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Playdate
“Adams is that rare writer who sends out every laugh with a sting in its tail. Most novels fade from the memory. This one sticks.”—Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Inside their picture-perfect homes, the residents of this quiet California suburb are not at all what they seem.
Lance is a former weatherman, now a buff yogi, stay-athome dad, and manager of his daughter’s Girl Scout troop’s cookie distribution. Belle is his precocious and quick-witted daughter. Darlene is a classic Type A work-a-holic, she has little time or patience for the needs of her husband and daughter
And just down the street are Alec and Wren. Alec, a womanizing businessman, is also the financial backer—and sometimes more—behind Darlene’s burgeoning empire. Meanwhile, Wren is a doting mother and talented yogi, ready to lay down the mat for a quick session with Lance.
As looming Santa Ana winds threaten to turn brushfires into catastrophe; Playdate proves that relationships are complicated and the bonds between families, spouses and children are never quite what they seem. What happens next door, beyond the hedges, in the romper room and executive office—it’s all as combustible as a quick brushfire on a windy day.
Inside their picture-perfect homes, the residents of this quiet California suburb are not at all what they seem.
Lance is a former weatherman, now a buff yogi, stay-athome dad, and manager of his daughter’s Girl Scout troop’s cookie distribution. Belle is his precocious and quick-witted daughter. Darlene is a classic Type A work-a-holic, she has little time or patience for the needs of her husband and daughter
And just down the street are Alec and Wren. Alec, a womanizing businessman, is also the financial backer—and sometimes more—behind Darlene’s burgeoning empire. Meanwhile, Wren is a doting mother and talented yogi, ready to lay down the mat for a quick session with Lance.
As looming Santa Ana winds threaten to turn brushfires into catastrophe; Playdate proves that relationships are complicated and the bonds between families, spouses and children are never quite what they seem. What happens next door, beyond the hedges, in the romper room and executive office—it’s all as combustible as a quick brushfire on a windy day.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 2011
9 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Thelma Adams
5 books189 followersThelma Adams is the author of the best selling historical novel The Last Woman Standing and Playdate, which Oprah magazine described as "a witty debut novel." In addition to her fiction work, Adams is a prominent American film critic and an outspoken voice in the Hollywood community. She has been the in-house film critic for Us Weekly and The New York Post, and has written essays, celebrity profiles and reviews for Yahoo! Movies,The New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Parade, Marie Claire and The Huffington Post. Adams studied history at the University of California, Berkeley, where she was valedictorian, and received her MFA from Columbia University. She lives in upstate New York with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
November 28, 2010
I have mixed feelings on this book. I enjoyed the message which basically is it doesn't matter who raises the kids, all the jobs are important but they go hand in hand. It isn't just the moms who are important it is the dads too. This life is one big puzzle and we need all the pieces.
However the affairs and the way the kids were just pushed through the book really didn't catch my fancy too much. Maybe this book is just too modern for me. I didn't think I would get through it, I made it halfway and thought this isn't bad and then the last 30 pages I wanted to scream enough already. Half the words seemed like nonsense to me.
No one really had any depth to them, because if they did, they wouldn't be in those situations! All the guys except for Lance were painted as jerks, which today's society says they are if they go out and work for a living they are like cavemen. Which isn't true.
My review seems a bit harsh but I couldn't give a everything-is-awesome in this book. I am relieved it is over and I can move on to other things!
However the affairs and the way the kids were just pushed through the book really didn't catch my fancy too much. Maybe this book is just too modern for me. I didn't think I would get through it, I made it halfway and thought this isn't bad and then the last 30 pages I wanted to scream enough already. Half the words seemed like nonsense to me.
No one really had any depth to them, because if they did, they wouldn't be in those situations! All the guys except for Lance were painted as jerks, which today's society says they are if they go out and work for a living they are like cavemen. Which isn't true.
My review seems a bit harsh but I couldn't give a everything-is-awesome in this book. I am relieved it is over and I can move on to other things!
July 14, 2011
Hello. I hated these characters. Don't people feel guilty about cheating anymore? Lance didn't seem to feel much guilt at all. What if Wren was having his baby? He didn't seem to care to investigate.
The characters in this book were not likable except for the children.
I was disappointed that no one got caught. Everything just ended perfectly on a perfect day......barf.
I'm using the book for book club. I'm sure it will be a good discussion, but I would had chucked it across the room if it wasn't for book club.
The characters in this book were not likable except for the children.
I was disappointed that no one got caught. Everything just ended perfectly on a perfect day......barf.
I'm using the book for book club. I'm sure it will be a good discussion, but I would had chucked it across the room if it wasn't for book club.
May 18, 2013
This novel basically takes Tom Perrota's "Little Children" and fashions the same storyline into something more blatantly obvious and cliche. The message was often spelled out across the page and the major conflict of care-giving fathers seemed overly dramatized.
I didn't hate this book, but I often found myself cringing at parts of it-- not just at the morality play philosophizing of it but also some of the descriptive writing was cloying and garish. Now, I am a huge fan of ornate detail, give me Virgina Wolff or Zadie Smith any day, but some of the similes went well over the top and some made absolutely no sense. The bit by bit clothing and furnishing listing was way too extensive at the beginning-- I don't need to know exactly what Darlene wears in every scene. And there seems to be symbolism all over the place but nothing is ever followed through on this account-- in the first 9 chapters you can go nary a page without reading that something is the color orange, which I guess could be linked with the Witch Creek Wild Fire but overall it just seemed like the author had a bit of an orange fetish. The dialogue was often disjoint with how people talk, 11-year-olds are not so witty and astute, and every conversation does not have to end with a Gilmore Girls style quip.
