The loss of their close friend draws four women together.And a summer spent sorting through personal effects offers the perfect challenge—and the perfect escape.
Sable—Her bestselling novels have made her a star, but the woman who has everything, in fact, has nothing but a past she is desperate to hide.
Elly—The intellectual who has hidden herself within the walls of academia, afraid to admit she is tired of being alone.
Barbara Ann—The talent behind twenty-six romance novels wakes up one day to discover she's lost control of her career, her sanity and her family.
Beth—Her popular mysteries have become the only way she can fight against the secret tyranny of an abusive husband.
In The House on Olive Street, away from their troubles, the four women discover something marvelous: themselves. And along the way they realize a dream. For, in telling the story of a remarkable woman, their own lives begin to change.
Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season! Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.
I loved the House on Olive Street. The characters leaped off the page and straight into my heart. Sable is particularly fascinating. Hiding a dark secret in her past and having been accused of a terrible crime she didn't commit, she is particularly sympathetic as a character, but each woman in the book brings to the page a different thought for a reader to ponder. I highly recommend this book to my friends!
This one started out slow for me, but some all of a sudden as I was reading I realize that I had fallen for this book, these women, and the very idea of the house as their safe haven.
All of these women are so very different, and some are hard to like at the start, but as the story goes on you realize they are just like you. Hiding things that they are ashamed of both in their past and in their current life, they are both jealous of their friends success and happy for them, and all of them need the support of their friends but don't realize just how important that support is until it is necessary.
Each of them also has to take a long hard look at their lives, see what is not working and find a way to make their life work, often in a whole new way.
This was a great story about friendship, love, and life, and how you should never let those girlfriends disappear!
This book starts off with a bang in the first few pages - a sudden death of a good friend, Gabby, a fellow writer, by her dear friends. They all arrive to celebrate Gabby’s 50th birthday, but something is not right...
The deceased has lived a very interesting life and we find out all about it through the book and materials unearthed at the house. Even Gabby’s friends have no idea of their friends’ personal life and loves. Gabby has been the strong piece of thread holding all the others together. Without her, they feel as if they are faltering now.
The group of four friends and authors are each different in personality, character, upbringing and current status. They all have some secrets or dilemmas that come to light. They all end up at Gabby’s house for the summer, to help clean it up for its eventual sale and to catalogue some miscellaneous writings left behind. But it’s not just to clean up, each runs into a personal situation that forces them to come together in their friends’ home to work out their problems, have a camaraderie and begin what best would be called, a women’s/writer’s retreat.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about these women and their friendship and their business of writing. There were some laugh out loud personal situations, but there were also some bad/sad situations as well. These women together, bonded in a sort of way that made them more powerful and smarter, and helped each other see their lives more clearly so that they could move forward from what was originally holding them back; to be happy and successful in life.
The first half of the book moved a bit slow for me but then it took off. So hang in there, because there’s a good story coming.
At the end, a true but tragic story of Gabby (married at the time, with 2 children) and her also married lover (with children) is finally pieced together, the house goes up for sale, and each woman moves forward in their life, stronger and more confident, thanks to the knowledge and time spent together. It’s a happy ending and a testimony to their true friendship, support, and trusting of each other and confidence in opening up to others. An enjoyable, feel good read!
I was a little disappointed with this one. I always start books with such high hopes. The Story was about four ladies and their not so perfect lives. But I felt it was somewhat flat. I will of course pick up Carr's next book and I'm sure it will be much better.
Another book that I didn't expect to really grab me. But, oh my, it sure did. The story is about four women writers of different genres whose friendship is built strictly around their craft. When one of the members suddenly passes away, the remaining three join forces to help with the disposition of her papers, research materials, manuscripts and personal possessions. They find much more than they anticipated. In addition to discovering the real "person" behind the friend they thought they knew, they also all learn more about themselves in the process and find the strength and courage to open up to themselves and each other and make those scary changes in their own lives. Each character was a story unto themself and brought altogether through their common goal. Real friendships are formed as they struggle with their grief, the revelations, and soon they are really sharing and examining their own lives. Yep, I didn't expect this when I started the book. It was a great journey of the three remaining women, their lives, their growth, their evolving friendship and their courage to change, all while discovering and honoring the one friend that kept them all together and knew them so well. Just terrific!
This is closer to 4 and a half stars. A friend told me it was one of her favorite Carrs, and I agree. There is plenty of depth as four women deal with the death of a friend.
The worst problems in their own lives are brought out into the open, and they find they can deal with them because they are together. These problems range from a buried past to a dangerous marriage to a humorous situation in which five big men are oblivious to the pressures they are placing on the woman in their life.
This is my favorite read of a novel so far this year. I started reading it even before I had paid for it, and dropped everything else until I finished it at 2:00 AM.
