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Step by Step
Join Noreen, Tess and Rosie as they walk and talk, talk and walk, share their secrets, and learn to take it step by step. You’ll be lacing up your own sneakers in no time!
Instead of focusing on actually finding some health coach clients, Noreen is dividing her time between sabotaging her relationship with Rick and disaster-fantasizing about ending up living in a tent by the side of the road. Tess is ready to downsize, but can she really figure out how to move on and live small? Rosie is completely overwhelmed with life on the lavender farm, and it doesn’t help matters that Rosie’s dad and Noreen’s mom are conducting most of their romantic interludes at her house.
They thought they’d have their lives all figured out by now. But change is blowing in along with the crisp fall air, and they’re finding out that life for 40-to-forever women is not for sissies. Hitting the road again might be just what The Wildwater Walking Club needs.
Instead of focusing on actually finding some health coach clients, Noreen is dividing her time between sabotaging her relationship with Rick and disaster-fantasizing about ending up living in a tent by the side of the road. Tess is ready to downsize, but can she really figure out how to move on and live small? Rosie is completely overwhelmed with life on the lavender farm, and it doesn’t help matters that Rosie’s dad and Noreen’s mom are conducting most of their romantic interludes at her house.
They thought they’d have their lives all figured out by now. But change is blowing in along with the crisp fall air, and they’re finding out that life for 40-to-forever women is not for sissies. Hitting the road again might be just what The Wildwater Walking Club needs.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2020
30 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Claire Cook
32 books843 followersCLAIRE 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 10, 2020
I just finished reading the “The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step: Book 3 of The Wildwater Walking Club series” and I’m so sad it’s over. What a fun and comforting read, I feel like Noreen, Tess and Rosie are my best friends and I could jump right in the book and go on their fun and spontaneous adventures with them. The three girls continue their daily walks on the beach as the figure out their current life issues and help each other figure out their futures. The big adventure the girls go on this time is called a coddiwomple (you’ll have to read the book to learn what that is!) where they explore the Cape and all that it has to offer!
September 19, 2020
I loved this book! The main character, Noreen, struggles with feelings of helplessness and lethargy. I felt that her struggles resonated with me, especially given what we are all going through. The novel is ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Claire imparts many life lessons in this book, all with her incredible humor and insightful wit. As I read the steps (perfect title), Noreen takes to get control of her life, I was inspired to take them myself. I broke out my hand weights, and added a walk back into my routine. One of the scenes takes place on Cape Cod, where I live, and now I want to take that walking journey too! That was fun, to see the characters stop in some of our local favorites.
Although this is the third book in the series, Claire masterfully weaves in the back story. If this is your first book-lucky you! You get to go back and read the first two.
To feel understood, to feel as if you're not alone in your struggles, and ultimately to end up feeling hopeful and optimistic, buy The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step!
Although this is the third book in the series, Claire masterfully weaves in the back story. If this is your first book-lucky you! You get to go back and read the first two.
To feel understood, to feel as if you're not alone in your struggles, and ultimately to end up feeling hopeful and optimistic, buy The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step!
September 14, 2020
It’s always a good time to visit with these ladies. I love how Claire shows how important girlfriends are to our wellbeing. Part of life is change; Noreen shows us how painful but necessary it is to embrace change. I like how Claire weaves the settings of the books into her stories. If you’ve been there it calls on your memories of the visit. If you’ve not been to the locations, you want to go after reading her books. The ladies of WILD WATER WALKING CLUB and Claire are our cherished girlfriends that we don’t see every day, but when we reconnect, we pick-up right where we left off.
I’m so glad Claire Cook didn’t give up on her dream of writing! She’s an inspiration for us all to keep reaching for those dreams. I love her fiction. I also recommend: SHINE ON and NEVER TOO LATE. After reading NEVER TOO LATE: YOUR ROADMAP TO REINVENTION, I booked a trip to Isla Mujeres, Mexico to attend the We Move Forward women’s conference. I never would have done without Claire’s inspiration. It was a meaningful experience for me. Claire tells us it’s okay to fail but we must keep trying. We must keep striving to accomplish our dreams. The WILD WATER WALKING CLUB series is all about putting one foot in front of the other. Thanks Claire! I look forward to hanging out with these ladies again and again.
