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Girls' Weekend
Dani, Meg, and Charlotte have bonded over babies, barbeques, and backyards, but when they escape for a girls' weekend away, they can't bring themselves to return to lives that don't seem to fit anymore. Harried Dani can't explain why she feels so discontented until she meets a young gallery owner who inspires her to rediscover the art that once made her happy. Dependable Meg faces up to a grief that threatens to swallow her whole and confronts a marriage built on expectations. Flamboyant Charlotte, frustrated with her stagnated life and marriage, pursues a playboy Irish singer and beachside business opportunities. All three of these women thought they would be different. None of them thought they'd be facing down forty and still wondering when life starts. What they do when they realize where they're headed is both inspiring and wildly entertaining. GIRLS' WEEKEND is a fun, yet poignant romp through the universal search of who we are, why we love, and what makes us happy by an author who is quickly emerging as one of our most incisive storytellers. “By page three, I was hooked. If I could have, I would have read it in one sitting.” – When I Grow Up “Mom lit at its finest!” – Mommy’s New Groove “I really loved this story.” – Country Girl Bookaholic “Had I known I’d still be sitting in my favorite chair at 2am, racing to the finish, I probably would have put on my pajamas before I started. (Sometime before lunch…) Yeppers, it was that good. It was compelling, touching, and a bit soul-searching. Oh, and it was fun, too.” – Momma on the Rocks
- GenresFictionWomens Fiction
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 3, 2016
240 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Cara Sue Achterberg
9 books185 followersCara Achterberg writes smart women's fiction that book clubs love. She also writes memoirs about her adventures in dog rescue.
Cara is the co-founder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, a non-profit that raises awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them. Learn more at WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org.
Information on all her books, blogs, and upcoming appearances can be found at CaraWrites.com.
When not writing or weeding (which can sometimes be one and the same), Cara enjoys hiking, reading, visiting Virginia wineries, and growing pretty much anything, including her circle of friends.
You can keep up with Cara on Facebook (Cara Sue Achterberg, writer), Instagram (@carasueachterberg), or TikTok (@CaraSueAchterberg) and of course, at CaraWrites.com.
Cara is the co-founder of Who Will Let the Dogs Out, a non-profit that raises awareness and resources for homeless dogs and the heroes who fight for them. Learn more at WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org.
Information on all her books, blogs, and upcoming appearances can be found at CaraWrites.com.
When not writing or weeding (which can sometimes be one and the same), Cara enjoys hiking, reading, visiting Virginia wineries, and growing pretty much anything, including her circle of friends.
You can keep up with Cara on Facebook (Cara Sue Achterberg, writer), Instagram (@carasueachterberg), or TikTok (@CaraSueAchterberg) and of course, at CaraWrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
May 24, 2016
Cara Sue Achterberg is fantastic at creating characters and getting into their minds and lives. GIRLS' WEEKEND, Achterberg's second novel, is the story of three forty-something women who go away for a weekend, leaving husbands and children behind. They rent a beach house not too far from home, and have so much fun they decide to stay ... indefinitely. Each of them has different issues to work through, and the off-season resort provides the perfect place to reorient their lives. As a married/divorced/remarried woman, I can relate to so many of the emotions that Achterberg gives her different characters.
Dani, a former artist and mother of two, feels she's lost her identity to the role of mother. Meg, mother of five who lost her baby two years prior, must learn how to overcome her grief to rejoin real-life. Charlotte, an interior designer and mother to a "perfect" teenage boy, must decide if she and her husband still love each other, or if they're just staying together for their son. The women bond and coach each other over meals, wine, running, and talking. They are all very different, yet long-time friends. Their dialogue is often direct—they way a true friend should be able to communicate. Not all of them have a tidy, happy ending, which I was pleased to find out. Not because I wished any of them bad fortune, just because it felt more realistic.
This novel is a perfect beach read. It is engaging, fast-paced, and realistic ... with a lot of alcohol and a few handsome strangers mixed in.
Five Girly Stars
Dani, a former artist and mother of two, feels she's lost her identity to the role of mother. Meg, mother of five who lost her baby two years prior, must learn how to overcome her grief to rejoin real-life. Charlotte, an interior designer and mother to a "perfect" teenage boy, must decide if she and her husband still love each other, or if they're just staying together for their son. The women bond and coach each other over meals, wine, running, and talking. They are all very different, yet long-time friends. Their dialogue is often direct—they way a true friend should be able to communicate. Not all of them have a tidy, happy ending, which I was pleased to find out. Not because I wished any of them bad fortune, just because it felt more realistic.
This novel is a perfect beach read. It is engaging, fast-paced, and realistic ... with a lot of alcohol and a few handsome strangers mixed in.
Five Girly Stars
October 12, 2017
Being a woman in my early 40s, I was really hoping this book would resonate.
It didn't.
The story was slow, the characters were self-absorbed, and their actions were not remotely believable.
It's a shame, because I feel there was a lot of potential here.
It took me 10 days to read a book that would have normally taken me 1 or 2, if that tells you anything.
