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My Very Best Friend
A poignant novel of two women whose childhood friendship transforms to a journey of discovery—from the acclaimed author of All About Evie. Charlotte Mackintosh is an internationally known bestselling romance writer who has no love life and remains a mystery to her fans. In fact, she has little in her life besides her work, her pampered cats, and her secluded home off the coast of Washington. And then there is her very best friend, Bridget, who lives in Scotland, where Charlotte lived until she was fifteen. Bridget, whom Charlotte hasn’t seen in twenty years, but continues to write to—though the replies have stopped. Hurt by the silence, an opportunity arises to find answers—and maybe much more. Charlotte must finally return to Scotland to sell her late father’s cottage. It was his tragic death when Charlotte was fifteen that began her growing isolation, and the task is fraught with memories. But her plans are slowed when she’s confronted with the beautiful but neglected house, the irresistible garden—and Toran, Bridget’s brother. Capable and kind, Toran has the answers Charlotte seeks. And as she is drawn deeper into the community she thought she’d left behind, Charlotte learns not only more about her dear friend, but about herself—and discovers a new and unexpected path. “[A] poignant, funny and winsome novel . . . Witty, wise and wonderful, My Very Best Friend is another winner for me.”—Book’d Out “An epic story of love and loss . . . satisfying and heartfelt.”—Compass Book Ratings
524 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2015
217 people are currently reading
3536 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Lamb
24 books1,598 followersCathy Lamb was born in Newport Beach, California. As a child, she mastered the art of skateboarding, catching butterflies in bottles, and riding her bike with no hands. When she was 10, her parents moved her, two sisters, a brother, and two poorly behaved dogs to Oregon before she could fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a surfer bum.
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she earned good grades now and then, spent a great deal of time daydreaming, ran wild with a number of friends, and landed on the newspaper staff in high school. When she saw her byline above an article about people making out in the hallways of the high school, she knew she had found her true calling.
After two years of partying at the University of Oregon, she settled down for the next three years and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and became a fourth grade teacher. It was difficult for her to become proper and conservative but she threw out her red cowboy boots and persevered. She had no choice. She had to eat, and health insurance is expensive.
She met her husband on a blind date. A mutual friend who was an undercover vice cop busting drug dealers set them up. It was love at third sight.
Teaching children about the Oregon Trail and multiplication facts amused her until she became so gigantically pregnant with twins she looked like a small cow and could barely walk. With a three year old at home, she decided it was time to make a graceful exit and waddle on out. She left school one day and never went back. She likes to think her students missed her.
When Cathy was no longer smothered in diapers and pacifiers, she took a turn onto the hazardous road of freelance writing and wrote almost 200 articles on homes, home décor, people and fashion for a local newspaper. As she is not fashionable and can hardly stand to shop, it was an eye opener for her to find that some women actually do obsess about what to wear. She also learned it would probably be more relaxing to slam a hammer against one’s forehead than engage in a large and costly home remodeling project.
Cathy suffers from, “I Would Rather Play Than Work Disease” which prevents her from getting much work done unless she has a threatening deadline. She likes to hang with family and friends, walk, eat chocolate, camp, travel, and is slightly obsessive about the types of books she reads. She also likes to be left alone a lot so she can hear all the odd characters in her head talk to each other and then transfer that oddness to paper. The characters usually don’t start to talk until 10:00 at night, however, so she is often up ‘til 2:00 in the morning with them. That is her excuse for being cranky.
She adores her children and husband, except when he refuses to take his dirty shoes off and walks on the carpet. She will ski because her children insist, but she secretly doesn’t like it at all. Too cold and she falls all the time.
She is currently working on her next book and isn’t sleeping much.
She then embarked on her notable academic career where she earned good grades now and then, spent a great deal of time daydreaming, ran wild with a number of friends, and landed on the newspaper staff in high school. When she saw her byline above an article about people making out in the hallways of the high school, she knew she had found her true calling.
After two years of partying at the University of Oregon, she settled down for the next three years and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, and became a fourth grade teacher. It was difficult for her to become proper and conservative but she threw out her red cowboy boots and persevered. She had no choice. She had to eat, and health insurance is expensive.
She met her husband on a blind date. A mutual friend who was an undercover vice cop busting drug dealers set them up. It was love at third sight.
Teaching children about the Oregon Trail and multiplication facts amused her until she became so gigantically pregnant with twins she looked like a small cow and could barely walk. With a three year old at home, she decided it was time to make a graceful exit and waddle on out. She left school one day and never went back. She likes to think her students missed her.
When Cathy was no longer smothered in diapers and pacifiers, she took a turn onto the hazardous road of freelance writing and wrote almost 200 articles on homes, home décor, people and fashion for a local newspaper. As she is not fashionable and can hardly stand to shop, it was an eye opener for her to find that some women actually do obsess about what to wear. She also learned it would probably be more relaxing to slam a hammer against one’s forehead than engage in a large and costly home remodeling project.
