WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE by Sally Koslow

Publisher: Ballantine Books
Date published: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0345506221
Contemporary
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


In this entertaining story we meet four women who met when they answered an ad for an apartment. Since that time and a decade later, Quincy, Talia, Chloe and Jules have kept in touch, take a yearly getaway together and share their problems. Although they have remained friends throughout the years, their lives have taken different directions.

Quincy and her husband are looking for the perfect home. Chloe is trying to play the role of a trophy wife. Talia, who is a bit concerned about her husband’s lack of ambition, is jealous of her well-off friends. Jules is an independent soul who is starting her forties alone. Things get a shake up, when Jules tells her boyfriend about the bargain apartment Quincy is going after. Talia is going after a job that was supposed to be for Chloe and they all have to deal with relationships, children and friendships.

I read Sally Koslow’s THE LATE, LAMENTED MOLLY MARX and really enjoyed it. So, I was interested in reading her, WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE. However, even though I enjoyed this story, I found THE LATE, LAMENTED MOLLY MARX better.

Ms. Koslow writes a truly good story that will keep you turning the pages. The characters are lively and warm, they jump off the pages and I found myself sympathizing with some and cursing others. Ms Koslow really gets into her characters and uses wit and insight to bring them to life. This is a story about friendship, family values, love and forgiveness. There were some interesting twists at the end, where you thought things would go to hell in a basket. There was a wonderful solution, where you thought everything was fine, the characters were happy, and then their lives fell apart. I know that whatever you think, you will come away from reading this book with warm feelings and a desire to be a really good friend.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

THE LATE, LAMENTED MOLLY MARX by Sally Koslow

Publisher: Ballantine
Date published: May 2009
ISBN: 978-0345506207
Contemporary
Hardcover
Reviewed by Valerie


Molly Marx has arrived in the Duration, also known as the Hereafter. She was last seen riding her bike through New York’s Riverside Park. When her body is found on the bank of the Hudson River, everyone is wondering if she was murdered, committed suicide or if it was an accident. But Molly feels very much alive and is happy to know that she can watch over her loved ones, especially her daughter Annabel. The investigation into her death leads Molly to relive some of the best moments in the life. Through Molly’s eyes we get to know Barry, her roving husband, Lucy, her rather explosive twin sister, Brie, her best friend, Kitty, her exhausting mother-in-law. We also meet the colleague to whom she was drawn.

This is a thought-provoking story that is entertaining and humorous. Sally Koslow’s heroine speaks from the grave and draws the reader into a story that keeps you reading until the end. We meet a variety of characters who were all an integral part of Molly’s life. I enjoyed reading this story although I did get a tad bored by all the flashbacks of Molly’s life and found myself skipping over some of them. The most interesting ones were of her life with Barry and the attractive work colleague. This is the kind of book you can relax in the garden with on a sunny day, or on the beach while on holiday. I can assure you, you will enjoy Molly’s look at life and her insights on her friends and loved ones.