It didn't.
The story was slow, the characters were self-absorbed, and their actions were not remotely believable.
It's a shame, because I feel there was a lot of potential here.
It took me 10 days to read a book that would have normally taken me 1 or 2, if that tells you anything.
March 22, 2016
Girls' Weekend
Book description sounded interesting enough for me to request this title for review.
Starts out with three woman in the same town who are friends with one another due to spouses or children and they decide to have a girls weekend.
As each gets their own alternating chapter we understand why they are questioning their happiness as time goes on and wonder what it would be like to start all over again.
What I like about this book is that they actually go for the girls weekend and are able to discuss openly about their feelings and how others see them. Each thinks the other couples are fine with one another and there are no problems.
It's going to be hard to go back to their homes come Sunday...
We learn otherwise. What I also liked is that each has a different problem and I can relate to many of them over the years past. What is really interesting is how they tackle their problems.
Never had such a weekend but sounds like a fun idea. Really good read and can't wait to read more from this author.
I received this book from Net Galley via the publisher The Story Plant in exchange for my honest review.
Book description sounded interesting enough for me to request this title for review.
Starts out with three woman in the same town who are friends with one another due to spouses or children and they decide to have a girls weekend.
As each gets their own alternating chapter we understand why they are questioning their happiness as time goes on and wonder what it would be like to start all over again.
What I like about this book is that they actually go for the girls weekend and are able to discuss openly about their feelings and how others see them. Each thinks the other couples are fine with one another and there are no problems.
It's going to be hard to go back to their homes come Sunday...
We learn otherwise. What I also liked is that each has a different problem and I can relate to many of them over the years past. What is really interesting is how they tackle their problems.
Never had such a weekend but sounds like a fun idea. Really good read and can't wait to read more from this author.
I received this book from Net Galley via the publisher The Story Plant in exchange for my honest review.
October 5, 2016
Once I start a book, I am pretty much determined to finish it hoping that it will eventually get better. Not the case with this one. A story about three women who go away for the weekend and all decide not to return to their lives for a while seems too unrealistic. I didn't laugh. I didn't cry. I didn't really care what happened to any of these women and was annoyed at how things worked out for them.
April 5, 2016
Charlotte, Dani, and Meg have been friends for ages-- bonding over motherhood and the issues that accompany it. However, each woman has their own problems and are reluctant to bring them up with their friends. Charlotte, a busy and successful interior designer, has a dentist husband and a loving son, but she feels like her husband, Brett, doesn't even see her anymore. Dani's life appears great -- a caring husband and two kids, but she can't quite shake the empty feelings she has. And Meg is still reeling from losing her young son two years ago; her grief remains, but everyone around her seems to have moved on. When the three women get a chance to go away for a girls' weekend, they jump at the chance, even if involves a little rearranging of schedules. But once there, they make a fateful decision: they aren't coming back home.
When reading it, the premise seems a little farfetched, but the characters in this novel immediately seem very real and the book gives a lot of little details about motherhood that lend it realism (for instance, humming annoying intro music to a children's show at inappropriate times). Each woman is different, but you can relate to a piece of each of them. I found myself liking parts of each and being frustrated with other parts - just like your actual friends.
It's probably true that parts of the book are stereotypical toward men (and fathers) -- painting them as bumbling and clueless toward their wives and children, but sadly, there is some realism to it, too. Plus, as the storyline progresses, you fixate less on this fact and realize there's more to this story than black and white. Honestly, it speaks universally to many women, especially mothers: those seeking answers in life, those feeling guilty for not being happy when life seems perfect on paper, those wondering when life simply became a series of errands. I felt like Achterberg did an excellent job of dealing with and capturing some of the quintessential problems facing the modern mom.
The book is painful to read at times, but only because it's so well-written. Your heart breaks for Meg and all she has been through. The book lags a little in the middle, but really, the women do too, as they try to figure out exactly what they should do. It is fascinating because they are doing what you can't quite imagine pulling off. My mind was racing as I read: I mean, who would really watch your kids for that long? What spouse would be OK with this? Who could leave their kids for that long? And yet, you sort of dream for the time away, envy the women as you read the novel. It's easy to empathize with them, even as you may question some of their motives.
Overall, the book was easy to read and Charlotte, Meg, and Dani were interesting and relatable characters. The book made me think (and highlight many passages). It's a fun read, but also goes deeper, too. Really enjoyed it.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere on 5/3.
When reading it, the premise seems a little farfetched, but the characters in this novel immediately seem very real and the book gives a lot of little details about motherhood that lend it realism (for instance, humming annoying intro music to a children's show at inappropriate times). Each woman is different, but you can relate to a piece of each of them. I found myself liking parts of each and being frustrated with other parts - just like your actual friends.
It's probably true that parts of the book are stereotypical toward men (and fathers) -- painting them as bumbling and clueless toward their wives and children, but sadly, there is some realism to it, too. Plus, as the storyline progresses, you fixate less on this fact and realize there's more to this story than black and white. Honestly, it speaks universally to many women, especially mothers: those seeking answers in life, those feeling guilty for not being happy when life seems perfect on paper, those wondering when life simply became a series of errands. I felt like Achterberg did an excellent job of dealing with and capturing some of the quintessential problems facing the modern mom.
