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Fat Fridays Group #1
Fat Fridays
Five Women, Five Stories, Five Reasons to Band Together
Following an ugly divorce, Sukie Skidmore is invited to join four other women for Fat Friday lunches, where everybody orders whatever they want, no calories counted. But their fun, friendly gatherings take a dark turn when one of the women shares shocking news that puts them all in jeopardy and each woman has strong reasons to believe she might be in danger. Facing an uncertain future, the women support one another through surprising situations as they search for the love and happiness each deserves.
A story of strong women and the friendships they form to help each other through difficult times. These five women, of varying ages, each have a different story. Betsy, the oldest, is a widow who's never known true love; Tiffany, the youngest, is discovering being married to a wealthy young man from a prominent family isn't all it's cracked up to be; naive Carol Ann is looking for the perfect man; Lynn is a mystery to them all until she tells them she's not who they think she is. It is Sukie who holds the group together even as she must decide if it's worth taking a chance on new love.
Following an ugly divorce, Sukie Skidmore is invited to join four other women for Fat Friday lunches, where everybody orders whatever they want, no calories counted. But their fun, friendly gatherings take a dark turn when one of the women shares shocking news that puts them all in jeopardy and each woman has strong reasons to believe she might be in danger. Facing an uncertain future, the women support one another through surprising situations as they search for the love and happiness each deserves.
A story of strong women and the friendships they form to help each other through difficult times. These five women, of varying ages, each have a different story. Betsy, the oldest, is a widow who's never known true love; Tiffany, the youngest, is discovering being married to a wealthy young man from a prominent family isn't all it's cracked up to be; naive Carol Ann is looking for the perfect man; Lynn is a mystery to them all until she tells them she's not who they think she is. It is Sukie who holds the group together even as she must decide if it's worth taking a chance on new love.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2015
896 people are currently reading
1272 people want to read
About the author
Judith Keim
126 books972 followers Judith Keim, A USA Today Best Selling Author, is a hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes. Ms. Keim writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way, stories with heart. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she's lived or visited and on the interesting people that she's met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many loyal readers love.
She enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Kacy and Wally, and other members of her family.
While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.
Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.
To sign up for her newsletter, go here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oeiwdp1vkc
Her website: https://judithkeim.com/
Follow her on Book Bub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judit...
She enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Kacy and Wally, and other members of her family.
While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.
Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.
To sign up for her newsletter, go here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/oeiwdp1vkc
Her website: https://judithkeim.com/
Follow her on Book Bub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judit...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
February 7, 2017
I found this to be a very average book. It was enjoyable for a lighter read, but nothing really unexpected happened. I felt the characters were a bit generic and flat at times. The characters you weren’t supposed to like were made out to be over the top horrible people, particularly the men. Most of the men were just awful.
The main character was excessively insecure to the point were it was bothersome. She constantly questioned her new relationship regardless of what he said to her. I felt that he was consistent in the message he gave her as to what he wanted and she was just all over the place with how she interpreted things. She just continually second guessed everything he said or did.
Overall, it was a decent story, but the end was a little too ‘wrapped up in a neat bow’ for me. There were some twists throughout the book, but I expected most of them. It was worth the read if you have a lazy day and want a book that will entertain, but not make you think too much, especially if you enjoy stories about female relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review.
The main character was excessively insecure to the point were it was bothersome. She constantly questioned her new relationship regardless of what he said to her. I felt that he was consistent in the message he gave her as to what he wanted and she was just all over the place with how she interpreted things. She just continually second guessed everything he said or did.
Overall, it was a decent story, but the end was a little too ‘wrapped up in a neat bow’ for me. There were some twists throughout the book, but I expected most of them. It was worth the read if you have a lazy day and want a book that will entertain, but not make you think too much, especially if you enjoy stories about female relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review.
January 15, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a struggle for me to finish but I did it. The bond between these women is the main focal point and the enjoyable part of the book. The pacing was slow for me and there wasn't much going on to hold my interest. I'm truly sorry that I couldn't give this a better review and rating but I'm always honest with every book I read.
This was a struggle for me to finish but I did it. The bond between these women is the main focal point and the enjoyable part of the book. The pacing was slow for me and there wasn't much going on to hold my interest. I'm truly sorry that I couldn't give this a better review and rating but I'm always honest with every book I read.
December 26, 2016
This is a cute story of five women who meet on Fridays for lunch to talk about life. The rule is that calories don’t count, hence the title “Fat Fridays.” It was too sweet for my taste. Also, there were some clichés like “she had a body that wouldn’t quit.”
I think this was too syrupy sweet even for my grandmother. Sukie, the protagonist, is my age (early 40s), but seemed like she was from an entirely different era. If you want a sugary read, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.
For more of my reviews, please visit http://theresaalan.net/blog/
I think this was too syrupy sweet even for my grandmother. Sukie, the protagonist, is my age (early 40s), but seemed like she was from an entirely different era. If you want a sugary read, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this.
For more of my reviews, please visit http://theresaalan.net/blog/
February 24, 2017
סיפורן של 5 חברות הנמצאות בצומת דרכים בחייהן. הסיפור של כל אחת מהן מסופר מזווית הראיה של הדמות אבל גם מעיניי סוקי שזוכה למספר הפרקים הרב ביותר ספר.
