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The Company of Good Women #1
Almost Sisters
Three women from diverse backgrounds and lifestyles are drawn together at a BYU Women s Conference through a sharing of problems and a Guilty Secret. Juneau, named after the city in which she was born, hopes the conference will help to re-center her life. Erin, a recent convert to the Church, comes to the conference to see if Mormons are really as perfect as she has been led to believe. And Willadene, a dedicated homemaker, attends the conference for not much more reason than finding a new recipe for homemade yogurt. What each woman finds instead is a unique bond and the beginning of an enduring friendship that inspires and sustains them through the challenges of life. This entertaining novel captures the joys and occasional perils of friendship as it explores one of the most important relationships in a woman s life.
418 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2006
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208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
October 14, 2007
Three women who meet at a BYU Education Week at a bed & breakfast & the charming owner. The four women become enduring friends, especially Juneau (Lael Littke), Erin (Carroll Morris) and Willadene or Deenie (Nancy Anderson). I met these women at a book signing at the bookstore at work. I went out to meet them & get some goodies. I bought the book so that I could have them sign it. Littke, a native of the area, had many people talk to her, but Nancy & Carroll said that I was the only one that carried on a conversation w/them. We had all lived in Mpls & knew people in common.
Anyway, for me the book was a wonderful read. I felt like I knew the women & sometimes I'd think of things I wanted to tell them or share w/them. I was sad when the book ended. I'm glad that it's the beginning of a trilogy, just need to wait for the next one.
Anyway, for me the book was a wonderful read. I felt like I knew the women & sometimes I'd think of things I wanted to tell them or share w/them. I was sad when the book ended. I'm glad that it's the beginning of a trilogy, just need to wait for the next one.
April 28, 2008
I picked this book from a shelf in the store while waiting for a prescription to be filled. I don't generally go for LDS fiction, (except for The Work and the Glory series,) but the first few pages got me interested enough that I bought it. Plus, I remember being really impressed with one LDS fictional book I read and the author of that book is one of the three authors of this book. The characters are genuine, there is no very, very little romanticizing of real life, if any. I've experienced many of the emotions/situations of the characters and agree with the portrayals. I'm glad the second volume in the series is already out. I'm genuinely interested in the women in the book, and look forward to reading about how they handle the situations they are faced with, as well as how they help each other by virtue of their mutual friendships.
February 1, 2010
I was initially intrigued by the structure of this book, the story of three women, written by three different authors. I was disappointed however in that I couldn’t differentiate individual voices in the three authors. They could just as easily have been written by one author. I stuck with it to see if any of the three stories would stretch beyond the bounds of “acceptable” Mormon experience and they did not. I found it interesting that despite the fact that the three got together after a life changing experience at BYU Education week, none of them ever returned in the seven years that followed. :-)
January 23, 2009
The librarian recommended this book to me. It was ok, but it felt like there wasn't much of a plot. There were 400 plus pages, and at the end I wondered what the point of it all was.
The book is about three strangers that meet at another stranger's home during Education Week. They become friends, and keep in touch for the seven years the book covers (mostly through letter writing). I suppose the point of the book was friendship, but that didn't really seem like a plot. I was really hoping for a climax, or something.
The book is about three strangers that meet at another stranger's home during Education Week. They become friends, and keep in touch for the seven years the book covers (mostly through letter writing). I suppose the point of the book was friendship, but that didn't really seem like a plot. I was really hoping for a climax, or something.
November 5, 2008
I am actually only about half way through this book and I don't think I can finish. It just isn't engaging enough to keep me interested. It is also a little bit too much like my life right now - I enjoy reading for an escape - Who wants to escape to someone elses version of what you are already living?
December 21, 2009
Please please PLEASE believe me when I say you should not read this book! Painful from start to finish. Terribly written. But it was book group book so I felt obligated to finish it. ug!
August 19, 2010
Not quite 3 stars. I liked it, kind of, but the writing wasn't that great. And I'm definitely not hooked enough to read the sequels. Why can't Mormon novels be better written?
