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Unbreakable
From their earliest years, five very different girls were as close as sisters—sharing everything, even secrets and lies—until their friendship and their lives were ripped apart by a devastating act of betrayal from one of their own.
Twenty years have gone by, and one woman has more cause to regret her estrangement from the group than the rest. An old promise leads to a reunion, which unearths memories, mistrust, and hidden agendas as the former friends—grown up and grown apart—reconnect and realize the impact they've had on each others lives. Real and perceived betrayals jeopardize the entire event...as well as the hopes of a rekindled romance.
The bonds of love and friendship can be as strong as steel. But are they unbreakable.
Twenty years have gone by, and one woman has more cause to regret her estrangement from the group than the rest. An old promise leads to a reunion, which unearths memories, mistrust, and hidden agendas as the former friends—grown up and grown apart—reconnect and realize the impact they've had on each others lives. Real and perceived betrayals jeopardize the entire event...as well as the hopes of a rekindled romance.
The bonds of love and friendship can be as strong as steel. But are they unbreakable.
232 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2006
5 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
Blayne Cooper
14 books175 followersBlayne Cooper has also written under the pen name Advocate. She is the Royal Academy of Bards 2005 Hall of Fame Author and a recipient of the 2014 Academy of Bards Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born in Northern California in January 1969, Blayne Cooper is the best-selling author of a variety of fiction ranging from mystery/romance to outrageous parody. With each novel she tackles a new personal writing challenge. The result is a diverse collection of lesbian fiction.
Blayne has held a number of interesting, and sometimes rather unusual jobs (sunflower sexer), and completed a stint as a Combat Medic in the Army National Guard. Today, she is a project manager for a legal publishing company by day, and writer by night.
In 1990 Blayne graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in political science. The next year she married and in 1995 she graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and was admitted into the Oklahoma Bar Association.
That same summer, her spirited daughter was born. A gregarious son completed the family in 1997. She easily ranks her children as her greatest accomplishment.
Blayne has always harbored an interest in fiction, but it wasn’t until 1998 that she tried her own hand at writing by reaching out to an online audience. A couple of years later, her work was published. While she enjoys the challenge of working in multiple genres, it's writing about the humor found in everyday life that gives her the most pleasure.
Blayne loves travel, reading, and spending long, sleepless nights crouched over her computer in search of the perfect words that will make people laugh or weep uncontrollably. She's still looking, but having a great time on the journey.
A rolling stone at heart, Blayne currently resides in the Midwest with her loving spouse, two children, and Wheaton Terrier. (from the author's website)
Born in Northern California in January 1969, Blayne Cooper is the best-selling author of a variety of fiction ranging from mystery/romance to outrageous parody. With each novel she tackles a new personal writing challenge. The result is a diverse collection of lesbian fiction.
Blayne has held a number of interesting, and sometimes rather unusual jobs (sunflower sexer), and completed a stint as a Combat Medic in the Army National Guard. Today, she is a project manager for a legal publishing company by day, and writer by night.
In 1990 Blayne graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. degree in political science. The next year she married and in 1995 she graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and was admitted into the Oklahoma Bar Association.
That same summer, her spirited daughter was born. A gregarious son completed the family in 1997. She easily ranks her children as her greatest accomplishment.
Blayne has always harbored an interest in fiction, but it wasn’t until 1998 that she tried her own hand at writing by reaching out to an online audience. A couple of years later, her work was published. While she enjoys the challenge of working in multiple genres, it's writing about the humor found in everyday life that gives her the most pleasure.
Blayne loves travel, reading, and spending long, sleepless nights crouched over her computer in search of the perfect words that will make people laugh or weep uncontrollably. She's still looking, but having a great time on the journey.
A rolling stone at heart, Blayne currently resides in the Midwest with her loving spouse, two children, and Wheaton Terrier. (from the author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 17, 2016
Female friendships really are the best thing ever. This book was delightful, not only because of how great the characters were, but also the plot and all its twists and turns that felt organic and kept the story interesting from beginning to end. I loved how well the story alternated between present and flashbacks, with the flashback stories slowly leading up to the fallout as Jacie and Nina's love grew with them.
