What do you think?
Rate this book
Between Friends
The story of a remarkable friendship--told in a remarkable way. A story in which every woman will recognize herself...and her best friend
Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski. Two girls from very different backgrounds become best friends in the turbulent O60s, but their circumstances and choices--and their mistakes--take them in opposite directions. Lesley stays in their hometown. She marries young, living a life defined by the demands of small children, never enough money, and an unfaithful husband. Jill lives those years on a college campus shaken by the Vietnam War, and then as an idealistic young lawyer in New York City.
But they always remain friends.
Through the years and across the miles, Jill and Lesley confide everything to each other--every grief and joy. Because the quality of a friendship is the quality of a life.
Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski. Two girls from very different backgrounds become best friends in the turbulent O60s, but their circumstances and choices--and their mistakes--take them in opposite directions. Lesley stays in their hometown. She marries young, living a life defined by the demands of small children, never enough money, and an unfaithful husband. Jill lives those years on a college campus shaken by the Vietnam War, and then as an idealistic young lawyer in New York City.
But they always remain friends.
Through the years and across the miles, Jill and Lesley confide everything to each other--every grief and joy. Because the quality of a friendship is the quality of a life.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
1412 people are currently reading
7538 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Macomber
894 books20.6k followersDebbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.
Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.
She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 842 reviews
December 31, 2015
I have been recently chatting with some GRs friends and talking about stories from a different historical era. I love romances that take place during modern times and from the past but I wanted to try something unique and a far cry from I usually read. And,oh my, did I find it with Debbie Macomber’s BETWEEN FRIENDS.
Female friendships are plush terrain for imagination and this narrative was the journey of two women told in an epistolary format. Notes, letters, diary entries, announcements, receipts and, eventually, email submissions: you will find it all here. From their births in the late 1940s until shortly after the turn of the twenty-first century, Jillian Lawton and Leslie Adamski were BFFs.
Their parents tipped the scale of difference; their paths into adulthood were moments shared with angst and true affection. No matter what happened, they were the definition of true friends: they supported one another through thick and thin.
Some readers have compared this story to a soap opera and, in a way, they were right. It was necessary to have a lot of drama. The 1950s, ‘60s, '70s and '80s, when most of the story took place, were packed with emotion. The Cold War, the old-fashioned values, the Kennedys and the Martin Luther King movement. And the rights and wrongs that attached itself to the Vietnam War affected everyone. Opinions divided families. Lastly, let us not forget the 1980's ( or should we?!) with the end of the disco era, new hair styles and trendy, now-vintage clothes.
BETWEEN FRIENDS was a bittersweet, effervescent and volatile tearjerker. Familiarity, rapport and devotion fused Leslie’s and Jillian’s journey through the decades. It followed their naiveté when they were young, the up-and-down relationships with their mothers and how their fathers affected their romances and, eventually, permanent relationships with men.
This is ‘Women’s Fiction’: a beach-read whether you are near the ocean or your kitchen sink. A buddy-read. For lovers of nostalgia or those that would like a taste of mid-twentieth century Americana. But, be warned of an impassioned ride.
~For those of you that read my reviews, you know I love a little disquiet or ‘mental upset’. I know it follows real life and, for the most part, I don’t have a problem with this element. But I am knocking off one star because of this same apprehension. I found myself reading this story in ‘doses’. I was physically involved: my sighs, vocal comments to no one, movement of my hands and neck-rolling. It was a supremely emotional and complex narrative. I was exhausted by time I finished, scrambling through my to-read books searching for a poles-apart storyline.~
Female friendships are plush terrain for imagination and this narrative was the journey of two women told in an epistolary format. Notes, letters, diary entries, announcements, receipts and, eventually, email submissions: you will find it all here. From their births in the late 1940s until shortly after the turn of the twenty-first century, Jillian Lawton and Leslie Adamski were BFFs.
Their parents tipped the scale of difference; their paths into adulthood were moments shared with angst and true affection. No matter what happened, they were the definition of true friends: they supported one another through thick and thin.
Some readers have compared this story to a soap opera and, in a way, they were right. It was necessary to have a lot of drama. The 1950s, ‘60s, '70s and '80s, when most of the story took place, were packed with emotion. The Cold War, the old-fashioned values, the Kennedys and the Martin Luther King movement. And the rights and wrongs that attached itself to the Vietnam War affected everyone. Opinions divided families. Lastly, let us not forget the 1980's ( or should we?!) with the end of the disco era, new hair styles and trendy, now-vintage clothes.
