Time Flies

by Claire Cook

TWO BEST FRIENDS. A HIGH SCHOOL REUNION. AND A ROLLICKING ROAD TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.
Book Club Questions Included

From the New York Times bestselling author of the much-loved book Must Love Dogs, made into a romantic comedy movie starring Diane Lane and John Cusack and now a 7-book series, comes a feisty and fabulous novel about picking up the pieces and reinventing your life when everything falls apart.

Years ago, Melanie followed her husband Kurt from the New England beach town where their two young sons were thriving to the suburbs of Atlanta. She’s carved out a life as a successful metal sculptor, but when Kurt leaves her for another woman, having the tools on hand to cut up their marriage bed is small consolation.

She’s old enough to know that high school reunions are often a big disappointment, but when her best friend makes her buy a ticket and an old flame gets in touch to see if she’ll be going, she fantasizes that returning to her past might help her find her future . . . until her highway driving phobia resurfaces and threatens to hold her back from the adventure of a lifetime.

Time Flies is an epic trip filled with fun, heartbreak, and friendship that explores what it takes to conquer your worst fears . . . so you can start living your future.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Womens Fiction, Adult, Audiobook, Romance, Beach Reads

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2013

About the author

CLAIRE COOK wrote her first book in her minivan at 45. At 50, she walked the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of the adaptation of her novel Must Love Dogs, starring Diane Lane and John Cusack, which is now an 8-book series. Claire is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author of 25 books for 40-to-forever women, including her latest series, Bonus Time.

If you have a buried dream, take it from Claire, It's Never Too Late to Shine On!

Stay in the loop for new releases, giveaways, inspiration and insider extras at ClaireCook.com.

Read excerpts at ClaireCook.com/books/

Connect with Claire:
Instagram.com/ClaireCookwrite
Facebook.com/ClaireCookauthorpage
Linkedin.com/in/clairecookwrite/
BookBub.com/authors/claire-cook
Goodreads.com/clairecook

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

So grateful for these lovely pre-pub reviews:

"Like all of Claire Cook's exhuberant novels, TIME FLIES will make you laugh, make you cry, get you thinking and leave you with the feeling that the best part of your own life has only just begun!"- Jill Miner, Saturn Booksellers

"...don’t let Claire Cook’s humorous style fool you. She is one heck of a writer with pitch perfect comedic timing and plenty of heart. Trust your instincts, women everywhere, and read TIME FLIES." - Ellen Ward, Foxtale Book Shoppe

"This book is another winner - for Cook - and most of all for the rest of us who will get to enjoy what will surely be the most-fun must-read of the summer for women everywhere." - Joan Lang, Front Street Book Shop

"Claire Cook always satisfies, as she has an uncanny knack for finding the humorous in the everyday lives of her female characters. I found myself laughing out loud, and expect to hear laughter at the beach from other readers this summer." -Karen Vail, Titcomb's Bookshop

"Along the way memories are shared, song lists are played, bridges are crossed, phobias are revealed, apologies are made, awareness is heightened and laughter is abundant.Cook has a talent for transforming the familiar into the funny. Her characters are woven from the school of experience and their actions will make you LOL (laugh-out-loud) as you join them on the way to the reunion." - Totsie McGonagle, Buttonwood Books & Toys

"I always enjoy a book that brings out a variety of feelings or emotions and then when you come to that last page and close the book, you feel it was time well spent with the characters and their journey. Perhaps, even sparking some personal soul searching. Claire Cook's TIME FLIES does just that." - Cat Blanco, Book Exchange

"It wouldn't be summer without an absolutely delightful story by Claire Cook that deals with family and friends in situations that are hysterical. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your "road trip' with Melanie!" - Joanne Doggart, Where the Sidewalk Ends

"Time Flies is the perfect summer read for any women looking to go on another journey into Cook's witty writing style that will make you cry so hard you will laugh and laugh so hard you will cry and be eager for life's next adventure!" - Lindsay DiTocco, The Book Shack

"After accompanying Melanie and B.J on their hysterical road trip, readers will feel like they’ve made friends for life." - Kirkus

“A spunky, lighthearted road trip down memory lane. . . . The banter is a lot of fun, and the characters’ realization of what is important is certain to make readers yearn for reconnections of their own. Another delightful beach read from the author of Wallflower in Bloom.” -Booklist

[Alexa Darin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to preface this review by saying that I had no problem with the writing in this book. The writing was stellar. That being said, let's get on with this.