But the characters! The dynamics between them were amazing, especially Audrey and Katherine's hilarious interactions, and Jacie and Nina, of course, were sweet as hell. These two gay characters, specifically, felt so relatable to me; I saw parts of myself in both of them, in Nina's uncertainty and fear at first, but also in Jacie's — and later Nina's too — determination to fully embrace her sexuality and not let anyone influence her otherwise.
Jacie was everything I wanted and more. Her dream to break world records as a child (despite the apparently weekly trips to the ER), her courage to speak her mind and stand up for others when she believed she should, how supportive she was of all of her friends, her selflessness, her love for her daughter, and of course, her overwhelming love for Nina. That exchange about is going into my all-time favorite lines in lesbian books. Childhood best friends who become lovers is my favorite thing.
I have a lot of conflicting thoughts about Gwen, and the fact that I'm so torn makes her a great character to me in terms of development and characterization. I feel like it's a bit of a "cool motive, still murder" situation, except instead of murder it was , not to mention just generally being kind of an asshole from the very beginning. What happened to her made things a thousand times worse, and understandably so, but I mean, in one of the first flashbacks we saw her fight to keep another girl out of the group she was creating. I felt like sooner or later they would get fed up with her behavior anyway. I was ready for her Major Fuck Up to be revealed, but I didn't expect it to be something so personal that . Even with the best of intentions, it was not her place to do what she did, and this applies to other mistakes she made as well. I very much understand the reasons why she was so manipulative but that doesn't make it any more acceptable.
Even twenty years later, at the gathering where she apologized for everything, she was still hiding other intentions and trying to manipulate them. It felt like a lesson that people can change, but some things might never do. (Maybe that will after the reveal about who was blackmailing her, though. The irony in it was incredible.)
I think, if I were , I would accept Gwen's apology and let her move on with her life and be happy with her husband and son, but I wouldn't really want her to be a part of my own life anymore. Not after twenty years of it could've been completely different and much happier if it wasn't for the actions of one girl whom I trusted like a sister. Twenty years is so much time.
(There used to be a girl quite similar to Gwen in my group of friends when I was a child. There's a reason nobody from that group wanted to talk to her anymore once we grew old enough to know better.)
I have, however, two complaints. First of them is
Number two is the damn epithets. "The auburn-haired woman", "the taller woman"... The repetition of the names would be way less annoying than this. But alright, I could put up with that, except that in Audrey's case, she was often referred to as "the chubby woman" or "the heavier woman", and that was just ugly. Other characters being sometimes fatphobic towards her was bad enough, the writing didn't need to do so as well.
Damn, I didn't plan for this review to get so long. tl;dr: I really loved this book. It had seriously heart-wrenching parts after things escalated super quickly but it still managed to be a mostly fun read with all the adorable moments between the girls.
But the characters! The dynamics between them were amazing, especially Audrey and Katherine's hilarious interactions, and Jacie and Nina, of course, were sweet as hell. These two gay characters, specifically, felt so relatable to me; I saw parts of myself in both of them, in Nina's uncertainty and fear at first, but also in Jacie's — and later Nina's too — determination to fully embrace her sexuality and not let anyone influence her otherwise.
Jacie was everything I wanted and more. Her dream to break world records as a child (despite the apparently weekly trips to the ER), her courage to speak her mind and stand up for others when she believed she should, how supportive she was of all of her friends, her selflessness, her love for her daughter, and of course, her overwhelming love for Nina. That exchange about is going into my all-time favorite lines in lesbian books. Childhood best friends who become lovers is my favorite thing.
