From the New York Times bestselling author of On Mystic Lake comes a powerful novel of love, loss, and the magic of friendship…
In the turbulent summer of 1974, Kate Mularkey has accepted her place at the bottom of the eighth-grade social food chain. Then, to her amazement, the “coolest girl in the world” moves in across the street and wants to be her friend. Tully Hart seems to have it all — … it all — beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn. Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer’s end they’ve become TullyandKate. Inseparable.
So begins Kristin Hannah’s magnificent new novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the bulkhead of their lives.
From the beginning, Tully is desperate to prove her worth to the world. Abandoned by her mother at an early age, she longs to be loved unconditionally. In the glittering, big-hair era of the eighties, she looks to men to fill the void in her soul. But in the buttoned-down nineties, it is television news that captivates her. She will follow her own blind ambition to New York and around the globe, finding fame and success… and loneliness.
Kate knows early on that her life will be nothing special. Throughout college, she pretends to be driven by a need for success, but all she really wants is to fall in love and have children and live an ordinary life. In her own quiet way, Kate is as driven as Tully. What she doesn’t know is how being a wife and mother will change her… how she’ll lose sight of who she once was, and what she once wanted. And how much she’ll envy her famous best friend…
For thirty years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship — jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they’ve survived it all until a single act of betrayal tears them apart… and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test.
Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone’s Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it’s the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It’s about promises and secrets and betrayals. And ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you — and knows what has the power to hurt you… and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you’ll never forget… one you’ll want to pass on to your best friend.
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One of many favorites from Kristin Hannah, you won’t go wrong with this one!
Nothing like The Nightingale. A bit tiresome.
Read and loved this one and also Fly Away the sequel. Great author
I loved this friendship from its early days . Reading about the music and fads of the 70’s brought back so many memories. This book won my heart long before it’s hearrtbreaking and inevitable conclusion.
Beautiful story of a female friendship over time and hardships.
In my top 10 all time favorites
Well written and very easy to read…kept you interested from the 1st page!!!!
love all of her books
Wonderful book, like everything else this author writes
Great characters story of friendship and everlasting bonds
Love this book, series and author!
Hard to believe the same author wrote this as wrote The Nightingale and The Winter Garden. The latter were great books…. This just a little story.
If you don’t want anything heavy or thought provoking, then this book is for you. It’s a good summer read and I had fun reading it. I read her books when i’m in that kind of light hearted mood and I think that’s just what she wants out of her audience. So yes, I’d definitely recommend this under the circumstances I gave above
I loved the friendship. I really enjoyed how the characters related to each other. It wad a good read and i would highly recommend it.
I enjoy all of Hannah’s books.
Get your Kleenex a great read with wonderful characters and a heartwarming story about friends.
True friendship between woman from teenage to adult.
If you haven’t read the book or have not finished it, please don’t read this review. I’m sure I will get rant-y and provide spoilers without meaning to, or really thinking about.
Tully and Kate’s journey seemed more about the current music, news and fads of each decade than the girls’ friendship. At the start, there was meat to the story but the …