July 11, 2019
I loved the book (it is the 1st of 3 - and this post is the same for all 3). It would definitely have a different feeling for people who aren’t members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It’s not just that there are many references to the church and it’s habits, guidelines and teachings ....
It’s actually written with the leading ladies relationships to the church in mind.
I found myself comparing my life and my life choices to those of our ‘heroines’. It made me think of how I can make better decisions. It’s a great book. And I highly recommend.
It’s actually written with the leading ladies relationships to the church in mind.
I found myself comparing my life and my life choices to those of our ‘heroines’. It made me think of how I can make better decisions. It’s a great book. And I highly recommend.
November 19, 2021
No swearwords, refers to immorality.
June 7, 2024
A little too sappy. I did enjoy reading about BYU and one of the characters lived in Minnesota.
October 30, 2016
2.5 stars.
August 13, 2008
Almost Sisters: The Company of Good Women—A book review
By Vicki Wight
How many times have you gone looking for a good book? Just a simple, fun, uplifting, good adult book to read? I have looked myself for a book of this caliber for a long time. There are a lot of spiritual books, a lot of trashy books, quick reads, and documentaries, but this series—Almost Sisters—is a good book series. You don't want to miss it.
This book series, published in 2006 by Deseret Book Company, follows the journey of three women who meet at BYU Education Week in 1980. Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris started this lovely LDS novel similarly to how they met—at BYU Education Week!
The main characters are lively, colorful, and so real that only a few pages into the first book anyone will find them all to be women that they would like to be friends with. I felt as though I could be the 5th COB (Crusty Old Broad). Where do I sign up?
Juneau, a writer; Erin, a young new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; and Willadene (Deenie), the super LDS mom, meet at Gabrielle (Gabby) Farnsworth's home as they board there during Education Week. They get to know each other over cowboy cookies and milk. Through the course of the week, they come to know each other and vow that they will one day be just as Gabby—all of them crusty old broads!
The trio write back and forth to keep each other (and the reader) updated on what is happening in their very different lives. Though the setup of the back and forth was different at first, I found it quite easy to follow and separate “who did what.”
The stories of their lives are shared with you, the reader, in a flowing, charismatic way that is informative, entertaining, and satisfying. There is no need to skip ahead to find out what is going to happen in the next pages, because the storyline comes at such a great pace; there is something going on with everyone and it is all very exciting.
With the turn of each page you grow closer and more attached to these women—their families and friends, and hopes, dreams and disappointments. The side characters are delightful additions to the scenery and really help to develop the story. Gabby is the solid foundation—or so the women think. She is just the inspiration we all need in our lives to make do, be happy, and change when necessary. Each additional family member adds some more spice to this recipe for a successful novel and each quickly becomes a member that you must know more about.
The husbands are quirky and tend to be in the middle of several of the challenges that are presented to the women, and they are just as real as the wives. The children add laughter and tears as they do just what children do best. There are even obstacles with the dogs. A little flavor with each character makes a fulfilling and delightful dish.
In Almost Sisters, we follow Juneau through a difficult and unexpected pregnancy, as well as surprises from her own two girls and teacher husband; Erin, through dating and family struggles; and, finally, Deenie through tantalizing and exhausting holidays and children spreading their wings and making decisions as well as a husband who is trying to reach the goal of a Master’s Degree while working. Each page is inviting, each character explored and well thought out. No one is left out.
Upon finishing this first installment of the three-novel series, you absolutely must have the second book, Three Tickets to Peoria, waiting close by because the ending is merely a pause—a small gap for a brief commercial.
You definitely want to get started on Almost Sisters right away as book three is due out in August of 2008, and appropriately titled Surprise Package.
Don’t miss these fun, good books! They would be a great addition to your family library as they are appropriate reads for any woman looking to read a good book.
By Vicki Wight
How many times have you gone looking for a good book? Just a simple, fun, uplifting, good adult book to read? I have looked myself for a book of this caliber for a long time. There are a lot of spiritual books, a lot of trashy books, quick reads, and documentaries, but this series—Almost Sisters—is a good book series. You don't want to miss it.
This book series, published in 2006 by Deseret Book Company, follows the journey of three women who meet at BYU Education Week in 1980. Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris started this lovely LDS novel similarly to how they met—at BYU Education Week!
The main characters are lively, colorful, and so real that only a few pages into the first book anyone will find them all to be women that they would like to be friends with. I felt as though I could be the 5th COB (Crusty Old Broad). Where do I sign up?
Juneau, a writer; Erin, a young new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; and Willadene (Deenie), the super LDS mom, meet at Gabrielle (Gabby) Farnsworth's home as they board there during Education Week. They get to know each other over cowboy cookies and milk. Through the course of the week, they come to know each other and vow that they will one day be just as Gabby—all of them crusty old broads!
The trio write back and forth to keep each other (and the reader) updated on what is happening in their very different lives. Though the setup of the back and forth was different at first, I found it quite easy to follow and separate “who did what.”
The stories of their lives are shared with you, the reader, in a flowing, charismatic way that is informative, entertaining, and satisfying. There is no need to skip ahead to find out what is going to happen in the next pages, because the storyline comes at such a great pace; there is something going on with everyone and it is all very exciting.
With the turn of each page you grow closer and more attached to these women—their families and friends, and hopes, dreams and disappointments. The side characters are delightful additions to the scenery and really help to develop the story. Gabby is the solid foundation—or so the women think. She is just the inspiration we all need in our lives to make do, be happy, and change when necessary. Each additional family member adds some more spice to this recipe for a successful novel and each quickly becomes a member that you must know more about.
The husbands are quirky and tend to be in the middle of several of the challenges that are presented to the women, and they are just as real as the wives. The children add laughter and tears as they do just what children do best. There are even obstacles with the dogs. A little flavor with each character makes a fulfilling and delightful dish.
In Almost Sisters, we follow Juneau through a difficult and unexpected pregnancy, as well as surprises from her own two girls and teacher husband; Erin, through dating and family struggles; and, finally, Deenie through tantalizing and exhausting holidays and children spreading their wings and making decisions as well as a husband who is trying to reach the goal of a Master’s Degree while working. Each page is inviting, each character explored and well thought out. No one is left out.
Upon finishing this first installment of the three-novel series, you absolutely must have the second book, Three Tickets to Peoria, waiting close by because the ending is merely a pause—a small gap for a brief commercial.
You definitely want to get started on Almost Sisters right away as book three is due out in August of 2008, and appropriately titled Surprise Package.
Don’t miss these fun, good books! They would be a great addition to your family library as they are appropriate reads for any woman looking to read a good book.
September 7, 2018
This series--"In the Company of Good Women"--is very well written and kept my eager attention through all three books (Almost Sisters, Three Tickets to Peoria, and Surprise Packages.) I wanted more! The story of the friendship of three LDS women that begins in 1980 at BYU Education Week chronicles their ups and downs with good drama, good humor, accurate details, insight, and wisdom. Deenie is from a small town in Utah (and later moves with her family to Gainesville, Florida). She is a "typical," but not at all stereotypical, Mormon homemaker. Juneau lives in southern California and is an aspiring writer. Erin is a recent convert who lives in the Midwest. The books offer great insights into inner lives, marriage, motherhood, and the issues that can come up as one's life progresses. The continuing saga of their friendships, from letters and phone calls through the advent of email and occasional retreat-like get-togethers, makes for great reading. Highly recommended!
On rereading in 2018, these books seem a little dated (because they are) but the events, feelings, challenges, and joys are as current as our headlines and hearts. The author mixes in real-world events (9/11, the Lockerbie crash, the Challenger disaster) with the lives of the characters in an effective way. The world and programs of the Church have changed, but the basics of heart, mind, and spirit have not, and this is still a great read.
On rereading in 2018, these books seem a little dated (because they are) but the events, feelings, challenges, and joys are as current as our headlines and hearts. The author mixes in real-world events (9/11, the Lockerbie crash, the Challenger disaster) with the lives of the characters in an effective way. The world and programs of the Church have changed, but the basics of heart, mind, and spirit have not, and this is still a great read.
May 24, 2009
I'm still trying to decide if I liked this book or not. I suppose if I have to think about it so hard, it must not have been a real winner.
