Book Reviews of Bookends

This book started off well, but soon deteriorated into a cheesy PSA for AIDS prevention...it reminded me of those after school specials that used to air back in the 70s and 80s. Skip it and read something else...

Really cute, engaging chick lit. Good for a summer read.

This was my first book by this author. I have since read several more. She is very witty and the British tone is hilarious.

This was a cute book. My favorite part was the well developed characters and of course, the bookstore! Who wouldn't want to open a bookstore.

A story about a strong friendship and the ups and downs of life, love, and health. I enjoyed the novel very much.

Not the best Jane Green novel. While I loved her Jemima J., I honestly would not read this one again or recommend it unless you just love everything Jane Green writes.

I enjoyed this book! My first by Jane Green and I can't wait to read another by her. I really liked her style of writing. The story just flowed really well (though the beginning was all over the place). I liked James a lot, great guy! And how fun to open a bookshop! Lucky girls! Two thumbs up from me.

This is the first novel I read by Jane Green and now I am hooked! I was quickly drawn in and captivated by the her style of writing and her interesting characters. I found myself saying "Okay after this chapter, I'll put the book down" - but wound up reading at least two more chapters. This witty story about strong friendships and love is fabulous.

Bookends is a super fast and fun read - look at one-fast friends and how their lives take the dips and turns back into each other. A little too stark portrayal of single women past 30 (gasp!) and similar to Bridget Jones in the message that the main character cannot be happy until a man is in her life, but overall a good, light read!

Unexpected twists, but a very nice book.

My favorite of Green's.

Great Book! I loved it!

Popular British author Green (Jemima J and Mr. Maybe) follows up her two hits with a less sparkling effort that examines the intricacies of enduring friendships. In college 10 years ago, a small group of misfits ¢dowdy Catherine, gay Simon, cute naOf Josh and his object of affection, the regally beautiful Portia¢were best friends. After a messy split from Portia, the others have continued their friendship without her. While promiscuous Si and celibate Cath have lousy luck with men, Josh is happily married to earthy Lucy. The members of the tightly knit quartet commiserate about extra body weight, job dissatisfaction and the search for love, but are basically content¢until Portia reenters their lives and threatens their stability. Green touts her return as almost sinister, but the forecasted tornado ends up a mere zephyr. The novel opens with a promising bang, only to peter out before fulfilling its potential. Green has a knack for creating both atmosphere and characters that ring true, but the dialogue is sometimes strangely stilted and does little to propel the oft-meandering plot. There are some bright spots, like Cath's blossoming relationship with dreamboat James, but they are too few and far between to steady the pace.

fun read

Fun, easy read. Sometimes I felt, okay come on already, especially when it came to the main character and her love interest but what else should you expect with light, fun chic lit.

It seems appropriate to title this review with a quote from RENT, because about three-quarters of the way through, I had to get up and put the soundtrack on just to get it out of my head.

I understand the author's point - HIV/AIDS is a non-sequiter that completely disrupts lives. That said, it ran away with the narrative and turned the book from enjoyable chick lit escapism to, well, RENT (complete with reference to a drag queen named Angel!) A guide for my fellow musical theater buffs:

Cath = Roger, closed off from the world until the right person comes along
James = Mimi, flawed but still the right person
Lucy = Mark, the straight friend who wants to help everyone
Josh = Benny, gets a bad rep but isn't so bad after all
Portia = Maureen, every time she came into the story I heard "Tango: Maureen" even before the plot shifted!
Si = sometimes he's Collins, sometimes he's Angel

Luckily, I love RENT. I enjoyed this book even though it threw me for a loop. It's worth a read if you like Jane Green's writing (although Jemima J is still hands down my favorite book of hers), or if you're in the mood for chick lit with a message. Just make sure you have your RENT CDs handy if you're prone to adding soundtracks to books in your head!

Unlike Jemima J, this book was believable and a good read. The plot is realistic and the characters are very easy to relate to. Nice easy read.

great book!

I loved this book! made me cry!!! So sweet and sad and funny!

This was a cute book, predictable but a good easy read.

True to Jane Green's form, this book really reeled me in. It took me a couple of chapters to get interested, but once I did, I couldn't put the book down. The ending was wonderful and actually made me emotional a bit because I felt like I bonded with the characters. Well done and recommended.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. big fan of Jane Green.

Nice chick lit.

More good stuff from Jane Green -- a great beach or plane read! Classic chic lit.

I really got in to this one. Loved the characters.

A light, fun romantic comedy. Would make a great summer beach read. I enjoyed it.

Loved this book - so touching in the end...much better than I was expecting!

Not my fave Jane Green book but I still enjoyed it. Liked the characters.

One of my favorites. Felt like real people dealing with real problems. Could relate to the now and today aspect of life.

Cute book.....would recommend it to fans of chick lit books!

I enjoyed this book.

okay

I have enjoyed every book I've read by this talented author. The characters were great and the storyline kept me interested and intrigued at the outcome.

Another wonderful book by this amazing author.

Jan Green is always great.

Good book, intriguing charecters, dragged a bit towards the middle but a good read.

Very cute, easy read.

typical cute book by the author.

Jane Green is always good - this is a good story about friendship.

Fun and easy read.

Wonderful book! I think this is the best Jane Green book I've read..highly recommended!

Good book, quick read. Love Green, this book was no exception.

jane green is a great author...will read more from her in the future!

Great book for those who love chic lit ! One of Jane Green's best books.

Very cute. My second favorite of hers behing Jemima J. Nice light reading.

Jane Green is a wonderful writer within the chick-lit genre. If you are into these kinds of books, you will love this one!

Well written chick lit, set in London

Great "chick fic" with depth and wit.

Another excellent offering from the always-reliable Jane Green.

A really good Brit chick lit book!

This is a very good chick lit book, about friends living in London and their lives, struggles and opening a new bookstore/cafe.

I had a hard time with the first couple of chapters, but once I got through those this book was great! Nothing like having dreams come true!

I thought it was great light reading.

Lovely book but gets a lil soap opera-y with the HIV storyline. That parts seems a lil fake, a little to after school special.

I liked this book alot, but i like most British books! I nice quick read!

Just another of Jane Greens great books...this one touches many topics..

Very good book - about friendship

Just a feel good story. Not the best I've read, but an enjoyable, and quick, read. Great book for those of you who ride public transportation and like to read while enroute.

Funny book!! Couldn't put it down.

fantastic. funny. touching. loved it.

Quick, enjoyable read!

Funny and with a good twist on the imagination.

From Booklist
Green\'s third novel to be published in the U.S. concerns the plight of four friends in their thirties. Cath, Simon, and Josh have been friends since college. Josh married Lucy, and they have a son, Max; Simon is desperately looking for Mr. Right; and Cath is shirking relationships altogether and dreaming of owning her own bookstore. When Lucy proposes that she and Cath make that dream a reality, Cath decides to take a chance: she leaves her boring but stable job, and she and Lucy find a location for the bookstore and begin to renovate it. Meanwhile, Simon has met a man, Will, but Cath finds him pretentious and condescending. Cath herself is receiving attention from James, the gorgeous real estate agent who sold her and Lucy the space for the bookstore, but she\'s not sure she wants to get involved. Then they find out that Portia, a gorgeous former friend of theirs who broke Josh\'s heart in college, may be after him again. When Cath finally gives in and goes out to dinner with James, she spots Josh and Portia together at the restaurant and fears the worst. As always, Green\'s characters are winning and fun and her plot entrancing. For the many fans of her previous novels, Jemima J and Mr. Maybe.

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