This book surprised me. While just as punchy as Maxted's other efforts in chick lit, this is as much a warm, heartfelt book about responsibility and growing up as it is a dry comedy. The story takes turns between the narratives of two sisters, Lizbet and Cassie, as they struggle through their relationships (Lizbet is single but committed, whereas Cassie is married but questioning her vows), their jobs (editor and lawyer, respectively), and their feelings for each other just as a surprise, followed by a tragedy, hit the family. Perhaps it sounds a bit cliche, but trust me when I say that this is Maxted's best book, rife with wit and cynicism, pushing her out of the chick lit pigeonhole. ( )

This is the type of book that I like: great character development and interesting dialogue. The reviewer from the Washington Post says Maxted writes in a "droll comedic voice". It really has the tone I like in a book. While keeping a light-hearted feel, it explored all kinds of mother, sister, relationship and even religious issues. Maxted has some great, funny lines like when the character says that her fear of children is "like a fear of spiders, only rational". Or when she says her sister's loud, shocking comments are the "verbal equivalent of a low-cut blouse". The only reason I don't give it five stars is there are some parts that geta little too sappy, but overall a highly recommended read. ( )

Classic Maxted. Very entertaining and funny. ( )

I am a fan of Anna Maxted, but this book was definitely not as good as her previous novels. It almost seems like she doesn't really want to write anymore.
The story is about to sisters. One of them desperately wants a baby, and the other one, whose life was already perfect as it seemed, becomes pregnant. However, some lives just aren't as perfect as they seem. ( )