see that even the most picture-perfect love story has its cracks.

The Sorenson Sisters: A Hot Mess Express We Can’t Help But Love

Let’s break down this sisterly quartet, shall we?

  • Wendy: The eldest, a sharp-tongued widow drowning her grief in booze and younger men. She’s a train wreck, but damn if you don’t want to buy her a drink and hear her story.
  • Violet: The type-A perfectionist turned stay-at-home mom who’s about to get the shock of her life when a long-buried secret resurfaces.
  • Liza: The neurotic professor who’s just hit the tenure jackpot but is facing down an unexpected pregnancy with a man she’s not sure she loves.
  • Grace: The baby of the family, living a lie so big it threatens to swallow her whole.

These women are flawed, frustrating, and so achingly human you’ll find yourself rooting for them even as you want to shake some sense into them.

A Blast from the Past That Changes Everything

Just when you think you’ve got a handle on the Sorenson family dynamic, Lombardo throws a curveball named Jonah Bendt into the mix. This teenager, given up for adoption fifteen years ago by one of the sisters, crashes into their lives like a wrecking ball, forcing everyone to confront the past and reevaluate their present.

Lombardo’s Writing: Like a Warm Hug and a Sucker Punch to the Gut

Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—this book is a doorstop. At over 500 pages, it’s not exactly a breezy beach read. But Lombardo’s writing is so damn engaging, you’ll find yourself 100 pages deep before you even realize it.

Her prose is like that friend who always knows the right thing to say—comforting one minute, brutally honest the next. She’s got a knack for dialogue that’ll make you feel like you’re eavesdropping on real conversations, complete with all the awkward pauses and unfinished sentences that make up real life.

Time-Hopping That’ll Give You Whiplash (In a Good Way)

Lombardo plays with time like it’s putty in her hands, jumping back and forth between past and present with a dexterity that’s downright impressive. We get to see Marilyn and David fall in love in the 70s, watch the sisters grow up in the 80s and 90s, and witness the fallout of their choices in the present day.

It’s like flipping through a family photo album, each snapshot giving us a deeper understanding of how these people became who they are.

Themes That’ll Hit You Right in the Feels

Alright, let’s get a little deep for a second. This book tackles some heavy stuff:

  • The weight of family expectations
  • The fear of never finding a love as strong as your parents’
  • The struggle to define yourself outside of your family roles
  • The lifelong impact of the choices we make in our youth

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Lombardo balances out the heavier moments with:

  • The unbreakable bond of sisterhood
  • The unexpected joy of second chances
  • The small, everyday moments that make up a life well-lived

A Love Story for the Ages (No, Really)

At its heart, “The Most Fun We Ever Had” is a love story. Not just between Marilyn and David, whose decades-long romance sets an impossibly high bar for their daughters, but between sisters, between parents and children, and ultimately, between individuals and the messy, beautiful lives they’ve created.

The Verdict: A Five-Star Emotional Rollercoaster You Won’t Want to End

Look, I’m not gonna lie—”The Most Fun We Ever Had” wrecked me. In the best possible way. It’s the kind of story that’ll make you laugh out loud one minute and ugly cry the next. It’ll make you call your mom, hug your sister (if you’ve got one), and take a long, hard look at your own life choices.

Is it perfect? Nah. Some might find the pacing a bit slow in parts, and if you’re not into family dramas, this might not be your cup of tea. But for those of us who love diving deep into the complexities of family relationships, “The Most Fun We Ever Had” is a goldmine.

Who Should Read This Book?

  • Anyone with a sister (or who’s always wanted one)
  • Fans of dysfunctional family dramas like “Little Fires Everywhere” or “Commonwealth”
  • People who love a good cry (seriously, keep the tissues handy)
  • Anyone who’s ever wondered if they’ll measure up to their parents’ expectations

Who Should Maybe Skip It?

  • Those looking for a quick, light read
  • People who prefer plot-driven stories over character studies
  • Anyone triggered by themes of infidelity or substance abuse

The Bottom Line: A Stunning Debut That’ll Stay With You Long After You’ve Turned the Last Page

Claire Lombardo has knocked it out of the park with her first novel. “The Most Fun We Ever Had” is a testament to the power of family—both the ones we’re born into and the ones we create for ourselves. It’s a reminder that love, in all its messy, complicated glory, is what makes life worth living.

So go ahead, clear your schedule, grab a copy, and prepare to fall in love with the Sorensons. Just don’t blame me when you’re up until 3 AM, unable to put it down, laughing and crying and feeling all the feelings.

Similar Books You Might Enjoy:

  • “Ask Again, Yes” by Mary Beth Keane
  • “The Interestings” by Meg Wolitzer
  • “The Nest” by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

A Final Thought

You know how they say you can’t choose your family? Well, after reading “The Most Fun We Ever Had,” you might just wish you could choose the Sorensons. They’re messy, they’re flawed, but damn if they don’t love each other fiercely. And in the end, isn’t that what family’s all about?

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Claire Lombardo has knocked it out of the park with her first novel. "The Most Fun We Ever Had" is a testament to the power of family—both the ones we're born into and the ones we create for ourselves. It's a reminder that love, in all its messy, complicated glory, is what makes life worth living.The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo