Humor, Friendship, Lost Love
594003
After reading the first book I was very interested to learn more about Tilly's character so I was excited to learn this short novella was about Tilly. I was also excited to see that the love interest was her friend Dylan.

I think Jill did a great job as always by creating well developed characters from the very first page that you read to the very last one. I think no matter what book you pick up in the series, you the reader understand the backstory of the characters as much as you need to.

In addition, I think that she did a great job of creating the right level of drama and romance in the book. She didn't have everything happen out perfectly. The characters really had to work out things to get to their end solution. In addition, I think it was interesting to read more about Dylan's character because you learned more about him in this book than you did in the last one that Tilly was in. Lastly, I truly enjoyed seeing Tilly and her sisters relationship grow even more in this book. You saw this even more since returning to town a couple years after she left.

I am very excited to read more in the Wildstone series as this book did not disappoint. Great job Jill
4312880
Really enjoyed reading about these three friends. Sometimes friendship can turn into the best love at all.
769296
yeah two friends falling in love, abit of a cliche, but it totally works here,
lovely characters, sweet and romantic story, a story where friendship turns into sooo much more <3 loved it, read it more then one time. <3
1372092
I really connected to the characters in this book since they are so genuine in their feelings and expressing them to each other. There is some humor in the first impressions they form which are not the best, but become inexplicably drawn to each other. It was interesting to see the transition from foe to friendship. Even though the title implies that it's a contemporary Austen adaptation, it doesn't follow the original plot lines closely at all- in fact, the only similarity I felt was that the main characters start off with too much prejudice and pride, which they learn to overcome as they see beneath the surface of each others personalities and stretch beyond the comfort zone. Emma's sacrifice for her brother and nieces is the heart of this novel and brought some tears during the emotional parts. There is definitely chemistry between Kevin and Emma and I enjoyed their banter and conversations.

(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)
160588
It is a good romantic comedy with love, laughter, friendship, frustration with marriage, pregnancy and cupcakes.
However, it feels like an ingredient is missing.
With them working on making their marriage, it earns 4 stars. You need laughter with love.
1934977
In this book and all around you there are friends to be had.  There are young friends, old friends.  In these pages you can see very different kinds of people who are friends.  They are laughing, they are smiling, and they are good friends. There are new friends, best friends, family friends and more.  What kind of friends do you have?  There are two girls hugging and smiling.  I think they are best friends, do you?  If you have a best friend you are a very lucky person!

Perhaps you have friends at school.  You can share a book with them, laugh, or play with them.  Of course, animals can be friends too.  There are furry friends and feathered friends too.  In this book youll get to take a look at all kinds of friends, including friends with different ways to walk and friends with different ways to talk.  What kind of friends do you have?  I bet you have all kinds of friendships, including some of the kinds youll read about in this book.

This is a fabulously fun and engaging book about friends that young children will enjoy.  The layout pops with pictures of all kinds of friendships that children encounter in their lives.  Theres also one interesting two-page spread that briefly shows us that sometimes friends can make you sad or even mad!  I do love the realism and most certainly can appreciate the fact that even best friends don't always get along.  The layout of the book pops with full color photographs of friendship in action.  This is the perfect book to have on hand, one that shows the diversity and joys of friendship.

Nonfiction
Social Studies
Grades K - 2

This book courtesy of the publisher (to library).
1430400
I loved this book!  I thought it was a fun and interesting story about friendship between women in good times and bad times through the years.  I liked the way their monthly book club/dinner themes ran throughout the book. I enjoyed reading what each of the women came up with to serve for dinner to match the theme of the book. Also, you get to know each woman's husband and family without that being the main focus.  It was always about the women and the friendship they forged.  Even when they had disagreements, you knew they'd always find their way back to each other.  This is definitely a chick book and this is one chick who really enjoyed it.  I found it very funny but also touching at times. Each woman had a totally distinct personality and I found pieces of myself in each one of them.
1225974
This is a heartwarming, charming, funny story about friendship, love, and life.

For me what resonated throughout this novel is that timing is everything.

The main character, Rachel, is determined, conscientious, and likeable. And the supporting characters are imperfect, quirky, and interesting.

And although the plot seems to drag slightly during the middle, it has enough heartbreak, romance, and entertaining dialogue to keep you intrigued until the last page.

Overall, this is an engaging, easy read that I enjoyed.
429383
When Ida May's best friend, Elizabeth Evans, moves away, Ida's life nosedives into depression and isolation. She swears never to have another best friend again --- they're much too painful to lose.

So Ida starts fourth grade without any friends. Her mother tries to set her up with the PTA president's daughter --- the snooty Jenna Drews, who tormented Ida and Elizabeth --- but Ida knows it will never work. How can you be friends with someone who calls you "I-duh"? But to please her parents, she agrees to go to the movies and a sleepover party with Jenna.

Both activities turn out just as Ida expects, with Jenna insulting and rejecting her. But there's one surprise --- a new girl named Stacey Merriweather who has just moved into town and happens to be in the same class as Ida and Jenna. Ida can't help but notice Stacey's huge, friendly smile and senses an instant connection with her. However, Ida fights these feelings with all of her strength; she must remember her vow of no more best friends. They just end up leaving.

Nevertheless, Ida's curiosity gets the best of her. How can she find out more about this stranger without opening herself up for more hurt? She soon figures out a way --- by writing a note yet keeping her identity a secret. Ida scribbles a quick question, signs it "a girl" and leaves it on Stacey's desk. This inspires a secret letter-writing venture that brings light and smiles back into Ida's life. Through the anonymous letters, Ida and Stacey share stories, drawings, jokes and concerns. Without meaning to do so, Ida has slipped into another special friendship. Should Ida risk revealing her true identity?

What a delightful story this is! Julie Bowe has created a thoughtful, funny and realistic look at one girl's struggles with losing her best friend. Readers will quickly bond with Ida, feeling her pain, sharing her hopes and fears, and urging her to open up for a new relationship. The exciting concept of sharing secret letters with a special someone keeps the pages turning fast, and MY LAST BEST FRIEND ends all too soon. We hope to read more from this talented new author.

  --- Reviewed by Chris Shanley-Dillman
4357517
Enjoyed the story of the three friends getting back together after many years. Letting friendship slip can happen to us all, as ones life can get in the way. Unfortunately, we often take friendships made in youth for granted & it's only years later that we look back and wonder how it happened. It was an easy read & most pleasant after a days work to see what would be happening next to the main three characters. The love interests and portrayal was a little bit contrived, but happy to read something the reader would hope for (a happy turnout for them all).  I also liked that it took place in Ireland on familiar ground.  It made it that much more enjoyable to be reading.
4820455
Searching For My Wand was a truly enjoyable novel, and I hope to read more from Bridget!  I found her sense of humor, mixed with wry and literal weavings of life and friendship a joy to read.  The story is crafted with alternating present and future views, which introduces ideas and character growth in an intriguing puzzle. While I found it a bit disconcerting at first, I quickly found that I really enjoyed the style.  You get glimpses of future hope while Glinda's struggling with her life, and it really makes you want to find out how she gets there.
Glinda, Adam, Paul, and Sophia are believable in their foibles, hopes, and decisions. Their characters flesh out slowly and steadily, and the past/present style draws stark contrasts that pull you in.  There is no bad guy really, a refreshing change from most stories ... they're all human, flawed, and real.  Sophia has shades of that perfect friend that we all think we have, but if you scrape off the varnish you find they struggle just as much as you do.  The illustrations scattered throughout are a great touch too, an unusual treat.
4210828
This book is very humourous.  Dead on about the way some female friendships go.
698136
A wickedly funny exploration of lost love and family dysfunction. The novel offers a nice balance between the light and dark, never quite letting go of hope. And while the comic elements offer reliefand insightthey don't distance us unduly from the main character and her struggles.
3347027
Funny with many twists. Easy read. A mystery to the very end with friendships and hope. A very good read!
3872061
Sharing their ups and downs, and triumphs and disappointments, the three Simon sisters have always been close, culminating in the ritual of hair dying parties. Eldest Leah tends to scare most guys off, but can't seem to stop hooking up with younger musician Chase; middle sis Claudia is looking for love after a painful divorce from an addict husband whose only commitment is his need for a fix; Emily was widowed at 30, and at 32, wants to appease her family by venturing out into the dating world, but after nursing her husband through cancer, she's finding that she's just not ready. When their dad suffers a mild heart attack and another family member has a cancer scare, Emily finds herself turning to her husband's best friend Jake, who has quickly become her best friend as well.

Don't be misled by the packaging. With a happy go lucky cover, this is really a deep and heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and sisterhood, covering every serious topic from marriage to death to drug abuse. Told in first person from Emily's viewpoint, Rendahl injects just the right amount of comedy to offset the inevitable tears, and her writing is so real - not the least bit contrived. Most chapters start with the recipe for each sister's hair color (though Emily still has virgin hair), with some interesting narrative tossed in. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
4185991
Humorous and entertaining examination of bullying and exclusivity overcome by the bonds of friendship.
1284245
Tyler is a sports agent, just starting his career in New York. He's had some challenges in his personal and professional life, but has pushed through them. The major complaint he's had from the women is his life is he's too nice. Cam is Ty' s roommate, has been for a year. They hang out together, she tries to get him to read books, he gets her out of her head. Because Cam is a near genius and she thinks way too much.  But she's sharp, quirky and  manages a hip comic/ book/ bar/ coffee shop. Tyler loves being with her. And he realizes he wants more than friendship from Cam. The situations they stumble into with each other while their relationship transforms are funny, touching and real. Their friends provide great support and conflict throughout the book. Tyler's family is endearing, you understand better once you meet them why Ty is such a good, nice man. Such a refreshing story with lots of quick wit and personal revelations. Beautiful read.