Thank you @netgalley and @warrenpublish for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is the debut novel from Meredith Berlin, former editor-in-chief of Seventeen Magazine and Soap Opera Digest. Given that Seventeen Magazine was a favourite of mine when I was a teenager, I decided I had to read this book.

I really like books about a group of friends, each with their own storyline but also connected. This also had another one of my favourite elements which is women starting their own businesses. So this book was a great fit for me.

I will say that I’m unsure of why it was set in 1997/98 – unless it’s because the author was the editor of Seventeen Magazine during those years and this is partially about some of the characters overhauling a magazine. The tone feels 90’s (reference to finding a pay phone), but there’s really nothing specific in the plot that points to it having to be set during those years.

I love that Meredith Berlin included things from her own life – the magazine editor, and also the inclusion of a character with MS, which she mentions in the acknowledgements that she has as well. I also, of course, enjoyed the brief references to the fact that some of the characters are Jewish.

Overall, I was drawn in from the start and really enjoyed it!

“Friends with Issues follows three glamorous, self-made women in their 40s who gamble with love, sex and their careers in NYC and L.A., as one charismatic man captivates them all.”

Publication Date – January 24, 2023

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this was definitely out of my comfort zone but i did enjoy my time out of it. this book is character driven which is usually not my favorite however i surprisingly liked it here. we follow these 3 women who become friends throughout the book but mostly because they are all linked to this one man, Nick. Though he was my least favorite point of vue, the relationships he had with the other characters were very engaging. These 3 women have their own issues and challenges they must face but are related through Nick. Susan, his wife, has to face her marriage, body image, confidence and sexuality. Elizabeth, his best friend, is confronted with her work, her role as a mother and how she can balance both while having multiple sclerosis. finally, brooke, his lover and elizabeth’s friend, is unhappy in her marriage and is considering divorce. all the themes depicted in the story are simply reflections of real life, not here to be criticized or condoned, simply explored through the characters choices and actions.
my only criticism would address the numerous typos in the e-arc i received which were particularly annoying.
this book was undeniably compelling and, tho not about to become a new favorite, definitely one i enjoyed and will recommend.

This was so difficult to get into and read like a chick lit and I struggled so many time picking it up and being bored with the plot line. I would give it a 2/5 and appreciate NetGalley allowing me a copy to read.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. Will recommend it to everyone I know!

En cuanto vi esta novela en NetGallery, la portada, la descripción y la biografía de la autora me atrajeron en leerla y ¡qué gran decisión!

Esta es una historia de mujeres adultas redescubriendo sus vidas y su sexualidad y comprendiendo las relaciones de una manera preciosa. Habrá momentos en que las entiendas y otros en los que no, pero sus decisiones son suyas y la autora nunca busca dejarlas de pobrecitas.

El único pero que le pongo a la novela es que el núcleo central de la misma es uno de los hombres, sobre él orbitan y él las “une” y, aunque tiene explicación, me pareció un poco clásico.

I was drawn to the cover of this book and the description! I envisioned this being an easy fun read and I was correct. Follow the life of 3 ladies going through their own challenges in life.

This story follows three friends: Brooke, Elizabeth, and Susan as they navigate their lives. They try to find the balance between work life and personal life while dealing with struggles that could shatter their lives. I really enjoyed this story from start to finish

Think Conversations with Friends but characters are fully developed & a bit more likeable. I really enjoyed this and I look forward to reading more of the authors work. Thank you netgalley & the publisher for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

While I did have some trouble staying focused on the story due to formatting (such is the trouble with ARCs at times), I did find the characters to be very fleshed out and interesting and I wanted to keep reading to know what happened.

A good read that touches on so many relatable topics: health issues, addiction, friendships, sexual identity. I enjoyed reading the different characters perspectives and found in them like-able. Would be great for a book club.

I had a bit of a hard time reading this book. I didn’t feel the story flowed very well. I was not really impressed with the characters. I just could never feel connected with the story nor characters which just did not sit well. Thank you for the chance to read the book.

I enjoyed this book! It felt like I was reading a show if that makes sense! I could easily see this transformed into a Hulu show and loved it! I really liked getting into the minds and perspectives of the three women and being able to see how they handle what life throws their way.

Friends with Issues follows three female friends through their marriages, careers and sex lives. I was compelled to keep reading at the beginning but I was waiting for what was going to happen. In reality, nothing really happens. There is no big moment or reveal. It's just like talking to your friends about the things you go through in life. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. There is great character development and relationships. There just isn't really any wow moments.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to the cover and the description of this book first. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy and the chance to read this book by Meredith Berlin. I'm giving it five stars!

I loved that the author used to be editor of Seventeen and Soap Opera Digest. Both publications I read when I was younger. I had a feeling this would be a great first novel. I was right. It centers around three women in their 40s... I could relate... and their daily balancing act of career, friendship, and intimacy.

Pick this novel up and get lost in the character's lives with each turn of the page!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very interesting story, enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed Berlin's writing and this book up until the plot twist, which I felt was unnecessary and taking the easy way out of exploring a beautifully complex relationship between the characters. From that point on I was a bit disappointed. But I thoroughly loved the characters, although at times I felt like they could have been characterized in more detail.

Friends with Issues by Meredith Berlin was a wonderful Women's Fiction debut.

I had the best time with Brooke, Elizabeth, and Susan.
A realistic drama, that pulled me in almost immediately with some unforgettable characters.

A story about the three women finding love, friends, and personal identity. And how it can transform at any age–and money doesn’t protect you from much.
Meredith Berlin's writing was something special. I enjoyed it way too much!
And how she filled this story with real life issues in believable settings.
I can't wait to see what she brings us next!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Warren Publishing,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!