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The Friends We Keep
The Friends We Keep is the heartwarming and unforgettable new novel from Jane Green, New York Times bestselling author of The Sunshine Sisters and The Beach House.
Evvie, Maggie, and Topher have known one another since college. Their friendship was something they swore would last forever. Now years have passed, the friends have drifted apart, and they never found the lives they wanted--the lives they dreamed of when they were young and everything seemed possible.
Evvie starved herself to become a supermodel but derailed her career by sleeping with a married man.
Maggie married Ben, the boy she fell in love with in college, never imagining the heartbreak his drinking would cause.
Topher became a successful actor, but the shame of a childhood secret shut him off from real intimacy.
By their thirtieth reunion, these old friends have lost touch with one another and with the people they dreamed of becoming. Together again, they have a second chance at happiness . . . until a dark secret is revealed that changes everything.
The Friends We Keep is about how despite disappointments we've had or mistakes we've made, it's never too late to find a place to call home.
Evvie, Maggie, and Topher have known one another since college. Their friendship was something they swore would last forever. Now years have passed, the friends have drifted apart, and they never found the lives they wanted--the lives they dreamed of when they were young and everything seemed possible.
Evvie starved herself to become a supermodel but derailed her career by sleeping with a married man.
Maggie married Ben, the boy she fell in love with in college, never imagining the heartbreak his drinking would cause.
Topher became a successful actor, but the shame of a childhood secret shut him off from real intimacy.
By their thirtieth reunion, these old friends have lost touch with one another and with the people they dreamed of becoming. Together again, they have a second chance at happiness . . . until a dark secret is revealed that changes everything.
The Friends We Keep is about how despite disappointments we've had or mistakes we've made, it's never too late to find a place to call home.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2019
2561 people are currently reading
19899 people want to read
About the author
Jane Green
81 books8,777 followersJane Green's twenty first novel, Sister Stardust, is out April 5th 2022.
She is the author of eighteen previous New York Times Bestselling novels, and known as one of the world's leading authors in women's fiction, with over ten million books in print, and translations in over 25 languages.
Previous novels have included The Beach House, Second Chance, Jemima J, and Tempting Fate.
She joined the ABC News team to write their first enhanced digital book— about the history of Royal marriages, then joined ABC News as a live correspondent covering Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton.
A former journalist in the UK, she has had her own radio show on BBC Radio London, and is a regular contributor on radio and TV, including as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.
Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas, and features for The Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self. She has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking, and has a weekly column in The Lady magazine, England’s longest running weekly magazine.
A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, Green is bringing out her first cookbook: Good Taste , with Berkley in October 2016.
She is a storyteller for The Moth radio hour on NPR,
and lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.
Jane's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Gr...
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
She is the author of eighteen previous New York Times Bestselling novels, and known as one of the world's leading authors in women's fiction, with over ten million books in print, and translations in over 25 languages.
Previous novels have included The Beach House, Second Chance, Jemima J, and Tempting Fate.
She joined the ABC News team to write their first enhanced digital book— about the history of Royal marriages, then joined ABC News as a live correspondent covering Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton.
A former journalist in the UK, she has had her own radio show on BBC Radio London, and is a regular contributor on radio and TV, including as well as regularly appearing on television shows including Good Morning America, The Martha Stewart show, and The Today Show.
Together with writing books and blogs, she contributes to various publications, both online and print, including anthologies and novellas, and features for The Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Cosmopolitan and Self. She has taught at writers conferences, and does regular keynote speaking, and has a weekly column in The Lady magazine, England’s longest running weekly magazine.
A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York, Green is bringing out her first cookbook: Good Taste , with Berkley in October 2016.
She is a storyteller for The Moth radio hour on NPR,
and lives in Westport, Connecticut with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, gardening, filling her house with friends and herding chickens, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks.
Jane's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jane-Gr...
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,434 reviews
June 13, 2019
Secrets, inner demons, and the masks that slip on with every false smile we wear. Jane Green uses 3 reunited friendships to teach us that to be flawed is to be human and we are all worthy of acceptance and forgiveness, most importantly from our own self. I absolutely loved this book. Check it out.
My favorite quote:
"Until she started accepting herself exactly as she was, she would never be at peace..."
Audiobook self-narrated by the author Jane Green.
My favorite quote:
"Until she started accepting herself exactly as she was, she would never be at peace..."
Audiobook self-narrated by the author Jane Green.
June 15, 2019
My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...
This was my first read from Jane Green, but it DEFINITELY won’t be my last.
The year is 1986 and Evvie Williams has just arrived at university. She sees the other students getting settled in with help from their parents. Evvie is alone as her mother had to work, but she knows her mother is proud of her. Evvie is feeling good. She’s happy she lost weight before school started. She is most comfortable when she is “skinny Evvie”.
It’s not long before Evvie meets Maggie. They hit it off immediately. Neither of them has much in common with their current roommates. Maggie takes control and has it switched so they can room together.
“We’re going to be best friends, aren’t we?” said Maggie. “I can feel it.”
They become fast friends who tell each other everything. Well, almost everything…
Soon they meet a handsome young aspiring actor named Topher. The three become inseparable and vow to always have each other’s backs.
Evvie gets a job bartending at a local Pub. That is where the group first meets Ben…or “Evil Ben” as they call him. Evvie really doesn’t care for him. But Maggie falls hard. She has a thing for difficult men.
After University they begin living separate lives. But they make a pact. If they happen to be on their own when they are fifty they will live together again.
We see what becomes of the friends during the “in-between years”. They all have their own personal struggles. They all have secrets.
As time passes, they continue to move in different directions. Will these friends find their way back to each other again?
I thought this was an enjoyable read, an interesting character driven novel.
The story is broken down into three parts and was easy to follow. The beginning (1986-1992), the in-between years (1992-2016), and present day (2019).
I enjoyed reading about these characters as they went through life. The ups and downs, mistakes, and all their other experiences. I thought the characters were well-developed, likable, and relatable.
The story made me think of some of my old friends. We may not speak often but when we do it’s like no time has passed.
An engaging novel that deals with many important issues. Friendship, addiction, self-esteem, love, forgiveness, and more.
I really am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I'd like to thank Berkley Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.
May 29, 2019
When Maggie, Evvie, and Topher meet and live together in college, they can't imagine not having each other as best friends, and staying in touch for the rest of their lives. After graduating, Maggie and Topher leave for their new careers while Evvie gets stuck in town for an extra week. During that week she does something that could break the trust and friendship of her friends, especially Maggie, if Maggie were to ever find out.
Over the next ten years, Evvie is busy with her modeling career, Topher is busy starring in a hit soap opera, and Maggie is busy with her PR career. Maggie tries to keep in touch with a reluctant Evvie. Then something happens where Evvie crosses an even more radical line in her relationship with Maggie and they grow farther apart over the years.
About the time that the trio turns fifty, all of their lives are at a place where living together seems like a good idea for each of them. But there are secrets, big secrets that can blow the relationships of these three friends apart forever. This story is about forgiveness, trying to get past terrible betrayals and hurts and deciding what is best for the future, for Maggie, Evvie, and Topher. I enjoyed the story despite not being able to relate to a lot of the decisions that are made in the story but it's obvious that letting go of the past can bring a better future, if letting go is possible.
Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
Over the next ten years, Evvie is busy with her modeling career, Topher is busy starring in a hit soap opera, and Maggie is busy with her PR career. Maggie tries to keep in touch with a reluctant Evvie. Then something happens where Evvie crosses an even more radical line in her relationship with Maggie and they grow farther apart over the years.
About the time that the trio turns fifty, all of their lives are at a place where living together seems like a good idea for each of them. But there are secrets, big secrets that can blow the relationships of these three friends apart forever. This story is about forgiveness, trying to get past terrible betrayals and hurts and deciding what is best for the future, for Maggie, Evvie, and Topher. I enjoyed the story despite not being able to relate to a lot of the decisions that are made in the story but it's obvious that letting go of the past can bring a better future, if letting go is possible.
