This latest contemporary novel from Tif Marcelo, features three friends: Regina, Sophie and Adelaide who find their way back to each other after a pretty bitter falling out between Regina and Sophie, when Adelaide devises a way to bring them back together.

in A Book Club Far Away features three main characters who met years ago in a military spouse book club. One timeline of the story follows their meeting and the development of their friendship while their spouses are deployed. Present day, Adelaide sends out an SOS as she prepared to go into surgery and needs someone to look after her two year old daughter.

The book alternate between the two timelines as well as the three different POVs and I have to admit that I enjoyed them all. There wasn’t one character or timeline I preferred over the other. The author did an amazing job of fleshing out each of the characters and endearing them to the reader. The stakes always felt high enough to keep me reading

Unsurprisingly another super fun aspect of the book was the book club that the three friends met through. The chosen books, heated discussions and adjacently related activities were super interesting. It seriously made me want to start my own book club.

As someone who military members within my family I found Tif’s dive into military Life, in this case as a spouse, particularly interesting. As a veteran herself, Tif shed light on those we don’t see often in literature- the spouse left behind. Tif did not shy away from the hardships of deployment and staying connect with one’s spouse while they’re away.

In A Book Club Far Away reminded me why I love reading contemporary fiction and that I should do it more often. Overall, I gave this one 5🌟 and would recommend it to anyone who loves books about friendship, book clubs, and military life.

I enjoyed this heart-warming story that highlights military families and book clubs. The author says, “First, the inspiration for this novel: military spouses and book club ladies…I met during the last two-plus decades who have given me the foundation of friendship in my adult life. My life is richer because of your insight, love, laughter, and acceptance. You taught me to make friends quickly, to speak up, to help without reservation, to share a new with each fresh chapter…”

This authors’ love of everything book club shines through this novel full of fun, friendship and gives readers a peek at some hard times military families go through. The message is clear, military life is not to be done alone, everyone is better when they do life together. It gave me a new appreciation and glimpse into living a military lifestyle. It is not easy, but it is doable with friends that understand.

I enjoyed how the author allowed readers to be included in a few book club meetings where they discussed their book club picks such as Hunger Games, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey, Breaking Dawn in the Twilight series, The Sky is Everywhere, etc.

Topics discussed in this novel are new beginnings, forgiveness, faithfulness, and struggles with being a parent as some have just started the journey and others facing the empty nest side of things. If you love book clubs, have an appreciation for the military and don’t mind a handful of “F” bombs along with mild cussing sprinkled throughout then you’ll love this book. I enjoyed how their relationships bloomed and grew through their book club experience.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

3 old friends reunite after not speaking for 10 years. They’re military wives and one of them needs her gallbladder out so she calls on the other 2 to come stay with her daughter while she is recovering from surgery. This book was about friendship, Army life, marriage, infertility, etc. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. Published 5/2021.

What a fabulous, heartwarming read. TIf is a great storyteller.
I love the strength in the friendships and family dynamics. A breath of fresh air!

Read this while I was recovering from my covid shot. It was the fun nostalgic book I needed. (Nostalgic because I was an army wife too)

Here I guess I have to be in the small minority but I absolutely could not find anything about this book that I liked. The characters-always described as strong but so very weak. So cliched. I read through to figure out all about the big fight and then I wanted to throw this thing against the wall. That was it? You didn’t talk to someone for 10 years because of something that everyone knew about and was not her crime? Truly? You didn’t at some point come down and realize that what you thought someone close to her did, whether true or not, was not the actual problem? It was just such a dumb reason to destroy literally half of your friendships.

Military spouses have a special bond. In a Book Club Far Away this bond is formed in a gathering each month to discuss and share thoughts about the books read and adventures planned for each month’s meeting. This novel examines how military wives and spouses find relationships beyond the anxious waiting for next assignments, deployment, and returns. “The Fight” that broke the bond between three friends occurred in 2011. The three friends just walked away. Now in 2021 Adelaide has sent an SOS to Regina and Sophie to come to her rescue when she requires surgery and help with her daughter. In alternating chapters, Tif Marcelo shares the years leading up to The Fight as Sophie and Regina recall the memories and unpack buried feelings. Will the broken bonds be mended? Can a book club really save a relationship? This is a tale of the struggle for understanding and reconciliation that will speak to the hearts of readers young and old.
Book clubs continuing to meet virtually have certainly been a “saving grace” for many during the 2020 Pandemic. In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo is the perfect addition to book club reading calendars.