I have a lot of conflicting thoughts about Gwen, and the fact that I'm so torn makes her a great character to me in terms of development and characterization. I feel like it's a bit of a "cool motive, still murder" situation, except instead of murder it was , not to mention just generally being kind of an asshole from the very beginning. What happened to her made things a thousand times worse, and understandably so, but I mean, in one of the first flashbacks we saw her fight to keep another girl out of the group she was creating. I felt like sooner or later they would get fed up with her behavior anyway. I was ready for her Major Fuck Up to be revealed, but I didn't expect it to be something so personal that . Even with the best of intentions, it was not her place to do what she did, and this applies to other mistakes she made as well. I very much understand the reasons why she was so manipulative but that doesn't make it any more acceptable.
Even twenty years later, at the gathering where she apologized for everything, she was still hiding other intentions and trying to manipulate them. It felt like a lesson that people can change, but some things might never do. (Maybe that will after the reveal about who was blackmailing her, though. The irony in it was incredible.)
I think, if I were , I would accept Gwen's apology and let her move on with her life and be happy with her husband and son, but I wouldn't really want her to be a part of my own life anymore. Not after twenty years of it could've been completely different and much happier if it wasn't for the actions of one girl whom I trusted like a sister. Twenty years is so much time.
(There used to be a girl quite similar to Gwen in my group of friends when I was a child. There's a reason nobody from that group wanted to talk to her anymore once we grew old enough to know better.)
I have, however, two complaints. First of them is
Number two is the damn epithets. "The auburn-haired woman", "the taller woman"... The repetition of the names would be way less annoying than this. But alright, I could put up with that, except that in Audrey's case, she was often referred to as "the chubby woman" or "the heavier woman", and that was just ugly. Other characters being sometimes fatphobic towards her was bad enough, the writing didn't need to do so as well.
Damn, I didn't plan for this review to get so long. tl;dr: I really loved this book. It had seriously heart-wrenching parts after things escalated super quickly but it still managed to be a mostly fun read with all the adorable moments between the girls.
July 14, 2015
Why did I wait so long to read this?
This is an amazing story of friendship and true love. Of betrayal and forgiveness. And whatever else makes life what it is.. difficult, but beautiful.
Despite what the blurb says, Unbreakable is undoubtedly centered on the lesbian romance. So if you're looking for a love story, don't write this off your list!
Lots of feelings. Amazing characterisation. Exciting plot. Great narration switching back and forth between past and present so that you're hooked until the very end, discovering things that happened in the past which explain something in the present.
I was truly amazed. I'll read it again for sure. I was blown away by Cooper's ability to make me feel like another member of the "Mayflower Club", and by the romance which is on my Top 10 Most Touching Love Stories!
Read it!
This is an amazing story of friendship and true love. Of betrayal and forgiveness. And whatever else makes life what it is.. difficult, but beautiful.
Despite what the blurb says, Unbreakable is undoubtedly centered on the lesbian romance. So if you're looking for a love story, don't write this off your list!
Lots of feelings. Amazing characterisation. Exciting plot. Great narration switching back and forth between past and present so that you're hooked until the very end, discovering things that happened in the past which explain something in the present.
I was truly amazed. I'll read it again for sure. I was blown away by Cooper's ability to make me feel like another member of the "Mayflower Club", and by the romance which is on my Top 10 Most Touching Love Stories!
Read it!
November 24, 2021
A story about a group of close friends, all five of them, from when they were kids in grade school up to college, from being a close-knitted group up until the friendship fell apart where they remain estranged for two decades before coming together. Needless to say, the book is told in both present and past settings.
Very well written, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Unbreakable.
Ratings: 4 ⭐️
Very well written, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Unbreakable.
Ratings: 4 ⭐️
December 23, 2015
Works by this author is a guaranteed good read! I loved the part where Nina helped Jacie eat the brussels sprouts, it is only later that readers learnt that Nina hated the vegetable but would eat it for people she love. It is so sweet! Book covers of Hard Times and Unbreakable looks really similar, thrown me off a little.