All the sex and adultery became unbelievable by a third of the way through. I can't imagine every character with a vagina is willing to drop panty for Lance and that sexual advances could be made so openly at dinner parties and in schoolyard driveways.
I felt the characters were static and like the Barbies in Belle's dollhouse were manipulated into acting out stocky, over-the-top scenes.
Despite my criticisms, it is a fine book to read if you are at the beach or trapped in the apartment by hurricane Sandy.
I didn't hate this book, but I often found myself cringing at parts of it-- not just at the morality play philosophizing of it but also some of the descriptive writing was cloying and garish. Now, I am a huge fan of ornate detail, give me Virgina Wolff or Zadie Smith any day, but some of the similes went well over the top and some made absolutely no sense. The bit by bit clothing and furnishing listing was way too extensive at the beginning-- I don't need to know exactly what Darlene wears in every scene. And there seems to be symbolism all over the place but nothing is ever followed through on this account-- in the first 9 chapters you can go nary a page without reading that something is the color orange, which I guess could be linked with the Witch Creek Wild Fire but overall it just seemed like the author had a bit of an orange fetish. The dialogue was often disjoint with how people talk, 11-year-olds are not so witty and astute, and every conversation does not have to end with a Gilmore Girls style quip.
All the sex and adultery became unbelievable by a third of the way through. I can't imagine every character with a vagina is willing to drop panty for Lance and that sexual advances could be made so openly at dinner parties and in schoolyard driveways.
I felt the characters were static and like the Barbies in Belle's dollhouse were manipulated into acting out stocky, over-the-top scenes.
Despite my criticisms, it is a fine book to read if you are at the beach or trapped in the apartment by hurricane Sandy.
December 8, 2010
Lance is a former weatherman turned house-husband. His wife, Darlene, is busy opening up the first in what could be a chain of new restaurants targeted at working mothers.
The two have one child, sixth grader Belle. They're considering having more and while Lance is excited, Darlene may not be as enthusiastic. She's so driven by her job and starting up her business that she is slowly becoming disconnected from Lance and Belle. Meanwhile, Lance is connecting with other women in his life, included the wife of Darlene's business partner and Julia, the babysitter who watches over the kids of the wife Lance is having an affair with.
Apparently, being the king of the Girl Scout cookies is quite the turn-on for some of the ladies in Lance's life.
If it all sounds a bit complicated, it can be at times. But you won't have any trouble keeping up with things in the story. Told over the course of three days, Thelma Adams' "Playdate" fills in enough of the details to keep you interested but it doesn't really break any new ground. The main question the novel ponders is how much do we all what we do to define a person or persons. The story could have been a bit better if had actually delved a bit deeper into the questions asked here, but the novel instead goes for humorous moments and brings everything together in a nice, neatly wrapped romantic comedy package in the final pages.
The two have one child, sixth grader Belle. They're considering having more and while Lance is excited, Darlene may not be as enthusiastic. She's so driven by her job and starting up her business that she is slowly becoming disconnected from Lance and Belle. Meanwhile, Lance is connecting with other women in his life, included the wife of Darlene's business partner and Julia, the babysitter who watches over the kids of the wife Lance is having an affair with.
Apparently, being the king of the Girl Scout cookies is quite the turn-on for some of the ladies in Lance's life.
If it all sounds a bit complicated, it can be at times. But you won't have any trouble keeping up with things in the story. Told over the course of three days, Thelma Adams' "Playdate" fills in enough of the details to keep you interested but it doesn't really break any new ground. The main question the novel ponders is how much do we all what we do to define a person or persons. The story could have been a bit better if had actually delved a bit deeper into the questions asked here, but the novel instead goes for humorous moments and brings everything together in a nice, neatly wrapped romantic comedy package in the final pages.
January 19, 2011
Playdate by Thelma Adams
Meet Lance and Darlene Ramsay and . A middle class, suburban California couple with a ten year old (going on 40) daughter. The Ramsay family has recently moved from the desert town of Barstow to a lovely middle class neighborhood. Lance has left the business of being a weatherman to become a house husband and Darlene is on the verge of opening her first restaurant in what she hope becomes a chain that will give Ihop a run for it’s money. Lance is, although he will not admit it; dissatisfied with his life and has become the stud of their community. Tantric sex and a lot of Zen abound in a book that is about absolutely nothing other than the fact that it shows just how selfish and fool hardy these families are. I can see that the author is trying to make fun of the modern family, but this book doesn’t come off as funny. It just comes off as being pathetic. None of the characters are ones that I can have any feelings for. I just could not work up anything for this book. I do have one question…do ten year old girls really talk as if they are a bored with life forty year old?
If you are still curious after all the reviews here about this book, take it out from the library as you will be sure to find that it will not be a “keeper” to be read over and over. Save a tree and your cash and stay away from “Playdate”.
Meet Lance and Darlene Ramsay and . A middle class, suburban California couple with a ten year old (going on 40) daughter. The Ramsay family has recently moved from the desert town of Barstow to a lovely middle class neighborhood. Lance has left the business of being a weatherman to become a house husband and Darlene is on the verge of opening her first restaurant in what she hope becomes a chain that will give Ihop a run for it’s money. Lance is, although he will not admit it; dissatisfied with his life and has become the stud of their community. Tantric sex and a lot of Zen abound in a book that is about absolutely nothing other than the fact that it shows just how selfish and fool hardy these families are. I can see that the author is trying to make fun of the modern family, but this book doesn’t come off as funny. It just comes off as being pathetic. None of the characters are ones that I can have any feelings for. I just could not work up anything for this book. I do have one question…do ten year old girls really talk as if they are a bored with life forty year old?
