Discover this moving story of five remarkable friends as Mary Alice Monroe, the New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House explores the power of friendship with tenderness and honesty. On the surface, it is a monthly book club. But for five women, it is so much more. For Eve Porter, whose husband’s sudden death cheats her of every security she had planned on, the club is a place of … the club is a place of sanctuary. For Annie Blake, a brilliant attorney intent on starting a family late in life, it is the chance to finally let down her guard and dream of other possibilities. For Doris Bridges, it is her support group as she acknowledges her dying marriage and finds the ultimate freedom in her husband’s betrayal. For Gabriella Rivera, the “perfect” wife, mother and friend who offers support to everyone but is afraid to ask for it herself, it is a sense of community. And for Midge Kirsch, an artist who has always lived her life against the grain, it is a haven of acceptance.
They are five women from different walks of life, embracing the challenge of change. And as they share their hopes and fears and triumphs, they will hold fast to the true magic of the book club–friendship.
Originally published in 1999
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This is one of Mary Alice Monroe’s earlier books originally published in 1999 before she started writing Southern fiction. There’s no ocean and no low country scenery but she still gives us a wonderful plot and well written women facing problems that their friends help them work through.
This is a book about a book club. In the beginning, they were just a book club but over time the women became best friends. The five women are
Eve – her doctor husband has just died as the novel begins and she is left with two children and no idea of how to handle bills and money.
Annie – a lawyer who is happily married and decides that she wants a baby despite the fact that she is over 40.
Doris – has poor self esteem and a husband who seems to be away from home more and more.
Gabriella – has to support her family after her husband loses his job.
Midge – is single and an artist but wants to fall in love.
All of the women are at a critical point in their lives and help each other get through the bad times. It is always fun to read books about the importance of women’s friendships. This is a light read with everyone getting their happily ever after ending.
I loved every minute of this, can’t wait to see the movie. I don’t think I’ll keep it to re-read, but I could identify with each of the female characters.
I look for her books and always am disappointed they aren’t longer. Often put other things aside and give myself time to read without interruption. That good
Many truths within these characters. Monroe never fails.
Enjoyed the book, I will read more of her books
I loved the connections between the characters in the book and the characters from classic literature.
I have loved all of Mary Alice Monroe books. Sweet and atmospheric.
Very relatable characters!
Good characters
Well written book.
I’m a big fan of Monroe and this book is no less inspiring.
Lovely story of enduring friendships…
I never want to put down a Mary Alice Monroe book. These five friends that meet to discuss a book each month show how friends are there for each other. I would love a sequel to see how Eve, Doris, Midge, Gabriella and Annie are doing.
Worth reading especially if you are a fan of Alice monroe
This book was a fast read. The interaction of the characters was well done. There was a twist to the story with one of the characters that involved several others.
This is the story of five women who are in a Book Club together. They are friends, but just barely. There is Eve, whose husband sudden death sends her entire family into a tailspin and upends her very cozy lifestyle. There is Annie, who is an attorney, who is trying to have children a little later in life, and it isn’t going well. Doris views the Book Club as a support group – she is trying to save her marriage until she is faced with her husband’s betrayal. Gabriella is the sweet innocent nurse whose husband loses her job, and instead of helping herself, she takes extra shifts to support her family while her husband stays out of work for a year. And there is Midge who is an artist who is not married and has no kids, but has to deal with her over barring mother who decides to move back to Chicago to be near her daughter.
These five women come from different walks of life, but in the end, they see how much they need each other. It becomes more than a book club – it is a support group for these ladies at the turning points in their lives.
I liked this book. My mom deemed it “just okay”, and I agree with her. It was a nice easy read during a busy holiday month. The writing was just so/so, but it passed the time.
If you are looking for a beach read, this may be a good one for you.
Really enjoyed the book. Real-life issues for women. Would have liked a different ending but it wasn’t bad. Still recommend.
predictable and formulaic. I don’t see anything worthy of a book club discussion. It is a fine beach read if you just want to read a light chic lit type of book
Read everything this author has written. Her books are serious, fun, witty, and have great characters.
I thoroughly enjoyed the richly defined characters in this book. I often found myself reading late into the night, long passed when I should have turned out the light and gone to sleep. Although all the strings were tied into neat bows by the end of the book, I hope that the author writes a “part 2” to go beyond the “happy ever after” of this book – I want more of these characters!