Grade: 3.5 out of 5
Bev is the Smart One, who finally leaves her artistic ambitions in chalk dust (and her humor-impaired husband in the armsand legsof his nubile protge) to become a schoolteacher. Clare is the Pretty One, who married well and seems to be living a designer version of the suburban dream. Joey is the Wild One, struggling to stay clean and sober now that she’s used up her fifteen minutes of fame as a one-hit-wonder rock star.
They love each other but mix like oil, water, and hundred-proof gin … a combination that threatens to combust over family tensions, suspected infidelities, a devastating accident, a stunning confession, and the sudden reappearance of their handsome, now all-grown-up former neighbor, Kenny Waxman, who’s back in town making his mark as a TV comedy writer.
It seems they’ll never understand where their differences begin and their own destructive tendencies end. Then it happens: the sisters discover a decades-old body stuffed inside an industrial drum and begin a bold, heartbreaking, and sometimes hilarious journey that will either bring them together … or tear them apart for good.
I haven’t been in the mood to read Chick Lit for a while now and while I enjoyed this book, it was a little slow to pick up for me. I couldn’t really get past the first few chapters because I didn’t feel that instant connection with the main character of this book, Bev. Bev is part of a trio of sisters who are as different as can be. Bev, is the smart one, Claire is the hot one and Joey is the wild one.
Bev is at a crossroads in her life and she’s decided to make some changes (in locations and vocations and all that) in her life and Joey, who was once a rising rock star is trying to overcome her addiction to drugs and Claire seems to be living the typical suburban lifestyle but is dealing with stuff of her own. They all come together to solve the murder of the body they found and while they’re doing that, they each learn things about themselves that are bound to change the way they are for the rest of their lives.
Once the story picked up, it stayed on that fast paced storytelling that I enjoy. I was able to connect with Bev the most out of all of the sisters and I began to understand each sister as we got to know them. At first, I didn’t like Claire because I thought she was too, I don’t know but as the story progressed, the more I liked her and I ended up really, really liking her. As for Joey, it was a lot harder for me, personally to connect with Joey but I never not liked her. She slept around and she lived her life in the fast lane but though I didn’t understand her, I enjoyed her little storyline. This book made me think a lot about my own sisters and how we interact with each other because we were so different from these guys. But I enjoyed getting to know Bev, Claire and Joey. I enjoyed reading about them and I just enjoyed their story.
This book was not as happy go lucky as I assumed, judging by the cover of this book. There are hard times and their are bad decisions made in this book but those are what made it so much more enjoyable. They added depth to this story and I think Ellen Meister did a good job of pulling this one off. I’ll try her out again, sometime in the future.
I’d recommend this to those out there who are looking for a quick but deep read. This would be the perfect fit.
This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here.
What a gorgeos cover, and interesting review.
I had many of the same thoughts on this book as you…slow to get into, (I abandoned it one point) but once I got into it, I enjoyed it. Great review.
I’ve been debating on getting this book or not! I was hesitant since I don’t do too much chick lit but the cover really caught my eye and then the little blurp sounded good.
But I’ll hold off for awhile instead.
Thanks for the review.
Well, I’ll be damned… a BEV! And OF COURSE she’s the smart sister, we all are.
Is she a Beverly Jean or a Beverly Ann (99% of us are one or the other)?
m.,
This book wasn’t bad but I guess I just wasn’t in the mood to read it when I started it but I am glad that I finished it.
Amy,
Thanks..which one was your favorite sister?
Ing,
Depending on what kind of mood you’re in when you pick up this book plays a factor on if you’ll enjoy this book but once you get passe the hump of the beginning, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this book.
Bev,
Hmmm, I don’t even remember sorry sweets.