Might be the best book I read this year
For the first time ever, I read a book centered around a genuine friend group, and whew, these ladies were going THROUGH IT.
Ellie, Sloan, Courtney, and Shy have been best friends since 7th grade, and now pushing 40, life was definitely lifing.
Ellie had been separated for FOUR years from her trash estranged husband while raising two daughters, including a rebellious teenager. Sis kept talking about needing to heal after four years and I was side-eyeing her the entire time.
Sloan was my least favorite. She spent so much time putting her career first that now she’s scrambling to find her happily ever after. And baby, the comparisons she was making? A reach.
Shy was the perfect example of social media versus reality. What you see isn’t always what’s really going on.
Courtney broke my heart. She was dealt the roughest hand of them all. Trying to heal from loss with a new baby while being with an older man who hadn’t fully grieved yet? That’s a lot for anybody.
This book covered SO much: friendship, motherhood, abuse, neglect, control, age-gap relationships, grief, trauma, starting over, and learning to live as your authentic self. It had me laughing, crying, frustrated, and cheering all at once.
Ms. Ashley, thank you for giving us a story that celebrates girlfriends navigating real-life struggles while still finding joy and healing.
1000000/10 ⭐️
The girls, the drama, the growth, the friendships? Ate down. 💕📚
Having read this book myself, I was genuinely struck by how it realistically portrays the ups and downs of close female friendships. The depth of each character felt so authentic—especially the way Ellie’s long road to healing after separation is portrayed in such a nuanced way. It reminds me of conversations I've had with friends who have gone through similar life changes and the slow, sometimes messy, process of finding oneself again. Sloan’s storyline about balancing career ambitions with personal happiness really resonates in today’s fast-paced world. As someone who once poured all my energy into work and later realized the importance of emotional fulfillment, her struggles ring very true. The critique of her ‘comparisons’ resonates too, highlighting how easy it is to feel behind when measuring our lives by others’ standards. Shy’s depiction challenges the illusion presented on social media—a theme that felt especially relevant. It made me reflect on my own social feeds and the importance of looking beyond curated snapshots to understand what people truly experience. Courtney’s story was incredibly moving. Her hardships, juggling grief and a new baby while navigating a complicated relationship, brought to mind the resilience required during such intensely emotional times. It’s a reminder of how healing is rarely linear, and how support systems like friends can make all the difference. Overall, this book is a beautiful tribute to real friendship—how it survives, evolves, and supports us through trauma, joy, and self-discovery. It’s rare to find a story that blends laughter and tears so seamlessly while tackling topics like abuse, neglect, age-gap relationships, and authentic living. For anyone who values deep, character-driven narratives and emotional honesty, this book is a must-read. Also, the recognition from a New York Times bestselling author seal adds credibility and hints at the quality storytelling within. This kind of book doesn’t just entertain, it also sparks important conversations about mental health, resilience, and the power of genuine human connection.
I listened to this book in a day and I loved it!!!! I need a part two because that YET at the end had me intrigued!!! The friendship that this book encompasses is everything and so hard to come across these days. I would definitely listen to it again.