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Bellingwood #23

That's What Friends Are For

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Summer in Bellingwood should be a chance to relax and gather strength for the beginning of the school year. That certainly hasn't been true for Polly and her family. Rebecca and Beryl visited the East Coast, meeting Polly's friends from Boston and seeing the sights. When Rebecca returned to Bellingwood, she discovered that Andrew Donovan wasn't the same person she knew before she left. Everything changed - and none of it was good. Hayden and Cat just returned from their honeymoon to Niagara Falls, while Aaron and Lydia are finally home from their trip to Atlanta visiting their son, Jim, and his girlfriend, Kate. It's a good thing everyone is back where they belong. Polly will need them soon. Polly and Henry's neighbors moved away and though the house sold, they have yet to meet the new family. Moving Day is finally here and the excitement is more than Polly's little boys can stand. The new neighbors are about to disrupt their quiet street. New kids to play with, new friends, and an unexpected mystery nearly tears everyone to pieces. Couple that with the disappearance of another favorite character and Polly finds herself in over her head. She needs strength to get through this and finds it where she always does, in her family and friends. It's good to call Bellingwood home.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2018

305 people are currently reading
21 people want to read

About the author

Diane Greenwood Muir

117 books270 followers

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5 stars
496 (76%)
4 stars
119 (18%)
3 stars
32 (4%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Author 3 books5 followers
September 26, 2018
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR: Another great trip to Bellingwood

I have read all 23 books in this series, and the extra novellas as well. Every time I read one of these books, it's like going home. It's a happy/sad mixture of laughing and crying, and each one keeps me reading from beginning to end with as few stops as possible. This one has a lesson in it that all of us should remember, that each of us has had difficult times in our lives, and has had to deal with them so we could heal. the best part is when we have friends and family around us to take some of the pain for us, until we can bear it ourselves. None of us is immune to this in our lives, but if we're blessed like Polly is, with friends and family who love her, everything eventually turns out well. I am sorry, as usual, to see this one end, but glad that in December, there will be another book. Thanks for writing these for us, and sharing Bellingwood with the world.
76 reviews2 followers
September 26, 2018
Old friends, a new family, and of course, a dead body!

This series never disappoints! Polly & Henry take all of their accumulated family and their problems in stride, and always have the time to help anyone who needs them. I love these books because I'm very familiar with all places mentioned, since my daughter lives about 15 miles from where "Bellingwood" is located. I've actually shopped in the Boone "Book Shoppe", eaten at some of the restaurants mentioned, and driven thru many of the areas talked about! I have the tendency to read each new book in a day, and then I'm sad that it will be there months until the next one. Give "Bellingwood" a visit and I think you'll love it. Just be sure to start with Book 1.
1,423 reviews9 followers
October 16, 2018
Although I love the books in the Bellingwood series, this is not one of my favorites. The characters: Polly and her family, Shelly, Andrew, Andrea, Cilla, Kyle, and alot of others, people this book and each of them has a story. What is a bit hard to follow is the many folks that I could previously track, relate to and follow willing into each book and the next- have become a mighty extended group causing me to forget one or another and have a challenge to keep abreast of the situation, plot, past history and new doings. Though I generally like her plots this one felt more contrived and less believable. I still have great admiration for Polly and her abilities to realate to such a diffeernt and challenging bunch of folks.
Profile Image for Leah Speller.
411 reviews3 followers
December 12, 2018
Title so aptly named!

I always get excited when I find there is a new Bellingwood book out. It is a time to return to my favorite hometown and catch up with everyone. I am never disappointed in this series and the growth of the characters. I believe that one of the reasons this series works so well is that not only are there new characters but different characters flow in and out just as those in our lives would do. This truly stays with the slice of life idea. I will continue to return to Bellingwood for a visit as long as she continues to write about them!
70 reviews
September 30, 2018
Another Great Book in the Series

Diane introduced us to new characters in this book, it was great meeting them. A new family moved in across the street from Polly. The family has a daughter the same age as Polly does. The girls become friends, and the two girls have so much energy and they are both "drama queens" at times. It will be fun to see what happens next with these girls and their families. I laughed a lot reading this book
Profile Image for Patricia Bardon.
11 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2018
Love all the twists and turns of events.

I fell in love with Polly from the first book. Her character is someone that is easy to relate too and each new character that comes into her life adds more excitement to each book. I have read them all and sometimes more than once. If you want to read clean stories with new story lines of people's everyday lives read this series from book one. Hard to put down.
79 reviews
December 21, 2020
You find friends everywhere.

Neighbors move in across the street from you and they have a daughter just like yours, thing can become interesting. Polly and her neighbor take turns taking the girls to band camp in Boone. One day Polly is a couple of minutes late and neighbor girl gets kidnapped. Polly's friend Sylvie's son Andrew goes missing around the same time. Polly is so upset she forgets to eat. Read and find out the ending to this tale in Polly's life.
Profile Image for Patricia A. Biba.
394 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2021
Friends New and Old

New neighbors moving in and old friends having problems. I was surprised that Rebecca and Andrew ended their friendship. I'm glad that Polly fights to keep her friendships going as she helped figure out Andrew's problem and helped to turn him around. When she found the neighbors daughter I was really glad. How problems come and go are amazing. I feel often that its like I'm right next door. Good reading.
164 reviews1 follower
September 25, 2018
I love it!

