Friends Like These

by Wendy Harmer

Greed, fraud, betrayal and resurrection - this is a search for something to believe in. A search that takes us to a baby-naming, a same-sex wedding and a funeral all performed by Jo Blanchard, newly trained civil celebrant.
Jo - recently single, 45-year-old mother of two - is the former deputy headmistress of Sydney's most exclusive private girls' school - Darling Point Ladies College. A year ago she was forced to abandon her post in a scandal that had all the social set talking. In fact, they're still talking.
Jo is moving on - but with friends like hers, maybe leaving them behind is her only option.

Genres: Humor, Fiction

481 pages, Paperback

First published March 23, 2011

About the author

Wendy Harmer is an Australian author, writer, radio show host and comedienne. A former political journalist, Wendy is the author of seven books for adults: It's a Joke, Joyce (1989), Backstage Pass (1991), Love Gone Wrong (1995), So anyway-- : Wendy’s words of wisdom (1997) (a collection of her weekly columns from The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Weekend Magazine), Farewell My Ovaries (2005), Nagging for Beginners (2006), Love and Punishment (2006), and Roadside Sisters published in April 2009.

Harmer's books have been described as being in the genre of Chick lit. They are popular light novels and very humorous.

Wendy Harmer has also written a series for young readers called the Pearlie in the Park . They are bestsellers in Australia and have been published in ten countries around the world. The animated Pearlie series has screened on Australian TV.

I Lost My Mobile at the Mall (2009) is Wendy's first novel for teens.

She has written for numerous Australian magazines and has been a contributing columnist for Australian Women's Weekly, New Weekly, The Good Weekend and HQ.

Wendy contributed to Marie Claire’s What Women Want in 2002, My Sporting Hero edited by Greg Gowden which was published by Random House Australia and a volume of The Best Ever Sports Writing . . . 200 Years of Sport Writing. She also wrote the libretto for Baz Luhrmann’s Opera Australia production of Lake Lost.

Reviews

[Shelley Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough but a bit long and the ending wasn't great

[ZieriaRose · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Wendy harmer in comedy. But this book was way too long and all the characters were horrible. Except the priest maybe; he  was ok, if not a bit bland... and the son I suppose, who distanced himself from the awful, entitled, selfish, superficial world of upper middle class eastern suburbs Sydney. Was that the point?

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Wendy Harmer, and this book did not disappoint me. It was rather like having her in the same room. I loved the characters, although I couldn't quite see anyone being as selfless as Jo (but I would like to think I am). I am certain JJ was based on a real person (or maybe a compilation of several).

[Jane Routley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of nice ideas but a bit undercooked.

[Charmain Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny but interesting at the same time! Need to read it yourself but definitely a good read!

[Frances Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read, with a great writing style

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cleverly put together but tries too hard

[Mary-Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring with only one likeable character.

[Hana Holdener · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn’t finish this book. The story and all characters were totally flat, underdeveloped.

[Jenny McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Australian Story

A story that drew you in made you part of the story you could picture the places the people enjoyable

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jo Blanchard is rebuilding her life after she discovers her husband of many years has been having an affair. Having embarrassed his partner's mistress at a prominent school function Jo embarks on a new career as a marriage celebrant.
There were parts of the book that were funny but they were few and far between. There were plenty of characters in the book and they all had their own quirks. Yet the characters seem to never stray from type and there needed to be some character development. Jo spends most of the book being passive and only really sticks up for herself with the help of the friends.
There was a lot of promise but it took until halfway mark for the story to really becoming engaging.

[Isobella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just couldn't finish this book. The main reason was that I just didn't like the main character. Perservered for as long as I could stand, but in the end just put it aside. Usually enjoy Harmer's writing style, but I've found her last couple of books difficult to finish for the same reason.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish this one. It did not 'grab me' I also didn't care enough about the characters.Seemed rather trite... sorry Wendy. I have enjoyed others of hers, also listening to her on ABC 702 and I like what she is doing online with Th Hoopla.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A jolly holiday read for me this year - some spot-on humour, not surprising from Wendy Harmer and always good to be introduced to some contemporary Australian characters..

[Leonie]

Love a book that pokes fun at the wealthy and self-satisfied. Love that it was set in Sydney!

[Amanda]

Ok, but not one I'd really recommend to others.

[Merryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story in all but highly unbelievable from my point of view.

[Amy Heap · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really for me, I'm afraid. The characters were not likable or interesting to me and the setting not familiar enough to get me through and I abandoned it unfinished.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, I'm sure I've met some of these people...or rather know someone who knows someone whose told me about them. A particular part of Sydney indeed. Enjoyed the read.

[Judith Yeabsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fluffy and "froo froo" with a disappointing ending. Lots of characters that were unpleasant and not enough depth to hold the interest. Not terrible but not great.

[Louise Potterton · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story!

[Glenda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rely, what a load of boring dribble!!

[Chele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I liked this - it's formula, but it works.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it.