Cathy suffers from, “I Would Rather Play Than Work Disease” which prevents her from getting much work done unless she has a threatening deadline. She likes to hang with family and friends, walk, eat chocolate, camp, travel, and is slightly obsessive about the types of books she reads. She also likes to be left alone a lot so she can hear all the odd characters in her head talk to each other and then transfer that oddness to paper. The characters usually don’t start to talk until 10:00 at night, however, so she is often up ‘til 2:00 in the morning with them. That is her excuse for being cranky.
She adores her children and husband, except when he refuses to take his dirty shoes off and walks on the carpet. She will ski because her children insist, but she secretly doesn’t like it at all. Too cold and she falls all the time.
She is currently working on her next book and isn’t sleeping much.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 267 reviews
June 19, 2015
I am always so excited when I know a Cathy Lamb book is coming out. The reason is simple. I love the way she writes. The few things you can count on when reading a book by Cathy is a strong female characters and strong female friendships. My Very Best Friend is no exception. I love how Cathy always showcases women supporting women. Even better? This is a very diverse group of women who have each other’s backs. The second thing to look for in a Cathy Lamb book is humor. Wicked, outrageous, smart, and quirky humor. You can expect this in this book from our main character Charlotte. She is oblivious to her beauty and as quirky as they come but her heart is gold and she is wicked smart. The third common thread is Lamb's books is that despite the great humor the main storyline is always very heavy and is usually extremely relevant to our times and what people are going through. My Very Best Friend deals with several heavy topics. Sexual abuse, drug use, self-harm, and grief. Heavy right? That is where Cathy is genius. You can read about such heavy topics (which only hurt that much more when you adore the characters) but she always makes sure to highlight healing, familial bonds, self-love, and sometimes just being silly with your girls. Then to top off my list of Cathy's strengths she always includes a little romance with a sexy hunk of a man. In this novel our hunk is Toran. Not only is he a successful gentle who has shoulders as wide as a mac truck, he is Scottish!
If you read my reviews you know I don't break down the book chapter by chapter. I want you to READ the book. I don’t want you to read my review and feel you don't have to read the book. I will tell you that My Very Best Friend made me think, made me laugh, made me ache for the pain of these people, and then it made me smile and made wish I was where YOU are right now...... Getting to start the book from the beginning. I hate when a good book ends but I love when a good book ends well.
Bravo Cathy Lamb.... I always get a little nervous when a favorite author comes out with a new book. Sometimes I expect the moon and get disappointed when I am handed the stars. I am proud to say My Very Best Friend Delivered both.
Pre Order it. .. Buy it... then tell a friend
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.
If you read my reviews you know I don't break down the book chapter by chapter. I want you to READ the book. I don’t want you to read my review and feel you don't have to read the book. I will tell you that My Very Best Friend made me think, made me laugh, made me ache for the pain of these people, and then it made me smile and made wish I was where YOU are right now...... Getting to start the book from the beginning. I hate when a good book ends but I love when a good book ends well.
Bravo Cathy Lamb.... I always get a little nervous when a favorite author comes out with a new book. Sometimes I expect the moon and get disappointed when I am handed the stars. I am proud to say My Very Best Friend Delivered both.
Pre Order it. .. Buy it... then tell a friend
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.
October 15, 2019
Trigger warning: Rape
Dealing with some repairs at my home since Monday so since Sunday evening I have gone on a Cathy Lamb reading binge. I am also almost done with the two Clare Mackintosh books I have right now as well. I should have just kept up to date with reviews, but honestly hit a wall of not wanting to post any of my reviews. So today I am sucking it up and getting caught up.
First up, "My Very Best Friend." So I read Cathy Lamb years ago. I got annoyed by one of her books so badly though "If You Could See What I See" that I just stopped insta-buying her like I have before. So here's the thing about Lamb, her books are mostly comfort romance reads. Usually the heroine will have a dark past, she will fall for a very tall guy with broad shoulders, they will have hot sex (that won't really be described), someone will die, and then they will still (heroine and hero) have a happy ever after. I am always puzzled by Lamb being considered chick lit though, her subject matters are often not breezy enough to be chick lit.
On another note, I do love it best when her books all tie together though. So in some of her books will be references to the characters in her other books. This one though, I believe stands alone. The main reason why I didn't give this 5 stars though is the book gets quite repetitive towards the last 100 pages when the heroine's very best friend returns.
"My Very Best Friend" takes place in 1990. The main character, Charlotte Mackintosh is about to return to her childhood home in Scotland. Charlotte and her mother left Scotland after the death of Charlotte's father when she was just 15 and she has stayed in touch with her best friend Bridget through letters. Now that a tenant that was renting her family's cottage has died, and Charlotte's mother is off in South Africa, Charlotte is the only one left to return and see about assessing the cottage and getting it ready for sale. Charlotte is also thinking it's a good time to return to Scotland since she hasn't heard from Bridget in a long time and is worried about her. Charlotte though when she returns finds that the home is in bad shape, she's dealing with an awful case of writer's block, and she is starting to think romantic thoughts about Bridget's brother Toran.