BETWEEN FRIENDS was a bittersweet, effervescent and volatile tearjerker. Familiarity, rapport and devotion fused Leslie’s and Jillian’s journey through the decades. It followed their naiveté when they were young, the up-and-down relationships with their mothers and how their fathers affected their romances and, eventually, permanent relationships with men.
This is ‘Women’s Fiction’: a beach-read whether you are near the ocean or your kitchen sink. A buddy-read. For lovers of nostalgia or those that would like a taste of mid-twentieth century Americana. But, be warned of an impassioned ride.
~For those of you that read my reviews, you know I love a little disquiet or ‘mental upset’. I know it follows real life and, for the most part, I don’t have a problem with this element. But I am knocking off one star because of this same apprehension. I found myself reading this story in ‘doses’. I was physically involved: my sighs, vocal comments to no one, movement of my hands and neck-rolling. It was a supremely emotional and complex narrative. I was exhausted by time I finished, scrambling through my to-read books searching for a poles-apart storyline.~
July 10, 2016
Whoever wrote the blurb on the back was right.. I did recognize myself and my best friend in this book. She was the one that married right after high school and started her family soon after. I was the one who went off to college. My friend and I aren’t as close as Lesley and Jillian, but those familiar feelings were still there. I really liked the addition of newspaper clippings and bumper stickers and such to the letters. Macomber did an excellent job conveying the feeling of each year as our lives are affected by current events. It really made me think of how many important events my parent’s generation has lived through, and how many I have yet to.
January 30, 2008
Can I just say, I love it. Love love love love love it. It's funny, sad, romantic, and so cute. I wasn't even thought of when most of the book took place, but I still loved it. Lesly and Jillian remind me of me and my best friend, passing notes, talking about sucky guys, growing up together, dealing with family drama.
Lesly was a bit weak for my taste, but that's what made her realistic, I guess. A lot of women in her situation would react like she did, staying silent, ignoring the facts, taking stupid Buck back even though he's a drunk, lazy cheater. It only made me happier for her, though, when she finally landed a nice guy in Dr. Milton.
Poor poor Jillian, though! First the love of her life dies in war, then her Dad dies, then she has a miscarriage, then she gets cancer...oy vey, I felt so bad for the girl! But, it wasn't all bad. She has a daughter and a good job and a life in New York...and Lesly.
Loved. Can't say much more than that.
Just loved it.
Lesly was a bit weak for my taste, but that's what made her realistic, I guess. A lot of women in her situation would react like she did, staying silent, ignoring the facts, taking stupid Buck back even though he's a drunk, lazy cheater. It only made me happier for her, though, when she finally landed a nice guy in Dr. Milton.
Poor poor Jillian, though! First the love of her life dies in war, then her Dad dies, then she has a miscarriage, then she gets cancer...oy vey, I felt so bad for the girl! But, it wasn't all bad. She has a daughter and a good job and a life in New York...and Lesly.
Loved. Can't say much more than that.
Just loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2013
I'm a big fan of Debbie Macomber. But I got out of the habit of reading her books as I got caught up in reviewing books to purchase for the school library. Recently, my book club chose Debbie as an author pick for our February read. We all chose a different book to read. I actually chose God's Guest List (which I will be reviewing later), but Between Friends was one of the many I picked up on a impulse sweep through the library.
This is a quick easy read about a life long friendship. The story is told through alternating view points using letters, news articles, and various announcements. I loved it! And it has inspired me to pick up the long lost art of letter writing. I teach primary sources to my 5th grade students. Letters are a perfect primary source, but with the advent of email and texting, combined with busy schedules, letter writing is truly a lost art.
Though it is fiction, Between Friends is a lovely record of a lifelong friendship. That made me think about the friends I truly cherish (which due to my having been an Army wife for over two decades are all scattered across the country.) I don't know of anyone who actually keeps emails/texts. I'm constantly cleaning out my email box. So, when I'm gone, what record (primary source) will there be that I even had friends or any other aspect of my life? So, at least for this year, I'm going to work hard to make time for personal letters to the people I cherish. Thanks, Ms. Macomber for the inspiration.
This is a quick easy read about a life long friendship. The story is told through alternating view points using letters, news articles, and various announcements. I loved it! And it has inspired me to pick up the long lost art of letter writing. I teach primary sources to my 5th grade students. Letters are a perfect primary source, but with the advent of email and texting, combined with busy schedules, letter writing is truly a lost art.