Thank you to Berkley/Penguin Publishing Group and Edelweiss for this ARC.
April 1, 2019
Really enjoyed this story of how friendships can change over time. And I loved that rather than featuring 3 women, it was 2 women and a man who were best friends. Made the story a little more unique. I believe this is the 7th book I have read by the author and I think this is one of her better ones.
Evvie, Maggie, and Topher were as thick as thieves during their university days, but over the years they drifted apart. Now in their fifties, their lives aren't quite what they envisioned them to be back when they were young adults. Life threw each person some curveballs and not all of their dreams came true. However, they might have a second chance at happiness, but it might require not just being honest with each other, but also themselves.
The story bounces back and forth between the three friends and takes place during their university years all the way into the present time when they are middle-aged. I thought Topher got the short end of the stick in terms of being as represented in the story as the two women although his presence was felt much more in the second half. He felt more like a supporting character than a main character but I did like what the author did in terms of his storyline.
This story was a good example of how regrets and secrets can hold you back in life. I loved how rather than just kinda condensing the story and just following the friends into their twenties, we got to see them for a huge chunk of their lives. At times I would get frustrated with some of the characters but not because I thought they were annoying, it was more wishing they would make better choices.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
Evvie, Maggie, and Topher were as thick as thieves during their university days, but over the years they drifted apart. Now in their fifties, their lives aren't quite what they envisioned them to be back when they were young adults. Life threw each person some curveballs and not all of their dreams came true. However, they might have a second chance at happiness, but it might require not just being honest with each other, but also themselves.
The story bounces back and forth between the three friends and takes place during their university years all the way into the present time when they are middle-aged. I thought Topher got the short end of the stick in terms of being as represented in the story as the two women although his presence was felt much more in the second half. He felt more like a supporting character than a main character but I did like what the author did in terms of his storyline.
This story was a good example of how regrets and secrets can hold you back in life. I loved how rather than just kinda condensing the story and just following the friends into their twenties, we got to see them for a huge chunk of their lives. At times I would get frustrated with some of the characters but not because I thought they were annoying, it was more wishing they would make better choices.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy! I was under no obligation to post a review and all views expressed are my honest opinion.
August 24, 2020
Actual rating: 2,5 stars
If I could use only one word to describe The Friends We Keep by Jane Green, it would be boring.
Even though the story takes place in time period of 30 years, and so many things happened during that time, it still felt like the story was dragging and dragging.
This novel has 384 pages, but it felt like I was reading 600 pages long book. It took me 4 days to finish it, even though I really do have time for reading on my hands at this point in my life.
The story follows three people, Evvie, Maggie and Topher who met in collage and started their friendship there.
Through the story they keep and lose contact with each other, but their lives are always intertwined in some way.
I usually love novels that explore human relationships, and I don’t mind when the story takes time, but this time I just couldn’t wait for it to be already over.
I think my main problem was with characters. Two of four main characters (yes, four, because one side character is very significant) were very superficial, one was alcoholic and I feel like person who knew about him only tried to find excuses for his behaviour, and one only made bad choices in her life.
The worst of them all was Evvie. I think with a friend like that you really don’t need enemies.
This is the story about forgiveness, and although I am aware that forgiveness is important for one to move on with his life, I also think that some actions are unforgivable and even if you do forgive with time, it’s better to move on with your life without a person who wronged you in it.
Jane Green is very popular author and I have to admit that, even though I haven’t read her work before, I was pretty disappointed with The Friends We Keep.
If I could use only one word to describe The Friends We Keep by Jane Green, it would be boring.
Even though the story takes place in time period of 30 years, and so many things happened during that time, it still felt like the story was dragging and dragging.
This novel has 384 pages, but it felt like I was reading 600 pages long book. It took me 4 days to finish it, even though I really do have time for reading on my hands at this point in my life.
The story follows three people, Evvie, Maggie and Topher who met in collage and started their friendship there.
Through the story they keep and lose contact with each other, but their lives are always intertwined in some way.
I usually love novels that explore human relationships, and I don’t mind when the story takes time, but this time I just couldn’t wait for it to be already over.
I think my main problem was with characters. Two of four main characters (yes, four, because one side character is very significant) were very superficial, one was alcoholic and I feel like person who knew about him only tried to find excuses for his behaviour, and one only made bad choices in her life.
The worst of them all was Evvie. I think with a friend like that you really don’t need enemies.
This is the story about forgiveness, and although I am aware that forgiveness is important for one to move on with his life, I also think that some actions are unforgivable and even if you do forgive with time, it’s better to move on with your life without a person who wronged you in it.
Jane Green is very popular author and I have to admit that, even though I haven’t read her work before, I was pretty disappointed with The Friends We Keep.
June 7, 2019
F҉r҉i҉e҉n҉d҉s҉h҉i҉p҉. F҉o҉r҉g҉i҉v҉e҉n҉e҉s҉s҉. L҉i҉f҉e҉.
Jane Green has crafted an engaging story full of friendship, forgiveness, and finding out who you really are. Evie, Maggie, and Topher met at University where they forged a strong friendship that they swore would never end. A friendship built on love, respect, and trust. After university they all go their separate ways. Evvie does something to betray Maggie’s trust, rather than telling Maggie she pulls herself even further away from the friendship. Evvie moves to New York where she becomes a supermodel, Maggie works at a PR company, and Topher becomes a soapstar. Years later they all reunite at Maggie’s wedding to an old crush. The reunion is short as they all have their lives to live and then Evvie does something that might end this friendship forever. Fast forward and the three of them are in their 40s and they are all at a point in their lives where it makes the most sense for them to all live together. But as the three begin to get closer again, secrets begin to come out. Secret that may not be forgivable.
I love stories about friendships and that this was a friendship between two women and a man was a bit of a different twist that I found refreshing. I really liked all three of these characters even though they weren’t terribly relatable and they sure did frustrated me at times. The story spanned many decades and I Love that. It is so amazing how much we change and grow through the years. How we let go of dreams and develop new ones. That really was evident in the lives of these characters. I probably was most sympathetic towards Maggie, because I could relate to her more than the other characters. I know what it’s like to have a spouse who is an alcoholic, and if I’m being honest Maggie is a much more forgiving person than me. In oh so many ways!
This was a great read that will resonate with many. I think we all have those friends that we thought would always be part of our lives that we don’t see much of any more. Although I have to say some of the characters in this book really push those friendship boundaries, and I am not sure if I would be so ready to forgive. Jane green has a engaging writing style that kept me completely invested in the story throughout. This was another wonderful read that I encourage you to add to your summer TBR!
*** Big thanks to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book ***
Jane Green has crafted an engaging story full of friendship, forgiveness, and finding out who you really are. Evie, Maggie, and Topher met at University where they forged a strong friendship that they swore would never end. A friendship built on love, respect, and trust. After university they all go their separate ways. Evvie does something to betray Maggie’s trust, rather than telling Maggie she pulls herself even further away from the friendship. Evvie moves to New York where she becomes a supermodel, Maggie works at a PR company, and Topher becomes a soapstar. Years later they all reunite at Maggie’s wedding to an old crush. The reunion is short as they all have their lives to live and then Evvie does something that might end this friendship forever. Fast forward and the three of them are in their 40s and they are all at a point in their lives where it makes the most sense for them to all live together. But as the three begin to get closer again, secrets begin to come out. Secret that may not be forgivable.
I love stories about friendships and that this was a friendship between two women and a man was a bit of a different twist that I found refreshing. I really liked all three of these characters even though they weren’t terribly relatable and they sure did frustrated me at times. The story spanned many decades and I Love that. It is so amazing how much we change and grow through the years. How we let go of dreams and develop new ones. That really was evident in the lives of these characters. I probably was most sympathetic towards Maggie, because I could relate to her more than the other characters. I know what it’s like to have a spouse who is an alcoholic, and if I’m being honest Maggie is a much more forgiving person than me. In oh so many ways!