I like to read books for fun and a vacation from daily life. This book felt like I was reading the journals and letters from real people with real problems. I found it a bit depressing. I've also discovered that books I love, I read faster and books that feel like a chore, I read slower. It took me a long time to get through this book.
The book tells the stories of three women who met at BYU Education Week and how they've become great friends over the years. I enjoyed reading about the friendships and the life developments, however, I found the relationships with the husbands quite frustrating. I must be blessed with a great husband who really treats me as an equal and values my opinion - because the husbands in this book treat the wives as subordinates. It drove me nuts. I wanted to whack each of the men.
Anyhow, I will have to think twice before reading the next book in the series. While I'd like to find out what happens to these women, I'm not sure I would run to the store to buy it and then read it ahead of other books already on my shelf.
I like to read books for fun and a vacation from daily life. This book felt like I was reading the journals and letters from real people with real problems. I found it a bit depressing. I've also discovered that books I love, I read faster and books that feel like a chore, I read slower. It took me a long time to get through this book.
The book tells the stories of three women who met at BYU Education Week and how they've become great friends over the years. I enjoyed reading about the friendships and the life developments, however, I found the relationships with the husbands quite frustrating. I must be blessed with a great husband who really treats me as an equal and values my opinion - because the husbands in this book treat the wives as subordinates. It drove me nuts. I wanted to whack each of the men.
Anyhow, I will have to think twice before reading the next book in the series. While I'd like to find out what happens to these women, I'm not sure I would run to the store to buy it and then read it ahead of other books already on my shelf.
August 6, 2016
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. There were a lot of themes that I related to (as a woman--pregnancy, disciplining children, marriage, supporting husband's career, living the gospel, etc.), but on the other hand, their relationships with their own families kind of depressed me! I felt like the tension was building and building, and something big was going to happen, but the pressure was just released a little bit (one big trial) at a time, which I guess that's how life is sometimes. Also, I feel like I say this a lot, but there were too many characters to keep up with! That's not my strong point (remembering names) so it was hard for me to remember who did what throughout the book. It was a little long, but that was really the point of this book, to document the lives and challenges of these three women (throughout 7 years!), but I enjoy stories that show how people grow, develop, and change. One last thing: it's the first book in a trilogy, but it just left me hanging with questions...
October 2, 2015
I found this book a challenging read. I know women who could fit into each one of these ladies lives. Some of it has been my own experience. It is true to life and for that reason it was challenging. I guess I was looking for something to lift me above what is normal and found myself feeling like a fifth sister, who would likely have been labeled a Polly-anna for my efforts to draw them out of their misery. Knowing then, as I know now, that each person must find their own solutions to life's challenges...it brought back quite a few memories of days in leadership positions where what was needed was a listening ear as people sorted out their options against the wall of my ears...and my heart. I felt, nevertheless, that the authors have done well in laying out life's drama...just like it is.
October 6, 2009
What a disappointment. We read this for book club. I was excited to read about three women who met and continued their friendship long distance for many years. How they learn about each other, how they gradually share information, how they help each other. IT WAS AWFUL. Shallowly written, hard to follow (and I've read many with multiple characters pursuing different lives). absolutely nothing grabbed me. I finally put it down after about 1/4 of the book. Then I went back to it just to see if I could finish it to have more to discuss at the book club meeting. I couldn't do it. It was so bad. I'll be curious to see what the other women think!
October 19, 2011
This is a story of 3 women who go to Education Week at BYU and end up staying at the same house. They become life long friends. I loved going to Education Week years ago - I went mostly with my sisters and so I related to this long term relationship. I loved how supportive they are of one another. Each woman has issues that she must deal with as do we all. It was an enjoyable book and I will try and read the rest of the series. I am sad that they have only one experience at Education Week. I went for many years and enjoyed each year.
January 17, 2013
There were a lot of things I could relate to in this book: the 1980's, Education Week, making friends, challenges in life, health problems, to name a few. About halfway through the book I found myself wondering when it would end, and then I realized that it's an ongoing saga about the lives of these three women and their friendship. It was entertaining reading while I traveled by plane. I'm curious about its sequels, but I'm not going to rush out and buy them. I picked this up at our library's used book sale, and if I see another in the series I'll pick it up too.