So "My Very Best Friend" deals with some heavy issues. We have Charlotte still affected by her father's death and her wallowing at times in happier memories of her family and her three best friends, Bridget, Toran, and other childhood friend. The four kids often spent every day together. Charlotte we find out is a scientist, but also secretly writes time travel romance novels and is quite successful. Charlotte has been hit with a case of writer's block though and starts to wonder what is next for her. Charlotte is quite logical and I thought Lamb did a great job of slowly revealing Charlotte's first marriage and the supposed visions from her paternal grandmother about her life.
Lamb typically includes a group of women that get together in her books and this one is no exception. Charlotte is invited to a group that meets weekly and for the most part everyone is great, except for a narrow minded nasty woman.
The romance between Charlotte and Toran was a nice slow burn. I thought Lamb did a great job of showing off Toran more than she usually does with the heroes in her book. We get to find out about him via Charlotte's remembrances and also what he tells her. We find out that Toran and Bridget had a excessively religious father who beat them and berated his wife. Toran also provides insight into Bridget who is not in Scotland and that they are both looking for.
Lamb via letters though is where she shows the heart of most of the characters. We have Charlotte's letters to Bridget through the years and Bridget's letters back. We also after a time get to see letters that Bridget wrote to Charlotte and never sent. Those were heart breaking. We find out what drove Bridget from the family home years ago and we find out why Toran is so desperate to find her. I am not going to lie, the last part of this book had me in tears Sunday night. I went through a lot of tissues.
I thought the flow of the book was pretty good up until we get towards the last 100 pages. I think Lamb got too repetitive (which is always a problem) with going over the same ground via the towns people and how Bridget was her best friend and her very best friend.
The setting of this book is not typical for Lamb. Usually her books take place in Oregon so it was fun to see her move things from Washington state to Scotland. I was intrigued about Scotland, but didn't see enough things to have me feel it was Scotland except for some dialogue here and there. And also in the attitudes of the village towards the end of the book.
The ending was bittersweet and I really enjoyed it.
Dealing with some repairs at my home since Monday so since Sunday evening I have gone on a Cathy Lamb reading binge. I am also almost done with the two Clare Mackintosh books I have right now as well. I should have just kept up to date with reviews, but honestly hit a wall of not wanting to post any of my reviews. So today I am sucking it up and getting caught up.
First up, "My Very Best Friend." So I read Cathy Lamb years ago. I got annoyed by one of her books so badly though "If You Could See What I See" that I just stopped insta-buying her like I have before. So here's the thing about Lamb, her books are mostly comfort romance reads. Usually the heroine will have a dark past, she will fall for a very tall guy with broad shoulders, they will have hot sex (that won't really be described), someone will die, and then they will still (heroine and hero) have a happy ever after. I am always puzzled by Lamb being considered chick lit though, her subject matters are often not breezy enough to be chick lit.
On another note, I do love it best when her books all tie together though. So in some of her books will be references to the characters in her other books. This one though, I believe stands alone. The main reason why I didn't give this 5 stars though is the book gets quite repetitive towards the last 100 pages when the heroine's very best friend returns.
"My Very Best Friend" takes place in 1990. The main character, Charlotte Mackintosh is about to return to her childhood home in Scotland. Charlotte and her mother left Scotland after the death of Charlotte's father when she was just 15 and she has stayed in touch with her best friend Bridget through letters. Now that a tenant that was renting her family's cottage has died, and Charlotte's mother is off in South Africa, Charlotte is the only one left to return and see about assessing the cottage and getting it ready for sale. Charlotte is also thinking it's a good time to return to Scotland since she hasn't heard from Bridget in a long time and is worried about her. Charlotte though when she returns finds that the home is in bad shape, she's dealing with an awful case of writer's block, and she is starting to think romantic thoughts about Bridget's brother Toran.
So "My Very Best Friend" deals with some heavy issues. We have Charlotte still affected by her father's death and her wallowing at times in happier memories of her family and her three best friends, Bridget, Toran, and other childhood friend. The four kids often spent every day together. Charlotte we find out is a scientist, but also secretly writes time travel romance novels and is quite successful. Charlotte has been hit with a case of writer's block though and starts to wonder what is next for her. Charlotte is quite logical and I thought Lamb did a great job of slowly revealing Charlotte's first marriage and the supposed visions from her paternal grandmother about her life.
Lamb typically includes a group of women that get together in her books and this one is no exception. Charlotte is invited to a group that meets weekly and for the most part everyone is great, except for a narrow minded nasty woman.
The romance between Charlotte and Toran was a nice slow burn. I thought Lamb did a great job of showing off Toran more than she usually does with the heroes in her book. We get to find out about him via Charlotte's remembrances and also what he tells her. We find out that Toran and Bridget had a excessively religious father who beat them and berated his wife. Toran also provides insight into Bridget who is not in Scotland and that they are both looking for.
Lamb via letters though is where she shows the heart of most of the characters. We have Charlotte's letters to Bridget through the years and Bridget's letters back. We also after a time get to see letters that Bridget wrote to Charlotte and never sent. Those were heart breaking. We find out what drove Bridget from the family home years ago and we find out why Toran is so desperate to find her. I am not going to lie, the last part of this book had me in tears Sunday night. I went through a lot of tissues.
