Book Review: FOUR FRIENDS by Robyn Carr

Gerri can’t decide what’s more devastating: learning her rock-solid marriage has big cracks, or the anger she feels as she tries to repair the damage. Always the anchor for friends and her three angst-ridden teenagers, it’s time to look carefully at herself. The journey for Gerri and her family is more than revealing—it’s transforming.

Andy doesn’t have a great track record with men, and she’s come to believe that for her a lasting love is out of reach. When she finds herself attracted to her down-to-earth, ordinary contractor—a man without any of the qualities that usually appeal to her—she questions everything she thought she wanted in life.

Sonja’s lifelong pursuit of balance is shattered when her husband declares he’s through with her New Age nonsense and walks out. There’s no herbal tonic or cleansing ritual that can restore her serenity—or her sanity.

Miraculously, it’s BJ, the reserved newcomer to Mill Valley, who steps into their circle and changes everything. The woman with dark secrets opens up to her neighbors, and together they get each other back on track, stronger as individuals and unfaltering as friends.

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I’m a huge fan of Robyn Carr’s contemporary romances, so I was excited to give her women’s fiction a try. Like the title states, the book is about four friends who live on the same block, and how they support each other through the toughest times in their lives. The story addresses the challenges many 40-something women face, such as infidelity, divorce, raising teenagers, and depression, in a relatable, down-to-earth way. Though the subject matter is heavy, Ms. Carr is able to leave readers with a sense of hope when it’s all said and done.

Reading FOUR FRIENDS stirred up all kinds of emotions for me. I got attached to this group of friends quickly, and though I might not have had their experiences personally, I could sympathize with them. The book starts with Andy throwing her husband’s things out on the front lawn, and within a couple of weeks, Sonja and Gerri are facing marital crises too. Gerri’s problems are particularly surprising because her marriage seemed unbreakable. BJ, the quiet neighbor on the block with her own dark secrets, comes out of her shell when the trouble starts and joins the group, saving Sonja’s life in the process.

Most of the men in this book were just awful, but there was one gem in the bunch – Bob. He’s the complete opposite of the selfish, egotistical jerks who Andy usually attracts, and I enjoyed watching their romance bloom. Thank goodness for Bob!

The constant throughout the book is friendship. It’s the strong bond between the four women that sees them through and makes them stronger in the end. I greatly enjoyed meeting these four friends, and I’d recommend their story to fans of poignant women’s fiction.

Rating: 4.25 Stars