March 8, 2013
i loved this series. it is of ordinary LDS women and their lives and problems and how they supported each other. BYU Educ. Wk. brought them together as they boarded with an older women who had good advice for life and who also had her secrets, like the rest of them. it reminded me of the deep friendships roanna has with her 2 friends from texas. it amazes me because i never developed that kind of friendships for various reasons and it must be very rewarding, like those in the three books in this series.
February 14, 2014
I can't put my finger on why this series didn't originally appeal. It's about three women who meet at BYU Education Week and become dear friends. I love dear friends and what could be better than BYU Education Week? But, for some reason, I put off picking it up. It just seemed long. By the time I finished it, I cared about the characters. These authors were bold. I really appreciated their willingness to create real women who have questions about their faith, their marriages, their motherhood, their sanity.
September 14, 2008
This book had great lessons in it that three women in different stages of life learn with the advise of the top "COB" ( or crusty old broad). instead of the derrogatory meaning the woman use is as something to aspire to. A person with wisdom who has gotten through the rocks in their stream of life. The story was a little slow at times but keep plugging through. the exaggerated trials in these books make me appreciate the simplicity of my own life.
April 18, 2009
This is a well-written book about interesting characters. My problem with it is that it is a little too close to home for me. I read more to escape, not read about what could be happening to my next door neighbor. Plus, it seemed to me these women had more than their fair share of problems and insecurities. I felt that the authors were trying to explore the many issues women in the American Mormon culture face, but I think they needed more than three characters to cover it all.
February 18, 2009
I read half of this book so I could discuss for book club. I don't feel compelled to finish. I do not feel connected to any of the characters and am frustrated with the errors in the book: grammar, spelling, punctuation, and accuracy. No way did a BYU student have a compact CD player in 1982. All of book club agreed - we do not recommend. And there are 2 more books in the trilogy? Hm, someone likes them.
March 20, 2009
I think I ended up reading this because it was a book group read. It is LDS fiction. I liked it well enough to read the rest of the trilogy. The interesting thing about this series is that it is written by three authors. Each writes one of the main character - one is Willadene, one Juneau and one Erin. They do their writing mostly through email to one another, as they live in 3 different states. Then they plan get - togethers to flesh out the story together. The story is diverting enough.
November 7, 2009
sweet stories and interesting thoughts provided through different views of women in different situations and how they resolve conflicts within themselves and their relationships and recognize their blessings. very well written. just not my type of book. there are 2 more books in the series but i probably will never get around to reading them, though i wonder how all their lives will turn out. just not enough mystery, i guess!!
March 27, 2011
I was drawn into the women characters during the first half of the book but then their relationships turned a little bit into too much soap opera. I would've liked more attention given to their Women's Conference experience since I am a newer convert and was hoping this book would've given me a little more insight into the spiritual effect that Women's Conference might've had on their lives. Would recommend this book but wouldn't read it again.
July 2, 2010
I bought this in 2006 when it was published and never read it, but I needed something to read on the treadmill. It's about 3 LDS women who meet at BYU Education Week and become friends. I liked it so much, that I went to the library and got the two sequels and read them both over a weekend. In contrast to a lot of the LDS novels around, it seemed to have more real people with real problems and some good bits of wisdom for us all.
August 24, 2010
This book surprised me. Honestly I didn't expect to like it and ended up loving it. There were different ways I was able to relate to each of the main characters which pulled me into the story. The reality of each story line impacted me as a reader allowing me to feel emotions of the protagonists. The messages in this story were also very touching, teaching about the importance of knowing who you are, and having good friends.
July 24, 2011
I don't usually quit a book in the middle, but I just couldn't finish this one. It was boring me to death. The characters and the plot didn't grab me at all. It was a nice story, but I just didn't care how it ended or what happened to any of the characters. There are too many great books out there that I really want to read, so I'm not gonna waste time on a story I don't care about. Sorry to anyone who loved this book. Disclaimer: I'm not a girly-girl and I don't like sappy girl stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews