From the author of To Die For comes this poignant, stirring, and occasionally hilarious story of a woman's attempt to remake her life after a seari...
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reviews
May 17, 2010
Arianna
rated it: 
I purchased this book when I was at CCY in 1998, and read it then. I remember enjoying it, but I couldn't recall a thing about it when I came across the book on my shelves the other day. So I decided to reread it, figuring it'd be a quick read. It wasn't as quick as I thought - it's a pretty dense book - but I enjoyed it the second time around, as well. I just am frustrated that I felt like I was reading it for the first time! But what I really enjoyed were all the little snippets of pop cu
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Dec 31, 2010
Diane
rated it: 
Just give me a Joyce Marnard novel and I'm a happy camper. This story is no exception to that rule.
It's a story about divorced adults with children and how hard it can be to "blend" families. Do the children have a say in whom a parent might be attracted to? Does another adult have a say in how another family works or doesn't work? How do you intertwine two separate families into one? Is it worth it? What are the consequences for the children? What are the consequences for More...
It's a story about divorced adults with children and how hard it can be to "blend" families. Do the children have a say in whom a parent might be attracted to? Does another adult have a say in how another family works or doesn't work? How do you intertwine two separate families into one? Is it worth it? What are the consequences for the children? What are the consequences for More...
Aug 23, 2011
Jackie
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Claire is pushing forty, raising two teenagers and longs for romance and companionship. She is an extremely unlikable character. While she intends to make life perfect for her children, she has deep resentment of her ex-husband and an unhealthy obsession with a man who is so fake it's hard to believe she can't see it. Then she meets the "Man of her Dreams", a single father trying to raise his 8 year old daughter after her mother virtually abandons them. Their sexual passion is ridiculo
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Dec 30, 2010
Deanne
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This book is like reading a train wreck. The people in it are so dysfunctional. But, like a train wreck, you have to keep looking. So it kept me going and I wanted to know what happens to them all in the end. The author writes some of the characters as so hard to like but, again, you keep going. I recommend it.
Feb 27, 2011
Khris
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For anyone who has been single, dating, married, separated, divorced, dating someone w/bratty kids, being that someone w/bratty kids, trying to blend two families w/bratty kids, this book just hits the mark on so many levels. Funny at times and heartbreaking at others.
Jan 31, 2012
Emily
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There aren't adjectives to describe how beautiful this book is. The premise is a simple concept, but it's exemplified in her remarkable writing. Maynard has more understanding of human emotion than any other work I have read.
Jun 24, 2009
Mary Ann
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I loved this book--great characters. I could relate to a lot of the things about dating that Maynard writes about here. The child, Ursula, is one of the most annoying people I have read about in a book.
Mar 20, 2009
Jen
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I found a cheap copy of this at a used book store and since Joyce Maynard wrote The Usual Rules, one of my favorite books, I decided to give this one a try. It didn't disappoint.
Oct 12, 2011
Peggy
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This was a good book about love, families and blending both together. The two main characters try to have a relationship, while the 3 children between them do as much as they can to break them up. Love does not win in the end.
Oct 29, 2010
Pauline
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Well written and characters very well portrayed. I will definitely try another of her books.
Jun 09, 2009
Heather
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I never wanted to be a single parent, but even more so after reading this book.
Aug 18, 2009
Lisa
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This is definitely not as good as Labor Day. A quick read that was mind candy.
Jun 09, 2011
Robin
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What I don't like about Maynard is that she makes very unpleasant characters. For example, the woman in the museum who says they shouldn't let retards in. Who talks like that? Also, I hated Tim's character. What a moron! Not all of the people in her books are like this but it still bothers me. I used to be a big fan, back when I was a teen and didn't know what a balanced line of prose is. I think Maynard just likes to create hateable characters out of people who have wronged her. It shows.
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Jan 21, 2012
Jan
rated it:
An engrossing, thought provoking story about a woman's brave attempt to remake her life after a divorce. The characters are definitely flawed and can make you cringe as well as smile. Can two families be blended without incident or escape unscathed? Is there a balance between domesticity and sexuality.
Feb 04, 2012
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