Woman to Woman

by Cathy Kelly

Best friends Jo Ryan and Aisling Moran have it all. As a fashion journalist with an Irish glossy magazine, Jo has a great career, independence and a drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend. Aisling is deliriously happy with her brilliant editor husband, two beautiful ten-year-old sons and a home she's rag-rolled and stencilled to within an inch of its life. But all that's about to change. One Friday morning, Aisling finds a receipt for expensive lingerie in her husband's suit pocket and Jo finds a blue line on her blue-for-positive pregnancy testing kit...By Friday night, it's all over - or has it only just begun

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Faith, Contemporary, Novels, Spirituality

471 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Born in Belfast but raised in Dublin, Cathy initially worked for thirteen years as a newspaper journalist with a national Irish Sunday newspaper, where she worked in news, features, along with spending time as an agony aunt and the paper’s film critic. However, her overwhelming love was always fiction and she published her first international bestseller, Woman To Woman, in 1997. She did not become a full-time writer until she had written another two books (She’s The One and Never Too Late) and finally decided to leave the world of journalism in 2001, moving to HarperCollins Publishers at the same time.

Someone Like You and What She Wants followed in successive years. Her sixth novel, Just Between Us, was her first Sunday Times number one bestseller, while her eighth novel, Always and Forever, topped the UK bestseller lists in October 2005, displacing Dan Brown and J. K. Rowling. In 2007, Past Secrets in was also a number one paperback bestseller.

Lessons in Heartbreak was shortlisted for the Eason Irish Popular Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in April 2009. In September 2009, Once in a Lifetime topped the UK bestseller lists for three weeks. In March 2011, Homecoming achieved the same feat. Her latest novel is It Started With Paris, published by Orion in 2014.

In Autumn 2011, Cathy headlined a search for a new writer on ITV’s The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

Cathy’s trademark is warm story-telling and she consistently tops the bestseller lists around the world with books which deal with themes ranging from relationships and marriage to depression and loss, but always with an uplifting message and strong female characters at the heart.

Cathy also has a passionate interest in children’s rights and is an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Her role for UNICEF is a Global Parent, which means raising funds and awareness for children orphaned by or living with HIV/AIDs.

She lives with her husband, John, their twin sons, Dylan and Murray, and their three dogs in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

To contact Cathy email info@cathykelly.com

Reviews

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a copyright date of 1959. I love it because it's like being able to step back in time and listen to an elder sister teach us about the Christian life. Eugenia Price (remember the "Savannah" series?) speaks to women from any time or background about living a Christ-centered life, a practice that is important to all Christians, but especially women who have such influence on the people whose lives they touch.

I found Woman to Woman to be very insightful and thought-provoking.

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cathy Kelly doesn't disappoint.

[Roberta Turnquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simple philosophy written in this book saved me hundreds of dollars. No more therapists!

[Emily Gilmore · Rating 2 out of 5]

I first read this book in my mid teens and loved it, so when I found it at my local free library I had to grab it. I can totally see why my younger self enjoyed it (independent career women ✅, job in magazine publishing ✅, ridiculously cheesy romance ✅). Unfortunately, the second time around I was mostly just really, really sad about the 90s obsession with weight, the incessant body shaming and the casually toxic relationship almost every female character had with food. Eat the damn biscuits girls!

[Rachel B · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars

This one has made its way to my permanent shelf - quite the feat, considering I'm a minimalist when it comes to books.

Price examines what our lives will look like if we are truly being controlled by Christ. She uses lots of examples from letters that women have written to her about their problems to explore some of the biggest areas where we women tend to take back control.

What I really love about this book is that Price is constantly pointing women back to Christ - not some self-help regimen or motto.

"A woman's disposition is merely an outward sign of what she really is within. An outward sign of what is predominant within her inner self. If she is predominant there, her disposition shows it. If Christ is predominant there, her disposition shows that, too." (p 25)

"Christ is within us to control our total personalities. But He is above all interested in building our characters and so He never overpowers us by His might. In His love, He waits for us to choose! Each time we choose to let Him be Himself through us, we are being added to at the center of our beings. Being added to by something of the very nature of Christ Himself." (p 26)

There were just a couple places here and there where the prevailing culture shows (the book was written in 1959) and where Price's personal opinions show. (For example, she thinks that women who wear little to no makeup draw just as much undue attention to themselves as women who wear too much, something I just don't agree with.)

Overall, though, a wonderful book that I highly recommend!

[Ashtyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was like hearing advise from a very practical grandma who was a sincere believer. I love how real Price is about her relationship with Christ. She doesn’t over complicate things. She has much wisdom about the importance of having a Christ controlled life as a woman. While this book is over sixty years old, the advice has aged well and was enjoyable, edifying, and convicting to me. Reading this book is like sitting across from a mentor. Give it a try.

[Robyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

what a fluff read, I wanted to slash my wrists. Thus that is why I had to read Steinbeck after.

[Louise Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. It shows that a massive change in life like slipping with long term partner doesn't mean your life is over just a chance to reinvent yourself.

[Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aisling Moran is a dedicated housewife. She whips up gourmet dishes, is careful to stick to the grocery budget, and has devoted her life to taking care of her husband Michael and their twin boys. All that changes when she finds a receipt in Michael's pocket for expensive lingerie that she never received.

Jo Ryan is Aisling's former roommate and a career woman. As fashion editor for a prestigious magazine, she gets to attend exclusive shows and buy designer clothes without worrying about anybody else but herself. All that changes when a pregnancy test turns out to be positive and her boyfriend doesn't want to keep the baby.

Aisling and Jo both have their lives turned upside-down but help one another through their respective crises.

In a world where women are so often pitted against one another, it was refreshing to read a book where they form genuine friendships and give each the support they need. Thank you, Cathy Kelly, for writing two very different characters who still manage to be strong female protagonists.

And although I do love happy-ever-after endings, I appreciate that this story strays from the conventional trope in one aspect. Four stars for this not-completely-typical romance.

[Engin Şenel · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is an one-sided novel; it is so deeply immersed in that single perspective that it opens a fantasy window from within it and drifts far away from reality.

Aisling is a neglected housewife who does not take care of herself. When her husband leaves her, a handsome man finds her attractive, and at that moment the character—previously portrayed as a compliant, harmonious housewife who could never be abandoned—turns into a toxic woman. While she is out with Sam, the man she is seeing, she suddenly decides that it is time for revenge and goes to confront her husband. Coincidentally, the husband turns out to want her back. In the end, this unkempt housewife with two children abandons the handsome, attractive Sam.

Jo, despite repeatedly being told by her boyfriend that he does not want a child, gets pregnant anyway and expects him to accept it. When her boyfriend quite naturally refuses, he is portrayed as the bad guy. She then becomes involved with her charismatic boss, and this middle-aged, long-time bachelor gives up his single life for a pregnant woman.

The narrative stretches plausibility to the point where it no longer feels rooted in lived reality.

[What to read next ....... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh l loved this book such a delightful read, especially this time of year, winter school holidays, curled up with a cup of 🍵 tea.

Honestly at the start of the 📖 book it actually took me a while to get into the story line, but once l got into the characters l could not stop reading.

The story is about two 👩 woman who were room mates in college, Asking and Jo.
They are in their thirties now, and seem happy with their lives, until one 🌃 night their lives change forever.

Asking is married with twin boys, and a stay at home mum, and miserably over weight and unhappy. She finds a receipt of a fancy lingerie store in her husband's pocket, needless to say he was planning and leaving her.

Jo is a high fashion editor and has been in a relationship and becomes pregnant and her boyfriend did not want the responsibilitys of fatherhood and walks away.

Asking and Join and friends help each other overcome the situation and better themselves in many ways.

A feel good book making you proud being a woman, so happy how both characters ended.

Loved the book, worth the read.

[IrishFan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Kathy Kelly's older books, I found it on Thriftbooks.com. As always, entertaining and a fun read. We get to know Jo and Aisling, two girls who have been friends since college. Aisling finds out her husband is cheating and wants out of their marriage, so she has to rejoin the workforce and forge a new life. But she rediscovers herself and gets the best revenge on her ex. Jo finds out she is pregnant and the father wants nothing to do with her or the baby, so she decides to have the baby and also finds love with a man she has been battling for a few years. Fun, quick read, I was sad when it was done.

[Shona · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author. I found it to be a light and easy read, that once I started reading, I wanted to keep reading.
It is about how one can change their life no matter what is put as an obstacle in front of you, that you are strong enough to deal with it. Having good friends helps. I love how mature these 2 ladies are. Aisling Moran and Jo Ryan flat mates in their 20’s but still connected with a strong bond and friendship, each taking on life’s difficulties, surviving and supporting each other.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly took my sweet time picking this up, but it was definitely worth it! Bought for me years ago this was always on my tbr list and I’m really glad I finally moved it to the top. A lovely story about two best friends and their relationships with men, it was funny, relatable and uplifting. I loved Aisling and Jo, Rhona was great and I really liked Mark. An easy enjoyable book that I’m glad to have read.

[Ine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het verhaal gaat direct van start en mist het moment waarop je kennismaakt met de personages. Daardoor het ik niet het gevoel direct ín het verhaal te zitten. Na een tijdje leest het vlot en is het een leuk boek om op een koude winteravond even te ontsnappen aan alle drukte.

[Maria Sena · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mi esta historia no me ha conseguido atrapar .. tanto asi k solo he conseguido llegar a la mitad.
No me engancha y es demasiado lenta

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. Loved the two main characters especially.

