What do you think?
Rate this book
My Dearest Friend
Middle-aged Daphne Miller moves to a quiet Vermont town, where she reevaluates her relationships and her life, and makes a surprising decision concerning a young, married college professor
- GenresFiction
Paperback
First published August 1, 1989
159 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Thayer
52 books4,051 followersNancy Thayer has published 35 novels, including Family Reunion and Secrets in Summer. She has lived on Nantucket Island year-round for 38 years with her husband Charley Walters. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 17, 2015
Great read!
Great novel of betrayal, and ultimately, love! I was sad when the book ended. I hadn't known of Nancy Thayer prior to last fall. She is becoming one of my favorite authors!
Great novel of betrayal, and ultimately, love! I was sad when the book ended. I hadn't known of Nancy Thayer prior to last fall. She is becoming one of my favorite authors!
June 4, 2022
I've just discovered this author & really enjoy her books.
March 8, 2015
Daphne Miller is suffering the many losses of her life, beginning with the divorce years before and complicated by the recent loss of her 16-year-old daughter, Cynthia, who decided to go live with her father in California. The same father who did not even bother to keep in touch for the fourteen years since the divorce.
Yes, the teenage years with her daughter had been difficult and challenging, but she’d never believed that Cynthia would betray her this way.
She moved to a small cottage in Plover, Vermont, less expensive than anything she could find in Westhampton, MA, where she works as a secretary for the university.
That is another loss that leaves a bitter taste…she had given up her own dreams of finishing her Ph.D., to support the family until her husband Joe’s career was secure. And with the divorce, she lost the family home.
Now that her new life offers her the opportunity to start over, she has made a new friend, Jack Hamilton, a young professor who lives in the A-frame down the hill with his wife Carey Ann and their toddler Alexandra. She enjoys talking to him, and he seems to seek her out as well.
Could more happen between them? Daphne has fought this, because she has been on the receiving end of betrayal, when her husband Joe had an affair all those years ago.
Weaving back and forth across time, we learn more about what happened between Joe and Daphne, and why the betrayal felt especially painful, and we see how the ordinary day in and day out hassles led to the erosion of the marriage.
"My Dearest Friend" unfolds to reveal characters who remind me of people I have known, and the situations in which they find themselves are all too familiar as well. I liked how vividly each character was portrayed, from the spoiled and petulant Carey Ann and her inability to see how allowing her toddler to control the lives of those around her was harming her, to Daphne’s manipulative best friend Laura, from back in the day, whose machinations were so well hidden that nobody could see them coming. And let us not overlook Hudson Jennings, head of the English department, who has had feelings for Daphne for years, but cannot leave his ill wife. Then there are the histrionics of teenaged Cynthia, whose behavior was very reminiscent of many girls her age that I’ve known. I felt as though I was part of the community that surrounded the characters, and connected with them emotionally.
Set some time in the 1980s, the absence of current day technology and devices made the story feel very nostalgic for me. And the fact that it was actually written during this time period made it all even more realistic. There were no cell phones and not that many answering machines. People could ignore the phone! Bliss…
Themes of choice, morality, guilt, and regret kept the story grounded in reality, and one that I will think of often. 4.5 stars.
Yes, the teenage years with her daughter had been difficult and challenging, but she’d never believed that Cynthia would betray her this way.
She moved to a small cottage in Plover, Vermont, less expensive than anything she could find in Westhampton, MA, where she works as a secretary for the university.
That is another loss that leaves a bitter taste…she had given up her own dreams of finishing her Ph.D., to support the family until her husband Joe’s career was secure. And with the divorce, she lost the family home.
Now that her new life offers her the opportunity to start over, she has made a new friend, Jack Hamilton, a young professor who lives in the A-frame down the hill with his wife Carey Ann and their toddler Alexandra. She enjoys talking to him, and he seems to seek her out as well.
Could more happen between them? Daphne has fought this, because she has been on the receiving end of betrayal, when her husband Joe had an affair all those years ago.
Weaving back and forth across time, we learn more about what happened between Joe and Daphne, and why the betrayal felt especially painful, and we see how the ordinary day in and day out hassles led to the erosion of the marriage.
"My Dearest Friend" unfolds to reveal characters who remind me of people I have known, and the situations in which they find themselves are all too familiar as well. I liked how vividly each character was portrayed, from the spoiled and petulant Carey Ann and her inability to see how allowing her toddler to control the lives of those around her was harming her, to Daphne’s manipulative best friend Laura, from back in the day, whose machinations were so well hidden that nobody could see them coming. And let us not overlook Hudson Jennings, head of the English department, who has had feelings for Daphne for years, but cannot leave his ill wife. Then there are the histrionics of teenaged Cynthia, whose behavior was very reminiscent of many girls her age that I’ve known. I felt as though I was part of the community that surrounded the characters, and connected with them emotionally.
Set some time in the 1980s, the absence of current day technology and devices made the story feel very nostalgic for me. And the fact that it was actually written during this time period made it all even more realistic. There were no cell phones and not that many answering machines. People could ignore the phone! Bliss…
Themes of choice, morality, guilt, and regret kept the story grounded in reality, and one that I will think of often. 4.5 stars.
July 25, 2019
I thought this novel was so much better written than Custody by the same author. I appreciated the author's attention to detail and the attention she paid to the nuances of the character's personalities.
The main character was Daphne, who was in her mid forties; she long ago abandoned her own academic aspirations and was a longtime administrator at the same small New England college where her ex-husband had taught and around which all the novel's relationships swirled.
Daphne was friendly with several key couples: Carey Ann and Jack Hamilton, Claire and Hudson Jennings, and Laura and Otto. This group forms a universe in which lust, loyalty, betrayal, and ultimately facing truths play out in the cloistered and precious environment of a small elite college.
Contrasted with Custody, the characters were complicated and interesting. There were many plot twists which made the story unpredictable. The only small criticism I have is that at the end the loose ends were all tied up too quickly, unlike in reality.
The main character was Daphne, who was in her mid forties; she long ago abandoned her own academic aspirations and was a longtime administrator at the same small New England college where her ex-husband had taught and around which all the novel's relationships swirled.
Daphne was friendly with several key couples: Carey Ann and Jack Hamilton, Claire and Hudson Jennings, and Laura and Otto. This group forms a universe in which lust, loyalty, betrayal, and ultimately facing truths play out in the cloistered and precious environment of a small elite college.
Contrasted with Custody, the characters were complicated and interesting. There were many plot twists which made the story unpredictable. The only small criticism I have is that at the end the loose ends were all tied up too quickly, unlike in reality.
March 9, 2015
Nancy Thayer did a great job getting me to believe in these characters. I loved the interaction and dynamics created. Thayer takes us thru the stages of friendship, marriage, fear and finally hope. The lead character, Daphne Miller is in her late forties, divorced and trying to restart her life. There are so many poignant firsts for her and anyone that has had to "start over" in life will truly identify. I really like Thayer's writing and she keeps me turning the pages to find out what her characters are going to do next. Wonderful easy read. Enjoy...
July 23, 2014
A story, set at an eastern college, of women and men and their challenges. Since it was published in 1989 it is somewhat dated but the author has the emotions around events and decisions of life spot on and still relevant today. I enjoyed pondering the dilemmas of the characters.
January 5, 2024
A comfortable read, which I chose because of the setting of academia, but pretty light and soap-opera-ish, I thought. The issues of woman's choice of career or motherhood, sexy or conservative, and the man's role as money-maker or career lover or sensual, devoted husband. All these choices focused on two female characters are the heart of the book. A light read.
April 20, 2019
Read it 4 years ago but didn't realize it till near the end. Ok. A good one to pass the time
February 17, 2022
I live Nancy Thayer 's books, but this was not one of them
December 19, 2022
Complicated relationships, sad at times.
January 13, 2024
Great insight into family dynamics.
May 23, 2024
Not interesting
January 16, 2015
My Dearest Friend by Nancy Thayer
Have read most of the authors other works and they are always a joy to read.
Daphne Miller has gone through many changes over the years and moves to VT. Her daughter has also moved clear across the country to live with her father, who's not even sent her a birthday card in 14 years. Daphne also has male friends who show sexual attraction to one another but neither crosses the line.
Story also has alternating chapters about Jack and his wife and toddler daughter.
Jack Hamilton works with Daphne and they have a strong relationship once he's met her on his daily run and accepts a cup of coffee-something his wife doesn't make for him.
Kara is so overworked just taking care of the toddler and she feels so inferior to the other professor wives.
Daphne had lost her husband to another woman and she wonders if she can do the same to Jack's wife.
Jacks wife is finding it hard to live there-the faculty wives are not as open and welcoming as she raises their infant daughter.
We learn of Daphne's disastrous marriage and how she was betrayed. A bit of a surprise to see how the ending comes to be...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Have read most of the authors other works and they are always a joy to read.
Daphne Miller has gone through many changes over the years and moves to VT. Her daughter has also moved clear across the country to live with her father, who's not even sent her a birthday card in 14 years. Daphne also has male friends who show sexual attraction to one another but neither crosses the line.
Story also has alternating chapters about Jack and his wife and toddler daughter.
Jack Hamilton works with Daphne and they have a strong relationship once he's met her on his daily run and accepts a cup of coffee-something his wife doesn't make for him.
Kara is so overworked just taking care of the toddler and she feels so inferior to the other professor wives.
Daphne had lost her husband to another woman and she wonders if she can do the same to Jack's wife.
Jacks wife is finding it hard to live there-the faculty wives are not as open and welcoming as she raises their infant daughter.
We learn of Daphne's disastrous marriage and how she was betrayed. A bit of a surprise to see how the ending comes to be...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
March 5, 2016
Good, not great. Interesting picture of academia and all its issues and problems as well as unhappy marriages and the effect they have on everyone. In one instance, a man has an affair with his wife's best friend and ends up lleaving his wife and marrying the friend.
July 29, 2008
Nancy Thayer is a favorite author of mine--family situation stories but this one didn't keep me interested like her other books.
September 8, 2016
interesting to read earlier works....
March 31, 2015
Nothing particularly bad about this book, but nothing particularly good either. I just found it to be kind of boring. Nothing memorable or noteworthy.
Read
March 30, 2015good but dated.
June 17, 2015
Perfect
This is a perfect summer read with romance, family suspense heartbreak and ultimate triumph. You will love it. I loved it.
This is a perfect summer read with romance, family suspense heartbreak and ultimate triumph. You will love it. I loved it.
July 22, 2015
Nope
Not for me. Very disappointed. Ever hear of woman's lib? Thought at first it was written as in the 1950's. All about whiny men.
Not for me. Very disappointed. Ever hear of woman's lib? Thought at first it was written as in the 1950's. All about whiny men.
January 1, 2016
not bad might read another by her sometime.
April 14, 2016
excellent..friendship ,Love,passion,anger,adultery,and still a satisfying ending.author really draws you into the story.
May 30, 2016
Awful
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews