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49th out of 65 books
—
8 voters
Table for Five
by
Susan Wiggs (Goodreads Author)
Before an estranged couple is killed in an unthinkable tragedy, they designate two guardians for their children--a man and a woman who are essentially strangers and who have nothing in common except their compassion for the couple's three orphaned children. Thrown into this strange semblance of family, Sean McGuire and Lily Robinson work together to establish some kind of...more
Mass Market Paperback, 456 pages
Published
April 1st 2006
by Mira Books
(first published 2005)
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This is a story about grief. The main character, Lily, was interesting, but not relatable for me, but her story is well told and you understand why she is the way she is in the end. What I really loved about this book was the tone. It's very serious and awkward at first and it looms with sadness all the way until the end even though the family is moving on from their tragedy. It's not fake and magically happy just because it's now the last page of the book.
Also, unrelated to my review, I really...more
Also, unrelated to my review, I really...more
Love appears in the most unlikely of places and people, and under the most tragic of circumstances in Susan Wiggs's novel, Table For Five. It is a compelling story about healing, living, and becoming a family in the most unconventional sense.
Strangers to one another Lily Robinson and Sean Maguire are two individuals living different lives, heading in different directions but interconnected by the people they love. Lily is Crystal Holloway's best friend, sharing a lifelong friendship built on tr...more
Strangers to one another Lily Robinson and Sean Maguire are two individuals living different lives, heading in different directions but interconnected by the people they love. Lily is Crystal Holloway's best friend, sharing a lifelong friendship built on tr...more
My first and favorite Susan Wiggs read- it's a gorgeous, sweet story of children orphaned after a tragic accident and the couple who are entrusted with their care...and what ensues when life goes on, as it does, and these two people who are so opposite in so many ways are thrown together and forced to rely upon and care for each other, first for the sake of the children, and then for their own sakes. Wiggs sure knows how to spin a lovely tale and I'll always treasure this little gem when I need...more
Ok if you’re in the mood for women’s fiction about grief and responsibility. I prefer more entertainment.
The publisher’s blurb (on the back of the book) emphasized a cross country road trip with ups and downs, joys and frustrations. I was disappointed that the road trip was a very minor part of the book and toward the end.
My description of the book:
The parents die, leaving three children. Lily is the mother’s best friend. Sean is the father’s brother. Sean becomes legal guardian. Lily spends a l...more
The publisher’s blurb (on the back of the book) emphasized a cross country road trip with ups and downs, joys and frustrations. I was disappointed that the road trip was a very minor part of the book and toward the end.
My description of the book:
The parents die, leaving three children. Lily is the mother’s best friend. Sean is the father’s brother. Sean becomes legal guardian. Lily spends a l...more
When this book starts out you meet Crystal and Derek, neither one of them is very likable, they are so wrapped up in their own issues that they can't see what is wrong with their kids, even when Crystal's best friend and one of the kids teachers tries to point things out.
Next thing we see is the kids at home, after being forgotten about. They are all mad, and as the night goes on you are mad along with them. Then somehow there is a subtle change, you really aren't sure what it is, but the dread...more
Next thing we see is the kids at home, after being forgotten about. They are all mad, and as the night goes on you are mad along with them. Then somehow there is a subtle change, you really aren't sure what it is, but the dread...more
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This is another story that I wish I had more than 5 starts to give. You read so many stories where the main characters are perfect and I have to admit I like escaping into the world of princes and princesses but a story with flawed characters brings real life into play.
In Table For Five a family is born from the tragic deaths of a divorced couple. And none of the characters except maybe the two year old are perfect. The teen and 3rd grader share a secret that was impacting their lives before th...more
In Table For Five a family is born from the tragic deaths of a divorced couple. And none of the characters except maybe the two year old are perfect. The teen and 3rd grader share a secret that was impacting their lives before th...more
I listened to the audio version of this and for the first half of the book was very unhappy with it. I wasn't sure if it was the monotone voice of the reader or what, but that caused my first impression to not be a good one. However, about half way through the reading, I got taken into the story and was able to overlook the reader's voice.