I was attracted to this book because of the book club theme. In a Book Club Far Away is a story of friendship. The friendship between 3 army wives, their life when the men folk are deployed for 9 months. Having not read much in that area of military life it was an eye opener, enlightening me to what life was like for those waiting at home.

Flash forward 10 years when the friendship fractured many years ago. This was a slow paced story for me and contrary to popular opinion I struggled. I struggled to connect with these women and the story itself left me with unanswered questions. The book alternates between these women both present day and the past, so one had to pay attention. It didn't have the depth I craved and needed to really feel the warm and fuzzy friendship they claimed.

As for the book club part, it played a minor role but I did like a couple of the adventures they went on. The book droppings piqued my interest in a couple titles though.

The ending was somewhat underwhelming and predictable. Definitely what I would call chick-lit and maybe its a genre I should stay away from.

My thanks to Gallery Books for the digitial ARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for an honest review.

Tif Marcelo has written an easy flowing story in her latest novel In A Book Club Far Away. Marcelo has developed a beautiful story with wonderful characters that deal with friendship, “sisterhood”, romance, parenting and major sacrifices. The overwhelming kinship between these woman, past and present, will warm your heart and bring a tear to your eyes! Their lifelong bond is authentic and felt throughout the novel. The support of each other is wonderful during hard times and good times. Even though the book may seem a little slow paced, the issues dealt with are real and worth reading on for! I recommend this adorable book!

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery Books for an ARC of this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.
#inabookclubfaraway
#tifmarcedo
#netgalley
#gallerybooks

I loved this book so much. As a military spouse I could definitely relate to parts of it. I am always drawn right away to anything military themed. This was amazing! One of my favorites this year. I highly would recommend it to others

Unfortunately this book was a “did not finish” for me. After many attempts of trying to read, I came to the conclusion that I just did not like the characters nor did I care at all about their successes and challenges, and no amount of further reading was going to change that. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

My husband recently retired from the military so I was very excited to read a book featuring military spouses. This book was so sweet and emotional. I loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

In a Book Club Far Away follows the story of three Army wives - Regina, Adelaide and Sophie - who originally bonded through book club and became best friends. But a big betrayal leads to a friendship falling out between two of the trio, and their group falls apart. It’s eight years later when Adelaide calls on both Sophie and Regina for help in caring for herself and her daughter as she has to undergo emergency surgery with her husband stationed abroad and no other family or friends close by. For the sake of their friend, Sophie and Regina agree to put aside their differences for the time being. But the time they spend together might just let them open up about the past in order to figure out a way for their friendship to get a new beginning. This novel is the fifth work of Marcelo’s that I’ve read and I really liked it! Much like her other works, there’s a coziness to her storytelling style that invites readers to come and spend some time getting to know her characters. I got invested pretty quickly in all three storylines, both in where they connect (in their friendship) and where they diverge (to highlight their individual struggles). I also liked the way the narrative was constructed to include both the present and the past, as it definitely built up the tension regarding the ‘incident’ that causes their friendship to fall apart. In a Book Club Far Away was an easy read, despite the heartbreaking events that occur within the tale, and it’s certainly one that I can recommend for fellow fans of women’s fiction.

I always sound like a broken record when it comes to my reviews of Tif Marcelo's books. It's because I see myself in her characters. For one, there's always a Filipina in her stories. And Filipino food, of course.

With this book in particular, I see myself in all three women--Regina, Adelaide, and Sophie. I'm a military spouse (Air Force, not Army) and a founding member of a book club initially comprised of military spouses. We set it up in a military city when our service members were all still active duty or working at the base/fort. Alongside discussions about our book of the month, we also talked about our experiences of military life. I relate closely with the strong friendship that developed among such like-minded people. Three years after I've left that city, I still belong to the book club and I remain great friends with many of the members. This is why this book resonated with me greatly.

However, one doesn't have to be a military spouse to relate to this story of a fractured friendship and reconciliation. As long as you appreciate good storytelling, compelling diverse characters, great sense of place, intelligent conversations, and evocative real-life situations, you'll enjoy this book too.

