All for One

The Four Lindas #3

by Melody Carlson

Brimming with heart, humor, and a bit of mystery, this third book in Melody Carlson’s lively new Boomer series packs a poignant punch! Life is heating up for the four Lindas—and it’s not just hot flashes! Abby’s losing sleep over her husband’s health and neglecting her bed-and-breakfast dreams. Caroline may have waited too long to put her Alzheimer’s-afflicted mom in a care facility. Marley’s hard-won independence is threatened by her grown son’s neediness. And Janie’s having a hard time being everyone’s rock as the relationship she counted on falters. Add to that a house fire, a missing set of dishes, a bully brother, plus a half-crazy blonde named Donna, and things get really complicated. But with each new twist their lives take, the Lindas are learning that good friends are the best family a girl can have.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Chick Lit, Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

She also writes many teen books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series, the TrueColors series, and the Carter House Girls series.

Melody was nominated for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books, including the Notes from a Spinning Planet series and Finding Alice, which is in production as a Lifetime Television movie. She and her husband serve on the Young Life adult committee in central Oregon.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library)]

Just like with the previous entry in this series, I can understand what the characters go through, even if I'm not the target audience.

[Heidi]

Thought it was a good book but not great. Felt a little flat to me. Plus this is not a stand alone book, you really need to read the previous books to get the whole picture.

[Debbie]

Abby's character is still beyond annoying, but the other characters are great. Looking forward to reading the final book in the series.

[Katrina Roets]

One of my goals is to start reading through my physical book to be read pile alongside my official review books. After all, it makes it easier to downsize if I know if I actually like something or not! This book was sent to me ages ago by the author along with some of her other books after I won a contest that she was doing.

The Good:
This story had just enough "what's next" to keep me reading. The relationships between the characters seemed very real and thought out.

The Bad:
This was book three in a four book series and the author didn't send me any of the other books so I assumed it could stand alone. Turns out that I was mistaken. More than once I had the very strong impression that I should know more than I did about a character or about something that had happened. Also, the synopsis on this book isn't exactly the story that's inside the pages of the book and that always leaves me feeling misled by the author.

The Summary:
Sadly, this book was just kind of 'meh' for me. I really couldn't connect with any of the characters and having not read the other books in the series, I felt a bit lost more than once. This book just couldn't seem to grab a hold of me enough that I want to pick up the other three books in the series. If you'd like to check out one of Melody Carlson's other books, I would recommend The Christmas Cat.

[Lindsay]

This book was okay, but I really didn't enjoy it. The four Linda's all sounded like young, thoughtless girls rather than middle aged, wise women. Every last one of them has communication problems and rather than discussing the issue, frets over it internally making a bigger deal than necessary out of things. Is it just me or were they written in a way that didn't make them sound like the best of friends? Many times, they sounded whiny and privileged. The dialogue wasn't engaging. The drama that cropped up for each Linda was either too dramatic or not enough. The thin connection of religion was unnecessary. I'm finding it difficult to put into words all the things I didn't like.

[Susan]

This is the third book in the Four Linda’s series by Melody Carlson. So far, this is the best of the books in my opinion.
Marley, Abby, Caroline and Janie go through a variety of experiences, and support each other through crises, death, a fire, and the return of a demented brother. Marley becomes a substitute “grandma.” Abby decides to open a bed and breakfast in the house she raised her children in. Caroline continues to care for her mother, with mixed results. And Janie renovates her parent’s house, learning some things she didn’t know about them, along the way.
This book was well paced and I enjoyed the continued growth and development of each of the characters. I am glad that I gave the series a chance after the slow start of the first book. I look forward to reading the last book in the series.

[Nellie]

Quick Read

This is the third book of the 4 Lindas series.

Abby sets up her bed breakfast on a trial run with two guests.

Janie is setting up her office to begin her law practice in Clifdon.

Marley is settling in being an artist.

Caroline is still taking care of her mom. She has to decide when to put her in a home as her mom’s Alzheimer’s is rapidly progressing.

[stacie]

I appreciated the religious undertones but thought the book lacked depth of characters. There was a lot of talk about Paul's health and how he treated Abby but no development of that storyline. There seemed to be a lot of speculation and lack of communication with the 4 Lindas and other people. An ok book but not the best work by this author.

[Carolyn Reardon]

Entertaining and light

This was a good, easy, entertaining book for me. I needed something to take my mind off my troubles. And this really worked. The characters were interesting as were the things that happened to them.

[Susan]

Wholesome and Delightful

All for One continues the lives of the Four Linda's, their friendship, and how they support each other through life's challenges. I love the characters and the town and the family they've created for themselves. Big smiles as I read.

[Liz]

Yup, I'm Hooked!!!

Melody Carlson is not afraid to touch on tough topics, real life issues! And she does this very well!!!

Can't wait to read book 4 to see what our 4 ladies will face and how they will resolve all the issues facing them!

I am hooked!!!

[Merrikay Shade]

The story was entertaining enough, but lack of research on Donna’s condition made it implausible. That is not the way that particular mental issue works. Michael’s turn around was pretty implausible, also.

[Diana]

I think I liked this one a little more? Maybe?

[Juliet]

Friends Forever

This series is so realistic and gives a glimpse into the lives of four middle-aged women and issues facing them.