I’m so glad Claire Cook didn’t give up on her dream of writing! She’s an inspiration for us all to keep reaching for those dreams. I love her fiction. I also recommend: SHINE ON and NEVER TOO LATE. After reading NEVER TOO LATE: YOUR ROADMAP TO REINVENTION, I booked a trip to Isla Mujeres, Mexico to attend the We Move Forward women’s conference. I never would have done without Claire’s inspiration. It was a meaningful experience for me. Claire tells us it’s okay to fail but we must keep trying. We must keep striving to accomplish our dreams. The WILD WATER WALKING CLUB series is all about putting one foot in front of the other. Thanks Claire! I look forward to hanging out with these ladies again and again.
September 6, 2020
Ms. Cook has an uncanny way of connecting with her readers through her stories. In this third book of the series, The Wildwater Walking Club Step By Step, Tess is struggling with issues that many people are struggling with today, unemployment, trying to find their place in the world, etc. As always, these quirky, lovable characters experience real life scenarios that readers can relate to in their own daily lives. Ms. Cook, once again, delivers an entertaining novel and inspires this reader to get those steps in!
September 10, 2020
I was so happy to know that I'd be able to enjoy some time with Noreen, Rosie and Tess over the holiday weekend. The latest book in the series The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step brought me right back in to the warmth of these best friends and walking buddies. Claire writes with such humor and humanity.
As someone who is quite motivated by their Fitbit, I could really relate to the step counts and the story they can tell about your life. And Noreen's journey to her future was moving to me, and watching her began to understand that she was enough just the way she was resonated with me.
So grab the book and enjoy the ride!
As someone who is quite motivated by their Fitbit, I could really relate to the step counts and the story they can tell about your life. And Noreen's journey to her future was moving to me, and watching her began to understand that she was enough just the way she was resonated with me.
So grab the book and enjoy the ride!
September 2, 2020
"The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step"
By Claire Cook
August 30, 2020
Marshbury Beach Books
274 pages
Contemporary Women's Fiction
Noreen, Tess, and Rosie, three middle-aged besties and neighbors in the coastal town of Marshbury, Massachusetts have their Fitbits calibrated to brave the chill of the predawn autumn to get in their steps along with some very intense girl talk.
It has been a year-and-a-half since Noreen lost her job and her boyfriend, and with the passing of time, she descends deeper into a stage of despair. Her employment buyout is almost depleted, and all she can envision is living in a tent on the side of the road. The time spent with Rosie and Tess helps to dispel her depression, but she needs to pick up the pieces and start fresh.
Rosie runs a lavender farm which is a huge undertaking and now she is overwhelmed because her dad and Noreen's mom are shacking up at her place. Tess, an inveterate schoolteacher is always ready, willing, and able to share pertinent facts about different subjects with her friends, sometimes, ad nauseam, yet offer reassurance to Noreen.
Meeting in the early morning hours to walk along the beach, they discuss their problems, ideas, hopes, and dreams. While Noreen realizes she must come up with a new career path, her attitude is somewhat tiring and argumentative. She is even arguing with her new beau, Rick which may not bode well for their relationship.
Noreen is happy that Rick has found his niche by creating concrete sculptures, but what is her niche? When she visits Rick's studio, she encounters a gorgeous woman named Alison who seems to make herself right at home. Has Rick moved on? Can anything else ruin Noreen's self-esteem?
Rick shows her his latest creation that calls "Noreen." These are designed in her likeness. Her head and neck are embedded with different colored sea glass in the cement, the scooped-out head contains plants, and reading glasses are perched on the nose. Instead of being flattered, Noreen is insulted. She tosses some harsh words at him which she knows hurt Rick's feelings. Imagine her surprise when she later after walking with the girls she finds six "Noreen's" gracing each side of her walkway, with the original on her front step.
Tess reads the tag hanging from the nearest sculpture to her: "The Noreen—an adored goddess to bring beauty and good vibes into your garden and your life. Limited edition by a new local artist. Signed and numbered."
Can Noreen feel any worse? Berating herself, she falls into a deeper funk, and before long she thinks she's being brushed off by her friends who walk without her:
Once I'd caught Tess and Rosie finishing our regularly scheduled walk, our tradition, our commitment, without me yesterday, I'd stalled as long as I could. I wanted to make sure I gave Tess plenty of time to head off to school and Rosie to disappear into her work day. Somehow I thought the whole thing would be less pathetic if they didn't know I knew.
So I made myself hang around to watch the sunrise. The ocean turned from black to blue. A gold sphere lit up the sky like a fortune teller's ball without any answers. And all I could think was, they planned this. They had an actual conversation during which they decided to walk early. So they didn't have to walk with me.
She wants to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head, but instead, she hikes aimlessly until she can go no further. This is when she remembers the new venture she's starting. Trained as a health coach, she signed up a new client, named Joel, which should help her pocketbook and her self-esteem, but other than him, she does nothing to increase this business.