If you are still curious after all the reviews here about this book, take it out from the library as you will be sure to find that it will not be a “keeper” to be read over and over. Save a tree and your cash and stay away from “Playdate”.
June 11, 2013
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. It’s billed as a “satirical romp” and I love a good satirical romp. However, about three paragraphs in I discovered the little (teensy tiny) beachside town the author is skewering is my own! Yikes!
Still, I loved this. It absolutely pokes fun but has a surprising amount of heart. I love, love, loved tweener Belle and the relationship she has with her father. Maybe, as a mother of two daughters who are very close to their dad, this is more keenly felt for me than it might be for others. Also I loved the precociousness of Belle. Many reviewers take issue with this and I don’t for several reasons. One, I have some precocious kids of my own so the voice is totally believable. Two, Gilmore Girls is my favorite television show (comparisons are made like this is an insult). Three, I think the daughter is supposed to appear more grownup and mature than the parents. Is that not the whole point?
I also thought the author did an excellent job of both poking fun at and lending heart to the whole stay at home-work out of the home struggle. Very well done, and extremely funny to boot. A lot of comparisons made to Little Children but I liked this better.
Still, I loved this. It absolutely pokes fun but has a surprising amount of heart. I love, love, loved tweener Belle and the relationship she has with her father. Maybe, as a mother of two daughters who are very close to their dad, this is more keenly felt for me than it might be for others. Also I loved the precociousness of Belle. Many reviewers take issue with this and I don’t for several reasons. One, I have some precocious kids of my own so the voice is totally believable. Two, Gilmore Girls is my favorite television show (comparisons are made like this is an insult). Three, I think the daughter is supposed to appear more grownup and mature than the parents. Is that not the whole point?
I also thought the author did an excellent job of both poking fun at and lending heart to the whole stay at home-work out of the home struggle. Very well done, and extremely funny to boot. A lot of comparisons made to Little Children but I liked this better.
February 26, 2011
Thanks First Reads for the win! Things are not what you may think with these couples and their familes. Liked the book and the book jacket crackes me up. Happy I was able to read this book.
March 6, 2011
I love this book. Thelma Adams is a very witty writer and the story rings too true.A very enjoyable read.
March 14, 2011
Light and fluffy. Would have been a good beach read if it had been summertime.
April 20, 2011
This book was so much FUN and also gritty and real. Great read. Funny, contemplating real issues- really well paced.
June 7, 2012
Playdate
Thelma Adams
What happens when you and your husband are in an intimate position and your sixth grade daughter walks into the room? Even better what happens when she lashes out at her mother because she thinks she is strangling her father? What happens when one little girl is totally resentful of having to move from her home leaving all of her friends and having to go to a new school? Belle hates where she lives and no matter how hard she tries and how many bribes her mother puts in front of her nothing will ever make her love where she lives. Even more she dislikes and says it out loud her mother. The deep resentment shines through and this very bright no holds barred little girl does not mince her words when expressing her thoughts. Her father is her idol, her Adonis her best friend and the conversations they have about life, sex and relationships will definitely surprise the reader and Lance her father who is trying to be a great stay at home dad, husband, volunteer and much more. The Santa Ana winds are about to kick up in more ways than one as author Thelma Adams takes the reader on an inside tour of the Encinitas where things get hot and heated and not just the wild fires.
Straightforward, outspoken and definitely wise beyond her years, Belle’s caught in an intricate web between her father and mother who seem to want to recapture their youth, focused on their own needs and at times forget she is there. Never asking her opinion of what she would like for a birthday bash, Darlene, her perfectly manicured mom planned it around the reason they moved to this town which is the opening of her state of the art new diner. Adding balloons, Barbie decorations and more she decided to make it a double celebration without asking Belle for her thoughts. Lance’s primary role is to take care of all matters at home, deal with Belle, the babysitter and deliver the Girl Scout cookies. But, there is much more that the author shares with the reader such as the back-stories for each character allowing you to get to know them better.
Lance grew up as the man of the house when his parents separated. Darlene seems to treat life and its many situations as board meetings discussing the future outcomes and productivity of each event that has to be preplanned and perfectly orchestrated. The many back-stories are interesting and the author even includes Lance’s parents to help you learn more about him.
Playdate is about relationships, trust, betrayals, fear, vulnerability and passions ignited through vividly described situations encountered by each character and created by the author all becoming explosive in some way and igniting when the Santa Ana fires take control of their world. Added into the mix are two other players Alex and Wren Marker each playing a different role than expected in Lance and Darlene’s lives. Alex her business partner and much more and Wren who enjoys a romp in the sack Tantric style with Lance and then there is Julia the babysitter. Julia has a definite thing for Lance as we learn and yet she is amazing with Belle helping her come to terms with her feelings about her party and along with her close friend Sam, who happens to be Alex’s son, she expresses her true feelings about a lot of things bothering her.
The fires are starting to spread and the severity increased and the causes many. Discussing the diner Alex brings to light what is needed to create a unique image for her diner. But, when the winds are mentioned he does not take it seriously when Darlene expresses her concern. Darlene is caught up in her life in Encinitas and disregards the importance of her marriage and her daughter while meeting with Alex. Extensive hours spent leading up to the grand opening of her new restaurant hoping it will be an upscale place patterned after her café in Barstow. But, when things get out of hand and her focus in dimmed by her own concerns what will happen to her relationship with Lance and Belle? Belle seems to be floundering in relation to the other kids and Lance seems to have lost his niche with other men who as Belle’s not so wonderful friend said infer are defined by their jobs, which sets their value, and worth. Belle and Lance share their banter, inside stories and definite connection with the reader. She is the one major bright spot in this novel.
Darlene and Alex share lunch as the author allows Alex to share some insight into Darlene’s personality. Darlene appears to be competitive in everything she does and with everyone. Never wanting to share her day with anyone or asked by her husband. Stating she misses the connection she once had with Lance. But, whose fault is that when you are not paying attention?
When Belle gets up in front of her class and her humorless teacher to present her report what happens will definitely enlighten the reader to those who should not become or be educators and to students caught up in status and not friendships. When Belle elaborates about her Dad’s accomplishments at home it gets lost in the shuffle not only to the other students but the teacher too. Then, Lance recounts his childhood and we begin to understand why he wants something different for Belle. The sad part is Belle is a great kid whose individuality should have been embraced by others but was cast aside because she was trying to be herself. Her father was cast aside because he did not have what most people would state” a real job.” Sad what society does to people and how they judge them!
The fires were increasing and the possibility that they might need to evacuate and cancel the opening and the party a consideration. An interesting party comprised of guests that her mother and Alec invited with only a few that she might identify with. The conversation centered on marriages, expectations and more. Realities come to light and both Darlene and Alec learn some harsh truths. When the conversation really heats up just like the fires Lance is defended by an unlikely source as the discussion centers around marriage, work and appreciating someone for what they do and who they are.
Told within three days the first two dealing with relationships, school and a revelation made by Wren to Lance the final day which is Saturday will unravel more than just each couple as Belle gets ready for the big opening and her party. Would it be what she expected or would it focus on her mother? What about the end result revealed for Wren and Lance? What Darlene learns next just might open her eyes to the truth behind Alec’s help and his real motive. What will she do and how will she convince Belle that the party was really for her? The ending will definitely surprise the reader and the final outcome you won’t expect.
Relationships are tested and one young girl named Belle stands tall and what she does just might cause her own fires to burn and spark the embers for her parents and many others. What happens when the fires hit home? Whose homes will be affected and will anything ever be the same? Will Lance and Darlene face the truth about their marriage and will Darlene see the light before it is too late? Read Playdate to find out just how author Thelma Adams brings it all together to an explosive conclusion that will make you really think. What is the true worth of a person? Money: Power: Job status or who they are? You decide after reading this great novel.
Fran Lewis: reviewer
Let’s give this book: FIVE BELLES
May 23, 2018
Hands down the worst book I've read in a decade (albeit fantastic for jury duty, since it requires no concentration at all). Wooden characters, so much tell-don't-show, a sappy ending, and an author with absolutely no sense of what a 10-year old sounds like. Terrible.
May 28, 2018
Made it about 2 chapters in and determined this book was not for me. Maybe I should have given it a bit more time to come around but from the first paragraphs I could tell the characters were going to grate on me. The writing also seemed choppy.
Sorry but DNF.
Sorry but DNF.
November 26, 2022
The writing is lyrical, sometimes overly descriptive. And not much really happens in this book. However, it’s real. Real people going through real stuff. Honestly I wasn’t sure how I’d rate it until the very end. I think I’m glad I read it.
February 15, 2022
Bad. So bad. I'm sad I wasted the time. I almost fell asleep reading this book multiple times.
March 29, 2011
Forthright, funny in places, and at times frightening both emotionally and physically, Playdate is a subtly disquieting domestic drama that lures the reader into Encinitas on the Pacific coast where life has a materialist, status symbols culture and monogamy is not a prized concept. The Ramseys, Lance, Darlene, and Belle, newcomers from Barstow, are awash with new experiences in this upscale community.
Darlene, in her element in Encinitas, gives little thought to how her husband and daughter are coping. Darlene glows with vitality and restless energy as she and her new partner Alec Marker work long hours before the grand opening of their new restaurant, an upscale place modeled after her little café in Barstow. Totally wrapped up in herself, she has limited time with her family.
Lance had been the weatherman in Barstow, not a high paying job but it fit his life style. He had prestige and a sense of being part of the community. A go-with-the-flow person, he has a quiet harmony with their daughter Belle, a harmony that Darlene could never find. Unable to find a job in Encinitas, Lance becomes a stay-at-home dad (he appreciates the title “househusband” about as much as a woman appreciates “housewife”). Like Belle who has lost her place in the children’s culture, he has lost his place in the culture of men who are valued and identified by their job, career, or profession. They both feel like they are at the bottom of the food chain. As he and Belle cope with changes, their witty, inside- type exchanges make the story sparkle with that very special connection they have.
The Ramseys, once a tight-knit unit of love, find their closeness coming unraveled. They flounder. Belle must deal with the rich, powerful bully girl Jade and with her despicable teacher who devalues her and her giftedness. Darlene learns her partner Alec is a user and she wants back her connection with her husband and daughter that she let slip away in her zeal to reach her materialist, egoistic dreams. Lance, in his new environment that is made up of mothers, children, and household managing, connects with Wren, Alec’s Marker’s wife. He works as a volunteer at school and with Girl Scouts. His life reminds one of something seen in “Desperate Housewives”.
Several secondary characters interact with the main characters to propel the story along. Wren Marker is the most complex and interesting. She and eleven-year-old Belle have sub plots of their own that touch the heart.
Thelma Adams has a remarkable writing style that is full of wonderful imagery, thought provoking metaphors, and descriptions that bring the setting and action to life. Her ability to weave in the back stories that influenced the main characters personalities, the influence of the Santa Ana winds, and different ethnic cultures makes a tantalizing tale. She holds modern society and its values up to a bright light for the reader to examine. Her style is witty, entertaining, insightful, and accepting of humans and their foibles. She weaves in a muted undercurrent that reminds the reader of what is truly worthwhile in life and how it can slip away if not nurtured.
Playdate is hard to put down once started. I stayed up late and was rewarded with a happy-ever-after that looked impossible for much of the story.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
Darlene, in her element in Encinitas, gives little thought to how her husband and daughter are coping. Darlene glows with vitality and restless energy as she and her new partner Alec Marker work long hours before the grand opening of their new restaurant, an upscale place modeled after her little café in Barstow. Totally wrapped up in herself, she has limited time with her family.
Lance had been the weatherman in Barstow, not a high paying job but it fit his life style. He had prestige and a sense of being part of the community. A go-with-the-flow person, he has a quiet harmony with their daughter Belle, a harmony that Darlene could never find. Unable to find a job in Encinitas, Lance becomes a stay-at-home dad (he appreciates the title “househusband” about as much as a woman appreciates “housewife”). Like Belle who has lost her place in the children’s culture, he has lost his place in the culture of men who are valued and identified by their job, career, or profession. They both feel like they are at the bottom of the food chain. As he and Belle cope with changes, their witty, inside- type exchanges make the story sparkle with that very special connection they have.
The Ramseys, once a tight-knit unit of love, find their closeness coming unraveled. They flounder. Belle must deal with the rich, powerful bully girl Jade and with her despicable teacher who devalues her and her giftedness. Darlene learns her partner Alec is a user and she wants back her connection with her husband and daughter that she let slip away in her zeal to reach her materialist, egoistic dreams. Lance, in his new environment that is made up of mothers, children, and household managing, connects with Wren, Alec’s Marker’s wife. He works as a volunteer at school and with Girl Scouts. His life reminds one of something seen in “Desperate Housewives”.
Several secondary characters interact with the main characters to propel the story along. Wren Marker is the most complex and interesting. She and eleven-year-old Belle have sub plots of their own that touch the heart.
Thelma Adams has a remarkable writing style that is full of wonderful imagery, thought provoking metaphors, and descriptions that bring the setting and action to life. Her ability to weave in the back stories that influenced the main characters personalities, the influence of the Santa Ana winds, and different ethnic cultures makes a tantalizing tale. She holds modern society and its values up to a bright light for the reader to examine. Her style is witty, entertaining, insightful, and accepting of humans and their foibles. She weaves in a muted undercurrent that reminds the reader of what is truly worthwhile in life and how it can slip away if not nurtured.
Playdate is hard to put down once started. I stayed up late and was rewarded with a happy-ever-after that looked impossible for much of the story.
Originally posted at http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
July 7, 2011
Lance is a former weatherman turned stay at home dad. While his wife Darlene, the one with ambition works to start her new business a diner, which she and business partner Alec hope will turn into a franchise. Alec lives down the street and can't see past branding, even his own family it seems. Wren his wife at home is trying to live up to his branding, while dealing with there doesn't know/care where the boundaries are and will cross them nanny and her two boys.
Lance, Darlene, and Bella (their daughter) are new to Encinitas and still all trying to find their place in the new set up. Darlene seems happy and to have adapted, which is making it harder for Lance, who has lost his job and the identity that comes from that in the move. While Bella, as a. Sixth grader has lost the friends she has and is thrown in the deep end. The book follows them as they try to find their place and places as a family again.
Sparks fly all over the place in the book and not just the wild fire that is brewing on the outskirts of Encinitas and is threatening to break in and disrupt the world more through out the book.
There was slot of sexual tension in this book that was being worked out between characters. Establishing gender roles and questioning them was a theme and how sex played into them was important in all the characters figuring out what they really wanted. For some people I think this book would have to. Much sex and concentrate on that to much. But, I do have to say the sex in this book did seem to be there for a purpose not sex for sex sake like slot of books/romance novels will have. The scenes were also detailed just enough to make you possible blush, but weren't tmi info. All of which I appreciated.
The end was wrapped up all once with kind of then it ended x, y, z happens and a ribbon was tired on it. That part I didn't really like it was like oh and it just ended ands worked out, great. I wanted more on the characters and it not just to have worked all right with had happened before. The characters grew through the book and then I feel like some of them settled and went back to how they were before.
I would suggest this book and read more by Adams. I give it 3 stars maybe 3.5 if I could do halfs.
E
Lance, Darlene, and Bella (their daughter) are new to Encinitas and still all trying to find their place in the new set up. Darlene seems happy and to have adapted, which is making it harder for Lance, who has lost his job and the identity that comes from that in the move. While Bella, as a. Sixth grader has lost the friends she has and is thrown in the deep end. The book follows them as they try to find their place and places as a family again.
Sparks fly all over the place in the book and not just the wild fire that is brewing on the outskirts of Encinitas and is threatening to break in and disrupt the world more through out the book.
There was slot of sexual tension in this book that was being worked out between characters. Establishing gender roles and questioning them was a theme and how sex played into them was important in all the characters figuring out what they really wanted. For some people I think this book would have to. Much sex and concentrate on that to much. But, I do have to say the sex in this book did seem to be there for a purpose not sex for sex sake like slot of books/romance novels will have. The scenes were also detailed just enough to make you possible blush, but weren't tmi info. All of which I appreciated.
The end was wrapped up all once with kind of then it ended x, y, z happens and a ribbon was tired on it. That part I didn't really like it was like oh and it just ended ands worked out, great. I wanted more on the characters and it not just to have worked all right with had happened before. The characters grew through the book and then I feel like some of them settled and went back to how they were before.
I would suggest this book and read more by Adams. I give it 3 stars maybe 3.5 if I could do halfs.
E
June 1, 2014
I really did enjoy parts of this book. I feel like the description painted it to be a much less serious work than it turned out to be. Not that it wasn't funny as well, but I was sort of expecting something a little different. A lot of people in the reviews compared it to Little Children but to me it seemed more like a less messed up version of Music for Torching - though that could just be all the fire references.
