Tiffany Wright never planned to become a torch singer, much less a pregnant and single one. It was only with the help of her Fat Fridays luncheon group of strong women—counting their blessings, not their calories—that she found the courage to leave Beau, her once wonderful husband destroyed by drug addiction.
Now those same women are her supportive audience at Sassy Saturdays, the enchanting evenings when Tiffany belts out ballads at a local club. Things heat up when Kevin Bascombe—tall, dark, and exceedingly handsome—moves in next door…and turns out to be both Beau’s new business partner and Tiffany’s literal savior in a storm. And when tragedy strikes, Tiffany and Kevin find themselves on the same side of a legal battle, while Tiffany must summon the strength to stand up to her domineering in-laws or risk an unbearable loss.
With blue martinis as their talisman, the Sassy Saturdays friends, each facing familial challenges of her own, unite in support, finding hope in friendship, sisterhood, laughter—and colorful cocktails.
Revised This edition of Sassy Saturdays includes editorial revisions.
Judith Keim, A USA Today Best Selling Author, is a hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes. Ms. Keim writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way, stories with heart. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she's lived or visited and on the interesting people that she's met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many loyal readers love.
She enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Kacy and Wally, and other members of her family.
While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.
Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.
The ladies from the Fat Fridays group continue with their lives in the 2nd installment of the series. While the book touches on all of their POVs, I felt this book had more to do with Tiffany and the struggles she goes through being separated from her husband and preparing to have a baby. She has to deal with her overbearing in-laws. A mysterious "friend" of her husband moves in next door and turns out to be extremely helpful, especially after the baby arrives and Tiffany gets some unexpected news.
This series is ??? I wouldn't say it is light, as some of the characters have some real issues going on in their lives, but neither is it heavy because it jumps around to the different POVs; and, while one character might be having a hard time, another might be having the best time. The camaraderie that exists between the ladies of the FF group is so special, it is endearing. I put it on my "rainy day and beach reads" shelf because it fits so perfectly there.
Friends are like the chocolate chips in the cookies of life.
Oh hon, life isn't fair... It's one of the hardest things to accept.
I sometimes think I should diet, and then I think of pizza.
My Review:
Sassy Saturdays is a more melancholy and pensive read than the first book in the series - Fat Fridays. The group continued to transition with incremental to significant forward movement by all with good and bad news, new additions, personal losses, and disappointing setbacks, but they continue to be a source of strength and stability for each other regardless. The writing was emotive and heart squeezing as well as richly aesthetic in detail. The characters were realistic and likable and although somewhat frustrating at times, they were people I wish I had in my life, but poor Carol Ann, what a dolt.
Friends helping friends is always a good thing and author Judith Keim has created a core cast of characters that will touch your heart during just that. Narrator Joyce Bean shines as she brings these characters to life. Her vocals and timing enhance the story. Her interruption of the characters’ emotions adds to this delightful story. SASSY SATURDAYS explores the bond friends can sometimes have despite their age difference and their home life These characters are well-developed and likable. They’re so realistic there’s a couple you want to shake like your sister to make them see the light. The story moves at a steady pace and holds your attention. While the story moves from one character to the next, it’s a smooth transition and flows easily. There is a good blend of romance, humor, suspense, and drama mixed with the friendship for a well-rounded tale. As this is the second installment in the Fat Fridays Group series, the characters continue to evolve and expand. However, new readers/listeners to the series won’t be left in the dark. The author includes enough backstory to keep everyone on track without retelling the first story. This is a charming and entertaining story about friends, family, and love. FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.
A fantastic follow up to ‘Fat Fridays’ and I adored the whole group more and more upon reading each chapter. I loved catching up with them and seeing their individual stories play out and the relationships between their characters grow. Plenty of love, friendship and support between the sassy saturdays crew and some unexpected surprises!
I also loved the addition of a new woman to the group and just loved everything about the book. It’s rapidly becoming a guilty pleasure!
When I was reading this book, I truly felt like part of the friends' inner circle. All I wanted was to read and find out more about what was going on. I miss them and am looking forward to more from this author!
However, it would be best to read the first book in the series, "Fat Fridays." It would be a real help.
I received this book from NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy this author’s style of writing. I read Fat Fridays and loved the sequel. It’s a light and easy read where she weaves the power of friendship and the challenges and celebrations of life beautifully.
Loved thus sequel. Fun and easy read. Love the friendship among these women. It’s inspiring. I hope there is a third installment. This is a fun summer read.
Sassy Saturdays continues where Fat Fridays left off (See my review here). The story still revolves around the 5 women from the previous book, with the addition of a new member: Lynetta.
The formula is still the same. You get to see inside the lives of each of these characters. Sukie, is still the leader of the pack, who provides the “mom” feel for them all. Life continues and new problems arise. Carol Anne, is still irresponsible and annoying. Why am I not surprised at how things ended up with her? I want to feel sorry, but seriously she has a child’s mentality.
Very naive:
‘If a man wanted you to meet his mother, he was sincere. “I’ve learned that I can’t trust a man who doesn’t have family. I got stung once; I don’t want to get hurt again.”’
MAJOR EYEROLL! Honey, you just met this man and you don’t know a THING about him. *sigh*
Lynetta brings a fresh presence to the group, but her story isn’t as drama-esk. She just has a couple of teenage sons, one of whom gets into some typical teenage shenanigans. Also, her love life provides some contention between herself and her sons. Trust me, it is not as serious as her counterparts’ stories.
However, as Fat Fridays focused on Sukie, Sassy Saturdays seemed to revolve around Tiffany. She has somewhat become a lounge singer and the girls meet up every Saturday for martinis. Her issues regarding her husband’s family escalate.
All in all, it satisfied some of my curiosity that book 1 presented. I’m sure it will continue on to the next book.
A little note...
This series must be read in order to fully understand what’s going on.
This was my first time reading this author and I loved this book !!! I fell in love with the characters from the first page and didn't want to put it down. I didn't get to read this series in order but I will read the rest of the series and more from this author.
TL:DR Review: Tiffany Wright is trying to rebuild her life after leaving her abusive, alcoholic husband at the end of Fat Fridays. However, Beau (like his parents), doesn’t know when to quit and installs a “minder” next door. When tragedy strikes, Tiffany stands up for herself against the all-powerful Wright family. Meanwhile, Carol Ann hits the stupid stick again and Lynn/Grace is rejected by the only person she truly loves, her daughter. ------------------------------- Verdict: Better than the prequel but definitely chick-lit. Darker themes and outcomes this time but still a beach read.
I can’t believe I’m about to write this, but here goes: this sequel will frustrate the hell out of you.
It’s not frustrating because of the material: Alcoholic husband, overbearing and obnoxious in-laws, unplanned and somewhat unwanted pregnancy, great girlfriends, and a sexy guy next door. No, in the hands of other writers, this has been fodder for GOLD. That’s what makes this sequel so disappointing. Sassy Saturdays takes this material and goes, meh.
Let me level with you now: This entire post is nothing but spoilers.
Sassy Saturday’s picks up a few months after the end of Fat Fridays. Suki’s now engaged to Cam (would’ve loved to see that proposal). Betsy has moved to Miami . Carol Ann is still looking for love in all the wrong trousers (and getting robbed in the process). Lynn, now known as Grace, is trying to reconnect with her daughter. Lynette is the newbie, a single mother of two teenage boys.
Let’s start with the first spoiler: Fat Fridays had established Beau as a man who kowtowed to his parents. I did, however, appreciate the way Keim portrayed Tiffany’s confusion and grief. She loved the memories of the man she met and married and mourned the man he’d become. That felt real.
Tiffany’s need to protect her daughter from her in-laws felt very real. After all, look at what they’d done to their own child. The Wright’s threats to sue for custody felt very real. Keim did an excellent job portraying Tiffany’s in-laws as the sort of people who would use every trick, underhanded or not, to get their way. The custody threats definitely had a David vs. Goliath feel to them.
However, I was over the Wrights showing up whenever they pleased and bullying their way into Tiffany’s home. No ma’am. Time to set some boundaries.
Second spoiler: Kevin However, why did Kevin need to move next door? Was he just in the market for an apartment? Couldn’t he do his job from wherever he was? Kinda convenient that he ended up next door just when Tiffany needs him. I appreciated that Kevin didn’t become a love interest. He might morph into that later but he felt kinda shady until his real role in Beau’s life was revealed.
OK, that’s enough about Tiffany. Let’s get to the two interesting stories in this book: Carol Ann and Lynn. Spoilers Ahead: Overall, Sassy Saturdays is a meatier update to the series, but mostly because you’re fully invested in Tiffany and Carol Ann (and Lynn/Grace to a lesser extent). ------------------------------------------ Overall Opinion: Darker themes, frustrating as hell.
Would I read it again? If waiting in a doctor’s office, sure.
Would I buy it for someone? Since you need the prequel to understand it, probably not.
הספר השני קצת פחות טוב מהספר הראשון בסידרה והציון שמתאים לו הוא 2.5 כוכבים. עלילותיהן של החברות מהספר הראשון ממשיכות גם בספר השני, יחד עם זאת המיקוד של הספר הראשון והניתוח של האירועים מעינייה של סוקי, אינו מתקיים בספר הזה ולכן ישנה התבדרות וגם התמקדות באירועים לא מעניינים.
הרומאן של סוקי וקאמרון פורח בזמן שבעלה לשעבר של סוקי מאבד את דרכו ומתדרדר לאלכוהוליזם. יחד עם זאת אין הרבה אירועים מעניינים שנוגעים לרומאן שהיה מרכזי בספר הראשון.
קרול אן ממשיכה לאחוז בתואר הדמות המעצבנת ביותר בחבורה. אפילו האירועים שנופלים עליה, ואלו אירועים משמעותיים, לא גרמו לי להיות אמפטית כלפיה ולהתעניין בגורלה. כל פרק של קרול אן הוציא ממני אנחות של חוסר סבלנות ורצון לדפדף קדימה.
גרייס מנסה לקבל את בתה בחזרה. היא הדמות המעניינת ביותר בספר הזה, יחד עם זאת מספר הפרקים המוקדש לה אפסי כמעט ולא ברור מה קורה איתה ועם הבת שלה.
טיפאני מנסה לבנות את חייה לאחר שעזבה את בעלה שהתדרדר לסמים ואלימות. הוריו העשירים עדין מעצבנים אבל כגודל העצבים שהם גורמים כך גודל השיעמום מהפירוט של חייה היומיומיים של טיפאני. אפילו קווין, החבר של בו בעלה של טיפאני שאמור לעזור לה, לא מציל את המצב.
הסיפור של בטסי דווקא מעניין, אבל גם לדמות שלה מוקדשים מספר אפסי של פרקים. אין בכלל מידע על ההתאקלמות שלה ושל קרן במייאמי ואין שום מידע כיצד נגמרה הסאגה של הבן שלה ושל אישתו שרה.
דמות חדשה בשם לינט מופיעה, גם היא מעניינת אבל שוב גם היא לא זוכה למספיק פרקים ולמספיק חשיפה. עם שני בניה המתבגרים זה יכל להיות סיפור מרכזי בספר אבל איכשהו היא הופכת לעוד דמות במסע המשמים והמלא פרטים מיותרים של טיפאני ושל קרול אן.
ישנה עוד בעיה לספר הזה, שלפרקים הוא הופך מטיפני מידי: בזכות המעשים הטובים וחברות. יותר מידי דביקי. בחיים גם בקבוצה הומוגנית אין מצב שלאף אחת לא תהיה ביקורת על מעשים של החברות האחרות במיוחד שיש מה לבקר, שאף אחת לא תהיה שיפוטית, וכולם פה אחד ישמחו זה פשוט לא קורה וזה לא אמיתי. לכן, לפרקים הרגשתי שהדברים מלאכותיים ומעושים וזה פגם לי בהנאה.
This being the second book inn the series, I was familiar with and already knew the women in this circle of friends. (That said, it can be read out of order.) Stepping back into the stories of Tiffany, Sukie, Carol Ann, and the whole group was like dipping my toes into a warm bath. These women face ups and downs in their lives, they are of different ages and different backgrounds, but they honestly care about one another and support each other. I like each woman in these books, including newbie Lynetta, but I must admit that I root the hardest for Carol Ann to find happiness and to find love (though I think she may find what she is looking for in a way she doesn't expect). It's just so lovely to read about and to experience it (even in the literary sense), that is kind of heals your soul.
I had not read the first book of this series but the author filled in enough background information that I felt like I was easily able to catch up on the background of the characters. There are several in the book--each with her own set of personal issues to deal with. By the end of the book, I was curious to read the third book in the series to see how everything turns out with these women.
More than anything else, this is a novel of women's friendships which is a favorite topic of mine. Each of the women characters is strong on her own, but, with the help of this group of friends, able to grow and spread her wings to become a better person.
The lives the ladies in the Fat Fridays Group series live may read as unrealistic at times. But, I think if we examine the reality of life around ourselves, we will be surprised with the reflection.
