“We’re all strange, romantic emotional people in this family,”

 

What a story!  It’s outlandish and relatable.  It’s quirky and full of heart. And I enjoyed every single minute. 

 

It's an understated book that deserves all of the applause, and it’s well-likened to Schitt’s Creek, with both full of hilarity, outrageousness, and genuineness.   

 

Mostly, this is a story about Greta and Valdin, queer Russian Māori siblings sharing a flat in New Zealand and navigating love and life.  But it’s also about their big, zany family.  

 

It’s a story where the characters take center stage, and these were made to SHINE…  from Valdin who’s the most tender yet anxious soul… to Greta who’s determined and sharp and witty… to a full cast of extras that are authentic, fascinating, and endearing.  These are characters that feel like family.  

 

This isn’t a book full of big moments (though there are a few).  Mostly, it’s a collection of all the little things.  Those mundane parts of life that seem inconsequential but become the fullest parts of life.  

 

It’s Valdin buying Greta feta cheese and orange juice as an apology.  It’s Greta distracting Valdin in the midst of a crisis by describing the narratives of different songs for him to guess.

 

Themes of connection and growth run throughout and the representation- queerness, mental health, culture- is broadly welcoming.  

 

Eccentric and thoughtful, this was an absolute treat of a book!

 

🎧 Primarily narrated by Natalie Beran (Greta) and Jackson Bliss (Valdin), the main characters are brought to life authentically and full of verve.   The portrayal accentuated all of the peculiarity and lovableness, making the read even more endearing.