The House on Olive Street/Never too Late

by Robyn Carr

When a group of writers loses a member, a summer spent sorting through her things offers the perfect escape for the friends who loved and miss her.

Sable has everything and her bestselling novels have made her a star. But she has a past she is desperate to hide.

Elly is an intellectual who has hidden herself within the walls of academia, afraid to admit she is tired of being alone.

Barbara Ann is the talent behind twenty-six romance novels, but she’s lost control of her career and her family.

Beth’s popular mysteries have become the only way she can fight against the secret tyranny of an abusive husband.

Gathering in Gabby’s house on Olive Street, away from their troubles, the four women discover something wonderful: themselves. And together they realize a dream. For, in telling the story of a remarkable woman, their own stories begin to change.

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2019

About the author

Robyn Carr is a RITA® Award-winning, eleven-time #1 New York Times bestselling author of over sixty novels, including the critically acclaimed Virgin River series and Sullivan's Crossing series. Robyn's new women's fiction novel, THE FRIENDSHIP CLUB, will be released in January 2024. The new hit Sullivan's Crossing TV series (season 1) inspired by Robyn's book series was released in the USA in the fall of 2023! Plus, season 5 of the worldwide fan-favorite Virgin River TV Series is now streaming on Netflix (July 2023) with two holiday episodes coming November 30, 2023. Both TV series have been renewed for another season!
Robyn is a recipient of the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and in 2017, VIRGIN RIVER was named one of the HarperCollins 200 Iconic Books of the past 200 years. Robyn currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can visit Robyn Carr's website at https://www.robyncarr.com/.

Reviews

[Joan Boucher]

Another good book I read

[Barbi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining read about a group of women and their discovery of true friendship. A reminder of how our friendships help us through our hurts and happiness, and how we depend on each other even when we don't realize it. Also, the discovery of family and the things that really matter in life.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabby found four lost souls and gathered them together. All were writers of some sort and would meet at her house to talk about their latest book endeavor or upcoming events. Rarely would they discuss personal things. Gabby was a smart lady and realized they all needed each other. They were shocked when they assembled at her house to surprise her with a birthday party only to find her dead body. She had left her oldest friend Elly a letter asking that the group go over her papers and manuscripts to dispose of. That is when they found her last manuscript. It was based on her true life love affair with award-winning photographer John Shelby.

The women were shocked to meet John's son Todd who told them of his final meeting with his father. He had come to tell his two children that he and his wife were divorcing. He had met an American writer he had fallen in love with and planned to marry her. Todd was upset and told his father he hated him. Words said in anger that can never be taken back as his father was killed on the train in the London station. Years later, Todd came to meet Gabby and told her how much John had loved her.

The women worked on editing and finalizing the manuscript which became a best seller. Working together they learned more about each other and helped each other when needed.

[Mary Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading some of the negative reviews of this book, I almost didn't bother to read it because I have several other books waiting for me. Nevertheless, I have been reading books by Robyn Carr for several years and have always enjoyed her work so I decided to try The House on Olive Street. I'm glad I did because I enjoyed watching the lives of the four women develop, and I loved the mechanics and depths of their friendship. I found myself laughing at some of the things they said and worrying about some of the tense moments that occurred. I liked the way Ms. Carr tied up all of the plot strands at the end too. I'm glad I gave Robyn Carr the benefit of the doubt; and, in spite of the negative reviews, gave this novel a chance.

[Christina Hongach · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was in no way “bad” or even boring. There was enough of a storyline that it was easy to follow and motivating to finish. My only issues with this book was that it felt like it was trying to touch on too many different subjects; surprise death and loss, marital abuse, alcoholism, loneliness, disturbed childhoods, and lost love... among 5 separate characters each bringing a point of view. So while it was interesting and captivating to meet each of the main characters, I felt like there was more that could have been said for each, much more of a story to be told. The lives of these 5 women were extraordinary, yet we only got to meet them a little bit, and then the story was finished.

[T.A. Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The passing of a friend brings four women back together at her home. They work together after finding her notes and some manuscripts. This act makes the women face some fears and secrets that they had been keeping from each other. This was a beautifully written story about grief, friendship and these women learning who they truly are.

I have been a fan over Carr's book for awhile and she surprises me with each one she writes. The lessons in her books make you want to be a better version of yourself.

[Ashley Brenae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book at a Goodwill while on vacation, having run out of things to read. I picked it up and then put it down to read something else a few times, so it took me almost a month to finish. But it was good. A little dated, perhaps… having been written in 1999 when no one had a cell phone, much less a smart one. The four main characters were very different from each other but all likable and learning, despite all being full-grown adults. I love books about writers, and this one did not disappoint.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I think this is a rerelease of an old title, it turned out to be a fun read.

When tragic circumstances cause 4 writers to live together for the summer old hurts are mended, truths are told and so much more.

I probably related to Barbara Ann and her four oafish sons a little too much after having college sons come home for the summer, but it did give me some talking points and opened my eyes to the ways they do help.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gathering at a house on Olive Street for one of the members of a writing group turns out not to be a celebration but a sad occasion. On entering the house to have a surprise birthday party for Gabby the friends find her body. The four women left are devastated by their friends death as she held the group together. These friends come together to tell the story of the remarkable woman they all knew and loved.

[Pat Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Robyn Carr & this did not disappoint. It’s the story of 4 close friends that spend a summer in their deceased friend’s house, collecting notes, & information to publish her last book. At the end, the final chapter comes together after a surprise visit. Not only did Gabby’s book get published, but all the friends , through helping each other other, healed & were able to move forward with their lives.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful look into the lives of a women's writers group. Mostly they are friends and a support team. When one of them dies, it throws the other four into chaos, introspection, and helping each other come to terms with their lives. Robyn Carr wrote sensitively and explored some difficult themes.

[Tasha Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all of Robyn Carrs books. This one took me a little bit longer to get in to, but after about half way through I was hooked. I think it was just getting to know all the characters took a while, there was a lot of back and forth.

Love a good story about women helping women and supporting them through all the challenges.

[Jessica Cornish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story of women coming together to heal. The peek into the lives of these authors is something I found interesting as well. They all approach their craft with the limitations of their own confidence. The self doubt and self criticism women can inflict on themselves in all walks and stages of life is well reflected here. I thoroughly enjoyed all their stories and their triumphs.

[Casey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to like it. I've heard good things about the author. The premise sounded delughtful. But the book itself just seemed dreadfully boring. Maybe unbeknownst to me its part of a series snd Im missing background info on the chatacters. Idk, Inteied several times, butvit never got any more interesting.

[Irina Kr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story with happy end for everybody.
Everybody has their skeletons in the closet but when friends become close to each other they are ready to be just themself.
Nice story to read on vacation and on the beach.

[Jessica Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It was a great weaving of stories of individual women and their strengths and weaknesses and how they learn about dealing with both. A wonderful example of women finding strength from other women while maintaining their own family/friend connections.

[CHRISTY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a little boring. Rather than feeling like I'm going to miss the characters, as I normally do when I finish a book, I'm glad to be through. And I'm not sure why. Maybe not enough character development, just story?

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very rarely give 5 stars. A book really has to move me to get that rating for me. This one did. I loved how different the main characters all were to each other and how they supported each other throughout the book. Definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys books by this author.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Robyn Carrs story telling style. And this one is a female friends story. Fun and dramatic. Terrific read.

[Cynthia Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four friends keeping secrets...brought together by the loss of the one that was the glue that helped keep them together. Can they face their secrets? Make a new future?

[Craftyrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a group of women. Friendship, families, love and all things in between. It makes the world go around.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get through. The characters were a bit annoying but I enjoy the author's style.

[Karen Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am definitely a fan of Robyn Carr. I just love her characters.

[Diana Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could jump in this book I would've . Loved the characters, the story, everything. Such a great story of friends and life and so true.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that first got me hooked on Robyn Carr. A story about friends more than romance.

[Shannon Houser · Rating 4 out of 5]

After starting and stopping this book a few times I finally had a chance and really focus on it. It was a good story of friendship. But I truly associated with Barbara Ann!

[Karin Duarte · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by Carr. I liked all of the ‘dysfunctional’ women. How she brought them altogether and how they were, each in their own way, able to help each other.

[Megan Moffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good, but there was a lot going on at once. There were great parts, good parts and boring parts. Overall I enjoyed reading it.

[Mafflerb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather slow moving at times. Other times the passage of time was confusing. Good positive story

[Janina K Bratina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable well-written and well-characterized novel about women and their relationships with their families, loves, themselves, their work, and each other.