Helpful Score: 11
wow, I loved this book! Best thing I've read in ages.
The characters are well developed - highly quirky, funny and will without a doubt work their way into your heart. Although this is a story about friendship and courageous women, it is also a tale about facing your fears, having the courage to take risks and finding yourself. What a journey - I simply howled about the Psychic Nights, cheered at the victories and felt the fear they faced. I can not wait for Ms. Lamb's next book and have to admit that it was hard to see this book end.
There were many moments where I laughed and cried during this treasure.
The characters are well developed - highly quirky, funny and will without a doubt work their way into your heart. Although this is a story about friendship and courageous women, it is also a tale about facing your fears, having the courage to take risks and finding yourself. What a journey - I simply howled about the Psychic Nights, cheered at the victories and felt the fear they faced. I can not wait for Ms. Lamb's next book and have to admit that it was hard to see this book end.
There were many moments where I laughed and cried during this treasure.
Helpful Score: 7
I could not put this book down! I immmediately fell in love with Julia and Aunt Lydia and all the other characters except for the fiance. This book had flashbacks mixed in with the current which usually creates a disjointed flow, but the author made it work and I simply could not make myself move away from the story and how it would end. I loved the details of the the chocolate treats and I wish that I could get some myself. Wonderful read, I would recommend it to anyone regardless of their favorite genre, this was just such a good story.
Helpful Score: 6
It was a really good book, in my humble opinion. I laughed out loud several times, wanted to scream in frustration a couple of times, and had to wipe tears from my eyes and blow my nose once or twice, too...a totally absorbing and lively read! I wish I had had an aunt like Julia's in my life!
Helpful Score: 5
This was a heart-warming read! The well-developed characters kept me fascinated and not wanting to put the book down. The underdogs come out on top and it was a book that stayed in your mind for quite some time after you closed the last page. I enjoyed the Pacific Northwest setting and, being from North Dakota, I could just picture that wedding dress hanging from that tree. There was suspense along with romance in a nice combination. I will read this author's other books and recommend this one highly!
Helpful Score: 5
One of the best books I've read in ages! About half way through, I started reading really slowly just to try to make it last longer. Like Cathy Lamb's other book, it deals with a tough emotional topic with care, yet you ended up laughing at the same time. Lamb is a wonderful author and I'm only sad that she doesn't have any more books out yet! I give this book two thumbs up!
Helpful Score: 3
The first 100-150 pages were hysterical! It touched on some more serious issues in the beginning and went into more details later in the book. It was a very good book! Definitely worth the time!
Helpful Score: 3
I throughly enjoyed this book. The characters are a little quirky but their problems are so real. Can be dark at times but a very good read.
Helpful Score: 3
It seems that Authors need to have Quirky characters to make books work in todays competive writing world. At first, it seems that The Quirkness was over the top, unreal and unnecessary. I struggled through it for some time. I didnt care for any of the characters or find them believable. It seemed that the Author hated religious people. THEN SOMETHING happened. One character throws a BIBLE at another minor character and breaks her nose. (not a spoiler) That is when I began to love and believe in all the characters and I had to ask myself why? I realized it was the turning point in the book when all the characters get a back bone and become more of their true selves. And Guess what she does hate religious people, who torment others with their religious righteousness, but hits it right on the mark about what true faith and love really look like. So if you are of a faith dont put it down right away, dont get offended, she gets it right.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved reading this story. It was filled with characters that were so warmly and clevery woven into each others lives.The story deals with relationships between several women and focuses on each individualy while weaving a story that makes you appreciate how important friendships are to our happiness and how ultimately our happiness with our own lives can only be achieved by being true to ones inner voice and how good friends can help you to achieve inner peace. I didn't want the story to end and I have wl Lambs other book.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is great. The story and characters are well developed and you can't help but feel for the main character. She has been through so much and yet keeps on trucking. The ancillary characters are divine. You will laugh at their antics especially Psychic Nights. Keep tissues nearby because you may laugh so hard you cry. Definitely a must read!!
Helpful Score: 2
Cathy Lamb has woven us a tale filled with characters you mind find yourself wishing were your friends. Strong women who haved come through the world just getting a little bruised up along the way, I can't wait for the author's next book, if it's anything like the first it'll be a must read.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was so wonderful. It is funny, warm, scary, and endearing all at the same time. A fabulous story about the courage of women and how good it is to take back your life from those who have hurt you. I read it in a day because I just couldn't put it down.
Helpful Score: 2
I wanted to like this book, really. The story seemed too predictable, and the characters all seemed extreme to me. I read the first 40 pages and then the last chapter, and truly felt like I'd covered the whole story pretty well. Maybe I didn't give it an adequate chance, but it's the best I could do.
