Musical Chairs

A Novel

By: Amy Poeppel

Narrated by: Amanda Carlin, Matthew Lloyd Davies, Gibson Frazier, Fred Sanders, Jackie Sanders, Carly Robins

The award-winning, “quick-witted and razor-sharp” (Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six) author of Limelight and Small Admissions returns with a funny and heartwarming summer novel about love, family drama, secrets, and second chances.

“Poeppel has created a story that is well thought out, well plotted, well written, and fully developed. A delightful novel that celebrates the messiness and joy to be found in real life.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“100% page-turning delight…Pull out a lawn chair and prepare to read this gleefully entertaining novel.” —Stephen McCauley, author of My Ex-Life

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. 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 breaks up with her over email, her twin twenty-somethings arrive unexpectedly, and her elderly father announces he’s getting married. 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.

“In this funny, profound, and brilliantly alive novel about all the messy, wise, and wonderful chords that love can strike in our lives, Poeppel gathers together fathers and daughters, old flames and new sparks, music, writing and gardening, to explore what it really means to feel at home, and how life can open you up in ways you never saw coming” (Caroline Leavitt, New York Times bestselling author).

Yes, definitely a good read!

You know a book is good when you start missing the characters after you finishing reading the book. Musical Chairs is like that for me. I am not sure if it is because it is an audio book where you get comfort from someone’s voice or because the story is that good. I think the story is that good! The only downside is that some of the characters either weren’t needed or they weren’t developed enough (Jackie for instance).

I am so used to reading serials that I can’t help wonder of all the characters who would be highlighted next. Come on Amy, do us a favor and have a sequel or two!

Walk down memory lane

The different narrators brought life to the characters and added to the interactions
The story was moving and a walk down memory lane of western Mass and Conn.

Loved It!

I had read this book when it was first released last summer. Amy Poeppel writes such engaging books about real people doing their best to survive / thrive in life. She uses humor very effectively. The audio version was fabulous. I appreciated all the various actors’ voices used for each character. I am already scouting her next book. Keep them coming!

fun and fabulous characters!

I enjoyed this book a lot! The storyline and characters made for a delightful read!

How fun!

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the reading! I highly recommend this audio book. Good fun!