I started reading this book an actual lifetime ago. Granted, that life is all of two weeks old and belongs to my son, but I’m counting it. Mostly because that makes me feel better about being behind on my goal for CBR; I’m five books behind on my one per week to stay on track. In any case, I finished my first book in a good long while, and it’s more than possible my good feelings and copious hormones have colored my estimation of the book favorably.
We meet the first of the Plumb family, Leo, as he is making a characteristic selfish move that leads to the decimation of the titular “Nest,” a once modest inheritance that the other Plumbs began to rely upon as it grew and the divestment date approached.
The basic plot may be simple, revolving around each family member and their various reasons for needing money that has diminished to its pre-investment modesty after being used to quiet Leo’s scandal, but reading each character’s thoughts and individual poor financial decisions is surprisingly entertaining, in large part because D’aprix Sweeney writes the different characters well. As we get perspectives from people outside the family, the skill with which the author writes the Plumbs as similar yet distinct is made all the clearer; the siblings are unique yet unified.
The skill extends to plot as well; there are few big surprises here, but this just enforces a sense of familiarity rather than predictability. Moreover, for my hormone-softened brain, the ending landed just far enough on the sweet side of bittersweet to be realistic yet satisfying.
I’m a soft touch at the moment, but there’s something to be said for the book equivalent of macaroni and cheese; this won’t change anyone’s life but it was a great read and heartily recommended.