What do you think?
Rate this book
Getting even with Fran
Cecilia thought nothing could induce her to attend her high school reunion. Thirty years after leaving St Agnes Ladies College, she’s a successful lawyer with no desire to see her arch enemy Fran ever again.
But when Cecilia’s husband upends her life, she changes her mind about the reunion. After all, it could be the perfect opportunity to settle old scores.
Cecilia’s not the only one still carrying baggage from her school years.
Sharon has an old bone to pick with goody-two-shoes Anne.
Nellie wants to confront past demons while she still has time.
Kerry is determined not to be the fat girl on the night.
Barb will only be there if she can keep her past a secret.
When these seven women come together, each must decide: to get along or to get even.
A warmly humorous and engaging tale of letting go of the past, Getting Even With Fran is for anyone who’s ever had a friend – or an enemy.
But when Cecilia’s husband upends her life, she changes her mind about the reunion. After all, it could be the perfect opportunity to settle old scores.
Cecilia’s not the only one still carrying baggage from her school years.
Sharon has an old bone to pick with goody-two-shoes Anne.
Nellie wants to confront past demons while she still has time.
Kerry is determined not to be the fat girl on the night.
Barb will only be there if she can keep her past a secret.
When these seven women come together, each must decide: to get along or to get even.
A warmly humorous and engaging tale of letting go of the past, Getting Even With Fran is for anyone who’s ever had a friend – or an enemy.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Christine Stinson
2 books9 followersChristine Stinson is a former language teacher whose children have now flown the nest, meaning she can indulge her greatest passion – writing – fulltime.
She lives with her husband in Sydney. Her first novel Getting Even with Fran was published by Pan Macmillan Australia in 2010 and her second novel It Takes a Village published in 2011.
She lives with her husband in Sydney. Her first novel Getting Even with Fran was published by Pan Macmillan Australia in 2010 and her second novel It Takes a Village published in 2011.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 14, 2014
Cecilia and Paul seemed to have drifted apart since Paul’s father and senior partner in the law firm had passed away – she understood he needed to grieve, after all Cecilia was missing the old man too. But what happened one day after she’d successfully won a case rocked her to the core. With her world in tatters she had no idea where to turn. But she knew the invitation to the thirty year reunion of her high school, St Agnes Ladies College would go into the trash.
Kerry was determined to lose weight before the reunion – her nickname from all those years ago would not apply anymore, not if she had anything to do about it. And while Nellie found her life changed in a terrible way, she was equally determined to go to the reunion and have a wonderful time – her dry humour and wit would certainly keep her spirits up…
Sharon found the guilt she felt about her beloved mother was crushing her – she had made a promise after all – why couldn’t she keep it? But her fling with her upstairs neighbour Phil took her mind off her troubles for a short time; he was a nice man, wasn’t he? Sharon’s best friend Barb had been through a recent divorce but still had time to support her – Barb’s life had improved out of sight in the last few weeks…
Anne was a wonderfully organised woman with seven children, a devoted husband who adored her, and a mother-in-law she had barely tolerated in all the years she’d been married. Anne was the instigator of the reunion and with her best friend Fran by her side, they made a formidable team. But one of the guests coming to the reunion didn’t care if she didn’t see Fran for another thirty years…
As the lives of these seven women headed toward the night in question, some were dreading it, others were excited about it. But by the end of the evening their lives would all be changed. Would they get along; or would they get their revenge?
I absolutely loved Getting Even with Fran! So many laugh out loud moments, but also sad and poignant moments; it was a wonderful tale of friendship, of regret and letting go of the past, of love and caring. I loved Nellie too, full of spunk and courage! This is my first read by Aussie author Christine Stinson, and I can’t wait to read her next one. Highly recommended.
Kerry was determined to lose weight before the reunion – her nickname from all those years ago would not apply anymore, not if she had anything to do about it. And while Nellie found her life changed in a terrible way, she was equally determined to go to the reunion and have a wonderful time – her dry humour and wit would certainly keep her spirits up…
Sharon found the guilt she felt about her beloved mother was crushing her – she had made a promise after all – why couldn’t she keep it? But her fling with her upstairs neighbour Phil took her mind off her troubles for a short time; he was a nice man, wasn’t he? Sharon’s best friend Barb had been through a recent divorce but still had time to support her – Barb’s life had improved out of sight in the last few weeks…
Anne was a wonderfully organised woman with seven children, a devoted husband who adored her, and a mother-in-law she had barely tolerated in all the years she’d been married. Anne was the instigator of the reunion and with her best friend Fran by her side, they made a formidable team. But one of the guests coming to the reunion didn’t care if she didn’t see Fran for another thirty years…
As the lives of these seven women headed toward the night in question, some were dreading it, others were excited about it. But by the end of the evening their lives would all be changed. Would they get along; or would they get their revenge?
I absolutely loved Getting Even with Fran! So many laugh out loud moments, but also sad and poignant moments; it was a wonderful tale of friendship, of regret and letting go of the past, of love and caring. I loved Nellie too, full of spunk and courage! This is my first read by Aussie author Christine Stinson, and I can’t wait to read her next one. Highly recommended.
