The Confession Club continues the interrelated stories of Arthur Trulov and Night of Miracles. I do believe the novels should be read as a set and in order - the stand alone factor isnt strong. The town of Mason is as much a character as any person in the series, and that's one of the reasons I keep returning. Readers will find the series a comfortable place to visit, with fairly reliable characters and not a lot of angst or drama. I would classify them as gentle reads, but entertaining nonetheless. The Confession Club ends the series well.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

This book was truly a thrill ride from start to finish and kept me wanting to read more and more. The characters were so relatable and I just loved seeing how they all intertwined with each other. This is a compulsive read with a twist you won't want to miss. Highly recommended, and such an easy read. I encourage any thrill-seekers to check this one out!

The Confession Club, by Elizabeth Berg, is a quiet, gentle story that ended up being a bit too boring for me, at this time, on this day. I suspect there are times in my life that this would have been just what I need and I did care about the people in the story. But today, my mind wandered, and I felt anxious to move on, as I read this story. This is the third story in a series and although I almost never do this, I read this third book without reading the first two books. I suspect that I would be much more invested in this town and the people, if I had started the series at the beginning. And that is what I will do, go back and read the first two books in order, and give this third book a try, at a later date. 

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Random House and NetGalley for this ARC.

A nice, light read.... nothing too heavy, as expected, but struggled a bit to complete. I appreciate the opportunity to review it!

I think I just waited too long between books to read this one because by the time I got to the third book in this series, I just didn’t care about any of the characters anymore.

I will say the writing was fast paced and I flew through this book in a matter of hours.

However I felt like all of the characters were very two dimensional and you never really got to get inside of their heads or feel what they were really feeling. Everything was very surface level, even when it was supposed to be a deep and poignant moment. I just never felt any strong emotions while reading this book (or the whole series) except for boredom.

A group of friends create a club where they divulge personal confessions to release their worries. Very cute concept. Loved the characters of Iris, Maddie and John.

I did find there were a lot of unnecessary characters, whose stories we didn’t get to hear enough from (or too much). Eliminating these characters would allow more time to build the main characters plots. I also did not like the end. I don’t want to spoil anything but I wanted more. What happened next?

The Confession Club had so many wonderful and interesting characters. I found myself enjoying their individuality. However, the characters each had their own situations in the book which never really connected to a storyline. The book appeared to be filled with tons of mini stories that did not have an overarching plot.

When I requested this book, I did not realize that this was part of a series, but it did not seem like it. It was so easy to know what was going on. It was an interesting read about a group of friends of a certain age. The read was funny, but I don't think that this was a read for me as of yet.

I absolutely loved Arthur Truluv and Night of Miracles, so I was excited to read the third in the series. While still very enjoyable as a quick read, I felt like it just didn’t live up to the first two. I was left wanting more from all the characters, really. However, I loved the idea of the Confession Club, and I loved how we learned a little about each character there, and how it strengthened all of their friendships, and helped Iris and Maddy make important life decisions. But surprisingly overall it lacked the emotional depth of the other books.

This title made me feel like a voyeur. I've long been a fan of Elizabeth Berg and this latest title did not disappoint. She gave us the details of a cross-section of life with such reality it felt as if I were there. My readers of literary fiction have devoured it with much praise.

Thanks to Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for a digital ARC of The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg.
THE CONFESSION CLUB is the third book in Elizabeth Berg's MASON series. I enjoyed reading The Story of Arthur Truluv and Night of Miracles, so knew that I would also enjoy this one.

Elizabeth Berg paints a wonderful little town named Mason in Missouri, USA. Her characters are well developed and mostly kind-hearted with their own quirks, problems and emotions.

A group of friends gather weekly and share problems, insecurities, and long-held regrets, and enjoy a delicious supper. The club offers exactly the kind of support they need to make some difficult decisions. The Confession Club is an enchanting, heart-warming and inspiring book filled with kindness, community and friendship.

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Berg and look forward to her books. This one does not disappoint. Her books are perfect for book clubs and create so much discussion. Friendships are so important, and especially when embarrassing misdeeds, and regrets can be shared without judgment. Travel to Mason, Missouri to share evening with these women that feel so real.

The Confession Club (Book #3 in the Mason Series) by Elizabeth Berg 304 pages

One thing I don’t like about reading a series is that I forget a lot of what happened in the previous titles. This series started “The Story of Arthur Truluv,” and continued with “Night of Miracles.” I enjoyed both book a lot, especially since I read them back-to-back.