As Noreen wallows in self-pity, people stop to ask about buying a sculpture though she wants to return them to Rick. One day she discovers three are missing. They've garnered interest, but who would be so brazen as to come on her property and steal them?
The friends reunite and decide they need a diversion—they plan their first "Wildwater Walking Club coddiwomple!" Noreen explains: "A coddiwomple is when you travel in a purposeful manner toward a vague destination."
Rosie says, "I think I'd prefer to go on "flumadiddle," which she says is "something completely nonsensical or ridiculous." They hit the road with no specific goal in mind, just wanting to get away, forget their worries, and enjoy each other's company.
They head for Cape Cod and amid the glorious panorama of Nature's fall color, explore different sites and venues. At a cranberry farm, they discuss how they're grown and harvested, and made into many products, some of which they buy, considering Christmas is approaching.
Visiting the Cape Cod Lavender Farm excites Rosie, and they trek through the twelve acres and purchase different offerings from the gift shop before wandering on to other sites. Finally, they stop at the well-known Hot Chocolate Sparrow restaurant for a mouthwatering lunch. Noreen has an epiphany and tells her friends about her training, mentioning the Japanese notion of "ikigai", which means one needs a reason for living and the happiness to always be busy. Noreen now knows what to do to change her life.
In this third installment in the Wildwater Walking Club series, Cook applies her usual humor and cleverness. She describes Cape Cod somewhat like a guided tour offering the historic beauty and nuances of the area, which is so beautifully written and described, one would want to venture there. In addition to the colorful locations depicted and the well-fleshed characters, the bond between the three women is profound as they share an inseparable closeness. Their friendship is vital and important, yet the reader feels part of their unit as they giggle, concoct silly plans, support each other, and have a great time, always knowing they can count on each other for anything. This is a definite feel-good read.
By Claire Cook
August 30, 2020
Marshbury Beach Books
274 pages
Contemporary Women's Fiction
Noreen, Tess, and Rosie, three middle-aged besties and neighbors in the coastal town of Marshbury, Massachusetts have their Fitbits calibrated to brave the chill of the predawn autumn to get in their steps along with some very intense girl talk.
It has been a year-and-a-half since Noreen lost her job and her boyfriend, and with the passing of time, she descends deeper into a stage of despair. Her employment buyout is almost depleted, and all she can envision is living in a tent on the side of the road. The time spent with Rosie and Tess helps to dispel her depression, but she needs to pick up the pieces and start fresh.
Rosie runs a lavender farm which is a huge undertaking and now she is overwhelmed because her dad and Noreen's mom are shacking up at her place. Tess, an inveterate schoolteacher is always ready, willing, and able to share pertinent facts about different subjects with her friends, sometimes, ad nauseam, yet offer reassurance to Noreen.
Meeting in the early morning hours to walk along the beach, they discuss their problems, ideas, hopes, and dreams. While Noreen realizes she must come up with a new career path, her attitude is somewhat tiring and argumentative. She is even arguing with her new beau, Rick which may not bode well for their relationship.
Noreen is happy that Rick has found his niche by creating concrete sculptures, but what is her niche? When she visits Rick's studio, she encounters a gorgeous woman named Alison who seems to make herself right at home. Has Rick moved on? Can anything else ruin Noreen's self-esteem?
Rick shows her his latest creation that calls "Noreen." These are designed in her likeness. Her head and neck are embedded with different colored sea glass in the cement, the scooped-out head contains plants, and reading glasses are perched on the nose. Instead of being flattered, Noreen is insulted. She tosses some harsh words at him which she knows hurt Rick's feelings. Imagine her surprise when she later after walking with the girls she finds six "Noreen's" gracing each side of her walkway, with the original on her front step.
Tess reads the tag hanging from the nearest sculpture to her: "The Noreen—an adored goddess to bring beauty and good vibes into your garden and your life. Limited edition by a new local artist. Signed and numbered."
Can Noreen feel any worse? Berating herself, she falls into a deeper funk, and before long she thinks she's being brushed off by her friends who walk without her:
Once I'd caught Tess and Rosie finishing our regularly scheduled walk, our tradition, our commitment, without me yesterday, I'd stalled as long as I could. I wanted to make sure I gave Tess plenty of time to head off to school and Rosie to disappear into her work day. Somehow I thought the whole thing would be less pathetic if they didn't know I knew.
So I made myself hang around to watch the sunrise. The ocean turned from black to blue. A gold sphere lit up the sky like a fortune teller's ball without any answers. And all I could think was, they planned this. They had an actual conversation during which they decided to walk early. So they didn't have to walk with me.
She wants to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head, but instead, she hikes aimlessly until she can go no further. This is when she remembers the new venture she's starting. Trained as a health coach, she signed up a new client, named Joel, which should help her pocketbook and her self-esteem, but other than him, she does nothing to increase this business.
As Noreen wallows in self-pity, people stop to ask about buying a sculpture though she wants to return them to Rick. One day she discovers three are missing. They've garnered interest, but who would be so brazen as to come on her property and steal them?
The friends reunite and decide they need a diversion—they plan their first "Wildwater Walking Club coddiwomple!" Noreen explains: "A coddiwomple is when you travel in a purposeful manner toward a vague destination."
Rosie says, "I think I'd prefer to go on "flumadiddle," which she says is "something completely nonsensical or ridiculous." They hit the road with no specific goal in mind, just wanting to get away, forget their worries, and enjoy each other's company.
They head for Cape Cod and amid the glorious panorama of Nature's fall color, explore different sites and venues. At a cranberry farm, they discuss how they're grown and harvested, and made into many products, some of which they buy, considering Christmas is approaching.
Visiting the Cape Cod Lavender Farm excites Rosie, and they trek through the twelve acres and purchase different offerings from the gift shop before wandering on to other sites. Finally, they stop at the well-known Hot Chocolate Sparrow restaurant for a mouthwatering lunch. Noreen has an epiphany and tells her friends about her training, mentioning the Japanese notion of "ikigai", which means one needs a reason for living and the happiness to always be busy. Noreen now knows what to do to change her life.
In this third installment in the Wildwater Walking Club series, Cook applies her usual humor and cleverness. She describes Cape Cod somewhat like a guided tour offering the historic beauty and nuances of the area, which is so beautifully written and described, one would want to venture there. In addition to the colorful locations depicted and the well-fleshed characters, the bond between the three women is profound as they share an inseparable closeness. Their friendship is vital and important, yet the reader feels part of their unit as they giggle, concoct silly plans, support each other, and have a great time, always knowing they can count on each other for anything. This is a definite feel-good read.
September 5, 2020
What could be more welcome at the end of summer than another winner from Claire Cook? Her wit, wisdom and insight are a delight as she continues to share the adventures of our friends of the Wildwater Walking club. Welcome back Noreen, Rosie and Tess. Meeting them again is like a reunion with forever friends.
Noreen is stepping into a new role as a health coach as her buy-out is expiring. She’s in conflict with Rick and wondering is the relationship has collapsed.
Rosie is stepping up her thoughts for a lavender farm, while trying to convince her Dad and Noreen’s Mom to move on or at least move out.
And Tess is stepping up ideas of her dream of downsizing.
All three begin their day (how else?) by stepping out before sunrise for their walk. And living in a coastal town in Massachusetts leads them, most days, to the beach. And then comes conflict as Noreen,the narrator of the story, stops walking as her life becomes more complicated.
How the three work on and through their friendship weaves into a wonderful story of warmth, laughter and tears.
Remember last year’s river cruise to Provence? Well, closer to home this year we follow the three on a joyful jaunt to Cape Cod. If you’ve never been, you still soak up this wonderful vicarious experience.
Cook is truly a master of telling a story full of humor and insight, and without being pedantic teaches us many life lessons along the way.
The beginning is each chapter leads with the number of steps Noreen has taken that day. Some days few; others fewer. Other days more - and then more. Like the fluctuation of ocean waves. A metaphor for life, right ? We can now look forward , I hope, to many more chapters and steps.
Noreen is stepping into a new role as a health coach as her buy-out is expiring. She’s in conflict with Rick and wondering is the relationship has collapsed.
Rosie is stepping up her thoughts for a lavender farm, while trying to convince her Dad and Noreen’s Mom to move on or at least move out.
And Tess is stepping up ideas of her dream of downsizing.
All three begin their day (how else?) by stepping out before sunrise for their walk. And living in a coastal town in Massachusetts leads them, most days, to the beach. And then comes conflict as Noreen,the narrator of the story, stops walking as her life becomes more complicated.
How the three work on and through their friendship weaves into a wonderful story of warmth, laughter and tears.
Remember last year’s river cruise to Provence? Well, closer to home this year we follow the three on a joyful jaunt to Cape Cod. If you’ve never been, you still soak up this wonderful vicarious experience.
Cook is truly a master of telling a story full of humor and insight, and without being pedantic teaches us many life lessons along the way.
