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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
More like 3.5 stars... I loved the characters. The story was so sweet, and it was written well. I would recommend this if you’re looking for an easy, mellow read.
I listened to the audio book, which dragged on a bit. There was a lot of character development in the first half of the story.
This is the story of three friends that meet in college and how their lives unfold. After college they go their separate ways and lose touch but never stop thinking of each other. When they meet up again secrets are unleashed.
I enjoyed this book but found myself waiting for the end. I am a fan of Jane Green and love her stories. I don’t think this was her best book because some parts of the story seemed too drawn out. Overall it is a very good book and I would read it again.
I enjoyed this book but found myself waiting for the end. I am a fan of Jane Green and love her stories. I don’t think this was her best book because some parts of the story seemed too drawn out. Overall it is a very good book and I would read it again.
College and beyond, Maggie, Topher, and Evvie are the epitome of best friends who love and support each other no matter what they do. After graduation, their friendship fades from inseparable to cordial, as they often do. When something unexpected and life-altering happens to one of them, it changes the dynamic of their friendship forever.
While I ultimately enjoyed most of this book, the jumping timeline and disjointed narrative made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the writing. Although I kept reading to see if the secret was revealed and what the backlash from it might be, the various loose ends of the story and undeveloped subplots were distracting enough to have me put away the book multiple times whilst reading it.
Thank you Berkely/Penguin Publishing for this ARC.
While I ultimately enjoyed most of this book, the jumping timeline and disjointed narrative made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the writing. Although I kept reading to see if the secret was revealed and what the backlash from it might be, the various loose ends of the story and undeveloped subplots were distracting enough to have me put away the book multiple times whilst reading it.
Thank you Berkely/Penguin Publishing for this ARC.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Friends We Keep by Jane Green is a compelling novel of friendship, secrets, betrayal and ultimately, forgiveness.
In 1986, Evvie Williams, Maggie Hallwell and Topher Winthrop form a life-long enduring friendship. Evvie is a half-Jamaican former child television star, Maggie is the beloved only daughter of a financially comfortable family and Topher is the only child of a wealthy family. Despite their disparate backgrounds, they are immediately inseparable during their university years. Evvie is the only one of the group who must work to make ends meet and she becomes a bartender at a local pub. Much to everyone's surprise, Maggie falls for Evvie's co-worker, whom the trio dubs "Evil Ben" since he does not talk or smile much. After graduation, the three friends go their separate ways but before Evvie leaves, she makes an unexpected choice that becomes the first of several secrets she keeps from Maggie and Topher.
Maggie is a caretaker who shows how much she loves people through cooking. Her unrequited crush on Ben Curran is her only unhappy memory during her University years. After graduation, Maggie moves to London and becomes a career woman but she secretly harbors hope she will marry a man who takes care of her. Much to her shock, Maggie's path crosses with Ben and they eventually marry. Unfortunately, wedded bliss is elusive as they struggle to have children and Ben's drinking spirals out of control. Maggie does everything in her power to help Ben and keep his alcoholism hidden but will she remain in their tumultuous marriage forever?
During University, Evvie discovers how to control her binge eating and after graduation, she is offered a modeling contract in New York. Her career is wildly successful but her longtime pattern of choosing the wrong man continues to haunt her. Following her return to New York after attending Maggie and Ben's wedding, Evvie eventually makes a fateful decision that forever changes her life and her friendship with Maggie and Topher. This secret haunts her and she does everything in her power to keep it under wraps, but will it remain hidden from the person it will hurt the most?
Topher also moves to New York following graduation where he pursues an acting career. A successful soap opera star, he is mostly content with his career path. Topher is wary of relationships but he eventually discovers happiness with two rather unconventional relationships. It is not until nearly mid-life that Topher finally reveals a devastating childhood secret but will he take the necessary steps to completely heal from this traumatic event?
Spanning thirty years, The Friends We Keep is a poignant yet heartwarming novel of friendship. Each of the characters are vividly developed and despite their flaws, they are immensely appealing. The storyline is engrossing and follows Topher, Evvie and Maggie from their University friendship, their lives after graduation and their reconnection after their 30th university reunion. Jane Green's portrayal of their personal struggles and their enduring friendship is heartfelt and quite touching. An absolutely beautiful story that readers are sure to enjoy.
In 1986, Evvie Williams, Maggie Hallwell and Topher Winthrop form a life-long enduring friendship. Evvie is a half-Jamaican former child television star, Maggie is the beloved only daughter of a financially comfortable family and Topher is the only child of a wealthy family. Despite their disparate backgrounds, they are immediately inseparable during their university years. Evvie is the only one of the group who must work to make ends meet and she becomes a bartender at a local pub. Much to everyone's surprise, Maggie falls for Evvie's co-worker, whom the trio dubs "Evil Ben" since he does not talk or smile much. After graduation, the three friends go their separate ways but before Evvie leaves, she makes an unexpected choice that becomes the first of several secrets she keeps from Maggie and Topher.
Maggie is a caretaker who shows how much she loves people through cooking. Her unrequited crush on Ben Curran is her only unhappy memory during her University years. After graduation, Maggie moves to London and becomes a career woman but she secretly harbors hope she will marry a man who takes care of her. Much to her shock, Maggie's path crosses with Ben and they eventually marry. Unfortunately, wedded bliss is elusive as they struggle to have children and Ben's drinking spirals out of control. Maggie does everything in her power to help Ben and keep his alcoholism hidden but will she remain in their tumultuous marriage forever?
During University, Evvie discovers how to control her binge eating and after graduation, she is offered a modeling contract in New York. Her career is wildly successful but her longtime pattern of choosing the wrong man continues to haunt her. Following her return to New York after attending Maggie and Ben's wedding, Evvie eventually makes a fateful decision that forever changes her life and her friendship with Maggie and Topher. This secret haunts her and she does everything in her power to keep it under wraps, but will it remain hidden from the person it will hurt the most?
Topher also moves to New York following graduation where he pursues an acting career. A successful soap opera star, he is mostly content with his career path. Topher is wary of relationships but he eventually discovers happiness with two rather unconventional relationships. It is not until nearly mid-life that Topher finally reveals a devastating childhood secret but will he take the necessary steps to completely heal from this traumatic event?
Spanning thirty years, The Friends We Keep is a poignant yet heartwarming novel of friendship. Each of the characters are vividly developed and despite their flaws, they are immensely appealing. The storyline is engrossing and follows Topher, Evvie and Maggie from their University friendship, their lives after graduation and their reconnection after their 30th university reunion. Jane Green's portrayal of their personal struggles and their enduring friendship is heartfelt and quite touching. An absolutely beautiful story that readers are sure to enjoy.
3.5 stars. Good story, well-written, entertaining. Recommended if you’re looking for some light fiction.