Helpful Score: 2
i ordered this book because i liked the title,unfortunately is the only thing i liked.
Modern day romance and every possible tragedy the writer could come up with: physical and sexual abuse, pedophilia, drug addiction, alcoholism, cancer, depression, panic attack (that unbelievably the main character, Julia, a woman with apparently amazing insight in other people lives, calls "dread disease, and thinks she will die of it).
The author goes on and on with description of homes that are a nightmarish clash of colors (p.s. toilets as flower pots in a front yard aren't charmingly odd), or "art" (yes, in quotes) despite the feeling of symbolism,she seems to want to convey, the subjects are amateurish at best, i don't know what she saw in her mind, but what i saw in mine was a badly made pastiche of clashing styles.
I finished the book,it is predictable,the characters are flat, and frankly Julia is annoying,the only thing one keep wondering : why she didn't just got herself to a therapist.
For some reason she seems very fond of the word "splendiferous" ... well, this book is definitely not.
Modern day romance and every possible tragedy the writer could come up with: physical and sexual abuse, pedophilia, drug addiction, alcoholism, cancer, depression, panic attack (that unbelievably the main character, Julia, a woman with apparently amazing insight in other people lives, calls "dread disease, and thinks she will die of it).
The author goes on and on with description of homes that are a nightmarish clash of colors (p.s. toilets as flower pots in a front yard aren't charmingly odd), or "art" (yes, in quotes) despite the feeling of symbolism,she seems to want to convey, the subjects are amateurish at best, i don't know what she saw in her mind, but what i saw in mine was a badly made pastiche of clashing styles.
I finished the book,it is predictable,the characters are flat, and frankly Julia is annoying,the only thing one keep wondering : why she didn't just got herself to a therapist.
For some reason she seems very fond of the word "splendiferous" ... well, this book is definitely not.
This book made me laugh out loud! Heavy subjects were approached in a fun and thoughtful way!
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book...my second Cathy Lamb book. great characters, important theme on domestic violence, gives a real picture of the devastation caused by this kind of relationship.
Helpful Score: 1
I could not finish this book. The premise of the book is good but its too predictable and trite. The characters are stereotypical and you pretty much know exactly how everything is going to turn out. I want a book that keeps me guessing.
There are also a lot of over the top, quirky scenes that seem to be put in the book to shock the reader. Not shocking to me, just dumb! The writing is poor and by page 120 I couldnt read another page. I did not care about any of the characters. There are some good chick lit books out there but this is definitely not one of them.
There are also a lot of over the top, quirky scenes that seem to be put in the book to shock the reader. Not shocking to me, just dumb! The writing is poor and by page 120 I couldnt read another page. I did not care about any of the characters. There are some good chick lit books out there but this is definitely not one of them.
Helpful Score: 1
Well, for the most part it was an enjoyable read, with some wacky wonder characters, but without giving the whole plot away, I just couldn't see how they were all acting as if everything were normal when a psychopath was after one of them. I guess I'd qualify it more as chic lit, or a beach read. I was disappointed.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fabulous book -well read with well defined characters. I particularly appreciated the reminders of the frailty of the human spirit but how strong we can be at our weakest moments. Excellent, excellent read.
Helpful Score: 1
One of the worst books I have read in years. I actually believe I lost some brain cells. What a waste of time. Clearly, I am in the minority here, but it was trite and predictable. It was as if the author went back to every "chick lit" novel and "chick flick" movie she had ever seen, pulled all of the eccentric characters from them, and dumped them into this crappy book in hopes that women would love it. Here's a "zany" sample: Women salting their vaginas in a group setting as part of celebrating their feminine side (yes, you read that right.) Here's another one: "Strong, lithe, commanding, tough-looking Dean Garrett strutting across the room, running his hands through his hair in agitation, was sex in motion." Really? C'mon . . . I'm smarter than that, and so are you. Spend your time and money elsewhere, unless you're interested in a Harlequin Romance book hidden under this cover.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a really good change of pace. It was much more "real" than other chick lit/romance novels, and the author writes the characters so well that even though there are quite a few, you have no trouble distinguishing who is who. I highly recommend this book!
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent, excellent writing. Wonderful story. If you don't see yourself in one of the characters, you will see someone you know. I was sorry to finish reading it!
Helpful Score: 1
I thought this was a great book, with quirky but realistic characters that you really cared about right away. The ending was a bit predictable but satisfying.
This was a beautiful book! I experienced all emotions while reading this - anger, laughter, sadness, happiness, but mainly laughter. I would recommend this book to anyone!
Helpful Score: 1
Another delightful story from Cathy Lamb! Julia, escaping her abusive fiance' on their wedding day, finds a safe haven at her Aunt Lydia's farm. You will fall in love with the cast of strange (but strong) women who make up the town of Golden. It is a story about courage, love, and facing your fears head on. Really enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it!
Helpful Score: 1
This is easily one of the best books I've read since joining PBS. The characters are so real that your heart breaks (and soars) with them every step of the way.
The plot does cover some pretty heavy material (abuse and serious illness) and it does so in such a straight-forward manner that you can almost forget you are reading a work of fiction.
The plot does cover some pretty heavy material (abuse and serious illness) and it does so in such a straight-forward manner that you can almost forget you are reading a work of fiction.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a really nice, touching story. I enjoyed reading about each character.
This book was awesome! I wasn't sure if it was going to be too "fluffy-frilly-girly" for me, but I really enjoyed it!!! What a loveable, eccentic cast of characters!!! I felt like I just wanted to be a part of thier little circle. Great story lines, with just enough suspense to keep it juicy!! You'll be rooting for every single character in this adorable book (well, maybe not all, but most...and the others will add just enough grit to make the book interesting)...Highly recommended!!
I enjoyed it very much, it was entertaining from start to finish.
Another wonderful book by Cathy Lamb. I have enjoyed all of her books. Her characters and storylines are wonderful. I highly recommend any of her books.
Very satisfiying read
Like every Cathy Lamb book I have picked up I have loved the characters, become obsessed with the story and finished reading in just a few days. Yes, at times things can be a little predictable but always a great read. It's nice to have intelligent "chic lit" out there as a buffer between the heavier reads. Sometimes you just need a nice light read.
The book was a Great Read with eccentric characters. I have purchased all the other Cathy Lambs books as well.
"I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota." The opening lines draw the reader into a sometimes over-the-top novel that still manages to entertain and engender sympathy for its characters. The women - and many of the men - are colorful and sympathetic, and the description of Julia's Aunt Lydia, her yard, and her actions are a hoot. As long as she's not the next door neighbor in a cul-de-sac governed by strict homeowners' association rules (not that Aunt Lydia would EVER live in an environment like that), the reader can be amused by the 8 toilets in the yard, overflowing with flowers, and the 5 giant concrete pigs.
The first few chapters took a bit of patience, as the author painted Aunt Lydia so colorful and so much bigger-than-life, that it took a while to see her as a rational, dearly loved member of the community. And while I have written more about Lydia than Julia, Julia is a deeply sympathetic character with a funny streak.
So kick your shoes off, have a glass of wine on hand, sit back, and read. Don't be intimidated by the fact there may be a reader's guide at the end of your edition - while there is tragedy aplenty, the protagonists survive to live with joy and hope.
The first few chapters took a bit of patience, as the author painted Aunt Lydia so colorful and so much bigger-than-life, that it took a while to see her as a rational, dearly loved member of the community. And while I have written more about Lydia than Julia, Julia is a deeply sympathetic character with a funny streak.
So kick your shoes off, have a glass of wine on hand, sit back, and read. Don't be intimidated by the fact there may be a reader's guide at the end of your edition - while there is tragedy aplenty, the protagonists survive to live with joy and hope.
Loved this author & this story....unusual.
It was a book filled with quirky characters. It was an enjoyable read!
The was a great read. Julia dumps her pyscho fiancee and runs away to her Aunt Lydia's in Oregon. She starts to build a new life and find happiness, at last. She had an abusive childhood and struggles to find self-confidence, love, and the courage to live a normal life. BUT - the old fiancee is tracking her down...
I liked this book a lot, it was a fast read and I loved the aunt and her attitude. If you liked Ya-Ya's then you most likely will like this.
This book as the best and worst of people and how each of us makes our lives are own.
Quirky Aunt Lydia is a hoot! Makes me want to start a psychic night!
Has a wonderful storyline, does have graphic details of sexual and verbal abuse so if you are sensitive to that this might not be for you.
Love the development of the characters and the support of the women and the town.
Great fun to read and hope for friends like this kinda story.
Quirky Aunt Lydia is a hoot! Makes me want to start a psychic night!
Has a wonderful storyline, does have graphic details of sexual and verbal abuse so if you are sensitive to that this might not be for you.
Love the development of the characters and the support of the women and the town.
Great fun to read and hope for friends like this kinda story.
The story is interesting but a bit dark with all the the main character endures throughout her lifetime.