סוקי: בת 43. אם לשני ילדים בוגרים. תפסה את בעלה בוגד בה עם מדריכת הפילאטיס שלה. עברה גירושים מכוערים. כעת נמצאת במערכת יחסים עם קמרון, בן ה 36 אב לילדה בת 3. מערכת יחסים שמעוררת התנגדויות במשפחתה, אצל הגרוש שלה ובקהילה.
טיפאני: נשואה לבו, בן למשפחה עשירה שמנהלת את חייהם ובמיוחד את חייה של טיפאני.
לין: נמלטת מבן זוגה האלים.
בטסי: אלמנה שמגלת את עצמה מחדש ואת המיניות שלה מה שמעורר התנגדות עזה אצל כלתה צרת האופקים שלאחר שנים של ניצול מונעת ממנה לראות את נכדיה ויוצרת קרע עם בנה.
קרול אן: הדמות הנשית הכי רופפת והכי מעצבנת. קרול אן מחפשת בן זוג וכשהגבר הראשון מציע לה לצאת באופן בלעדי בתמורה לכך שתקנה לו את הרהיטים היא לא עוצרת לחשוב. ואז אתם מתארים לעצמכם מה קורה...
זה סיפור של חברות אמיצה, הן עומדות אחת לצד השניה והדמות של סוקי הכי מתפתחת במהלך הספר. יחד עם זאת יתר הדמויות נותרות די שטוחות ולמעט גילוי כזה או אחר לא נוסף להן עומק לכן הספר נותר בגדר קריאה קלילה וזורמת למרות שיש בו נושאים קשים כמו אלימות במשפחה, צמיחה אישית, עצמאות וכד.
סוקי: בת 43. אם לשני ילדים בוגרים. תפסה את בעלה בוגד בה עם מדריכת הפילאטיס שלה. עברה גירושים מכוערים. כעת נמצאת במערכת יחסים עם קמרון, בן ה 36 אב לילדה בת 3. מערכת יחסים שמעוררת התנגדויות במשפחתה, אצל הגרוש שלה ובקהילה.
טיפאני: נשואה לבו, בן למשפחה עשירה שמנהלת את חייהם ובמיוחד את חייה של טיפאני.
לין: נמלטת מבן זוגה האלים.
בטסי: אלמנה שמגלת את עצמה מחדש ואת המיניות שלה מה שמעורר התנגדות עזה אצל כלתה צרת האופקים שלאחר שנים של ניצול מונעת ממנה לראות את נכדיה ויוצרת קרע עם בנה.
קרול אן: הדמות הנשית הכי רופפת והכי מעצבנת. קרול אן מחפשת בן זוג וכשהגבר הראשון מציע לה לצאת באופן בלעדי בתמורה לכך שתקנה לו את הרהיטים היא לא עוצרת לחשוב. ואז אתם מתארים לעצמכם מה קורה...
זה סיפור של חברות אמיצה, הן עומדות אחת לצד השניה והדמות של סוקי הכי מתפתחת במהלך הספר. יחד עם זאת יתר הדמויות נותרות די שטוחות ולמעט גילוי כזה או אחר לא נוסף להן עומק לכן הספר נותר בגדר קריאה קלילה וזורמת למרות שיש בו נושאים קשים כמו אלימות במשפחה, צמיחה אישית, עצמאות וכד.
November 20, 2016
Favorite Quotes:
Her mother-in-law's smooth, oversprayed hair would frizz in a minute if she knew what Tiffany really thought about her, the family's phoniness, and the stomach-clenching way they made her feel.
The woman's narrow face and small dark eyes reminded her of watercolor drawings of a weasel she'd recently seen in a picture book.
Gasping like a goldfish whose bowl has just been shattered, Edythe stared at Sukie wide-eyed.
My Review:
Small town small minds are in full force with their own special blend of Southern judgmental sniping and vicious gossip - even during church. Having spent my unfortunate formative years in a similar inbred hamlet, I concur with Ms. Keim's astute observations and insights. Five women met for lunch every Friday and actually eat what they want without care of calories - hence the Fat in the Fat Fridays title - so clever. I adored the premise, storyline, and odd collection of characters. Each woman was facing their own personal challenges and found solace and uplifting support in their weekly lunch meetings, which expanded to more frequent everyday contacts and deeper friendships. They treated each other better than their own families and banded together to form an alliance when their selfish and priggish family members turned against them. Written from a third person POV, the narrative was well-paced, intriguing, eventful, engaging, and entertaining. I am more than eager to dive into the next installment I see listed as Sassy Saturdays. This was first Judith Keim experience, and I was an instant fan.
Her mother-in-law's smooth, oversprayed hair would frizz in a minute if she knew what Tiffany really thought about her, the family's phoniness, and the stomach-clenching way they made her feel.
The woman's narrow face and small dark eyes reminded her of watercolor drawings of a weasel she'd recently seen in a picture book.
Gasping like a goldfish whose bowl has just been shattered, Edythe stared at Sukie wide-eyed.
