Your Preview Verdict: A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan

Buy a copy of A Beautiful Family here.

Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:

Could not stop reading this book. So many side stories to this discover. Jennifer Trevelyan did a great job on catching the readers immediately and keeping them wanting just one more chapter before putting it down. Karen, QLD, 5 stars

A Beautiful Family is told through the lens of our 10-year-old protagonist who is full of childhood innocence but navigating the precipice of understanding the adult world; when we realise the world is different to what we thought. There is a mix of light undertones with the dark and unsettling discoveries that unfold on the family’s summer holiday. I typically gravitate to plot-driven stories and if you need a resolution you might find yourself disappointed. Some of the subject matter made me desperately want more but I also thought it ended perfectly. Congratulations Jennifer Trevelyan on a terrific debut, I loved it! Emma, VIC, 5 stars

I was engaged and captivated from the first page of this debut novel right through to the end. The story tells of a family of four who goes on a long, hot summer holiday on the gorgeous coast of New Zealand in 1986. It is beautifully written, very descriptive, interesting and kept me in suspense during the tense thrilling scenes. The narrative is told through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl, giving us a different perspective with the way she sees and understands what is going on in the adult world around her. She finds it difficult and is struggling to know the meaning of words and actions which adults say and do. The story has many themes including coming of age, friendship and loss of, mystery, tragedy, secrets, thrills, adventures, family outings, detective work, heartache, imagination, superstitions and lies. I highly recommend reading this wonderful book. It is certainly one to put on your shelf. I thoroughly enjoyed this and give it five stars. Looking forward to her next book. Gillian, SA, 5 stars

I couldn’t put this book down. It’s an honest, heartfelt look at the challenges of growing up in a family where everyone is carrying their own burdens. Told through the eyes of a ten-year-old girl, the story captures the confusion, curiosity, and quiet strength that come with seeing the world shift around you. The events of one summer reshape her relationship with her family and reveal her hidden courage and resilience. I especially loved the 1980s references and the nostalgic feel of life in a laid-back New Zealand beach town. A beautifully written page-turner that kept me hooked right to the end. Karyn, WA, 5 stars

This was an excellent slow burn page turner. The story is told through the eyes of 10-year-old Alix who is on holiday with her family. But this year it’s different. Alix’s fifteen-year-old sister is running around with teens at the surf club. Mum is distracted and writing a book, spending a lot of time on solo beach walks. Dad drinks beer and watches the cricket. And all the while a creepy neighbour watches them. Alix sees him watching and is wary. Alix meet Kahu, a maori boy also on holiday. They determine to find our what happened to 9-year-old Charlotte, who went missing, presumed drowned two years back. As Alix tells the story it is apparent her family is dissolving. Her parents’ marriage is unravelling, and her sister is going wild. Alix’s observations and superstitions ring true. Alix is faced with numerous dilemmas regarding truth telling, whether covering up for others or concealing her own actions. I found this an immersive read, with events building to a dramatic unexpected conclusion. The ending left so much unresolved, and not fully explained. Perhaps that is still Alix telling the story and not understanding the implications the adults will. Megan, QLD, 5 stars

This book A Beautiful Family was such a nice little read. It gave me lots of reminders of growing up with the family, going to the beach or on holiday with my parents and sibling. Including always fighting with my sibling! It was a story told by the youngest daughter Alix, a ten year old girl who meets up with a boy a couple of years older, Kahu, and they try to solve a mystery of a little girl that went missing a couple of years ago. The book is so easy to read and it took me less than two days to consume. The story takes you through the journey of them trying to find this little girl, to finding someone in the lagoon, not the little girl, and in the end finding out what may have happened. I wish the story had an ending that told you what happened rather than leaving it to the imagination, but still was worth reading. Jodie, VIC, 5 stars

Jennifer Trevelyan’s debut novel is a cracking read! The family head to a coastal holiday town in New Zealand to spend their annual summer holiday – Dad whose main interest is the cricket, Mum taking long walks and writing in her notebook, big sister Vanessa wanting to fit in with the cool kids, and our ten year old narrator watching it all. She makes a friend and together they play detective, looking for clues to the disappearance of a girl some years earlier. What they discover will have far-reaching impacts on them all. The tension in the story comes both from the events and from seeing them through a child’s eyes, where the reader fully understands what the characters can’t. Combine this with a dose of nostalgia and our narrator’s humour and personality, and this becomes a gripping read that is hard to put down. Gem, NSW, 5 stars

A slow burn mystery that had me feeling very nostalgic for summer holidays as a child. It’s told through the eyes of a ten year old which I feel brought the story to life as I remember feeling and seeing similar things at the same age. There are secrets, lies and family drama intertwined with a little mystery that the children get themselves involved in solving. It’s a truly beautiful story with the perfect ending! Leanne, QLD, 5 stars

A Thoroughly engaging, and seat grappling family holiday narrated by 10-year-old Alix. Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan reminds us all about how simplistic life was in a charming 80’s seaside holiday. Looking at her family through innocent eyes, we understand the frustration that the confusing actions of the adults around her cause. The vivid imagery of sunshine and sand deeply resonate with me just as it does with Alix. It captures the often-dysfunctional family dynamics that make each family unique, even though the book is set in the 80’s, it proves the story withstands the decades. Friendship, connection and discovery set the perfect scene for a beautiful family holiday! The book is cleverly written, taking unexpected twists that will keep you longing for more, I just could not put it down! I look forward to reading her next book! Beautiful Family By Jennifer Trevelyan is a beautiful read highly recommend. Julie, SA, 5 stars

Absolutely wonderful! I loved every moment of this debut novel by Jennifer Trevelyan. I was hooked within the first few pages and couldn’t put it down. The novel is written from the perspective of 10 year old girl, Alix, however it most definitely isn’t a child’s book. I felt like I could really identify with Alix (despite being in my 50’s!) Many moments of her childhood and family I am sure we will all be able to identify with. It will make you rethink moments in your life and how they may have been perceived by different people (particularly younger ones). Trevelayn is skilled at building the mystery and suspense but at the same time allowing the reader to really create a bond with the family and interest in their day to day activities and interactions. It is tender nostalgic novel that will keep you turning pages long into the night. I will admit to being slightly disappointed with the ending, but it is a wonderful read! Tracey, TAS, 5 stars

A novel told from a ten year old’s point of view? No. Not interested. But, putting preconceived thoughts aside, Alix captivated me from the beginning as she tried to make sense of what she saw and heard, while not quite understanding hidden meanings. Jennifer Trevelyan’s writing paints a wonderful portrait of New Zealand and a family’s beach summer holiday in an era before Smart phones, when Walkman’s were the latest gadget. Loved the interactions between Alix and sister, Vanessa – their love/hate relationship which also revealed a fierce loyalty when required. Through Alix, information is revealed slowly with an increasing sense of foreboding as she and new friend Kahu try to solve the mysterious disappearance of a young girl the previous year. There are moments I laughed out loud, while others sent shivers down my spine. I even held my breath a couple of times, willing Alix to run. Almost shouted at the book. Secrets, rebellious teens, creepy neighbour and a sense of being watched. Tensions build towards a perfect ending – for me. There are unanswered questions, but clues are there as to what will happen. Loved it. Thank you to Better Reading for an uncorrected copy. Pamela, QLD, 5 stars

I must have enjoyed the book, as I finished it in a day. It was an easy read with characters that were easy to identify with. I enjoyed that the chapters were not too lengthy and I was eager to finish just another chapter. The story was how a young girl experienced the summer holidays through her eyes. The story could have easily been set in Australia , but perhaps a stronger finish. It was not the sort of book I would have picked up to read, but I have no regrets. Perhaps the front cover could have been more colourful to signify the bright summer. I would look forward to reading more books from this author. Barb, SA, 5 stars

A fascinating book about a family holiday where each family member has interesting experiences from finding a dead body; meeting friends and getting drunk. A lot happens to the family which stick together through all of these adventures. A fun read for all. Dale, VIC, 4 stars

I found it very interesting to have young people as the protagonists investigating an unsolved case of a missing child while on holidays. All the descriptions of the sun, the beach, sunburn, holiday accommodation and different ways to occupy each day all created images that reminded me of holidays. The crime was solved, but not the way I thought it would be. Anne, NSW, 4 stars

I wondered how I would go with this story as I don’t usually read a story where the main character is a child. Have to say I enjoyed it. It was easy to read and kept me interested. In Jennifer’s introduction she talks about being “interested in exploring the distance between what our narrator (10 year old) thinks she sees and what the adult reader knows”. There is intrigue, a crime to solve, friendships made and relationships broken. Even though not everything was resolved at the end I still enjoyed this book. Denise, SA, 4 stars

Jennifer Trevelyan’s A Beautiful Family is an atmospheric debut that blends nostalgia with suspense. Set in 1980’s new Zealand, it follows 10 year old Alix during a summer holiday that unravels into a web of secrets. Trevelyan masterfully captures the innocence of childhood alongside the creeping shadows of adult complexities. Alicia Mulcahy, QLD, 4 stars

This debut novel covers just a few weeks of a family holiday – father mother and two daughters. It is set in New Zealand and is told by the ten year old younger daughter who pals up with Kahu, a Maori boy, whom she met on the second day of the holiday. Kahu tells her about a nine year old girl who disappeared a few years ago and the pair decide to spend their days solving the mystery and find the missing girl. Meanwhile, her mother, who supposedly is keeping an eye on the young girl, disappears each day going for long walks and her father spends his days relaxing with a beer or two, watching the cricket. Vanessa, the older girl is off with a school acquaintance and some teenage lads. Where does the mother go on her long walks each day? Why does their neighbour appear to be spying on them? Will the parents discover that Vanessa sneaks out each night to party with her friends? Most distressing of all, who is the person the youngsters discover drowned in the nearby creek? It is certainly not the body of the missing nine year old girl! Jennifer Trevelyan is a welcome new author and I eagerly await her future works. Elva, QLD, 4 stars

Jennifer Trevelyan’s debut novel “A Beautiful Family” is set in New Zealand over the course of one summer, from the perspective of a 10 year old girl named Alix. The book centres on their family holiday and the intricate familial relationships. Alix’s parents are distracted in their own world, leaving their children to get up to their own fun and mischief. Alix befriends a young boy and sets off to solve the mystery of a local missing girl. Alix’s sister is busy trying to fit in with friends and catching boys attention. I found this book a great read. The atmospheric tension with mysteries of the missing girl, the creepy neighbour and the parents relationship made me want to read “just one more chapter”. I look forward to reading more of this authors books in the future! Cas, NSW, 4 stars

I enjoyed the change of seeing the events through the eyes for the 10year old narrator. It was an interesting insight, though at time she did seem very naive even for a 10 year old. It was an easy book to read with a few different twists and turns which kept me interested. My main frustration with the book however came from the same interesting literary device. There was a distinct lack of closure to the stories. One you can largely assume, but I really would have appreciated an epilogue or a 10 years later where she perhaps revisited the area and informed of all the outcomes. 3.5 stars- rounded up to 4 because of the narrator. Row, TAS, 4 stars

Trevelyan takes us back to the early 80’s, to the great family holiday on the coast. Written through the eyes of a ten year old girl it brings up personal memories of my childhood. On holidays, relationships and formed and lost. Trevelyan explores those relationships and their effects on the entire family. Eleanor, WA, 4 stars

New Zealand author Jennifer Trevelyan has captivated her reader audience with a delightful, entertaining and engaging narrative with a background thread mystery and at the heart of the story is family. Seen through the eyes of a ten year old, the story is told beautifully and naively but as an adult reader you read between the lines and see so much more. It’s the 80s and the tradition of a summer holiday for this family is about to begin. Alix and her fifteen year old sister Vanessa and their parents arrive in a small seaside town. Spending the days at the beach and lots of family time, Alix befriends a local boy, Kahu and their adventures start. A baffling mystery of the disappearance of a young girl, sets their curious minds fluttering. But their curiosity shakes up suspicious neighbours, rebel teens and secrets of the community. A mixed tale that explores a sisterly relationship and family dynamics. I enjoyed my reading journey with this book. In the pages a child’s innocence is investigated and the grown up observer sees the truth. Craig, VIC, 4 stars

This story resonated with me deeply because I am the narrator’s age. The novel’s setting and details evoke the quintessential 80s summer of sunburn and where kids are largely seen but not heard. The nostalgia is tangible, but doesn’t take away from the simmering tensions and issues that exist within the seemingly ordinary nuclear family unit. A beautifully written book however the ending for me personally left me with quite a few unanswered questions and I would have loved some resolution on what eventuated with some of the complex relationships. Justine, NSW, 4 stars

It was different to read a book from a 10 year old girls point of view. I forgot how much kids can absorb as silent observers when you don’t think they are listening. I was intrigued to read more to learn about Charlotte and the next door neighbours strange behaviour. The story made me think back to the beginning when Alix’s Mum was choosing their holiday destination and the reason why. The book was left open and I still had questions that weren’t answered. What happens with Lucy’s Mum, the neighbour, pen pal, Josh and Charlotte. Tara, WA, 4 stars

A beautifully written book that takes you right to the time and place it was set, even if you had never been witness to it. I love the perspective the book was written from and the nuanced understanding from the main character. Phoebe, VIC, 4 stars

I always love a mystery and some of the best are told through the eyes of a young protagonist, who while observant, and trying to understand confusing feelings and situations, cannot quite put it together, while the reader has a much fuller awareness. Jennifer Trevelyan’s debut novel conveys the fun-seeking spirit of a young girl on her summer family holiday, accompanied by a disdainful older sister and distracted parents between whom she feels an unease which causes her anxiety. I felt for her experiencing a range of emotions including fear, embarrassment and confusion that together became overwhelming. You are well placed in her shoes although as an adult you understand the dangers she may be exposed to. The story seemed slow to take off but well reflected the laziness of long hot days on summer holiday with many hours for a child to while away without supervision. Once the tale reached its crescendo however, it became an unputdownable read. The characters were well-drawn and I loved the New Zealand setting and the inclusion of Maori cultural references. I was often fearful for the potential consequences for various characters and the narrative tension kept the story gripping to the last chapter. Joanne, WA, 4 stars

I have just finished A Beautiful Family. I thought it was well written and believable although at times it was a little repetitive. A family on holiday near the seaside, each member with their own concerns, mum priority is to finish writing her book, dad only wants the family to have a good holiday, teenage Vanessa wants to meet boys and make friends. Youngest daughter is the one who notices most and makes friends with a Māori boy Kahu. He knows of a missing young teenager and plans with Alix to look for her. There is enough in this book to keep reading to the unsatisfactory finish although not enough to know exactly what the eventual outcome will be for each of them. Gloria, SA, 4 stars

From the beginning I was quite captivated by this story. On the surface, it looks like a normal summer family holiday. Two sisters, their parents, a nice holiday place close to the sea and a lagoon. The sisters make some special friends and the summer goes on, following leads and dreams. There are some mysteries that keep you reading and guess what the outcome will be. You read about love and friendship, but also heartbreak, secrets, subterfuges and betrayal. The tension builds up. But then you reach the end, and you find out that the loose ends have not been tied up, which left me feeling underwhelmed. Not sure about this. Many people like an open ending, where you give free rein to your imagination. But I’m not one of them. It left me wanting for more. It was a very good read nevertheless! Angela, WA, 4 stars

A Beautiful Family is a nostalgic trip down memory lane remembering childhood days in much simpler times. Told from the perspective of a ten, almost eleven, year old whose prize possession is her Walkman and a solitary cassette, we get an insight into a child’s perspective of her parent’s troubled marriage. Exploring the challenges of childhood friendships, summer family beach holidays and the search for clues into a missing girl, I found this book an enjoyable read. The young protagonist’s lack of agency to make the adults understand what she knew to be true was at times frighteningly gripping reading. Jodi, QLD, 4 stars

Haunting, captivating, thrilling and nostalgic. This book took me back to my childhood of the 90s in an unexpected way. Seeing through the eyes of a child from an adult’s perspective had me feeling excited and joyous at times, while other times I was left reeling and saddened for the young girl. The author has done a wonderful job of invoking the feelings of a child within her reader so that you experience both the simplicity and complexity of life concurrently from a child’s point of view throughout the entire story. A worthy tale by an inspiring author, she highlights how fragile the family unit can be when communication and connection are lacking, and how life can be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. Enjoyable and heartbreaking all at once, A Beautiful Family is a solid 4-star read that I will recommend wholeheartedly. Kristen, QLD, 4 stars

A classic read for current times. From the get go, Jennifer Trevelyan story of discovery brings the reader along in a tale of twists and turns. The characters are all very relatable and unique and endear you to the story and location. I loved the sensations that oozed from the chapters as you could imagine actually being there. Amazing how in one chapter the talk of cooking a BBQ, inspired me to cook one at home. Who would of though a book could have a subliminal effect of the reader. Read while absorbing some latter autumn sun and could not put down until finished. Thank for the opportunity and inspiration. Mark, SA, 4 stars

A Beautiful Family is from the perspective of ten year old Alix, during the summer holiday she and her family take in the 1980’s. She may be the youngest in the family, but she’s very observant to what’s going on around her. She meets twelve year old Kahu while on holiday, and while the rest of her family are preoccupied with their own plans, Kahu and Alix decide to solve the mystery of missing girl Charlotte who disappeared from the area a few summers ago. Alix’s father is busy with cricket watching on tv, while her mother takes long walks and writing her novel on her typewriter. Alix’s fifteen year old sister is too busy for Alix and would rather hang out with her friends. I felt that both parents seemed clueless to what’s going on with their children while on this holiday. It took me a bit to warm up to this book, at points during the first few chapters I struggled to find the motivation to pick up the book and continue reading, the pace being a bit too slow for me. I also wasn’t sure how I felt about the narrator being a ten year old. However, I’m glad I read this book. Everyone has a secret, people aren’t who we think they really are, and I feel that Alix grows up a lot that summer. There are some loose ends at the end of the book, but we’ll never know what happened next, as the novel is only set during the family summer holiday. Fran, NSW, 4 stars

