This is a story about friends and family and the hardships and joys in their lives. If you are looking for a predictable fun read this is the one. The book has a cast of likeable characters that will draw you into their stories. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

I have read a number of Robyn Carr titles. Although this was a beautiful story of friendship as each woman experiences her own trials and tribulations, it wasn’t a story that was easy to capture me. I found the characters bounced around. I had a difficult time understanding who was the main focus and where I was in the story.

Nevertheless, I am thankful for Net Galley on the advanced copy of The Friendship Club.

This is a story about women who have suffered through life's hardships and persevered. The story takes place in western Nevada, near Reno. The plots include domestic abuse, trauma, sustained agriculture and falling in love midlife. I found it an engaging read. As far as I know this is a stand alone but could easily morph into a series. I love Carr’s writing in that she portrays independent and self sustaining women. The story does contain multiple instances of alcohol being imbibed as a stress reducer. Overall, very enjoyable.

The Friendship Club is classic Robyn Carr and a fine example of what she does well. The story follows the complicated intergenerational relationships of four women and the men in their lives. These relationships emphasize the importance and support of friendships. Particularly sweet was the relationships between the mature women and their new found loves. Carr makes an excellent point about the need for women who are or have been in abusive relationships to speak out, and how hard that is for them. There was an great example of how hard difficult pregnancies are not just for the mother but also for everyone around her. And I really liked the give back to the community actions by several of the characters. A lovely read, strongly recommended.

It took me a bit to get into this story, but I really enjoyed reading it. The different women and their stories were well written and left me wanting more.

A story of the power of friendship intertwined with newly found romance during midlife. This was my first book by Robyn Carr. It was a quick, light read.

A story of family, love, and romance - sometimes your family is those who love and protect you even though they aren't your biological family. Robyn Carr tells the story of 2 single women who formed such a bond through friendship and work. They realize neither of them is too old to love again despite their histories. Loved reading a story of older women finding love when they thought it would never happen for them.

I did not finish this book. After torturing myself to get through 20%, I decided life is too short and my TBR list too long to force myself to the end. The dialogue is stilted and unnatural. Some of the characters, especially Bella, are unlikeable. It’s just not an enjoyable book to read. If I didn’t know this is a successful author with many books under her belt, I would guess this to be a first attempt at publication.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

The Friendship Club is Robyn Carr at her finest. Multiple women struggling through every day life, and helping each other along the way. There's romance, a villain, hobbies, and personal growth. All the things a good chick novel needs. The ending is as satisfying as a Christmas movie. And sometimes that's exactly what you need.

This was a sweet story about new beginnings for a couple of women who never thought they would experience romantic love again! I enjoyed their friends who stood beside them, as well as their unexpected new partners!

Just as fabulous as I would expect from the wonderful Robyn Carr. Such a wonderful story about a more mature generation of women that were not looking for love, but found a small piece just awaiting to be taken. I loved this story. I loved the characters, as well as the story. The stories were heartwarming and cozy. They pulled me right in.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for allowing me to read this book for my opinion.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr. I am a huge fan of Robyn Care’s books and this one did not disappoint me! I loved all the characters and admired their friendships to each other. There was a heavy topic in the story and it was dealt with eloquently. Everyone had their own storyline and the gliw was seamless. I highly recommend The Friendship Club!

Four women in completely different walks of life are friends through Marni's cooking show. Each woman faces a challenge of some sort and the friendship of the ladies helps them travel through these various life experiences.

The Friendship Club
by Robyn Carr
Pub Date: Jan, 23, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A brand-new novel from the #1 bestselling author of VIRGIN RIVER

Four women , from different age groups, come together at a tumultuous time in their lives, forging an unbreakable bond that will leave them all forever changed.
Women's Fiction
This was not my favorite Carr book but it is good enough to recommend. Many will want to read it simply because of the author. There was a lot of focus on gas lighting. Triggers: domestic abuse, but it was dealt with in a loving kind manner.
Good book!~ Easy to relate to.
4 stars

The Friendship Club is a great women's novel! It has it all - strong female characters, sweet romantic moments, and drama. The setting in the Sierra Nevadas was good, and added a lot to the storyline for one character in particular. I really enjoyed this novel and it's a quick, enjoyable read.

The power of friendship gets us through life's challenges. Bonding the women together, Marni helms the club into cooking up a lifeline that gives them courage and strength to move forward.

Forging new relationship, each member takes steps to sorting out their lives. Marni finds refuge in her kitchen, Ellen in Mark's neighborly calls, Bella bringing her son into this world and Sophia having the fortitude to leave to start over again.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #TheFriendshipClub in exchange for an honest review. Robyn Carr crafts stories that are filled heart. As the chapters unfold, the protagonists feel real and and by the final scene readers don't want to say goodbye to their favorite characters.

Engaging look at the lives of several women of various ages and stages in their lives. Lots of food and quite a bit of angst. Some serious situations and a few romantic ones. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary. Lovely cover, but I can see no relation to the book's content.

The Friendship Club explores the lives of 4 women, all intertwined around Marni. All four are going through major life changes - becoming a new mother, discovering a new love, and realizing new interests and passions. There’s also a theme of abuse and stalking, which helps drive some of those changes. Overall it was very good.

Robyn Carr has a talent for creating memorable characters who come alive on the pages of her books. The Friendship Club is no exception. I love that the friends range in age from early 20s to over 60. The problems the various women encounter in The Friendship Club are believable, current, and handled well. This is a very satisfying read and would make a great movie!

Robyn Carr does relationship fiction so well -- fans of the Netflix show, Virgin River, will be drawn to this for sure. Marni is a successful cooking show host in her 60s, and her trusted longtime co-worker, Kelly, who is also in her sixties, are both convinced that love has passed them by and they are no longer "interested." However, both meet wonderful men -- great gentle romance. The younger generation is represented by Marni's daughter, Bella, and her college intern, Sofia, both who have relationship challenges of their own. I truly look forward to recommending this title!