Behaving Like Adults

About the book

For fans of Schitt’s Creek comes a charming novel about a formidable matriarch who is confronted with the messiness of family, originally published as Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners.

Highly recommended by Buzzfeed, Southern Living, PopSugar, New York Post, Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press, BookPage, and HelloGiggles

“Propulsive and endearing.” -J. Ryan Stradal, New York Times bestselling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest

To Violet Baumgartner, there is nothing more important than family. And hers is perfect. Or at least, that’s what she wants everyone else to believe, much to her daughter Cerise’s chagrin. But when a family secret is revealed at a big retirement party, life as Violet knows it begins to spiral out of control, pitting mother against daughter in an epic battle of wills that will change everything.

Brimming with humor, emotion and surprises, Behaving Like Adults brings to life a remarkable cast of flawed, deeply human characters who must learn to adapt to the unconventional and embrace all of life’s unexpected twists and turns.

Look for Gretchen Anthony’s next hilarious, heartwarming novel, The Kids Are Gonna Ask, winner of the 2021 Alex Award!

Praise for this book:

"Gretchen Anthony knows what makes the people of the America's heartland hilarious, lovable, and worth reading about. In Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, we see a family wrestling with change--but unwilling to give up past traditions of keeping secrets and telling white lies without a fight. Anthony is a breath of fresh air, and the Baumgartners will make you roll your eyes and giggle in recognition of the quirkiness of family." - Ann Garvin

"This delightfully clever debut is a masterfully written, Wes Anderson-esque roller coaster ride through a series of self-made disasters in a hilariously dysfunctional family. Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners hits all the right notes; you'll double over with laughter, but you'll also find yourself at times misty-eyed and introspective. I have the feeling this is just the first of many skilled and heartfelt dramedies from the pen of talented newcomer Gretchen Anthony. If you're a fan of modern film classics such as The Royal Tenenbaums and Moonrise Kingdom, get ready to meet your new favorite book." - Kristin Harmel

"Gretchen Anthony's debut is a non-stop delight of a novel peopled with characters that are sure to entertain. Violet Baumgartner and her hilarious family are part of a different world--one that once I entered, I didn't want to leave. A literary joy from beginning to end!" - Anita Hughes

"Meddling matriarch Violet Baumgartner doesn't intend to create drama; she just wants everyone to behave the way they should, which is her way. In writing about this endearing, engaging (and at times, exasperating) family, Gretchen Anthony has created an E-ticket ride of a novel, full of twists and turns, and laughs that don't let up. Whee!" - Lorna Landvik

"Gretchen Anthony deftly captures all of the passive-aggression, generosity, humblebragging, kindness, emotional restraint, and humor typical to a Minnesota family. A propulsive and endearing debut." - J Ryan Stradal