The book is about a NZ family going on their annual holiday for a month. It is written through the youngest daughter’s eyes and took me back to the world of my youth. A very easy read, with a gripping storyline to the end. Thought provoking, leaving me questioning what I would have done at that age in similar circumstances. Could she have spoken out and been listened to at 10 years old? Would be a great book club read! Lorraine, WA, 4 stars

Even beautiful families have secrets. A summer holiday with the family is always a great way to expose all familial problems and Jennifer Trevelyan proves it in her sensational debut novel. Trapped in a ramshackle rental house in rural New Zealand with your beautiful family. Mum wants to write a book, Dad wants a break to watch cricket and BBQ, big sister wants to get a boyfriend and little sister, who narrates the story wants to unravel a mystery. A wonderfully mixed cast of characters. Beautifully written and hard to put down. The writer captures the naivety of the time and way we view our family as perfect. An outstanding debut. Cannot wait to see what she does next. Glenn Azzopardi, VIC, 4 stars

The story of a family summer holiday as told by a 10 year old girl takes the reader on a tumultuous ride. She talks of adventure, intrigue, fun times and tragedy. A family dynamic that is complicated but loving in its own way . I was engaged by the very first chapter and held on by suspense to the very last . Questions were still left unanswered by the books end leaving the opportunity for a follow up. A good and compelling read Julie, QLD, 4 stars

I did enjoy this book. I love mystery books although I wasn’t too sure about the ending. I am not sure about finishing a book that leaves you wondering. C, QLD, 3 stars

A nostalgic, beautifully written story of a young Alix coming of age in the 1980’s. So much detail in the story that took me back to that age and time and lazy summer holidays. Disappointingly, the ending left way too many questions unanswered for my liking. Loved the style of writing but the sudden ending disspponted. Graciela, NSW, 3 stars

I did not struggle to get hooked into the book, the character Alix was a great story teller. I loved how her imagination grew with her stories. I loved the family dynamics as well, it was an interesting situation and I loved learning more about each of the relationships. The story unfolded at a good pace, and it was easy to keep up with what was going on – I did start to feel that some of the story line could have been fleshed out a little more towards the tail end of the book but I did not need it too, I would have just liked to see what played out. An interesting read with great characters and interesting sub-stories. I would highly recommend Jodi C, QLD, 3 stars

A Beautiful Family (Jennifer Trevelyan) starts as a lot of our summer holidays used to. A car packed to the roof with necessities , kids sat on the hot vinyl seats asking “Are we there yet?” and a summer holiday in sight. However, this one is different. Mum is not acting the way she normally does. Dad is confused and big sister is ‘too cool for school’. All of this is very confusing for Alix who only wants to swim in the sea and have a lovely summer holiday. Alix is old enough to know that the man who is staying next door to their bach is oddly strange and that she should look out for him, but young enough to find delight in meeting someone of her own age that she can go on adventures with. A missing girl, a teenager wanting to push the boundaries, a mum who may be tempted by a dalliance and a very confused dad, all lead to a very readable novel. Obviously set in New Zealand, apart from the mystery and intrigue it reminds of holidays of the past . Nicola, VIC, 3 stars

A Beautiful Family by Jennifer Trevelyan tells the story of an everyday family living in Wellington in the 1980s as they spend their month-long summer holiday on vacation. It is told from the point of view of 10-year-old Alix. This narrative has a lovely way of taking us back to our childhood and remembering what it was like to observe without really being observed yourself. Trevelyan uses vivid, descriptive imagery that helps place you in the setting with the characters. A Beautiful Family touches on several deep and dark subject matters. It is quite confronting seeing these intense and adult themes through the eyes of a child, and recognising the different impact that such issues have on different people of different ages. This novel shows the very real hidden dramas that are found in what outwardly looks like a very ordinary family. You never know what happens behind closed doors. Alicia, NSW, 3 stars

Interesting novel, different to the usual mystery, suspense books I read that usually have an outcome. Shows what people present to the world is not always an accurate reflection of what goes on behind closed doors. Drew you into characters hoping that they would be okay. Danielle, VIC, 3 stars

Buy a copy of A Beautiful Family here.