The beginning is each chapter leads with the number of steps Noreen has taken that day. Some days few; others fewer. Other days more - and then more. Like the fluctuation of ocean waves. A metaphor for life, right ? We can now look forward , I hope, to many more chapters and steps.
September 16, 2020
Fall is in the air! The change in the seasons and the crisp weather make it the ideal time to get outside for a nice brisk walk–or the ideal time to cozy up with a blanket and a book and let the characters do the walking for you. No matter which camp you fall into, Claire Cook’s latest novel, The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step, has got you covered.
With the signature wit, heart, and inspiration we’ve come to count on in Claire Cook’s books, The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step will leave you laughing, feeling invigorated, and eager for more time with this fabulous trio from Marshbury. The thing that is so enjoyable about Claire Cook’s writing is that it is so distinctively her own. Her characters are so quirky and realistic, her humor so real and relatable. I don’t know who among us hasn’t felt stuck in life without a clue of which way to turn, and that’s exactly what makes Noreen, Tess, and Rosie’s adventures such a joy to follow. They don’t have all the answers—at times, they don’t know where to begin looking for the answers—but on their better days, they lace up their sneakers, step outside, and march on. (And on her not-so-great days, maybe Noreen will end up with her leggings on backwards, eating Ben & Jerry’s while dwelling on everything. Who can’t relate to that? Especially in 2020.) As with the other books in The Wildwater Walking Club series, Step by Step is a wonderful ode to reinvention, to new beginnings, and to friendship more resilient than the rubber sole on a walking shoe. I loved every minute of it.
You don’t have to read the previous books to enjoy this one, but you will appreciate it even more if you start with book one and walk the full journey with the women of the Wildwater Walking Club. It may even inspire you to get outside and start charting a new path!
Full review at: https://bookperfume.com/2020/09/16/fa...
With the signature wit, heart, and inspiration we’ve come to count on in Claire Cook’s books, The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step will leave you laughing, feeling invigorated, and eager for more time with this fabulous trio from Marshbury. The thing that is so enjoyable about Claire Cook’s writing is that it is so distinctively her own. Her characters are so quirky and realistic, her humor so real and relatable. I don’t know who among us hasn’t felt stuck in life without a clue of which way to turn, and that’s exactly what makes Noreen, Tess, and Rosie’s adventures such a joy to follow. They don’t have all the answers—at times, they don’t know where to begin looking for the answers—but on their better days, they lace up their sneakers, step outside, and march on. (And on her not-so-great days, maybe Noreen will end up with her leggings on backwards, eating Ben & Jerry’s while dwelling on everything. Who can’t relate to that? Especially in 2020.) As with the other books in The Wildwater Walking Club series, Step by Step is a wonderful ode to reinvention, to new beginnings, and to friendship more resilient than the rubber sole on a walking shoe. I loved every minute of it.
You don’t have to read the previous books to enjoy this one, but you will appreciate it even more if you start with book one and walk the full journey with the women of the Wildwater Walking Club. It may even inspire you to get outside and start charting a new path!
Full review at: https://bookperfume.com/2020/09/16/fa...
September 1, 2020
As I read the latest Wildwater Walking Club book by Claire Cook I was flooded with feelings.
First, I want friends like these! Noreen, Rosie and Tess have the kind of bond we all yearn for- best friends forever through thick and through thin. They of course have their squabbles, but their bond is unbreakable, something we all long for.
And then, as so many of us have had to reinvent our lives at one point or another, it was refreshing and validating to go through Noreen’s ups and downs and see it’s not always smooth. So, it’s not just me?! Yes! All too often characters have it all together and leave me feeling somehow less-than. All these women have their struggles, especially protagonist, Noreen. Alas, she’s human, just like me.
More and more of us, especially right now are having to look at our own next chapters, and how nice it is to snuggle in and see we’re far from alone. I enjoyed walking along with Noreen, and as I found myself cheering her on, I also felt better about my own two steps forward, one back journey.
And I must mention, as a Cape Codder, I loved walking the bike trail along with them and visiting some wonderful and familiar places like the Hot Chocolate Sparrow!