[John Milliner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cathy thank you for a wonderful book. It is a story that is interesting all the way through. Your two main characters are well drawn, and we feel sympathy for their predicaments.

[Di · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly this hasn’t aged well at all. Puffed up Mills and Boon.

[Rosemary Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a slow start but then I couldn’t put it down

[jean]

Read years ago

[Ang C · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early book published in the 1990s by prolific writer Cathy Kelly. Set in Dublin best friends Aisling and Jo think they have it all. Aisling is content to be a stay at home mum to 10 year old twin sons , and a supportive wife to newspaper editor husband, Michael. As a journalist on a glossy magazine , Jo is enjoying a great career and independent life style with a gorgeous boyfriend Richard, a photographer. But in a flash that all changes . Aisling finds a receipt for expensive lingerie in her husband’s suit pocket, and Jo finds a positive blue line on her pregnancy testing kit. The fall out from these situations is the theme of the book, as it follows the lives of both women, coping with what the discoveries meant

So a book in the chick lit genre with a tale of friendship with two likeable main characters and a well drawn supporting cast - and of course romance is in the mix. There was not a strong sense of place - to be honest it could have been set anywhere. It was an easy read but at times scenes were so drawn out in such detail and digression, that I almost got bored and tended to skip some passages. My large print edition was over 586 pages long , but it would be a good read for a long train or aeroplane journey.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to fulfill a goal "read a book about christian living". i have started this book many times, and never finished it. this was not because it was boring or hard to understand; but rather because i needed time to work out it's practice in my life. this time i made myself read it straight through. it is a wonderful book. written by a converted Jew, the book stresses the importance of giving your all to Christ and submitting to him in all areas of your life from your disposition, your conscious and subconscious mind, your reputation, your work, your appearance, your married life, your home, the lives of your children, your unmarried life, your friendships, your rebellions, your spiritual life, your understanding of both human and god's nature, and the way you face life and death. as a latter-day saint, each week i promise to always remember the savior when i take the sacrament. If my whole personality is continually submitted i will always remember him because he will always be there with me

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two friends appear to have perfect lives, but then both fall apart and have to be rebuilt. Aisling finds out her high-powered husband is having an affair, and so she has to go back to work to support herself and her twin boys. In doing so, she rediscovers her confidence, loses weight, starts a catering company, and finds and then dumps a hottie. Jo is a glamorous fashion magazine editor with a gorgeous boyfriend, but when she finds out she is pregnant, her boyfriend leaves. She finds herself less obsessed with her appearance, buys a ramshackle cottage she starts to do up, and discovers her too-perfect boss is in love with her. I kept reading to find out what would happen, but it was far too clichéd and perfect for me.

[Nur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woman to Woman by Cathy Kelly is a heartwarming novel that explores the lives and friendships of several women facing different challenges. The story weaves together their experiences as they navigate love, career, and personal growth, showcasing the strength and resilience found in female bonds. Through relatable characters, Kelly addresses important themes such as self-discovery, family dynamics, and the power of support from friends. The writing is engaging and filled with humor, making it an enjoyable read for anyone looking to connect with uplifting stories about women overcoming obstacles together. Overall, Woman to Woman is an inspiring celebration of friendship and the journeys women embark on in their lives.

[Leanne Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow but satisfying read, this is the story of two women who each experience a crisis in their mid-thirties and have to redefine their lives as a result. It’s not deeply intense or profound but it appeals to the reader who is looking for affirmation as a woman. There is lots of attention paid to details of clothing, make-up, food and decor, all of which create a cosy atmosphere and a feel-good flavour. This is the novel that set Cathy Kelly on the path of successful women’s writer and you can see why.

[Tiffany Schepens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nederlandse titel: Zoenoffer. Jo Ryan is een succesvolle modejournaliste. Als ze zwanger wordt laat haar vriend haar vallen. Wat nu? Haar vriendin Aisling wordt in de steek gelaten door haar man voor een jongere vriendin. Na jaren thuis moet Aisling terug een job zoeken en haar tweeling alleen opvoeden. Heel leuk verhaal. Zo goed beschreven dat je de gedachtengangen van de dames kan meevolgen die dan resulteren in grappige situaties.

[Anita Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved every Cathy Kelly book I have ever read. This is her first novel, originally published in the '90's. As in many of Cathy's books, the main characters are strong, likable women in their 30's whose lives are thrown into a tailspin by a man. Jo Ryan and Aisling Moran, best friends, are intelligent, feisty, kind and funny and I couldn't wait to hear their latest news.

The writing was a little less polished than her later books but it was also published by a different company.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made a huge impact on me the first time I read it. It opened my eyes to how we each can make a very real difference in the lives of others by submitting the various aspects of our characters and personalities to God.