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The Accidental Book Club
Writing a new future takes a little time—and a lot of love.
Jean Vison never expected to run a book club, until her life took an unexpected turn. Now, with Jean’s husband gone, what began as an off-the-cuff idea has grown into a group of six women who meet the second Tuesday of every month for a potluck supper, for wine and laughter—and for books.
There’s Loretta, who deals with the lack of intimacy in her marriage by diving into erotic novels. Dorothy, whose ruffian sons are a never-ending source of stress. May entertains the group with her outrageous dating stories, while Mitzi finds something political to rant about in every book—including Loretta’s trashy romances. Even Janet, with her mousy shyness and constant blush, has helped Jean rediscover the joy in life.
So when Jean’s family starts unraveling again—her daughter forced into rehab and her troubled teen granddaughter, Bailey, coming to live with her in the interim—she turns to the book club for comfort and support. And, together, they all, even Bailey, discover that family is what you make of it, especially the family you choose…
Jean Vison never expected to run a book club, until her life took an unexpected turn. Now, with Jean’s husband gone, what began as an off-the-cuff idea has grown into a group of six women who meet the second Tuesday of every month for a potluck supper, for wine and laughter—and for books.
There’s Loretta, who deals with the lack of intimacy in her marriage by diving into erotic novels. Dorothy, whose ruffian sons are a never-ending source of stress. May entertains the group with her outrageous dating stories, while Mitzi finds something political to rant about in every book—including Loretta’s trashy romances. Even Janet, with her mousy shyness and constant blush, has helped Jean rediscover the joy in life.
So when Jean’s family starts unraveling again—her daughter forced into rehab and her troubled teen granddaughter, Bailey, coming to live with her in the interim—she turns to the book club for comfort and support. And, together, they all, even Bailey, discover that family is what you make of it, especially the family you choose…
342 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 284 reviews
March 10, 2017
I just really loved reading this book. Yup, love is the word, so I'm giving it 5 stars :)
Jean's been a widow for about a year now. She had a really sweet husband named Wayne. They were thick as thieves. She's having a tough time going from mourning him to missing him. Thankfully she has some very good friends who want to help her. They have a book club that meets once a month. They read, they eat (and the food sounds soooo good), they chat. They're in the middle of a meeting when Jean gets a phone call. It's her son-in-law. That's when everything starts to change for Jean in a BIG way.
The writing in this book flows so nicely. It's paced so well and the characters are great. I want in on this book club! I'd even be willing to bring a dish, and I hate to cook. This was a super enjoyable read for me. I loved it!
Jean's been a widow for about a year now. She had a really sweet husband named Wayne. They were thick as thieves. She's having a tough time going from mourning him to missing him. Thankfully she has some very good friends who want to help her. They have a book club that meets once a month. They read, they eat (and the food sounds soooo good), they chat. They're in the middle of a meeting when Jean gets a phone call. It's her son-in-law. That's when everything starts to change for Jean in a BIG way.
The writing in this book flows so nicely. It's paced so well and the characters are great. I want in on this book club! I'd even be willing to bring a dish, and I hate to cook. This was a super enjoyable read for me. I loved it!
March 14, 2017
From the blurb:
However, thanks to optimistic, go-getter Loretta, the neighbor, this family finally had a chance to redeem themselves. All four of them.
In the end I loved this book for the light approach to serious problems and the inspiration that can be taken from it. There was no earth-shattering solutions, and no unrealistic expectations created. The six women dealt with their challenges the best way they could and knew how, and that is how life actually works. And that's why it gets five stars. A beach read. A relaxing, entertaining view on ourselves. Chick-lit. Yes. But fun with a little bit of saltiness to it. And it's about all kinds of books and a great book club!
There’s Loretta, who deals with the lack of intimacy in her marriage by diving into erotic novels. Dorothy, whose ruffian sons are a never-ending source of stress. May entertains the group with her outrageous dating stories, while Mitzi finds something political to rant about in every book—including Loretta’s trashy romances. Even Janet, with her mousy shyness and constant blush, has helped Jean rediscover the joy in life.The members of the book club were good-ole middle class readers with their imperfections happily on display: Cheating husbands, out-of-control sons, misbehaving family members in jail, overbearing, bullying bosses, weight challenges, and culinary adventures. Lots of wines and outrageous wit reign over the Tuesday meetings once a month.
