I read the first book set in Southlea Bay some time back and loved it so I was really pleased to be contacted by the author Suzanne Kelman to ask if I'd like to read the sequel, Rejected Writers Take the Stage. I'm pleased to say, I enjoyed it just as much. Although it's a sequel, you don't need to have read the first book as the story is completely standalone. If you have read the first book though, you will be pleased to meet the characters again.

In this book, the ladies of The Rejected Writers Book Club are still happily receiving rejection letters for their work but this time have a new writing challenge to face. One of their number, Annie is facing losing her home, and sanctuary for her rescue dogs, as she has fallen behind with mortgage payments. Her friends are determined they won't allow this to happen and come up with the idea of writing a play to help raise the money she needs. Meanwhile Flora, is delighted to find that her fried Dan is coming to visit but who is the clingy woman he brings with him?

Once again I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the eccentric ladies of Southlea Bay. I love the obvious friendship between them, despite their differences, and they way they rallied round to try to help Annie in her hour of need. The stage show Doris writes bears more than a passing resemblance to The Wizard of Oz and there were so many moments which made me laugh out loud. As soon as there was a mention of characters appearing in a cloud of smoke or being catapulted onto the stage, I knew it was going to be a hoot!

Aside from the stage show, Flora's blossoming romance with Dan is a major strand of the story. She can't understand who this Marcy is who Dan has brought to Southlea Bay with her and although it's obvious to the reader what is going on, poor Flora is very despondent. There are so many missed opportunities and misunderstandings between the two and I was willing them just to talk to each other properly. If only Marcy didn't keep getting in the way!

A thoroughly enjoyable read about the value of friendship and sticking together with lots of warm humour - I can't wait to see what the ladies get up to next!

I received a free copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
I loved how the author gathered this bunch of unbelievably crew together and all the mishaps that go with it. I certainly laughed much less than with the first book but I really didn't like Stacy the self-centered daughter at all all in the first book; imagine my surprise when the author brings her back with a "decisive" place around her parents and her mother's friends, all the while being even more selfish - I didn't think it could be possible - and childish. Pregnancy doesn't excuse such attitude.
Marcy too takes up the stage - no pun intended - with Dan, and she too is the most manipulative person, apart from Stacy perhaps, in the world and everyone falls for her act, Dan included.
I felt I was more than enough irritated through the story between those two and I was not entertained enough in between, so every time I sat down to read I didn't expect to LOL like with the first story.
I loved the ending, didn't expect it, and was glad it had a "feel good" aura about it.

Rejected Writers Take Stage by Suzanne Kelman is a wonderful woman's fiction piece. The charcaters are charming. There are moments I laughed out loud, worried, and fell in love with this group. A group of writers get together to help one of their own be saved from being homeless. Their actions to save her and the dogs under her care, will be full of drama, flair, and excitement. This book is full of craziness, humor, and friendship. The sense of community in this small-town of theirs was believable. I loved following along. Suzanne Kelman's writing is entertaining from the start to end. Overall, I recommend it to readers everywhere.

This book just was not that interesting. It was slow moving. The characters didn't connect with me. Did not cause me to "suspend my disbelief." Cute idea that could be improved on.

What a fun book! I have not read the first book in the series; The Rejected Writers' Book Club, but it did not take me long to get into the characters and the story. There is enough information provided about the first book to make this one flow well. The characters are so much fun. They all have their quirks....and it was great that they were all different. Whilst saving Annie's farm is the main focus of this story, there are side stories for both Stacey (Janet's pregnant daughter) and Flora (the youngest member of the club), which make the overall story more interesting. It had such a fun, friendly community feel. I recommend this book when you are after a feel good, fun book.
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley and have reviewed it voluntary.

What a pleasure it was to catch up with the kooky, quirky ladies of the Rejected Writer's Book Club. The entirety of the book was set in Southlea Bay. I loved getting to know the denizens of the town. In this second book of the series, the ladies need to help Annie, one of the rejected writers, save her house. Major hijinks ensue.
The Flora and Stacy subplots really kept the story moving.
While Rejected Writers Take the Stage can be read on its own, it will be much more enjoyable if you have read The Rejected Writer's Book Club first.

A wonderful story of friendship, love, and what can happen when a group of friends care deeply about each other. This story made me laugh from the very beginning. I laughed and I cried throughout the whole book. The characters remind me of people in my own life. The author tells a story that touches the heart and keeps the reader wanting to know more about the characters. I LOVE this story ! I am telling all my friends about this story. I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my personal honest opinion.