(Notes to be changed once I finish the book)
Thank you for approving my ARC request. I had already purchased this book through BOTM before I received approval for the ARC. I began reading the story a few days ago because the publication date as stated here on NetGalley is --May 05 2021.-- I'm a little confused because the pub date for this book is also listed as today (April 06) on Goodreads. My bio promises that I always review books on time and so I wanted the record here to show that I was basing my reviewing schedule by the pub date of May 05, that was stated on NetGalley.

Thanks again for this opportunity. I'll be sure to post my reviews and record them on Netgalley once I complete the book in a few days. Thank you!

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Update: April 27.

“To Sophie, books always carried secret messages tailored specifically to her. They were like horoscopes, giving her exactly what she needed at the moment.”

Female friendship. Military families. Long distance love. This is a great feel-good book for spring and it’s OUT NOW!

Synopsis
It’s been 8 years since the “betrayal” that split up the sisterly friendship between Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden. The three Army wives who once bonded over a book club used to be inseparable—supporting each other through the daily struggles of single parenting, worry, and the frustration that comes with active-duty separation. Years after the fight that left Regina and Sophie on non-speaking terms, they each receive an SOS call from their old friend, Adelaide, that they can’t ignore. In the true spirit of comradery, In A Book Club Far Away celebrates the bond between women, the complexity of friendship, and the love that can exist with our chosen family.

I really connected with this book! As a Foreign Service (FS) spouse I too have moved between cities and countries every few years and have experienced year-long separations from my husband due to unaccompanied tours of duty. I loved how this book showed the daily life of families living on military bases because it is very similar to FS expat communities overseas. The novel talks about the lows of individual worry, loneliness, and the constant contingency preparation that spouses/partners experience, while also highlighting the amazing sense of community and the deep fast friendships that are formed. I would do anything for my friends and so the actions of Regina and Sophie felt completely believable and familiar to me.

Tif Marcelo’s writing had wonderful pacing and character development. I also enjoyed the popular book references made by characters during each book club meetup. Overall, this was a sweet and light-hearted read.

Thank you, Gallery Books, NetGalley and Tif Marcelo for my gifted ARC!
(I'll include links to my reviews as they go live on Goodreads, B&N, Amazon, and two posts for Instagram.)
Thank you again for this opportunity!

What reader doesn't love a book about books? I got lost in this book club and the characters that make it up, my only wish was this was just a tad bit shorter, but overall, an enchanting read!

In A Book Club Far Away follows three women who bond during their husbands’ deployment when they form a book club for Army spouses. Ten years later, they’ve fallen out of touch because of some fall out between them. But when one of them needs emergency surgery, the other two quickly come only to find themselves thrown together again.

This book is a testament to female friendships that can carry you through some tough stuff. I liked that is was told from three different points of view and switched from present day to ten years ago when they met. I thought the story was a little drawn out before you learn what the big fall out from their past was. I’ve read others by this author and thought this story was missing some of the rich character development in her previous books. I also struggled with a book set in 2021 that treats COVID like a thing of the past (it acknowledges the pandemic but takes place in a version of 2021 where there is no trace of a different lifestyle).

Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo tells the story of three army spouses that embark on a friendship while at a book club. This trio has had a lot of ups and downs in their ten year friendship. While some friendships in the group have been stronger than others, they all come together ten years after meeting to help a friend with an SOS while her husband is deployed. Will Regina, Sophia, and Adelaide’s friendship stand the test of time? Or, will the physical absence because of relocation have a toll?

What is not to love about a book about a book club!?!? This book was filled with all the emotions that are involved with being an army spouse. It also shows how friendships can be formed and grow in the most unexpected place with people who are totally different from one another. I love the female bonding that took place in this book as well as all the background story lines that made me fall in love with these three characters. I wanted to be friends with all of them, because despite their weaknesses there is so much strength and resilience within each of them.

This story was a 4.5 star (rounded up to a five) read for me. It was light, fun, and well written. I want to thank NetGalley and Gallery Books for this digital ARC.

Tif is at it again with this book. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to enjoy this! I will reread and recommend to my fellow book lovers!

In a Book Club Far Away is a great book about longtime friends who met when their husbands were deployed in the Army. It is the first deployment for some of the spouses left behind and they are quite lonely. One of the women starts a book club for them to get together and get to know other people in the same position. The three main women turn out to be best friends and are always there for the other two. There are highs and lows as there would be in any relationship. I felt very drawn into the book and characters.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to read and review this book.