2009

Typical chick lit topic with a couple of twists and turns that I didn't expect (maybe I don't read enough chick lit). I found the characters superficial at first, but I grew to like most of them. Not a lot of description, this is based on characters and events- thirtysomething English ladies and gents reuniting after the death of a friend and the changes in their life. Like a Mars bar, good but not high quality. ( )

A nice read, but it sort of fizzled in the final chapters. Good for a rainy Saturday, but not my favorite by Jane Green. ( )

The book jacket claims "warm, witty, and wise" but this story of old friends who are reunited and help each other deal with their individual issues just falls flat. I was never surprised or thrilled and, even though the author develops the characters well, I didn't feel a connection with any of them. I suppose the message is to enjoy life but it's so obvious for all of these characters what they should do to be happy. And, indeed, that's what they end up doing. Not recommended. ( )

I am a huge Jane Green fan and loved this one (I actually don't think there are any I don't like.) She has a new book coming out in June 2009 (Dune Road), which I can't wait for. I recently had the opportunity to interview Green, which you can see at:
http://laurareviews.blogspot.com/2009... ( )

disappointing as I like Jane Greens writing usually. This just didn't keep my attention. Get togethers after Tom's death, kinda like the movie, but the characters didn't click for me. ( )

5 ( )

Not an original story idea and fairly predictable. Surprised this was on the best seller list. It is the first I have read from this author. I might try one more, but for now I think the best thing she has going for her is her graphic artist (her covers have appeal). The author did pull a bunch of interesting characters to populate her plot: Tom (killed in a terrorist attack), Holly (in the midst of marital unrest), Saffron (an alcoholic actress), Paul (a journalist) and Olivia ( a lonely animal shelter owner). ( )

A group of high school friends get together after one of the group, Tom, is killed in a terrorist bombing on the Acela between Boston and NY. The story takes place mostly in the UK where they all grew up.

Somewhat reminescent of "The Big Chill". Green creates an interwoven story about each of the friends. Holly was a close friend of Tom's, in fact, practically lived with his family growing up. She is currently in a difficult marriage trying to live up to what her husband expects her to be. Holly's husband has a good job, makes alot of money, she has an au pair and dabbles at a parttime job designing greeting cards.

Green introduces the other friends: Paul, a journalist, who recently married the founder and CEO of a web-based business, Fashionista; Olivia, who recently broke up with her boyfriend of several years. She runs an animal shelter and has a blind date with a friend of Tom's who is visiting the UK. Saffron, an actress who is waiting for her big break into superstardom, and who is having an affair with a well-known actor who is married. None of them seem to be living the perfect life they had hoped for.

This was a good beach read. ( )

I don't usually read chick lit, but this one was surprising. It made you think, and for myself, I could fully identify with Holly. This book follows four friends, three female, one male, after the death of a mutual friend. They had drifted apart for 20 years and then come back together to celebrate the memory of their dead friend and find that all still have some growing up to do. But it's growth of the sort that happens when you think you are already "grown up".

A quick and easy read. Somewhat predictable and a bit disappointing. I usually look forward to reading this author. Maybe I am just growing out of this genre. ( )

I didn't even finish this one, awful. ( )

http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/... ( )

Jane Green's latest novel seems a departure from her previous novels in that we focus not on the story of one or two characters but a whole group of them. It seems to have a character for everyone - no one should feel left out when it comes to characterization, or at least this is the feeling I got while reading it. What I found was that with the focus mostly on Holly's life and her relationship to the major plot point, I was bored. Holly was not a character who interested me or who I understood, though her progression from start to finish did make her ever so slightly more interesting. I would not count this among Jane Green's better novels, and I selfishly hope she returns more to that about which she has previously written. ( )

When a group of old school friends reunite following the death of one of their own, secrets are shared and lives are changed. The idea of fictional terrorism on American soil may dismay some readers. Not quite up to Green's normally stellar stories. ( )

http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/... ( )

Similar to Jane Green's novel, The Other Woman, she writes an intersting story with her characters being the most important. You are thrown into a sad world, that can leave you feeling depressed about unfair deaths and life in general, but after following the stories of each friend, the book leaves you feeling positive and hopeful for your own second chances. A fast, but entertaining and feel good read. ( )