June 15, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! I thought it worked well the present and flash backs. I loved the interactions between the group of girls which I enjoyed. Lots of twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. A good mix of heart break and happiness.
I want more of Jacie and Nina's story!
I want more of Jacie and Nina's story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2015
I feel bad for giving this book only 2 stars, but the rating is mostly due to the disappointment that comes from a good story that is not able to meet expectations.
This story is very well written, the characters are complex, and very well portraied. The constant flashbacks, although unnecessary, were well intertwined. The love story is real sweet, and credible (at least as regards on how and why they fall in love), and the subject of long lasting friendships is depicted beautifully, without avoiding any rough edges.
My main disappointment with this book comes with the way conflicts are presented and resolved. The drama involved is also a bit too much over the top for my taste, and frequently unjustified; the resolution of said conflicts is also way too easy, fast and cheesy. Finnally, although I loved how the friendship of this group of women is portraied, I feel that the love story does not get sufficient attention from the author, which is a real pitty because it is extremely sweet and passionate.
This story is very well written, the characters are complex, and very well portraied. The constant flashbacks, although unnecessary, were well intertwined. The love story is real sweet, and credible (at least as regards on how and why they fall in love), and the subject of long lasting friendships is depicted beautifully, without avoiding any rough edges.
My main disappointment with this book comes with the way conflicts are presented and resolved. The drama involved is also a bit too much over the top for my taste, and frequently unjustified; the resolution of said conflicts is also way too easy, fast and cheesy. Finnally, although I loved how the friendship of this group of women is portraied, I feel that the love story does not get sufficient attention from the author, which is a real pitty because it is extremely sweet and passionate.
June 19, 2020
5-
I LOVED this book. It has a little bit of everything...nostalgia, friendship, jealousy, love, lust, violence, blackmail and finally forgiveness. Places that were laugh-out-loud funny as well as places that left me with a lump in my throat. This book is now in my top two favorite books.
Five friends meet in grade school and become best friends and start a club together. They know each other better than anyone else in the world. But suddenly something comes between them, something devastating and it breaks them apart for 20 years.
My only request for this book is that there should have been more sex then violence. :p
I LOVED this book. It has a little bit of everything...nostalgia, friendship, jealousy, love, lust, violence, blackmail and finally forgiveness. Places that were laugh-out-loud funny as well as places that left me with a lump in my throat. This book is now in my top two favorite books.
Five friends meet in grade school and become best friends and start a club together. They know each other better than anyone else in the world. But suddenly something comes between them, something devastating and it breaks them apart for 20 years.
My only request for this book is that there should have been more sex then violence. :p
November 27, 2017
okay that was... wild .
i didn’t expect this book to surprise me what the fuck honestly . i started this because i was in the mood for a friends to lovers and i found this on my tbr and i was like yes !! perfect !! friends to lovers w angst n a reunion after years !! and female friendships !! Sign Me Up but then i started it and it was so ... boring and the writing was kind of confusing to me and the copy i have is ugly so i almost dnf’d but i kept reading for the Gay and i don’t regret it
the characters? i didn’t really care about audrey and katy but i loved their interactions. i absolutely LOVED jacie and nina and their relationship was so cute (i could talk about them for hours). and gwen mmmmm i feel bad for her she didn’t deserve what happened to her at all but what she did to jacie was unforgivable and she was kind of an asshole
okay now let’s talk about tucker and katy WHAT THE FUCK i didn’t see that one coming i almost fell out of my bed when i found out that was so.... i don’t know . what a plot twist
i didn’t expect this book to surprise me what the fuck honestly . i started this because i was in the mood for a friends to lovers and i found this on my tbr and i was like yes !! perfect !! friends to lovers w angst n a reunion after years !! and female friendships !! Sign Me Up but then i started it and it was so ... boring and the writing was kind of confusing to me and the copy i have is ugly so i almost dnf’d but i kept reading for the Gay and i don’t regret it
the characters? i didn’t really care about audrey and katy but i loved their interactions. i absolutely LOVED jacie and nina and their relationship was so cute (i could talk about them for hours). and gwen mmmmm i feel bad for her she didn’t deserve what happened to her at all but what she did to jacie was unforgivable and she was kind of an asshole
okay now let’s talk about tucker and katy WHAT THE FUCK i didn’t see that one coming i almost fell out of my bed when i found out that was so.... i don’t know . what a plot twist
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2018
Five women in Missouri become friends in 1972 when they are in the 3rd grade and form a club. They pledge to come together as adults when they are 40 years old. In the intervening years, they remain close until a fateful year in college when they are living together in a house. One, pregnant, marries early and leaves. Another is forever focused on boyfriends. Two are in love with one another but can't seem to initiate a relationship. And the fifth bides her time finding happiness down the line.
As the years go by, they live independent, disconnected lives, until one of them begins to receive shocking emails demanding money in exchange for silence. She is being blackmailed about her past, a past only the other 4 know about. Determined to unmask the blackmailer, she organizes a 40th birthday reunion weekend.
The book, especially the first half, is replete with flashbacks, many describing the early years of these friendships. The flashbacks decrease in the second half when the 5 characters must reconcile the past and figure out what they want from one another in the future.
This is a romance wrapped up in a larger story about friendships, secrets, family, and, yes, class. The lesbian love story is a good one, with the HEA coming possibly a bit too easily, but the author knows we want it.
I've always liked female group friendship books ever since I read The Group in college. I'm dropping a star because I did find the early flashbacks distracting and there could have been fewer of them or the book could have been structured differently to make it flow better.
There's a major twist I didn't see coming, which is a bit of a credibility stretch but really worked for this plot line.
All in all, a good read and recommended.
As the years go by, they live independent, disconnected lives, until one of them begins to receive shocking emails demanding money in exchange for silence. She is being blackmailed about her past, a past only the other 4 know about. Determined to unmask the blackmailer, she organizes a 40th birthday reunion weekend.
The book, especially the first half, is replete with flashbacks, many describing the early years of these friendships. The flashbacks decrease in the second half when the 5 characters must reconcile the past and figure out what they want from one another in the future.
This is a romance wrapped up in a larger story about friendships, secrets, family, and, yes, class. The lesbian love story is a good one, with the HEA coming possibly a bit too easily, but the author knows we want it.
I've always liked female group friendship books ever since I read The Group in college. I'm dropping a star because I did find the early flashbacks distracting and there could have been fewer of them or the book could have been structured differently to make it flow better.
There's a major twist I didn't see coming, which is a bit of a credibility stretch but really worked for this plot line.
All in all, a good read and recommended.
July 3, 2013
This book has enough twists and turns to keep things interesting the whole way through (I actually said "whoa" out loud at the end of chapter 9). It's a light, entertaining read, despite dealing with some heavy drama, and if you love stories with multiple viewpoints, you'll probably have a good time with it. Cooper's tendency toward melodrama rears its ugly head a few times, which is the only reason I didn't give the book a 4.
October 29, 2015
Bylo to vtipné i dojemné (někdy i najednou :)). Blayne se opět povedlo to, co u dalších jejích knížek, které jsem četla.. dvě střídající se dějové/časové linie, kdy se pokaždé na začátku kapitoly těšíte na tu druhou linii a než kapitolu dočtete, už se zase těšíte na tu první :) a tak pořád dokola :) jo, budu ji určitě číst dál :)
January 3, 2020
It is a really great book! The story is very interesting and not so predictable, I was quite shocked at some points. The writing is also really good, the characters well defined and there were times I laughed out loud it was so hilarious :) One thing that for me could be a little bit better is a description of Nina and Jacie's relations, I would like to read and know more about it cause I'm a sucker for a good romance. But in overall it's a really enjoyable read!
January 9, 2025
Once I started I couldn’t put it down… what a story what a ride! This book could easily inspire a drama movie, full of twists and turns. It made me laugh, it made angsty, and all sort feelings! I think will not forget this book any time soon.
TW for a rape scene. I think the writer went to much in detail. If you read this book maybe you can skip that part because the rest of the story is great.
TW for a rape scene. I think the writer went to much in detail. If you read this book maybe you can skip that part because the rest of the story is great.
May 16, 2022
it was the first time I read a book with five main characters, I was skeptical at first and sure I wouldn't like it very much but from the first chapter I was completely caught up in the story. The book is about betrayal and forgiveness and is very intense and beautiful.
November 28, 2023
Touching story!
So much heartbreak experienced by the Club. Yet, there was so much love for each other as well. Enough love to offer second chances and forgiveness. This is a touching story that really delivers all the feels. So glad that I got to experience this read!
So much heartbreak experienced by the Club. Yet, there was so much love for each other as well. Enough love to offer second chances and forgiveness. This is a touching story that really delivers all the feels. So glad that I got to experience this read!
August 14, 2024
I struggled with how this was written, going back and forth in time. Was a bit slow for me with all the detail, but once I got to the potential reason/s for their friendships being 'torn apart', well it moved right along. Last couple chapters were great with a couple twists.
June 28, 2017
Amazing
One of the best books I have ever read. I was laughing till my sides hurt, crying like a baby, and falling in love with All five women.
One of the best books I have ever read. I was laughing till my sides hurt, crying like a baby, and falling in love with All five women.
February 12, 2018
Wow!!! A long ride!
June 27, 2016
I did love this book, yet it left me embittered.
There are so many things that are five stars in this novel.
First of all the romance. I think Jacie's and Nina's story is one of the best I have read so far. Blayne Cooper shows us the blossoming of their love since they were kids, when it was just a special friendship and then there is this delicate, sweet process of transformation as the years pass. While they grow up and become girls and then women, so their love both settles and broadens.
Their feeling is so strong, according to every phase of their age, and even when they meet again after twenty years.
It's really, really touching and heartwarming.
Also, the narration is great and original.
The story is skillfully divided in two lines, one in the present day, when the five former friends decide to meet again, while the other one is set in their previous story along the time from first grade to college, how they started their friendship and all the significant events in different moments of their growth. We see how the happenings of their past are reflected in the present time, going back and forth from the past to the present and vice versa.
And there are misteries to be solved. Misteries in the past. Misteries in the present. Things known to some of them and not to the others. Heavy burdens left buried inside that need to be let free, to heal the wounds. Happenings hidden for years, relating to their lives, with ramifications and consequences.
The reader curiosity is stimulated by a very feminine, sentimental way to write a mistery story. In the mainstream novels, it reminds me of Kate Morton. And once again I find myself to think that a lesfic-tagged novel should indeed be a mainstream novel. It would really deserve to be.
Another point, this book it is so rich in feelings.
There is much drama, but there are also funny moments. From a certain point on, angst is ruling. There is a that is a punch in the stomach as well as plenty of fluffy times.
This is indeed a five stars book.
I'm not giving five stars because of the sadness, the regret, the bitterness pervading this story. Yes there is a happy end, but also the feeling of so much loss because of ignorance, because of secrets, of something kept underground among them.
And somehow this load prevents me from holding this story fully dear.
It's been a ride, now I need to read something lighter. But cheapeau again to Blayne Cooper.
There are so many things that are five stars in this novel.
First of all the romance. I think Jacie's and Nina's story is one of the best I have read so far. Blayne Cooper shows us the blossoming of their love since they were kids, when it was just a special friendship and then there is this delicate, sweet process of transformation as the years pass. While they grow up and become girls and then women, so their love both settles and broadens.
Their feeling is so strong, according to every phase of their age, and even when they meet again after twenty years.
It's really, really touching and heartwarming.
Also, the narration is great and original.
The story is skillfully divided in two lines, one in the present day, when the five former friends decide to meet again, while the other one is set in their previous story along the time from first grade to college, how they started their friendship and all the significant events in different moments of their growth. We see how the happenings of their past are reflected in the present time, going back and forth from the past to the present and vice versa.
And there are misteries to be solved. Misteries in the past. Misteries in the present. Things known to some of them and not to the others. Heavy burdens left buried inside that need to be let free, to heal the wounds. Happenings hidden for years, relating to their lives, with ramifications and consequences.
The reader curiosity is stimulated by a very feminine, sentimental way to write a mistery story. In the mainstream novels, it reminds me of Kate Morton. And once again I find myself to think that a lesfic-tagged novel should indeed be a mainstream novel. It would really deserve to be.
Another point, this book it is so rich in feelings.
There is much drama, but there are also funny moments. From a certain point on, angst is ruling. There is a that is a punch in the stomach as well as plenty of fluffy times.
This is indeed a five stars book.
I'm not giving five stars because of the sadness, the regret, the bitterness pervading this story. Yes there is a happy end, but also the feeling of so much loss because of ignorance, because of secrets, of something kept underground among them.
And somehow this load prevents me from holding this story fully dear.
It's been a ride, now I need to read something lighter. But cheapeau again to Blayne Cooper.
September 15, 2015
I'm being a little lenient in my rating, giving an extra star based upon such great characters and actual character development. This reminded me a lot of the movie Now & Then, revolving around a friendship of five young girls, traveling back and forth in time to tell the story of how their friendship started, ended, and possibly will be rekindled. However, as is the case with many of these groups of friends stories, there is one character in particular who you just have to wonder why the others would even want to stay friends with. In this case, I believe this has more to do with the way she's presented and defended by the author, who lets this character be forgiven a bit too easily for some really heinous behavior. Now the plot throughout the book keep this from being a full five stars for me. There's an element of "Clue" here where the friends are all gathered so that the host can figure out who is blackmailing her--but this main plot point just plays out so weakly. I figured it out very, very early on basically because it was so darn obvious. I wish the author had spent a bit more time fleshing out this idea or at least threw in some red herrings along the way. Awful mystery, but adorable coming of age/romance story.
June 28, 2012
This book was a bit hallmark for me, but not bad. It's about five girls who decide to become friends in third grade and now, as they're approaching 40, are not. You don't know why, and the POV switches between the women, with flashes back to important points in time of the group of them. I love books that jump back and forth in time. We don't know why these glued to the hip friends broke up about 20 years ago till the end, which i won't give away, but the book gathers them to hash things out. Something i didn't even realize through halfway through the book is it's a lesbian book, as in published by the lesbian publishers, but not done in the way of most lesbian books where it's all about being lesbian. this is just about five women, both straight and gay, and their different relationships with each other and themselves. I wish that were how all of the gay books were, cuz that's how real life is. If a person like me who isn't into hallmark books can give it three stars, someone who is will def like it even better, so give it a read!
January 31, 2016
The quality of the writing surprised me, as did the nuance with which all the various subject matters with written. This is not just a straightforward romance, but the story of five childhood friends who are forced to deal with terrible situations and bad choices. It's heavy at points, but I really loved the vignettes of the girls' childhood times. It's filled the lightness and fun, and sets up their relationships excellently for the events to happen ahead. Their individual personalities shone through and being given a firsthand look into their group dynamics makes the fall even more painful. But Cooper is able to deftly piece everything together, threading the past and present with considerable skill. Nina and Jacie's relationship takes a number of sweet and bittersweet turns, and their final resolution definitely feels earned. Looking forward to seeing what else she can offer.
September 15, 2015
I gave it 4 stars because I really liked the characters and their friendship with each other. Having said that, I wished there was more. I wanted more of their growing up stories, I wanted to know more about what happened to each of them after the weekend.
January 19, 2015
I just love this story. Even though it has POV issues and ebook formatting issues, it's still one of my fave romances.
January 5, 2016
3.5 Stars, rounded up.
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