The Red Hat Club Rides Again

Red Hat Club #2

by Haywood Smith, Cynthia Darlow (Read by)

Georgia, SuSu, Teeny, Diane, and Linda are back in a new celebration of life and women's friendships from the New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hat Club
The Red Hats are back, in rare form. When childhood friend Pru Bonner--black sheep of the group--falls off the wagon so hard it shakes the Red Hats' world, "the girls" rally to get her into rehab with a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas, and act as her family for group therapy whether Pru wants it or not. Then Teeny celebrates Pru's successful release with a one-month, carte blanche plastic surgery cruise for all six of them, after which Diane explores the unpredictable world of Internet dating. As always, laughter and heart are spiced with secrets, surprises, and pitfalls aplenty, including a pregnancy test for a fiftysomething, a fight for life for one of them, a gold-digging romeo, and a surprise wedding that proves it's never too late for love.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Romance, Southern, Humor, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the writing in this book, yet once again. My only drawback was the theme: avoiding 'looking old/your age' at any cost. I think what I particularly resented was that I felt unless I was doing all these things to stay 'looking younger,' there was no way I could be truly happy. (At least that is the way it felt to me!) I so disagree with that! I am simply proud of each day I have survived and hope to have thrived at least a little bit, too! Other than the theme, I loved this book as well!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even more fun than the first one!

[Casey Wernowksy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these books. And it’s so cool reading a book that takes place where I’m from.. knowing exactly where she’s referring to haha. Now to start the final one.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, sad, heartwarming. The bond between old friends who drop everything to help each other. Still hope to read the first issue.

[Amy Salamon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not wait to finish. This was a book club book, so it wasn't normally my choice, but I thought I'd give it a try. I couldn't stand the story, however, and I think it was because of these two reasons.
1. I am 33, not past 50, and I just didn't identify with or understand the issues, preoccupations of the women in the story. I just couldn't identify with them because I'm not at that place in my life.

2. They were vain women and I didn't like that personality trait and plot. I am vehemently opposed to tanning beds, so you can imagine how i felt when they took a plastic surgery cruise and were crowing about all the things they were dying to have done. Really?

The one good thing I got out of this book was the addiction part. I have eating disorder struggles and hearing Pru and Susu struggle with their addictions and the statements they tell themselves was almost cleansing for me. I say 'almost' because I need to move to the place where I can fight like Pru to make lifestyle changes. But the phrase "I WANT it but I don't NEED it" needs to be my new thought mode. Thank you, Haywood Smith, for putting that in front of me in black and white.

I loved Susu because she reminded me of a friend of mine. But those positive things weren't enough to redeem this story for me. I'm not motivated to pick up more of these books.

[Terhi Tatjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, if it’s possible for these ladies to get into anymore bizarre trouble, I just couldn’t say how! This adventure of the middle-aged red hat wearing Southern divas is more fast-paced and outrageous than the last one. Complete with all the ‘illicitudes’: of sex, drugs, rock and roll, crazy movie stars, strip bridge, and a Vegas scandal, it had me rolling on the floor laughing! Ever the proper Southern ladies, they can talk themselves in and out of more trouble than “Weird Al” Yankovic has made spoof songs. I love how the story flips back and forth from their younger days to present day, and we see each of the ladies grow, some for the better, others headed for the rough patches we find them in the present day. I love all the observations about friendship, women, and life in general, as narrated by Georgia – “30 plus years of friendship had taught us all to appreciate the cycles of distance to closeness at work in every relationship,” and isn’t that just true in life, the cycles within relationships? A fun and fast read for anyone who enjoys comedy and some Southern sass to go along with that!

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book partly because I was in the mood for a light read and I had enjoyed a previous book by Haywood Smith. Parts of it were entertaining and I like Smith's style of humor. Although I think the story can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, I wish I had read the previous book The Red Hat Club before reading this one. I think it would have given me more of a feel for the characters.

The Red Hat Club Rides Again switches back and forth from 1967-1968 to 2003-2004. Although I often like these time shifts in books, it didn't work as well for me in this one. The story involves 6 women who have been friends since high school and have continued to stay in touch (for the most part) for approx 35 years through good and bad times. In this novel, they end up in some pretty drastic escapades but come out in the end doing well. Having lived in the South for many years, I especially appreciate Smith's humor regarding Southern attitudes and traditions.

However, there were parts of the plot which just did not appeal to me at all and seemed unrealistic.
This is definitely a book in the chick-lit genre which is not one of my favorite genres so I may be harsher with my judgement of it than those who love that genre would be.

[IrishFan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in the series, and it was a nice quick read. Perfect for our road trip to California. I liked the story, it moved quickly and was entertaining. The section on the boat, however, ** SPOILER **


was a little farfetched. Teeny must have spent a LOT of $$ on the girls to get them whatever they wanted. I get spending $ on a gift, but she is very generous with her friends. I myself would feel way too guilty to accept this level of a gift. A fun read though.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship

The perfect lite read with a great message: To have faith and true friends make for a good and rewarding life. Granted, some of the Red Hats adventures were a bit far fetched, but the group's rules and interaction are ones that many can relate to. I recommend this book to any woman who wants to just be entertained.

[Theda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on CD – and I chuckled, I laughed and at one point my jaw actually dropped !

A lighthearted story about friends who support, respect and have fun with each other, with a few serious topics addressed, but without all the drama and angst that friends’ books seem to have lately.

Suspend your belief a little and enjoy this zany and caring group of women.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose it's a credit to the story concept--women of a certain age sticking together no matter what--that I kept with this book as long as I did--about two-thirds of the way through. But in the end it just got pointless for me with the makeover details, etc, and I only read the first page of the last several chapters having decided my time was best spent elsewhere.