My Review:
Small town small minds are in full force with their own special blend of Southern judgmental sniping and vicious gossip - even during church. Having spent my unfortunate formative years in a similar inbred hamlet, I concur with Ms. Keim's astute observations and insights. Five women met for lunch every Friday and actually eat what they want without care of calories - hence the Fat in the Fat Fridays title - so clever. I adored the premise, storyline, and odd collection of characters. Each woman was facing their own personal challenges and found solace and uplifting support in their weekly lunch meetings, which expanded to more frequent everyday contacts and deeper friendships. They treated each other better than their own families and banded together to form an alliance when their selfish and priggish family members turned against them. Written from a third person POV, the narrative was well-paced, intriguing, eventful, engaging, and entertaining. I am more than eager to dive into the next installment I see listed as Sassy Saturdays. This was first Judith Keim experience, and I was an instant fan.
November 4, 2016
I had a lot of fun reading this book! I admit I had never read anything by this author, but the cupcakes on the cover and the online description hooked me!
I found the story very true to life. Sukie Skidmore is asked to join a group of women with various issues surrounding them. I'm not going into that here. It would be way too much information. After she joins the group, she feels like she's making a positive change in her life! And, wow, is it positive! She meets new people, learns new skills and, of course, meets a man. But although her life is becoming better, some things are not and this is what the book is really about - real women confronting real issues together and feeling like they can face things better by being friends than they could alone.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I found the story very true to life. Sukie Skidmore is asked to join a group of women with various issues surrounding them. I'm not going into that here. It would be way too much information. After she joins the group, she feels like she's making a positive change in her life! And, wow, is it positive! She meets new people, learns new skills and, of course, meets a man. But although her life is becoming better, some things are not and this is what the book is really about - real women confronting real issues together and feeling like they can face things better by being friends than they could alone.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 19, 2018
While recovering from a nasty divorce, Sukie Skidmore joins a group of women who meet for "Fat Fridays". These 5 women quickly become friends and support each other through the ups and downs of their lives. Sukie is tempted by a relationship with a younger man despite the community and even her own family being against it. Tiffany seems to have everything, but her life is like a golden cage. Betsy has realized that no man is going to make her happy. Carol Ann is young and stupid when it comes to love - she wants to move out of her parent's house so badly that she doesn't really care who she does it with. And Lynn is running from a dark past.
I liked this book. I didn't love it - each woman and her dealings with men were a little cliched and that made it a bit predictable.
I liked this book. I didn't love it - each woman and her dealings with men were a little cliched and that made it a bit predictable.
June 9, 2017
This was an OK light easy read about 5 women who would meet up on a Friday for lunch, no calories counted. Each with their own problems, they become firm friends, and of course it's quite predictable and happy ever after. Just what I needed, not to think too much after water leaks for a month and the plumber digging up my concrete tiled floor in my shower room and toilet. All is now quite (the sound of running water drives you mad).
November 12, 2016
I received this book "Fat Friday" from NetGalley for a honest review. When I started the book, I wondered why I choose it. As the story progressed I was so happy to stick with it. The main character was Sukie who comes home to find her husband cheating. Sukie was having a hard time coping as a new single woman, living in a small Southern town. Gossip was spreading all the time and lately Sukie seemed to be the subject of all the rumors. Her friend Betsy asked her to join Betsy's Fat Friday luncheon group. The four women in the club welcomed Sukie with open arms. Despite being the newest member of the group each women turned to Sukie for advice. In the end the woman join together to help their friend.
I really enjoyed this book and should have known this when chapter one ended with "Bless Her Heart".
I really enjoyed this book and should have known this when chapter one ended with "Bless Her Heart".
August 13, 2016
1.75 Unimpressed Booker Hooker Stars
The few of us who actually read Fat Fridays were basically in agreement on this one, sadly. We did not enjoy it much at all and that was upsetting because we had high hopes based on the blurb.
The problem? It did not live up to what is promised in the blurb. At. All. The story premise does have promise, but unfortunately, this author just couldn't deliver much more than the book equivalent of a B-rated movie. The writing feels very beginner with no real depth for the reader to sink their teeth into. The characters aren't relatable at all and feel very one-dimensional, making it really hard to get immersed in the story. It all felt very surface and very forgettable.
The few of us who actually read Fat Fridays were basically in agreement on this one, sadly. We did not enjoy it much at all and that was upsetting because we had high hopes based on the blurb.
The problem? It did not live up to what is promised in the blurb. At. All. The story premise does have promise, but unfortunately, this author just couldn't deliver much more than the book equivalent of a B-rated movie. The writing feels very beginner with no real depth for the reader to sink their teeth into. The characters aren't relatable at all and feel very one-dimensional, making it really hard to get immersed in the story. It all felt very surface and very forgettable.
March 21, 2016
A story about 5 women who get together for lunch each Friday, sharing their troubles and supporting each other. It all felt a bit far from me, I'm afraid. I just couldn't relate to any of these women. Yes they supported each other, but sometimes they made the wrong call. Some situations, like the emotional abuse Tiffany suffered, that required a call to a lawyer much sooner.