It’s good for all of us,” Dorothy said. “I think it was one of those serendipitous things that came up right at a time when we all needed it. Think about it. Your husband dies right at the same time that mine cheats on me? Right at the same time that May’s got all these date disasters? Right when Mitzi most wants to hear herself talk?” Jean laughed. “And don’t forget. Right at the time Loretta discovers Flavian Munney.”At first I did not like any of the characters. Weak and into serious self pity, woe-is-me Jean, the protagonist just got me hairs kicking stars around on me head. Straight up into heavens the hairs were heading. I was slightly livid with the woman who enjoyed being treated badly by her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter while Jean tries to convince herself (as well as the reader) to shift the responsibility for a bad situation onto the daughter and her little family. Allow them to verbally kill each other in the blame game, while Jean herself act as the noble, innocent grandmother in mourning for her perfect deceased husband. So in the end, after getting a wake-up call from friends and people involved, she finally gets it. She herself dodged her own responsibilities until it was almost too late. I did not think of her as the savior of souls. I experienced Jean as weak and dependent and trying too hard to be the good person. Her own insecurities worsened the situation.
However, thanks to optimistic, go-getter Loretta, the neighbor, this family finally had a chance to redeem themselves. All four of them.
In the end I loved this book for the light approach to serious problems and the inspiration that can be taken from it. There was no earth-shattering solutions, and no unrealistic expectations created. The six women dealt with their challenges the best way they could and knew how, and that is how life actually works. And that's why it gets five stars. A beach read. A relaxing, entertaining view on ourselves. Chick-lit. Yes. But fun with a little bit of saltiness to it. And it's about all kinds of books and a great book club!
February 10, 2017
This is a perfect beach read. I really enjoyed it. I read it with my in person book club and everyone liked it.
April 13, 2015
This is one of those books that's just so annoying. Insipid characters that make you want to shake them...if one actually did that kind of thing! It was recommended to me by a friend - and gosh, I certainly wish I recall who! - and I started reading it yesterday and I'm totally dismayed.
Among the main characters are a trio of unlikable women - women who you might like if they showed some kind of strength, but seem to be wallowing in their misery - Jean, who seems profoundly immersed in the loss of her husband after several years and is practically inert and incapable of making sound decisions even when she clearly knows what she should be doing... her daughter Laura, an alcoholic over-achiever overwhelmed with life who blames her mother for the situation she's in and lashes out at everyone... and granddaughter Bailey who at sixteen, is reeling from a lack of attention by her parents (and probably everyone else in her life until now) and acts out in ways are are infantile, provocative, and frankly demonic.
Where are the adults?
Even the ancillary characters haven't too much to offer... feisty Loretta, a seemingly wise woman who offers her best friend Jean sound, doable advice but who's allowed her own life to fall into a romance novel reading abyss instead of dealing directly with her husband who has found his retirement niche as a remote wielding slug in an easy chair. There are more... but too tiresome to delve into at this point!
I'm about midway through the novel... I'll manage to get through it to be sure, it's only another evening's read. Although unless something changes drastically in the second half of the book, it will find its way to the trash heap. Ugh!
Among the main characters are a trio of unlikable women - women who you might like if they showed some kind of strength, but seem to be wallowing in their misery - Jean, who seems profoundly immersed in the loss of her husband after several years and is practically inert and incapable of making sound decisions even when she clearly knows what she should be doing... her daughter Laura, an alcoholic over-achiever overwhelmed with life who blames her mother for the situation she's in and lashes out at everyone... and granddaughter Bailey who at sixteen, is reeling from a lack of attention by her parents (and probably everyone else in her life until now) and acts out in ways are are infantile, provocative, and frankly demonic.
Where are the adults?
Even the ancillary characters haven't too much to offer... feisty Loretta, a seemingly wise woman who offers her best friend Jean sound, doable advice but who's allowed her own life to fall into a romance novel reading abyss instead of dealing directly with her husband who has found his retirement niche as a remote wielding slug in an easy chair. There are more... but too tiresome to delve into at this point!
I'm about midway through the novel... I'll manage to get through it to be sure, it's only another evening's read. Although unless something changes drastically in the second half of the book, it will find its way to the trash heap. Ugh!
April 17, 2025
I got this book at a local library book sale and I got the large print!