In this third outing, reader will encounter characters who featured prominently. First is the small town of Mason, Missouri, outside Columbia. While there isn’t a lot of details about this quaint community, I get the feeling it that picturesque American town that is often seen in Hallmark movies. Baker Iris Winters and Maddy Harris, the girl who rescued Arthur Truluv, along with Maddy’s daughter, Nola, are the featured characters.

Maddy (and Nola) have come home from New York. Maddy’s marriage is on the rocks; she needs time to think and gain some perspective.

A group of the town’s women decide to start a weekly supper club. Comradery and food are the appeal of the group. However, the supper club turns into a confession club, where each week, one of the women confesses something from her past. It felt like an AA meeting to me. But the odd part was that the group discusses and dissects the event. What was the point? I guess it was a way for the women to get it off their chests, but why discuss it? The past is past.

I usually devour Elizabeth Berg’s novels, but this one felt a little flat. There were scenes that were sheer pages turners and others that I had to push my way through. Therefore, “The Confession Club” receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

The Confession Club is a wonderful example of why I love Elizabeth Berg’s writing style. Thoughtful, truthful, and filled with unique and interesting characters, her stories are thoroughly enjoyable to read. This is the third in a series but would be just as enjoyable as a stand-alone novel.

Small spoiler: I love that the confession club has a swear jar! Every time someone swears they have to put a dollar in the jar and every time it reaches $20, they donate it to the library to buy books. As an avid reader and book-lover this was both humorous and incredibly sweet.

In a Nutshell: Wonderful and entertaining novel filled with interesting characters.

I really enjoyed this book! A great story line that kept me hooked and excellent main characters. I would highly recommend this book.

THE CONFESSION CLUB is Elizabeth Berg's third title (after The Story of Arthur Truluv and Night of Miracles) set in the fictional small town of Mason, Missouri. There, a group of women form a supper club which evolves into the Confession Club – a weekly meeting to share secrets and fears and to bolster each other. Concerns range from economic ones about the health of businesses to more personal ones about attractions to a homeless man or struggles with a fragile marriage. Like Berg's other works, THE CONFESSION CLUB is a gentle, heartwarming read full of friendship and caring. Throughout, Berg offers hopeful words of wisdom: "All around are broken people, doing the best they can. And getting better. ... Taking risks is just unmasking hope, you know. Things don’t always work out in this world. But they do often enough. ... Walk toward whatever joy you find. You don't know what's going to happen. ...That's what life is, at its best. A confession club: people admitting to doubts and fears and failures. That's what brings us closer to one another, our imperfections." Recommended, especially for fans of Fanny Flagg and Jan Karon. 4.5 stars

This is the third book that takes place in the town of Mason, Missouri. The characters are down-to-earth and believable. If you liked The story of Arthur Truluv, you will love this book, as well.

Another great book by Elizabeth Berg. Third book in the trilogy, but also can be read as a stand alone. Describes all the nice things about living in a small town where people come together.

The Confession Club is the third book in what is called the Mason series, but to me will always be the Truluv series, from the first one, The Story of Arthur Truluv. This sat on my TBR pile for months, even though I wanted to read it, because I found the idea of a Confession Club a bit bizarre, both in context of the previous books but also in real life. I couldn’t think of why anyone would want such a thing.

Having read the book now, I’m still perplexed about it. The club really played a minor role in the book as far as I was concerned (and it still found it a peculiar thing to do/have). The major story was about Iris becoming Iris, with a secondary story about Maddy and Nola. Both Iris and Maddy are at crossroads and while they share their “confessions” with the club, it is left up to each individual to make her way forward. The stories are told with gentleness and have the comforting feel of being alongside friends.

While you could certainly read this as a stand-alone, I heartily recommend you start with The Story of Arthur Truluv. The first book in the series remains my favorite, but this comes very close to it indeed. Thanks again, Ms Berg, for a wonderful tale. I hope there is another chapter in the series to follow.

Thanks to NetGallery, Random House and the author for a copy to review.

I will forever be loyal to The Story of Arthur Truluv, the first in this series by Elizabeth Berg, but I have enjoyed every return visit to Mason, Missouri.

I have long been a fan of Berg and find her novels to be the best type of comfort read. She explores themes of family, friendship and love through endearing characters and homey settings.

In the return to Mason, we visit the ladies of The Confession Club, ladies who meet regularly to share their biggest regret, shame or embarrassment. No judgement in Confession Club, just good food and emotional support. This reminds me of a few book clubs I've been a part of: we may start out discussing a book, but the conversation usually turns to more personal confessions.

With this novel we are introduced to new characters, as well as catching up with some familiar residents of Mason. While I miss Arthur Truluv, he lives on in Maddie and Nora and I will always welcome the chance to visit them again.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House and Elizabeth Berg for the complimentary digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.