This story was meant to be cute, but I personally wasn't all that charmed. Also, we didn't get full closure on what happened with some other key players. What about Sukie's ex-husband?
I don't think this author is one I'll pursue.
This story was meant to be cute, but I personally wasn't all that charmed. Also, we didn't get full closure on what happened with some other key players. What about Sukie's ex-husband?
I don't think this author is one I'll pursue.
September 8, 2015
Such a great girlfriends story where women really like and support one another. We should all have ladies like these in our lives! The premise of the story and the endearing ladies welcomed me right into the story like old friends. I wanted this story to continue and I'm hoping that maybe the author will bring them back in either a sequel or use them in another of her novels.
There was joy, heartbreak, love, friendship and lots of food and really, what more could you want?
There was joy, heartbreak, love, friendship and lots of food and really, what more could you want?
June 26, 2018
I was immediately pulled in by this cover, then the narrator Joyce Bean (listened 2 on Audible) ...calm and peaceful voice. I've never read Judith before … this is the type of read you will talk back, there are moments where will be amazed, confused, laughing your head off and for me I was like I want friends like these ladies. I think judging is a huge problem in this world … we all need 2 step back and think before we go there … trying to remember that we are all walking a totally different life and there need to be more understanding, compassion and love. it is a daily item we have to be more mindful of. Well said. I will looking more into bot the author and narrator. ( :
March 30, 2024
I enjoyed reading this, and it’s probably closer to 3 1/2 stars rather than 4, but it was an easy read after some darker novels and my psyche needed that. There are plot holes, and un answered questions, but it’s the first in a series so that may be why.
December 31, 2016
Fat Fridays by Judith Keim
Book #1: Fat Fridays Group Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:
Fat Fridays sure are a good idea and Sukie Skidmore has never been more grateful for a group of women. Each Friday for one hour, the women gather for lunch, discuss their lives, solutions to their problems, and how best to support one another. Best of all, none of the consumed calories count! As this is a character-driven read, the easiest way to break down the book is by, well, the characters.
Sukie: Sukie is by far my favorite of the Fat Fridays women. When she meets the Fat Fridays ladies, Sukie is going through a terrible time in her personal life and desperately needs the happiness, sympathy, kindness, and support she finds among her friends. Thanks to her friends, Sukie is able to dig deep and find a wellspring of personal strength she never knew she had. Her life may be a mess, but Sukie has a lot to offer and with the help of her friends, she’s willing to do so.
Betsy: Betsy is the matriarch of the group and the one responsible for bringing everyone together. Everyone assumes the sadness always present in Betsy’s demeanor has to do with the death of her husband and her current life as a widow. The truth of the situation, which Betsy struggles with daily, is far from the assumption and something Betsy is sure will cost her everything and everyone she loves.
Tiffany: Behind Sukie, Tiffany is my favorite character in this read and proof that you certainly can’t ever judge a book by its cover. On the surface, Tiffany’s life is absolutely perfect. She has a beautiful home, a brand-new car, the best labels and brands on all her clothes, and a husband who is to-die-for dreamy. That’s what’s on the surface. Underneath the façade, Tiffany lives in misery. Her husband is controlling and abusive and her in-laws are concerned with nothing but their image and see nothing wrong with how their son keeps his wife in line. In fact, they encourage the abuse. Yeah, they’re a whole new level of awful.
Lynn: Lynn is the quiet member of the group, and as my granny always used to say, “It’s the quiet ones you need to worry about.” And worry about her, the group does. Little by little, Lynn opens up to the group and the story she has to share has the entire group frightened for her safety and for theirs. Lynn’s past is dangerous and in the past six years, she has lived her life on the run. Just when she is on the verge of running again, her Fat Fridays friends convince her to finally take a stand and take back the life she so desperately wants. Before all is said and done, all of the Fat Fridays women are going to face danger unlike anything they’ve ever experienced.
Carol Ann: By far, my least favorite character and the primary reason I don’t feel comfortable rating this book above four stars. Carol Ann is completely and utterly ridiculous. All she wants out of life is a man to take care of her, buy her pretty things, and be panty-dropping gorgeous. Despite what she knows about Tiffany’s situation, Carol Ann is still jealous and often lashes out at Tiffany about her “luck” and “good fortune.” Every time Carol Ann opens her mouth, ignorance just rolls on out and I found myself having absolutely no sympathy for her or her personal situation. Carol Ann comes off as petty, juvenile, stupid, and a detriment to the overall group and read.
The Bottom Line: With the exception of Carol Ann, Fat Fridays is a very good read that is all about the kindness, respect, support, and friendship that can be found among a group. Each of the five women brings something unique to the group which keeps the book from being tedious. Seriously, who wants to read about five women who are all exactly the same? Each woman in the group has a particular situation that varies in its degree of awful and I am so glad the author didn’t try and tie up each situation all in this single read as it would have been a disservice to the individuality of each woman. With that being said, there is some resolution in this read and I think most readers will be as satisfied with the ending as I was. On to book two, Sassy Saturdays.
