Rated of 5
by Sarah H. (Arvada, CO) Well intentioned, poorly executed
Unremarkable characters and prosaic writing make an interesting premise unsubstantial. There are a few poignant lines, but they seem out of context. The author's intent and honesty come through to lend the book legitimacy, making it readable just not memorable.
Rated of 5
by Mary Lou M. (N Royalton, OH) The Art of Saying Goodbye
In my opinion, the characters lacked a true connection. Yes, Paisley was supposedly the connection to everyone, but as the reader, I never felt a connection to Paisley. Background information on the characters needed some punching up. Would not recommend this book to my book club, it might cause a mutiny.
Rated of 5
by Marie C. (Wyoming, DE) Shades of...
I started this book thinking, "Well, this is just shades of 'Desperate Housewives' minus the comedy." As I moved further into the book it settled in to the author's distinct narrative style. It will definitely be appreciated by the 35 - 55 women set. Except for the sometimes confusing flashbacks the story is well written and I found myself living the neighborhood's struggle with one of their own battling cancer. i enjoyed the dynamics of the various relationships between the women and their husbands. I would recommend this book. It's a fast read.
Rated of 5
by Marti F. (Coralville, IA) Very disappointed
The brief intro at the beginning of this book does not accurately describe this book at all. It states that the four women, (who find ways to comfort their friend who is dying), "grow closer as the days go by." Actually, none of these four women are good friends, merely acquaintances. They rarely interact during the course of the book. If they had, there would have been some depth and interesting reading. But to me, it felt disjointed.
The last page was beautifully written and there was some sense at the end that each of the four women and their lives had been changed in a good way.
Rated of 5
by Donna W. (Wauwatosa, WI) The Art of Saying Goodbye
The book revolves around the lives of 5 women both before and after they learn that one of them has a serious illness. It is not a great storyline, and the author doesn't delve deeply enough into any of the character's lives that we form much of an attachment to them.
I kept expecting more, and never felt that I got much. At best it was just an ok read.
Rated of 5
by Karen J. (Bremerton, WA) Disappointed
It's a good story but lightly told and given the title and subject I expected more. The cover of the book shows three women and had the author limited her story to three, one of whom was dying, there would have been more opportunity for depth. Instead I felt like I was skimming along a one dimensional surface, bouncing back and forth between the lives of the five women, covering a lot of territory yet never plunging much deeper than a few layers. Had I not held such high expectations perhaps I would not have been disappointed, but I was.
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of 5
by Sarah H. (Arvada, CO) 
of 5
by Marie C. (Wyoming, DE) 
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by Marti F. (Coralville, IA) 