The opening pages of Time Flies, by Claire Cook, held great promise, with the main character (Melanie) cutting up her marriage mattress. Loved the potential there for a fast, fun read. And when she and her friend B.J. set out on a road trip, destination high school reunion, I was expecting all kinds of craziness. But when Melanie turned into a whiny whiner, and B.J., who turned out to be a needlephoebe (someone afraid of needles...and yes, I realize that's not the proper medical term for someone who's afraid of needles), came down with crybabyitis, the story flat-out fizzled.

Okay, let's talk about the whiny whiner. Melanie doesn't like to cruise the freeway (understandable), she has an ex who done her wrong (but we never really get to the why, how, who, or what of it), and for three hundred long pages, we are forced to endure her love for Tab (soda pop, not a man). I kept wanting to pound my fists and scream, "C'mon, ditch the tab, pick up some Cuervo, and go raise hell at your reunion." Only the reunion fizzled too, as in never did happen. In fact, I think the reunion premise was just a tease. Instead, all we got for our efforts was a tattoo. Um, I mean the whiner and the crybaby got tattoos. Which didn't make a whole lotta sense, so I'm thinking it was filler material.

Then we have the thriller material, where Melanie and B.J. piss off a trucker and then...nothing. Oh, unless you want to count the e-mails passed back and forth between the whiner and some guy who convinced her to go to the reunion that never was.

To sum it up, Time Flies was full of clichés, not so full of fun, and really short on plot. If you ask me, Melanie and B.J. should have skipped the reunion, and Melanie should have stayed home and continued destroying everything her ex had ever touched. Now that would have been a fun read.

[MB (What she read) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

More upbeat and fun than some of these women's lit books, although I wish I'd come across some using a trope other than 'long-time husband/lover does her wrong'. (I'm bored with that one.) And they all seem to have that basic plot. This book had more variety than just that, some themes: accepting the past, moving forward, reconnecting with friends and family, trying new things...

Some random thoughts: Glrgh...the thought of willingly and purposefully drinking all of those Tabs! I'd forgotten about it (blocked the memory?) until being reminded by this book. Yuck! Instantaneous flashback to that horrible taste! Also, this woman needs a real job with an income. I doubt that metal sculpture as a hobby is ever going to be enough to survive on post divorce. However, Melody's creative process was a nice touch, I enjoyed sharing and it felt familiar/realistic to me.

Cover Art: Missed a chance here. Should have shown 2 women in the car, as that is a big part of the plot. Points for the scarf and the red convertible. Someone is at least trying....

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it's officially summer now because there is a new book by Claire Cook on our shelves. Time Flies is a good one (but aren't they all?). This time it deals with a divorced woman and single mother trying to make her way in the world with her metal sculptures. She has two looming problems--her fear of driving on highways, and her high school reunion. This is a wonderful book about becoming yourself again, celebrating it, and flaunting it when you can. I really identified with Melanie, and ended up doing no small amount of cheering for her, mentally and occasionally physically. Cook's characters always leap off the page and into your heart, and this one is not different. Trust me, you want to hang out with Melanie this summer, so read this book!

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie, like a good wife, followed her husband as he moved to a job to further his career. She uprooted her children and left the area where she grew up and called home. Now years later, he has left her. Her best friend tries to convince her to attend their high school reunion and she refuses until one day, flashes from the past and an email from a former classmate, who she once dated, has caused her to have second thoughts. Now she is filled with dreams of the connection they will make on this special night.

Cook has done a fantastic job of describing the high school years along with the music and make-up that were a part of life during those times. She also has a moral to her story and what it takes to truly find yourself.

[Wendy Wax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this reunion and reinvention story! Claire Cook totally gets it! Time Flies is the perfect read for Boomers getting ready for those upcoming reunions.

[Jeananna w/The Book Reading Gals · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Time Flies. I am breathless! What a fantastic journey CC took me on! Fave read of 2013 so far! I will write my complete review tomorrow...

TWO BEST FRIENDS, A HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, AND A ROLLICKING ROAD TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
YEARS AGO, Melanie followed her husband, Kurt, from the New England beach town where their two young sons were thriving to the suburbs of Atlanta. She’s carved out a life as a successful metal sculptor, but when Kurt leaves her for another woman, having the tools to cut up their marriage bed is small consolation. She’s old enough to know that high school reunions are often a big disappointment, but when her best friend makes her buy a ticket and an old flame gets in touch to see if she’ll be going, she fantasizes that returning to her past might help her find her future . . . until her highway driving phobia resurfaces and threatens to hold her back from the adventure of a lifetime.
Time Flies is an epic trip filled with fun, heartbreak, and friendship that explores what it takes to conquer your worst fears . . . so you can start living your future.

