They were three suburban queens, and they had the perfect lives. But when each Gerri, Andy, and Sonja's lives begin to crumble before their very eyesas if the entire neighborhood is falling apartthese three women discover that life in paradise isn't so grand after all.
Gerri's realization that she has an imperfect marriage is startling because her husband was the one person she could always depend on. She and Phil were the power couple of Mill Valley; it was never part of the equation for him to slip. Andy's marriages were never so secure, but it doesn't mean her most recent divorce is any less heartbreaking, and it certainly doesn't mean she won't survive the aftermath. Sonja's entire system of belief and lifestyle collapses when her husband tells her he can't tolerate her anymore, which pushes her to the brink of sanitywith indeterminable hopes of coming back. The new girl on the block, the closed-off but well-meaning BJ, never had the perfect lifenever had the privileges of the upper middle-classbut when she enters the other three women's radar, her fresh perspective and sobering background help everyone find the strength to piece their disintegrating lives back together again.
What's so extraordinary about a book like Four Friends is that it isn't completely innovative but it still absorbs you completely; it isn't groundbreaking or terribly thrillingin fact, it's very contemporary, very domestic, very everydayand that's just the thing: it's for everyday women, a story whose emotional relevance everyone understands.
Each of the four women's subplots combine with the others smoothly, creating a comprehensive, clear picture of not only the individual struggles, but also the overarching friendship. It's impossible not to get involved in the lives of these outwardly "normal" women, because their stories are so personal, so real. It makes for the best women's fiction; it brings to light issues that the everyday womanif not you, then at least your best friend, or your sister, or mother, or daughterfaces regularly or has faced before.
Robyn Carr writes with a confident hand, creating lovable, vibrant characters and an engaging plot. Even in its normalcy, the storyline is anything but boring! I love just how interesting everyone from the book is. There are so many amazing secondary characters introducedthe children, the mothers-in-law, and so onthat I wish each of them had had equal screen time (page time?), but most of the novel revolves around Gerri.
All four women will undergo life-changing mental, physical, and spiritual transformations in the wake of their seemingly impossible-to-win battles, and although it might put them through hell, it guarantees they will emerge from it allperhaps, even stronger than they were before.
The magic of Four Friends is that these four women face what everyone faces in middle adulthood: menopause, abuse, divorce, unfaithful spouses, wayward children, heartless exes, distant lovers, and unexpected acquaintances; but it comes with encouraging and empowering anecdotes on the importance of family, companions, and of course, friends.
Pros: A feel-good novel that sends you on an emotional roller coaster // Gerri is an incredibly lovable, incredible human character; I admire her so much! // Each of the women's stories is told in perfect harmony and balance // Fluid, easy to read; well-written and stylistically conversational // Includes both R-rated romance and G-rated sentiment // Taking a glimpse at these four lives is fascinating; you will become immersed!
Cons: Most of the characters are two-dimensional. They're likable and interesting but I wish Carr would have gone into more depth with them // Ending feels rushed, messy, and like a quick fix
Verdict: Four Friends is one of those books that overflows with love, in all of the familial, romantic, and companionable sense. It's a cozy story about family and devoted, symbiotic relationships, but also possesses scorching chemistrythe kind of fire that genuine love never losesand emotional upheaval with which everyone will be able to sympathize. Robyn Carr fans will be pleased with her traditional "feel good" style and sharp characters, but should definitely expect something different with her newest novel. Four Friends goes beyond the usual romance formula in acknowledging the resilience of the human heart in times of deep personal turmoil, as well as highlights triumph amidst chaos thanks to the power of simply having one other.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read that will be worth your while; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Little Bird!).
Gerri's realization that she has an imperfect marriage is startling because her husband was the one person she could always depend on. She and Phil were the power couple of Mill Valley; it was never part of the equation for him to slip. Andy's marriages were never so secure, but it doesn't mean her most recent divorce is any less heartbreaking, and it certainly doesn't mean she won't survive the aftermath. Sonja's entire system of belief and lifestyle collapses when her husband tells her he can't tolerate her anymore, which pushes her to the brink of sanitywith indeterminable hopes of coming back. The new girl on the block, the closed-off but well-meaning BJ, never had the perfect lifenever had the privileges of the upper middle-classbut when she enters the other three women's radar, her fresh perspective and sobering background help everyone find the strength to piece their disintegrating lives back together again.