[Debbie Deissler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cutesy book.... A group of ladies meets periodically to get together - rehash old times and plan fun adventures together....

When one of the ladies falls off the wagon - the group plans a group intervention that involves retrieving the friend from Las Vegas and helping her get back to her previous life. This book expounds on the escapades of these ladies completing that task.

[Leone Schultz-ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not often a book will make me laugh out loud, but this one definitely has that quality. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and the escapades these girls get into. Definitely on my "will read again" list.

[Rebecca Cecil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book. Love following the girls again. This time the girls are on a mission to save one of their own with love of course. Also big surprize from Teeny that will changd their livee forever.
I love the frienfship these fine ladies have and have kept for years.

[Allie Mallard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was much better than the first one. These characters are so so fun. They have such a fun dynamic together. They get into so much trouble but it’s so cute. I really enjoyed this one, much better than the first.

[Pat Welte · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really fun read and see these women grow up before your eyes.

[Linda Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fun bit of fluff. So good that sometimes I laughed out load.. Loved the writing and the characters. Can'r wait to read another similiar title.

[Dana Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did it as an audio book as we monitored across Nebraska. Some parts caused a chuckle and some parts a guffaw and others were deeply sentimental. A delightful read....or listen.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fun, fun!

[Blueballew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had friends like this!

[Cindy Kerr-Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being from Atlanta this sequel does not disappoint.

[Lane Burday · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only I had a rich friend that could take me on a cruise! Again, I love these books - all set in my hometown of Atlanta.

[Judy Spellacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud fun book to read.

[Tonya Mathis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. We should all have such friends and adventures.

[Carol Moore Kollar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story about a Red Hat group that takes a trip to Vegas when one of their members falls off the wagon. The recovery adventures continue on a cruise.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute....a little far-fetched but still a fun read!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What i didn't like about the book it that it kept jumping back and forth in time.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title of this book suggests this is the sequel to "The Red Hat Club", where the reader is reconnected with Diane, Linda, SuSu, Teeny, and Georgia.

These ladies, as before, are a delight to read. They originally met back when they were still in school, though then school didn't mean what it means now. Their school was teaching them how to behave as proper ladies, how to be good wives when they married, and all the skills they would need to lead a married life. However, as today that is not the way, the ladies have definitely learned a few things over the decades. However, their friendship has held strong.

Don't misunderstand, as with any friendship, they've had their trials and tribulations over the years. Some of those escapades are written about in the first book, and some more follow in this one. Don't worry you don't have to read the first in order to be able to follow along in the 2nd. Though I think it will make it more enjoyable if you do.

One of the escapades in this book is the rescue of their friend Pru, whom you meet very briefly in the first Red Hat Club book. She was friends with the ladies back in their school days, but life and bad decisions along the way, have caused a seperation between them. In this book, we get to see Pru again, and learn more about her life and the events that led her to where she is now.

In small doses, throughout the book, Haywood Smith leads you backwards into the past of these ladies, to give you a better foundation of their personalities and lives. Normally, for me, this is a writing technique that drives me crazy. I absolutely hate bouncing around in time. However, the visits to the past are brief, and they're not so frequent that you get confused. Also, Smith announces the time and location of the events at the beginning of each chapter, so it helps prepare you. There will be a chapter of the past, and then several chapters in the present, so as I said it's not so annoying or confusing.

I believe the part I like best about these ladies' friendship is The 12 Sacred Traditions. I found them to be insightful, humorous, and quite applicable. I think if more people followed these rules there might be a lot less strife in relationships.

I admire the Red Hats, and find them to be among my "idols" for what I'd love to have when I'm that age. I can only hope I find women who are as great as these 6!

[Gabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover of this book tells me it's supposed to be a "hilarious, heartwarming read." Booklist says it's a "riotous, raucous, roller-coaster adventure." I didn't find it to be any of those things. For me, it was insulting to women of the age group eagerly waiting for the day they can wear purple dresses and red hats. In fact, this book made it sound as though women who qualify for the purple/red combo first have to lose their minds before changing into their new get-up. I like the whole red hat concept, but I sure didn't like Haywood Smith's interpretation of it. There was a fundamental lack of credibility in each character's behavior. Smith's brand of storytelling better lends itself to fairy tales rather than to women over the age of 50. None of the women in the book seem to have much common sense as is evidenced by the way they spend money. One of the women is supposed to be richer than God, but given her tendency to throw huge sums of cash at every problem, she won't maintain her fortune very long. None of the women has a credible relationship with a man, so there wasn't even a romance angle to keep this reader interested. Usually I can think of someone to whom I might be able to recommend a book, but not in this case. I'd say save your money and let the red hat club self-destruct all by their lonesome.

[Jazminn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really not sure if I'm a fan of Hayward Smith.

So we're back with the Red Hat Club, all six members in this one. There's a kidnapping, a wedding, fights, plastic surgery, a cruise, recovery from drugs and alcohol, and a lot of laughter. With a plot as good as that, why did it only get three stars?

I found myself skipping pages of this book. I get secondhand embarrassment. And I also have wondered a lot now that I'm reading on the regular, why authors feel the need to add characters to stories that they know they won't be there. If there just filler, why even announce them? And I felt myself asking that during this book. Also wondering why you add something when in the end it doesn't matter? If I'm left with more questions than answers in a book, I'm really not happy. I also don't understand the insane amount of money being wasted in these books.

I did like how everybody ended up happy. I believe Georgia is finally happy with herself. And in love with her husband. Susu was happy. I also liked how there weren't that many flashbacks in this book. It's nice to have them for breaks, but to constantly go back and forth, is really tiring.