Book #1: Fat Fridays Group Series
Source: Netgalley
My Rating: 4/5 stars
My Review:
Fat Fridays sure are a good idea and Sukie Skidmore has never been more grateful for a group of women. Each Friday for one hour, the women gather for lunch, discuss their lives, solutions to their problems, and how best to support one another. Best of all, none of the consumed calories count! As this is a character-driven read, the easiest way to break down the book is by, well, the characters.
Sukie: Sukie is by far my favorite of the Fat Fridays women. When she meets the Fat Fridays ladies, Sukie is going through a terrible time in her personal life and desperately needs the happiness, sympathy, kindness, and support she finds among her friends. Thanks to her friends, Sukie is able to dig deep and find a wellspring of personal strength she never knew she had. Her life may be a mess, but Sukie has a lot to offer and with the help of her friends, she’s willing to do so.
Betsy: Betsy is the matriarch of the group and the one responsible for bringing everyone together. Everyone assumes the sadness always present in Betsy’s demeanor has to do with the death of her husband and her current life as a widow. The truth of the situation, which Betsy struggles with daily, is far from the assumption and something Betsy is sure will cost her everything and everyone she loves.
Tiffany: Behind Sukie, Tiffany is my favorite character in this read and proof that you certainly can’t ever judge a book by its cover. On the surface, Tiffany’s life is absolutely perfect. She has a beautiful home, a brand-new car, the best labels and brands on all her clothes, and a husband who is to-die-for dreamy. That’s what’s on the surface. Underneath the façade, Tiffany lives in misery. Her husband is controlling and abusive and her in-laws are concerned with nothing but their image and see nothing wrong with how their son keeps his wife in line. In fact, they encourage the abuse. Yeah, they’re a whole new level of awful.
Lynn: Lynn is the quiet member of the group, and as my granny always used to say, “It’s the quiet ones you need to worry about.” And worry about her, the group does. Little by little, Lynn opens up to the group and the story she has to share has the entire group frightened for her safety and for theirs. Lynn’s past is dangerous and in the past six years, she has lived her life on the run. Just when she is on the verge of running again, her Fat Fridays friends convince her to finally take a stand and take back the life she so desperately wants. Before all is said and done, all of the Fat Fridays women are going to face danger unlike anything they’ve ever experienced.
Carol Ann: By far, my least favorite character and the primary reason I don’t feel comfortable rating this book above four stars. Carol Ann is completely and utterly ridiculous. All she wants out of life is a man to take care of her, buy her pretty things, and be panty-dropping gorgeous. Despite what she knows about Tiffany’s situation, Carol Ann is still jealous and often lashes out at Tiffany about her “luck” and “good fortune.” Every time Carol Ann opens her mouth, ignorance just rolls on out and I found myself having absolutely no sympathy for her or her personal situation. Carol Ann comes off as petty, juvenile, stupid, and a detriment to the overall group and read.
The Bottom Line: With the exception of Carol Ann, Fat Fridays is a very good read that is all about the kindness, respect, support, and friendship that can be found among a group. Each of the five women brings something unique to the group which keeps the book from being tedious. Seriously, who wants to read about five women who are all exactly the same? Each woman in the group has a particular situation that varies in its degree of awful and I am so glad the author didn’t try and tie up each situation all in this single read as it would have been a disservice to the individuality of each woman. With that being said, there is some resolution in this read and I think most readers will be as satisfied with the ending as I was. On to book two, Sassy Saturdays.
June 15, 2020
Five women join together to make the Fat Friday lunch group. The women quickly becomes a support group as each battles their own set of problems. Divorce, recovering from the death of a spouse, controlling in-laws and a wife in hiding from an abusive husband just to name some issues. Even the woman with the “perfect marriage” turns out her life is not so perfect after all. The bond the women forge as they develop their friendship truly becomes a support system for all
Who’s life is in danger?
Will anyone be able to give love a second chance
Who’s life is in danger?
Will anyone be able to give love a second chance
December 15, 2016
I thought this would be like a cute, inspiring chick-lit filled cupcake with frosting. Instead, it was kind of like a half-baked fruit cake. When I have nothing nice to say I try not to say too much, so here goes.
On the box, this is the story of five women who meet together for calorie dense lunches and form solid friendships while supporting each other through various hardships. In this case, this means five disconnected stories with no solid conclusions and no great love or detail given to any of them.
Each woman gets her own chapter to start, so it takes five or so chapters for the story to even begin. This was a really hard slog and - I'm not going to lie - it took me a few days to even get through it. None of the women seemed relatable and none of them really had a hook that made me want to keep reading.
The main character is Sukie, recently divorced and with two adult children, she is sick of being the subject of town gossip and joins the Fat Fridays lunch group as there seems to be nothing else on her social calendar. Sukie is your typical house wife. Can't believe her husband cheated on her, overly concerned with her children's lives, loves to cook and is eagerly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild. She meets a younger man, and thus ensues the most unconvincing romance I have ever read. Her love interest may as well be a wet sheet of corrugated cardboard with a nice smile. Sukie spends most of the book in denial that he could be attracted to her, and while she eventually accepts that he is, I couldn't quite make that leap with her.