What's so extraordinary about a book like Four Friends is that it isn't completely innovative but it still absorbs you completely; it isn't groundbreaking or terribly thrillingin fact, it's very contemporary, very domestic, very everydayand that's just the thing: it's for everyday women, a story whose emotional relevance everyone understands.
Each of the four women's subplots combine with the others smoothly, creating a comprehensive, clear picture of not only the individual struggles, but also the overarching friendship. It's impossible not to get involved in the lives of these outwardly "normal" women, because their stories are so personal, so real. It makes for the best women's fiction; it brings to light issues that the everyday womanif not you, then at least your best friend, or your sister, or mother, or daughterfaces regularly or has faced before.
Robyn Carr writes with a confident hand, creating lovable, vibrant characters and an engaging plot. Even in its normalcy, the storyline is anything but boring! I love just how interesting everyone from the book is. There are so many amazing secondary characters introducedthe children, the mothers-in-law, and so onthat I wish each of them had had equal screen time (page time?), but most of the novel revolves around Gerri.
All four women will undergo life-changing mental, physical, and spiritual transformations in the wake of their seemingly impossible-to-win battles, and although it might put them through hell, it guarantees they will emerge from it allperhaps, even stronger than they were before.
The magic of Four Friends is that these four women face what everyone faces in middle adulthood: menopause, abuse, divorce, unfaithful spouses, wayward children, heartless exes, distant lovers, and unexpected acquaintances; but it comes with encouraging and empowering anecdotes on the importance of family, companions, and of course, friends.
Pros: A feel-good novel that sends you on an emotional roller coaster // Gerri is an incredibly lovable, incredible human character; I admire her so much! // Each of the women's stories is told in perfect harmony and balance // Fluid, easy to read; well-written and stylistically conversational // Includes both R-rated romance and G-rated sentiment // Taking a glimpse at these four lives is fascinating; you will become immersed!
Cons: Most of the characters are two-dimensional. They're likable and interesting but I wish Carr would have gone into more depth with them // Ending feels rushed, messy, and like a quick fix
Verdict: Four Friends is one of those books that overflows with love, in all of the familial, romantic, and companionable sense. It's a cozy story about family and devoted, symbiotic relationships, but also possesses scorching chemistrythe kind of fire that genuine love never losesand emotional upheaval with which everyone will be able to sympathize. Robyn Carr fans will be pleased with her traditional "feel good" style and sharp characters, but should definitely expect something different with her newest novel. Four Friends goes beyond the usual romance formula in acknowledging the resilience of the human heart in times of deep personal turmoil, as well as highlights triumph amidst chaos thanks to the power of simply having one other.
Rating: 8 out of 10 hearts (4 stars): An engaging read that will be worth your while; highly recommended.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by publicist in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you, Little Bird!).
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Four friends who are also neighbors and each have very large personal hurdles that with the help of each other they will be able to overcome and find the best solution for themselves. Cheating husbands, deep depression and a sordid past all take hold of these women and they must figure out what lies next - I won't reveal who had to deal with what to keep a little bit of surprise to the book.
Four friends who are also neighbors and each have very large personal hurdles that with the help of each other they will be able to overcome and find the best solution for themselves. Cheating husbands, deep depression and a sordid past all take hold of these women and they must figure out what lies next - I won't reveal who had to deal with what to keep a little bit of surprise to the book.
I really enjoyed this book. I wouldn't have expected anything else from Robyn Carr.
I really enjoyed this story about four women,neighbors,all going through their own trials and tribulations. Three who have known each other a long time,and the new neighbor who finally lets them into her life, and she into theirs. If you like stories about women and friendships, you will enjoy this story.
Enjoyed this book right till the end, strong women.
