Named one of 2019ās most anticipated reads by Entertainment Weekly, āa hilarious and witty joy of a novel about a familyās insanely dramatic summer at their new island homeā (Cosmopolitan) in the Pacific Northwest.
The inimitableāsome might say incorrigibleāFrank Widdicombe is suffering from a deep depression. Or so his wife, Carol, believes. But Carol is convinced that their new island homeāWillowbrook Manor on the Puget Soundāis just the thing to cheer him up. And so begins a whirlwind summer as their house becomes the epicenter of multiple social dramas involving the family, their friends, and a host of new acquaintances.
The Widdicombesā son, Christopher, is mourning a heartbreak after a year abroad in Italy. Their personal assistant, Michelle, begins a romance with preppy screenwriter Bradford, who also happens to be Frankās tennis partner. Meanwhile, a local named Marvelous Matthews is hired to create a garden at the manorāand is elated to find Gracie Sloane, bewitching self-help author, in residence as well. When this alternately bumbling and clever cast of characters comes together, they turn āas frothy and bitter as a pot of freshly brewed dark-roast coffee, the kind thatās always available on the Widdicombeās sideboard. And the dialogue, oh how it singes and searsā (The Washington Post).
A āgleefully over-the-top satiric debutā (Kirkus Reviews), Cheer Up, Mr. Widdicombe is perfect for fans of Maria Sempleās Whereād You Go, Bernadette?, Andrew Sean Greerās Less, and Jess Walterās Beautiful Ruins.