Surprise Packages

The Company of Good Women #3

by Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, Carroll Hofeling Morris

Twenty years later, the friendship that began at a BYU Education Week continues as Juneau, Erin, and Willadene discover that life is more than living by a checklist of events and accomplishments. Through letters, phone calls, and visits, the three women support each other in the face of whatever life brings- offering comfort during the sad times and celebration in the happy times. Surprise Packages, the third volume in The Company of Good Women series, will resonate with women readers who will find their own quirks and anxieties within its pages.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Fiction, Lds

400 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 2008

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third and final vol. of The Company of Good Women trilogy was the best. Juneau lives in Pasadena, Ca and has finally been able to come to terms with a long-held secret from her youth and is reunited with the boy she and her hubby raised that their wayward daughter Misty had out of wedlock. She gets involved with a new neighbor and ward member, who is keeping her abuse a secret. Deenie is not sure of the new move from Wellsville, Utah to Gainsville, Florida, where Roger gets a promotion. She's always wanting to fix things and feels unloved at times. She gets involved with her dog Bear as a Rescue Team, which makes her feel important. Erin lives in Minnesota and finding romance in the most unexpected place after being single for several years. She doesn't find herself worthy enough to be in her RS Presidency, but finds more than she bargains for and finds she loves her calling. It's refreshing to read about LDS women with issues like we all have that can come to accept they are not perfect. Lael, Nancy and Carroll, better known as COB's, as in Crusty Old Broads, just as these three life-long women come to be known, learn a lot about life from each other and their trials. It brings them each closer when they meet up each year or so to help them strengthen each other. These three authors treat the gay issue with compassion and understanding when Cory's father and son have a difficult time with this. It takes Erin and the atonement to soften their hearts. I highly recommend this last book, as it is a big surprise package for everyone, but read the three books in chronological order.

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like the third installment, but I found as I read the three books together that these three women face a huge amount of trials. Most of us only have one or two of these trials to face, but they had to deal with the issues of gays in the church, drug addiction, divorce, a possible affair, and heart-attacks. And that's just their husbands!! Including the children adds a whole slew more of issues. After a while it seemed a little unrealistic, although I did like how each woman handled her set of trials. In the third book we also got some new characters that should have been there all along, but weren't (like a sister-in-law that was overjoyed when one woman moved out of the area). Never even heard of her before, and now she has a major issue? All in all, I enjoyed the book, and the series.

[Gerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book (it is the 3rd of 3 - and this post is the same for all 3). It would definitely have a different feeling for people who aren’t members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It’s not just that there are many references to the church and it’s habits, guidelines and teachings ....
It’s actually written with the leading ladies relationships to the church in mind.
I found myself comparing my life and my life choices to those of our ‘heroines’. It made me think of how I can make better decisions. It’s a great book. And I highly recommend.

[Vicki Wight · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Company of Good Women: Surprise Packages
by Vicki Wight

The third, and final book in this series had a satisfying end. I gave it only 4 starts because, I felt more details could have been included. But knowing length and conclusions are considered in completing a book for publishing, the trio of Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hoefling Morris finished their series with Surprise Packages with love and grace. I will miss Deenie, Erin and Juneau. In this final book each woman experiences trials with discovering the contents of the packages they have made for themselves throughout their lives.

The book opens in 1996, but the prologue, dated 2004, left me stumped nearly through the entire book! Why was Deenie (the brunette) not “taking part in the fun” as they sat in the pizza parlor in Moab, Utah? The answer didn't become clear to me until after she hears a whispering from her sister, Sunny while visiting her home in Wellsville, Utah to attend Aunt Stell's funeral. In true Deenie flair, she keeps this to herself wanting to figure it out before she lets anyone worry about her.

The COBs (Crusty Old Broads) gather together in September of 2001 in Williamsburg for some Juneau writing research. I found myself looking forward with wonder as this special date in our nation's history approached. What will they do? How will they feel? What will they say? So many wonderful things come about because of this event in these ladies lives. And I'm very grateful that this event was included in the book. It was a great way to explore what I did personally and what others around me did following this terrible day in history.

Erin faces her own packages as she comes to the realization that she is keeping herself safe, and this is preventing her from experiencing love in a more complete form. Upon this realization, and some life changing events occurring, Erin makes a big decision and gets married! Moving a man into her life is such a big change for everyone. Cory moves on finding a partner and his parents begin their mission and his father has a change of heart. Time passes too swiftly in this book, just as it does in real life. Kayla grows up and gets married and starts a family of her own. Mark goes on a mission, and finds a special place in his heart for his own father, after a good talk from Erin. The story doesn't end there, Erin and her new husband celebrate having children of their own!

Juneau's closet of guilty secrets contains a package of something very dark. She opens her family history in Mink Creek again as she spreads Letitia's ashes with Pamela and Misty. Does Gideon come home? The events of 9/11 touch her husband in a different way and he offers her something completely amazing, does she take it? Juneau battles within herself the demon of how to be a good friend to a friend who is experiencing abuse. Her family grows and expands even broader as Trace marries, has children so does Ira! Nicole serves a mission, and pursues her dreams. There is more to the Nicole and Beto story that could be told, but it is unfortunately left to the reader to explore.

Deenie unplugs from Wellsville and moves to FLORIDA for Roger's new job leaving behind her boys to attend college at Utah State University in Logan. Elizabeth (Beth/Liz) travels Europe with Addie Spencer. She finds love from a person I hadn't expected and serves a mission before getting married. Evvy attends private school in Florida, makes friends and defends her faith. Deenie-Do-It-All faces the reality of her actions and makes a friend of a supposed enemy, Delia. Roger has an accident and an addiction and is admitted to rehab. He enters home life a lot like Deenie did, a little distant and trying to find the new Roger. Deenie and the ever faithful Bear join a Search and Rescue in the area, and the inevitable happens, Bear dies saving someone. Did he save only those children, or was someone else saved in a different fashion along the way?
I can hardly wait to get my hands on whatever might come out in the future authored by these wonderful ladies, together or separate. They are doing a Virtual Tour right now, you can visit them on their tour by going to their blog and checking in on their activities! Www.crustyoldbroads.blogspot.com

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in the Company of Good Women trilogy, and it was great to spend more time with these ladies. The title is from a lecture that they attended when they had one of their "reunions," this time in Arizona. The lecturer is a Native American who shares a wonderful insight:

"I have a personal belief that each decision we make in life
puts together a package that will inevitably be opened at some time in the future. Some decisions we make without
conscious awareness, and some we make by choosing not to
choose in a given situation, thus not thinking about
consequences.

"But, decisions can also be made as the result of looking
ahead to what we want our lives to be. This gives us
something to live into. Even little things begin to put
together packages to be opened in the future." (pp. 65-66)

As their story continues, each of the women think about the things that happen and how choices they made in the past have contributed to the surprise packages they open later in life.

I love how they each have their own struggles and successes and how they each find strength and joy from sharing those struggles and successes with each other. That's what it should mean when women are friends.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last book in The Company of Good Women series. I have been a fan of the series from the beginning with Almost Sisters. The sequel, Three Tickets to Peoria, was a cliffhanger. This last book not only resolves everything in an excellent way, but it is open enough to allow for more writing!

Definitely not your typical LDS book by the twists and turns the series takes (a pivotal character, for example, comes out and says he is gay) but probably my favorite LDS series since The Work and the Glory

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this final book in the Company of Good Women series. It had been a while since I read the first 2 books so I had forgotten who some of the minor characters were.
I love that these women were so easy to relate to. They struggled through trials & triumphs that many of us go through being spouse, siblings, mothers & friends.
In my own life I've been blessed by some wonder women to help me through the trials of my life. Not sure where I'd be without Sandy, Leslie & Barbi and our emails that help us get through our weeks.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this trilogy. I could not wait to find out what was going to happen to these three women and their families. Like I said about book one, this is not just another "Molly-Mormon" novel. It is about trials, tests, bad and good times. I enjoyed how each one dealt with each hurdle they encountered as they went down the path of life, and the role these life-long friends played in the others lives. All three were very fast reads and kept your attention along the way. You really have to read all three to understand what it is about. I would recommend it to my friends.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I "stumbled across" the first book in this series "Almost Like Sisters" a couple of years ago, and just loved it. It was followed by "Three Tickets to Peoria", and now "Surprise Packages". I loved reading about the growth that these women made from their first meeting up through this book--and the way their personal growth affected (and was affected by) the others in their lives. I assume that this is the last book of the series--but would be happy to have it continue!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book in a great trilogy. I feel like I had many aha moments that would have been great to get from my own friends, but which nonetheless helped me to gain insight into myself and others. For instance, every woman is the heroine in her own life, so don't feel let down when your rescues play only a supporting role. And it never hurts to tell people that you love them for all they are, but would still love them if they changed. Really fun storytelling coupled with great wisdom.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying finish to the trilogy. I again couldn't put it down. I picked it up from the library, started reading it, and finished it the next day! Again, the women in the book are faced with hard, real life situations, have to learn to deal with them, and the authors don't try to make up simple solutions. I should also mention that the trilogy spans about 25 years in time, and I enjoyed the timeline references that the authors threw in from time to time.

[Deeanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading this series about three good friends, plus a mentor good friend. One thing, though, is it feels like you run through a lot of years to pack everything in, some times it goes too fast. But I liked the characters, they were written in a way that they seemed real and if I was in an English class I'd say they were dynamic. I would recommend reading all three books, starting with the first.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the final in the trilogy. I finished the 2nd book about 2 years ago so I had a hard time remembering all of the characters and their stories and connections. I liked the book and found a lot of quotes in it that I wrote down. I think it had a good message. The basic story is of 3 women who met at BYU Education Week. They hit it off and made a committment of having mini-reunions for 25 years. They met their committment and had so many experiences along the way.

[Sandee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it. It was a little slow for me even though it covered quite a bit of time. I found it hard to remember how old everyone had gotten! I liked how simple, realistic, easy to identify with, and happy the book seemed. The second one was hard to read with lots of tears. This was nicer. It got me thinking about things I need to do....

[Michelle Ratliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this series. Like I said before some parts are depressing but it is very uplifiting and comforting. Makes me want to re-connect with old friends or make new traditions with new friends. They way the touch on all possible issues a family can have was intriging. I could not put it down. I was constantly wondering what happens next. Or what would a COB do. Great read.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really got into this book series. It is amazing how real these peoples lives could be especially how the author intertwines real events into the characters lives. great lessons are learned and taught while life continues on her these three friends juney, deanne, and erin on their quest to become COB's( crusty old broads).

[Evamarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK I like the book the only reason I gave it a three was because the difficulty of remembering who all the supporting cast was. If anyone wants to read this series now is a good time since they are all written and don't space them to much apart. I read too much so sometimes it's hard to keep charercters straight.

[Gina Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series all at once, ok I did sleep a little, go to school and the other day-to-day things, but I found myself thinking about the characters when I was NOT reading the book. The characters became real to me. It made me think more of relationships I have with good women and how I wish there was more time in my day to spend with them!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meeting their 25 year pact, Erin, Jeneau, and Deenie rehash their lives--are they really COBs? Who knows? Most importantly they've stayed "almost sisters" all this time. What's next? "To quote Gabby, we pull up our socks and then put one foot in front of the other. And take the first step into the next 25 years of our lives."

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful series. I enjoyed the comraderie between these three women. What an ultimute support group. I really hated to see the book end. The problems were real and the solutions were gained through gospel living and the support of such great friends. Everyone deserves this kind of caring in this life.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this final book in the trilogy even more than the first two. When you follow the course of 25 years in the lives of 3 women, you can discuss a whole lot of issues that face us in the world today! The women were easy to identify with. I wish I made the effort to have some supportive 'best friends' like these women did!

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good easy read. The only problem is that I read the other two so long ago that I forgot some of the characters, and there are a lot of characters. Great light hearted book about life and friendship.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a nice way to end the series. It's funny how sometimes book characters can seem more like friends, which is how I felt about these characters after three books and tweny-five years of their lives. It's a pretty quick read, too.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book finished up the series. It was good, but had to cover a lot of time, which made for little details on some things. I did enjoy reading about these three different women and how they handled the things that came their way. A a light, enjoyable read.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best books in the series. Oh what a life these women have lived and how I could relate to each of them. I would recommend this book to all the women out there searching for who they are.

[Karlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all three of the books in this series, and have really enjoyed each of them. They are about three ladies that meet at Education Week and become good friends that keep in touch through the years on their way to becoming Crusty Old Broads.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

the title Surprise Packages is a the best title to describe this third addition to the Company of Good Women trilogy. I did not want this book to end nor the series to end. I laughed, cried, growled at this book. wow.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like these series of books. They talk about church stuff, but they're not completely churchy books if that makes sense. Some things I didn't like. But there are a lot of things that I did like. Good reads.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series. The variety of difficulties and situations the three women encounter over a 25 year period is insightful. I read the books in this trilogy a year apart, and it would be even more enjoyable to reread them one right after another.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointment. I loved this series in the beginning, but it seemed like with every book, it got more and more like a Mormon soap opera. Everything that could be crammed in her, was crammed in, plus a lot of stuff that didn't need to be there at all.