I thought the flow of the book was pretty good up until we get towards the last 100 pages. I think Lamb got too repetitive (which is always a problem) with going over the same ground via the towns people and how Bridget was her best friend and her very best friend.
The setting of this book is not typical for Lamb. Usually her books take place in Oregon so it was fun to see her move things from Washington state to Scotland. I was intrigued about Scotland, but didn't see enough things to have me feel it was Scotland except for some dialogue here and there. And also in the attitudes of the village towards the end of the book.
The ending was bittersweet and I really enjoyed it.
August 6, 2015
From Cathy Lamb, comes another poignant, funny and winsome novel, titled My Very Best Friend.
After a twenty year absence, reclusive bestselling romance writer, Charlotte Mackintosh is returning home to Scotland to arrange the sale of her family's cottage. She is also hoping to reconnect with her childhood best friend, Bridget, who has stopped replying to her letters. She is shocked to discover the cottage in a state of bad disrepair, and to learn that Bridget, who has been living a lie, is missing.
My Very Best Friend is a story about friendship, about love, about childhood and coming home. It features a decidedly odd but endearing heroine, a handsome Scotsman, a broken woman and a community of quirky characters.
It deals with serious issues including sexual abuse, domestic violence, drug addiction, grief, and the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. There are some unbearably tragic moments in the novel that had tears welling in my eyes, others that had me gritting teeth at the injustice.
But what Lamb does best is to remind us that life, for all its sorrows, can be utterly glorious. Charlotte and Toran's reconnection will have you sighing and swooning, the ladies of the St Ambrose Garden Club (aka The Gabbing and Gobbling Gardeners) will have you screaming with laughter as they lead rowdy drunken sing-along's in the town square and ride bikes in their lingerie at midnight, and a surprise reunion will have you smiling so hard your cheeks will hurt.
It has a few flaws, including a somewhat slow moving, muddled start and a little repetition, but I'm willing to forgive all because Lamb redeems herself with such fantastic characters and heartfelt commitment to the story.
Witty, wise and wonderful, My Very Best Friend is another winner for me.
November 26, 2015
http://www.anurseandabook.com/2015/11...
This book was a first for me. I didn't make myself finish it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Cathy Lamb, and I have always enjoyed her books. But this one was just not for me. It was the dialogue. Charlotte is a super uptight science lover who writes romance novels? And her thought process is super uptight mixed with a lot of weird sex thoughts. I don't mean weird sex thoughts. I just mean weird, random sex thoughts that didn't fit the storyline.
This book was a first for me. I didn't make myself finish it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Cathy Lamb, and I have always enjoyed her books. But this one was just not for me. It was the dialogue. Charlotte is a super uptight science lover who writes romance novels? And her thought process is super uptight mixed with a lot of weird sex thoughts. I don't mean weird sex thoughts. I just mean weird, random sex thoughts that didn't fit the storyline.
July 28, 2015
A special thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Love the cover!
MY VERY BEST FRIEND by Cathy Lamb is a poignant tale of two women, filled with highly-charged topics and tragedy; mixed with humor, wit, romance, and ultimately a bond of strong friendship, love, and rediscovery.
Charlotte, age thirty-five, is an international bestselling romance writer, and lives off the coast of Washington on a quiet island, Whale Island. Her ninth book was released four months earlier and she goes by her pen name, Georgia Chandler--her mother was a southern belle.
Of course, Charlotte has no romance in her own life. Her late father, Quinn was Scottish. Some people call her a recluse, as she has enough in her life without people. Her publisher wants her to travel to promote her books, but she prefers to stay at home with her cats while she continues to love science. Now her mother wants her to go to Scotland to check on her cottage, fix it up and sell it. She has not been back in over twenty years—and she is afraid of flying, plus it is too painful.
Bridget is her best friend-she has not seen in twenty years; however, they still communicate by writing letters to one another up until the last few months. Bridget still lives in Scotland. Her brother is Toran and often she sends her letters through him.
Charlotte returns to Scotland and faced with the neglected house and irresistible garden—and is reunited with gorgeous, confident, Toran, (a hunk of a man), Bridget’s brother. Next to Bridget he had been her best friend, her first kiss and first love at fifteen. They shared a love of science, farming, gardening, and chess.
Now, Charlotte and Toran are frantic. Where is Bridget and what happened to her? Is Bridget the person Charlotte once knew? What led her down this painful path? Why hadn’t she told her about her life, per past?
Will these two women learn something about themselves and at the same time be there for one another through life’s trials and disappointments? Charlotte finds she has to be strong and protective on behalf of her friend, while she has been abused, molested, shunned and discriminated by others in the village. What a journey!
A powerful, emotional, and bittersweet novel of friendship, a connection, support, secrets, tragedy, forgiveness, humor and acceptance. REDISCOVERY, from master storyteller connecting past and present for a beautifully written and engaging read. Characters you will remember long after the book ends!
JDCMustReadBooks
MY VERY BEST FRIEND by Cathy Lamb is a poignant tale of two women, filled with highly-charged topics and tragedy; mixed with humor, wit, romance, and ultimately a bond of strong friendship, love, and rediscovery.
Charlotte, age thirty-five, is an international bestselling romance writer, and lives off the coast of Washington on a quiet island, Whale Island. Her ninth book was released four months earlier and she goes by her pen name, Georgia Chandler--her mother was a southern belle.
Of course, Charlotte has no romance in her own life. Her late father, Quinn was Scottish. Some people call her a recluse, as she has enough in her life without people. Her publisher wants her to travel to promote her books, but she prefers to stay at home with her cats while she continues to love science. Now her mother wants her to go to Scotland to check on her cottage, fix it up and sell it. She has not been back in over twenty years—and she is afraid of flying, plus it is too painful.
Bridget is her best friend-she has not seen in twenty years; however, they still communicate by writing letters to one another up until the last few months. Bridget still lives in Scotland. Her brother is Toran and often she sends her letters through him.
Charlotte returns to Scotland and faced with the neglected house and irresistible garden—and is reunited with gorgeous, confident, Toran, (a hunk of a man), Bridget’s brother. Next to Bridget he had been her best friend, her first kiss and first love at fifteen. They shared a love of science, farming, gardening, and chess.
Now, Charlotte and Toran are frantic. Where is Bridget and what happened to her? Is Bridget the person Charlotte once knew? What led her down this painful path? Why hadn’t she told her about her life, per past?
Will these two women learn something about themselves and at the same time be there for one another through life’s trials and disappointments? Charlotte finds she has to be strong and protective on behalf of her friend, while she has been abused, molested, shunned and discriminated by others in the village. What a journey!
A powerful, emotional, and bittersweet novel of friendship, a connection, support, secrets, tragedy, forgiveness, humor and acceptance. REDISCOVERY, from master storyteller connecting past and present for a beautifully written and engaging read. Characters you will remember long after the book ends!
JDCMustReadBooks
March 24, 2017
I love Cathy Lamb. One of my favorite authors. She always gives you the feels. This was a beautiful and heart wrenching at times story. One minute I would be laughing and the next my heart breaking. Absolutely LOVED this book!
July 11, 2015
I struggled with this book, but I feel that's just a personal thing. I didn't 'get' the humour, and found the parts that were meant to be funny were rambling and far too detailed. However at the heart of the story were wonderfully warm characters, and a mystery to be solved. If not for these two things I would have given up. I'm glad I didn't. It's perfect for a light summer read.
August 24, 2015
What else could I want today. A book by on of my favorite authors Cathy Lamb and a good family sort of drama.
Plenty of secrets and intrigue along with a woman who writes books, loves her cats and her own space.
Charlotte writes romance novels, she is well known for them.
She adores her cats.
Her home on the coast in Washington. Great view.
She does have one friend. But she lives in Scotland. Charlotte lived in Scotland with her family and was close to her best friend until she was fifteen years old, then she moved.
Charlotte and Bridget agree to never loose touch, so they agree to write to each other.
That stayed true for many years, then finally it came to a stop.
As many of us know, strong friendships are hard to let go, and we see this between Charlotte, she is wondering why she doesn't hear from Bridget anymore.
Something happens and Charlotte has to return home to Scotland. A place where she thought she had laid ghosts to rest, but many things resurface.
Toran is Bridget's brother. He was her first love, they shared a kiss and many memories so coming into contact with Toran the gorgeous hunk again throws emotions all over the place.
Its from him she learns about Bridget.
This opens all kinds of things.
Charlotte has to be strong, protective of her friend and determined.
Its then they find out a lot about themselves and the journey is not always sweet.
I found this a GREAT READ, I thoroughly enjoyed this.
This author can tell a story that really captures your imagination and your heart where she breathes life into them and you see them in your minds eye.
Absolutely enjoyed it.
Bring on the next book Cathy!!
** My thanks go to.Kensington Books via Net Galley for my copy to read and enjoy. **
August 1, 2015
3 1/2 Stars: I love Cathy Lamb's writing. I think her style is quirky and funny, quite endearing. However, there were many things that really bothered me about this book. At first, it was like she was teasing the reader, implying knowledge without sharing these insights. Then, there were many implausible choices and actions. While the second half of the book was better, there were still things written and things that happened that just weren't true or realistic. Ultimately, I cared for the characters and her insights into grief were wonderful. I will continue to buy the next Cathy Lamb book when it comes out, but I hope the next one is better.
September 24, 2015
I cant believe this book is almost 5 stars. It was painful getting thru. The underlying plot was okay but it was filled with stupid sexual conversations that would never happen in real life and the main character was just not believable. Ugh life is too short for bad books. I have decided to only read 5 stars that have been reviewed by over 300 people. less than that are probably all the authors friends and family that were just being nice.
August 2, 2015
Love it such a beautiful story. Keep tissues handy!