The book is painful to read at times, but only because it's so well-written. Your heart breaks for Meg and all she has been through. The book lags a little in the middle, but really, the women do too, as they try to figure out exactly what they should do. It is fascinating because they are doing what you can't quite imagine pulling off. My mind was racing as I read: I mean, who would really watch your kids for that long? What spouse would be OK with this? Who could leave their kids for that long? And yet, you sort of dream for the time away, envy the women as you read the novel. It's easy to empathize with them, even as you may question some of their motives.
Overall, the book was easy to read and Charlotte, Meg, and Dani were interesting and relatable characters. The book made me think (and highlight many passages). It's a fun read, but also goes deeper, too. Really enjoyed it.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley (thank you!); it is available everywhere on 5/3.
June 14, 2016
Dani, Meg and Charlotte have been friends for a long time. Over the years, each of them has got married and had children. Caught up with being a mum, a wife, a taxi driver for their children, PTA meetings, homework etc they never seem to have any time to just be themselves.
When Charlotte suggests a weekend away to Sunset Beach, just the three of them, eventually after some persuading of their husbands, Dani and Meg agree.
However in those two short days, the women come to realise that they are more than just a wife and mother, and decide they need to stay for longer to ‘find themselves’ again.
But will distance and time away from their families work out for each of them?
Girls’ Weekend is a poignant story of three women who find themselves at a crossroad in their lives. They like being mum and wife, but they realise that over the years they have stopped being just Dani, Meg and Charlotte.
Dani is married to Joe and has two children. Her and Joe have a loving relationship, but recently she has been the one pulling away. She feels unhappy but doesn’t want to take pills, she wants to find the root cause and make herself happy again.
Charlotte is the more relaxed of the three. Her husband Brett is a good man and a doting dad to their 13 year old son, Will. When it comes to the two of them though, Charlotte has realised that they don’t seem to have that passion and there is no connection between them anymore. She sometimes wishes that Brett would have an affair just so she could end their marriage.
Meg is a woman in a crisis. She is desperately lonely and fearful of the world that surrounds her family, especially her four children. This all stems back to two years ago when her son Logan died after having an allergic reaction to a cashew nut he’d eaten. Her husband Peter is a waste of space and cares more about his friends and his golf than his wife and family.
Meg needs time to breath, relax and learn to come to terms with the past. Only by doing this, will she ever find herself again.
Cara has written an engaging story that tells the story of modern society today. Between work, looking after the children, being a wife, running a home, a lot of women just don’t have time for themselves anymore.
It didn’t actually feel like I was reading a book. It felt more like I was sat listening to these women tell their life stories. The three women are extremely likeable and I really took them all in to my heart.
A beautiful book that has fabulous characters, lots of wine, and will have you wanting more.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
When Charlotte suggests a weekend away to Sunset Beach, just the three of them, eventually after some persuading of their husbands, Dani and Meg agree.
However in those two short days, the women come to realise that they are more than just a wife and mother, and decide they need to stay for longer to ‘find themselves’ again.
But will distance and time away from their families work out for each of them?
Girls’ Weekend is a poignant story of three women who find themselves at a crossroad in their lives. They like being mum and wife, but they realise that over the years they have stopped being just Dani, Meg and Charlotte.
Dani is married to Joe and has two children. Her and Joe have a loving relationship, but recently she has been the one pulling away. She feels unhappy but doesn’t want to take pills, she wants to find the root cause and make herself happy again.
Charlotte is the more relaxed of the three. Her husband Brett is a good man and a doting dad to their 13 year old son, Will. When it comes to the two of them though, Charlotte has realised that they don’t seem to have that passion and there is no connection between them anymore. She sometimes wishes that Brett would have an affair just so she could end their marriage.
Meg is a woman in a crisis. She is desperately lonely and fearful of the world that surrounds her family, especially her four children. This all stems back to two years ago when her son Logan died after having an allergic reaction to a cashew nut he’d eaten. Her husband Peter is a waste of space and cares more about his friends and his golf than his wife and family.
Meg needs time to breath, relax and learn to come to terms with the past. Only by doing this, will she ever find herself again.
Cara has written an engaging story that tells the story of modern society today. Between work, looking after the children, being a wife, running a home, a lot of women just don’t have time for themselves anymore.
It didn’t actually feel like I was reading a book. It felt more like I was sat listening to these women tell their life stories. The three women are extremely likeable and I really took them all in to my heart.
A beautiful book that has fabulous characters, lots of wine, and will have you wanting more.
Reviewed by Stacey at www.whisperingstories.com
May 2, 2016
Girls' Weekend, written by Cara Sue Achterberg, is an amazing story about love, friendship, and finding the courage to once again be happy. This is the first book that I have read by this author, but it won't be my last.
