Helpful Score: 6
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed and loved this book! At first look, it is just a breezy, light beach read but beneath that it carries a wonderful message about defining who we are and it is quite inspirational. Great characters, believable situations. A quick but very satisfying read that I recommend!
Helpful Score: 3
Reviewed for www.chicklitclub.com, if you love Chick Lit, join the club!
Claire Cook has once again created a heartfelt story with wonderfully relatable characters. Noreen accepts a buyout from her job in Boston at the urging of her not-so-faithful secret boyfriend. Not knowing where to go next, she realises that she never had much of a life outside of her job. She never even took the time to get to know any of her neighbours or even the basic details of her neighbourhood. So she decides to take the time to do so now that she has a lot of free time by walking. Each page starts out by showing you how far Noreen walked, eventually accumulating to 10,000 steps. She soon becomes friendly with two neighbours on Wildwater Way and they create the Wildwater Walking Club. Both of Noreen's new friends are having issues in their life and walking provides a healthy way for them to vent and stay in shape. Tess has a teenage daughter who is quite rebellious and is driving her crazy. Rosie has moved in with her father after her mum died to help run his lavender farm. Together the three help each other through life's ups and downs and also go on a trip to a lavender festival across the country in Washington. Through everything that comes their way, the three always walk away their woes. This is an excellent novel weaving together the importance of friendship and fitness.
Claire Cook has once again created a heartfelt story with wonderfully relatable characters. Noreen accepts a buyout from her job in Boston at the urging of her not-so-faithful secret boyfriend. Not knowing where to go next, she realises that she never had much of a life outside of her job. She never even took the time to get to know any of her neighbours or even the basic details of her neighbourhood. So she decides to take the time to do so now that she has a lot of free time by walking. Each page starts out by showing you how far Noreen walked, eventually accumulating to 10,000 steps. She soon becomes friendly with two neighbours on Wildwater Way and they create the Wildwater Walking Club. Both of Noreen's new friends are having issues in their life and walking provides a healthy way for them to vent and stay in shape. Tess has a teenage daughter who is quite rebellious and is driving her crazy. Rosie has moved in with her father after her mum died to help run his lavender farm. Together the three help each other through life's ups and downs and also go on a trip to a lavender festival across the country in Washington. Through everything that comes their way, the three always walk away their woes. This is an excellent novel weaving together the importance of friendship and fitness.
Helpful Score: 3
I was excited to get this book...and moved it to the top of my reading list. It was a bit disappointing. The story was okay....I thought the whole book was a bit of fluff.
Helpful Score: 3
While I enjoyed the mmovie Must Love Dogs, it didn't inspire me to read the book. This was on the librarian's recommended list. I found it very enjoyable. No character was over the top but rather very beliebable. Situations were realistic. It was well written. If you have ever had a select group of girl friends, or wished that you did, you will enjoy this book.
Helpful Score: 1
I like this author but this book was a bit of a letdown. After taking a buyout when her company gets taken over, Noreen starts up a walking club with 2 of her neighbors, one is the mom of a rebellious teenager, the other owns a lavender farm. Kind of a weird trio. I thought the 2 lavender lovers were unfair to Tess when she clearly wanted to go help out the teacher in NOLA that had cancer. They didn't even listen to her and kept putting down her ideas. They go on a trip together, hardly knowing one another. I guess I found that odd. OK storyline but nothing too exciting and I'm guessing nothing that will stick with me now that I've finished it. 2 stars out of 5 for me.