December 8, 2014
Getting Even With Fran is the first novel by Australian author, Christine Stinson. On the day her husband of twenty years drops not one, but three bombshells that are certain to derail her seemingly perfect life, to make a lie of it all, Cecilia Stanton is shocked and angry. So when Fran Hughes, the woman who made her life hell at St Agnes College for Young Ladies, rings about the thirty-year reunion, she’s irate enough to change her mind about attending. Fran wants her to make a speech? Fine, but it might not be the speech Fran is expecting. This might just be the chance to get even with Fran.
Kerry knows Cecilia from her husband’s work, but has always felt inferior to the slim and sophisticated successful lawyer. But for this reunion, she is determined to trim down so her old nickname won’t apply. Nellie was best friends with Kerry until she couldn’t be any more; now facing her own mortality, she needs to ask forgiveness. Sharon’s bad-girl past isn’t the only thing she’s guilty about. Luckily, her best friend since school, Barb is there for support. Barb herself is facing a crisis of confidence, but mother, daughter and best friend are determined to push her in the right direction.
Anne (often known as St Anne during school days) is working hard to organise the thirty-year reunion, while making every effort to be the good wife and mother (of seven!) that her critical mother-in-law expects. Her best friend, Fran, the other chief organiser, is coping with a quite different set of miseries. All seven women have reasons to be nervous about this gathering.
Stinson sets her story up so that each major character gets a chapter that gives the reader their backstory, then the final chapters relate their interactions at the reunion. It is certainly refreshing to have characters who are not young, single and perfect, but close to fifty and dealing with all the issues that are common at this age. These are women who have encountered cruel nick-names, date-rape, a student-teacher affair, infertility, abortion, menopause, ageing parents, unfaithful husbands, miscarriage, being overweight, late-in-life pregnancy, wigs, and cancer, but also loyalty, love and friendship.
Stinson manages to touch on many topical themes: Alzheimer’s disease, erectile dysfunction, relationships with younger men, pressure to conform, and aged care facilities. Also included are cancer humour, romance, long-held grudges and a (well-deserved) punch on the nose. Stinson’s characters are familiar and appealing; their dialogue is natural and often witty. This debut novel is moving, heart-warming and very funny.
Kerry knows Cecilia from her husband’s work, but has always felt inferior to the slim and sophisticated successful lawyer. But for this reunion, she is determined to trim down so her old nickname won’t apply. Nellie was best friends with Kerry until she couldn’t be any more; now facing her own mortality, she needs to ask forgiveness. Sharon’s bad-girl past isn’t the only thing she’s guilty about. Luckily, her best friend since school, Barb is there for support. Barb herself is facing a crisis of confidence, but mother, daughter and best friend are determined to push her in the right direction.
Anne (often known as St Anne during school days) is working hard to organise the thirty-year reunion, while making every effort to be the good wife and mother (of seven!) that her critical mother-in-law expects. Her best friend, Fran, the other chief organiser, is coping with a quite different set of miseries. All seven women have reasons to be nervous about this gathering.
Stinson sets her story up so that each major character gets a chapter that gives the reader their backstory, then the final chapters relate their interactions at the reunion. It is certainly refreshing to have characters who are not young, single and perfect, but close to fifty and dealing with all the issues that are common at this age. These are women who have encountered cruel nick-names, date-rape, a student-teacher affair, infertility, abortion, menopause, ageing parents, unfaithful husbands, miscarriage, being overweight, late-in-life pregnancy, wigs, and cancer, but also loyalty, love and friendship.
Stinson manages to touch on many topical themes: Alzheimer’s disease, erectile dysfunction, relationships with younger men, pressure to conform, and aged care facilities. Also included are cancer humour, romance, long-held grudges and a (well-deserved) punch on the nose. Stinson’s characters are familiar and appealing; their dialogue is natural and often witty. This debut novel is moving, heart-warming and very funny.
August 7, 2015
Really quite underwhelmed. Too many characters - I had lost track of who was who by the end, and worse, I didn't care. The ending was also a big fizzle out. I was expecting something more than the title and lead up would have you believe.
It's well written, though a few things about various characters really annoyed me.
Could have been so much better than it was.
It's well written, though a few things about various characters really annoyed me.
Could have been so much better than it was.
March 8, 2016
Having read (and loved) Stinson's second novel, I went in search of her first. This was an easy read, very much 'chick-lit' and ultimately, somewhat disappointing. Although some of the character portrayals were insightful and relatable, this came across as more of a book of short stories, linked by the theme of a school reunion. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfactory.
October 21, 2011
really enjoyed the frist half but found the second half rushed. Still did have a good giggle now and again which was nice.
July 7, 2018
Quite a nice story about ladies meeting up again for their 30 year high school reunion. I enjoyed the beginning in which we were introduced to the ladies and their current lives, however at the reunion I was disappointed by how catty these middle aged women were. A nice read all the same though.
August 19, 2018
Easy to read chic lit. The ending was a bit wishy washy but I quite enjoyed the book overall.
October 14, 2013
Definitely a chick book. Warm, a bit sentimental but not too much. It was a good antidote to Brighton Rock which I finished the night before. Enjoyable portraits of Australian women in their late 40s.
April 25, 2016
4.5 stars! A great read about 7 women and the upcoming reunion from their high school, St Agnes. There are secrets, regrets, love, and loss. A really entertaining read.
June 30, 2011
not literary genius, but perfect holiday reading.
July 16, 2014
Entertaining book. I love how we got to go through each characters moments of growth.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews