Description

Book Synopsis

Set in rural Wales, Happy Families shines a tender, funny and heartwarming light on the lives of three generations of a Chinese immigrant family. Refreshing and original, this is perfect for fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Rosie Project and Gavin & Stacey.

When was the last time you paid much attention to the person behind the counter of your local Chinese takeaway?

Amy is thirty-four and has just given up her glittering career in the big (Welsh) city to move back in with her grandfather, returning to work in the small-town Chinese takeaway where she spent her bookish and boring childhood. Why? That's a secret she won't tell.

Just like the secret of why her grandfather, Ah Goong, and her faith, TC Li, haven't spoken to each other in thirty years. Weirder still, they've lived in the same small flat above the takeaway for the majority of those years, with Amy's mother Joan acting as their unfortunate go-between and buffer.

Now Amy's parents have moved, leaving her in charge of looking after the old man. But then Ah Goong collapses in the street and time is running out if Amy wants to play happy families before it's too late.



Trade Review
'Fabulously, witty and warm – what a talent!' -- Millie Johnson
'A rare find' -- Richard Madeley
'Delightful ... You'll want to devour this in seconds' * Heat, 'Read of the Week' *
'A take-away success of a novel. Family antics, affectionately drawn characters – this is a spit-your-noodles-out-laughing kind of read' * My Weekly *
'Heartening and down-to-earth, Ma's debut is one of February's must-read books' * CultureFly *
'Funny, sparky and heart-warming' * Fabulous Magazine - The Sun on Sunday *
'A delightfully charming story filled with lovable characters ... An absolute joy to read' -- Swirl and Thread
'This is a feel-good book that will leave you feeling a bit warm and fuzzy' -- Always Got Time For Books
'Wonderful, witty characters, and a story to keep you smiling – what more could you ask for? An absolutely cracking debut!' -- Tilly Loves Books
'Very memorable ... A real comfort read' -- Bookworm1346
'I rarely find a book which makes me chuckle out loud but this on certainly has' -- Book Club Mumma
'The perfect blend of humour and poignancy' -- Mary Queen of Books

Happy Families: The heart-warming and hilarious

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    £8.54

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    RRP £8.99 – you save £0.45 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 4 Jul 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Julie Ma

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Happy Families: The heart-warming and hilarious by Julie Ma

      Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
      Publication Date: 18/02/2021
      ISBN13: 9781787396883, 978-1787396883
      ISBN10: 1787396886

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      Set in rural Wales, Happy Families shines a tender, funny and heartwarming light on the lives of three generations of a Chinese immigrant family. Refreshing and original, this is perfect for fans of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Rosie Project and Gavin & Stacey.

      When was the last time you paid much attention to the person behind the counter of your local Chinese takeaway?

      Amy is thirty-four and has just given up her glittering career in the big (Welsh) city to move back in with her grandfather, returning to work in the small-town Chinese takeaway where she spent her bookish and boring childhood. Why? That's a secret she won't tell.

      Just like the secret of why her grandfather, Ah Goong, and her faith, TC Li, haven't spoken to each other in thirty years. Weirder still, they've lived in the same small flat above the takeaway for the majority of those years, with Amy's mother Joan acting as their unfortunate go-between and buffer.

      Now Amy's parents have moved, leaving her in charge of looking after the old man. But then Ah Goong collapses in the street and time is running out if Amy wants to play happy families before it's too late.



      Trade Review
      'Fabulously, witty and warm – what a talent!' -- Millie Johnson
      'A rare find' -- Richard Madeley
      'Delightful ... You'll want to devour this in seconds' * Heat, 'Read of the Week' *
      'A take-away success of a novel. Family antics, affectionately drawn characters – this is a spit-your-noodles-out-laughing kind of read' * My Weekly *
      'Heartening and down-to-earth, Ma's debut is one of February's must-read books' * CultureFly *
      'Funny, sparky and heart-warming' * Fabulous Magazine - The Sun on Sunday *
      'A delightfully charming story filled with lovable characters ... An absolute joy to read' -- Swirl and Thread
      'This is a feel-good book that will leave you feeling a bit warm and fuzzy' -- Always Got Time For Books
      'Wonderful, witty characters, and a story to keep you smiling – what more could you ask for? An absolutely cracking debut!' -- Tilly Loves Books
      'Very memorable ... A real comfort read' -- Bookworm1346
      'I rarely find a book which makes me chuckle out loud but this on certainly has' -- Book Club Mumma
      'The perfect blend of humour and poignancy' -- Mary Queen of Books

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