It's a sad story of divorced parents dieing in a car accident together and leaving their three children to be raised by the father's brother and the mother's b...more
It's a sad story of divorced parents dieing in a car accident together and leaving their three children to be raised by the father's brother and the mother's b...more
This was probably one of the best books Susan Wiggs has written. Although very complex and emotional throughout, the satisfaction gained in the end is well worth it. Even though there was no way to create a perfect "happy ever after", Wiggs showed the power of love to heal and sustain a family. The pain of the past will always remain, but together as a family unit, the future can be filled with happiness.
This was the first Susan Wiggs novel I've read and I was impressed with the writing and her ability to describe emotions with such clarity.
From dust jacket:
"A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family-a family that sud...more
From dust jacket:
"A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family-a family that sud...more
Another heart-warming and enjoyable title by Susan Wiggs. The two main characters, Lily and Sean, through a tragedy - become involved together with three orphaned children. The contrast between the main characters in this book was fun ... careful, ordered schoolteacher who needs to lighten up ... easy-going, fun-loving golfer who needs to get more serious. And neither are exactly perfect parent material. I'm a sucker for a good family novel ... and this one kept me entertained, chuckling, and de...more
This book was a little diamond in the rough. If you've ever seen the movie Life As We Know It (I know, a movie compared to a book...), Table For Five was a much better version of it. It deals with grief and love in it's most basic and real form. Divorced parents will their orphaned children to two different people who hardly know each other, can't stand each other, and end up falling in love. There is a lot of golf talk, of which I don't relate to, but it sucked me in anyway because the main cha...more
This story really grips the reader right from the get go. We are introduced to some of the central characters and a tragic beginning to deal with right away. Death of a parent always brings great sorrow but what happens when both parents die? Add to that the fact that the parents were divorcing and the reader get another level of grief the children were trying to get through. Now add that there's a secret that at affects the situation as well and this story is off an running. What happens to the...more
Not thrilled with this one. The main character was a bit too rigid and unwilling to see this rigidity as a problem, for me to sympathize with her. Also, the plot felt forced. I didn't see how the h/h would be drawn to one another without the contrived plot. I have no belief in a HEA when the heroine's main issue has not been fully resolved. She's damaged over a horrible event from childhood, and those issues were not dealt with in the novel, which would lead to a not-HEA.
Wiggs' writing style is...more
Wiggs' writing style is...more
Wiggs tells a very good story, and the pace of the book is good. I found I couldn't put it down at times, and it was due to the characters' struggles and insights that Wiggs captured, more than any intense plot or action series. The grief parts were very palpable, and I think Wiggs portrayed the characters' different maturity levels in handling that grief and working through it. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 is because when friends asked me what I was reading so intently, I didn't feel it...more
I liked this book. There are two parents recently divorced who were in a self destruct mode and very selfish, too. They leave behind three children they didn't deserve but the loss is still awful for these children. This is a tale sweetly told. The two people all three children really need make some big decisions and changes in their lives to give these children what they need most - adults who act like adults, put children first and become the parents these wonderful children really need.
A swe...more
A swe...more
A thirty-something school teacher who values her freedom has her life turned inside out when her best friend along with her ex-husband are killed in a car accident. Lily finds herself being a mother to Crystal's 3 children and her plans for a summer in Europe put on hold. A sweet story with likable characters.
This is the first Susan Wiggs' novel for me and I plan to see what else she has done. It was a compelling story that made me keep telling myself---just one more page and I'll turn out the...more
This is the first Susan Wiggs' novel for me and I plan to see what else she has done. It was a compelling story that made me keep telling myself---just one more page and I'll turn out the...more
Susan Wiggs did a wonderful job with this novel...exploring grief and recovery, looking into what it really takes to go on with life when someone you love dies.
Being one that has experiences deep levels of grief, I understand the emotions and terror of finding one's way after life as you know it has totally been torn apart! Susan painted a realistic picture of things that can happen as well as struggles to put life back together. What can we do when tragedy blows our walls down?
Find a way to ke...more
Being one that has experiences deep levels of grief, I understand the emotions and terror of finding one's way after life as you know it has totally been torn apart! Susan painted a realistic picture of things that can happen as well as struggles to put life back together. What can we do when tragedy blows our walls down?