Seriously, I love large print. When I have a headache or migraine, I can read it and it doesn't strain my eyes. I bring out my inner Grandma and get SO EXCITED. So, the title and that really sold the book for me. I saw large print and almost ran with my bag.
Anywho, this book was a lovely contemporary read. It felt like a nice, rainy day kind of read where there wasn't many stakes involved and I could just enjoy the character growth. Is it super exciting and fast paced? Gosh no. Is there issues all over the place? Absolutely. Did the alcoholic mother bring up some of my own trauma? Sadly, yes.
Regardless, I liked this one. It did not meet my regular standards but I was able to just... relax. I liked being along for the ride. Normally, this book would probably rank lower but something about this book just made me... relax. That doesn't happen too often.
So, solid four out of five stars.
Seriously, I love large print. When I have a headache or migraine, I can read it and it doesn't strain my eyes. I bring out my inner Grandma and get SO EXCITED. So, the title and that really sold the book for me. I saw large print and almost ran with my bag.
Anywho, this book was a lovely contemporary read. It felt like a nice, rainy day kind of read where there wasn't many stakes involved and I could just enjoy the character growth. Is it super exciting and fast paced? Gosh no. Is there issues all over the place? Absolutely. Did the alcoholic mother bring up some of my own trauma? Sadly, yes.
Regardless, I liked this one. It did not meet my regular standards but I was able to just... relax. I liked being along for the ride. Normally, this book would probably rank lower but something about this book just made me... relax. That doesn't happen too often.
So, solid four out of five stars.
June 16, 2016
This is a fantastic book about family, good friends and the power of books!
May 21, 2014
I wanted some lite reading after finishing The Good Sister this morning, and I was enchanted with The Accidental Book Club. Jean Vison accidentally created her book club that meets every month on a Tuesday. The women do discuss their book selections, but they also eat, drink wine, and catch up with what is going on in their lives. Jean needs the group after her husband died. Loretta's husband sits in his recliner clutching the remote, so Loretta escapes into lurid erotica. Janet is silent and shy and overweight who is being abused by her boss. May is younger and loves her solitary life but regales the group with stories of horrible first dates. Dorothy worries for her troubled sons. Mitzi always finds a political "something" to rant about the groups book of the month. Then Bailey happens.
Bailey Butler is Jean's granddaughter, and she is an event. And not a happy on at that. Her "perfect" mother is forced into rehab and her absentee father don't acknowledge her existence. Bailey is hurt, afraid, and very angry. She is to live with Jean. Drama soon becomes the norm and both Jean and Bailey learn that you can survive grief, hurt, and loneliness. Family can be chosen and happiness can be found.
The story starts somewhat slowly, but then you realize that Jennifer Scott has sucked you into the story. The novel is well written; the prose, beautiful. I didn't want the book to end, because I had a big smile upon my face.
Bailey Butler is Jean's granddaughter, and she is an event. And not a happy on at that. Her "perfect" mother is forced into rehab and her absentee father don't acknowledge her existence. Bailey is hurt, afraid, and very angry. She is to live with Jean. Drama soon becomes the norm and both Jean and Bailey learn that you can survive grief, hurt, and loneliness. Family can be chosen and happiness can be found.
The story starts somewhat slowly, but then you realize that Jennifer Scott has sucked you into the story. The novel is well written; the prose, beautiful. I didn't want the book to end, because I had a big smile upon my face.
February 25, 2015
I wish this book focused on the book club ladies more. I thought it was going to be a fun read but turned out to be pretty depressing. Loretta got me through it. I thought she was hilarious.
February 20, 2015
This book was a quick, easy read. I really liked reading about Jean & Baily's relationship.
June 24, 2017
truly appreciated the fact that this book was more realistic than many with a similar theme I've read. There was no "happily ever after" ending, but it was not a depressing read! There was much about grief, both for those who have died and for the loving relationships that were never effectively formed among "family members." Also love and romance, and marriage. Of our four book club members who read it, one "really liked it," two liked it, and I really liked it! It prompted much good discussion.
I could so relate to Jean and her rather "hands-off" relationship with her daughter and family. It can be difficult to know when to insert yourself as a parent of adult children and your grandchildren. I was gratified that eventually she and Bailey bonded as they did.
Poor Dorothy and her sons. I could also relate to her and was glad when she was able to acknowledge they had some positive aspects to the personalities, as well as the more challenging ones.
