First off, where does Ms. Dallas come up with the names for her characters?? Very fun! This book was a curious mixture of tears and laughter and hard living and love. Beginning during the Prohibition and ending sometime after World War II, this novel follows the lives of three friends. But don't think this is some sappy friendship novel. This story is all about loyalty and choices and there isn't anything all 'warm and fuzzy' about this story - it is too real and gritty, but without being gratuitous just to make you want to read. Ms. Dallas has a real gift for telling stories that have a twist, that are populated with people you really want to know, and that deal with real emotion. Great book. ( )