Claire Cook always takes her readers on a delightful journey. This book had me wanting to strap on my own walking shoes, call a friend to take a long walk, and maybe even make myself a lavender-filled scrunchie. 💜
September 7, 2020
Best friends have that ability to pick right up where they left off, even when it's been a while since they were together. Reading the third installment of TWWC is that same way. You walk out the door (or into the book) and join in step as Noreen. Tess, and Rosie walk and talk together. In this installment, Noreen is actively sabotaging her relationship with Rick, as she ponders life post-buyout, and struggles to get her new career as a personal health coach up and running; Rosie is at odds with her because of their parents' living (and living it up) under her roof; and Tess is trying to make it to another school year while pondering downsizing. Each book in this series takes these friends on an adventure, and in Book 3, you get to join them as they take off on a coddiwomple of Cape Cod. Just reading about it makes me want to follow their route on my own coddiwomple! The fun of living in a small town, where relationships constantly intersect, sometimes awkwardly, shines in this story. You find yourself rooting for Noreen to figure out her own ikigai, for Rosie's dreams for the lavender farm to come true, and for Tess to successfully downsize to her little house. Grab your Fitbit and start walking with the WWC!
Claire Cook. The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step: Book 3 of The Wildwater Walking Club series (Kindle Location 3400). Marshbury Beach Books.
Claire Cook. The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step: Book 3 of The Wildwater Walking Club series (Kindle Location 3400). Marshbury Beach Books.
September 4, 2020
Claire Cook, once again keeps you entertained with the ups and downs in the lives of friends Noreen, Tess and Rosie. In this third installment of The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step, Noreen has fulfilled her dream of becoming a certified life coach but she just can’t seem to get her life together. The buyout from her former company is ending and she doesn’t have any paying clients and she’s running out of time and money. Her future may include having to live in a tent if she can’t get her life on track. Everyone seems to have it together except for her. Before long she has broken up with her boyfriend Rick and a misunderstanding with her two best friends is leaving Noreen feeling alone and abandoned. Even her mother has a love life, as she and Rosie’s dad are still going strong as a geriatric couple. Feeling lost without Rick and her friends, she begins to start making strides to get ahead. She almost by accident gets a paying client for her health coach business. Is it possible things are looking up or is her client as lost as she is? Will Noreen make up with Rick? Will Tess and Rosie get past what’s keeping them apart? But most important Is Noreen finally going to get her life together? You can find out by reading the third installment of this fun series. I really hoping there is a book 4 so this story continues. Claire Cook does not disappoint.
September 1, 2020
In this time of COVID-19 and isolation, what a treat it was to to hang out with my buddies from the Wildwater Walking Club. I just love those gals! As always, this book was a fun read while still teaching me new things. Never heard of Tussie – Mussies before or coddiwomples. Love the recipe for the lavender stress balls. Definitely something I could use from time to time.
Like me in this time of pandemic, Noreen is dealing with life issues and trying to find her way. The title, Step by Step, really sums it up. Her girlfriends are there to support her. They support each other and take interesting and hilarious adventures along the way.
How satisfying to see Noreen achieve her “ikigai”. I’m working on mine. I suspect we all are. A great read that I highly recommend.
Like me in this time of pandemic, Noreen is dealing with life issues and trying to find her way. The title, Step by Step, really sums it up. Her girlfriends are there to support her. They support each other and take interesting and hilarious adventures along the way.
How satisfying to see Noreen achieve her “ikigai”. I’m working on mine. I suspect we all are. A great read that I highly recommend.
September 2, 2020
In this crazy time, it was great to read a book that entertains and inspires at the same time. It was great reconnecting with Tess, Rosie and Noreen. We can all aspire to form a couple friendships like these women have. We see the ups and downs of true friendship, the reinvention of Noreen and get tips to help us on our own journeys to reinvention. Claire Cook tells a story in a way that makes us feel like we are part of the plot. I was laughing out loud at one point and we can all use that right now. Sit back, put your feet up and enjoy.
September 4, 2020
Wildwater Walking Club-Step by Step a delightful read.
Entering Claire Cook’s newest book was like catching up with old friends as they embark on the next chapter of their friendship. From the first to last sentence the characters came to life. Claire has a truly exceptional ability of making her characters real and approachable. The feeling that I am really sitting on my front stairs waiting for my friends to show up for a walk and OMG did they really go without me. I love how Claire’s books capture that universal feeling and Step by Step she did that brilliantly.
Entering Claire Cook’s newest book was like catching up with old friends as they embark on the next chapter of their friendship. From the first to last sentence the characters came to life. Claire has a truly exceptional ability of making her characters real and approachable. The feeling that I am really sitting on my front stairs waiting for my friends to show up for a walk and OMG did they really go without me. I love how Claire’s books capture that universal feeling and Step by Step she did that brilliantly.
March 7, 2022
Step-by-step is the 3rd book in the wild water walking club series. 3 women, friends, all with some pretty overwhelming issues at a time in their lives where they thought they would have it all figured out. They support one another as they walk, often walking toward a tangible goal of a trip or an adventure. I've really enjoyed getting to know the characters of Norene, Rosie, & Tess. Fun, funny, quirky, real, with real issues. Love these ladies and hope there's another adventure in store for them!