I understand that Robyn Carr wrote this book in 1999. Well, it’s certainly telling that this author delivered much better work before she started on the too-long standing Virgin River books, of which only the 1st book was excellent and had certain gravitas and depth. All the other Virgin River books after that 1st one are lacking in character-depth and a good supporting cast – in my opinion. On the other hand, I thought Robyn Carr’s Grace Valley trilogy was simply outstanding. Here in THE HOUSE ON OLIVE STREET there’s indeed more to like because she created multiple characters which led to much more interesting dynamics for starters. I won’t say that all 4 women writers were equally interesting, but I liked that these women were realistically portrayed! They were not all gorgeous and slim, nor rich, and they had normal working & family lives. That is so important. From the 4 women writers I liked Elly (Eleonor) best: she was grumpy, sturdy, plain and 57 years old, but it was what she did for her friends and what she stood for that made her loveable, and that was captivating. I also loved Barbara Ann, 43, mother of 4 grown boys who decides she had enough being their maid/housekeeper (while having a job as a writer too) and needs a drastic change, even if she loves her family so very much. The stories of Sable and Beth were less riveting to me: for instance I don’t believe in tabloid fodder being interesting in trashing the personal life of a respectable novelist. No, that sounded overreaching. All in all, a pleasant read full of wisdom and sound advice about balance, self-respect, family life, support systems and friendship. A well-deserved 3,5 stars!
I chose this book expecting light and fluffy. This book is anything but... I loved the characters. The women were all real... with real issues and flaws... and I found myself so invested in their lives, I could barely put the book down. This is an excellent book.
Unlike the other sixteen (yes, sixteen) books I've read by author Robyn Carr, this one is not a romance, even though there are some happily matched couples at the end. This is a book about the strength four women authors find in friendships that enable them to set their own lives straight and move forward into relationships. In some ways it reminds me of Debbie Macomber's book, Thursdays At Eight, or her Blossom Street series, though I think this one is better.
The characters in The House On Olive Street are beautifully drawn in depth. These are women we'd like for our own friends. The plot keeps one turning pages, with excellent pacing. If the insights into the workings of the publishing industry are accurate, it's a marvel the authors in our world continue to write for us.
Definitely a keeper; I'll be reading this one again and again.
Robyn Carr, a talented romance author, wrote this book back in 1999. Definitely not your classic romance, I believe the work would have gained much higher acclaim had it been marketed purely as "women's fiction" rather than romance. It is a hidden treasure.
A writer's group of five women gather at one member's house to find she has died - unexpectedly, on her fiftieth birthday. The surviving four women come from backgrounds so different, it seems the story will be over before it begins. But a letter left to them by the deceased, written many years before, asks that they "finish her work." The four set off on a campaign to piece together Gabby's last work in progress, and in the process piece together and heal the ills in their own lives.
An excellent story, well written. If only Carr had had a better editor (to weed out her use of cliches) and the right platform, this book could have become a classic. Highly recommend.
Gabby, Elly, Beth, Barbara Ann and Sable, are five women with distinct writing careers who form a close-nit writers group. The five women meet once a week at Gabby’s house. One day when they arrive early at Gabby’s place to throw her a surprise birthday party, they find her dead. The women are devastated and torn apart with grief. When a letter is left with Beth for the women they realize it is more than a bunch of words written on a piece of paper. That letter is actually the courage they need to move on and discover themselves and their full potential. Living at Gabby’s house for the summer gives them a new perspective to their lives. They discover more about themselves during their time spent with each other when they gather at The House on Olive Street. Sharp, touching and sentimental, The House on Olive Street by Robyn Carr is a must-read!
What a departure from Carr's Virgin River series. In this book, the theme of coming together in a crisis as in the VR books prevails. This is the story of four women who come together after the tragic death of their friend. All of the women are writers and/or educators and they have formed a club and all meet at Gabby's house.
There is Elly, who is the matriarch. She is a spinster who has made a life for herself within the walls of her own little home. She is a recovering alcoholic.
Sable, who is a best-selling novelist and who has had to dig deep to find herself after going from foster home to foster home and dealing with a mother that was not there for her.
Barbara Ann is a mother of 4 boys and a loving husband, who suddenly feels very underappreciated and sees her career spiraling out of control.
Beth, a mystery writer has an abusive husband and is very shy.
All of these woman come to live together at The House On Olive Street after the death of Gabby, who was their anchor, and they work together on a collaboration of one of Gabby's novels, an almost biography of Gabby's life she has written over the year, but with false name. In doing so, all the secrets that these women have kept hidden in their past and present come out of the closet, so to speak and the four of them, together with Gabby's mother, find a way to make a summer into a lifetime friendship and show their strength and conviction for one another.
