Hated it. The antiquated language and 1940s attitudes of the characters was incongruous, given that they were using cellphones and listening to CDs. It felt like someone had put the cast of an old 40s movie into a time machine and dumped them into 21st century New England. I hated all the main characters, felt sorry for their husbands and the plot was so transparent that it was completely obvious what was going to happen. *cringe*

This book is set in modern times however all the characters talk and act like they should be part of their parent's generation which gives the story the feeling of being stuck in a kind of time-warp. On top of that complaint, the stories of these 3 old college buddies didn't really generate much interest with me. I ended up just skimming most of this book.

Totally every bit as good as Jessica said. OMG. This book is one of the best I have ever read in my life. Seriously!

This is about 3 girls that went to college together, Cecile, who is the confident and rich one. Norma, the smart and gifted one.And Amanda who comes from a poor family in the south and is beautiful and ambitious. After college Amanda goes to stay with Norma for Cecile's wedding.Norma's brother,Larry is in love with and marries Amanda, but she is never satisfied, especially after she sees how rich Cecile and her husband Peter is. Amanda gets a job in a high end store where the owner lets her buy

This is the second novel I've read by Belva Plain... the story had a lot of potential but the confusion in what time period the book was supposed to be set in caused a lot of confusion. The dialogue and thoughts of the characters was reminiscent of the mid 1900s with virginity before marriage and staying at home afterwards and raising children while the characters used technology like cellphones. I have read that this author is well liked and people enjoy her novels but this one didn't do it for...

Not worth the time. The characters had no substance, the plot was silly. I find myself rushing through this book and couldn't way for it to end.

Terrible story in that it portrays that darker side of human nature. Three girls, Amanda, Cecile and Norma, best friends. Norma introduces Amanda to her family, which leads to her marrying one relative and cheats on him with another. Cecile who is portrayed as having everything, suffers a great loss and is mistrusted even though she has only treated everyone with kindness. Norma is highly intelligent but has large legs due to a circulatory issue. She betrays one of her friends, but justifies it

I think this book is well written the charachters are well drawn and are quite believable. The is no neat closure at the end of the book. I like that it felt more real.I personally could not like this book due to the way it ends. I understand that the ending is probably really realistic and what could actually happen. However, I was so disgusted by Norma and her total lack of conscience that I never quite got over it. In that this book left a lasting impression on me, I would recommend it. Howev...

Started out with an interesting description of three girls who went to college together. As the story unfolds, some of their experiences are interesting and somewhat predictable. The situation one of the women gets into to is so horrific, that perhaps I began to disengage from the story. The ending just lost me. However, perhaps, real life is at times, this complex and heartbreaking.

Spellbinding Such an interesting plot. It was impossible to put the book down. The characters were so life like. It was a very interesting book and one I would highly recommend. I have never been disappointed by this author's books.

Belva Plain is a "formula writer"... but her stories are fairly entertaining... good beach-read stuff...

I hate to leave a book unread once I start but, I wish I had never picked up this book. It was one of Belva's worst stories in my opinion. And she is one of my favorite authors.

This was an amazing story! It was about 3 young women who graduate from college where they were roommates for 4 years. All three were from different "walks of life" yet they got along so well. Two of them grew up together in the same town and the other was from a different state. They all end up in the same home town as the 2 and the story starts there. I don't want to give any spoilers as you really should read this book - but it was such a wonderful change for the author to make the characters...

I felt like this book never quite figured out what it was. The time period and the setting were a bit unclear - definitely not present day, but not entirely sure when in the past while still trying to be relevant. It tried to be a portrait of all three women who went to college together, and you do get all their stories, but it's definitely weighted towards Amanda. Norma gets a bit more text than Cecile but never feels as fleshed out and realistic as the others - and both Norma and Cecile get ca...

It was difficult to believe this book wasn’t set in the 1940’s. It takes place in Michigan, but doesn’t capture Michigan at all. It is unclear which years this story is set in. A cell phone is mentioned once, but there is a “ head master” at the school, and an “old-timey” examination of class. There are three female college friends: Cecile who is “old money”, Norma who is “new money”, and Amanda who is poor (but very beautiful). After college they marry and begin “setting up house”. Amanda marri...

Three women met at school from very different economic backgrounds and became inseparable during that time and continued that friendship into their adult lives. Then something unexpected happens that forever alters their long, complicated friendship. A shattering act of betrayal shifts the balance of power between husbands and wives, parents and children, sisters and brothers. They begin to look at their families, lives and one another differently. A story of profound imtimacy and drama in the l...

DNF @ 50%Why I didn’t like this book:1. The era its set in, it is not consistent (50s language and attitudes vs the use of more modern technology like phones).2. The plot ( if there was one) was dragging as if the focus was more in the moment, dialogue and interactions and details irrelevant to moving the story forward.3. The characters: not compelling or interesting, left questioning how the 3 girls could be friends and their respective marriages (first come first served regardless of why they