My main quibble with this book was with the incredibly self-righteous main character, Lance. I have a problem with books when you are supposed to sympathize with/relate to/agree with the main character and I don't. I found the fact that he was constantly complaining about how far apart he and his wife had drifted, blaming her for it all the while he was having an affair and contemplating leaving her for another woman, who happens to be their neighbor and the wife of his wife's business partner. I felt much more sympathy for the wife, Darlene, even though she was far from flawless, but she's just the one who ends up shouldering all the blame for everything while Lance gets off sanctimonious and scot-free, and then he basically "settles" for staying with his wife because the chance to end up with his mistress falls through.
I'm not saying I don't like to be challenged when I read something. I just felt like this portrait of Lance as basically perfect while demonizing the wife, who has to get dismissed as a shitty mother and wife, was a little bit sexist at the end of the day. And it bothered me how every single woman, even the 20 year-old babysitter wants Lance. He was like a male Mary Sue.
All of this sounds like I hated the book, but I didn't. I actually spent most of the book thinking I would end up rating this four stars, but the last bit of the book lost me quite a bit. I was glad things ended the way they did, and I thought the writing was pretty stellar - though I found myself skimming over some of the more descriptive parts since they didn't really add much to the story.
My main quibble with this book was with the incredibly self-righteous main character, Lance. I have a problem with books when you are supposed to sympathize with/relate to/agree with the main character and I don't. I found the fact that he was constantly complaining about how far apart he and his wife had drifted, blaming her for it all the while he was having an affair and contemplating leaving her for another woman, who happens to be their neighbor and the wife of his wife's business partner. I felt much more sympathy for the wife, Darlene, even though she was far from flawless, but she's just the one who ends up shouldering all the blame for everything while Lance gets off sanctimonious and scot-free, and then he basically "settles" for staying with his wife because the chance to end up with his mistress falls through.
I'm not saying I don't like to be challenged when I read something. I just felt like this portrait of Lance as basically perfect while demonizing the wife, who has to get dismissed as a shitty mother and wife, was a little bit sexist at the end of the day. And it bothered me how every single woman, even the 20 year-old babysitter wants Lance. He was like a male Mary Sue.
All of this sounds like I hated the book, but I didn't. I actually spent most of the book thinking I would end up rating this four stars, but the last bit of the book lost me quite a bit. I was glad things ended the way they did, and I thought the writing was pretty stellar - though I found myself skimming over some of the more descriptive parts since they didn't really add much to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
September 19, 2011Playdate by Thelma Adams, who lives in upstate New York and is the film critic for US Weekly magazine, tells the story of Lance, Darlene and their ten-year-old daughter Belle. They have just moved to Encinitas from Barstow because Darlene is opening a restaurant with a new partner, Alex, who lives in their new neighborhood.
Lance gave up his job as a TV weatherman in Barstow, and now he takes care of Belle and runs their new household. Darlene is spending a great deal of time with the demanding Alex, who has a plan to turn Darlene's Diner into a chain of restaurants like Marie Callender.
Belle is not happy with the move. In Barstow she had friends and spent time out in the great outdoors. Encinitas is the "land of playdates, where every encounter is staged and scheduled". There are mean girls, led by Jade, who make her life very difficult. Jade and her friends even make fun of Lance because he is a stay-at-home dad and he runs the Girl Scout cookie drive.
Lance is happy spending more time with Belle; they have a very close relationship that feels authentic. But his marriage to Darlene is suffering. She is all about work, and while Lance is home all day, he has strayed into a series of "playdates" with Wren, his neighbor and Alex's wife.
The best part of the book is Lance and Belle's relationship. They are a loving father and daughter, and these two characters are the most well drawn of all. I can't say the same of Darlene; I felt like I didn't know her as well, maybe because the story centers more on Lance and Belle. I didn't really understand her very well at all.
The only secondary character that had much dimension to her was Wren's nanny Julia, who has the hots for Lance. Julia has a hard edge to her, but at least she was interesting. You could really feel Lance's discomfort at Julia's aggressive attempts at seduction.
I wouldn't give Playdates my highest recommendation, but it was worth reading for the warm, loving father-daughter relationship between Lance and Belle. It's not one you see very often.
Lance gave up his job as a TV weatherman in Barstow, and now he takes care of Belle and runs their new household. Darlene is spending a great deal of time with the demanding Alex, who has a plan to turn Darlene's Diner into a chain of restaurants like Marie Callender.
Belle is not happy with the move. In Barstow she had friends and spent time out in the great outdoors. Encinitas is the "land of playdates, where every encounter is staged and scheduled". There are mean girls, led by Jade, who make her life very difficult. Jade and her friends even make fun of Lance because he is a stay-at-home dad and he runs the Girl Scout cookie drive.
Lance is happy spending more time with Belle; they have a very close relationship that feels authentic. But his marriage to Darlene is suffering. She is all about work, and while Lance is home all day, he has strayed into a series of "playdates" with Wren, his neighbor and Alex's wife.
The best part of the book is Lance and Belle's relationship. They are a loving father and daughter, and these two characters are the most well drawn of all. I can't say the same of Darlene; I felt like I didn't know her as well, maybe because the story centers more on Lance and Belle. I didn't really understand her very well at all.
The only secondary character that had much dimension to her was Wren's nanny Julia, who has the hots for Lance. Julia has a hard edge to her, but at least she was interesting. You could really feel Lance's discomfort at Julia's aggressive attempts at seduction.
I wouldn't give Playdates my highest recommendation, but it was worth reading for the warm, loving father-daughter relationship between Lance and Belle. It's not one you see very often.