Again, it is amazing to me how a group of almost total strangers can become their own "family" by sharing books!
I could so relate to Jean and her rather "hands-off" relationship with her daughter and family. It can be difficult to know when to insert yourself as a parent of adult children and your grandchildren. I was gratified that eventually she and Bailey bonded as they did.
Poor Dorothy and her sons. I could also relate to her and was glad when she was able to acknowledge they had some positive aspects to the personalities, as well as the more challenging ones.
Again, it is amazing to me how a group of almost total strangers can become their own "family" by sharing books!
July 21, 2014
***I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway***
2.5 stars. I felt like there were three subjects in this book (alcoholism, grief and the denigration of women) and none of them was given enough attention. The tone of the was too lighthearted to take on those serious subject matters. The story line of the author, his book and his visit to the book club were handled with such haste at the very end that it felt to me the entire story line could have been skipped. Bailey and Jean's story were more than enough to keep the plot going and could have held the reader's attention if they were given more substance. I feel like this review is all over the place without any depth in any one area and that is exactly how the book read also. One too many ideas left the meat of the story very thin. Although I do think the author did an excellent job of creating the characters of the book club. Really varied personalities that made for great narratives and some chuckling on my part.
2.5 stars. I felt like there were three subjects in this book (alcoholism, grief and the denigration of women) and none of them was given enough attention. The tone of the was too lighthearted to take on those serious subject matters. The story line of the author, his book and his visit to the book club were handled with such haste at the very end that it felt to me the entire story line could have been skipped. Bailey and Jean's story were more than enough to keep the plot going and could have held the reader's attention if they were given more substance. I feel like this review is all over the place without any depth in any one area and that is exactly how the book read also. One too many ideas left the meat of the story very thin. Although I do think the author did an excellent job of creating the characters of the book club. Really varied personalities that made for great narratives and some chuckling on my part.
February 20, 2015
While this book wasn't what I expected, by the title, I still enjoyed it. The characters were entertaining (wish though there was more details about their lifes). The ending a good one (though it could have been longer). There were some laugh out loud parts, which i always enjoy in books. It made me appreciate my book club even more. Love ya girls!
May 12, 2020
The accidental book club 3.5⭐️
Jeans Family starts unraveling when her daughter is forced into rehab and her granddaughter Bailey comes to live with her. So in the midst of the chaos of her world in this new situation she’s put in she turns to her bookclub friends to get her through it.
Bailey is a reader as well. Bailey starts writing letters to an author of one of her favorite books telling her what she liked and what she didn’t like about the novels like the Judy moody Books and JK Rowling.
It was definitely a interesting character based book I think I found Bailey’s sections the most interesting because she is discovering her love of reading and writing and exploring fiction.
Then once Bailey’s grandmother Jeans body starts to fail Bailey is very persistent in getting one of her favorite authors to come and talk to her. (Seeing the letters and her persistence to get him to come to their bookclub was hilarious.)
Also the fact that they so badly wanted the meanest, rudest most inconsiderate man of an author to cone to their bookclub was beyond me. I mean if someone belittles you in the emails do you really expect them to be all cheery and wonderful in real life as well?! (At least thats what the author wanted us to think)
In fact they hated the book. They wanted to belittle him and make him feel bad for writing a horrible book. Book being a nice person that i am even though he was a terror and thought himself a God I wouldnt be that rude as to humiliate him and his issues.
Bookclub (as im hoping one day mine will be) is a place for everyone to bear their souls and find peace or laughter. To forget their woes and just dive into the book with the people you care about. Everyone having something new to add.
Jeans Family starts unraveling when her daughter is forced into rehab and her granddaughter Bailey comes to live with her. So in the midst of the chaos of her world in this new situation she’s put in she turns to her bookclub friends to get her through it.
Bailey is a reader as well. Bailey starts writing letters to an author of one of her favorite books telling her what she liked and what she didn’t like about the novels like the Judy moody Books and JK Rowling.
It was definitely a interesting character based book I think I found Bailey’s sections the most interesting because she is discovering her love of reading and writing and exploring fiction.
Then once Bailey’s grandmother Jeans body starts to fail Bailey is very persistent in getting one of her favorite authors to come and talk to her. (Seeing the letters and her persistence to get him to come to their bookclub was hilarious.)
