The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (The Supremes #1) in Crazy Challenge Connection

Aug 17, 2013 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: debut, funny, african-american, own, racism, relationships, music, library, concierge, strong-women

Audio book performed by Adenrele Ojo and Pamella D'Pella.

Odette, Clarice and Barbara Jean have been best friends since high school, when they would meet their friends at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, listening to music and enjoying soft drinks and finger foods. In keeping with the music of the day, they were christened The Supremes, but unlike their namesakes they have stayed together through thick and thin. They’ve married and raised children in Plainview, a small town in southern Indiana near the K Audio book performed by Adenrele Ojo and Pamella D'Pella.

Odette, Clarice and Barbara Jean have been best friends since high school, when they would meet their friends at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, listening to music and enjoying soft drinks and finger foods. In keeping with the music of the day, they were christened The Supremes, but unlike their namesakes they have stayed together through thick and thin. They’ve married and raised children in Plainview, a small town in southern Indiana near the Kentucky border, and seen each other through the ups and downs of life. Now in their fifties they continue to face the challenges of middle age with courage and grace, and knowing their best friends will stand by and help them through anything.

Moore has crafted a delightful story of friendship and life lived with grace and flavored with humor. There are plenty of serious issues here – infidelity, alcoholism, racism, cancer – but the women face things with their eyes wide open and with the certain knowledge that their friends will stand by them. I had to keep reminding myself that this is written by a man, because he writes the women so well – the way they think and react seems real to me.

The novel is told in alternating time periods, taking us back in time to the beginnings of the Supremes’ friendship and some secrets they’d just as soon forget. Moore handles this back-and-forth in time quite well; I never felt lost or confused by changes in time or narrator. There are some over-the-top moments of hilarity, including a wedding disaster that had me guffawing out loud. Some ghosts make regular appearances (including a tipsy Eleanor Roosevelt), which could easily have gotten old and out-of-hand, but which Moore handled in such a way that I totally accepted the premise and was never distracted by it.

Adenrele Ojo and Pamella D'Pella do a great job of performing the audio book. They have good pacing, and the skill with a wide variety of voices to handle the myriad characters.

My only complaint is that I think he copped out with the ending. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want there to be any spoiler here, but it seemed as if he decided to end it so a sequel might be possible. This is a small quibble, really, because I sure am hoping there IS a sequel. I love The Supremes and would welcome a chance to read more about them and their adventures in life.
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Feb 15, 2013 April marked it as to-read

Shelves: review-copy, first-reads, won-it

I received a copy of this book free through Goodreads first Reads.

I work at a Senior/Youth center and donate all print books I win in giveaways to the library.

I hope I get a chance to check this one out in the near future!!!

I can say it must be a really good read because it has been checked out since I added it to the library shelves!!

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Apr 01, 2014 Rachel N. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The Supremes are three women who have been friends since childhood. Each one is currently facing a crisis, Odette has health problems, Barbara Jean is guilt ridden about her past and Clarice has to deal with a cheating husband. I really liked the three main characters and their significant others. Parts of the book were hilarious, like the horrible wedding, while others were heart breaking.

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Feb 24, 2013 Suzanne rated it it was amazing

Absolutely loved this!! It's hard to add to the praise in the reviews posted thus far - all I can say is yes, fantastic, lovable characters, laugh out loud moments, sobbing moments, laughing and sobbing together moments. A unique novel about friendships and family that touches every corner of your heart! ...more

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