All Adults Here

Astrid Strick witnesses an accident in her small Hudson Valley town that causes her to reevaluate her role as a parent to her three grown children. She begins confronting long-buried memories and questioning the choices she made while raising her family. Her youngest son is a stay-at-home dad in Brooklyn struggling with his identity. Her daughter is a former real estate agent who moves back home pregnant and single. Her eldest son appears successful on the surface but harbors his own secrets. Each family member navigates personal crossroads while trying to understand their place within the family dynamic. The story alternates between their perspectives as they deal with sexuality, gender identity, bullying, and the complexities of modern parenting. The novel examines how family relationships evolve over time and questions whether anyone truly becomes an "adult." Through the lens of one family's experiences, it explores themes of personal growth, acceptance, and the ongoing work of understanding oneself and others.

Readers describe this as a character-driven family story that prioritizes relationships over plot. Many note it feels more like a series of vignettes rather than a cohesive narrative. Readers appreciated: - Realistic family dynamics and complex relationships - LGBTQ+ representation through multiple characters - Commentary on parenting and generational differences "The characters feel like people you know" appears in multiple reviews Common criticisms: - Slow pacing with minimal plot progression - Too many subplots that don't connect - Characters who make frustrating decisions "Nothing really happens" is a frequent complaint Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (67,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Book of the Month Club members: 3.9/5 Several reviewers noted the book works better for readers who prefer slice-of-life stories over traditional plot arcs. The audiobook receives praise for the narrator's performance.

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🌟 Emma Straub owns Books Are Magic, an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, which she opened with her husband in 2017 📚 The novel explores how family roles evolve, particularly focusing on how adult children view their parents differently once they become adults themselves 🎬 The book rights were acquired by actress Sarah Jessica Parker's production company, Pretty Matches, for development as a television series 🌈 The character Robin's coming out story was partly inspired by conversations Straub had with LGBTQ+ readers at her bookstore 🏠 The fictional town of Clapham, New York, where the story takes place, was modeled after several Hudson Valley towns where Straub spent time growing up