The other women don't fare much better. Tiffany is stuck in a suffocating marriage which includes her in-laws; Betsy has found an unconventional love that her family struggle to accept; Carol Anne is an air-head who needs a boot up the backside and thinks an attractive, wealthy man is all she needs to be happy. Lynn's story should have had a book to itself and is the catalyst for the climax of the story, but she barely gets a handful of pages devoted to her.
I was expecting strong female characters and got a box of tissues. Most of these women could have solved all of their problems by telling people to shove off and mind their own business. What's worse, the book ends with the stories only half concluded, and the fate of background characters is unknown. There is a sequel, which I only discovered when I jumped online to review the book, and probably should have been mentioned somewhere in the book.
The book is technically well written, although there is one scene which gave me some major deja-vu - it is nearly a carbon copy of an earlier scene, and I suspect one of them was supposed to have been edited out.
The cupcakes on the cover look appealing, but this book isn't. Thanks to netgalley for the free copy in exchange for my review - wish I could have said something sweeter.
This review hass been cross-posted from my blog, Books, Bling & Banter.
On the box, this is the story of five women who meet together for calorie dense lunches and form solid friendships while supporting each other through various hardships. In this case, this means five disconnected stories with no solid conclusions and no great love or detail given to any of them.
Each woman gets her own chapter to start, so it takes five or so chapters for the story to even begin. This was a really hard slog and - I'm not going to lie - it took me a few days to even get through it. None of the women seemed relatable and none of them really had a hook that made me want to keep reading.
The main character is Sukie, recently divorced and with two adult children, she is sick of being the subject of town gossip and joins the Fat Fridays lunch group as there seems to be nothing else on her social calendar. Sukie is your typical house wife. Can't believe her husband cheated on her, overly concerned with her children's lives, loves to cook and is eagerly awaiting the birth of her first grandchild. She meets a younger man, and thus ensues the most unconvincing romance I have ever read. Her love interest may as well be a wet sheet of corrugated cardboard with a nice smile. Sukie spends most of the book in denial that he could be attracted to her, and while she eventually accepts that he is, I couldn't quite make that leap with her.
The other women don't fare much better. Tiffany is stuck in a suffocating marriage which includes her in-laws; Betsy has found an unconventional love that her family struggle to accept; Carol Anne is an air-head who needs a boot up the backside and thinks an attractive, wealthy man is all she needs to be happy. Lynn's story should have had a book to itself and is the catalyst for the climax of the story, but she barely gets a handful of pages devoted to her.
I was expecting strong female characters and got a box of tissues. Most of these women could have solved all of their problems by telling people to shove off and mind their own business. What's worse, the book ends with the stories only half concluded, and the fate of background characters is unknown. There is a sequel, which I only discovered when I jumped online to review the book, and probably should have been mentioned somewhere in the book.
The book is technically well written, although there is one scene which gave me some major deja-vu - it is nearly a carbon copy of an earlier scene, and I suspect one of them was supposed to have been edited out.
The cupcakes on the cover look appealing, but this book isn't. Thanks to netgalley for the free copy in exchange for my review - wish I could have said something sweeter.
This review hass been cross-posted from my blog, Books, Bling & Banter.
February 14, 2017
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book but I know what it delivered... I could not put the book down!!! Which was hard considering I was reading it on my Kindle before I went to sleep... or didn't go to sleep.
The characters are well thought out. The pace was good. You knew what was going to happen but there was enough to make you wonder if what you thought was going to happen actually happened! Granted you knew where things were going to end up but how they got there kept you on your toes.
The main character Sukie and her friends make you wonder who or what is going to be next. Most of the Fat Fridays crew work together - some the whole time and some just transferring in - and have just invited Sukie to join them in their "fun". Thus the beginning of the Fat Friday lunches with a new "perspective". But the Friday lunches quickly encompass each of the attendees in ways you really didn't see coming. From the newly married wife with the very controlling in laws to the abused wife on the run from her ex and his abuse ways to the single who is desperately trying to find a way to move from her controlling parents home to her freedom in her own apartment.
i was unhappy when i finished this book... until I saw she had a sequel! Stay tuned for that review.
The characters are well thought out. The pace was good. You knew what was going to happen but there was enough to make you wonder if what you thought was going to happen actually happened! Granted you knew where things were going to end up but how they got there kept you on your toes.
The main character Sukie and her friends make you wonder who or what is going to be next. Most of the Fat Fridays crew work together - some the whole time and some just transferring in - and have just invited Sukie to join them in their "fun". Thus the beginning of the Fat Friday lunches with a new "perspective". But the Friday lunches quickly encompass each of the attendees in ways you really didn't see coming. From the newly married wife with the very controlling in laws to the abused wife on the run from her ex and his abuse ways to the single who is desperately trying to find a way to move from her controlling parents home to her freedom in her own apartment.
i was unhappy when i finished this book... until I saw she had a sequel! Stay tuned for that review.
February 5, 2018
Five women from all walks of life support each other through trials and tribulations.
The good: The author does a good job of creating five very distinct main characters and a diverse cast of supporting characters without resorting too much to stereotype. The book flows well, particularly in its first two-thirds.
The bad: Each of the main characters has a conflict, and most of these conflicts are in some way ridiculous. Of course novels are novels, but (mild spoilers) is it reasonable for four out of five women to feel physically threatened by a romantic partner? In a town so small as to have only six restaurants, is there really a major media presence? And why does everybody care so much about a forty-three year old woman dating a thirty-six year old man? I could imagine any one of these questions having a reasonable answer if the author took the time to address it, but these things - violent, vindictive men; a community that is both metropolitan and insular; the obligation of a private citizen to explain her dating choices to everyone in her vicinity - are taken for granted. This does create a peculiar sort of momentum to the novel, but it was hard to be drawn into such far-fetched scenarios.
The verdict: I "read" it on audiobook, and it did make the time pass. I wouldn't have finished it in book form.
The good: The author does a good job of creating five very distinct main characters and a diverse cast of supporting characters without resorting too much to stereotype. The book flows well, particularly in its first two-thirds.
The bad: Each of the main characters has a conflict, and most of these conflicts are in some way ridiculous. Of course novels are novels, but (mild spoilers) is it reasonable for four out of five women to feel physically threatened by a romantic partner? In a town so small as to have only six restaurants, is there really a major media presence? And why does everybody care so much about a forty-three year old woman dating a thirty-six year old man? I could imagine any one of these questions having a reasonable answer if the author took the time to address it, but these things - violent, vindictive men; a community that is both metropolitan and insular; the obligation of a private citizen to explain her dating choices to everyone in her vicinity - are taken for granted. This does create a peculiar sort of momentum to the novel, but it was hard to be drawn into such far-fetched scenarios.
The verdict: I "read" it on audiobook, and it did make the time pass. I wouldn't have finished it in book form.
October 23, 2016
I saw this book on NetGalley and fell in love with the cover. I decided to start it yesterday and I could not put it down. While this isn't my usual genre, I do like to read outside the box and this book was fantastic.
I was captivated from page one, as the story moved on, I felt such a close bond with all the ladies in the Fat Friday group.
Sukie is devastated to find her husband Ted in bed with her pilates instructor. She hides herself in the house, embarrassed by the rumors going through the grapevine.
When her friend Betsey invites her to lunch, Sukie has no idea of the friendships she will make from the members of the Fat Friday group.
Soon Sukie is an important part of the group and she will do anything she can to help her new friends.
This story tells a wild tale of love, hate, abuse, friendship and so much more.
Yo will laugh and cry throughout this story and believe me when I tell you, you won't be disappointed.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was captivated from page one, as the story moved on, I felt such a close bond with all the ladies in the Fat Friday group.
Sukie is devastated to find her husband Ted in bed with her pilates instructor. She hides herself in the house, embarrassed by the rumors going through the grapevine.
When her friend Betsey invites her to lunch, Sukie has no idea of the friendships she will make from the members of the Fat Friday group.
Soon Sukie is an important part of the group and she will do anything she can to help her new friends.
This story tells a wild tale of love, hate, abuse, friendship and so much more.
Yo will laugh and cry throughout this story and believe me when I tell you, you won't be disappointed.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 26, 2016
This genre was a first for me. It's a light, easy-to-read piece of fluff about five women who become good friends. I like that they look out for each other, up to a point. I was disappointed that pointing out the abuse in Tiffany's relationship came so late, after she became pregnant. When Carol Ann expressed a desire to develop a relationship with a man who had previously beaten her, the attempts to dissuade her were lame. The ending was predictable, with complex issues resolving themselves incredibly easily.
November 18, 2016
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed this book and all of the different characters. It was a fast and fun read with just enough drama and surprises to keep it interesting.
September 26, 2015
Love this book. I wish I could have Fat Fridays. Nice story about
women who get together on Fridays for lunch and talk about their lives.
women who get together on Fridays for lunch and talk about their lives.
February 29, 2016
This is an easy, entertaining read. I did get frustrated that the author made such a big deal about a 44-year old woman dating a 36-year old man. It's not that big of a deal.
August 19, 2015
An easy. summer read.
March 22, 2018
It was okay but easy read
I read & listened to this Kindle version of ’Fat Fridays’ Book 1. When I read the description it was definitely something I thought I'd get into. I think I finished it because it was worth knowing how it was going to end, there are books I will not finish, this wasn't one of them.
It's about a group of ladies who pretty much are each other best friend. Not one has a better relationship than the other, it's a group where I know I could exist in. The only thing reason why I gave it 4 stars is because I thought these women had more problems every week than a normal woman would in real life. I know it's fiction but after a while, it's just ridiculous.
Also, unless it was told, one of the ladies who are pregnant has an abusive husband. He approaches her & a friend while they're doing something. He's drunk and the chapter literally goes from him about to attack them to a totally different scenario? So was I supposed to assume they were okay? And my question is what happened to make him stop? I know I didn't fall asleep reading one line? There were a couple of small issues that just seemed to end real fast, like the end. I'm not going to give it away but it basically ends. Other than that I would recommend Book 1 and I'll be reading Book 2 also.
I read & listened to this Kindle version of ’Fat Fridays’ Book 1. When I read the description it was definitely something I thought I'd get into. I think I finished it because it was worth knowing how it was going to end, there are books I will not finish, this wasn't one of them.
