The Friendship Club
A Novel
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4.2 • 194 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A brand-new novel from the #1 bestselling author of VIRGIN RIVER
Four women come together at a tumultuous time in their lives, forging an unbreakable bond that will leave them all forever changed.
Celebrity cooking show host Marni McGuire has seen it all. She’s been married—twice—and widowed and divorced. Now in her mid-fifties, she’s single. Happily so. She just needs to convince her pregnant daughter, Bella, of this fact. And maybe convince herself, too. Especially after Marni’s efforts to humor her determined daughter result in a series of disastrous dates that somehow prompt Marni to wonder if maybe the right man for her is still out there after all.
Similarly single, Marni’s best friend and colleague is confident she’s content without a man, but both older women soon find themselves leading by example as the young intern on their show appears caught in a toxic relationship—and Bella reveals her own marriage maybe isn’t built to withstand the stresses of the baby on the way.
Suddenly, all four women find themselves at a crossroads, each navigating the challenges of dating, marriage, loneliness and love. Thankfully, they have each other to lean on. The realities of modern love are far from easy, but there’s no better group to have in your corner than friends who will lift you up, no matter what, and hold fast in the face of any storm.
Don't miss these other great summer beach reads from Robyn Carr A Family Affair Sunrise On Half Moon Bay The View From Alameda Island The Summer That Made Us Never Too Late
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The middling latest from Carr (A Family Affair) follows a Nevada celebrity chef and her friends across the rocky terrain of their love lives. Marni McGuire, 57, has nurtured her culinary empire for decades. Twice married—first to an abusive man who died, then to a husband she divorced for infidelity—she's reluctant to look for love again. Ellen, her business partner of 20 years, shares the sentiment after spending many years caring for her late husband following his debilitating aneurism. Both women are surprised to connect with new men in their lives: Ellen with a retired fireman who's working to start a food truck for families displaced by tragedies, and Marni with a farmer and professor who's the father of her intern Sophia. The women, including Marni's pregnant daughter, rally around Sophia when she reveals she's being stalked by her ex, a situation that gives Marni an opportunity to share a story of her own abuse. While the characters are charming, the story goes in circles and rehashes points that have already been covered. Carr occasionally finds momentum, but stalls too many times to keep the reader on board. This one never takes flight.
Customer Reviews
Heartfelt and inspiring!!
We all wish for best friends who will be there for us when we need them the most! For Marni, Bella, Ellen and Sophia, friendship and love was the glue that kept them together. Ellen had been Marni’s assistant and then producer for her cooking show. Sbe created delicious and appealing dishes for Marni to prepare for her millions of fans. Marni could not exist without her, and Ellen was in her glory being by her side. The two women are as close as sisters and would often share a glass of wine after taping where they could relax and throw around ideas for future episodes. Sophia is a young college student who is interning on Marni’s show and she looks up to the older women and values their experience and motherly advice. Sophia will need Marni and Ellen’s help when a personal problem is just too hard for her to handle alone. Bella is Marni’s daughter who is pregnant with her first child. Bella's emotions are all over the place and she finds herself relying on her mom for her wisdom, delicious meals, and warm hugs that take away all her fears. Romance is in the cards for Marni and Ellen, with both women hesitant to trust their hearts to the possibility of love and happiness. Throughout the book the four women experience heartbreak, the joy of falling in love, and the realization that you can have it all.
A bit disappointing
I was looking forward to the new Robyn Carr book, but found it a bit tedious and disappointing. Not her usual wonderful writing.
A Great Book Club Pick
Robyn Carr writes a heartfelt and touching book on friendships, family relations, domestic violence, mental health, and second chances! Definitely not an uplifting book, but it draws in you wanting to read more.
Marni is the star of one of the most popular cooking shows on TV, Marni Cooks.
Marni was widowed after having her daughter, Bella, so she made ends meet by handing out food samples at grocery stores before being discovered by the local morning show to do cooking demonstrations. From there, she was discovered by network TV.
Marni’s relationships in her life just haven’t worked out. Her daughter, Bella, wants her to date, but Marni is not so sure. Bella has her own challenges with her husband while being pregnant. Jeff, Marni’s ex, keeps resurfacing and Marni’s intern, Sophia, is tangled up in an abusive relationship. Can Marni and her friends rely on each other for support and help each other out during the most trying times? Will they all eventually find happiness?
Even though this book will bring out all kind of emotions, it will leave you feeling hopeful at the end! Perfect for book clubs as a lot of good discussions will come from reading this book.