I was interested enough in it to finish it, and got interested enough in it to read the last half in two days, but I never felt all that connected to the characters. Some of the things that happened at the end seemed to come out of nowhere, such at Miranda's relationship with Leanne. I did find some echoes of Austen in the book, especially the genteel family forced into respectable poverty and depending on a relative to help them along. I think a book club would find some things to talk about. I did not particularly enjoy the author's style of writing, tho I did get comfortable with it by mid book.

I agree with Andreas...the ending was a jolt to me, and was the reason I did not recommend it as a discussion book for my book club. I had chosen the book early on, but changed my mind. In retrospect, I found the writing 'jerky' in spots and although I bonded with Betty the other characters never did really come alive for me.

This is a book that I kept waiting for the characters to develop. They did have characteristics but they seemed so unfocused. I finished the book because I was hoping for some solution that showed any amount of determination. I am not discounting Anne, she was the only one that was aware of their financial crisis. I liked Uncle Lou and his enthusiasm and willingness to help---the character of Roberts, who actually saved the family, was left a small character. I would not recommend this book.

I loved the book and couldn't stop reading it. I found the characters funny, interesting, and infuriating, by turns, and their interaction and growth throughout the story was engaging. I liked the way Betty started out seeming totally out-of-touch and a bit addled, then coming through and sticking it to her faithless husband in the end!

I agree with Andreas--I never felt like I really got to know the characters. The story could have been so much richer -- a missed opportunity

I really wanted to like it but could only read about 100 pages before I realized that I didn't like the main characters and didn't really care what happened in their lives. I read a lot of great reviews of this book and I really tried to read it but just couldn't.

Dave s..I had somewhat the same reaction after reading glowing revues. Read in this morning's NYTimes that publishers are paying people (who are making a living doing this!) so much per good revue. So much for impartial revues!! Now, who do we believe?

I agree with those of you who were disappointed by this book. It seemed too predictable once the characters were introduced and described throughout the first chapters. The story just didn't do it for me and I had to force myself to finish the story.

I did not care for the book. I thought it was too slow moving and the "plot" was shallow.

I was very disappointed in this book. There just wasn't much of a story to it. The characters seemed to wallow along in their own little worlds. I really wanted to like this book, and there were a few redeeming paragraphs, but generally, a waste of reading time. I'm sure Ms. Shine and her editors put a lot of effort into it, and hopefully they can use it as a learning tool for a better story next time.

I have to admit that the beginning was not easy because I felt that it was predicatable but as I read I felt in love- and hate with the characters. I am glad I gave the book a chance. I really wanted to read it because I had The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine and loved it. This book is perfect for any book club, also and I will recommend it to mine. It has many themes and topics for discussion that I am sure my members will love to comment on!

For some reason this book did not appeal to me. There didn't seem to be much of a plot. I had a difficult time getting into the story line and forced myself to finish reading it.

I had trouble getting into the story at the beginning, but by the end was staying up half the night to finish it. I really wanted to find out of Annie was going to forget about Frederick (who didn't really appear to care about anyone but himself) and get together with Roberts (whose caring for her she clearly didn't see).

I thought the story was going to focus more on the end of the 50-year marriage. I was totally into this story! Then when the daughters entered the picture, and the focus was more on them (especially Miranda), I was still interested, but not quite as much.

Everything trailed along, and suddenly, events took a turn, and the book started getting trite. Miranda's getting involved with Leanne was just UNBELIEVABLE.

By the end, my opinion of the book plummeted. In my initial enthusiasm, I had recommended the book to many, but now I take it back.

When I sent in my first negative revue of this book I worried that I was perhaps very much in the minority, but it seems my reaction was in the mainstream. I feel vindicated!

I agree with debracoley, as I thought it was not going to be very readable but found I liked the book.

I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. It definitely is a light read and perfect for the summer. The characters held my interest especially Betty. Her daughters, not so much. Cousin Lou was a perfect foil for the story. The author could have left the Palm Springs part out, it didn't add that much and she could have moved the story in a different way. I would recommend it for my book club, there is a lot to discuss in this book.

I agree with many of the other respondents about the lack of depth in the characters. I too had trouble staying with the story because I didn't feel involved with the characters. I really got tired of their whining and irresponsible behavior in the light of no real disaster in their lives. Miranda, with the loss of her business and bankruptcy should have had the most to deal with but that was given a light touch. The story focus on their emotional states as a result of their mother's impending divorce was not particularly appealing to me. With all the twists and turns in their relationships I was somewhat interested in the final resolution which held me to the end.

I agree with lynneb, the whining became a distraction rather than an interest point. Miranda should have been the strong character in the story. She was written as a strong business woman in the beginning and then was treated as a shallow person in the end. Her real problems with the bankruptcy were never really explored in the book.

The most disappointing aspect of the book is the way the author just seemed to "throw away" Miranda. As janen noted, Miranda should have been the strong character. Instead, she spends way too many pages meekly following Kit around, getting involved with taking care of his son. Then when Kit leaves, Miranda loses all her initiative.

I kept waiting for her to regain it. But her character grew weaker, finally disappearing into nothing tangible.

The author blew it.

I had a really hard time getting into this book and never did warm up to it. There was a bit of humor, mostly compliments of Mr. Shpuntov. The quick wrap-up of the various plotlines at the end didn't help matters any. I liked the character of Annie, as she did become more human toward the end. But I didn't really come to care about the characters. And the death of Betty just did not fit well with the story. I felt like perhaps the author didn't know perhaps how she would have ended it if Betty had lived. It was just too neat. My book group (a Jewish one) is reading it this month so I am sure we will have an interesting discussion the end of Sep.

The book has too many neat story lines. After awhile, they become boring.

I really liked the book once I go into it. Had a hard time in the beginning, but it grew on me. In the end, I really enjoyed the book. I am an only child, so understanding the the complexity of three sister's relationships was somewhat difficult.

I had difficulty staying with this book for the first few chapters. Once I got going with it I loved it. I enjoyed all the characters "as the were", so to speak. People do what they do. I particularly liked Betty, who really did try to turn the most dismal events into a picnic. Good for her!

I am an avid reader, but had a difficult time becoming engaged with this novel. The three primary characters seemed disengaged from one another rather than interacting, and following them was work. I didn't really like them. Without a clear protagonist to feel empathy or support for within the first 5 chapters I stopped reading. Perhaps the storyline improves deeper inside the pages.