Though it is fiction, Between Friends is a lovely record of a lifelong friendship. That made me think about the friends I truly cherish (which due to my having been an Army wife for over two decades are all scattered across the country.) I don't know of anyone who actually keeps emails/texts. I'm constantly cleaning out my email box. So, when I'm gone, what record (primary source) will there be that I even had friends or any other aspect of my life? So, at least for this year, I'm going to work hard to make time for personal letters to the people I cherish. Thanks, Ms. Macomber for the inspiration.
September 12, 2008
I rate this book a 10+. The way the author wrote this book was interesting. It's all letters and Journal and DIary enteries. It is really good. It's about a friendship of Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski in the postwar era in 1950. As they grow up, their circumstances, their choices-and their mistakes-take them in virutally opposite directions. Lesley gets pregnant and marries young, living a cramped life defined by the demands of small children, not enough money, and unfaithful husband. Jillian lives those years on a college campus shaken by the vietnam war and then as a idealistic young lawyer in NY City.
Over the years and across the miles, through marriage, children, divorce, and widowhood, Jillian and Lesley remain close, sharing every grief and every joy. There are no secrets between friends.
This has to be my favorite so far.............
Over the years and across the miles, through marriage, children, divorce, and widowhood, Jillian and Lesley remain close, sharing every grief and every joy. There are no secrets between friends.
This has to be my favorite so far.............
September 10, 2018
This novel follows the lives of Leslie and Jillian, beginning before they were even born through their long lives. Told in an epistolary style, the reader follows the girls as they grow, through the choices they made, both good and bad, while enjoying the good things they had and surviving life’s tragedies. Though from different economic backgrounds, the girls shared a bond of friendship that never wavered. Author Debbie Macomber included both the good things that happen to people as well as the terrible things that can occur, and since this novel covers several decades in a short amount of pages, be prepared for a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Very well written with endearing characters, this novel explores some ways to deal with life-lessons as well how to enjoy the good things in life.
November 12, 2014
I was in the mood for an epistolary novel and this one topped a lot of people's lists. Sadly, while it was ok as far as stories go it was bad as far as epistolary novels go. The story is told via correspondence. Most of the entries were from one of the two main characters but there are occasional letters from secondary characters or the occasional walk in.
And there's the problem. In an epistolary novel each character should have her own voice. That's pretty much the entire point of an epistolary novel, actually. Yet I could not tell the different between the main characters. It all felt pretty gray and same-y.
Another issue I had was with the multiple ham-fisted attempts to show the timeliness of the story. Characters awkwardly mention current-for-that-point-in-the-story events in ways that are awkward instead of organic.
Lastly, there was a pretty fair amount of sermonising. ACTUAL sermonising where one character preaches to the other about the value of going to Mass, etc.
In spite of those very real problems I give the book 3 stars because I was enough interested in Lesley and Jillian to stick around and see how their stories played out.
And there's the problem. In an epistolary novel each character should have her own voice. That's pretty much the entire point of an epistolary novel, actually. Yet I could not tell the different between the main characters. It all felt pretty gray and same-y.
Another issue I had was with the multiple ham-fisted attempts to show the timeliness of the story. Characters awkwardly mention current-for-that-point-in-the-story events in ways that are awkward instead of organic.
Lastly, there was a pretty fair amount of sermonising. ACTUAL sermonising where one character preaches to the other about the value of going to Mass, etc.
In spite of those very real problems I give the book 3 stars because I was enough interested in Lesley and Jillian to stick around and see how their stories played out.
August 20, 2012
This was one of the best books that Debbie Macomber has written. I loved the letter format and all the history of our country since 1948. Since I was born in 1942, all this brought back memories and made me think what I was doing in those years. Great book!!!This was an ARC copy.
August 10, 2019
Brilliantly told story! I just loved the way it was written with all the letters going back and forth.
November 20, 2018
This is my favorite book by Macomber. I love the style, telling the story through journal, diary enteries, letters and postcards and eventually email. It is the story of two women, lifelong friends, their struggles and triumphs. ....
November 20, 2021
Of all of Debbie Macomber’s heartwarming novels, Between Friends is my absolute favorite. Told entirely through letters, emails, and written announcements, it depicts a lifelong friendship of two women, Jillian and Lesley, who come of age in the sixties. Jillian is from a more privileged background, and her life goes in a very different direction from Lesley’s, but the two women remain close throughout. The challenges each experience are heartbreaking and realistic. Jillian loses her first love to the war in Vietnam and later struggles with cancer, while Leslie deals with an unfaithful, alcoholic first husband and then the hardships of single parenthood. Both women, however, also experience many joys, and their friendship sustains them through tough times. I couldn’t put this book down and highly recommend it!
October 24, 2009
This book follows two best friends, Jillian and Leslie, from the time they meet in elementary school up until they are women in their 50's who have endured marriage, divorce, miscarriages, births, widowhood, and breast cancer together. You follow their separate lives and their close friendship through correspondence. Great book!
June 6, 2022
Debbie Macomber, this is the best book you've ever written.
Why can't I see other community reviews on my phone now? This is a recent thing? Where are community reviews?
Why can't I see other community reviews on my phone now? This is a recent thing? Where are community reviews?
February 16, 2025
It was fine. Someone gave it to me years ago and I finally got around to finishing it just so I could say I had.
June 15, 2011
I love books written differently -- one reason I liked the Guernsey book so much. It was in the form of letters between various characters. This one is letters, diary entries, excerpts from newspapers, notes passed in class, etc. and I really like something different in the light books I read.
This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Usually, as I read a book, the closer to the end I am, the faster I read. Not this one. I didn't want it to end.
The story to two girls/women and their friendship which begins in childhood and continues into their retirement. The author includes so many of the significant things from history in the story. I highly recommend the book.
This was one of the best books I've read in a long time. Usually, as I read a book, the closer to the end I am, the faster I read. Not this one. I didn't want it to end.
The story to two girls/women and their friendship which begins in childhood and continues into their retirement. The author includes so many of the significant things from history in the story. I highly recommend the book.
August 12, 2014
I usually really enjoy the light sweetness of Debbie Macomber's books. This one is no different. My only complaint was the way she tried to work current events into the letters. It seemed forced, and some of the dates weren't accurate (She put Haley's comet in 1988 at one point). Other than that, it was a light, quick read.
January 5, 2014
Oh wow, I loved, I mean LOVED this book. It was a history lesson and a lesson on human nature, friendship and love. Great book!
January 31, 2019
This story of a lifetime friendship between two women from very different upbringings is told through letters, birth announcements, diary entries, obituaries and later email. Both women are born in 1948 and the book encompasses their lives up through each becoming a grandmother. There's tons of historical references which makes it interesting as you the reader are able to relive those famous moments as well. Truly a novel to embrace and celebrate friendship, support systems, and endurance.
Read
August 14, 2021Oh, how I treasure a good read from Macomber. Wholesome yet not boring! I really like the way she walked through the lives and friendships of the two main characters while also developing others through the book.
May 22, 2024
Thus is the kind of book that just draws you in - The decades long friendship between two women, from school girls to grandmothers - their ups and downs; their joys, and their sorrows. It is a most satisfying journey that is most relatable in emotions -- Draining at times but nourishing as well.
January 14, 2025
I read this book in one day. Growing up in the 60’s gave me the ability to share the memories and emotions of the events as these two friends experienced them. It is written in an unusual way through letters and journals which helps you feel you are a part of their lives. It addresses terrible sorrows where they grieve together and wonderful joys they celebrate. I cried with them and celebrated, too. I recommend this book to anyone, especially those who lived during that time. You will be surprised how feelings long forgotten will rush back to you.
August 14, 2018
I loved the format of this book and every single character in it! It was just a sweet read...
November 9, 2018
Another lovely story of friendship, romance, and family. I truly enjoyed it. Parts dragged a little, but in the end the friendship lasted the test of time. I've always wanted that for myself.
February 11, 2021
I think this is the best book she ever wrote. You just can't stop turning the pages. 2 friends that go thru life together.
June 12, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It made me laugh and more than once it made me cry. It covered a time span in history that I have lived through so it rang bells and brought back memories. The book is a testament to the lifelong friendship of two women who came from very different backgrounds but stood by each other through all the tragedies and Joy's of life. The book was told in a very unique style through announcements, newspaper clippings, journal entries and even emails. Macomber outdid herself with this one!
January 17, 2024
By far my favorite book by DM. It is written as letters, notes, newspaper articles between friends as the go from childhood to later life.
January 28, 2025
I usually don’t care for the author’s books because they are usually not deep enough for me. However, this one was GREAT. I liked the characters and they were true to life I think. One part was a bit over the top but having not been in that situation I’m not sure what I would do.
June 9, 2018
Enjoyable book about the friendship between two friends and the ups and downs of their lives over a span of years.Macomber is a good writer.
June 23, 2021
This is the quintessential Baby Boomer chick lit title!
May 31, 2025
I just loved this book so much
Displaying 1 - 30 of 842 reviews