Bluebird Day by Megan Tady

Wylie Potts is searching for herself, but the journey is anything but straightforward. A former competitive skier, she left the sport behind after relentless pressure from her mother and coach, Claudine Potts—a World Cup and Olympic medalist—triggered debilitating panic attacks. Now, Wylie has found peace in a career at an art museum and stability with her boyfriend, Dan, whose passion for athletics matches her own. Together, they’ve been training for the BodyFittest Duo competition in Berlin, a chance for Wylie to reclaim the pride she lost when she quit skiing—and perhaps begin to mend the rift with her mother.

But when Dan’s injury leaves him unable to compete, Wylie faces a crossroads. Desperate to salvage her plans, she turns to the one person she swore she wouldn’t—her mother. Claudine, grappling with her own unresolved regrets in Switzerland, reluctantly agrees. A knee injury may have ended her skiing career, but it’s a far deeper secret that keeps her from fully embracing her role as Wylie’s teammate. As they travel to the competition together, mother and daughter confront old wounds, missteps, and the tenuous threads of redemption that could reconnect them.

In Bluebird Day, journalist and author Megan Tady (Super Bloom) takes readers on a spirited and poignant journey through Zermatt, Switzerland. Alternating between Wylie’s and Claudine’s perspectives, Tady masterfully examines the vulnerabilities and flaws of both women, peeling back their layers with the precision of a seasoned therapist. Their arguments, often raw and unsettling, reveal the deep fractures in their bond, but Tady never dwells too long in the pain. Instead, she allows just enough emotional weight for readers to empathize while maintaining the novel’s lighthearted momentum.

Tady enriches the narrative with vivid details of Swiss culture and ski lore, creating a vibrant backdrop that feels as alive as the characters themselves. The Potts women’s adventure is bolstered by a colorful supporting cast, a “motley crew” of locals and misfits who thrive in Zermatt’s juxtaposition of luxury and simplicity. Tady even weaves in reflections on climate change, adding depth to the novel’s brisk pace.

Bluebird Day is a heartwarming and layered tale, perfect for curling up by a fire or savoring under the sun. With humor, insight, and charm, Tady crafts a cozy yet thought-provoking story of second chances, proving that some relationships, like fresh snow, can be rebuilt from the ground up.