A novel about love and support, and learning that with enduring friendships, no woman is ever alone.
Robin Sinclair is young, determined, and has a promising career at a small publishing house in Seattle. Even though she considers herself unlucky in love, Robin still dreams of eventually meeting Mr. Right and having a happily-ever-after kind of life. And at twenty-five, the world of opportunity is wide. But it’s been a difficult year filled with trials…and it’s only just begun.
While long-time friendships are finally on the mend, and things are starting to look up again, Robin is faced with her biggest challenge yet. She’s single and pregnant.
Uncertain now of her future and scared of being alone, Robin must re-examine her life and choices, and summon the courage to step up.
With the love and support of her best girlfriends from college, especially her best friend and roommate, Lara, Robin will learn that when the going gets tough, the best of friends become family. And, perhaps, with their encouragement, Robin can mature and gain the confidence needed to become a single mother. And, who knows about being unlucky in love. Things are suddenly getting interesting with Robin’s attractive co-worker, Bobby.
This is an endearing story about maturity and perseverance. It’s a story about friends coming together as family, about finding the strength within and around, and about writing your own happily-ever-after. About what happens when girlfriends step up.
Savannah Page is the author of Everything the Heart Wants, A Sister's Place, and the When Girlfriends series, heartfelt women's fiction. Sprinkled with drama and humor, her writing celebrates friendship, love, and life.
A native Southern Californian, Savannah lives in Berlin, Germany, with her husband, their goldendoodle, and her collection of books.
Read the first few paragraphs and had to put the book down. The main character sleeps with her best friend's boyfriend when she was drunk and months later, all is forgiven (but the boyfriend gets dumped and consider as a jerk). How about some equality here? Takes two to tango, why is one forgiven and the other not? And why is "I-was-drunk" ever a good excuse for your actions? Might as well be reading a book about how unicorns fart rainbows for how realistic this book is.
I have to admit I was a bit hesitant to give this book a try. I did not care for book one in the series, and with this being the story of the girlfriend, Robin, who cheated with her girlfriend's boyfriend, Brandon, (phew that is a mouthful!) and now is knocked up from said boyfriend I was unsure how I would enjoy the story. And part of that is me - I would never be able to forgive a friend for sleeping with my significant other. I may get to the point where I could be in the same room as them and not be mean, but we would never be real friends again. So I was curious how I would feel about this one.
Now when I started I was instantly wrapped up in the story. It was just fun! The girlfriends are way different than me and my friends (I am not letting my pregnant friend move in and be okay living with a baby once it comes is not for me), but I love how they are there for each other. How they have each other's backs and help however they can. They don't always make the same decisions I would, or do what I think they should, but they are who they are. Robin regrets what happened so so much, but the new baby on the way is also exciting. She is going to be a mom and trying to figure everything out because that is a lot. Plus some new potential loves and it was a fun read.
I am glad I gave the author another try and this book was a step up from the first one. The writing, the story, everything I enjoyed so much more. I can't wait to see what happens in book 3!
I love this series and these best friends so much! The 2nd book in the series definitely does not disappoints while baby Rose makes her appearance! I love these best girlfriends and their super relatable life stories. Savannah Page will always be my favorite chick-lit author!
Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. It was a good addition (book #2) to the When Girlfriends… series. But I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first book.
***This review will contain at least one SPOILER for those of you who haven’t read When Girlfriends Break Hearts (which you should read, by the way!)***
The relationships in When Girlfriends Break Hearts were more real to me than they were in When Girlfriends Step Up. I just can’t imagine a group of late-twenty-something, single women going to the lengths that they went to when one of their own is expecting a child. Sophie’s reaction is the most unbelievable to me. How can a young woman be so behind the person that slept with her boyfriend and who is now carrying his child? I just can’t imagine that ever happening. Lara offering for Robin and the baby to move in with her? I don’t think any of my friends would have done that. And Bobby? That’s the hardest to believe. I’m glad about everything that happened there – very glad – but it’s unbelievable.
With that said, the story was a good pick up from where When Girlfriends Break Hearts left off. It continued telling us about the lives of the six friends. Robin and Lara seemed to be the two main characters with Robin being the clear lead. I liked Robin. It was fun watching her go through her pregnancy and learning what she could and could not do, eat, drink, etc. I’ve had three kids, I know what that feels like. It was funny to read it because I wanted to give her advice.
The girlfriends were there for each other through every part of Robin’s pregnancy. From finding out to telling the father to the birth and the baby’s one month birthday party. They are an amazing group of young women who share a special bond. You can be envious of their friendship. I could only wish to have had friends like hers. I felt bad for Lara throughout the book. She seems to really want a man in her life, a romantic relationship. I hope she finds someone in the future books.
In the end, this book just wasn’t as good as the first book. There was a lot of repeating between the monologue/narration of Robin and the subsequent dialogue. Sometimes that made it difficult to read because I thought I was rereading what I had already read. Some of the dialogue between the girlfriends seemed forced. But once you get beyond that, it was a sweet story with a happy ending.
Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book to anyone who read When Girlfriends Break Hearts, and to anyone who likes a good chick lit read.
Will I read it again: I will not read When Girlfriends Step Up. I may read the first book, When Girlfriends Break Hearts, again but not this one. I can’t wait to read books 3 (When Girlfriends Make Choices) and 4 (When Girlfriends Chase Dreams)! Be on the look out for those reviews in the next few weeks.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
"But, I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour. I'll be there for you, like I've been there before. I'll be there for you, cause you're there for me too." - I'll Be There for You by the Rembrandts - Friends Theme
Twenty-five year old Robin Sinclair works at a small publishing house in Seattle. She thinks that she is unlucky at love but believes that Mr. Right is still out there, and she has a great core of girlfriends to lean on ... and boy is she going to need them when she finds out that she is pregnant after a one night stand! Single, pregnant and unsure of what the future will hold, Robin relies on her five girlfriends: Sophie, Claire, Lara, Emily, and Jackie to lend support during her pregnancy. Robin's journey of self-discovery will teach her life lessons, show her how valuable good friends really are, and might even bring Mr. Right in the form of a co-worker her way!
When Girlfriends Step Up is a lighthearted and fun story about friendships that will provide the reader with a warm and fuzzy feeling. In the second installment of the When Girlfriends ... collection, author Savannah Page weaves a wonderful tale about the beauty and dynamics that make up friendships. Written in the first person narrative, the reader follows Robin's journey of being single and pregnant, learning life lessons, and finding out the meaning of true friendship when her five girlfriends rally around her at a time when she needs them the most.
This sweet story provides a message with a gentle reminder that friends may come and go, but a true core group of girlfriends will always be with you through thick and thin, good and bad times, to always give their love and support. This is a truly enjoyable read that is witty, humorous and emotional, it draws you in from the beginning and keeps you enthralled to the end.
I loved how Robin and her five girlfriends dealt with a variety of life issues with a mixture of friendship, love and forgiveness. Friends help each other grow and teach each other the beauty of what it truly means to be friends.
With a lovable cast of characters; quirky dialogue and interactions; and a realistic storyline about friendships that any group of girlfriends can relate to; When Girlfriends Step Up is a wonderful story that shows how priceless the bond of friendships are to everyone, especially girlfriends!
When Girlfriends Step Up is the second book in the When Girlfriends ... collection.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.
I received a copy of When Girlfriends Step Up by Savannah Page in exchange for an honest review.
When Girlfriends Step Up follows the tale of Robin Sinclair, a determined young lady embarking on a small publishing house in Seattle. Unlucky in love in the past, she is optimistic about her luck in the future and hopes to one day meet Mr. Right. But, so far he hasn’t turned up and her year only seems to be getting worse when she finds out that she is pregnant. Uncertain of what will happen, she turns to her girlfriends and they really step up when things start to get tough for Robin. She slowly finds her footing in the realm of single motherhood and that is when she stumbles into an attractive co-worker named Bobby and sparks fly. Will she finally meet the one? And will things ever turn around for Robin?
I really enjoyed this book. Early on it seems as though Robin has all the odds stacked against her, but I absolutely loved watching her mature and grow into a strong, confident woman. This book shows real courage and strength from Robin and I loved her relationships with her closest gal pals. I think this book definitely touched on a lot of important topics and many which I have seen some of my own girlfriends struggle with. Overall, this book conveys a good message and I appreciated it because I don’t see that happen often much these days. There were a few hiccups here and there but I would still give this book a high rating.
I received a copy for this novel from the author through CLP Blog Tours, in exchange for my honest opinion, and participation in the tour. Before I read this novel, I wanted to read the first novel in the series, but I ran out of time. Although I haven't read When Girlfriends Break Hearts, it didn't change my opinion of this novel, and I do plan on reading that book as well. The novel begins with Robin Sinclair trying to figure out a name for her latest painting, and we find out that she and her girlfriends are going to be celebrating her child's one month birthday. The story rewinds to when Robin first finds out she's pregnant, the moment her life changes forever. Robin's girlfriends: Sophie, Lara, Jackie, Claire, and Emily support Robin and her pregnancy, when it seems like no one else in her life will. I absolutely loved this book; I thought it was very cute and the definition as to what friendship really means. However, I do wish that Emily would've been a bit more present in the novel; I found it hard to connect with her because she was rarely there. Also, at times, Jackie came off as a bit selfish, but then at other times, she'd be this really cool party animal. Overall, I loved this novel, and I can't wait to read the other novels in this series!
Savannah Page is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and When Girlfriends Step Up. This book is just my cup of tea, and I’m so excited to see that there will be a series following the friends. The first introduces us to Robin, Sophie, Claire, Lara, Emily, and Jackie. We follow along with Robin, who is twenty-five and works in a small publishing house in Seattle. A colossal mistake almost cost her a friendship, but her life gets even more rocked when she finds out she is pregnant from a one-night stand. Her group of girls rally around her during the pregnancy, and she even thinks she might have found Mr. Right in a co-worker.
When Girlfriends Step Up is such a good story. I love books about good, solid friendships, and this one really hit the spot. With Robin’s mistake I almost wondered if the friendships could stay intact, and it was really refreshing to read about the forgiveness between the women, because usually it’s just the opposite. I loved reading about all the girls, and I’m excited to read the next book in the series, When Girlfriends Make Choices. I highly recommend you check out these novels from Savannah Page! **4.5 stars**
I didn't read the first in the series I only found out it was a series part after I started reading it. That said it is a book that can also stand on it's own very well.
This was a very heart warming and great book. I enjoyed the story as whole and I was very glad that our main character Robin found love but what I loved even more was the love and support between her and her girlfriends. It seems to me that in today's society to many times women are competitive with one another and not as supportive and friend like as they should and could be. I know I myself don't have as many female friends as I would like. So this story settled well with me and I enjoyed the story of how supportive these women were. The book itself flows very well together and makes the story all the more enjoyable. I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a good chic lit and a very lovely story.
Girlfriends that don't leave when you need them most. The ones who don't judge when you need a shoulder to cry. This book is about five female friends that support and cheer each other on regardless of the issues they are facing. Think Sex in the City but with a bit of suburbia living thrown in. A great page turner I couldn't put down for very long. Can't wait to read the next installment in the series.
When Girlfriends Step Up by Savannah Page was an easy and enjoyable read. The story is about a girl who is unlucky in love and finds herself unexpectedly pregnant. The story goes through her pregnancy and shows the love and support she receives from her friends. It was a good book about the bonds of friendship and how the support and love of friends can affect your attitude and outlook on what is happening in your life.
Well I never...I actually liked this book! It was a nice simple chick lit, with some humour in it too. It was written better than the first one and the story line was nice and simple to follow. I was able to get abetter feel for the characters in this book as it was purely based on one girls whinging about a break up. I really liked the main character, Robin, and you also got a good feel for some of the other characters as well. I really enjoyed this, a big 'Step Up' from the first one.
Another solid book in this series! I enjoyed this one as well although it did seem to drag along more than the first book. The characters are so enjoyable and easy to connect with. This was a great mixture of girlfriends, babies, work and boys. I'm looking forward to reading the next book I'm the series!
I thought this was a great book about friendship and the struggles they help each other through. It was a good light hearted read. The characters were well developed and easy to connect with. I didn't realize this book was part of a series. It was well written and I didn't feel lost with it being part of a series. Now I want to read the other books.
Great book about the awesome relationship between college friends who have remained close after their undergrad years. Included is the drama when one girl who slept with another friend's boyfriend. Friendships get mended and an unplanned pregnancy develops.
This was a very cute book! It is about the fabulous friendships that Robin and her friends have with each other! They are quirky, fun, energetic, and close! I would highly recommend this book to anyone, including my own friends!
well to me this was an really cute book.. I laughed throughout the book and it had a very good ending to it.. It was an easy read book. and one that I wanted to keep reading .. Its awesome if one have friends like these !!
I really enjoyed this book. My only issue with it was the use of the term 'girl' when the friends were speaking to each other. It was used so often it got annoying. The story was engaging enough that I could overlook it but I don't think I'd read another book from this series.
This was a good hearty story about love, forgivness and most of all friendships! outlined how good friendships can be and are needed in ones life. Great read!!
This novel reminded me somewhat of three girls and a baby. I really enjoyed reading this book-not a dull moment. Unfortunately there was some editing g mistakes & some langue but overall the book was hard to put down. It was a nice read.
54% - Simple. That's the best word I can come up with to describe this book. Far from realistic. The plot/story line had potential, it's just soooo poorly written. Should be a YA book.
70% - And what's so wrong with a little pot now and then? Uptight, plain crappy author.
The believability factor in these books is too far fetched. Everyone can forgive an affair with a boyfriend and rally around the unexpectedly pregnant home wrecker? Not in my universe! The first book was ok but this one pushed the limit