Dani, Meg, and Charlotte are friends that are all at a crossroads in their lives. They decide to go on a girls' weekend to take a break from their everyday lives. Each woman thinks the others lead a perfect life, but as the weekend unfolds, they reveal their unhappiness to one another, and soon realize they all are missing something in their lives...happiness. Each woman is dealing with problems at home, and although each have a different set of issues, they still feel a common bond with one another. As the weekend nears the end, they decide they aren't ready to return home, and agree to extend their time together. However, true to life, nothing ever goes as planned. After receiving an unexpected phone call, they return home to find everything will be changed.
I realize I could have written a more detailed review, but I honestly feel this is a book worth reading, and I didn't want to reveal any spoilers. Each character is facing their own set of problems, and each character is unhappy. What I felt was truly interesting is the way each character deals with their problems. The bond between these three women is amazing, and more importantly, it felt real. The author is very descriptive, and because of this, the story is brought to life. The ups and downs of marriage, as well as motherhood, is perfectly reflected as the story is told. There are moments in which you will laugh out loud, and there are also moments that your heart will break while reading this story. The thing I loved about this book is the fact that in every woman's life, there is probably a time or two that you wish you could just escape and start over. Obviously, the reality is that most of us never take that chance, but that doesn't mean we haven't thought about it. Overall, this was an amazing book about love, loss, friendship, and finding the courage to bring happiness back into your life. The book is about three totally different women, but you will be able to relate to each of them in one way or another. I would strongly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more by this author.
I received an advance digital copy of this book from The Story Plant and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dani, Meg, and Charlotte are friends that are all at a crossroads in their lives. They decide to go on a girls' weekend to take a break from their everyday lives. Each woman thinks the others lead a perfect life, but as the weekend unfolds, they reveal their unhappiness to one another, and soon realize they all are missing something in their lives...happiness. Each woman is dealing with problems at home, and although each have a different set of issues, they still feel a common bond with one another. As the weekend nears the end, they decide they aren't ready to return home, and agree to extend their time together. However, true to life, nothing ever goes as planned. After receiving an unexpected phone call, they return home to find everything will be changed.
I realize I could have written a more detailed review, but I honestly feel this is a book worth reading, and I didn't want to reveal any spoilers. Each character is facing their own set of problems, and each character is unhappy. What I felt was truly interesting is the way each character deals with their problems. The bond between these three women is amazing, and more importantly, it felt real. The author is very descriptive, and because of this, the story is brought to life. The ups and downs of marriage, as well as motherhood, is perfectly reflected as the story is told. There are moments in which you will laugh out loud, and there are also moments that your heart will break while reading this story. The thing I loved about this book is the fact that in every woman's life, there is probably a time or two that you wish you could just escape and start over. Obviously, the reality is that most of us never take that chance, but that doesn't mean we haven't thought about it. Overall, this was an amazing book about love, loss, friendship, and finding the courage to bring happiness back into your life. The book is about three totally different women, but you will be able to relate to each of them in one way or another. I would strongly recommend this book, and look forward to reading more by this author.
I received an advance digital copy of this book from The Story Plant and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2016
The book Girl's Weekend, by Cara Sue Achterberg was recently recommended to me through an online book marketing group. It is an honest review in exchange for a free copy.
This book is a delight!
Three lifelong friends, Meg, Dani, and Charlotte, go away for beach weekend to clear their minds and take a break from the hustle and bustle of being moms and wives. Each of them seeks to find that missing piece of themselves. This book is a wonderful example of female-driven story telling. I could practically hear the sounds of the waves as I read the words.
None of them are fully unhappy in their lives necessarily, perhaps just a little bit unsettled, with the exception of Meg. She had gone through the worst experience of any parent when losing her toddler son two years prior. She has become consumed by her grief but is afraid to acknowledge it. In her attempt to block out the pain she has perhaps grown numb, to her life, to her marriage and most of all to herself. Dani is an artist who has lost her muse. Desperate to reconnect with her creative side she pals up with a local art dealer along the beach hoping to rekindle the passion she once felt. Charlotte feels as if her marriage has gone cold and seeks to find a way to invigorate her restless soul in the worst way possible.
Each of the characters are complex and nuanced. There were times when I disagreed heartily with their actions, just as I would with real life friends. Walking along the journey with each of these women as I read this book was like standing alongside them. Wine, laughter, headaches, heartaches. Things we all can relate to.
Not everything in this book is packaged with a perfect bow and a neat resolution, but that's how life works sometimes. Achterberg captures with finesse the pressures placed upon women in the modern world. The way the characters express themselves reminds me of the fragility of relationships and the strength of the bonds of friendship. I recommend this book to anyone as a great summer read, but be ready for the twists and turns which only come when traversing the trails of the human heart.
This book is a delight!
Three lifelong friends, Meg, Dani, and Charlotte, go away for beach weekend to clear their minds and take a break from the hustle and bustle of being moms and wives. Each of them seeks to find that missing piece of themselves. This book is a wonderful example of female-driven story telling. I could practically hear the sounds of the waves as I read the words.
None of them are fully unhappy in their lives necessarily, perhaps just a little bit unsettled, with the exception of Meg. She had gone through the worst experience of any parent when losing her toddler son two years prior. She has become consumed by her grief but is afraid to acknowledge it. In her attempt to block out the pain she has perhaps grown numb, to her life, to her marriage and most of all to herself. Dani is an artist who has lost her muse. Desperate to reconnect with her creative side she pals up with a local art dealer along the beach hoping to rekindle the passion she once felt. Charlotte feels as if her marriage has gone cold and seeks to find a way to invigorate her restless soul in the worst way possible.
Each of the characters are complex and nuanced. There were times when I disagreed heartily with their actions, just as I would with real life friends. Walking along the journey with each of these women as I read this book was like standing alongside them. Wine, laughter, headaches, heartaches. Things we all can relate to.
Not everything in this book is packaged with a perfect bow and a neat resolution, but that's how life works sometimes. Achterberg captures with finesse the pressures placed upon women in the modern world. The way the characters express themselves reminds me of the fragility of relationships and the strength of the bonds of friendship. I recommend this book to anyone as a great summer read, but be ready for the twists and turns which only come when traversing the trails of the human heart.
June 21, 2016
I adored this book! It is my first read by Cara Sue Achterberg, but it will definitely not be my last! I was wildly impressed with just how fun and down-to-earth this story was.
From the start, I found myself connecting with the characters. Though I may not have experienced exactly what they have, I - and most others- have experienced something very relatable and may even feel similar to these ladies. It was inspiring and exciting to read along as they were there for each other and they found themselves again.
I loved that the characters grew and evolved throughout the story. It was also fun to think that they may be going back to what they were like when they were younger, or at least what they wanted to age into.
The pace of the story was excellent. It didn't race through the issues, which I thought was brilliant, as they were difficult problems and needed time and effort to sort. I also liked that the were little fast-paced, fun moments to show just how much of a good time they were having.
Overall, this is an excellent book. A really great read to build you up and put a smile on your face.
**I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
From the start, I found myself connecting with the characters. Though I may not have experienced exactly what they have, I - and most others- have experienced something very relatable and may even feel similar to these ladies. It was inspiring and exciting to read along as they were there for each other and they found themselves again.
I loved that the characters grew and evolved throughout the story. It was also fun to think that they may be going back to what they were like when they were younger, or at least what they wanted to age into.
The pace of the story was excellent. It didn't race through the issues, which I thought was brilliant, as they were difficult problems and needed time and effort to sort. I also liked that the were little fast-paced, fun moments to show just how much of a good time they were having.
Overall, this is an excellent book. A really great read to build you up and put a smile on your face.
**I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 12, 2016
4+ Stars!
This is an intriguing story about three women, mothers, who are struggling in independent ways with aging and self-identity.
It is a heartwarming story that touches on the importance of friendship, familial relationships, marriage, child-rearing, happiness, loss, discovering what’s important in life and, ultimately, reinventing one’s self.
It is very well written. And the characters are well-developed, real, interesting and flawed.
This truly is a poised, enlightening novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to Cara Sue Achterberg, the author, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review and more can be found on my blog at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
This is an intriguing story about three women, mothers, who are struggling in independent ways with aging and self-identity.
It is a heartwarming story that touches on the importance of friendship, familial relationships, marriage, child-rearing, happiness, loss, discovering what’s important in life and, ultimately, reinventing one’s self.
It is very well written. And the characters are well-developed, real, interesting and flawed.
This truly is a poised, enlightening novel that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to Cara Sue Achterberg, the author, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review and more can be found on my blog at www.whatsbetterthanbooks.com
May 3, 2016
Dani, Meg and Charlotte are friends and on the surface all seem to have perfect lives but not everything is as it seems and when they all decide to go on a girls weekend their problems all start to spill out and a new bond and friendship is formed between them.
At the end of the weekend they all decide that it has been too short and they are not going to go home! Eventually after a phone call they do return but will things ever be the same for them again?
A great story and heartbreaking in parts - Meg losing a child at such a young age - but it was well handled and certainly a page turner!
At the end of the weekend they all decide that it has been too short and they are not going to go home! Eventually after a phone call they do return but will things ever be the same for them again?
A great story and heartbreaking in parts - Meg losing a child at such a young age - but it was well handled and certainly a page turner!
May 30, 2016
Wonderfully written.
Cara Sue Achterberg makes the reader feel they are the 4th friend sharing the experiences of Dani, Meg and Charlotte. They became your friends and you feel their excitement, anxiety, happiness, sadness, and love. You are there with them as they try to escape the realities of their day-to-day lives by taking off for a week-end together. This "week-end" becomes "weeks" as they each search deep into their souls trying to find out who they are beyond a wife and a mother and try to find the part of themselves that they lost along the way.
Get it ... read it ... you will enjoy it!
Cara Sue Achterberg makes the reader feel they are the 4th friend sharing the experiences of Dani, Meg and Charlotte. They became your friends and you feel their excitement, anxiety, happiness, sadness, and love. You are there with them as they try to escape the realities of their day-to-day lives by taking off for a week-end together. This "week-end" becomes "weeks" as they each search deep into their souls trying to find out who they are beyond a wife and a mother and try to find the part of themselves that they lost along the way.
Get it ... read it ... you will enjoy it!
June 4, 2017
This book had potential. It did not seem that the characters had much substance. The story was long for the amount of details that weren't, I'm not sure what's wrong with me, which was the first 200+ pages. There was nothing deep about the problems that would make these women abandon their children. They also never figured out anything that should change. Meg was the only character that had any real story behind her. I had hoped this story would be better as it went on and NOPE was what I found. I'm not sure I'll read another of Cara's books.
April 26, 2016
well done. Charlotte, Meg, and Dani are relatable, complex women who face the same issues all of us (well, women) do. I enjoyed this novel, which is nicely written and well plotted. It's always interesting to see what triggers change and how someone handles it. These three made me smile because I understood them. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'll look for Achterberg in the future. You'll like this if you like novels of women at a crossroads. Thumbs up!
May 9, 2016
Three friends who help each other find themselves
Meg, Charlotte, and Dani are three women who have put their roles as wife and mother first for so long that they have lost themselves. This is a story about how they found themselves. I found a bit of myself in each character and think you will too. An excellent read!!
Meg, Charlotte, and Dani are three women who have put their roles as wife and mother first for so long that they have lost themselves. This is a story about how they found themselves. I found a bit of myself in each character and think you will too. An excellent read!!
March 22, 2017
Three ladies are friends due to their children or spouses and live in the same town. Each thinks that the others have the perfect husband and perfect life. However, this is far from the case. Each lady has issues or dreams that never materialized. These forty’ish women decide to go for a girls only weekend. There is a chapter devoted to each woman on her struggles. One begins to understand why the ladies want to start over and what their life would be like.
The ladies were open and honest with each other and became closer friends because of the week-end. What I really enjoyed about this book was the character building of each lady, and I could actually relate to some of their issues. A very close friend of mine and I take two week-ends a year and have quality girl time. Although we don’t sit around and discuss these types of issues, we do discuss what is going on in our lives. We both come back refreshed and energized. We also craft all week-end, which is something these ladies could do to de-stress!
When the ladies do return home on Sunday, I had a feeling that they would have a difficult time. However, this is further from the truth. The week-end helped them to focus and find peace. I’m a true believer of the girls week-end, and I am so glad that I found this book.
Thanks to Tantor Media for giving me this book in exchange for a honest review. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author as well as the narrator.
The ladies were open and honest with each other and became closer friends because of the week-end. What I really enjoyed about this book was the character building of each lady, and I could actually relate to some of their issues. A very close friend of mine and I take two week-ends a year and have quality girl time. Although we don’t sit around and discuss these types of issues, we do discuss what is going on in our lives. We both come back refreshed and energized. We also craft all week-end, which is something these ladies could do to de-stress!
When the ladies do return home on Sunday, I had a feeling that they would have a difficult time. However, this is further from the truth. The week-end helped them to focus and find peace. I’m a true believer of the girls week-end, and I am so glad that I found this book.
Thanks to Tantor Media for giving me this book in exchange for a honest review. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author as well as the narrator.
May 6, 2016
In Girls' Weekend, three women spend some much needed time in a beach house trying to figure out what went wrong in their marriages. All three have problems that many women can relate to. Meg, Charlotte and Dani are all running from something.. but will they run back to their husbands?
Meg lost her son as a toddler and can't figure out how to get past the grief. It consumes her life. She does crossword puzzles to pass the time and has an immaculate house. Always trying to find ways to distract herself from feeling. Her husband and family seem to have gotten past it. Will Meg find a way to get through the pain she goes through every day?
Charlotte has a rough relationship with her husband, Brett. The love has gone stale and at times she believes he cares much more for their son Will than his marriage. A wealthy woman in her own right, Charlotte distracts herself with her job and soon an Irish man named Martin. Is her marriage worth saving, or will she throw it all away for a new man?
Dani is tired of her day to day life. She works from home and feels as if she just goes through the motions taking care of her two children. She wishes for the love her and Joe had when they were younger. She gave up her art when they got married, but soon finds herself selling her creations at a local store to a handsome art dealer. Can she find a way to use her creative ideas elsewhere?
I really liked this book, although it was tough to read at times. It can be hard to read so much drama about marriages and children, but this author does a great job of adding in some happiness as well. I've never been married before but I felt a lot of empathy for these women. I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a drama filled book about overcoming marriage woes.
Meg lost her son as a toddler and can't figure out how to get past the grief. It consumes her life. She does crossword puzzles to pass the time and has an immaculate house. Always trying to find ways to distract herself from feeling. Her husband and family seem to have gotten past it. Will Meg find a way to get through the pain she goes through every day?
Charlotte has a rough relationship with her husband, Brett. The love has gone stale and at times she believes he cares much more for their son Will than his marriage. A wealthy woman in her own right, Charlotte distracts herself with her job and soon an Irish man named Martin. Is her marriage worth saving, or will she throw it all away for a new man?
Dani is tired of her day to day life. She works from home and feels as if she just goes through the motions taking care of her two children. She wishes for the love her and Joe had when they were younger. She gave up her art when they got married, but soon finds herself selling her creations at a local store to a handsome art dealer. Can she find a way to use her creative ideas elsewhere?
I really liked this book, although it was tough to read at times. It can be hard to read so much drama about marriages and children, but this author does a great job of adding in some happiness as well. I've never been married before but I felt a lot of empathy for these women. I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a drama filled book about overcoming marriage woes.
May 3, 2016
(I received the Kindle version of this book, free of charge, from Netgalley in return for an honest independent review.)
Which character do you relate to?
A great story about Dani, Charlotte and Meg who decide to have a Girls' Weekend away by the sea, leaving behind their husbands and children. However when it is time to return they all decide that just a weekend is not enough.
If you have ever thought about "running away" from your home and family, think it's time to re-invent yourself, or re-discover the real you, then read this first. As Dani, Charlotte and Meg consider the way their lives have turned out, and whether they have any right to be unhappy about it, so they discover that the lives of their closest friends are not quite as they thought.
This is not always a comfortable read, but it is very real and completely engrossing. Reading it on Kindle I did not realise how near the end was, and was horrified to "turn a page" and find the Acknowledgements. Not because the story wasn't finished, it was, but because I was so involved in the three lives that I couldn't believe there was no more. I wonder what Dani, Charlotte and Meg are doing today.
"There are no mistakes, only lessons to be learned" Cara Sue Achterberg
(to see all my reviews visit : www.emmabbooks.blogspot.co.at )
Which character do you relate to?
A great story about Dani, Charlotte and Meg who decide to have a Girls' Weekend away by the sea, leaving behind their husbands and children. However when it is time to return they all decide that just a weekend is not enough.
If you have ever thought about "running away" from your home and family, think it's time to re-invent yourself, or re-discover the real you, then read this first. As Dani, Charlotte and Meg consider the way their lives have turned out, and whether they have any right to be unhappy about it, so they discover that the lives of their closest friends are not quite as they thought.
This is not always a comfortable read, but it is very real and completely engrossing. Reading it on Kindle I did not realise how near the end was, and was horrified to "turn a page" and find the Acknowledgements. Not because the story wasn't finished, it was, but because I was so involved in the three lives that I couldn't believe there was no more. I wonder what Dani, Charlotte and Meg are doing today.
"There are no mistakes, only lessons to be learned" Cara Sue Achterberg
(to see all my reviews visit : www.emmabbooks.blogspot.co.at )
June 28, 2016
A very entertaining, intriguing story of female friendships, and determining who we are and what we want from life.
Each of the three women in this book has a different issue to work through, and most readers will find at least one of them to relate to in some way. The three of them get to know each other better than they have in the past, as they have more direct, more honest conversations than they have had in the past.
I think my favorite part of the book was that not all three of the women had happy endings that wrapped things up in a neat, tidy way. It made the whole thing seem more realistic and honest.
My one complaint is that some sections dragged and felt they bogged down the story.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Each of the three women in this book has a different issue to work through, and most readers will find at least one of them to relate to in some way. The three of them get to know each other better than they have in the past, as they have more direct, more honest conversations than they have had in the past.
I think my favorite part of the book was that not all three of the women had happy endings that wrapped things up in a neat, tidy way. It made the whole thing seem more realistic and honest.
My one complaint is that some sections dragged and felt they bogged down the story.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
July 10, 2019
How Times Have I Wanted This
I chose this rating because it reminded of myself. I turned fifty years old and I felt lost. I didn't know what I liked or wanted anymore because I'd become everybody else's something. This story had me, laughing, crying and cringing. Charlotte, Dani and Meg were real, concrete characters. Each has her own demons to fight and lives to figure out. If you're a woman around 40 to 50 this book will speak to your soul. It's not a perfect romance novel, it's both light and heavy at times. I believe every woman needs a weekend away at least twice a year that way you'll never forget who YOU are.
I chose this rating because it reminded of myself. I turned fifty years old and I felt lost. I didn't know what I liked or wanted anymore because I'd become everybody else's something. This story had me, laughing, crying and cringing. Charlotte, Dani and Meg were real, concrete characters. Each has her own demons to fight and lives to figure out. If you're a woman around 40 to 50 this book will speak to your soul. It's not a perfect romance novel, it's both light and heavy at times. I believe every woman needs a weekend away at least twice a year that way you'll never forget who YOU are.
June 19, 2016
The book has a very interesting premise about women who are overwhelmed in their lives and feeling unappreciated. They escape to gain some clarity and many of the details of each character are quite relatable. I found the middle of the book to be a bit slow and the ending seemed very unresolved. While the idea that they can escape from their families for so much time without any real negative consequences is a bit farfetched, the characters still draw you in. Overall it's a nice read.
