I picked up "Grown Ups" because I wanted to read a book by a Norwegian author set in Norway, and the premise intrigued me. Described as "a story for anyone who has ever felt overtaken by a sibling, almost—but not quite—grown up, or struggled to navigate a new future for themselves," I expected a short, compelling tale of family drama. Unfortunately, this book fell far short of my expectations, and I gave it 1 star.

The protagonist, Ida, is 40 and considering freezing her eggs, although her history of affairs with married men complicates her plans for motherhood. Meanwhile, her younger sister, who has faced years of fertility struggles, has just become pregnant. The two meet at a seaside cabin, and over a few days, their lifetime of jealousy and resentment unravels. While the setting is scenic, it cannot compensate for the deeply unlikable characters. The book revolves around selfish people behaving selfishly, and I found it challenging to connect with or care about any of them. 

The book was mercifully short at 160 pages, but it still struggled to hold my attention. Perhaps some of the story's nuance was lost in translation from the original Norwegian, but overall, it was disappointing. I suggest skipping this one if you're looking for engaging family drama.