September 2, 2020
The Wildwater Walking Club entertains again with book 3 Step by Step. The adventures of Noreen, Tess and Rosie are heart warming and hilarious! You can't help but cheer for Noreen as she struggles with her inner demons. The parents add another level of humor to an already funny cast of characters. Looking forward to book 4 - you can always count on these women to lift your spirits!
September 11, 2020
Perfect timing to have a wonderful, quick and quirky read! Noreen, Tess and Rosie are at it again with their wild adventures. When you think your problems are bad, jump in and experience Noreen's drama. Life is hard, deadlines are closing in and things are spiraling. But with the help of her besties, and getting that exercise in, all problems are solved. What a trip to get there!
September 28, 2020
With her trademark wit, compassion, and keen observations into the strengths and fragilities of the human heart, Claire Cook has created a wonderfully entertaining series that celebrates friendships, family, and the power of transformation. I love Noreen, Tess, and Rosie. And while reading this book I felt like I was right there with them, in the thick of things, trying to navigate through life. Claire Cook is a master at crafting a multi-book series while making certain that each book can be easily read as a stand-alone. But to become fully engaged in the ongoing saga of these delightful women, I suggest reading the books in order. You’ll be glad you did!
September 3, 2020
Some books feel like a visit with an old friend, and The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step is definitely one of those books. Noreen and her friends Tess and Rosie are once again walking their way through friendship, romance and all of the daily struggles of life. Included in the book are some fun and helpful recipes, including a recipe for lavender stress balls. Like many of us today, Noreen's life seems to be stalled and she is unsure what to do next. Following along with Noreen's journey, it is hard not to feel inspired to do some walking too.
October 9, 2020
Claire Cook, author of the popular "Must Love Dogs" series of delightful novels, once again displays her trademark humor and superb plot and character development in her latest entry in the equally entertaining "Wildwater Walking Club" series, "Step by Step."
For the uninitiated, we should explain that the Club is comprised of three women who have developed the happy habit of taking walks together, walks which afford each of them the opportunity to vent, to discuss their personal problems, to opine about their places in the world, and to share their trials and tribulations with the assurance that sympathetic ears are close by and listening. Each of the women -- Noreen, Tess, and Rosie -- is quick, bright, and often pretty darn messed-up.
In "Step by Step," Noreen is the primary object of our attention. She has left her long-time job upon accepting a generous buyout which guarantees her financial stability for eighteen months. She has decided to become a health-and-fitness coach, working independently, with plenty of time to develop a thriving new business.
Problem number one is that building such a business is far more difficult and confusing than she had imagined. But problem number two is both far more confusing and far more significant in her quest for personal happiness. It's the love problem. Her love (and her lover) is Rick, who, like Noreen, is struggling to find a new direction in his life. He's sensitive, artistic, smart, attractive, and sometimes very difficult to understand and accept. So Noreen, who is quite aware that she is also sometimes not quite herself an angel, begins to question if they are really a good fit. So does Rick. They argue, they separate, they both meet potential new love interests -- or so it seems to Noreen -- and they are both caught in embarrassing situations. To complicate matters even further, they are both too stubborn and proud to admit that they are acting self-destructively, selfishly, even childishly. Especially Noreen.
Her life, in fact, seems to be falling apart; she is bitter and depressed. Even her walking partners seem unwilling or unable to put up with her. But here is where Claire Cook's remarkable talents for character-building and character development assert themselves. Through all of Noreen's destructive behaviors and misadventures, Cook again displays her uncanny ability to make us laugh and to still love Noreen. And even as the character herself works on the tortuous path toward self-knowledge, Noreen never abandons her own sense of self-deprecatory humor, and all the other characters likewise consistently demonstrate their own abilities at quick rejoinders and witty perceptions.
So Noreen eventually does find the best of herself as she fully realizes her own shortcomings and learns how to deal with them, gain back a generous measure of self-respect, and win back the person she loves and the friends she needs. "Step by Step" is a terrific character study, a lesson in the power of positive and honest self-reflection, and, of course, a wise and laugh-provoking look at our human foibles. Claire Cook strikes again.
For the uninitiated, we should explain that the Club is comprised of three women who have developed the happy habit of taking walks together, walks which afford each of them the opportunity to vent, to discuss their personal problems, to opine about their places in the world, and to share their trials and tribulations with the assurance that sympathetic ears are close by and listening. Each of the women -- Noreen, Tess, and Rosie -- is quick, bright, and often pretty darn messed-up.
In "Step by Step," Noreen is the primary object of our attention. She has left her long-time job upon accepting a generous buyout which guarantees her financial stability for eighteen months. She has decided to become a health-and-fitness coach, working independently, with plenty of time to develop a thriving new business.
Problem number one is that building such a business is far more difficult and confusing than she had imagined. But problem number two is both far more confusing and far more significant in her quest for personal happiness. It's the love problem. Her love (and her lover) is Rick, who, like Noreen, is struggling to find a new direction in his life. He's sensitive, artistic, smart, attractive, and sometimes very difficult to understand and accept. So Noreen, who is quite aware that she is also sometimes not quite herself an angel, begins to question if they are really a good fit. So does Rick. They argue, they separate, they both meet potential new love interests -- or so it seems to Noreen -- and they are both caught in embarrassing situations. To complicate matters even further, they are both too stubborn and proud to admit that they are acting self-destructively, selfishly, even childishly. Especially Noreen.
Her life, in fact, seems to be falling apart; she is bitter and depressed. Even her walking partners seem unwilling or unable to put up with her. But here is where Claire Cook's remarkable talents for character-building and character development assert themselves. Through all of Noreen's destructive behaviors and misadventures, Cook again displays her uncanny ability to make us laugh and to still love Noreen. And even as the character herself works on the tortuous path toward self-knowledge, Noreen never abandons her own sense of self-deprecatory humor, and all the other characters likewise consistently demonstrate their own abilities at quick rejoinders and witty perceptions.
So Noreen eventually does find the best of herself as she fully realizes her own shortcomings and learns how to deal with them, gain back a generous measure of self-respect, and win back the person she loves and the friends she needs. "Step by Step" is a terrific character study, a lesson in the power of positive and honest self-reflection, and, of course, a wise and laugh-provoking look at our human foibles. Claire Cook strikes again.
September 22, 2020
It’s fall and time to take a walk on the wild side with Noreen, Tess and Rosie in Claire Cook’s newest sister-friend novel, The Wildwater Walking Club: Step by Step. Even if you haven’t read the two prior installments of The Wildwater Walking Club, and you really should, you can step right in place with the newest escapades of the ladies from Marshbury. The three friends even get me, the confirmed couch potato (without the t-shirt), to feel motiviated about moving and making some changes in my next chapter. The adventures of Noreen, Tess and Rosie show us how important friends and a sense of humor are to our lives, and you can’t ask for more laughs and better friends than with the women of The Wildwater Walking Club. So, take a little time to sit back, grab some ice cream, and enjoy the hilarious and relatable adventures in Step by Step. Don’t forget to try out the recipe for lavender stressballs. We all need to take a deep breath and stress less these days!
March 9, 2021
I read the first 2 books in this series and they always make me feel good and the 3 friends make me laugh and know there is hope for me. This one didn't move as fast as the other one, Noreen was so trying to figure out her life and at times I just wanted her to grow up and get her act together. By the end of the book I was so proud of Noreen. I you have not read the first ones please read before you read this one. It is good to know the whole story of the women of The Wildwater Walking Club.
January 2, 2021
A fun read. Nice to get caught up with the ladies of the "Wildwater Walking Club" again. Made me envious for daily walks on the beach. And, added bonus, learning that, according to the book, my favorite flower, the sunflower, "symbolizes happiness and optimism, as well as the desire to seek light and truth."
May 31, 2025
The Wild water Walking Club Step by Step Book 2
This third in this series brings more excitement and adventures to this group of friends. Some tears are shed, hearts questioned and love finds them again . I loved experimenting with these friends watching their growth and friendship deepen. Another great book.
This third in this series brings more excitement and adventures to this group of friends. Some tears are shed, hearts questioned and love finds them again . I loved experimenting with these friends watching their growth and friendship deepen. Another great book.
January 1, 2023
The best thing about the Wildwater walkers is that reading the story is like getting together with friends. An easy read, quick, & funny enough to not be taken too seriously. Can be a stand alone, but I’ve enjoyed reading as the series.
September 2, 2020
I found the book fun and at the same time an inspiration to get moving. Also found the the reflection on personalities and self esteem uplifting.
Gladys Cook
Gladys Cook
September 28, 2020
Love!!!
December 1, 2021
all the out loud singing made me cringe.
July 15, 2022
Got tired of the relationship drama between the main character and her boyfriend. I wish there had been more about the relationship between the women.
March 25, 2023
The last 100 pages were great fun, a lot like the others in the series, but I just can't get past how awful the first 100 or so pages were. Painful to read, at times, so clunky and repetitive.
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