First off let me say that if ever another of Claire Cook’s books needed to be made into a movie this is the one!! (she also wrote Must Love Dogs) This is a story that every woman, mom or best friend can TOTALLY relate to!! And the soundtrack for this movie would be a # 1 hit overnight! I started highlighting the songs that were mentioned and created a playlist that I will keep FOREVER!
In my opinion, high school reunions are a special kind of torture that you either dread or anticipate as they approach... it depends on how content you are in your life at that time. At the time of this reunion Melanie is not content and she has major reasons not to be: her soon-to-be ex-husband and the infamous Crissy, she is still adjusting to an empty-nest and her highway driving phobia she cannot seem to conquer. But the light at the end of her tunnel of discontent comes in the form of emails from an old high school flame. So begins the road trip of a life time!
The dynamic between Melanie and her best friend BJ and two of their other girlfriends from high school is so true to life and made this reader assign these characters to friends in my own life (and I vow to be a better friend thanks to CC’s gentle reminders). Shouldn’t we all have those people in our lives that force us to look outside the box and live a little!! The emotions that Claire Cook evokes from Melanie’s interactions with her sister made me as angry as BJ was for Melanie’s tears. And I cheered as Mel finally came to the conclusion that she will never be able to live up to her expectations and being the bigger person to apologize, say I Love You and simply move on. And Kurt… BOOOO. I agree that Mel ”was always too good for him”.
As I finished this book I was emotional and breathless and excited for Melanie to start to live her future. At the same time I was so disappointed that the journey had to end! This was my favorite ChickLit read so far for 2013 and this story will stick with me for a long time to come!

[Kathryn Laceby · Rating 1 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Novel Escapes

I had high hopes for this novel and although there were aspects of Time Flies that I liked I found it slow and difficult to get attached to in the end.

The main character, Mel, was undeveloped. I didn't really feel for her and given that she'd just been through a separation from her husband it could have been made more of so we had that feeling of sympathy for her. I loved her artistic sensibilities and the fabulous sculptures she made throughout the novel but that was really the only thing that gave her any personality. Cook made a particular point of describing the sculptures so that themselves came alive but I wish she had put some more time into the relationships with Mel’s sons, her friends (apart from best friend BJ) and her sister-more background about her sister and their growing up would have helped me immensely.

The road-trip and high school reunion were fun and I liked all the references to songs from their school years but there wasn’t enough about their friendships. Also peculiar for me was the developed fear of highway driving- it was made a point of but never delved into - just brought up and then somehow she copes with driving when BJ takes a nap? Other things came in and out too: the contact with her ex, the email flirting with the ex from high school, the constant eating of French fries, all of these things were peppered throughout the story but didn’t do much for me to link the people together.


My favourite character was the man who bought her sculpture for his restaurant but he wasn’t given enough time in the book. All in all I'm still not entirely sure what the focus of the story was supposed to be- a voyage of rediscovery or a story of friendship? Either way it left me a bit bored I’m afraid- not what I would usually expect from Claire Cook- I’ve read her novels before and enjoyed them so this one was a bit disappointing.

Thank you to Touchstone for our review copy. All opinions are our own.

[S.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's what The Literary Bookie has to say about Time Flies by Claire Cook
(FICTION/CLOTH) Summer approaches, the plovers are nesting, its time for a cozy summer read and no one out there dolls out the pick-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps with the help of a friend by your side and smell the sea air better than Cook. Her recipe seems similar, two friends at a crossroads, an emotional train wreck up ahead and further up the road a life lesson learned. The trick is each time out the author finds the uniqueness of her characters and allows them to find there own way. Relating with her characters and following them through their trials is like test runs for ourselves when we get to our own forks in the road. Here Melanie faces divorce, a looming high school reunion and the fantasy of a new start with an old flame. The only thing stopping her is the miles between Atlanta and New England and a fear of the highway. Enter friend by your side… Essential accessory for visiting the shores, sunglasses, sunblock, and this feel-good novel.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Claire Cook's latest, and let me just say, it's terrific!

Melanie is lovable, and real, and silly ... someone I would like to be friends with. She tells her story with heart and humor, and she exposes her vulnerability during a time when her life has been turned upside down. TIME FLIES is a rollicking fun yet poignant novel that’s sure to hit home with anyone who has ever experienced heartbreak, fought against a phobia, entertained a fantasy, or dared to say yes to an unknown future peeking above the horizon of midlife. Claire Cook has crafted another winner that’s guaranteed to be a favorite of book clubs and shared among girlfriends.

[Lisa B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts

In traditional Claire Cook style, this was light and funny along with some touching, insightful moments.... Two besties hook up for a HS reunion sharing their current lives while reminiscing about being teens. I never could quite guess their ages, but with references to things like Bonne Bell, strawberry Lip Smackers, and songs like Van Morrison's “Moondance" or Joni Mitchell’s “The Circle Game"- I sure felt comfortable with the two ladies.

Ms Cook is my go to author when I want something entertaining and this book did not disappoint me.

Thank you to Touchstone, via Netgalley, for allowing me to read this in exchange for an unbiased review.

Publish date: June 11, 2012.

[Pamela Pickering]

I had never heard of Claire Cook before and couldn't wait to try one of her books when I found out she had penned the book of one of my favorite chick flicks, "Must Love Dogs". Well, color me just a wee bit disappointed. I didn't get too far into this book when I just found it to be a little to silly/ludicrous. I just can't imagine a grown woman putting a pic of an old high school class mate on a mop and dancing around the room with it, let alone making out with it. Even though the character was inebriated it was just a little too much of a stretch for me and I had to set this one aside.

I'll give Cook another try though based upon my enjoyment of "MLD". The book is always better than the movie so hopefully there will be another of her stories out there that will appeal to me.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author needs her own category of over-the-hill female bonding with a hint of romance. If I weren't so fond of this author's early works (Must Love Dogs and her follow up - Multiple Choice, I think), I would have ditched her by now. This book is not an completely unreadable account of a woman recently separated from her husband who goes to her high school reunion with her best friend from high school, it was just not that good.

[Judy]

Loved this book, perfect summer read! BJ is the best friend we all want. Like that there
wasn't a "storybook" ending, but that it
was believable and hopeful. Characters were
well drawn and the story was allowed to evolve
and not end abruptly. Read it, especially if you've ever been on a South Shore of MA or Cape Cod beach, you'll be transported back in
this book! Enjoy!

[Ann]

Most enjoyable read. I laughed so often. The music memoirs on my playlist. I caught myself humming them as I listened.

Gazing at people, some hand in hand
Just what I'm going through they can't understand
Some try to tell me, thoughts they cannot defend
Just what you want to be, you will be in the end

My favorite verse of Nights in White

Tab. Is still my sister’s favorite drink.

[Oswego Public Library District]

This is a spunky and humorous book that is likely to appeal to women of all ages, but particularly to those who are in their mid-life years. Learning how to date again after years of a marriage that ends in a bitter divorce provides lots of comedy while still touching on the experiences many might feel as they start anew. Texting and email were not around when these people started their dating lives in the 1970s, so there is much to adjust to (and mess up). In the midst of the humor, this novel nevertheless includes societal issues of the "sandwich generation" such as elder care, raising one's own grandchildren and the need for facing fears as we start new life stages. Good, fun reading and the plethora of references to the 1970s will appeal to that decade's fans. -GD

Click here to place a hold on Time Flies .

Lee Smith's The Last Girls is another outstanding book about women attending class reunions while sharing their lives with one another during a big adventure.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect timing for this one I am getting ready for my 30 year class reunion.
The title is great Time does fly you need to grab life put your phobias aside and have some fun!
I knew I was going to like this when the first thing Melanie did soon after finding out that her husband Kurt had a girlfriend, was to cut up her marriage bed and make a metal sculpture out of it. I also liked that she had a job and passion that she loved as a metal sculptor before the marriage was over. I also liked the way she dealt with some of the fears women have facing going on in life as a single person.
it was well done light and fun. I loved the music I had my ipod going and only had to buy a few songs that I didn’t have.
The road trip was fun, and I agree most of the planning for a road trip has to do with the music.
The antics that happened at the reunion are priceless I can remember several things like that at our 20 year reunion.
I really liked Melanie and her friend BJ. If my husband left me I would hope that for the most part that this would be the way I handle it. It’s always better to cut the bed up then... well you know LOL

http://dianne1964.blogspot.com/

TIME FLIES BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
http://clairecook.com/novels/time-fli...

[Caren ~ the misfit geek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book. This book totally entertained me from start to finish. What’s not to love about a road trip in a classic car with classic rock blasting away? I didn’t want it to end.

I have to say I loved the quirky characters in the book. They made me laugh out loud. The book is written in first person in Melanie’s POV. I really liked her understated spunkiness. From the time she cut up her marriage bed, I was a fan. Her best friend, BJ, is her champion. BJ is outspoken and in-your-face. They make a great pair.

I really recommend this lighthearted, fun book. I kept thinking it would make a fun movie. Although I did see Must Love Dogs, this is my first Claire Cook read. I really like her writing and plan to read more of her books.

[K.A. Castillo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Time Flies by Claire Cook repeatedly compares itself to the movie Thelma and Louise to the point where I think this story is attempting to echo that movie. And so, if you liked the movie Thelma and Louise, I would say you would probably like Time Flies as well. However, I personally felt this book was about a couple of women going through a midlife crisis... chasing dreams instead of appreciating the reality right in front of them. It seemed as if these two women were still stuck in high school, both in terms of mentality and maturity even though they were both middle aged. I spent the vast majority of the book exasperated at the two women's immaturity.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun read for book club. Melanie is in the midst of a mid life crisis (IMHO) and to top it off is headed back for a class reunion. Her friend BJ has their weekend all planned out, but things don't always go on schedule.

I thought it was a fun read and humorous in parts. Melanie definitely was right on the money on getting rid of her ex and there was some flirting on her part with an old classmate and even a customer that had purchased one of her pieces of artwork. I think she learned a lot in a short time about what she wanted from life and what needed to go.

I'd probably consider this a "beach" read. fun and fluffy and nothing too serious

[JanB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a novel about two friends of a "certain age" (one I can relate to) who go on a road trip to a class reunion. They were a cross between Thelma and Louise and Romy and Michelle. Their zaniness made me chuckle more than once and I enjoyed the references to the 70s & 80s. Tab - who could forget that nasty stuff? I loved the ending and was glad to see the author didn't go with a predictable one.

Don't take it too seriously and enjoy the ride with Mel and BJ. A funny, charming, beach read for summer.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Claire Cook and this book was wonderful, the only disappointing point was that it ended - because I wanted to continue to follow Mel and BJ even more. The characters were excellent and so relatable. I found myself wanting to learn metal working, or at least wanting to go out and buy some Tab. Claire Cook is the master of reinvention novels, she has such an easy style, with humor and just the right amount of drama, this was a fantastic summer read.

[Carynpayzant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Cook is one of my favorite authors so I couldn't wait to get my hands on her newest novel. And it didn't let me down. I love how her characters are the same mid-life age as me. I can totally relate to their flashbacks and current concerns. Two women who have been best friends since high school embark on a road trip to their high school reunion. their antics along the way are hysterical with a lot of sage wisdom thrown in. A delightful read that will bring a smile to your face.

[Anita Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect beach read. Melanie has been transplanted from her life-long home of Cape Cod to metro-Atlanta where she is abandoned by her husband and suffers severe anxiety when faced with crazy highway traffic. She is coaxed into attending her high school reunion with her best friend and learns that the past sometimes should stay in the past. Claire Cook makes you feel like she's your best friend telling you her hilarious stories.

[BATFS · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vapid. Insipid. Plotless. I am floored by the number of reviews that rank this as entertaining. Honestly? One big completely lackluster group of cliches in a row with about as much personality and character as a wet towel. It was tritely insulting to a level at which i think it could be David Foster Wallaces next best satire if only it pushed a little harder - that bad. Jeez folks, I used to trust your reviews.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was looking through the reviews and there were a bunch of 5 stars and people talking about how fantastic this book was and now I'm wondering who these people are and if we read the same book.
All I can say is, it was ok. The characters and plot never really developed and much of the storyline was songs from their youth and cliches strung together in an attempt to create a crazy post marriage, facing your high school reunion romp. 🤷‍♀️

[Laconicella58 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh.... these two women are much too whiny and phobic for me. What is supposed to be a fun beach weekend and class reunion, turns into the biggest Debbie Downer you can possibly imagine. If these two were my friends, I send them packing and find some new girlfriends to spend the weekend with. It took lots of willpower to actually finish this one!

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Best High School Reunion Evah may or may not be fun...but this book is an enjoyable confection of friendship, nostalgia and hope. For those of a certain age, the details - makeup brands, songs, fads etc. - will bring back those high school years enough. Now I don't need to go to my reunion. Not that I had any intention of it. This is definitely more fun.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because Claire Cook is a local author, I enjoy her references to local places and lore. I thought I even knew who she might be referencing when she described an extensive shoulder to shoulder tattoo necklace (but probably not!) The many passages about metal sculpture finding ideas, constructing big pieces, making them work, was one of my favorite parts of the book.

[Anne McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book if you want to smile laugh and sing! This book is so much fun - especially if you remember drinking Tab! Lots of music, Massachusetts and childhood/teen memories. Funny laugh out loud lines and scenes about a cheating husband, a high school reunion, and girls pretending to be wild over 40. Loved the music and movie references.