July 9, 2018
Such a great book! This book made me think of my life and how much in life becomes the “norm” that you often lose the real you. The characters were well developed and each character had a piece I could relate to. After reading this book, I have reassessed what is important in my life to keep it real. Loved this story❣️
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July 18, 2016I found myself comparing which character I'm like most. It took me back to the days when we asked ourselves if we were a Samantha, Charlotte, Carrie or Miranda. Very well written, engaging and thought provoking. I'm honored to know the author!! A must read!
March 8, 2018
For marrieds!
This was such a relatable story, having been married for a long time as well as a mom of 3, sometimes I feel like running away. Great story, major anti climatic ending. I was very disappointed
This was such a relatable story, having been married for a long time as well as a mom of 3, sometimes I feel like running away. Great story, major anti climatic ending. I was very disappointed
June 26, 2019
Wonderful!
Another great book by Cara Sue Achterberg. I’m amazed at her insights into the workings of the minds of the different people. I loved going on the girls’ weekend with the three main characters.
Another great book by Cara Sue Achterberg. I’m amazed at her insights into the workings of the minds of the different people. I loved going on the girls’ weekend with the three main characters.
October 21, 2016
Predictable chick lit with a seriously abrupt ending.
September 14, 2018
This was an excellent and fun read. I really enjoy the depth of the characters. It was a hard one to put down.
September 19, 2022
I don’t know how this story works….no husband I know would let their wife vanish for a month….
June 17, 2017
Dani, Charlotte and Meg are heading to a well deserved girls' weekend, far away from their family stress and work overload. But after the two days of rest are over, none of them is ready to return to their everyday lives.
Although maybe the ending is predictable, the way in which each of the three women is developing the relationship with her self is interesting and not without surprising discoveries. At the rented house near the beach, in less than one month, the friends are completely reinventing themselves, looking back to their complex past and starting to get over the failures of their professional and personal lives or grief after loss of a child.
Most importantly, they learn to discover what it really matters in their life, by finding the inner resources for more rewarding personal relationships and more meaning in life. The women characters are complex and interesting case studies, while on the men side, there is a disbalance, as they are portrayed as almost the same, selfish and pretty simplistic in their approaches to married life.
If you are looking for a thoughtful read at the beginning of the summer or during your weekend - with or without your girls - this book is a good choice, that makes you think about and maybe reconsider your couple life. You may also decide to stay longer out of your usual routine, but what is important is to never think you are done with your life and always keep looking for meaning and never accept getting lost in other people's lives.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Although maybe the ending is predictable, the way in which each of the three women is developing the relationship with her self is interesting and not without surprising discoveries. At the rented house near the beach, in less than one month, the friends are completely reinventing themselves, looking back to their complex past and starting to get over the failures of their professional and personal lives or grief after loss of a child.
Most importantly, they learn to discover what it really matters in their life, by finding the inner resources for more rewarding personal relationships and more meaning in life. The women characters are complex and interesting case studies, while on the men side, there is a disbalance, as they are portrayed as almost the same, selfish and pretty simplistic in their approaches to married life.
If you are looking for a thoughtful read at the beginning of the summer or during your weekend - with or without your girls - this book is a good choice, that makes you think about and maybe reconsider your couple life. You may also decide to stay longer out of your usual routine, but what is important is to never think you are done with your life and always keep looking for meaning and never accept getting lost in other people's lives.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
May 31, 2022
This was a very enjoyable read with satisfyingly complex characters and an entertaining, if slightly implausible, plot. It also offered some hard-won, heartwarming, and poignant life lessons learned by the characters and the reader too.
Three women in their early 40s, very different from each other but connected by years of living near each other as friends, have each, for entirely different reasons, hit an emotional wall in their lives and their marriages. Together they had the guts to do what most of us would have been afraid to do (that's the only reason why I called the plot "implausible")—they took off for a girls' weekend that turned into a girls' month, leaving their husbands and kids to fend for themselves and—in the process—learn to appreciate how much their wife/mother actually did to make their lives run smoothly.
Each of the three women was vulnerable to attentive strangers and/or the temptation to completely ditch their previous life. Each met the challenges in entirely different ways, some more potentially self-destructive than others. Each learned a great deal about themselves and about each other. As a reader, you may root for them, judge them, or live vicariously through them, but when you've finished reading, you'll have had your own adventure.
Three women in their early 40s, very different from each other but connected by years of living near each other as friends, have each, for entirely different reasons, hit an emotional wall in their lives and their marriages. Together they had the guts to do what most of us would have been afraid to do (that's the only reason why I called the plot "implausible")—they took off for a girls' weekend that turned into a girls' month, leaving their husbands and kids to fend for themselves and—in the process—learn to appreciate how much their wife/mother actually did to make their lives run smoothly.
Each of the three women was vulnerable to attentive strangers and/or the temptation to completely ditch their previous life. Each met the challenges in entirely different ways, some more potentially self-destructive than others. Each learned a great deal about themselves and about each other. As a reader, you may root for them, judge them, or live vicariously through them, but when you've finished reading, you'll have had your own adventure.
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