It was the little observations the family experience like racial stereotypes from a small number of customers - though they were more than happy to eat from that culture.

Happy Families is a delightfully charming story filled with lovable characters and was an absolute joy to read. Julie Ma’s writing has a very sincere feeling to it, unaffected and clean, making it very appealing and accessible to all. I was thoroughly entertained and I wish Julie Ma every success with Happy Families and her future writing. Where will she go next I wonder? I didn't really care about any of them, as they had no real depth or redeeming features to make them come alive. Set in a small Welsh village, we encounter Amy Li, a former doctor who has returned home from her life in Cardiff to move in with her grandfather, Ah Goong, in the flat above the Chinese takeaway her family owns. The reason for her reappearance is kept a secret, but there are hints sprinkled throughout that her return may not be for the happiest of reasons. Throughout the story, we witness interactions between Amy, Ah Goong and her extended family whilst they work and live near the takeaway that is not only their livelihood but their heritage. Amy's life is encapsulated by the mundanity of her days; interactions with villagers, the local school, and also trying to find out why her grandfather and her father, TC Li, haven't spoken in years. Their feud and Amy's reason for leaving Cardiff are simmering secrets that soon come to fruition in the climax of the story.

I've read quite a few Shari Lapena books now, and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with them. I think I've finally figured out that I adore her mysteries (someone is killed and there are multiple suspects), while I don't like her domestic thrillers (husband or wife could be lying, so are they or aren't they). This mystery definitely goes onto my list of favorites from her. Happy Families is your definitive guide to understanding your child's mental health, so they can survive and thrive. Whether you're afraid that anxiety is controlling your child's life, struggling with getting your child out of a low mood cycle, or you just want support on how to communicate with them, this book is here to help. And that is a beautiful, moving tale of the family behind the local takeaway and what they bring to the community, but mostly what they mean to each other. Wonderful, witty characters, and a story to keep you smiling - what more could you ask for?

This was a fun book to listen to on audio. The narrator was great, and I enjoyed the stories off all involved - not just the siblings. I put on my super sleuth hat- not easy to do while driving and tried to do some detective work of my own. Who could be the heartless killer? What could Fred and Sheila have done to evoke the ire of a killer? Quite a bit as it turns out - well Fred mainly as he was not ever going to win a "Dad of the year" award. This is not intended to be a full statement of all your rights under the Distance Selling Regulations. Full details of your rights under the Distance Selling Regulations are available in the UK from your local Citizens' Advice Bureau or your Local Authority's Trading Standards Office.

Going into Not a Happy Family, I will admit to being apprehensive. I've had a hit or miss relationship with Lapena, so had no clue how this one would be for me. WHO KILLED THE MERTONS AND WHY? Was it one of the couple's unlikeable adult children? All of the adult children would have inherited millions from their parent's death. Or was it the housekeeper/nanny, a friend/colleague......or someone else? Each tale is about a family of characters – typically father, mother, son and daughter, but this varies.