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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
This was an earnest and wonderfully charming book. It's not that bad things don't happen to people, but that when bad things happen or have happened in the past, there's always some element of love or grace to save the day. It's idyllic to be certain, but sometimes the nicest piece of escapism isn't to a magic castle, but to a small town where kindness is the most important currency.
I enjoyed the range of women in this story, in both their ages and what caused them shame and doubt. I appreciated the "nowness" of each woman- they came with histories, but made it clear that it was who they were in the present that mattered the most.
I can see this being a big hit with bookclubs who would like a sweet, slightly sassy, and cozy book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for access to an early copy.
I enjoyed the range of women in this story, in both their ages and what caused them shame and doubt. I appreciated the "nowness" of each woman- they came with histories, but made it clear that it was who they were in the present that mattered the most.
I can see this being a big hit with bookclubs who would like a sweet, slightly sassy, and cozy book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for access to an early copy.
Good but not as good as night of miracles and Arthur Trulove.
RR rating: 3.5 maybe-a-little-generous stars
Format: Hardback, 304 pages, published Nov. 19, 2019
RR synopsis: Third book in Elizabeth Berg’s “Mason” series, which follows some old and new characters as they get together regularly to confess pretty mundane things.
What I’ll probably remember: How the bulk of the novel focuses on an *extremely attractive* homeless Vietnam vet, which seems like a bit of a bait and switch when the title, cover, and synopsis are all about a ladies’ supper club.
Do any animals die?: No, although a dog is briefly put in a perilous situation.
Who should read it?: People who have read the first two books in the series, THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV and NIGHT OF MIRACLES.
Other notables: A character makes black cake, which I had never heard of before. Sounds delicious. Looks nasty.
Format: Hardback, 304 pages, published Nov. 19, 2019
RR synopsis: Third book in Elizabeth Berg’s “Mason” series, which follows some old and new characters as they get together regularly to confess pretty mundane things.
What I’ll probably remember: How the bulk of the novel focuses on an *extremely attractive* homeless Vietnam vet, which seems like a bit of a bait and switch when the title, cover, and synopsis are all about a ladies’ supper club.
Do any animals die?: No, although a dog is briefly put in a perilous situation.
Who should read it?: People who have read the first two books in the series, THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV and NIGHT OF MIRACLES.
Other notables: A character makes black cake, which I had never heard of before. Sounds delicious. Looks nasty.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Mason series is a collection of relatively short novels focused on people finding themselves in a small town (Mason, Missouri).
I loved the premise of The Confession Club - a group of women had been meeting as a supper club, but after discovering how good it felt to share things (in a supportive environment) that they'd done wrong or were embarrassed about, it became a confession club.
While that's the backbone of the book, and where it derives its title, the heart of the book seems to be Iris. She is still adjusting to Mason after having divorced her husband and moved from Boston. Maddy, too, is a main character in this installment - a young mother who is back visiting with her daughter but without her spouse.
Elizabeth Berg writes really beautiful portrayals of friendship and community. But I couldn't help feeling that this book missed some of the charm of her previous two. I was just so taken with the baking references and Lucille's attitude in Night of Miracles (Book #2) - I think perhaps The Confession Club might have benefited from some more fun details as well, like more of the dog or the confession club meetings. Still, an enjoyable read, and one that wasn't nearly as heart-wrenching as the first two.
Thank you to Random House for a free e-arc of this title for review.
Content warnings: homelessness, recollection of divorce, PTSD (discussion of having served in the Vietnam War), recollection of domestic abuse, discussion of assisted suicide, reference to past infertility
I loved the premise of The Confession Club - a group of women had been meeting as a supper club, but after discovering how good it felt to share things (in a supportive environment) that they'd done wrong or were embarrassed about, it became a confession club.
While that's the backbone of the book, and where it derives its title, the heart of the book seems to be Iris. She is still adjusting to Mason after having divorced her husband and moved from Boston. Maddy, too, is a main character in this installment - a young mother who is back visiting with her daughter but without her spouse.
Elizabeth Berg writes really beautiful portrayals of friendship and community. But I couldn't help feeling that this book missed some of the charm of her previous two. I was just so taken with the baking references and Lucille's attitude in Night of Miracles (Book #2) - I think perhaps The Confession Club might have benefited from some more fun details as well, like more of the dog or the confession club meetings. Still, an enjoyable read, and one that wasn't nearly as heart-wrenching as the first two.
Thank you to Random House for a free e-arc of this title for review.
Content warnings: homelessness, recollection of divorce, PTSD (discussion of having served in the Vietnam War), recollection of domestic abuse, discussion of assisted suicide, reference to past infertility
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In Mason, Missouri a group of ladies decides to start a monthly supper club. It begins as a place to get together and have a nice home-cooked meal with lots of wine & conversation, but one night one of the ladies confesses something to the others and from then on it beomes the Confessions Club. Each month someone has to take a turn confessing something to everyone....no judgements and nothing ever leaves the room. They invite Iris & Maddy and it is perfect timing since they each have something in their lives they need to unburden themselves with.
First, let me say I love Elizabeth Berg's books and the Mason, Missouri series. Second, I do want to add that if you haven't read any of the others, it is fine. They all take place in the same town and the stories build on each other, but you won't be lost if you read them out of order. I love the small town setting & characters. They feel "real" ....like they may be someone you know. She has a knack for telling a story that makes you feel like you are really there.. I loved this book and I highly recommend it!
First, let me say I love Elizabeth Berg's books and the Mason, Missouri series. Second, I do want to add that if you haven't read any of the others, it is fine. They all take place in the same town and the stories build on each other, but you won't be lost if you read them out of order. I love the small town setting & characters. They feel "real" ....like they may be someone you know. She has a knack for telling a story that makes you feel like you are really there.. I loved this book and I highly recommend it!
This novel picks up with some of the characters from Berg’s earlier books, “Arthur Truluv” and “A Night of Miracles”. The main characters here are Iris (older woman who became good friends with Arthur and is now living in the house that Maddy inherited from him) and Maddy who has returned to the small town of Mason with her young daughter, Nola. Well written, a bit of a heart tugger at times. Definitely read these three books in order, and enjoy them.
My 3 star rating means this is a good book!
My 3 star rating means this is a good book!
This was a delightfully sweet read filled with small-town quirky characters. The conversations at the "confession club" meetings made me laugh out loud as the women interrupted each other, talked over each other, and supported each other. This was a perfect read for a Covid-stressed brain.
Very easy light read. But still somehow I could only read 20 pages at a time before I had to do something else. It was a good story and I liked the characters, but it just couldn't hold my attention.