At The Table follows the four members of the Maguire family over a year ,2018, of lunches, dinners and drinks. This a year of big changes starting with a belated Mother’s Day lunch where parents Linda and Gerry announce to their adult children, hard working party girl Nicole and peace keeper soon to be married but unsure if that is what he wants Jamie, they are splitting up after more than 30 years of marriage what follows is the story of the fall out from this out of blue shock. Each chapter is a different family member giving both their own part of the story, some background story and the ongoing family story, this is centred round a meal or drink-meeting in the pub at lunchtime, curry with dad, friends over dinner- old conflicts come to head, words had and more importantly not had, tears are cried, wine is drunk in this funny, well observed, sometimes too accurate portrayal of family life… we can all relate on some level To say I enjoyed this book is a understatement I thought it was truly fabulous. From chapter one the book was layered with “realisms” that were so true I felt I was at the dinner table with my own family, from the dance of who is having starters, the phone scrolling tic, to the way we fall into assigned roles the instant we sit to break bread with our family. It is so true to life. The story is well paced, character driven, heartwarming, tender, funny and true. The outcome isn’t a fairy tale ending but it’s resolved, much like in real life things can never be perfect for me that added to the well written true to life nature of the book. The way the story is told and how it processes is a clever idea, it gives the book a fresh feel and further adds to the realness, I mean when you think of your family met ups how often does it involve a meal/drinks/coffee. If you like your books real to life and character lead his is the novel for you. Thank you so much NetGalley, the author Claire Powell( a brilliant new talent) and Little, Brown Book Group Uk for this ARC. I’ve just pre ordered a copy for my mum and sister to read sure they will enjoy it as much as I did. Footnote- love the cover it captures the book perfectly

A simple family meal becomes an ordeal. A many-layered and well paced book that centres on the Maguire family as the fifty-something parents announce their separation to their grown-up children. A wonderful and memorable novel

I love reading books about dysfunctional families. I also love reading books where food plays a central role. Needless to say 'At the Table' was my ideal read! I particularly loved its structure - in each chapter we join the 4 family members for a meal or drink as their lives slowly unravel over the course of a year, following a big announcement at the outset of the novel. It had the feel of a Stefan Golaszewski sitcom. I believed in every single character. There was lots that was unsaid between them which made it all the more true to life!

Really liked this family with flaws novel The son & daughter are in their 30s, parents late 50s Each chapter is the family or one of them at a meal, having drinks where the story travels along after a big announcement that the parents are separating seems to throw the adult children into inner turmoil. Jamie, a teacher, has been with his girlfriend 10 years since uni, and is planning the wedding, he's the peacekeeper, the hood one, he starts to have a health kick, but it is his attitude to food where the hint is. Nicole is the wild one, in a successful social media team, drinks far too much but that's part of the culture for the job isn't it? She doesn't understand why all her friends are settling, and settling down. Linda has the house while they sort things out & turns to retail therapy. Must look her best, like she's not falling apart. As she looks back on her childhood she sees she doesn't have the best role model. Gerry is at his flat, lucky he kept it. Tries to keep everyone talking even though it's not easy. He doesn't understand how it went so wrong? The flaws in this family struck a nerve in me & I found myself drawn into the drama quickly. A lot is not said out loud which then stays unsaid but doesn't go away or help the situation. Set over the different seasons of the year this was such an easy read to fall into. I was rather sad it all ended as I'd gotten rather attached. The last few lines especially touched me & I did choke up & shed a tear. What a lovely way to end. Thank you Fleet Reads for my gifted proof copy

This novel was so well written, it made me ache with jealousy. Over the course of one year, a family splinters and reassembles again. Featuring many meals and memorable London locations, especially south east London. (If you ask me, any novel that includes a description of the Greenwich Waitrose carpark, which I know well, is a winner.) I have recommended this over and over again. It's a wonderful novel.