The Independence Club

Huntington Family

by Rachel Ann Nunes

When five single women become friends, the Independence Club is born, complete with weekly brunch where they talk about life and brainstorm ideas for success. The women's lives are bound together as they see each other through tears, romance, and happiness, all the while learning the true meaning of friendship. You'll meet Maxine Madison, an outspoken, 62-year-old widow; Tina Dayley, age 39, who doubts she will ever find real love; Evie McClaine, 45, who wanted only to be a wife and mother, but after 21 years, her dream was shattered by divorce; Rosalva Nolasco, a beautiful, 42-year-old single mother of two teens; and Bernice Stubbs, who has always been a little self-righteous--and vocal with her opinions.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Romance, Clean Romance, Novels

272 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

Rachel Ann Nunes (pronounced noon-esh) learned to read when she was four and by seventh grade knew she was going to be an author. Now as a stay-at-home mother of seven, it isn't easy to find time to write, but she will trade washing dishes or weeding the garden for an hour at the computer any day! Her only rule about writing is to never eat chocolate at the computer. "Since I love chocolate and writing," she jokes, "my family might never see me again."

Rachel has over sixty published books, including the popular Ariana series and the award-winning picture book Daughter of a King. She enjoys hiking, swimming, spending time with her family, reading, and visiting far off places.

For more information or to join her e-mailing list, visit http://www.RachelAnnNunes.com.

Reviews

[Linnae · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 women get together weekly over brunch to support each other through the ups and downs of life and romance. Does this sound familiar at all? Am I seeking these books out, or are they converging upon me? :)

This one is the best of the genre that I've read so far. What made this one a cut above the others I've read is that the women each have distinct personalities--enough so that I didn't lose track of which one I was reading about (they take turns narrating, one chapter at a time). Their problems seemed real but not over-the-top. Their relationships with each other were more than just the fuzzy feel-good friendship variety--there were some thorns on those roses!

Also the time-span of the book was well planned. You didn't have to see the group forming and carry it on through until they're all in the grave. It was a defined window into their lives, which made for a stronger plot. Finally, I liked that they all had a similar purpose--in that they were all loooking for romance, albeit some more than others. It made it fun to compare their different personalities and who they end up with.
With all of that being said, I may be convinced to bump it up to 3.5 stars--but I still think 4 is probably going a little too far.

[Skylar Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not complex or perplexing. It's a simple story about the challenges and triumphs of some widowed and divorced women friends living in Utah. It was interesting and entertaining to read, and didn't take much effort to understand. I have read quite a few of Ms. Nunes' books, and find them enjoyable. Many don't mention the LDS church, but that is not the case here. These women are all Mormon. Be warned, this book is part of a series. It is not the first in the series, but you can understand what is going on without having read the other books. Also, you will not be left hanging at the end of this book. It would be nice to be warned by the book before you buy it that it is in the middle of a series.

[Christina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a group of women who get together weekly to have lunch and help each other set and accomplish goals. Having just read The Ten-Cow Wives' Club:, it was hard not to compare them. I liked the other book better because it included women in different stages going through different trials - some dealing with their romantic relationships, but not all of them. This book is about all five women and their romantic lives. There seemed to be too much going on. However, I liked the very different personalities of all five women.

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. It spins off Rachel Ann Nunes book By Morning Light. Maxine plays a small roll in that book, and this book is about her and her friends. While this book didn't keep my attention like some books it was still a really fun to read. It was fun because it was about more then one charecter and the different problems the face being divored or widowed. It also shows how much these five women cared about each other and how they knew, that no matter what they can always rely on their friends. Overall, a good book.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally bought this book to give as a gift and never ended up giving the book. Though I generally shy away from LDS fiction, the book was sitting on my shelf collecting dust - I decided to read it. A nice light read, it chronicles the lives of 5 single women (all have been married before and are either divorced or widowed) who are all looking for good relationships. The book wraps up a little too cleanly for my taste, but it is light and fun.

[Kallie Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I thought it was well written and the underlying theme was great! It is important that we as women know ourselves and be happy with who we are. I especially loved Evie's story. I related with her and the struggles that she was going through. While I liked this book, I thought that the ending could have been better. It was almost like it just stopped with no ending. Overall it was a great book.

[Apzmarshl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Initially I wasn't super interested in a group of women. I've never been a fan of all women family stories or all women character stories. They tend to get snide. But I finally picked this up when I realized it contains characters from another book I'd read. Although, this book can stand alone.
Each woman has been widowed or divorced and is getting support from other women in the same boat. They have become independent because if their situations, but some eventually find new relationships.

[Camela]

I liked it. And I cried. That could be attributed to tiredness and percocet, but I'm pretty sure the percocet is mostly out of my system and when am I not tired? It was different than I expected. Much more love and less angst from a single women's club. But it was rather real for an LDS novel. I think I'll read more by this author.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a single woman in the LDS church, I was highly disappointed with this book from an author I usually enjoy. None of the characters resemble any of the amazing single women I know in the church. They are actively engaged in careers, supporting family members, and serving others rather than concentrating on selling makeup and chasing after the next romantic relationship.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great friends forming a women's only club. They write in journals and set goals together. They rally to help and aid each other. I love their outlook on life and most especially Maxine's great wisdom. It's amazing that all five meet wonderful men! Wish that were true in REAL life.

[Are · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of 5 sigle LDS women who have formed a "club" that meets once a week to give eachother support. Each chapter is dedicated to one women at a time telling thier stories as they each fall in love.

[Whitley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did love this story! It was so well written and very fun to read about all the characters. My only regret is I could not connect with them because of age gap and the experience difference. But it was still good!

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good clean LDS fiction. This was a quick read. Not too intense. I enjoyed the different personalities of the women. And I especially liked the way they would "watch out" for each other. Great story of love, loyalty & friendship.

[Susan Tietjen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually read this book some time ago but forgot to comment on it. It was so cute and unique. I loved the older characters who were never treated as if they were something alien because they're older. And the emotions and turbulence were authentic. I loved it.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love rachel nunes books and i really liked this one but it is my least favorite of them all

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great LDS fiction writer

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is soo cute, I love all the ladies and its like 5 stories in one.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a slow start, but in the end, not so bad.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT book. I love that the single women are all of different ages and types, and that they've joined together in a "club" to help each other. Another winner from Rachel!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one! It was nice to read about women who were in a totally different stage in their lives than me. Kind of refreshing.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a lot of fun. what i learned is that you are never to old to enjoy yourself and fall in love.

[Universitybabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how the five individual lives were intertwined and found myself wishing and creating more behind their stories. Typical LDS fiction

[Cindy Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, light read. Its about single women and the relationships they have, both in the independence club and romantic relationships on the outside. Very fun.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Syrupy novel with not much character development. A quick, clean read.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not really into the LDS "romance" novels but I liked this book. I was able to relate to the charecters in this book and I feel a little more normal. Easy, laughable read.

[Kim Densley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Must read "No Longer Strangers" first. This book is more about one of the supporting characters.

[Adree · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really good. It was kind of hard to relate to though because I am a teenager not someone whose husband has died. It was really good other than that though.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT Story! I love how it really made me feel stronger as a woman!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I loved the different women who played into the story and following all of their lives.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book for a few reasons. First, it was about women. Second it was about real women with real problems and real solutions. Third, it has a happy ending.