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Best Friends & Other Liars
Violet and Leah have been best friends since middle school. They've weathered puberty, dating, marriage, and children together...and it's been quite a storm. Despite their obvious differences...think Felix and Oscar...they've remained best friends for 30 years. But that might be about to change once they embark on their newest adventure together...a Divorce Cruise.
Leah wants to make her bestie's 40th birthday memorable, so she books a cruise for the occasion. A week away from Violet's kids and daily stress in paradise. There's just one little problem. Violet doesn't know the trip is a Divorce Cruise. And...she's not divorced.
Will Leah be able to keep the nature of the cruise a secret? Or will Violet find out and flip out on her best friend of thirty years? Will the trip of a lifetime ruin the friendship of a lifetime?
Leah wants to make her bestie's 40th birthday memorable, so she books a cruise for the occasion. A week away from Violet's kids and daily stress in paradise. There's just one little problem. Violet doesn't know the trip is a Divorce Cruise. And...she's not divorced.
Will Leah be able to keep the nature of the cruise a secret? Or will Violet find out and flip out on her best friend of thirty years? Will the trip of a lifetime ruin the friendship of a lifetime?
387 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2019
360 people are currently reading
941 people want to read
About the author
Heather Balog
23 books136 followersHeather Balog is a self proclaimed "Bad Mommy" and the author of fourteen novels, including the Amy Maxwell Cozy Mystery Series. She also collaborates with her "Tween-age" daughter on the Lexie Maxwell Series for young readers. She blogs at "The Bad Mommy Diaries" which, according to her family, is mostly obnoxious exaggeration, but it's much cheaper than therapy. When Heather is not writing or complaining on her blog, she's a school nurse, taxi driver, her household Sudoku champion, and a runner with way too many aches and pains to be any good. She lives with her husband and her two children who all make fun of her inability to exist without the help of a Post-It note list on a daily basis. She also has two very needy dogs who do not make fun of her, but take turns emptying the garbage in the kitchen just to get her blood pressure boiling. Visit her website at http://www.heatherbalog.com or her blogs at : http://www.thebadmommydiaries.com or http://badmommyreads.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 26, 2020
An entertaining light read laced with humor, friendship and romance told in the voices of two best friends.
Leah and Violet have been friends since middle school and their friendship has continued through the years. Violet is unhappily married with three children, and Leah is single, searching for a meaningful relationship. With Violet’s 40th birthday approaching, the perfect gift seems to be a cruise. Leah doesn’t tell her friend that it is a divorce cruise and lies to her after booking it. Violet grudgingly agrees to go against her better judgement. When she discovers the truth, she is angry at Leah and there is a rift in their relationship. Both encounter unexpected romance and unlikely friendship . They find their lives changed in unexpected ways that they never believed possible.
I received this fun Ebook from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed it and it kept me smiling throughout.
Leah and Violet have been friends since middle school and their friendship has continued through the years. Violet is unhappily married with three children, and Leah is single, searching for a meaningful relationship. With Violet’s 40th birthday approaching, the perfect gift seems to be a cruise. Leah doesn’t tell her friend that it is a divorce cruise and lies to her after booking it. Violet grudgingly agrees to go against her better judgement. When she discovers the truth, she is angry at Leah and there is a rift in their relationship. Both encounter unexpected romance and unlikely friendship . They find their lives changed in unexpected ways that they never believed possible.
I received this fun Ebook from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed it and it kept me smiling throughout.
May 2, 2019
I won the kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and cannot wait to read it!
January 10, 2020
Though a little slow in the beginning, the plot built to a satisfying conclusion. I enjoy a little snark now and then, but some comments seem a tad cruel.
November 13, 2019
This ended up being a good read once I got into it. It took me a little bit longer to dive in .
May 20, 2019
I wanted to love this one but.... Leah is just THE WORST. What a horrible character. And that’s before she forgets Violet’s birthday AND DOESN’T EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SHE DID!
I won the Kindle version in a goodreads giveaway and maybe that has something to do with it, but there were SO MANY grammatical errors and typos. Did no one edit this first?
I won the Kindle version in a goodreads giveaway and maybe that has something to do with it, but there were SO MANY grammatical errors and typos. Did no one edit this first?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2019
Just a tad too much drinking, meanness and naivete for me to enjoy it better.
August 7, 2019
I won this Kindle edition book through a Goodreads giveaway.
Violet and Leah have been best friends since middle school. They've weathered puberty, dating, marriage, and children together...and it's been quite a storm. Despite their obvious differences...think Felix and Oscar...they've remained best friends for 30 years. But that might be about to change once they embark on their newest adventure together...a Divorce Cruise.
Leah wants to make her bestie's 40th birthday memorable, so she books a cruise for the occasion. A week away from Violet's kids and daily stress in paradise. There's just one little problem. Violet doesn't know the trip is a Divorce Cruise. And...she's not divorced.
Will Leah be able to keep the nature of the cruise a secret? Or will Violet find out and flip out on her best friend of thirty years? Will the trip of a lifetime ruin the friendship of a lifetime?
I won't lie it is not normally "my" kind of book, but I found it was just perfect for a fun summer read. Funny and entertaining. I couldn’t stop reading, very interesting and very real descriptions of relationships whether friends or lovers. I enjoyed this book & recommend it if you are looking for something that you don't have to take too seriously, and you just want to have fun while reading this book is for you.
Violet and Leah have been best friends since middle school. They've weathered puberty, dating, marriage, and children together...and it's been quite a storm. Despite their obvious differences...think Felix and Oscar...they've remained best friends for 30 years. But that might be about to change once they embark on their newest adventure together...a Divorce Cruise.
Leah wants to make her bestie's 40th birthday memorable, so she books a cruise for the occasion. A week away from Violet's kids and daily stress in paradise. There's just one little problem. Violet doesn't know the trip is a Divorce Cruise. And...she's not divorced.
Will Leah be able to keep the nature of the cruise a secret? Or will Violet find out and flip out on her best friend of thirty years? Will the trip of a lifetime ruin the friendship of a lifetime?
I won't lie it is not normally "my" kind of book, but I found it was just perfect for a fun summer read. Funny and entertaining. I couldn’t stop reading, very interesting and very real descriptions of relationships whether friends or lovers. I enjoyed this book & recommend it if you are looking for something that you don't have to take too seriously, and you just want to have fun while reading this book is for you.
May 10, 2024
This is a light read. At its helm are main characters, Violet, who is turning 40 and her best friend Leah, who is 39, and books a cruise for divorced people for Violets's birthday. Violet is married to Richard and has three teenage children. Leah is single. The cruise was booked because of a great special, and Violet only discovers the nature of the cruise once they are at sea.
Violet is a doormat to her abusive, deceitful husband and spoiled children. Leah is OTT. The story itself was okay but ruined by the teenager-like behaviour of both main characters who spent half the read spilling drinks on themselves and others and crying so many times, I lost count. 3 and a half stars.
Violet is a doormat to her abusive, deceitful husband and spoiled children. Leah is OTT. The story itself was okay but ruined by the teenager-like behaviour of both main characters who spent half the read spilling drinks on themselves and others and crying so many times, I lost count. 3 and a half stars.
August 6, 2019
A lightweight fun read which I picked up mostly because I had personally just come back from a cruise myself. Great fun and typical “chick lit” but none the worst for that, and amusing adventures of two forty year old, female, “old friends” taking off, in one case almost against her nature, to discover themselves in a new environment, a divorce cruise, a situation actually both inappropriate and inaccurate for both of them, one being totally committed to her married life and the other single.
One to take onto a beach or perhaps into a liner cabin to amuse a damp summer afternoon.
One to take onto a beach or perhaps into a liner cabin to amuse a damp summer afternoon.
July 28, 2019
Lots of fun!
While Leah should have been honest about the cruise, you quickly learn why she did things the way she did. And it turns out to be a very good thing!
The cast of characters characters are really well written. You learn the author has a great sense of humor when you learn one character's name! I would have loved to have learned what happened between Frances and Kendall though.
While Leah should have been honest about the cruise, you quickly learn why she did things the way she did. And it turns out to be a very good thing!
The cast of characters characters are really well written. You learn the author has a great sense of humor when you learn one character's name! I would have loved to have learned what happened between Frances and Kendall though.
October 4, 2019
Wasn't sure how I would like this but I laughed a few times and that was what made it better. If you like best friends who are opposites, but somehow it works, you may like this story. Leah has decided that Violet is in need of a break from her life of stress, marriage, and family. She just sort of omits that the 40th birthday gift she has planned for Vi is... a Divorce Criuse. Things happen, words get said, and relationships are tested... even new ones.
July 29, 2019
Best friends
I was interested in reading this book because of the brief summary. My best friend and I did a ten day cruise for my 50th birthday. Many laughs took place on that cruise. This book was very entertaining and loved the characters. The writing was impeccable. Found myself laughing out loud. Definitely recommending this book to anyone especially my BFF.
I was interested in reading this book because of the brief summary. My best friend and I did a ten day cruise for my 50th birthday. Many laughs took place on that cruise. This book was very entertaining and loved the characters. The writing was impeccable. Found myself laughing out loud. Definitely recommending this book to anyone especially my BFF.
October 16, 2019
Well written, just not my favorite story
The premise of this book was just ok. It was well written, just a little to wishy washy. Some parts were predictable and some characters were a bit annoying.
Is relatable though because the friendship dynamic is very similar to most who have been friends for 15+ years.
The premise of this book was just ok. It was well written, just a little to wishy washy. Some parts were predictable and some characters were a bit annoying.
Is relatable though because the friendship dynamic is very similar to most who have been friends for 15+ years.
May 22, 2020
I didn't like the book and i couldn't force myself to like the main characters - plus it was all so predictable, especially the end when Violets husband conveniently turned gay to free herself from the remorses of leaving him for good. I normally enjoy chick-lit, but this one as a tad of a disappointment...
July 17, 2020
Not my typical read, this book follows Violet and Leah as they go on a cruise together for Violet’s 40th birthday. Lies are intertwined throughout the book and as we learn the truths we find out more about the characters.
A light and quick read. This was a free book I got on my kindle and made for a very easy read.
A light and quick read. This was a free book I got on my kindle and made for a very easy read.
July 25, 2019
Delightful
Witty with just the right amount of slapstick comedy. This book is so real with everyday life of most people. You will want to keep turning pages and be sorry about it ending.I
Witty with just the right amount of slapstick comedy. This book is so real with everyday life of most people. You will want to keep turning pages and be sorry about it ending.I
July 26, 2019
Ridiculous
It’s boring, but I’m slogging through and suddenly it ends literally mid sentence! I had to check whether I downloaded a sample or whether it picked up again after the authors bio, but nooooo it just ended.
It’s boring, but I’m slogging through and suddenly it ends literally mid sentence! I had to check whether I downloaded a sample or whether it picked up again after the authors bio, but nooooo it just ended.
August 3, 2019
Best Friends & Other Liars
To me this was a story of friendship and growth. And how life isn't always what you expect to see. I wasn't so sure at first but I was very glad I stuck it out!
To me this was a story of friendship and growth. And how life isn't always what you expect to see. I wasn't so sure at first but I was very glad I stuck it out!
August 5, 2019
Summer fun read
Divorce cruise and unhappy married combine in a funny light read. Take a cruise with four women and two singled men. Love the quirkiness of friendships that challenge and uplift.
Divorce cruise and unhappy married combine in a funny light read. Take a cruise with four women and two singled men. Love the quirkiness of friendships that challenge and uplift.
September 10, 2019
This was a lighthearted read. Nothing too sinister. The ending was a little predictable, but with a twist. If you want a humorous study of human nature, put a heap of singles on a cruise and cut the anchor.
October 15, 2019
Ok
Started fine then I got bored, but I don’t give up on it, nice twist near the end. Would be interested to read next book see where the story goes, hopefully it’s gets going quicker!!!
Started fine then I got bored, but I don’t give up on it, nice twist near the end. Would be interested to read next book see where the story goes, hopefully it’s gets going quicker!!!
October 28, 2019
Easy Read
Loved reading this book! Funny and kept me wanting more. Good one if you want to read on a trip or if you want to get nothing else done for the day but relaxing and the enjoyment of reading!
Loved reading this book! Funny and kept me wanting more. Good one if you want to read on a trip or if you want to get nothing else done for the day but relaxing and the enjoyment of reading!
July 24, 2019
Definitely a light fun read with some predictable events and one unpredictable one.
July 30, 2019
This book was just ok for me. It had an interesting premise, but it was just so-so in its execution. Plus, there were A LOT of grammatical errors!
August 15, 2019
CUTE "CHICK LIT."
August 23, 2019
Fun book for light summer reading
January 10, 2020
Amusing
I really enjoyed this book, and I laughed a lot. There is the perfect mix of friendship, love and humor.
I really enjoyed this book, and I laughed a lot. There is the perfect mix of friendship, love and humor.
January 14, 2020
Excellent
This is a funny well written story. The author brought the characters to life. The storyline was quite good. I really enjoyed this book.
This is a funny well written story. The author brought the characters to life. The storyline was quite good. I really enjoyed this book.
February 7, 2020
The writing style is very annoying to me. All of the females sound like squealing, over- emotional, weak characters. Helpless.damsel in distresses. You don't like them until the last chapter.
February 12, 2024
Such an easy read. Thoroughly enjoyable and the characters were really likeable. Will definitely look out for more books by Heather Balog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews