The Adults By Caroline Hulse

[amazon_link id=”B07B2Y3Y5B” target=”_blank” ][/amazon_link]’The Adults’ is the latest book by Caroline Hulse.

Claire and Matt are divorced but decide what’s best for their daughter Scarlett is to have a ‘normal’ family Christmas. They can’t agree on whose idea it was, or who said they should bring their new partners. But someone did – and it’s too late to pull the plug. Claire brings her new boyfriend Patrick, a seemingly eligible Iron-Man-in-Waiting. Matt brings the new love of his life Alex, funny, smart, and extremely patient. Scarlett, their daughter, brings her imaginary friend Posey. He’s a rabbit. Together the five (or six?) of them grit their teeth over Organized Fun activities, drinking a little too much after bed-time, oversharing classified secrets about their pasts and, before you know it, their holiday is a powder keg that ends – where this story starts – with a tearful, frightened, call to the police…

‘The Adults’ is a deliciously fun and chaotic story about the antics of couples when they go on holidays with their new partners and children. Christmas should be a time of relaxation and fun, but not for Claire when her new partner, Matt organises a Christmas getaway with his ex-wife Alex and her new boyfriend Patrick and their daughter Scarlett and imaginary friend, a rabbit called Posey.

Dysfunctional from the start, the story offers a comedic and honest insight into modern families, trying to move forward and create a comfortable environment for the children without animosity and where Mummy and Daddy are friends.

The story is seen through the different narratives of the characters and this an interesting insight into everyone and their feelings towards the situation and each other. Scarlett is particularly entertaining with her imaginary friend Posey, much to the concern of her parents.

The story starts at the vital moment that a life changing situation happens and then flows back and forth in the past and present tense, which is very reminiscent of Liane Moriarty’s writing.

A witty and past paced story about the politics of family, ‘The Adults’ is a cleverly written and well observed story of family dynamics and how nothing can ever go quite to plan, no matter who much you prepare.

You can pre-order [amazon_link id=”B07B2Y3Y5B” target=”_blank” ]The Adults from Amazon[/amazon_link] and will be available to buy from good bookshops from 23rd August 2018.