The Family Holiday By Elizabeth Noble

‘The Family Holiday’ is the latest book by Elizabeth Noble.

Charlie and Daphne were happily married, and their children Laura, Scott and Nick were inseparable. But then, inevitably, the children grew up and their own messy lives got in the way. Since Daphne died, Charlie can’t help but think about happier times for the Chamberlain family – before his children drifted apart. His wife was the family’s true north, and without her guidance, Charlie fears his kids have all lost their direction. For his eightieth birthday, all Charlie wants is to bring his family together again. And by some miracle, they’ve all said yes. So, for the first time in a long time, the Chamberlains are going on a family holiday.

This is the first book that I’ve read by Elizabeth and it was a warm-hearted story of family and relationships.

The story starts at the moment that Charlie sends letter to his three children asking them to spend a holiday with him to celebrate his 80th birthday. Alone without his wife, he wants to more of an effort with Laura, Nick and Scott but all three have issues that they are all dealing with, such as separation, grief and infidelity. Charlie hopes that the time together will bring the family together and heal the riffs between them.

The story is seen through the perspective of the characters as they prepare for their ten day holiday. Nick is adjusting to life as a single parent to 3 children when his wife died suddenly, Scott is jet setting between America and United Kingdom for his work and Laura is only dealing with a cheating husband, an impending divorce but her teenage son being charged with sexual assault.

I really enjoyed the different perspectives of this story and liked the lead up to the family holiday. The characters are a great mix of personalities all dealing with realistic and relatable issues that made for tender and poignant reading, as the family get together and bond over their shared grief.

The story is an observational exploration into the dynamics of relationships, delivered with charm and wit. ‘The Family Holiday’ is a tender and affectionate story that is perfect distraction from life.

You can buy ‘The Family Holiaday’ from Amazon and is available to buy from other good bookshops.