This was a great read that will resonate with many. I think we all have those friends that we thought would always be part of our lives that we don’t see much of any more. Although I have to say some of the characters in this book really push those friendship boundaries, and I am not sure if I would be so ready to forgive. Jane green has a engaging writing style that kept me completely invested in the story throughout. This was another wonderful read that I encourage you to add to your summer TBR!
*** Big thanks to Berkley for my gifted copy of this book ***
June 20, 2019
Friendship, forgiveness, and finding your way in life.
The Friends We Keep follows three best friends across several decades, as they drift apart and come back together. The power of true friendships is that they can survive anything, even when they lose their way. This book made its way into my heart, and I won’t soon forget.
The way Jane Green writes makes you feel like the characters are your friends and loved ones. My heart broke with theirs when they lost their way. My heart swelled when their friendships lasted through all of the ups and downs. What a credit to the way Green writes—she makes readers feel that this story is special for them.
And the things the characters go through—I’ll say that I think most of us will have experienced at least one theme themselves. I did this as a buddy read with Berit and we discussed how we connected personally with these characters. How would we react in their spot? It was such a great friendship-building moment for Berit and I, and I think this is perfect to read with a book buddy or book club!
The story spans decades, and that is also one of the things that makes this unputdownable. Beginning at university the three friends meet. Evvie is lonely—a famous, beautiful actress but without friends. Her cat-loving, uptight roommate just isn’t a fit for her. When she meets vibrant and fun-loving Maggie the same day, they quickly swap rooms and find themselves to be instant best friends. Soon after, they meet Topher, a seemingly asexual male who shies away from physical touch, but is a truly outstanding friend.
As the friends grow up through university, I connected with them so much. Their whole lives are ahead of them, and it's hard for them to imagine life ever not being them living with their best friends. And then they transition to adulthood. Each on their own path, we see their lives unfold. They find love. They get their hearts broken. They lose touch. And eventually, they find each other again.
And when they come together, they struggle to tell one another the truth. Everything was not perfect.. Sometimes I do think we have the hardest time being honest with those we love the most., and Jane Green really plays with that theme here. `
My heart is so connected to these characters. I miss them, but I also felt that their stories are so satisfying. I want more but I also don’t feel like I missed anything. Truly a beautiful book, and I’m excited to share it!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
The Friends We Keep follows three best friends across several decades, as they drift apart and come back together. The power of true friendships is that they can survive anything, even when they lose their way. This book made its way into my heart, and I won’t soon forget.
The way Jane Green writes makes you feel like the characters are your friends and loved ones. My heart broke with theirs when they lost their way. My heart swelled when their friendships lasted through all of the ups and downs. What a credit to the way Green writes—she makes readers feel that this story is special for them.
And the things the characters go through—I’ll say that I think most of us will have experienced at least one theme themselves. I did this as a buddy read with Berit and we discussed how we connected personally with these characters. How would we react in their spot? It was such a great friendship-building moment for Berit and I, and I think this is perfect to read with a book buddy or book club!
The story spans decades, and that is also one of the things that makes this unputdownable. Beginning at university the three friends meet. Evvie is lonely—a famous, beautiful actress but without friends. Her cat-loving, uptight roommate just isn’t a fit for her. When she meets vibrant and fun-loving Maggie the same day, they quickly swap rooms and find themselves to be instant best friends. Soon after, they meet Topher, a seemingly asexual male who shies away from physical touch, but is a truly outstanding friend.
As the friends grow up through university, I connected with them so much. Their whole lives are ahead of them, and it's hard for them to imagine life ever not being them living with their best friends. And then they transition to adulthood. Each on their own path, we see their lives unfold. They find love. They get their hearts broken. They lose touch. And eventually, they find each other again.
And when they come together, they struggle to tell one another the truth. Everything was not perfect.. Sometimes I do think we have the hardest time being honest with those we love the most., and Jane Green really plays with that theme here. `
My heart is so connected to these characters. I miss them, but I also felt that their stories are so satisfying. I want more but I also don’t feel like I missed anything. Truly a beautiful book, and I’m excited to share it!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.
July 11, 2019
Normally I love Jane Green, so it's somewhat of a surprise to me that I found The Friends We Keep to be a letdown. Evvie, Maggie, and Topher meet during their freshman year in college and instantly become best friends. When they graduate, they vow to remain close friends, but real life slowly intrudes and they lose touch. Thirty years later, they meet up again and have another chance at closeness, but a dark secret from the past threatens to tear everything apart.
The story isn't bad per se, but it isn't compelling either. I found most of it to be boring and plodding. The early years when the three friends first meet isn't that interesting, and neither is the intervening years as they live their lives. The only riveting parts of the story are those related to the dark secret, but that's very little of the book. Otherwise, it feels like the story is padded to fill an entire book's worth of pages.
Reading this, I felt very little of any emotion or attachment. The words are on the page, and there should be characters I care about, but I just don't. The writing and the plot felt uninspired and tired. If you were looking to try out Jane Green, I think this one is entirely skippable and I would pick a different one to start with.
The story isn't bad per se, but it isn't compelling either. I found most of it to be boring and plodding. The early years when the three friends first meet isn't that interesting, and neither is the intervening years as they live their lives. The only riveting parts of the story are those related to the dark secret, but that's very little of the book. Otherwise, it feels like the story is padded to fill an entire book's worth of pages.
Reading this, I felt very little of any emotion or attachment. The words are on the page, and there should be characters I care about, but I just don't. The writing and the plot felt uninspired and tired. If you were looking to try out Jane Green, I think this one is entirely skippable and I would pick a different one to start with.
June 3, 2019
I think it’s kismet this book about lifelong friendship publishes on my best friend’s (of almost twenty-eight years) birthday! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Jane Green is another of my go-tos for summer reads, and wow, I’m loving this summery cover, as well as what’s inside.
Evvie, Topher, and Maggie have been best friends since college. Just as those friendships tend to go, they made a solemn vow to be friends forever. Over time, they have drifted apart, and none of the friends are in the place they thought they’d be when they were young dreamers.
Topher is an actor, but he has kept a secret since childhood that has weighed heavily on him. Maggie and Ben got married, and there’s something heavy coming between them. Evvie becomes a supermodel, but she ruins her career with an impulsive act.
After thirty years, the friends reunite. As they reminisce, it feels like another chance at happiness, but there’s a storm cloud lurking with secrets hidden inside.
To me, the biggest message from The Friends We Keep is a beautiful one- it’s never too late to reconnect with an old friend, or to mend a relationship that’s been broken. It’s also a story of how we evolve over time with all those tiny choices we make along the way, and how those evolutions may make us forget our dreams or even who we thought we were.
The Friends We Keep is another Jane Green book that’s full of heart. The messages resonate, and I loved the journey these complex friends meandered on. I treasured the hope instilled in these pages, and I’m forever grateful Jane Green writes us these stories we hold in our hearts.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Jane Green is another of my go-tos for summer reads, and wow, I’m loving this summery cover, as well as what’s inside.
Evvie, Topher, and Maggie have been best friends since college. Just as those friendships tend to go, they made a solemn vow to be friends forever. Over time, they have drifted apart, and none of the friends are in the place they thought they’d be when they were young dreamers.
Topher is an actor, but he has kept a secret since childhood that has weighed heavily on him. Maggie and Ben got married, and there’s something heavy coming between them. Evvie becomes a supermodel, but she ruins her career with an impulsive act.
After thirty years, the friends reunite. As they reminisce, it feels like another chance at happiness, but there’s a storm cloud lurking with secrets hidden inside.
To me, the biggest message from The Friends We Keep is a beautiful one- it’s never too late to reconnect with an old friend, or to mend a relationship that’s been broken. It’s also a story of how we evolve over time with all those tiny choices we make along the way, and how those evolutions may make us forget our dreams or even who we thought we were.
The Friends We Keep is another Jane Green book that’s full of heart. The messages resonate, and I loved the journey these complex friends meandered on. I treasured the hope instilled in these pages, and I’m forever grateful Jane Green writes us these stories we hold in our hearts.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
My reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
June 20, 2019
Engaging, insightful, & heartwarming!