Diane’s Bellingwood books just get better as they go on. I’ve been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint. My only regret is that I have finished it, I want to keep reading about these characters who have become my friends, and some new ones, too. If you haven’t read these books, I heartily recommend that you start at the beginning and read them all.
69 reviews
September 25, 2018
Another blockbuster from Diane!

As ever Diane and Polly pull you into the story and don't let go! Bellingwood books just get better with each one, read one and you have to read them all, and re-read them again and again while waiting for the next one to be published! Thanks Diane!
Profile Image for Kathy Stucky.
12 reviews
October 17, 2018
Wonderful, as always!

This book ranks up there as a definite favorite! I love the new family across the street and looking forward to knowing them better. If you haven't discovered the fun and adventure of Bellingwood yet, take the plunge with Book 1. You won't be sorry and you'll make some wonderful friends along the way!
17 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2018
Wonderful!

I love this series! My only complaint is that once I start reading about Polly and all her people, I can't put it down until I've finished the book. I really must learn to pace myself. The world needs Bellingwood, we need to embrace our family and friends, see the good, work through the bad and move on. Thank you Diane, for another great book!
54 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2018
Back to Bellingwood.

All I can say is, I want to live in Polly's world. Funny, but my Pastor's sermon topic coming up on Sunday is about community. I just wish Diane Greenwood Mike's vision of community could be real. Between Muir and Cynthia Ruchti, I just want to crawl into their books and never come out.
Profile Image for Jean.
7 reviews
September 24, 2018
Never ever disappointed!

As always I wait for next book and I have never been happier to have found an author who brings such rich interesting characters to life!! Love Polly and her whole enormous family!!
156 reviews1 follower
September 26, 2018
Fantastic

What a great story. Lots of love with a touch of sadness. Sorry Andrew had to go through so much but it will help him in his growing up. Awesome story with lots of great people.
Profile Image for Michele bookloverforever.
8,336 reviews39 followers
September 26, 2018
That's What Friends Are For (Bellingwood books)

I adore this series. So many people with so many stories enrich a small town . This story has jealousy, anger, violence, love, fear, joy and a happy ending. Good clean stories about people being human and loving each other anyway.
Profile Image for Belinda K Miller.
227 reviews
September 27, 2018
On so good to have my friends back in a new adventure!

As always the story.Keeps you entertained and get to meet new characters that just keeps life more interesting in bellingwood! Can't wait for the next stories!
23 reviews
October 4, 2018
This may be the best book in the series! I didn’t want to put it down, even knowing that the next book is a very long way in the future. Loved the new characters, and always love Polly’s new adventures. Keep’em coming.
567 reviews
October 4, 2018
Polly Giller is on the loose again.

A number of things have happened since the last book. Rebecca and Andrew are no longer talking. Polly has new neighbors moving in across the street. And everyone is going up.

Read and enjoy!!
12 reviews
October 25, 2018
Love Bellinvwoos

I just finished this book and I already can't wait for the next one. I love reading about Polly, Henry, their family,extended family and friends. I love both the mystery and romance and hope this series never ends.
Profile Image for Terri Calvert.
99 reviews
December 13, 2018
Fabulous!

I will never get enough of Bellingwood. Polly is a huge part of it but I think all of the characters are wonderful. The books have given me so much. Life is good and I’m so happy to be part of Polly’s world.
24 reviews
January 19, 2019
Great storytelling

I've read all Ms. Muir's books and I love them all. Very fine character development, plotting, everything. I can't wait to read the next one. I'll cry the day she stops writing the Bellingwood series! Thanks, Ms. Muir!
76 reviews
February 21, 2019
Continued adventures of Polly Giller and friends

Another great Bellingwood book! This one is packed full of adventure and new characters. Characters from the beginning are growing up and learning difficult, but important lessons. On to the next book!
672 reviews4 followers
July 31, 2019
Great installment

I am enjoying this series immensely. The characters are fun to get to know and I love the way new characters are added.I can't wait to see where they all go next. I am going to be so sad to reach the end of this series.
134 reviews
January 17, 2023
Oh the many different situations that Polly and friends find themselves in. How will we survive a parents worst fear for their children. And yet many friends provide support and help each other through them.
Profile Image for Robert Moore.
Author 1 book1 follower
April 21, 2025
Read book one and you will want to read all of them.

I have finishes reading 23 of the 47 books. I have loved every one of the books. I have also lived the books. When I finished a book I could not wait to start the next. Best series I have ever read.
Profile Image for Diana.
1,929 reviews12 followers
September 26, 2018
Super fun read. #23 in the series! Lots of twists, turns, drama, tears & laughter in this installment.
Profile Image for Baba.
125 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2018
Another Bellingwood novel about Polly and her friends and family. An easy read, many good stories of kindness, caring and unfortunate incidents.
Profile Image for Michele.
16 reviews
September 29, 2018
Bellingwoid

As usual, Diane doesn't disappoint, this series is strong from book one too book 23. I can't wait for book 24. Starting a Bellingwood book is like coming home!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews

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