Helpful Score: 2
What a fun book! Read in three days. All of the comical calamity you can think of crammed into one book. If you like the Harlequin Next series, you'd like this one, too.
Helpful Score: 2
I like how the author still has a chick lit type feel to her books, but makes them about older more realistic (to me) characters
Helpful Score: 2
This book was just ok. I have read other books by this author that were far better. Yes, it was funny, but half-way through I thought that the plot and twists in the story were just too unbelieveable.
Read her other book called Eat Cake....that one was much much better!
Read her other book called Eat Cake....that one was much much better!
Helpful Score: 2
An interesting reading for women between the ages of 40 -80 talks a lot about the mid life crisis that a lot of women go through with a daughter getting married, a sister deciding on a divorce, a son going to law school and her husband a public defender...
This is a crazy tale about two people,(Caroline & Tom) retired and ready to set off on their lifelong dreams: Carolines's sister moves in with a ton of luggage & a very bad tempered dog & broken dreams; a contractor find cracks in the foundation and moves in their yard indefinitely; and their daughter, Kay, brings home her finace', the richest boy in Raleigh....planning a high society, very expensive wedding that could wipe out Tom & Caroline's finances...and their dreams. It it funny, sad, but most of all, reminds one that having family along on life's journey (good or bad) is a blessing.
Helpful Score: 1
Warm family story, with great characters. As I get older I'm appreciating more and more the stories of women who have and have had a full life. Caroline is just such a women, and by the end of the book we realize her sister Taffy is, as well. Work, children, love, marriage, home -- great stuff.
a story of a woman whose daughter is getting married as her sister is getting divorced. I really enjoyed it.
Humorous, believable, and fullness, and full of surpres. Explores what love and marriage mean across the years, how to recognize the "real thing"
quick, enjoyable read about a family who learns that whatever challenges you face in life, it is always easier with family around. i was a tad disapointed in the ending - but jeanne ray never has predictable endings.
Cute story, quick read... not nearly as entertaining as Julie & Romeo.
Cute book. A little bit silly at times, but I will admit it did have my laughing out loud in some parts. Not one of my favorite books, but it was enjoyable to read if you are feeling kinda "blah" and need a laugh. My mother borrowed the book from me before I read it - she loved it and gave it 4 stars.
Hilarious. No one can take the problems of everyday life and help us laugh our way through them the way Jeanne Ray does.
This author is so intertaining and this book is no exception!
This was a new author for me and i really enjoyed her. This is the same author who wrote Julie and Romeo, which i now want to read. This is a cute story about an older couple getting ready to retire, Tom is a lawyer and Caroline is a dance teacher. They have raised 4 kids and now their empty nest is filling up again--- with everything from family,-- to problems with the house-- if it can go wrong it will. It's a happy read and i'd read it again!!
This was okay, not really my type of book
Unabridged 4 cassettes Approx 6 hrs
Funny situations faced by the main character.....liked it a lot.
This is a fun light mystery.
I loved this book, as I did all of Ray's books. The characters are so lovable and the storyline so believable.
Funny-happy endings for all!
A wise and funny novel that explores love and marriage as the kids move out.
I have become a huge Jeanne Ray fan; I can count on her books to be well written, well characterized, and to envelope me like I'm one of the family.
Sort of chick lit, with an older than 20 or 30 lady. Funny. Enjoyable read.
My book discussion group enjoyed this one.
a fun book from a really good author.
Compulsively readable. Finished it on a bus trip to Boston in less than 24 hours, kept me engaged.
great book for a book group; lots of discussion if one follows the "Reader's Guide", which is available on-line
I loved it! A fast read but it holds your interest. I can't wait to read more by this author.
Light, enjoyable and satisfying. The first I've read of Jeanne Ray's books and it won't be the last!
How nice to read a book where the characters do not succumb to dysfunction when life happens. The characters are people you would like to know in real life.
Loved it! Probably a tie with "Eat Cake" for my favorite by Jeanne Ray. Great story of a couple in the midst of several situations -- any of which could be a disaster -- but just rolling with the punches and love brings happy endings for all.
This is a fabulous heartwarming novel. It centers on Kay and her crazy family (don't we all have one?). You meet her husband, her sister Taffy, her daughter and fiance (along with daughter's ex-boyfriend) and a contractor named Woodrow. They are all exquisite characters. I read this while home on maternity leave and it filled me with hope for a rich, rich life.
Jeanne Ray's books are always delightful. This is no rxception.
An easy read, it's about relationships and sisters and families. It is amusing and sweet. It probably could have been written as a novella and been as effective, but the longer story allows for character development.
This is one of the best books I have read recently. So true to life, and compelling. If you love just great fiction...........don't miss this one!
From Publishers Weekly
Ray's snappy second novel takes place in a chaotic but comfortable Southern household led by an appealingly down-to-earth matriarch. Caroline McSwain, a dance instructor in her 60s, is sitting down to dinner with her devoted husband, Tom, a public defender, when two phones ring simultaneously to interrupt their rare moment of privacy. Ten minutes later, her estranged, flighty sister, Taffy, newly separated from her husband, has decided to come from Atlanta for an extended visit, with her nasty terrier in tow. And the McSwains' only daughter, Kay, has just gotten engaged to Trey Bennet, a member of Raleigh's bluest-blooded family, but she still hasn't gotten over Jack, a charming district attorney. Meanwhile, Caroline and Tom's home is undergoing what seems like a never-ending renovation, eating up their retirement fund. Kay's wedding plans get complicated (and expensive); Caroline and Taffy start finding common ground; even the terrier calms down, thanks to Woodrow, a contractor who has taken a shine to Taffy. Caroline is an endearing narrator, realistic and self-deprecating; when things start to get out of control, her love for her family helps her to keep things on track. Although Ray (Julie and Romeo) allows the sap level to rise a little too high as the inevitable picture-perfect ending rolls around, she has a gift for lively dialogue that makes the characters (Caroline and Tom especially) snap into place.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
A long-term, happy marriage. The perfect job. And four children who are all successful lawyers. Of course trouble is bound to come Carolyn's way. A follow-up to the surprise hit Julie and Romeo.
Ray's snappy second novel takes place in a chaotic but comfortable Southern household led by an appealingly down-to-earth matriarch. Caroline McSwain, a dance instructor in her 60s, is sitting down to dinner with her devoted husband, Tom, a public defender, when two phones ring simultaneously to interrupt their rare moment of privacy. Ten minutes later, her estranged, flighty sister, Taffy, newly separated from her husband, has decided to come from Atlanta for an extended visit, with her nasty terrier in tow. And the McSwains' only daughter, Kay, has just gotten engaged to Trey Bennet, a member of Raleigh's bluest-blooded family, but she still hasn't gotten over Jack, a charming district attorney. Meanwhile, Caroline and Tom's home is undergoing what seems like a never-ending renovation, eating up their retirement fund. Kay's wedding plans get complicated (and expensive); Caroline and Taffy start finding common ground; even the terrier calms down, thanks to Woodrow, a contractor who has taken a shine to Taffy. Caroline is an endearing narrator, realistic and self-deprecating; when things start to get out of control, her love for her family helps her to keep things on track. Although Ray (Julie and Romeo) allows the sap level to rise a little too high as the inevitable picture-perfect ending rolls around, she has a gift for lively dialogue that makes the characters (Caroline and Tom especially) snap into place.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Library Journal
A long-term, happy marriage. The perfect job. And four children who are all successful lawyers. Of course trouble is bound to come Carolyn's way. A follow-up to the surprise hit Julie and Romeo.
I never got a chance to read this book. But I remember that it got good reviews. Hope someone can enjoy it.