This is my first experience with this author and I must say that I am really surprised that I haven’t picked up one of her books before as these are the types of stories that I love to read in between those dark, twisted, and thrilling suspenseful thrillers. I will definitely be adding this author to my ever-growing TBR shelf in the future.
THE FRIENDS WE KEEP by JANE GREEN is an entertaining, moving, and unforgettable read that’s a quick, light and easy summer reading story that is definitely worthy enough to read leisurely at the beach. Although it’s a story with some substance that definitely made me hyper-aware of my own personal friendships and life experiences as well as some of those unhappy memories. This book felt so genuine to read and some aspects to the character’s individual storylines totally resonated with me.
The book centers around the friendship between Evvie, Maggie, and Topher that begins when they were roommates at University and then fast forward to thirty years later when these three friends reconnect. In between, we get some insight into how each of these characters lived their lives and what events occur that ultimately brings them back together again. Of course, there are some secrets and juicy stories here to make this a fun and amusing read.
JANE GREEN delivers a compelling, intriguing, thought-provoking, and well-written read here that totally captivated and immersed me into the storyline. The characters were likable and relatable to a point where I thought that I alone was the intended audience. I love it when I connect so well to an author’s writing style.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Welcoming, summery, calming, relaxing and a fitting representation to storyline.
Title: Appealing, intriguing and absolutely loved how it played so meaningfully and fittingly into the storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, readable, genuine, appealing, moving, engaging, and captivating.
Plot: Fun, amusing, insightful, memorable, fascinating, secrets, lies, hope, love, steadily-paced, absorbing, enjoyable and entertaining.
Ending: I had no issues with the way this story wrapped up and left me feeling quite happy and contently satisfied.
Overall: It was a light, quick and easy read that totally captured my attention as well as my heart. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for gifting me an advanced copy of this book.
Review can also be found on our Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
This is my first experience with this author and I must say that I am really surprised that I haven’t picked up one of her books before as these are the types of stories that I love to read in between those dark, twisted, and thrilling suspenseful thrillers. I will definitely be adding this author to my ever-growing TBR shelf in the future.
THE FRIENDS WE KEEP by JANE GREEN is an entertaining, moving, and unforgettable read that’s a quick, light and easy summer reading story that is definitely worthy enough to read leisurely at the beach. Although it’s a story with some substance that definitely made me hyper-aware of my own personal friendships and life experiences as well as some of those unhappy memories. This book felt so genuine to read and some aspects to the character’s individual storylines totally resonated with me.
The book centers around the friendship between Evvie, Maggie, and Topher that begins when they were roommates at University and then fast forward to thirty years later when these three friends reconnect. In between, we get some insight into how each of these characters lived their lives and what events occur that ultimately brings them back together again. Of course, there are some secrets and juicy stories here to make this a fun and amusing read.
JANE GREEN delivers a compelling, intriguing, thought-provoking, and well-written read here that totally captivated and immersed me into the storyline. The characters were likable and relatable to a point where I thought that I alone was the intended audience. I love it when I connect so well to an author’s writing style.
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Welcoming, summery, calming, relaxing and a fitting representation to storyline.
Title: Appealing, intriguing and absolutely loved how it played so meaningfully and fittingly into the storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, readable, genuine, appealing, moving, engaging, and captivating.
Plot: Fun, amusing, insightful, memorable, fascinating, secrets, lies, hope, love, steadily-paced, absorbing, enjoyable and entertaining.
Ending: I had no issues with the way this story wrapped up and left me feeling quite happy and contently satisfied.
Overall: It was a light, quick and easy read that totally captured my attention as well as my heart. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing for gifting me an advanced copy of this book.
Review can also be found on our Two Sisters Lost in a Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/
July 3, 2019
This story spans over 30 years with three friends who met in college. Their bond was immediate and when they graduated, they had idealistic ideas of the big plans that had for themselves. But, through the years, the idealism waned as realism crept in to diminish their dreams.
Evvie became a famous model but starved herself to maintain her weight. She was drawn to men who would treat her badly and the image she projected on the outside was contrary to the insecurities that she fueled on the inside.
Maggie was a nurturer who loved her friends and also Ben who she pined over during college and felt as if the universe had blessed her when they meet again years later and marry. She feels she is living her dream life, but Ben has secrets that are destroying that dream.
Topher pursues his love of acting and has success, but he wants to fall in love and be able to share that success. He is hesitant to have a normal relationship because of an event that occured when he was a young boy. He is navigating through life with this secret but it is hindering his ability to fall in love and be loved.
The friends manage to stay connected even with their busy lives, but Evvie makes a poor decision that leads to a betrayal that is unforgivable. The deceipt is unexpectantly revealed and the impact is like a stack of dominos as so many lives are impacted.
The author does a great job with the build-up of this painful secret as you learn early on what happened, but as the years pass, you wonder if healing is an option as so many lives are affected. I constantly referred to the prologue for Ben's POV as it was vital to the storyline. I started this story this morning and could not put down. Very enjoyable, a few tissue moments and the author had a way of tapping into the characters vulnerabilities that were relatable.
Evvie became a famous model but starved herself to maintain her weight. She was drawn to men who would treat her badly and the image she projected on the outside was contrary to the insecurities that she fueled on the inside.
Maggie was a nurturer who loved her friends and also Ben who she pined over during college and felt as if the universe had blessed her when they meet again years later and marry. She feels she is living her dream life, but Ben has secrets that are destroying that dream.
Topher pursues his love of acting and has success, but he wants to fall in love and be able to share that success. He is hesitant to have a normal relationship because of an event that occured when he was a young boy. He is navigating through life with this secret but it is hindering his ability to fall in love and be loved.
The friends manage to stay connected even with their busy lives, but Evvie makes a poor decision that leads to a betrayal that is unforgivable. The deceipt is unexpectantly revealed and the impact is like a stack of dominos as so many lives are impacted.
The author does a great job with the build-up of this painful secret as you learn early on what happened, but as the years pass, you wonder if healing is an option as so many lives are affected. I constantly referred to the prologue for Ben's POV as it was vital to the storyline. I started this story this morning and could not put down. Very enjoyable, a few tissue moments and the author had a way of tapping into the characters vulnerabilities that were relatable.
June 4, 2019
3.5 stars
Friendships that lasts forever, the years that separate them, second chances and the secret that keeps them apart.
The Friends We Keep is my first book by Jane Green and I am really glad I got the opportunity to read this story.
The Friends We Keep is an easy entertaining, engaging story that explores friendship over time. It’s a bit of a love story between friends as we follow them as they search for what they want from life. We see them through love, grief and forgiveness from University friends and then later into adulthood.
Jane Green does a great job smoothly switching POVs of the characters while showing us their secrets, the darkness that haunts them, their pain and exploring their personal conflicts that sets them down their own paths. She touches lightly on some serious themes here, however giving them some substance and never making light of them.
I was a bit conflicted with the way it came together in the end and this left me thinking and talking about how I felt about how some of the storylines came together. Some wrapped up quite nicely for me and others I just didn’t buy into and left me questioning a few things. Overall, in the end, this story gave me a lot to think about not only with each character but also with how some things were brilliantly written and the things that missed the mark for me.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for my complimentary copy
Traveling Sister read
Friendships that lasts forever, the years that separate them, second chances and the secret that keeps them apart.
The Friends We Keep is my first book by Jane Green and I am really glad I got the opportunity to read this story.
The Friends We Keep is an easy entertaining, engaging story that explores friendship over time. It’s a bit of a love story between friends as we follow them as they search for what they want from life. We see them through love, grief and forgiveness from University friends and then later into adulthood.
Jane Green does a great job smoothly switching POVs of the characters while showing us their secrets, the darkness that haunts them, their pain and exploring their personal conflicts that sets them down their own paths. She touches lightly on some serious themes here, however giving them some substance and never making light of them.
