Book: Here's to Friends

Here’s to Friends

Summary: Once upon a time in a little town on the Oregon coast lived four Lindas—all in the same first-grade classroom. So they decided to go by their middle names. And form a club. And be friends forever.

Decades later, they're all back home in Clifden and reinventing their lives, but the holidays bring a whole new set of challenges. Abby’s new B and B is getting bad reviews and husband Paul is acting strange. Still grieving for her mom, Caroline is remodeling the family home, but boyfriend Mitch keeps pressuring her to go away with him. Artist Marley, distracted by a friend's family drama (and a touch of jealousy), can't find her creative groove. And Janie’s drug-addicted daughter has just appeared up on her doorstep! When a long-planned New Year's cruise turns into a bumpy ride, they learn once again that, in your fifties, friends aren’t just for fun—they're a necessity!

My Review: I didn't realize when I picked this one to review that it was the fourth in a series.  I only knew that I'd liked Melody Carlson's books before.  This one is more of the same; light fun reading, but not in a sappy annoying way!  It works okay as a stand alone, but I'm sure I would have understood the characters more if I'd read the first 3 in the series.  I also like that many of her stories are set here in the Pacific Northwest because it helps me get a feel for the setting.

Overall I'd say this is good chick lit.  It deals with some serious subjects, but turns out okay in the end.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Here’s to Friends, go HERE.

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards. And her "Diary of a Teenage Girl" series has received great reviews and a large box of fan mail.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.