I enjoyed this readable trip back to the seventies with a family under stress. In the end there are more modern themes revealed, including the importance of a mother in holding things together, and the importance of honoring collateral damage to the goals and lifestyles of ALL family members during stress - including the often forgotten girls.. Pace stays moderate to high for an easy read. The adult topics are addressed at PG low stress levels, but adult explitive language is included at low to moderate levels. There are bookclub questions at the end. ( )

I enjoyed this readable trip back to the seventies with a family under stress. In the end there are more modern themes revealed, including the importance of a mother in holding things together, and the importance of honoring collateral damage to the goals and lifestyles of ALL family members during stress - including the often forgotten girls.. Pace stays moderate to high for an easy read. The adult topics are addressed at PG low stress levels, but adult explitive language is included at low to moderate levels. There are bookclub questions at the end. ( )

“Family is not an important thing, it is Everything!”

The Family Ship! What can I say more? The title says it all!

A lovely and beautifully written story about family and its importance in each of our lives through the lives of the Vergennes. Narrated across the versions of each of the nine Vergennes children and their mother Maeve, it covers the entire journey of this family.

The ship—an oyster boat transformed into a make-believe destroyer, USS Nepenthe —is the heart of the Vergennes family, a place both to play and to learn responsibility. Each of the children have their own dreams, thoughts and struggles. But when tragedy and disaster strike the family, they come together, fight, struggle and face all the hardships as one family. And most importantly discover the value and love for each other.

An amazing and touching read!

Thank You NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this ARC! ( )

A family with nine children, a ship in the backyard, and a house run like a drill sergeant was in charge.

We meet the Vergennes family and learn that the ship is a diversion to keep the children busy as well as teach them how to be self-sufficient and learn life skills.

THE FAMILY SHIP has a storyline that takes us into a pecking order of sorts with the oldest child being respected as the leader.

Both parents love their children deeply, but they do rely on the children to help take care of each family member.

There is a slow start that will make you wonder where this book is going.

As you keep reading, you will find out where the book was going, and what a marvelous story line.

You will fall in love with most of the characters. You will also feel the pain of tragedies as well as happy moments which were few since their father was so strict.

Their strict father was a bit much because the children always behaved and were doing their best to help each other.

I really enjoyed the family‘s interaction and how tight knit they were.

Helping out is what happens in a large family as well as having to make sacrifices for some or all family members.

Anyone who has come from a large family will definitely enjoy this book and might see some of their own family with the array of different personalities and a mother who has to make each one feel special in their own way.

THE FAMILY SHIP is a beautiful read with lovely characters, heartbreaks, and a writing style and story line that pull you in.

You won’t want to miss this book. 4/5

This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. ( )

#firstline PROLOGUE JUDE 1962 Jude’s earliest memory was of the day his sister was born, as becoming a big brother made his brain decide it needed to start keeping track for the long run.

This book was fantastic. It was extremely character driven and the story causes the reader to ache for the characters. Tragedy befalls a family and everything feels so uncertain for the Vergennes kids. This huge family is one you will not soon forget. You are brought back in time when life was simpler, but heartache and tragedy hit this family harder than they ever could have imagined. You will be whisked into the book and will find it hard to put down. There are so many special, unique and original storylines, which made it a delight to read. I could really see this book being made into a movie or miniseries. I will never forget the Vergennes family and I am so appreciative to Yoerg for writing this amazing story!!! ( )