Four Friends

February 3, 2014
The prolific Carr (A Summer in Sonoma) explores the implosion of the marriages of four women with painful secrets living in the same neighborhood, in this juicy deliberation on getting your groove back amid domestic chaos, hormonal imbalance, and crushing depression. Within a matter of months, the rock-solid marriage of Gerri, a social worker, and her husband Phil, a public defender, cracks under the weight of an old infidelity; divorcee Andy takes on Bob, an unlikely lover, who teaches her about the beauty of “wanting what you have”; New Age dilettante Sonja loses her mind but finds her balance; and mysterious B.J. moves into the neighborhood hoping to hide a hideous past. Carr expertly juggles the drama of these richly drawn female characters—and the men and kids who, improbably, sweetly adore them. The women are instantly recognizable—outwardly comfortable and secure even as they privately battle demons. It’s here that the author lingers for a closer look—at domestic abuse, gay children, spouses, mental illness, lagging libido, extramarital affairs, grief, and parenting troubled teens. It’s tricky terrain, but Carr leads with confidence, and the path, though familiar, is fresh and inviting.

Starred review from June 1, 2014

Carr's ("Thunder Point" series) engaging story is rooted in believable drama--the tale of four friends each dealing with romantic relationships in varying stages of crisis--and all supporting one another. Therese Plummer's narration is spot-on; the voice of Gerri is perfectly selected, with a resonance critical for such a stalwart character. Supporting female characters each have appropriate distinguishing timbres, from Sonja's quirky wit to B.J.'s quiet locution. Male voices, while less dynamic, are easily distinguishable, and production lapses are few. Best of all, readers will be riveted as they find themselves invested in the fates of the protagonists, perhaps lauding the courage of some characters while cursing the forbearance and tolerance of others and finally breathing a sigh of relief as all ends well for this circle of four friends. VERDICT Recommended for all fans of general fiction. ["The fast-paced prose, strong female characterizations, and multiple third-person points of view keep the action moving," read the review of the Mira: Harlequin pb, LJ 4/1/14.]--Erin E. Forson, Columbus, OH

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