September 16, 2015
I love Cathy Lamb and was enthralled with "Henry's Sisters", a novel which made me laugh and cry out loud. Subsequently, I have read all Cathy's novels and have enjoyed each of them. In "My Very Best Friend" I was slightly disappointed (though still enjoyed the book) because I fear that Cathy is becoming what many other best-selling authors become - a formulaic writer, an author who seems to stop stretching her writing muscles and instead sticks to what is tried and true, stories and characters which have brought her literary success. She doesn't seem to be taking risks or shaking things up. She's standing by the "love-conquers-all" themes while writing predictable plots and clichéd characters. I've seen this happen time and time again; an author writes an outstanding novel or two and then seems to cop-out and "copy" future novels rather than truly create. Sounds harsh, I know, and perhaps to some degree this problem is inevitable for many authors - don't fix what's not broken - but I long for the fascinating, intriguing, and totally unique words a new novel by a new author can bring.
August 16, 2015
This book was recommended to me here on Goodreads and at first I struggled with the quirkiness of the book, but by the end happy I stuck it out as by the second half I was really engrossed and intrigued. The humour of the main character took a bit for me to get, and sometimes I did roll my eyes and say ‘Really??’ but thankfully, I did see how this book is nearly a 5 star rating book. There is a big journey to be travelled in this book that does draw a tear or two by the end. The writing jumps around between a twenty year time period, and sometimes you know there is something major coming up and then frustratingly, you are made to wait that bit longer, all the while knowing it is going to hit soon!! All in all, a really good emotional, beautiful story.
August 3, 2015
Not Lamb's Best
Ms. Lamb's extreme attempts at whimsical turned portions of the story parts downright idiotic and eye-rolling. After such pleasure with all her previous novels, I was sadly disappointed with this latest offering. She is one of my favorite authors and was anxiously awaiting her new novel. I gave two stars as the visions created by the descriptions of the gardens by the author were lovely and indeed whimsical.
Ms. Lamb's extreme attempts at whimsical turned portions of the story parts downright idiotic and eye-rolling. After such pleasure with all her previous novels, I was sadly disappointed with this latest offering. She is one of my favorite authors and was anxiously awaiting her new novel. I gave two stars as the visions created by the descriptions of the gardens by the author were lovely and indeed whimsical.
April 30, 2019
Although this book has some funny and sweet moments it seemed all over the place to me- part romance, part mystery, part coming of age, part chick lit, with a bit of Scottish legend and AIDS awareness thrown in.
January 14, 2016
Sigh. I don't know how I feel about this. I LOVED Henry's Sisters. But I could not even make myself finish this book. Dare I say, the dialogue and overall writing made me think of the awfulness of Fifty Shades of Grey!? I mean...the dialogue was SO cheesy and SO unrealistic - seriously? A grown-ass man doesn't know the correct words for "lipstick" and "makeover"? (He called them " lipostick" and "overmake" in the book.) C'mon. And the girlfriends couldn't have been more clichéd. We KNOW that one is a doctor, one hates her ex-husband and The Slut, one is Indian, and one raises and kills pigs and chickens and wears scarves with poorly knit animals that aren't intentionally silly. My God! We get it! It doesn't needed to be pointed out again and again in every single line of dialogue they have!
Whew. Okay. Rant over. All of that being said, I do like the plots that Cathy Lamb comes up with, and she always writes novels that are easy and fast reads. This was no exception. But I'm going to be very careful before picking up another Lamb novel, because the writing in this one pushed my buttons.
Whew. Okay. Rant over. All of that being said, I do like the plots that Cathy Lamb comes up with, and she always writes novels that are easy and fast reads. This was no exception. But I'm going to be very careful before picking up another Lamb novel, because the writing in this one pushed my buttons.
July 16, 2015
I was given an ARC of My Very Best Friend from NetGalley for an honest review and this is my review.
For some reason I was just not feeling it with this book. To me the author was trying to hard at the beginning of the book to keep things hidden that I totally lost interest in finding out what was going on. It was almost like it was a big riddle and I was not in the mood to guess what it was. Then who meows at cats? Everything the main character did that I wanted to slap her and tell her to grow up. I can honestly say I have never hated a character as much as I hated this main character with her feminist stuff too. I just wanted her to shut up in my head as I was reading her words, I really did not want her to get her HEA in this book at all.
The plot of the book was good and the the other charters we're okay and that is why I am giving it three out of five stars.
For some reason I was just not feeling it with this book. To me the author was trying to hard at the beginning of the book to keep things hidden that I totally lost interest in finding out what was going on. It was almost like it was a big riddle and I was not in the mood to guess what it was. Then who meows at cats? Everything the main character did that I wanted to slap her and tell her to grow up. I can honestly say I have never hated a character as much as I hated this main character with her feminist stuff too. I just wanted her to shut up in my head as I was reading her words, I really did not want her to get her HEA in this book at all.
The plot of the book was good and the the other charters we're okay and that is why I am giving it three out of five stars.
July 10, 2015
Make this 3 1/2 stars... Not my favorite book by Cathy Lamb, though I remain a fan. I feel as though this choppy sentence structure, and Charlotte's frenetic thoughts resulting in word association and alliteration, has been used in another Lamb book. Though Charlotte, the main character, is a romance writer, I wish this story didn't reflect that quite as much. I found the first half of the book predictable, the second half less so. Despite my disappointment with the book, I still got to both laugh out loud, and weep with abandon.
By any other author, I probably would have loved this, but I expect more from Cathy Lamb.
Disclosure - I received an ARC from Net Galley for review. I am praying that the editors fix the final copy so the oft-used "wheel barrel" becomes a wheelbarrow.
By any other author, I probably would have loved this, but I expect more from Cathy Lamb.
Disclosure - I received an ARC from Net Galley for review. I am praying that the editors fix the final copy so the oft-used "wheel barrel" becomes a wheelbarrow.
August 18, 2015
I usually look forward to a new book by Cathy Lamb. But I found this one rather disappointing. Charlotte says things that I don't think people would actually say out loud. They might think them but not say them to someone's face. I also found there was too much sex in the book. If I wanted to read about that there is another book I could read. Cathy does deal with society issues in her book, but there was no real clear evidence that the book takes place in the 80's so you had to keep reminding yourself that you are in the 80's and that was the way things were back then.
August 1, 2015
I adored Cathy Lamb's latest release! It has everything I've come to expect from her. I laughed, I cried, I got hot and bothered for Scots in kilts. My Very Best Friend is Cathy Lamb's very best ~ highly recommend!
June 16, 2016
Entirely unrealistic and very predictable. Too much sex done too poorly. She's a romance writer but she can't figure out a better way to describe her "rampant, carnal thoughts" than with "I want to touch his rear-end" or "my oh my." Um. What? Quit taking writing lessons from E.L. James. Please.
September 6, 2015
love the way she writes, eloquent sentences that touch me and I get what she means - wish I could say it like that some times!
i am off to another by Cathy Lamb
i am off to another by Cathy Lamb
February 20, 2019
AMAZING book!! Equal parts sad and powerful, this story tugs at your heartstrings and won't let go! If you don't want to do a lot of sad, don't worry, because there is also humor and passion. And lots of cats. And bagpipes. And delicious Indian food. This author is addicting, and I highly recommend her.
March 1, 2022
Great read
I very seldom enjoy funny, comical books. However , this is a perfect blend of love, tenderness , funny & grief! How can that happen? Read this wonderfully written book . You will not be disappointed !
I very seldom enjoy funny, comical books. However , this is a perfect blend of love, tenderness , funny & grief! How can that happen? Read this wonderfully written book . You will not be disappointed !
July 2, 2021
i thought the chapters were to long
October 2, 2024
Twenty years later, author Charlotte returns to hometown hoping to reconnect with best friend Bridget. While there, she forms new friendships and reaffirms old ones, including a very important one with Bridget's older brother, Toran, who was also her first boyfriend (wink wink).
Just like other books by this author, I enjoyed how the author mixed humor amid more serious topics. Charlotte's inner dialogue was amusing and overall, much of the dialogue and many of the characters were quirky and fun. There were, however, some serious topics introduced so if you are sensitive to that, please see my trigger warnings below. My favorite minor character was Gitanjali because she was freaking hilarious. Since I am sucker for letters included in a story, I also loved that many of the letters exchanged by Charlotte and Bridget were sprinkled throughout. The ending was a bit emotional and caught me off guard, bringing tears to my eyes. My only complaint is that at 466 pages, it dragged in some parts and I wish that some of the less important scenes had been cut.
No Place I'd Rather Be (5 stars) remains my favorite by this author!
Trigger Warning:
Location: Washington and Scotland
Just like other books by this author, I enjoyed how the author mixed humor amid more serious topics. Charlotte's inner dialogue was amusing and overall, much of the dialogue and many of the characters were quirky and fun. There were, however, some serious topics introduced so if you are sensitive to that, please see my trigger warnings below. My favorite minor character was Gitanjali because she was freaking hilarious. Since I am sucker for letters included in a story, I also loved that many of the letters exchanged by Charlotte and Bridget were sprinkled throughout. The ending was a bit emotional and caught me off guard, bringing tears to my eyes. My only complaint is that at 466 pages, it dragged in some parts and I wish that some of the less important scenes had been cut.
No Place I'd Rather Be (5 stars) remains my favorite by this author!
Trigger Warning:
Location: Washington and Scotland
March 18, 2018
I loved this book! Finished on St Paddy's which was timely due to it being set mostly in Scotland! This is one of my favorite books as of late. Makes me want to start a Giggling Glorious Glamour Gals Group haha Although the book was funny, it was also serious, sad & romantic. Looking forward to her next book ;)
September 3, 2018
It's been a long time since I've read a book that made me cry so much at the end, I had to stop reading for a few minutes. This story, though written in 2015, taking place in 1990s, had so many issues that are so prevalent now. Discrimination ,sexual abuse by men of God, fear of the unknown.
I loved the characters and enjoyed my time in Scotland with them.
I loved the characters and enjoyed my time in Scotland with them.
December 19, 2024
4.5 stars. Set in Scotland My Very Best Friend by Cathy Lamb has all the trade marks of a wonderful Lamb novel. It has at its heart people, the very best and... the very worst. It has great friendships from childhood to adulthood, it is full of outrageous humour, fun and wit. Yet there is also deep sadness. It examines relevant issues and how people deal with them... or not.
