4 adults. 2 ex’s. 1 child. 1 imaginary rabbit. 1 holiday lodge. Magical, magical Christmas holiday.
What could possibly go wrong?
A lot!
One line summary: Perfect Holiday read.
In this witty contemporary drama, Hulse explores relationships in an enjoyable way. Can we really stay civilised with our ex-partners? The Adults is a story of grown-ups acting in strange ways under pressure, mostly created by themselves or the situations they’re in.
Matt and Claire are parents to Scarlett. They divorced when Scarlett was very young. Scarlett lives with Claire and her partner Patrick. Matt is with a woman called Alex now. Alex doesn’t have children, and doesn’t want to have any. She’s a scientist and for me, she was the most likeable character in the book. Patrick is obsessed with training and has confidence issues. Claire seems like the perfect woman, no jealousy, very friendly, although I must say her character was the weakest among the quartet of adults.
Matt convinces Alex to go to Happy Forest for Xmas break, which seems basically a fictional version of the popular UK family resort, Centre Parcs. The downside is, they’re not going alone, but joining Scarlett, Claire and Patrick. Everything starts with maximum amount of civilisation but things bubble up between the four of them, and tension rises.
Don’t get me wrong, this is not a dark book at all. The tension is quite light hearted! From the start, we know something has happened, someone did something! But what? Who? and Why? As the truth unfolds about our characters, their struggle to stay as civilised adults will offer you a hilarious read.
I wish the book was published nearer Christmas, as the setting is the Christmas holiday. Nowadays I see so many winter books published in Summer! (Take Spinning Silver, for instance, why do you publish it in Summer?)
Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange with an honest review.
And finally, everyone needs a friend like Posey!
4 stars for me for The Adults!
You might enjoy these books if you enjoyed The Adults:
Three Wishes & The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty
The Position by Meg Wolitzer
Thinks . . . by David Lodge
Excuse My Reading 
Sounds good! The character Alex sounds intriguing and someone i could defo relate to 🙂
Great review!
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I think Posey the imaginary bunny will be your favourite character Nora !
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Hi Ova! I just saw on Goodreads that you quite liked the book, so it’s on my to read list now. Ever since I discovered your blog I trust your choices. I haven’t read your review yet as I’m horrified of spoilers, they make me feel like something is being done that cannot be undone 🙂 so I read spoilers only when I’m totally sure I’ll never read the book. I’ll read your review as soon as I finish reading the book.
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Hi! Thanks so much for reading my blog and reviews. I always put a spoiler warning if I put in spoilers! This one is spoiler free.
This wasn’t a bad book, I kept going between 3.5 and 4 but settled in 4 as the books I”ve read before and after this one were terrible! When you read a book between to crap books it’s always better isn’t it 😀
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Exactly! I also thought that my judgement gets influenced by what I read right before it. I’ll read the post today then! I thought you always speak about the plot too.
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Some of it 🙂 but mostly about 5-10% of the book similar to blurbs.
Replying you influenced me to write my next post 🙂 thank you!
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YES! Just in time for a christmas read! Will KIV this book.. 🙂 Just followed your blog! Pls do show some love on mine too! Yeah, I’m thick-skinned and in need of some book-blog love 😀
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