Just Between Friends

by Sandra Steffen

Book Overview

In this heart-stirring tale from the USA Today bestselling author, a woman returns to her hometown for a fresh start. With the support of her childhood friends, she learns to laugh, live, and love... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0821775561
• ISBN13: 9780821775561
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Zebra Books
• Length: 318 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

awesome read

I used to be a avid reader. Recently I havent had the time. But once I picked this novel up, it wasnt put down untill I completed it.

Excellent novel exploring women making changes in their lives.

I haven't been moved to write a review in years but if it will help anyone else find this book and author and enjoy her work as much as I did, I will be happy I wrote it. There are an abundance of novels exploring women in their thirties who are finding that they have to face decisions about how they want to continue or change their lives. I really enjoyed this one. The story of Mac, Brooke, Sophie and Colin draws you in and the secondary characters become lead players in the drama. Her characters are strong, yet vulnerable and very likeable. This is the first Sandra Steffen book I have read but I will certainly look for her backlist and read more.

A Wonderfully Emotional Read!

This is the first time I've ever read anything by Ms. Steffen and it won't be the last. This read was a wonderfully emotional read that really took a hard look at several different aspects of relationships, and how things that can go wrong can often times be the beginning of a wonderful new start. Three high school friends go three different directions after they graduate from high school. The different paths that these each take lead back home to Alcott N.H. when the going gets tough. And it gets tough for all three for very different reasons. Brooke has married what she thinks is the best man in the world. They live a reasonably successful life until Colin's ability to stay faithful to Brooke a second time forcs Brooke to take a long hard look at who she has become. With her daughter by her side she heads home to help her sister Eve plan her wedding to town bad-boy. What she finds is peace, and a new sense of self as she makes new friends, and renews old friendships with her high school buddies. Sara is one of Brooke's dearest friends. She has stayed in Alcott after she married and had a child. Her life changes after her husband starts beating her. She has finally left her abusive husband and is working on being the woman she knows she can be. It's not easy but when you have friends by your side anything is possible. Last but certainly not least is Claudia. She is the last of the "Potter Girls" and she has come back to Alcott for a totally different reason. She has finally found love...but is afraid to admit it to herself. She runs back home under the guise of being supportful of Brooke and Sara's problems. She learns that you can't run from yourself, and certainly not when you problem follows you. Julian finally lays down the gauntlet. He wants her for her and will settle for nothing else. Will Claudia find the courage to love with her whole heart? This was an amazing story that managed to balance several different storylines while never cheating one of them. That is quiet a feat and one that not many authors are capable of doing. The relationship between Brooke and Mac is tender, sweet, and yes, even sensual but proper. She is after all a married woman. The secondary storylines of her friends Sara and Claudia are not only entertaining but look at very sensitive subjects (spousal abuse, and older woman in love with younger man) but help to tell Brooke's story (you'll just have to buy the book.) Secondary characters such as Sophie, Archie, and even Colin all bring wonderful things to this story. I laughed and I cried while reading the book. I highly recommend Ms. Steffen if you enjoy reads that look at hard issues but at the same time show the silver linings to any situation. Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com