Also the fact that they so badly wanted the meanest, rudest most inconsiderate man of an author to cone to their bookclub was beyond me. I mean if someone belittles you in the emails do you really expect them to be all cheery and wonderful in real life as well?! (At least thats what the author wanted us to think)
In fact they hated the book. They wanted to belittle him and make him feel bad for writing a horrible book. Book being a nice person that i am even though he was a terror and thought himself a God I wouldnt be that rude as to humiliate him and his issues.
Bookclub (as im hoping one day mine will be) is a place for everyone to bear their souls and find peace or laughter. To forget their woes and just dive into the book with the people you care about. Everyone having something new to add.
July 4, 2017
2.5 stars
Reading the blurb for The Accidental Book Club I'd have expected this book to be right up my alley. I usually love books about books or with book references and am more than partial to books about family. So I was surprised to find myself lacking interest throughout. The storyline definitely had potential and the themes running through the book were important ones but somehow they didn't quite hit the mark for me this time.
When Jean is called to the hospital by her son-in-law she is astounded to learn Laura, her over-achieving daughter, is an alcoholic who has separated from her husband. Though this is shocking enough Jean is in for bigger surprises when her snarly teenage grand daughter Bailey is dumped on her doorstep. Bailey is the epitome of the troubled teen and is crying out for attention. Whilst her family life is falling apart at the seams Jean is grateful for tye support offered by her book club buddies.
The situations characters found themselves in could have been heart wrenching. Sure there were a couple of moments where I felt for one or other of the characters but on the whole, instead of causing tears the characters either rubbed me the wrong way, or (perhaps worse) they simply left me feeling uninterested. This was the July read for my in-person book club so I'm curious to know whether I'm in the minority or whether it was also a miss for others. Ah well, onto the next on my list.
Reading the blurb for The Accidental Book Club I'd have expected this book to be right up my alley. I usually love books about books or with book references and am more than partial to books about family. So I was surprised to find myself lacking interest throughout. The storyline definitely had potential and the themes running through the book were important ones but somehow they didn't quite hit the mark for me this time.
When Jean is called to the hospital by her son-in-law she is astounded to learn Laura, her over-achieving daughter, is an alcoholic who has separated from her husband. Though this is shocking enough Jean is in for bigger surprises when her snarly teenage grand daughter Bailey is dumped on her doorstep. Bailey is the epitome of the troubled teen and is crying out for attention. Whilst her family life is falling apart at the seams Jean is grateful for tye support offered by her book club buddies.
The situations characters found themselves in could have been heart wrenching. Sure there were a couple of moments where I felt for one or other of the characters but on the whole, instead of causing tears the characters either rubbed me the wrong way, or (perhaps worse) they simply left me feeling uninterested. This was the July read for my in-person book club so I'm curious to know whether I'm in the minority or whether it was also a miss for others. Ah well, onto the next on my list.
March 9, 2021
I’d actually like to give this book 3 1/2 stars! I enjoyed it quite a bit.
June 15, 2016
This book had me feeling a wide range of emotions. Mostly anger. I really did not like any of the characters at the start of this, and I wanted to give up on it early on. Jean was so weak. It drove me crazy how she let her family treat her. I probably would have smacked those bitches and kicked them out of my house after the first day (another reason why parenting probably isn't for me). And any freaking thing that happened to anyone else would cause Jean to wallow in self-pity and wonder if she was somehow responsible. Stahp. The other people in her life were in pain, but Jean did not go further than noticing it. I really didn't get to know her "friends" from her book club, because Jean hadn't gotten to know them. I couldn't tell you much about the physical characteristics of the people in this book, unless they were overweight. Jean went into detail describing how one "friend's" butt hung over both sides of the seat as she sat and her ankles were spotted blue with bruising (what?). I can also tell you about how her granddaughter's shirt clung uncomfortably to her large stomach. Yeah, I really didn't like Jean.
I stuck around, and then some of the characters started to show growth. I like the bond that developed between Jean and her granddaughter. Jean also started trying to think of other people and actually make an effort to develop her friendships with the women in her book club. I got hooked at the end and enjoyed it when the women teamed up to kick some ass. It was a bit far-fetched, but it was fun. I bought this book on a impulse while in line at the bookstore. This is always a risk, but I ended up enjoying the story and how the characters had changed by the end.