It's about a group of ladies who pretty much are each other best friend. Not one has a better relationship than the other, it's a group where I know I could exist in. The only thing reason why I gave it 4 stars is because I thought these women had more problems every week than a normal woman would in real life. I know it's fiction but after a while, it's just ridiculous.
Also, unless it was told, one of the ladies who are pregnant has an abusive husband. He approaches her & a friend while they're doing something. He's drunk and the chapter literally goes from him about to attack them to a totally different scenario? So was I supposed to assume they were okay? And my question is what happened to make him stop? I know I didn't fall asleep reading one line? There were a couple of small issues that just seemed to end real fast, like the end. I'm not going to give it away but it basically ends. Other than that I would recommend Book 1 and I'll be reading Book 2 also.
April 16, 2020
After reading the first Fat Fridays book, I wanted to read the second and third one. The first books focuses on the how Suki, Betsy, Tiffany, Caroline, and Lynn create a support system to help each other called Fat Fridays, a weekly lunch where no calories are counted. The protagonist of the first book is Suki, who is offered to join Fat Fridays by Betsy. Before joining the group, Suki hid at home to avoid the community judging and talking about how Suki's ex-husband has an affair. Suki's struggles include trying to keep her house from Ted, keeping her job at the library, and debating about whether to date Cameron Taylor, a younger man she met at her computer classes.
Betsy has to deal with fighting to see her grandchildren after coming out as a lesbian. Tiffany has to deal with her husband Beau's downward spiral from drugs and her in-laws pressuring her to have a baby boy to maintain their family legacy. Caroline seeks to move out from her controlling mother and is looking for love in all the wrong places. Finally, Lynn (really Grace) has the hardest struggle as she is on the run from her abusive ex-husband and had to be separated from her daughter.
Betsy has to deal with fighting to see her grandchildren after coming out as a lesbian. Tiffany has to deal with her husband Beau's downward spiral from drugs and her in-laws pressuring her to have a baby boy to maintain their family legacy. Caroline seeks to move out from her controlling mother and is looking for love in all the wrong places. Finally, Lynn (really Grace) has the hardest struggle as she is on the run from her abusive ex-husband and had to be separated from her daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2024
I was so looking forward to this book. I thought it was going to be brimming with the found family stuff I love so much, and having once been part of a close-knit group of women who met regularly for breakfast I was hoping to feel some nostalgia for those days and those women, whom I really miss. But unfortunately, it didn't turn out that way, primarily because the writing leaves a lot to be desired. The characters are all flat and one dimensional, there's almost no chemistry between them and what is there is forced, and it's one of the worst examples of telling rather than showing I've ever seen. The reactions to Sukie dating Cam are also weirdly over the top, considering he's not even 10 years younger than she is; it's not like he was 19. And I was also baffled in a lot of places by the strange details Keim decided to include. One that immediately comes to mind was making sure we knew she had parked next to a white SUV in the library parking lot. I was waiting for that to pay off later (Chekov's gun and all that), but it never did.
Honestly, I'm not sure why I bothered to finish it.
Honestly, I'm not sure why I bothered to finish it.
August 10, 2019
Fat Fridays by Judith Keim was a fairly fun little piece of chick lit that I enjoyed listening to while doing some painting last weekend. It's about a group of women of various ages and backgrounds who meet for lunch every Friday. They nickname their lunch dates "Fat Fridays", as it is the one meal all week that they order whatever they want to eat, calories be damned. While the group starts out as just a fun way to spend their lunch hour at the end of the work week, the women of Fat Fridays quickly become very close-knit and emotionally support each other through the hardships they are each facing, which range from recovering from a recent divorce, to being stuck living at your parents' house, and various levels of domestic abuse.
Overall, this was quick, simple, and a nice way to pass the time.
Overall, this was quick, simple, and a nice way to pass the time.
Read
May 14, 2018I feel in love with these characters. The Fat Fridays group is sort of a group get together at different restaurants every Friday between 5 ladies (Sookie, Lynn, Carol Ann, Betsy and Tiffany). The group is sort of a grown up version of the Babysitter's Club to me. They all have their own individual problems but the support of the Fat Friday's group gets each of these ladies the support they need to make it through lives crazy trips.
This is one of the few novels were the characters are totally 100% developed. The chapters are well written. Each chapter has a different character's perspective. Each character is dealing with a common society problem--martial problems, drug issues, physical abuse, divorce, a new baby, a new relationship, online dating, etc.
I bought this novel for $1.99 on one of Amazon's kindle Daily Deals. I bought the book nearly 6 months ago and it's just sitting on my Kindle waiting to be read. However, I instantly regret not reading this book sooner.
This is one of the few novels were the characters are totally 100% developed. The chapters are well written. Each chapter has a different character's perspective. Each character is dealing with a common society problem--martial problems, drug issues, physical abuse, divorce, a new baby, a new relationship, online dating, etc.
I bought this novel for $1.99 on one of Amazon's kindle Daily Deals. I bought the book nearly 6 months ago and it's just sitting on my Kindle waiting to be read. However, I instantly regret not reading this book sooner.
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