June 19, 2013
I had a lot of problems with this one. Some of it is okay; it's very light and quick, basically Little Children without pedophiles. I liked the tween character Belle and would have liked to hear a lot more from her. There are some little things that bothered me about the writing, and it's a little disconcerting how casually people have affairs in this world; several characters just grab a married person's crotch as their opening gambit...wtf?
Anyway, it was all ok enough until the last few chapters when it becomes totally infuriating. From my view the only remotely likable adult is Darlene but for some reason the book wants you to worship at the altar of her cheating husband Lance. Toward the end, he is giving his wife an insufferable finger wagging lecture about the importance of family and how she has lost sight of that by chasing her dumb dreams. (And supporting their family.) Of course he himself is only newly committed to his family since his side piece is no longer an option. In the end they each reflect on their relationships, Lance realizes he has a great daughter and an okay wife, Darlene realizing how lucky she is to have a husband she can trust (!!) who supported her pursuit of her dumb ambition. Earlier in the book a minor character says something like, "society only respects something if a man does it," and by the end it's clear the author shares society's viewpoint. Could have been an interesting read but I was hugely disappointed.
Anyway, it was all ok enough until the last few chapters when it becomes totally infuriating. From my view the only remotely likable adult is Darlene but for some reason the book wants you to worship at the altar of her cheating husband Lance. Toward the end, he is giving his wife an insufferable finger wagging lecture about the importance of family and how she has lost sight of that by chasing her dumb dreams. (And supporting their family.) Of course he himself is only newly committed to his family since his side piece is no longer an option. In the end they each reflect on their relationships, Lance realizes he has a great daughter and an okay wife, Darlene realizing how lucky she is to have a husband she can trust (!!) who supported her pursuit of her dumb ambition. Earlier in the book a minor character says something like, "society only respects something if a man does it," and by the end it's clear the author shares society's viewpoint. Could have been an interesting read but I was hugely disappointed.
March 9, 2011
I won this as a first-reads on GoodReads. Thanks GoodReads and Thelma Adams. This book was kind of ho-hum to me. I think that it was meant to be a quick, light read and I guess it qualifies for that. The description contains reviews saying how humorous and funny this story is. Frankly, I didn't find it to be that entertaining. I tried to like or connect with the characters, but they seemed very stilted and plastic-like. (Much like the Barbies on the cover art. In fact, the cover was the funniest part of the book for me.)
The author starts by explaining that the Santa Anna winds have a strange effect on people. Lance, Darleen and their daughter Belle, have moved to a California town so Darleen can follow her dream to start her own restaurant franchise. Lance leaves his job as a weatherman and becomes a house husband. Neither seems to be satisfied with their new roles, even though they keep telling themselves that they are. Their daughter is miserable at her new school. Both parents are having an affair ... Lance more involved, but it ends up the same for both. The story wraps up quickly and neatly just as the winds die down a few days later. I see the analogy, but it's pretty weak to base a book on.
Overall, I would give this book 2.5 stars. It was a quick read, but I frankly could have cared less what happened to any of the characters.
The author starts by explaining that the Santa Anna winds have a strange effect on people. Lance, Darleen and their daughter Belle, have moved to a California town so Darleen can follow her dream to start her own restaurant franchise. Lance leaves his job as a weatherman and becomes a house husband. Neither seems to be satisfied with their new roles, even though they keep telling themselves that they are. Their daughter is miserable at her new school. Both parents are having an affair ... Lance more involved, but it ends up the same for both. The story wraps up quickly and neatly just as the winds die down a few days later. I see the analogy, but it's pretty weak to base a book on.
Overall, I would give this book 2.5 stars. It was a quick read, but I frankly could have cared less what happened to any of the characters.
July 25, 2013
I thought I would really like this book...but I didn't. I appreciate a "warts and all--We don't really even understand or like each other" depiction of a marriage or two, but this was just depressing. There was more partner swapping and romantic entanglements involving anyone but a spouse than a 70s key party. The casual way they all went about their infidelity just didn't ring true to me. Nobody worried about being caught or even using protection. There was even a saucy nanny in the mix. Gah.
There was a dinner party in the book that also made me cringe...and not in a good way. Everyone was rude to everyone else and/or trying to cop a feel from another party goer who was not his or her spouse, of course. Blech. If that's what dinner parties are like in 2013, no wonder I don't go to many.
The Santa Ana winds blowing in a fire was used as a metaphor for the meltdown of relationships that we were seeing and feature prominently in the book and in the convenient and predictable ending. This would have been a great addition to the book if it wasn't done in such a heavy handed way.
The only redeemable and interesting characters in the book were the children Belle and Sam. They were adorable and the only two characters that felt somewhat real. It's too bad that they weren't the focus with the parents in the background. I might have liked that book. This one, not so much.
There was a dinner party in the book that also made me cringe...and not in a good way. Everyone was rude to everyone else and/or trying to cop a feel from another party goer who was not his or her spouse, of course. Blech. If that's what dinner parties are like in 2013, no wonder I don't go to many.
The Santa Ana winds blowing in a fire was used as a metaphor for the meltdown of relationships that we were seeing and feature prominently in the book and in the convenient and predictable ending. This would have been a great addition to the book if it wasn't done in such a heavy handed way.
The only redeemable and interesting characters in the book were the children Belle and Sam. They were adorable and the only two characters that felt somewhat real. It's too bad that they weren't the focus with the parents in the background. I might have liked that book. This one, not so much.
May 3, 2011
Once you get past the cheesy cover and title, this is a good book. I received this first reads book with a book that I hated from the same publisher. I decided to give it a chance since I needed some mindless fluff. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find out the authors direct writing about characters with emotional depth. At times I wanted the characters to get fleshed out but by the end all was made clear and satisfactory.
Thelma Adams developed great characters and an interesting story centered around a stay at home dad. The adolescents in the story are the most interesting and often more mature then the adults. The location and timing play roles in the book as well which add to the tension of the characters. Take a chance on this book and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
"But unconditional love was the most nourishing meal a mother could serve her children; a steady diet of bullshit and deceit was more dangerous than Lucky Charms and Coke." Playdate
pg 289
Thelma Adams developed great characters and an interesting story centered around a stay at home dad. The adolescents in the story are the most interesting and often more mature then the adults. The location and timing play roles in the book as well which add to the tension of the characters. Take a chance on this book and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
"But unconditional love was the most nourishing meal a mother could serve her children; a steady diet of bullshit and deceit was more dangerous than Lucky Charms and Coke." Playdate
pg 289
July 19, 2016
"Wren eyed him, aware that silence was her greatest weapon. He was defenseless without her reaction; he had no traction. He was still a big, boisterous, handsome man with a full head of sandy brown, slicked back, Kennedy-scion hair - she could see that. She could. She could see it in how other women reacted to him...[h]ow he attracted them. But she also saw his face ruddy with drink, the way laugh lines crisscrossed anger lines and his right eyebrow arched in amused mistrust of anyone's intelligence but his own. His reddish cupid's mouth had shrunk, the top lip thinning in contrast to the sensuous bottom lip. She saw the bully, the bullshitter, the cheap desperate flirt. And she knew her power over him, his great need for her. To be strong for Wren meant not confronting his own weakness. She's only see him cry once, at his father's funeral. Alec was a walled city. And Wren realized that her long siege of his heart was nearly over." (pp. 187-188).
March 10, 2014
I think this is the dumbest and most boring book I've listened to or read in quite awhile.
The story is about Lance, loser stay at home dad who is cheating on his wife that he "loves", his wife Darlene, who is a go-getter but not that great at being a mom (or wife), Wren the yoga loving gal that Lance is banging, her husband I think his name was Alex who is a total douche bag that's working with Darlene and the kids and babysitter.
That's about what the whole book is about. It's so shallow and it just drags on with nothing exciting actually happening. At one point I started skipping a bit because I really didn't CARE about a conversation between two ten year olds that was just going on and on about nothing.
Should have chucked it out the window but I had to return it to the library.
The story is about Lance, loser stay at home dad who is cheating on his wife that he "loves", his wife Darlene, who is a go-getter but not that great at being a mom (or wife), Wren the yoga loving gal that Lance is banging, her husband I think his name was Alex who is a total douche bag that's working with Darlene and the kids and babysitter.
That's about what the whole book is about. It's so shallow and it just drags on with nothing exciting actually happening. At one point I started skipping a bit because I really didn't CARE about a conversation between two ten year olds that was just going on and on about nothing.
Should have chucked it out the window but I had to return it to the library.
February 19, 2011
Ms. Adams has written a current tale of what is the right way or wrong way of raising your child. Should a stay-at-home dad be drilled by the questions."So, what do you do?" "So, your wife is the bread winner in the family, huh?" What is important to Lance (dad) is to give Belle (daughter) the love & attention an eleven year old needs. While Darlene (mom) is more concerned about the success of her new diner/business & her power hungry partner Alec. This debut novel brings up everyday concerns with todays young parents ( with a little infidelity thrown in ) that made for some very humorous moments.
With some sharp,funny banter between characters , this was a quick light read. But....with a serious undertone, that a lot of us will recognize.
With some sharp,funny banter between characters , this was a quick light read. But....with a serious undertone, that a lot of us will recognize.
December 8, 2014
I listened to this book. When listening to an audio book, the reader is a huge part of the enjoyment. I know the reader of this book has won some awards for her work. But I think she is too mellow. I almost fell asleep driving to work on day. This book is about two families and the relationship between the married couples and between the couples. Wren is married to Alec and Darlene is married to Lance. Alec and Darlene are opening a restaurant together and Lance and Wren are having an affair. Their kids are also friends. This book is a chick-lit book but also covers how different personalities can get along and not match each other. Do you have a job or a career. How do you categorize someone. It's not too deep of a thinking book but it's not bad. Good for the beach.
January 4, 2012
I did finish this book (mostly out of boredom rather than interest) but it leaves me wondering. Is everyone cheating on their spouse in some form or another? I know I'm not, but the casualness of the characters in this book towards their spouses made me sick. I can understand the peaks and valleys of relationships, but come on. Don't go seeking out comfort somewhere else and especially not neighbors and business partners.
These characters were pretty unsympathetic, and by the end, I wanted to yell at them.
These characters were pretty unsympathetic, and by the end, I wanted to yell at them.
January 21, 2012
THis was almost, but not quite, a total waste of time. Unhappily married couples, a precocious 11 year old, the launch of a new franchise, a stay at home, wonderful father who is involved with the wife next door, the wife who just happens to be married to the business mogul trying to promote the franchise for the 1st guy's wife, and ends up involved with her, though only very superficially..... kids, all knowing nanny, santa ana winds, fires, betrayals...nothing very deep or meaningful. blah, blah......but still, i managed to finish it.
October 5, 2014
A fine first effort from this author, but it wasn't the page turner that I was expecting. Overall, the story is good, but I found it hard for me to completely jump into these characters. Also, one of the few problems that is going on with it is that there seems to be almost too much going on and that can lose the reader. But, it is a good book, but I would expect more from the author in her next work. I do recommend it, but not highly, so if you not reading anything else, this would be a stop gap for you.
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