I stuck around, and then some of the characters started to show growth. I like the bond that developed between Jean and her granddaughter. Jean also started trying to think of other people and actually make an effort to develop her friendships with the women in her book club. I got hooked at the end and enjoyed it when the women teamed up to kick some ass. It was a bit far-fetched, but it was fun. I bought this book on a impulse while in line at the bookstore. This is always a risk, but I ended up enjoying the story and how the characters had changed by the end.
September 12, 2014
I just couldn't click with the characters on this one. I kept waiting for insight or some shred of personality in the main characters, but it never happened. She was lifeless, colorless and by the end struck me as masochistic. If any of the female characters change, if they feel anything, its because of the men in their lives. They're so passive - lack spiritual autonomy - its frustrating. The only three truly energetic characters are men; one is dead, one is obnoxious and the other is a young man we read about for only a few pages and he's smarter than the whole female ensemble. This could have been better, but - it is a wasted opportunity.
October 19, 2014
1.5 stars. I hated this book (not as bad as "The Road", which I really hated), which I got as a gift. I've read reviews indicating this is "light reading." If light means mindless, or hours of my day wasted, then I guess I agree. Couldn't stand any of the characters and the dialogue, which I think at times was supposed to be funny, wasn't. I found my next donation to the library for their used sales, where softcovers go for $.50. However, I'd wait until the half off sale and not pay more than $.25!
February 9, 2016
what a wonderful book! Very easy read....I found myself identifying with both Jean & her granddaughter. it is a little transparent & you know almost immediately how it will end, but reading thru the ups & down of their everyday life made the ending that much sweeter
May 25, 2014
omg!!! review to follow.......
February 2, 2017
Quick read, interesting dynamics of book club members with the author delving into the life and family of member Jean more than the rest of the members.
October 10, 2020
More like 3.5 stars. Good story, strong characters and I’ve always wanted to be in a book club 💙
February 7, 2022
This was a light read, which I consider very nice at times. Being in a book club myself, I was intrigued when I came upon The Accidental Book Club.
Jennifer Scott guides you through each of the members of the club right off the bat. As anyone who is in a book club knows, each meeting is much more than just the discussion of the book itself. It was no different in this book, as we learned the nuances of each character. I quickly connected with each of the members and their life outside of book club meetings.
I enjoyed the personality that each person brought to the group, as well as their extended family members. The friendships formed through the monthly meetings become just as important as the book itself.
The focus becomes primarily more on Jean and her granddaughter. While it would be easy to want the author to take you deeper into the the path of recovery for each of them, I personally enjoyed the fact that we could subtly see the growth of Jean and Bailey's relationship and still enjoy the fun of the book club group as a whole.
Jennifer Scott guides you through each of the members of the club right off the bat. As anyone who is in a book club knows, each meeting is much more than just the discussion of the book itself. It was no different in this book, as we learned the nuances of each character. I quickly connected with each of the members and their life outside of book club meetings.
I enjoyed the personality that each person brought to the group, as well as their extended family members. The friendships formed through the monthly meetings become just as important as the book itself.
The focus becomes primarily more on Jean and her granddaughter. While it would be easy to want the author to take you deeper into the the path of recovery for each of them, I personally enjoyed the fact that we could subtly see the growth of Jean and Bailey's relationship and still enjoy the fun of the book club group as a whole.
August 4, 2018
Well, if you want a light-hearted read, like the title & cover of this book implies- this isn’t it. This book is more serious than funny. The characters were of varied background, which makes for the best book club- but you don’t get to know all of them. That was too bad & threw off the balance of the story for me. It’s bookclub meeting every week or two might have been the point where it also lost credibility!
The focus was a grieving widow who is dealing with her daughters unraveling & her granddaughters misbehavior. It just didn’t quite come together- but gets points for the depiction of alcoholism and the destruction of relationships; that was credible. So sad that when people need the most support they completely alienate everyone around them and wallow in destructive self-pity & loathing. Terrible disease. It was worth the read, but I’m a sucker for books with females as the star of the show.
The focus was a grieving widow who is dealing with her daughters unraveling & her granddaughters misbehavior. It just didn’t quite come together- but gets points for the depiction of alcoholism and the destruction of relationships; that was credible. So sad that when people need the most support they completely alienate everyone around them and wallow in destructive self-pity & loathing. Terrible disease. It was worth the read, but I’m a sucker for books with females as the star of the show.
