Book Blurb:
Bridget and Will have the kind of relationship that people envy: they’re loving, compatible, and completely devoted to each other. The fact that they’re strictly friends seems to get lost on nearly everyone; after all, they’re as good as married in (almost) every way. For three decades, they’ve nurtured their baby, the Forsyth Trio—a chamber group they created as students with their Juilliard classmate Gavin Glantz. In the intervening years, Gavin has gone on to become one of the classical music world’s reigning stars, while Bridget and Will have learned to embrace the warm reviews and smaller venues that accompany modest success.
Bridget has been dreaming of spending the summer at her well-worn Connecticut country home with her boyfriend Sterling. But her plans are upended when Sterling, dutifully following his ex-wife’s advice, breaks up with her over email and her twin twenty-somethings arrive unannounced, filling her empty nest with their big dogs, dirty laundry, and respective crises.
Bridget has problems of her own: her elderly father announces he’s getting married, and the Forsyth Trio is once again missing its violinist. She concocts a plan to host her dad’s wedding on her ramshackle property, while putting the Forsyth Trio back into the spotlight. But to catch the attention of the music world, she and Will place their bets on luring back Gavin, whom they’ve both avoided ever since their stormy parting.
My Review: 4 stars
Musical Chairs is more proof of the author’s ability to find humor in the ordinary. Once again, she’s created a family drama that is filled with heart and humor. It’s become evident that wit is inherent in her writing style.
The story is set in upstate Connecticut in a dilapidated family home that is stuck in the “fix it up next year” syndrome. It represents renewal, change and purpose. The owner of the house, Bridget is a character you’ll want to be friends with in real life. Much like Allison, the main protagonist in Limelight. I think this happens because Poeppel creates such relatable characters and puts them is completely understandable and meaningful situations.
This book covers mother/son/daughter and sibling relationships. It touches on aging parents, why we make the decisions we make, love, paternity, parenting adult children and music is a huge part of this story. The title has multiple meanings, but for me, most prominently it reflects how we’re always rearranging ourselves, our days, our perspectives to meet everyone else’s needs.
There’s an extra bit of authenticity with the name dropping of famous people that live nearby. If you’re looking for a good escape with characters and animals that will make you laugh out loud, definitely buy this book!
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