Snap

This cute contemporary story shows that even the nicest of people may 'snap!' on a bad day. At the heart of this story are a trio of flawed but likeable characters who befriend one another after each being court ordered to attend an anger management class. 

The Trio: Fifty-five-year-old Frances, a beloved children's book author who loses her cool with a rude young reader; Geraint, a 40-year-old oddball who tends to get pushed around, and 23-year-old TV wardrobe assistant whose first job in the 'biz' turns out badly. These three very different people bond in class and in their 60 hours of community service picking up garbage.

My favourite part of the book was seeing how these very disparate people slowly bond, eventually becoming 'found family' as they help each other traverse the roadblocks life has thrown in their paths. 

If you haven't read Susin Nielsen, it's time you did. Known for her amazing teen reads I'd strongly recommend No Fixed Address, Tremendous Things and, one of my all-time favourite books, We Are All Made of Molecules . This is Nielsen's first foray into adult fiction, but she has clearly proven she can write for younger audiences (she wrote for Degrassi Jr High and created the TV series Family Law) and now she can add adult fiction author to her CV.

This is a lighthearted novel set in beautiful Vancouver with lots of Canadiana thrown in, eh! I enjoyed meeting the three memorable characters as Nielsen showcases her talent at combining timely topics with a light hand with her signature humour and a dollop of heart. 

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Author: Susin Nielsen

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Canadian

Type and Source: ebook from public library

Publisher: HarperCollins

First Published: March 29, 2025

Read: Oct 10-16, 2026

Book Description from GoodReads: Frances Partridge, fifty-five, is a beloved children’s author. Geraint Blevins, forty-one, is an auto mechanic and devoted family man. Parker Poplawski, twenty-three, is just starting her career as a wardrobe assistant on a hit TV show. What do these people have in common?

Nothing, that’s what. Until each of them reaches a breaking point and snaps in spectacular fashion. They meet in a court-mandated anger management three very different people, forced to spend a lot of time together, who slowly end up bonding and helping one another in unexpected ways, whether it’s to move on or to exact revenge.

Lighthearted, timely, and funny, Snap is Nielsen at the top of her storytelling game, delivering flawed but relatable characters whose heartaches, foibles, and choices will make you cringe as you laugh out loud.