A futuristic middle grade retelling of Robin Hood--I liked the way Magoon wrote a new story while also including nods to the original. Robyn is a fun heroine, and I think this is one middle grade readers will really love.

Title: Four Friends
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Four Friends" by Robyn Carr...

Book Description....

"Gerri can't decide what's more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it's time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealing—it's transforming.

Andy doesn't have a great track record with men, and she's come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja's lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he's through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There's no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it's BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends."

What I liked about this novel....

This was a beautiful, well absorbing amazing story of four women Gerri, Andy, Sonja and BJ who were all rather a complex bunch as it is discovered that it looks like the whole neighborhood was falling about. You will find one of the ladies are just too perfect( a control freak)...definitely one that made me laugh out loud, another one(new to the neighborhood) who has some dark secrets that has her just wanting to keep to herself, another friend who was working on her second divorce, however, was she the one that goes after and get what she wants in the end?... and then last one seems to be the friend that had it all but did she really? What will happen after she finds out that her husband had had an affair some years ago? So, her marriage isn't as solid as she thought. This was one captivating read about a friendship and with a little of it all showing 'support, tough love, humor, sarcasm' and in the end you get a wonderful well written story. Didn't these women have the perfect lives? What will happen after they discover that some of them didn't have the perfect life after all? Counseling? Now, I will not talk to much about these ladies men other than say they were all some interesting men ...Phil, George, and Bob. You will just have to read "Four Friends' for yourself to see what all is up with them!

This author really gives the reader a story with of these four women's subplots that do combine so smoothly that will give the reader a great description of each of these ladies struggles and realness of the friendships. It's a beautiful read as you will see each of the ladies under go such a life changing experience from 'mental, physical, spiritual awakening where in the end will become even more stronger than they were in the beginning...with issues such as 'menopause, abuse, depression, infidelity, divorce, unfaithful spouses, out of control children, abuse, heartless exes, keeping secrets to new friendships. In the end will these women get the importance of family, companionship and friendships. I will only say to get it all you must pick 'Four Friends' this author.

This is definitely one of those reads that if you are reading or listening to it will keep your attention and you will find it hard to put down until the end. It was quite a interesting read where you see these four strong women find their way from a dark time in their lives. Would I recommend? Yes!

FREE for now and book 1 in a series about Vampyres?  This is my next local reading group selection. According to the blurbage, it has over 750 five star reviews on Amazon. Hmmmm, are you impressed?! I have to admit that alone put me OFF but my friends want to read it and it does sound good, if not a wee bit familiar, but I'll give it a go and let you know . . . 

Astrid doesn’t believe in Vampyres — until she accidentally becomes one! Worse, the rest of the undead think she’s a chosen hero, and a dangerously attractive warrior prince believes they belong together… A sexy and hilarious ride with over 750 five-star reviews on Amazon.

One foodie romance that I fell in love with this summer is Robyn Neeley's BATTER UP  This fun and magical romance is just a delightful read and I highly recommend it to all of you.

What are some of the special ingredients in BATTER UP?

• A small, lakeside town in Upstate New York filled with fun and fabulous characters
• A bakery that dishes up a little extra to the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls every Monday night
• A third-generation baker witch who creates a magical batter for those bachelors with every stir
• A third-generation baker who can match everyone else up successfully, but lacks a certain someone in her own live
• A cynical and disillusioned Florida journalist who's seeking to get the scoop on Buttermilk falls and reveal the fraudulent actions of that magical baker
• A few BFFs to add a bit of spice along with a not-so-nice Buttermilk female on the make

Robyn Neeley stirs all of these ingredients together and comes up with a magical book that I could not put down. A story that easily switches from laugh-out-loud hilarity to moving with some Kleenex-ready moments. Spend a bit of your summer in Buttermilk Falls with Batter Up and you'll want to return again - real soon! Read my review

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