Find a way to ke...more
This was my first Susan Wiggs book and I hope to read more by her. I thought the story line was wonderful, believable, and kept my attention. The story sucks you in and makes you root for the best for each person.
The main characters in the this book were authentic. They each have flaws and difficult issues from their past, both of which make you like them even more. Your heart goes out to each one of them. You can see how they react to their loss and how they begin to heal. It all seems to happ...more
The main characters in the this book were authentic. They each have flaws and difficult issues from their past, both of which make you like them even more. Your heart goes out to each one of them. You can see how they react to their loss and how they begin to heal. It all seems to happ...more
This beautifully written novel kept my attention during the terrible high winds we had in our area in Sept 2008. I intentionally picked up something by Susan Wiggs that afternoon because I knew she could pull me into the story and help me not freak out about whether "Hurricane Ike Comes to Indiana" would end up pushing a tree onto our house. May seem like a strange review, but if a novel could keep one's attention during that, it's pretty amazing.
This book made me feel hopeful? With a bit of happiness even with the circumstances. I loved the feeling of the book. I think the author did a good job at portraying what was needed to make you feel the way she wanted you to feel. I couldn't imagine how I would feel if both of my parents were taken from me in a tragic accident and I'm 25. It did however drive home the point that I need a will drawn up with someone to look after my baby.
The only thing I didn't like was that I didn't buy the whole "She was my best friend" thing that was repeated throughout the book. I love love love Susan Wiggs, but for me this was a "show don't tell" mistake. We never saw Lily and Crystal's friendship, we were only told about it. The only interaction we actually saw on the page between them was during the parent/teacher conference, in which Lily is so focused on her professional role that, again, we don't see the friendship. Given that the frie...more
When Derek and his ex-wife, Crystal die suddenly, Derek's half-brother, Sean and Crystal's best friend, Lily's lives will never be the same. There are three children left behind and lots of unanswered questions about the future. I've read a few of Susan Wiggs' books this summer and must say that this has been the BEST! I laughed. I cried. It touches you deeply. Definitely recommend!!
Susan Wiggs is one of my favorite authors. Table for Five is a predictable romance novel but reaching the predictable ending is the fun part. A tragic accident of Lily's best friend and her ex husband leave 3 adorable children in the care of the handsome single Uncle. Lily a single school teacher steps up to help out....sparks turn into flames.
Found this one at a "Starbuck's exchange library" and it was the perfect cure for my jetlag transition......good story, not earth shaking to follow but entertaining and made the time pass easily. Dr. Phil quote that I like worked into story....."You wouldn't care so much what people think of you if you knew how seldom they actually did"
Picked this up during my recent trip to Mayan Riviera at the hotel's book drop. Again, like the other book I consumed in one day, reading this demanded very little "investment" from me. The writing wasn't great and the story was oh-so-predictable, but what else does one need on a vacation where the goal is to de-stress?
Another heart-wrenching, heart-warming story from Susan Wiggs. I enjoyed it all over again after reading it first in 2005. Even tho I am not particularly interested in golf, I got into the game along with the characters of the book. As they journey through grief, hope and love, I ached, yearned and celebrated along with them. A good read.
Enjoyed this book. I liked how she spent some time in really getting into the behind the scenes of pro golf and how it affects the family. It may have ended in a too perfect for real world kind of way, but it didn't bother me too much. Look forward to more books from this writer.
This was an entertaining book, the first I'd read by Susan Wiggs. At first, I thought it would be a bit too much like light-romance for me, but halfway through I was hooked and the story and characters developed well and were not always predictable. It was a good story and I enjoyed it.
I did alot of laughing out loud with all the one-liners she put in this book. I did some crying as well, as a matter of fact I did cry at the end but it was a happy cry. Good book and it covered a lot of issues for each character and you got to see them over-come them in this novel, good intense book.
I really enjoyed this book, to the point that I couldn't lay it down! While at work through the day I wondered what would happen next with this family. I felt for the children and their caregivers...
I was worried about the beginning of the book and how Wiggs would bring happiness to such an awful subject. She did a wonderful job and the book deserves an A+. :]
I was worried about the beginning of the book and how Wiggs would bring happiness to such an awful subject. She did a wonderful job and the book deserves an A+. :]
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Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org...more
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