Charlotte is a scientist and biologist and romance writer of time travel living of cost of Washington, but returns to her home Scotland to sell the family home and find out what has happened to her friend Bridget who is missing. When her father died at the age of fifteen years, Charlotte and her mother left the village of St Ambrose and this is Charlotte's first time back. Charlotte is a recluse, wears frumpy, comfortable clothing. Nobody knows she is the author of a series about a warrior woman who is very sexy and adventure seeking. However now Charlotte has writer's block. Also her best friend is missing and she Charlotte wonders where she is.
Toran is Bridget's brother, farmer and long time best friend of Charlotte too. He knows a little more about Bridget and her story but not where she is now. As Charlotte and Toran work together to restore the sorry mess that is Charlotte's family home, the love they have for each other comes creeping back. It doesn't hurt that Toran is one sexy hunk of a Scotsman, who is compassionate and loving.
Led by Olive there is a group of women who are a garden club of sorts and a women's support group for each other. Their antics are hilarious and as the story develops these women even more. Some of them are a little odd, but most of them have their heart in the right place. There is a strong feminist theme right throughout the book- feminism at its very best. Some of them though have 'issues' that are unpalatable.
Bonds of friendship, truth and lies, love and forgiveness, shocking happenings, cover ups, injustice and justice meted out, all combine to give a reader a heart warming and heartbreaking read. Mystery and surprises combine. Do I think Charlotte and Bridget were the best of friends - yes. I recommend you read this book and check that out for yourself. Maybe you will agree maybe you won't.
Charlotte is a scientist and biologist and romance writer of time travel living of cost of Washington, but returns to her home Scotland to sell the family home and find out what has happened to her friend Bridget who is missing. When her father died at the age of fifteen years, Charlotte and her mother left the village of St Ambrose and this is Charlotte's first time back. Charlotte is a recluse, wears frumpy, comfortable clothing. Nobody knows she is the author of a series about a warrior woman who is very sexy and adventure seeking. However now Charlotte has writer's block. Also her best friend is missing and she Charlotte wonders where she is.
Toran is Bridget's brother, farmer and long time best friend of Charlotte too. He knows a little more about Bridget and her story but not where she is now. As Charlotte and Toran work together to restore the sorry mess that is Charlotte's family home, the love they have for each other comes creeping back. It doesn't hurt that Toran is one sexy hunk of a Scotsman, who is compassionate and loving.
Led by Olive there is a group of women who are a garden club of sorts and a women's support group for each other. Their antics are hilarious and as the story develops these women even more. Some of them are a little odd, but most of them have their heart in the right place. There is a strong feminist theme right throughout the book- feminism at its very best. Some of them though have 'issues' that are unpalatable.
Bonds of friendship, truth and lies, love and forgiveness, shocking happenings, cover ups, injustice and justice meted out, all combine to give a reader a heart warming and heartbreaking read. Mystery and surprises combine. Do I think Charlotte and Bridget were the best of friends - yes. I recommend you read this book and check that out for yourself. Maybe you will agree maybe you won't.
August 4, 2015
Oh how I love a Cathy Lamb book. This years addition to her body of work is taking the place of honor as my most favorite.
Charlotte's return to her childhood home in Scotland begins the sweetest story of love in all its forms. And introduces us to the quirky characters that are this authors forte. But this bunch are my favorites.
The Gabbing and Gobbling Gardening Club, I'm sure I got the name wrong but that's part of the fun, and it's awesomely funny ladies are a joy to read and know. I fell in love with Police Officer Ben, and his pledge to watch over Charlotte, in addition to his letters to her, just melted my heart.
The four childhood friends and their escapades, accompanied by Charlotte's fathers stories, were such a pleasure to read.
But best of all are the stories of Charlotte and Bridget and Charlotte and Bridget's brother Toran (he of the Scottish Warrior in a Kilt!) These are the stories that are at the heart of this book, the story of a life long love between two friends. And the story of a life long friendship that becomes a beautiful romance.
I needed a box of Kleenex at the end of the book and even though there were some extremely heart wrenching moments, this wasn't a sad, tragic story but one of such love and beauty. I will forever remember with such fondness, the people who inhabited the pages of this remarkable book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read the Arc.
Charlotte's return to her childhood home in Scotland begins the sweetest story of love in all its forms. And introduces us to the quirky characters that are this authors forte. But this bunch are my favorites.
The Gabbing and Gobbling Gardening Club, I'm sure I got the name wrong but that's part of the fun, and it's awesomely funny ladies are a joy to read and know. I fell in love with Police Officer Ben, and his pledge to watch over Charlotte, in addition to his letters to her, just melted my heart.
The four childhood friends and their escapades, accompanied by Charlotte's fathers stories, were such a pleasure to read.
But best of all are the stories of Charlotte and Bridget and Charlotte and Bridget's brother Toran (he of the Scottish Warrior in a Kilt!) These are the stories that are at the heart of this book, the story of a life long love between two friends. And the story of a life long friendship that becomes a beautiful romance.
I needed a box of Kleenex at the end of the book and even though there were some extremely heart wrenching moments, this wasn't a sad, tragic story but one of such love and beauty. I will forever remember with such fondness, the people who inhabited the pages of this remarkable book!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read the Arc.
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