October 26, 2017
Better than I expected it to be. Jean starts a book club after her husband dies, in part for something to do, and to help with the lonely feelings she has. A call during one of the meetings informs her that her alcoholic daughter is in the hospital. Once there, she meets Bailey, her granddaughter that she hasn't seen in years. Bailey is very angry at both her parents and acts out in horrible ways. She ends up going to stay with Grandma Jean, and by the end of the book, at least the two of them have hopes of a good live together.
December 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I loved the banter of the friends and the book club. At first I wasn’t thrilled with the abrupt change from friends having fun getting together to chat and discuss books to serious issues. The author handled it wonderfully though. I grew to love Bailey and dispise her parents. I loved how realistic everyone was. Everyone has issues and shitty family members. The majority of us just do the best we can with what life dishes out.
August 8, 2022
This is a great beach read. I read it in one day sitting outside in my hammock. Perfect way to spend an afternoon. I loved Bailey and her antics and the girls of the OBWB Club. You are going to laugh, feel like cheering, want to punch out the bad guys and have a few OOHHH moments. Got a rainy day coming up? Curl up with this one!
June 3, 2018
Overall, I thought this book was easy to read and fun. I think it lacked character development and the ending was both silly and anticlimactic. Overall, I wouldn't discourage someone from reading this book if they were looking for a very fast and fluffy read. =)
June 5, 2019
3.5/5
This was kind of like if Golden Girls decided to have a book club rather than live together. Jean is the head of the club. In her daily life, she is still grieving the loss of her loving husband. After an incident, she discovers her daughter's life is spiraling out of control and her granddaughter is sent to live with her. Bailey is a feisty storm of a girl. She is desperate for any kind of attention and acts out in all types of ways to attain it.
The friendship and family relationships were cute, but at times quite shocking. Bailey was desperately in need of professional help and it was almost a little too late for her. I did love the gradual relationship she developed with Jean. They did manage to somewhat heal each other and it was so heartwarming to see.
My favorite parts were the book club meetings. This gang of "old biddies" as Bailey calls them were hilarious and they all had so much personality. Loretta is Jean's best friend and is guaranteed to recommend some kind of Flavian Munney smut to solve any problem. Mitzi is the loyal but fiercely opinionated friend, who might be her own worst critic. May is the adorable baker who's hair gets everywhere. Janet is the painfully shy but kindest member by far. Dorothy is the overworked and newly single mother who's boys are more than two handfuls.
Once a month, these ladies meet up at Jean's house to discuss books, eat good food and drink some nice wine. As Jean continues to deal with her dysfunctional family, she finds herself growing closer to each of the book club ladies for different reasons. This was such a fun book, and every time I'd pick it up I wouldn't want to out it down. There were a couple times were the writing was a little bit choppy and the characters were super shocking with their actions, but otherwise it was a lovely read.
This was kind of like if Golden Girls decided to have a book club rather than live together. Jean is the head of the club. In her daily life, she is still grieving the loss of her loving husband. After an incident, she discovers her daughter's life is spiraling out of control and her granddaughter is sent to live with her. Bailey is a feisty storm of a girl. She is desperate for any kind of attention and acts out in all types of ways to attain it.
The friendship and family relationships were cute, but at times quite shocking. Bailey was desperately in need of professional help and it was almost a little too late for her. I did love the gradual relationship she developed with Jean. They did manage to somewhat heal each other and it was so heartwarming to see.
My favorite parts were the book club meetings. This gang of "old biddies" as Bailey calls them were hilarious and they all had so much personality. Loretta is Jean's best friend and is guaranteed to recommend some kind of Flavian Munney smut to solve any problem. Mitzi is the loyal but fiercely opinionated friend, who might be her own worst critic. May is the adorable baker who's hair gets everywhere. Janet is the painfully shy but kindest member by far. Dorothy is the overworked and newly single mother who's boys are more than two handfuls.
Once a month, these ladies meet up at Jean's house to discuss books, eat good food and drink some nice wine. As Jean continues to deal with her dysfunctional family, she finds herself growing closer to each of the book club ladies for different reasons. This was such a fun book, and every time I'd pick it up I wouldn't want to out it down. There were a couple times were the writing was a little bit choppy and the characters were super shocking with their actions, but otherwise it was a lovely read.
January 4, 2020
Contained some interesting characters
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