A great read by one of my favorite authors. 4.5 stars
May not be exactly the same dramatic way as in this book, but many of us have a friend, who does not make it obvious or apparent but she in a way holds the group together. Those of us who have a friend like that will be able to relate to this story more easily. The four friends of Gabriella move to her house after she dies suddenly, to organise her papers, manuscripts, books etc. It's the story of these four friends who have different problems of their own. Gabby though not there physically, is present there throughout the story, because it's story of her life that becomes the base for the others to be there. The individual problems are recognisable and keeps happening in the society. And the story ends in a positive note for all, where individually each fight their demons and come out a winner. A very readable book. The story-telling good to hold your interest. If you are in no mood to read something serious at the same time do not want to read a rom-com or things lighter than that, you'd enjoy it.
I thought this book started out a little slow, but fortunately picked up after a few chapters. The story is about a group of friends in a writing club, which is really the only thing they have in common. They each have complex personal issues that are revealed throughout the story. Some problems are funny, others are heartbreaking and troubling. It's a good mix which keeps the reader/listener engaged.
For a book that is over 20 years old it held up pretty well, it didn't feel dated. It's not a typical Robyn Carr novel like the Virgin River series, there wasn't much romance. That said, it was different in a good way, with an intricate plot and intriguing characters. It takes a bit to introduce all the players, but once established it was hard to put down.
If this was my first book by this author, I wouldn't have read another. That being said, it was an ok chick-lit novel about a group of women writers. Thank goodness I've read other, better ones by this author
I was bored and got to part 2 and was still bored.. SO slow, so annoying.. I do like the Virgin River Series. Wow I can't believe anyone gave this 5 stars. I love a book about women friends but this didn't do it for me.
It was a very good book - I like the way she practically brings her characters to life. I do feel like I know them. This one was about writers and I know she must know a great deal about that subject. Her books are always a joy to read.
This was part of the romance/women’s lit TBR my partner curated for me so that I could try her favorite authors. I had a good time as I started to get more involved with the characters as the story progressed.
For my own info from book ... Elly, Sable, Barbara Ann and Beth. They have been drawn together by the sudden death of their friend Gabby—and the favor she has asked of them. For these four women, whose own lives have become unhappy works of fiction, a summer sorting through Gabby's personal papers offers the perfect challenge—and the perfect escape.
ELLY—the intellectual spinster who's hidden herself within the Walls of academia, afraid to admit that she's tired of being alone
SABLE—her bestselling novels have made her a star, but the woman who has everything in fact has nothing except a past she's desperate to hide
BARBARA ANN—the talent behind twenty-six romance novels, who wakes up one day to find she's lost control of her career, her sanity and her family
BETH—her popular mysteries have become the only way she can fight back against the secret tyranny of her abusive husband
In the house on Olive Street, away from their menagerie of troubles, these women will discover something marvelous: themselves, each other and pieces of a dream that only they can make happen. For in telling the hidden story of a remarkable woman, their own lives are about to change….
This book revolves around the lives of 5 women that are all authors of various genre's: struggling mystery novelist, successful romance novelist, journalist, etc. They are such a diverse group, but they "click." They meet regularly and share their friendship, offer guidance to the younger ones, but all have secrets.
This book starts off with the death of one in the group. For various reasons, they each move into the house and become roommates for a summer. Per the will, they sort through the deceased friends writing and see what can be thrown out or used, etc. What they unravel is a love story that had me grabbing the kleenex box.
This author does not focus soley on one or two characters, but each had their own stories and they were all wonderful!
This is a wonderful book about the friendship of women.
Four women, all authors and members of a small writers critique group, come together one summer to sort through the papers of another member of their writer's group after the woman unexpectedly and suddenly dies. This is the story of their summer and how they all come to terms with who they are, where they are and what they truly want out of life.
I thought this book might be depressing, four friends sorting through a recently deceased friend's things, but it was very uplifting. All of the women came to some realizations about themselves and their lives and moved forward in a positive way. There was gentle humor, intelligent dialoge and multiple heroines.
This is a wonderful story of women spending time together and finding a space in which everyone is accepted for who they are. Who doesn't want to have that in their lives? I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and seeing them grow.
Five women, all authors, have become a writing support group that meets at one woman's house since it’s the most centrally located. When they arrive at Gabby's house to surprise her for her birthday (?), they are shocked to find that she is dead. After Gabby's funeral, they all decide to help go through her papers and writings to make it easier on her adult children and ex-husband. Each of these four author friends has a crisis in their lives which makes them seek out the refuge of Gabby’s house and the comfort and advice of each other. I liked this book. In the beginning it was hard to keep the different characters straight, but then, as the author slowly revealed each of their stories, it became much more compelling.
This is the first book I've ever read by Robyn Carr, but it won't be the last. It had some sad moments, but also some downright funny ones. Good thing my husband was in the other room, he would have thought I was a loon for laughing so much. This is about a group of four women, that on the surface you would never think would become friends in a million years. The common denominator is Gabby who collects and nurtures all kinds of people. They gather to celebrate her birthday with a surprise brunch when they find her dead. (This is not a spoiler, It's in the first two pages of the book.) This story is about the ways they come together to try to find closure and honor her. If you like women's fiction, especially about friendship, you will love this book.