[Pat]

A must read, the love of friends & God. Heartwarming, true to life, good begats good!! A blessing to enjoy!!!

[Phyllis Viehmann]

Easy, enjoyable fluff.

[Grace Roberts]

Immediately fell in love with this book. Slow beginning but once you get pass it, it's very good.

[Makenna Knighton]

I didn't realize this was part of a series when I picked it up. That being said, I felt like many of the characters didn't experience much of an arc in this book.

[Julia]

So far, I think this is my favorite of the series, but I have one more to go. And I get the feeling I will be sad when I get to the end. The four Lindas have become friends of mine! LOL

[Rebecca]

I read these out of order. I suggest if you can get them in order. But and enjoyable all the same

[Nichole McClure]

Another great chapter for the Lindas. Each story is developing and makes me grateful I picked up the first one.

[Laura]

Title: ALL FOR ONE
Author: Melody Carlson
Publisher: David C. Cook
March 2011
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6493-5
Genre: Inspirational/women’s fiction

Many years ago, four little girls named Linda met in the same first grade class. They became friends, and went by their middle names in order to avoid confusion. Now, years later, the Lindas are all grown up, and all living in the same town. Their friendship has survived, but they all have different challenges.

Abby’s husband has had a bad heart attack, and now Abby is afraid to sleep in case he has another one. Caroline’s mother has Alzheimer’s and she’s weary of caring for her, but doesn’t want to put her in a nursing home. Janie’s boyfriend’s ex-wife is trying to win Victor back, and Janie wonders if she’ll have to find a new relationship with someone else. Marley has some issues with her grown son.

This is the third book in Ms. Carlson’s The Four Lindas series, and I recommend reading them in order as they all are closely tied together. I enjoyed reading more about the Lindas in ALL FOR ONE, but some of the events in the book saddened me.

Ms. Carlson is a prolific writer, and her characters are very well developed. Any of these women could be someone you know. And they each have their own distinct personality. The fourth (and final) book in this series will release in the fall of 2011.

If you are looking for a good women’s fiction, don’t miss ALL FOR ONE. Discussion questions and a sample chapter of the fourth book are included at the end of this book. $14.99. 318 pages.

[Melissa (Always Behind)]

The third book in Carlson's Four Lindas series is quietly appealing. Some of the plot lines move briskly and keep the reader's interest, but others drag and are not realistic. Yet women "of a certain age" will enjoy a book that is relevant to their daily struggles and situations.
SUMMARY: The four women named Linda who reconnected at their high school reunion continue to experience some highs and lows and share their lives with one another. Abby is trying to get her bed and breakfast fixed up while worrying about her husband's recent heart attack. Marley's grown son is having some problems, and Janie is heartbroken when her boyfriend's ex-wife re-enters his life. Caroline struggles with her Alzheimer's ridden mother and is at a loss for what to do. The Lindas endeavor to help each other through their various trials.

[Rachel Sides]

I've enjoyed the Four Lindas series by Melody Carlson about four women in their mid-fifties who have reunited after decades of living their own lives. Basically, these four women had a club in elementary school who meet up at a high school reunion and bond at the hospital when a classmate dies of a heart attack. Only one of the women has remained in their hometown, but life's ups and downs convinces the other three to move home and reconnect. All for One is book three in the series, and while I've enjoyed this series, I'm not a fan of all of Melody Carlson's books. Some of her teen novels have left me questioning whether they belonged under the Christian literature umbrella.

[Margie]

Melody Carlson continues to keep me reading in this third of four book series. She keeps developing each character while bringing in new people with twists and turns.

With each book there is a different one of the Linda's I seem to relate more closely to. It is great to see women who gather around each other in all situations. They stay honest with each other through the ups and downs.

I am ready for the last one. I hope she finishes as strong as has been through the first three.

Ope's Opinions.com

[Helensvale Library]

Quite a nice book about four Lindas, who because of their name and all being in the same class at school decided to use their middle names. The story is based on their lives as middle-aged women learning to cope with elderley parents, children, grandchildren and new loves. A little bit light and fluffy but I enjoyed it. After I finished the book I realized that this was book three in a series, now I will have to go and read the other two

[Marilyn Slagel]

I didn't realize this book is the 3rd in a series of 4 books. It is fine as a stand-alone,too. The series revolves around 4 friends, age 53, who met up at again at their 35th class reunion. It really spoke to the problems and emotions we go through as we begin to age. I'm 58 now, and these 4 friends graduated in 1973, the same year as me. I would recommend to all women, single, divorced, widowed, married. There's a friend for each of you.

[Rachel]

I really enjoyed this continuation of the Four Lindas series. It's fun to get to know the girls on a deeper level, although I continue to be annoyed at the way one of them jumps to conclusions about her marriage. I can identify with Caroline's difficulties in the relationship with her mom, and I look forward to seeing how things are resolved in the next book.

[Tiffanie]

another one of the novels down. These books pull you in. I keep trying to guess how their going to end. These were the first books I have read by her and i'm going to have to search some of her other books because she's an amazing writer!

[Janna]

This book was just ok. While it dealt with real life issues like divorce and death of a loved one and kid problems, it left me with a this-is-trite feeling. I kept stumbling over the "four friends since h.s. and we still live in the same town" issue too. Seems unrealistic.