I laughed and cried with the women in the Sassy Saturdays/Fat Fridays Group. There were lulling moments especially in book two, Sassy Saturdays. The character Carol Ann gave me moments of wanting to scratch. In addition to her friends as support, adding in therapy for Carol Ann might be a nice touch if book three is in the making. All-in-all I like Judith Keim's Fat Fridays series. I want to read more about this group.
Loved the second book in this series! I like the new guy Kevin. I keep sensing something between him and Tiffany might happen at some point. Maybe in the next book. Too soon now of course. It was sad what happened to Beau but I was glad Tiffany understood how he really felt about her. Fitting conclusion to their story, and love how he got back at his parents! Also looking forward to seeing how Carol Ann handles what happened to her in the next book as well. And I hope we get to see Misty soon! I feel bad for Grace.
Life continues for the women of the Fat Friday groups Sukie, Grace, Betsy, Carol Ann and Tiffany.
Now their Sassy Saturday’s are spent listening to a pregnant Tiffany singing in a club. Each woman Co to yes on a quest for their own happily ever after. Some find love and others face heartache. Each character has their own point of view revealed in separate chapters.
Sukie continue to provide leadership for the group. Betsy begins to seek a life in another town. Lynette makes a new addition to the group
I very much enjoy the characters in this series...I liked how the storylines flowed from the 1 book to the 2nd one..this one felt a little more rushed, trying to get throughomany stories to tell,and through the whole book I kept asking myself "what about this" "what about that....while the things in question for me, were addressed, but still not in depth!
Who Knows maybe the storylines will be covered in the next book...
Loved this group of ladies. Growing strong and finding their footing in life , each woman must face the challenges of their lives and learn to deal with heartache, adversity, and of course smoothly navigate the choppy waters of family. Each woman is like a link in a chain that gets thicker as they bind together and help each other. You'll love this series and wish to have your own personal friends of grit and gumption.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Continuation of the first book Fat Friday’s picking right up where that one left off. This one was a bit slower paced but still full of the love and friendship bond between the group. Love the new additions. Only annoyance: it’s hard to feel sorry for Carole Ann, she is very frustrating with her continued dumb mistakes with men. Though the third book focus is her story, I love that each book continues all of their story arcs.
These books are how romance novels should be written . Not all sex and silly acting adults. These books cover so many things about life. How to deal with so many things life throws at you. I am getting tired of Carol Ann being so stupid about men. She learns nothing from what she or the others go through. Aside from that this is another great book. Looking forward to book three.
This book is such an emotional friendship story. Each character has different challenges but whatever it is, this group of friends will work it out over a good meal, because that's the bond and love of friendship they share. This book has you turning pages into chapters and laughing out loud many time and shocking surprises that will keep you coming back. I highly recommend this series. So grab your copy and call your besties. Enjoy.
I was lucky to win this ebook version on a Goodreads giveaway. It’s part of a series where a group of women meet every week for lunch. They range in ages and marital status, but the one thing they have in common is they are all very supportive of one another no matter what the issue. I found this read delightful and will probably read the next in the series. This would be an excellent group of friends to have. They all rally around the one whose husband has died, the one who has a pregnancy from a one night stand and the one who was abused. It’s definitely chick lit, but good for a few nights of escapism.
This story of friendship,love and loyalty bring home to your heart the true meaning of being a good friend. No matter if it's an friend of many years or newer friend, a true friend will always love you and want only happiness for you. In the case of the book it's not just one best friend but an everchanging group of women who are always there for each other.
The fun continues! Ms. Keim has done it again, with this second book in this series. Like visiting old friends! I just adore the people I’ve “met” in these books! They come in to my life and allow me to experience a little of their trails and tribulations, their joys and heartbreaks! Thank You, again,Ms. Keim, for sharing these books! FANTASTIC!!!
I like series because I feel like the characters have a chance to become more real. The story is about a group of women who love and support each other through life's ups and downs, learning how to handle each one with laughter and tears. This series of books makes for great light summer reading.
I enjoyed the book. I didn't realize it would be a heart breaking story and an awakening at the same time. I loved Tiffany and how she became a stronger person even with the loss of Beau. I can't wait to read more about the Fat Friday ladies: Tiffany/Kevin, Carol Ann, Grace Lynneta and her boys.
I love stories about women who develop a sisterhood. Each of them were so different, but were very supportive. The book was fun, sad, and captivating. All the men in their lives were "hot" and charming. Glad Sukie got her HEA and look forward to reading book three to see what happens to Tiffany and Kevin. Also hope Carol Ann finds love.