I was a bit conflicted with the way it came together in the end and this left me thinking and talking about how I felt about how some of the storylines came together. Some wrapped up quite nicely for me and others I just didn’t buy into and left me questioning a few things. Overall, in the end, this story gave me a lot to think about not only with each character but also with how some things were brilliantly written and the things that missed the mark for me.
Thank you to Elisha at Berkley Publishing for my complimentary copy
Traveling Sister read
July 30, 2019
I am a big fan of Jane Green and have read quite a few books of this talented writer over the years. I believe ‘The friends we keep’ is her best, although it doesn’t focus on a romantic relationship, but on something else equally important: on friendships and our life choices that can either destroy our closeness or help us love and support each other unconditionally.
Evvie, Maggie and Topher meet on the first day of University. They become great friends and even, sharea house at some point. Evvie, half-Jamaican, half-American, is a former child-star. She has a few weight-related issues she is going to struggle with through all her life. Pretty and stylish, she is also the only one who doesn’t come from a wealthy family and has to work to earn her living. While working in a pub, she meets Ben, a fellow-bartender, who she calls Evil Ben because he behaves in a particularly unfriendly way towards her. Maggie, on the other hand, develops a crush on him and even has a drunken snog, only to be disappointed to find out Ben didn’t remember much about that evening. Topher is sensitive, witty, supportive, and very uncertain of his sexuality.
After the graduation, Evvie and Topher find jobs in New York, while Maggie is about to start working in London. Evvie has to stay in the town for another week, which is going to mark all her life one way or another.
The story moves easily between the three protagonists as years go by. We see how Evvie becomes an internationally famous model, but still makes dubious choices as far as men in her life are concerned. Topher lands a role in a soap opera and has a great relationship built on trust and understanding. Maggie marries Evil Ben, who turns to be sweet, wonderful and great in bed. The here friends reunite on the wedding day and make a pact that if they happen to be alone in their 50s (very unlikely in case of Maggie, they think), they will come and live together.
As the story continues, they mature, make choices, wise and not so wise, and… drift apart. Until they all meet together for their thirtieth university reunion. As their lives haven’t turned out as they expected, isn’t this a great opportunity for re-discovering themselves and their friendship? Only there are a few secrets and betrayals that might threaten this newly-found happiness unless they are honest with each other and try to understand and forgive past mistakes.
All the characters in this book are fully-developed and feel so real, that you get attached to them and keep turning pages to find out what happens next. I loved the way Jane Green chose to tell the story over three decades. This is life, and every friendship, every relationship develops in time.
I can highly recommend this great book to anybody who has wondered about the importance our friends have in our lives, about the reasons we drifted apart with some of our friends, about choices we made in life and how they played out, and anybody who believes in forgiveness and second chances.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
Evvie, Maggie and Topher meet on the first day of University. They become great friends and even, sharea house at some point. Evvie, half-Jamaican, half-American, is a former child-star. She has a few weight-related issues she is going to struggle with through all her life. Pretty and stylish, she is also the only one who doesn’t come from a wealthy family and has to work to earn her living. While working in a pub, she meets Ben, a fellow-bartender, who she calls Evil Ben because he behaves in a particularly unfriendly way towards her. Maggie, on the other hand, develops a crush on him and even has a drunken snog, only to be disappointed to find out Ben didn’t remember much about that evening. Topher is sensitive, witty, supportive, and very uncertain of his sexuality.
After the graduation, Evvie and Topher find jobs in New York, while Maggie is about to start working in London. Evvie has to stay in the town for another week, which is going to mark all her life one way or another.
The story moves easily between the three protagonists as years go by. We see how Evvie becomes an internationally famous model, but still makes dubious choices as far as men in her life are concerned. Topher lands a role in a soap opera and has a great relationship built on trust and understanding. Maggie marries Evil Ben, who turns to be sweet, wonderful and great in bed. The here friends reunite on the wedding day and make a pact that if they happen to be alone in their 50s (very unlikely in case of Maggie, they think), they will come and live together.
As the story continues, they mature, make choices, wise and not so wise, and… drift apart. Until they all meet together for their thirtieth university reunion. As their lives haven’t turned out as they expected, isn’t this a great opportunity for re-discovering themselves and their friendship? Only there are a few secrets and betrayals that might threaten this newly-found happiness unless they are honest with each other and try to understand and forgive past mistakes.
All the characters in this book are fully-developed and feel so real, that you get attached to them and keep turning pages to find out what happens next. I loved the way Jane Green chose to tell the story over three decades. This is life, and every friendship, every relationship develops in time.
I can highly recommend this great book to anybody who has wondered about the importance our friends have in our lives, about the reasons we drifted apart with some of our friends, about choices we made in life and how they played out, and anybody who believes in forgiveness and second chances.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Berkley for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
June 9, 2019
What happened to Jane Green? She used to be a great writer and I have always loved her books but this was bloody awful. So boring. You don’t care about any characters. I read til the end hoping it would get better and it never did. So disappointed.
June 8, 2019
3.5 summery stars
If you are looking for a light refreshing read (but still some emotional punch) to start off your summer, this is just your book! My first read by Jane Green, but I’ve been meaning to read one of hers for a while now.
This story centers on a trio of friends – Evvie, Maggie, and Topher—who start a strong friendship in college. As often happens, once you go your separate ways after college, it’s hard to keep those friendships as close as they were when you had a shared life. It’s even harder when there’s a secret lurking.
Two of the characters go on to live glamorous lives that were a little hard for me find relatable. Evvie becomes a supermodel and has a glamorous life with exquisite clothes and a luxurious lifestyle. The very relatable part though is her struggle with her weight. The author did an excellent job with the ups and downs that so many women face with body image and what society expects of us.
Topher becomes a soap star and struggles to come to terms with his sexuality and finding a life partner that makes him happy and content.
Maggie was the most relatable character to me. She finally marries her college crush and buys an amazing house in the country. Life doesn’t turn out the way she wanted to though and she’s struggling with depression.
A reunion brings the three friends together and I must say that I enjoyed this last part of the book more than the middle. I so know that feeling of “coming home” to what’s familiar and those that know you the best. There are some complex conflicts that need to be resolved and this strong friendship was torn apart for a time. I was very happy with how this one ended up though and ended the book feeling like these friends were keepers and the power of forgiveness resonated.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Jane Green, and Berkley for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
If you are looking for a light refreshing read (but still some emotional punch) to start off your summer, this is just your book! My first read by Jane Green, but I’ve been meaning to read one of hers for a while now.
This story centers on a trio of friends – Evvie, Maggie, and Topher—who start a strong friendship in college. As often happens, once you go your separate ways after college, it’s hard to keep those friendships as close as they were when you had a shared life. It’s even harder when there’s a secret lurking.
Two of the characters go on to live glamorous lives that were a little hard for me find relatable. Evvie becomes a supermodel and has a glamorous life with exquisite clothes and a luxurious lifestyle. The very relatable part though is her struggle with her weight. The author did an excellent job with the ups and downs that so many women face with body image and what society expects of us.
Topher becomes a soap star and struggles to come to terms with his sexuality and finding a life partner that makes him happy and content.
Maggie was the most relatable character to me. She finally marries her college crush and buys an amazing house in the country. Life doesn’t turn out the way she wanted to though and she’s struggling with depression.
A reunion brings the three friends together and I must say that I enjoyed this last part of the book more than the middle. I so know that feeling of “coming home” to what’s familiar and those that know you the best. There are some complex conflicts that need to be resolved and this strong friendship was torn apart for a time. I was very happy with how this one ended up though and ended the book feeling like these friends were keepers and the power of forgiveness resonated.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Jane Green, and Berkley for a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2019
Evvie, Topher, and Maggie become best friends at university. They can't imagine their lives without one another. But, as time passes, they drift apart. Evvie is now a former supermodel besieged by eating disorders and unhealthy relationships--and she's spent a good part of her life keeping a big secret from her friends. Maggie finally married Ben, the boy she carried a torch for at university. But their life together isn't all it cracked up to be thanks to his drinking problem. And Topher, while a successful actor, is plagued with demons from his childhood. When their thirtieth university reunion comes up, the friends find each other again. Can they reclaim the closeness they once had?
"I wish it could be the three of us just like this, forever."
This is a pretty easy read, though a little slow at times. If you like getting caught up in the somewhat twisted existences of others, you will probably enjoy this one. It covers the trio's lives from university and graduation up to the reunion--and then discusses what happens after they, well, reunite. So there's no big story here, just the tale of three friends and the stories and secrets they share. But it's an interesting read, if not a bit melodramatic at times.
You may have to suspend some disbelief at various points, but I did think it was a good portrait of friendship overall. I found it to be a satisfying tale of relationships, and I certainly felt a part of everyone's lives. 3.5 stars.
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"I wish it could be the three of us just like this, forever."
This is a pretty easy read, though a little slow at times. If you like getting caught up in the somewhat twisted existences of others, you will probably enjoy this one. It covers the trio's lives from university and graduation up to the reunion--and then discusses what happens after they, well, reunite. So there's no big story here, just the tale of three friends and the stories and secrets they share. But it's an interesting read, if not a bit melodramatic at times.
You may have to suspend some disbelief at various points, but I did think it was a good portrait of friendship overall. I found it to be a satisfying tale of relationships, and I certainly felt a part of everyone's lives. 3.5 stars.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb
June 15, 2019
The Friends We Keep was an uplifting, quick, and fun summery read!
Jane Green woves a beautiful story about three friends Topher, Maggie, and Evvie throughout the years of separation, change, secrets, and second chances.
This also is a bit of love story as we follow them in exploring their lives and what they ultimately want. Jane Green beautifully explores different POV from all of the friends with their secrets, darkness, pain, grief, and what ultimately sets each one apart from the other in the path that they choose.
I didn't particularly like how the story wrapped up and had me questioning quite a few things which is why I rated it lower than a 4.
Overall, this is quick and light fun read.
3 stars!
Thank you to Berkley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: 6/4/19
Jane Green woves a beautiful story about three friends Topher, Maggie, and Evvie throughout the years of separation, change, secrets, and second chances.
This also is a bit of love story as we follow them in exploring their lives and what they ultimately want. Jane Green beautifully explores different POV from all of the friends with their secrets, darkness, pain, grief, and what ultimately sets each one apart from the other in the path that they choose.
I didn't particularly like how the story wrapped up and had me questioning quite a few things which is why I rated it lower than a 4.
Overall, this is quick and light fun read.
3 stars!
Thank you to Berkley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: 6/4/19
September 9, 2019
I had a really hard time with this one. I could not connect with any of the characters. I was bored and I put the books down so many times and wanted to just not finish it. I did finish however and I was glad the last few pages were a great ending.
June 13, 2019
4.5 ★ If anyone knows how to tell an intriguing story of love, friendship and the bumpiness of life it’s Jane!
Three friends become inseparable bff’s while attending university in the 80’s together then drift apart after graduating. One gets married staying in England, the two others land in NYC.
Life can be crazy messy and they’ve each had their fair share of it.. in relationships, betrayals, abusive situations and stormy marriages. With their uni reunion coming up all are at a tumultuous make it-or-break it stage in their lives from carrying heavy baggage, loads of self-doubt and guilt. Their friendships are threatened when devastating secrets are exposed after reuniting in 2019 at their class reunion.
A beautiful message I found in this story is to put aside the pain of the past to be able to discover that you are unique and special, you are you and that’s okay. Jane has written a fabulous story line that kept me engaged drawing my heart in with emotion. Loved it and am looking forward to seeing what’s up next for her! ❥
Three friends become inseparable bff’s while attending university in the 80’s together then drift apart after graduating. One gets married staying in England, the two others land in NYC.
Life can be crazy messy and they’ve each had their fair share of it.. in relationships, betrayals, abusive situations and stormy marriages. With their uni reunion coming up all are at a tumultuous make it-or-break it stage in their lives from carrying heavy baggage, loads of self-doubt and guilt. Their friendships are threatened when devastating secrets are exposed after reuniting in 2019 at their class reunion.
A beautiful message I found in this story is to put aside the pain of the past to be able to discover that you are unique and special, you are you and that’s okay. Jane has written a fabulous story line that kept me engaged drawing my heart in with emotion. Loved it and am looking forward to seeing what’s up next for her! ❥
June 16, 2019
This hurts me to say it but what happened to Jane Green? Jemima J is one of my all time favorite books so I was extremely excited about this one. Unfortunately it fell short for me. Two words: cliché and BORING! So disappointed. 😕
June 4, 2019
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Genre: Women's Fiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Jane Green has been one of my favorite authors for years. She is one of the authors that actually got me interested in reading back in the day and I am forever grateful for it. Her novels as known to move readers, make them take a deeper look at their own lives, and generally warm their hearts. While I didn't particularly find this one to be heartwarming, I was moved by her writing style and the way she made friendship the most prominent aspect of this novel.
In the Friends We Keep readers will meet Evvie, Maggie, and Topher. After meeting at university, they become inseparable friends which much to their astonishment, lasted a lifetime. There are many ups and downs, years of non communication, but ultimately, they belong together in the end. Jane Green weaves this novel through each POV even though it's told in the 3rd person. We learn of their lives together, apart, and ultimately as they find each other again. It is truly a beautiful story of friendship and I have to give the author credit for the way she made everything seem real to her readers. However, there were a few things in the book that I wish were touched upon more than they were.
Jane touches upon many things issues within the novel and while I appreciate them, I wish she was a bit more in depth with them. For example. Evvie goes through a period where she is a victim of domestic assault. The author tells us about it but doesn't go into enough detail to make it seem like it was truly an issue. I believe it was mentioned in only a chapter. I would have liked to see it become somewhat of a focal issue in Evvie's life. It does after all, affect her future relationships!
Another issue that is discussed in the novel is alcoholism. This issue is sprinkled throughout the Maggie's story and readers are really able to grasp her husbands issue with the booze. However. when he passed away because his liver couldn't handle it anyway, the author glazes over it. I wish there were a little more information about how he came to be diagnosed, how it affected HIM, and ultimately, more of Maggie's views on it.
Finally, Topher has an issue with plagiarism in the last 25% of the book. As a reader, you may have seen similar things within the writing community and just how much it affects the author who plagiarized and those who have BEEN plagiarized. Again, this issue is really glossed over. I get that Topher moved away and was upset that he allowed himself to do so unwittingly, but I wanted to see how it really affected him! There is also an issue of sexual assault and it's merely mentioned instead of explained in detail. I think I would have connected with the characters better if these issues were discussed more in depth.
Despite this all, I am still willing to give Jane Green 4 stars for The Friends We Keep. It well written, interesting, dynamic, and an all around lovely read. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! There were so many good things about this novel that I am unable to let the "flaws" affect how I felt about it overall.
Genre: Women's Fiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Jane Green has been one of my favorite authors for years. She is one of the authors that actually got me interested in reading back in the day and I am forever grateful for it. Her novels as known to move readers, make them take a deeper look at their own lives, and generally warm their hearts. While I didn't particularly find this one to be heartwarming, I was moved by her writing style and the way she made friendship the most prominent aspect of this novel.
In the Friends We Keep readers will meet Evvie, Maggie, and Topher. After meeting at university, they become inseparable friends which much to their astonishment, lasted a lifetime. There are many ups and downs, years of non communication, but ultimately, they belong together in the end. Jane Green weaves this novel through each POV even though it's told in the 3rd person. We learn of their lives together, apart, and ultimately as they find each other again. It is truly a beautiful story of friendship and I have to give the author credit for the way she made everything seem real to her readers. However, there were a few things in the book that I wish were touched upon more than they were.
Jane touches upon many things issues within the novel and while I appreciate them, I wish she was a bit more in depth with them. For example. Evvie goes through a period where she is a victim of domestic assault. The author tells us about it but doesn't go into enough detail to make it seem like it was truly an issue. I believe it was mentioned in only a chapter. I would have liked to see it become somewhat of a focal issue in Evvie's life. It does after all, affect her future relationships!
Another issue that is discussed in the novel is alcoholism. This issue is sprinkled throughout the Maggie's story and readers are really able to grasp her husbands issue with the booze. However. when he passed away because his liver couldn't handle it anyway, the author glazes over it. I wish there were a little more information about how he came to be diagnosed, how it affected HIM, and ultimately, more of Maggie's views on it.
Finally, Topher has an issue with plagiarism in the last 25% of the book. As a reader, you may have seen similar things within the writing community and just how much it affects the author who plagiarized and those who have BEEN plagiarized. Again, this issue is really glossed over. I get that Topher moved away and was upset that he allowed himself to do so unwittingly, but I wanted to see how it really affected him! There is also an issue of sexual assault and it's merely mentioned instead of explained in detail. I think I would have connected with the characters better if these issues were discussed more in depth.
Despite this all, I am still willing to give Jane Green 4 stars for The Friends We Keep. It well written, interesting, dynamic, and an all around lovely read. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! There were so many good things about this novel that I am unable to let the "flaws" affect how I felt about it overall.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2019
Review to come
June 4, 2019
JG is an auto buy author for me, when one of her books is released I always know I’m in for a treat and this was no exception. This is yet another book from her that is ideal for summer reading, it’s light and easy but also full of depth and dimension, which is the perfect combination for me in terms of a great beach read.
This begins in the eighties when Evvie, Topher and Maggie all meet for the first time and follows them over the next few decades as they navigate everything from marriage and the birth of children to loss and devastating heartbreak. All three of them are complex and fascinating individually and the dynamics between them are also complicated, each separate relationship is intriguing as well. When they reunite after mostly losing touch thirty years after they met, their lives have all taken several different and unexpected turns and they all wonder if they can manage to get back to the way they used to be.
I always enjoy following a group of characters for a number of years and experiencing all that life brings to them over the years and this story also had some downright juicy secrets and surprising turns which was just an added bonus. This was a heartfelt story about friendship and how secrets and regret can really change the course of our lives and also about how true family can come in the form of those that are not related by blood. Highly recommended by me to add to your summer reading list, especially if you enjoy books about friends!
The Friends We Keep in three words: Heartfelt, Juicy and Effortless.
This begins in the eighties when Evvie, Topher and Maggie all meet for the first time and follows them over the next few decades as they navigate everything from marriage and the birth of children to loss and devastating heartbreak. All three of them are complex and fascinating individually and the dynamics between them are also complicated, each separate relationship is intriguing as well. When they reunite after mostly losing touch thirty years after they met, their lives have all taken several different and unexpected turns and they all wonder if they can manage to get back to the way they used to be.
I always enjoy following a group of characters for a number of years and experiencing all that life brings to them over the years and this story also had some downright juicy secrets and surprising turns which was just an added bonus. This was a heartfelt story about friendship and how secrets and regret can really change the course of our lives and also about how true family can come in the form of those that are not related by blood. Highly recommended by me to add to your summer reading list, especially if you enjoy books about friends!
The Friends We Keep in three words: Heartfelt, Juicy and Effortless.
August 23, 2019
‘Who do we have if we don’t have each other?’
The Friends We Keep by Jane Green is an epic story of life and a friendship cemented at University between three friends from different walks of life. We met Maggie, a sweet and naïve middle-class girl, Evvie an immigrant English-American former child actress and Topher an adorable American asexual lad. The friendship these three forge felt real and relatable. Each had their own story, hang-ups and dreams. The tone of their story is quite melancholy and overwhelmingly sad at times. The issues dealt with are real life but perhaps there were just too many to truly feel the ray of light threaded through them? Despite this, the story was compelling.
‘Until she started accepting herself exactly as she was, she would never be at peace.’
The timeline jumps from the 1980’s to 2019 ensuring the reader gets snapshots from the important moments of Maggie, Evvie and Topher’s lives and their friendship, told in each characters pov. Whilst this ensured a reader connection with all three, it also in a way impacted how deep that connection ran, as despite being a lengthy book it didn’t delve into specifics. We learnt of how, but not enough of the why, except perhaps in Topher’s case. His character is the one where the deepest connection was felt. All three characters had a story to tell which was entwined in this tree leafed clover of friendship.
“We all make mistakes…”
The angst level is extreme, the subjects covered heart-breaking and realistic. Tragedy, secrets and betrayals are rife, as a strong friendship is threatened by life, actions and personal emotions. The Friends We Keep goes full circle from University days till the characters are in their fifties. It shines a light on the fact that friends are the family you chose and that these bonds can be stronger than blood. The Friends We Keep is set in both the US and UK through the years which served as a character in its own right and we loved that aspect.
‘This wasn’t high school; you couldn’t claim someone who didn’t want you, nor could you get upset with a friend for being with someone…’
We’ve been avid readers of Jane Green for many years, her writing is flawless, her stories addictive and at times compelling. Whilst we found this story hard going at times due to an almost oppressive mood, we could not put it down. Our own reading mood was perhaps an impediment here, yet there was no way we could not see how it all ended for Maggie, Evvie and Topher and we’re so thankful we went the full distance with these flawed characters, whom we ended up falling in love with. This is a story of life and everything it can possibly throw at you. It’s a story of finding the people who make the dark days better when you feel as if you have nothing else, no one else. When loneliness’ creeps in and you need that understanding comfort. A story of friendship through the ages.
“You’re going to be better than okay. We’re all going to be better than okay. We’re all going to be great. This is our second act, and it’s time. And even if we end up not being great, at least we’ll all be together.”
The Friends We Keep by Jane Green is an epic story of life and a friendship cemented at University between three friends from different walks of life. We met Maggie, a sweet and naïve middle-class girl, Evvie an immigrant English-American former child actress and Topher an adorable American asexual lad. The friendship these three forge felt real and relatable. Each had their own story, hang-ups and dreams. The tone of their story is quite melancholy and overwhelmingly sad at times. The issues dealt with are real life but perhaps there were just too many to truly feel the ray of light threaded through them? Despite this, the story was compelling.
‘Until she started accepting herself exactly as she was, she would never be at peace.’
The timeline jumps from the 1980’s to 2019 ensuring the reader gets snapshots from the important moments of Maggie, Evvie and Topher’s lives and their friendship, told in each characters pov. Whilst this ensured a reader connection with all three, it also in a way impacted how deep that connection ran, as despite being a lengthy book it didn’t delve into specifics. We learnt of how, but not enough of the why, except perhaps in Topher’s case. His character is the one where the deepest connection was felt. All three characters had a story to tell which was entwined in this tree leafed clover of friendship.
“We all make mistakes…”
The angst level is extreme, the subjects covered heart-breaking and realistic. Tragedy, secrets and betrayals are rife, as a strong friendship is threatened by life, actions and personal emotions. The Friends We Keep goes full circle from University days till the characters are in their fifties. It shines a light on the fact that friends are the family you chose and that these bonds can be stronger than blood. The Friends We Keep is set in both the US and UK through the years which served as a character in its own right and we loved that aspect.
‘This wasn’t high school; you couldn’t claim someone who didn’t want you, nor could you get upset with a friend for being with someone…’
We’ve been avid readers of Jane Green for many years, her writing is flawless, her stories addictive and at times compelling. Whilst we found this story hard going at times due to an almost oppressive mood, we could not put it down. Our own reading mood was perhaps an impediment here, yet there was no way we could not see how it all ended for Maggie, Evvie and Topher and we’re so thankful we went the full distance with these flawed characters, whom we ended up falling in love with. This is a story of life and everything it can possibly throw at you. It’s a story of finding the people who make the dark days better when you feel as if you have nothing else, no one else. When loneliness’ creeps in and you need that understanding comfort. A story of friendship through the ages.
“You’re going to be better than okay. We’re all going to be better than okay. We’re all going to be great. This is our second act, and it’s time. And even if we end up not being great, at least we’ll all be together.”
May 27, 2019
There's a reason I've been reading every book Jane Green has ever written since I first picked up Jemima J in 2001 and will always read her books―she's wise, engaging, warm, funny, and knows how to bring those qualities alive into her books. Every time I read one of her books, I have felt like I'm having a conversation with a good friend and The Friends We Keep was no different. Her writing is just so authentic and moving, and I think this is one of her best books yet. I hope you read it and think so too!
What I love so much about her newest novel is it's a moving, compelling novel about the closest of friendships and how they not only can survive decades but the darkest of secrets. The friendship between Evvie, Maggie, and Topher that begins when they are college roommates until they reconnect again thirty years later is truly the focal point of this novel although there is definitely romantic entanglement that provides for some of the novel's secrets.
As Green brilliantly switches back and forth from each of the character's POV, we watch them go from college throughout their adult lives: relationships, lovers, careers, successes, failures, mistakes, love, pain, heartbreak, secrets, and lies. Can their lifelong friendship handle the secrets and lies?
This is such a compelling read about love and friendship, and it felt so realistic to me since I know that I have friends who I could go through anything with, not speak to for years, and then pick up our relationship where we left off. That's why I say Green's writing is just so authentic and real―she gets human nature and relationships in such a wonderful way. I know that I will read anything Jane Green writes, and I couldn't encourage you more to add this wonderful book to your summer reading list.
**Thank you, Berkley for the gifted advance copy. All opinions are my own.**
What I love so much about her newest novel is it's a moving, compelling novel about the closest of friendships and how they not only can survive decades but the darkest of secrets. The friendship between Evvie, Maggie, and Topher that begins when they are college roommates until they reconnect again thirty years later is truly the focal point of this novel although there is definitely romantic entanglement that provides for some of the novel's secrets.
As Green brilliantly switches back and forth from each of the character's POV, we watch them go from college throughout their adult lives: relationships, lovers, careers, successes, failures, mistakes, love, pain, heartbreak, secrets, and lies. Can their lifelong friendship handle the secrets and lies?
This is such a compelling read about love and friendship, and it felt so realistic to me since I know that I have friends who I could go through anything with, not speak to for years, and then pick up our relationship where we left off. That's why I say Green's writing is just so authentic and real―she gets human nature and relationships in such a wonderful way. I know that I will read anything Jane Green writes, and I couldn't encourage you more to add this wonderful book to your summer reading list.
**Thank you, Berkley for the gifted advance copy. All opinions are my own.**
April 1, 2019
Jane Green has been on my must read list since I first read Jemima J in 2001 (I was 14) and I can happily say, all these years later, she is still holding her ground on that list.
The Friends We Keep is a bit of a deviation from Green's other novels, it's focused more on friendship and that friendship over generations, rather than on more romantic situations. Of course, there is plenty of romance, coupling, uncoupling and drama here, but the friendship is really the foreground. The friendship here is between Evvie, Maggie & Topher, who become best friends their first year of college. Many aspects of their friendship are tested over the years and that saga is what unfurls in this story.
In signature Jane Green style, there is just the right amount of cute British information (Maggie is our friendly Brit) coupled with our Evvie who is Jamaican by birth but raised in the USA, and Topher, a Greenwich expat in the UK! On paper, we'd never expect these three to fall into a lifelong friendship, but that is partially what makes their dynamic so interesting.
No matter what topic Jane Green is covering, she has proved to me that I will love her work. The Friends We Keep is one of her best and I hope you will all check it out and agree with me.
Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
The Friends We Keep is a bit of a deviation from Green's other novels, it's focused more on friendship and that friendship over generations, rather than on more romantic situations. Of course, there is plenty of romance, coupling, uncoupling and drama here, but the friendship is really the foreground. The friendship here is between Evvie, Maggie & Topher, who become best friends their first year of college. Many aspects of their friendship are tested over the years and that saga is what unfurls in this story.
In signature Jane Green style, there is just the right amount of cute British information (Maggie is our friendly Brit) coupled with our Evvie who is Jamaican by birth but raised in the USA, and Topher, a Greenwich expat in the UK! On paper, we'd never expect these three to fall into a lifelong friendship, but that is partially what makes their dynamic so interesting.
No matter what topic Jane Green is covering, she has proved to me that I will love her work. The Friends We Keep is one of her best and I hope you will all check it out and agree with me.
Thank you to Berkley for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
did-not-finish
June 27, 2019I have really enjoyed most of Green's other books, but this one just wasn't working for me. DNF after 20% of the book. Too many things bugged me at this point that I just couldn't ignore them - hoping I"ll love her next book!
August 1, 2019
Spoilers, I suppose.
I hated this book. Evvie was one of the most dispicable, selfish characters wrapped in a warm English accent that I've ever read. She was a terrible mother, an even worse friend. And she pretended that she deserved to pay penance for her mistakes but at every opportunity she asked for, and thought she deserved, forgiveness, pretty much instantly. The fact that the story was tied into a big happy bow at the end is completely unsatisfying.
Topher was a nothing character whose hardships were totally glossed over. You don't even hear a mention of anything wrong with his childhood until over halfway through the book. That sort of abuse would have a much bigger impact and the handling of it would have been much more intense. And what about the plagiarism? Just move out of the country, and you escape your mistakes, morally, financially, and legally I guess. Very clumsily handled.
Maggie... Poor dumb Maggie. And Jane green reading this book did Maggie no favors at all, she sounded like a drunk English surfer dude. Authors should not read their own books and try to do different voices.
Jack... What an afterthought who should require SO MUCH THERAPY for his mom's crappy parenting. Yeah it's hard to be a single mom but try to think a little bit about your kid instead of yourself. Nope, not evvie. But apparently Jack can forgive anything, even an unforgivable life long betrayal. And basically abandonment.
Lastly Ben. Evil Ben, with the magic penis apparently. Another unlikable character that, for no reason other than aforementioned penis as far as I can tell, everyone loved.
Unless you're a diehard Jane green fan who can forgive lazy writing, unlikable characters, idyllic life transformations that are apparently completely free of charge, intensely bad choices that betray people you supposedly love on the deepest level possible with no consequences, insufferable privilege, and fake happy endings... Steer clear.
I hated this book. Evvie was one of the most dispicable, selfish characters wrapped in a warm English accent that I've ever read. She was a terrible mother, an even worse friend. And she pretended that she deserved to pay penance for her mistakes but at every opportunity she asked for, and thought she deserved, forgiveness, pretty much instantly. The fact that the story was tied into a big happy bow at the end is completely unsatisfying.
Topher was a nothing character whose hardships were totally glossed over. You don't even hear a mention of anything wrong with his childhood until over halfway through the book. That sort of abuse would have a much bigger impact and the handling of it would have been much more intense. And what about the plagiarism? Just move out of the country, and you escape your mistakes, morally, financially, and legally I guess. Very clumsily handled.
Maggie... Poor dumb Maggie. And Jane green reading this book did Maggie no favors at all, she sounded like a drunk English surfer dude. Authors should not read their own books and try to do different voices.
Jack... What an afterthought who should require SO MUCH THERAPY for his mom's crappy parenting. Yeah it's hard to be a single mom but try to think a little bit about your kid instead of yourself. Nope, not evvie. But apparently Jack can forgive anything, even an unforgivable life long betrayal. And basically abandonment.
Lastly Ben. Evil Ben, with the magic penis apparently. Another unlikable character that, for no reason other than aforementioned penis as far as I can tell, everyone loved.
Unless you're a diehard Jane green fan who can forgive lazy writing, unlikable characters, idyllic life transformations that are apparently completely free of charge, intensely bad choices that betray people you supposedly love on the deepest level possible with no consequences, insufferable privilege, and fake happy endings... Steer clear.
March 31, 2021
Three friends reunite at their thirtieth reunion to explore the dreams they left unfulfilled, the ties that have grown frayed between them -- and a dark secret. A wonderful tale of sisterhood and second chances by the incomparable Jane Green!
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