This book ABSOLUTELY gave me “The Real Housewives” vibes - fairly unlikeable (yet glamorous) characters that you couldn’t help but root for and plot lines that made me feel as though I gossiping over coffee with friends!

This book is about real life - work, marriage, sexuality, illness, friendship… and although that might not be everyone’s jam, I quite enjoyed reading something that represented the challenges and triumphs of every day people.

First DNF in a long long time!!!!
Look, I'm all in for continue reading when I feel there's something good coming but... this is a huge no for me.
I received the arc and the premise seemed so so good but then I was not able to feel any kind of connection and everyone felt so privileged that was annoying. There's too many stories with privileged people. Oh look at this store, oh let's order this food, oh this restaurant with Michelin stars, oh the shoes let me show them, oh is your jacket Chanel? I have 12 million my husband gave me. Oh he is with other ladies whatever. Oh the housekeeper is cooking. Have champagne. Ohmy hahaha and of course there's addiction and infidelity in it and there's the issues. I have read this same stories many times.
And what's with all the weird conversations? Why so much blahblah? And forget the cringe conversations between characters, the internal ones were also a no. And the author preferred to describe shoes or clothes in a deeper way that characters!!!! Outrageous!!!! Imagine the shoes but please don't get a real image of characters? Didn't like the writing.
Just NO. I tried to get into it and be open but I hit the point that I said nope I'll move on with another book before I lose more time with this one.
I'm sorry for this "review" but I'm always honest.
Thank you netgalley and publisher for this arc!

This is a freshly novel with different themes that will land directly on your heart. From marriages, betrayal, friendship, career, everything is extremely releatable. Highly recommended.

This one follows three friends, Susan, Brooke and Elizabeth, living in NYC in their 40s. This really reminded me of Sex in the City for your 40s. The women struggle with family, husbands, their sexuality, their careers and their health. It is realistic with depth, but fun at the same time.

happy #pubday to this super fun read!! 🎉

this book follows the lives of Susan, Brooke, and Elizabeth, along with their prospective husbands & successful lives. each in their 40s, the women have all experienced glamour, fortune, and stability throughout their years, but are now each facing their own personal setbacks.

Susan is married to a well-respected media genius, whose work in the magazine industry has given them financial security to last a lifetime; still, Susan finds herself restless in her current state & is desperate to explore some new passions.

Brooke is in the midst of a marital crisis, unaware of how to handle her troubled husband or their failing marriage. while seeking comfort through her hobby of jewelry-making, she finds comfort in other unexpected places, as well.

Elizabeth refuses to let her chronic illness stop her from being a doting mother & wife; but when an incredible work opportunity is presented to her in the midst of life’s chaos, she finds herself dwelling on the limitations her body has forced upon her.

this book was a great gossipy read about the famous & wealthy in NYC and Greenwich, and I devoured every second of it. in this close-knit setting, we experience lots of scandal and betrayal, yet the general tone is that of an unbothered demeanor. it’s amazing in its overall “IDGAF, I do what I want” mentality, and regardless of how terrible some of the characters could be, I couldn’t help but love them for their unapologetic attitudes.

the author of this book was an editor-in-chief for Seventeen magazine & Soap Opera Digest, so you know you’re getting drama with this one. I found it interesting that the book was based mostly in the 90’s, and didn’t even realize this until I was over halfway done w/ the book; apparently, Berlin started this book years ago & just recently came back to it.

overall, an entertaining, guilty-pleasure read for those who love The Devil Wears Prada/SATC-type books!

#arc courtesy of @netgalley & @warrenpublish!

I was excited to read this based on the premise, but my overall problem with the book was that the characters weren't well fleshed out. This had a nice tone overall but there are some areas within the plot that missed the mark for me.

It pains me to say this but this was not a winner for me. So many characters were unlikable and did terrible things that it was honestly difficult to read at some points. I also didn’t care for the way addiction and infidelity were handled throughout. If I did need to highlight a positive it would be Elizabeth’s entire storyline. I wish the entire book had been about her and only her.

I kept feeling as though I had read this before. It is formulaic, but reminiscent of so many other novels that it was like deja vous, until I finally put it down. I was wondering if part of this was published in another form.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

It took me most of the book to warm up to the main characters.
When the book began they all seemed pretty miserable. Two began affairs and the third had health issues.
I had the most empathy for Elizabeth but never really cared for either Brooke or Susan, although I did appreciate their character growth.
Some readers might like the dynamics between three friends and how they endure the pitfalls and changes in life.

I love books about complicated friendships and as you can probably tell from the title, FRIENDS WITH ISSUES fits the bill.

This character-driven novel follows the lives of three women, Elizabeth, Susan and Brooke, who seem like they have it all, and Nick, the man who influences their lives in very different ways. It's a book about change and self-acceptance, reimagining who you thought you'd be when you hit your 40s, and how relationships change and evolve over the years. I really enjoyed that it featured mature and realistically flawed characters, the 1990s NYC setting and magazine publishing as a backdrop. I'll definitely read whatever Meredith Berlin.

Thanks to @warrenpublish for the #gifted copy.

The aptly named Friends with Issues is a guilty pleasure! It’s Danielle Steel, Jackie Collins and Sidney Sheldon worthy! Susan, Brooke and Elizabeth and husbands Nick, Tripp and Danny are the beautiful people. The women have perfect figures, honed by personal trainers, private chefs, expensive wardrobes and unimaginable wealth. None of this, however, has made them happy. Susan and Nick live like roommates, Brooke is suspicious of Tripp’s actions and Elizabeth is dealing with a serious illness. As their problems intensify, they will learn that what matters most cannot be bought.

Friends with Issues is a quick read, pure fun and escapism. Meredith Berlin is an Emmy winner and former editor of Soap Opera digest so she knows how to package a juicy story. Pop this one in your beach bag and enjoy! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Warren Publishing and Meredith Berlin for this ARC.

Money, glamour, careers, love and sex are not all they are cracked up to be. Friends With Issues follows Susan, Elizabeth, Brooke, and their husbands. Despite having what most strive for, their lives are still lacking in various ways. Brooke's marriage is failing, Elizabeth's struggling with a new diagnosis, and Susan her relationship is also on the rocks. We follow the three women through captivating ups and downs that make them relatable no matter how we differ from them.

Immediately, I found myself cruising through the story with great interest; I was sucked in. Berlin's writing style is impeccable and she truly has a gift with story telling. However, I do think that there is a specific reader for this type of novel. The characters are relatable but not especially likable. Parts are uncomfortable and gritty but in a real life fashion. I shouted “NOOOO”, sighed, repositioned, and even got emotional at the end. You'll want to read this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Warren Publishing for my eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I made it to 25% of this book before deciding to DNF (did not finish). The writing is horrible--especially the dialogue between characters. It is stilted and feels unnatural. The heroin story line for Tripp felt especially cringe worthy. His wife went from assuming he was lazy to then actually thinking he has a full blown heroin addiction in one chapter based on his behavior at a dinner party. It all felt stereotypical and far fetched at the same time.

I do appreciate that I received an e-ARC of this book, but there are so many other books I'd like to read that DNFing this one made the most sense to me.

Quick, easy read that was entertaining. I was engaged in this from the first chapter and really enjoyed the alternating perspectives that the book showcased. Everyone has issues behind closed doors, even those of us who seem perfect...

I really, really tried with this one but I couldn’t get into it. I couldn’t connect to the characters and found it hard to read. DNF

This book had me reminiscing about the late 90s and the thrill of the monthly PHYSICAL magazine, NOT DIGITAL. This one reminded me of an old school Danielle Steel or Jackie Collins.
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It’s true these characters were many times unlikeable but it was a soapy story that flew by. Brooke, Elizabeth and Susan are three glamorous women who made their mark on the world but middle age has them questioning their next chapter, along with health issues and relationships.
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Thank you #warrenpublishing and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This one was a DNF for me. I wasn’t able to truly connect to all of the characters. However I do think that I could come back to this when it had my full attention.

A complex story about 3 couples who are all trying to find their way and what they really want in life. All 3 couples live very different lives and the author shows that what we see on the outside is not what is going on behind closed doors. All their lives are intertwined in different ways , from drugs, affairs, finding one’s sexuality, medical challenges, divorce, death and finding your joy in life.

I enjoyed the story being told from multiple points of view and in the end seeing everyone find joy in living even if it was different than what they thought life might look like for them.

I voluntarily received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and all options are my own

I didnt have any expectations for this book but the reviews I read were mostly glowing, and having read it I’m wondering if they were real or not. The book was a let down, too many characters and none of them particularly likable. I just found the book uninteresting.

I loved the clever title of this book! Overall it was an enjoyable read and one I came back to often as I found myself wanting to know what was going to happen with each of the characters and their story lines.

The beginning of the book was a bit difficult for me to get into only because I found it hard to get to know the characters well enough to keep them straight. Once I was able to remember who was who and their back story things started moving along and I found myself compelled by each person's story and the way they intertwined. Although not all of the characters are as likeable I found them all to be very human and believable. Flawed though they were, I think many of us have been some part of each of them at some point. Meredith Berlin was able to really explore many kinds of relationships (sexual and friendship) at all different stages in a way that felt very compelling and authentic. The ending was satisfying without being perfect

The style of writing was easy to read, and I can see the book becoming popular quickly. I will certainly be on the lookout for more books by this author!