The Ladies Farm

by Viqui Litman

Fans of Southern women's fiction have cause to rejoice. Viqui Litman's "The Ladies Farm," her delightful tale about love, sex, and a really bad hair day, is now available in a Kensington Trade Paperback edition -- and it promises to have ladies all over the country laughing, sobbing, smiling ruefully in recognition -- and generally having a wonderful time. What can four girlfriends do when they lose a husband. . .or several? Open the Ladies Farm, a charming inn and day spa set in the Texas hill country. The proud proprietors are Pauline, guiding light of the group. . .writer-in-residence Della. . .no nonsense business manager Kat. . .and Rita, a sassy beautician specializing in Texas big hair. Together, they're going to make the Ladies Farm the best damn getaway in the country for women who need a retreat, . .from men. And things are going great -- until big-bottomed, spoiled silly Barbara Morrison zooms up in her red T-Bird -- bringing trouble along for the ride. Now, a piece of prime real estate, a feisty circle of friends, and a bombshell set to rock The Ladies Farm are on a collision course in a hilarious, true-to-life tale of the choices women make when they're old enough to now what they want out of life. . .and savvy enough to get it.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

260 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Susan Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is cute and catty at they same time. Several life long female friends buy into a home that they turn into a bed & breakfast that offers different classes. Each woman is divorced or a widow. Over the years of friendship you learn that each has her own bit of secrets.

Della had a long affair with Barbara's husband. Barbara slept with Pauline's husband, Hugh. Kat also had an affair with Richard, Barbara's husband who in now deceased. Della's ex husband, Tony is single again. Kat has also been with Richard.

It's not until Barbara - Whom Della doesn't really like, asks to move in that shit hits the fan. The affairs of the heart come to light with the death of Pauline shortly after Barbara's arrival. Pauline loved to journal and darn if everyone didn't confide in her.

Pauline's children now own half of the Ladies Farm now that Pauline is dead. What is to happen to the other ladies?

[Whitney Baugnet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d give this a solid 3. Maybe 3.5. It was sort of hard to follow each of the characters and really get to know and understand them. It got juicy, almost like a reality show about middle aged women, but it ended leaving me wanting more. I have so many more questions and could have used an extra 100 pages to find out how things could have or should have ended. It came to a very sudden stop, when it could have continued and finished better.

[Kathy Friedlander · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, hard to keep all of the characters and their associations straight. Hard to believe they all remained friends. Quick read, and seemed like the end was hurried. Cute premise, just wish the end was more worked out.

[Karla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like it, not a bit.

Like everything is better with Gucci.... just poorly written

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book started out good. Lots of emotional situations. An interesting concept. Then the book just ended. No discussion about if the ladies kept the Ladies Farm running or if Della married Tony….

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story, but I thought it ended kind of abruptly.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dear lawdy, there is a reason why it took years to finish this. It was horrible, and I have a really, really hard time not finishing a book once I have started it.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book by this author- I like stories that have multiple people and how their lives intersect which is why I picked this one up. It's about some middle-aged and older women who are now running a bed and bath called the Ladies Farm. There's a retreat aspect to this BnB with classes, aerobics and an onsite hairdresser. I enjoyed learning how their lives intersected but it was also a little bit like when you watch a series and then there's a new character, so you know that's the one that will die or is the killer? The intersections were maybe too much or too interconnected or something. But I did enjoy it and it brought me to tears a couple of times. I want to have friends when I am older.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't what I expected-thought it would be cutesy fluff kind of....and on the surface, it seems like it, but as you read on, the characters grow with the plot and to create an endearing but very light little read. I enjoyed.

[Guera · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very real topic for middle aged woman. I enjoyed Della's character very much. She did what made her happy while still checking whether her instincts are right and true to others. A bit repetitive towards the end.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

great summer read, enjoyed it

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice woman's fic

[☘️ Jeani · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted so much to like this but the characters bothered me right from the start and it all went downhill after that.

[Vera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I posted my thoughts on Ladies Farm here: http://www.inbetweencovers.com/2014/0...