Rating: 
Summary: Say Yes to This Book
Review: I found myself really caring about the small Griffin family in this endearing and honest book. Husband Frank has to learn through upheaval that he's been smugly self-involved. Daughter Zoe is delightful and rings true. Enigmatic wife Ellen is the one who upsets the apple cart with her brief affair. Divorce is too easy and acceptable in our society. What I applaud is the effort to keep a relationship and family together. As an author myself, of NEW PSALMS FOR NEW MOMS: A KEEPSAKE JOURNAL, I appreciated the love that both parents had for their child, Zoe. That love is what ultimately kept them together.
Rating: 
Summary: Berg's best yet !!
Review: I have always been a fan of Elizabeth Berg. Some of her books have wowed me. Others I thought were alright, but felt they were a bit lacking, by comparison. This newest book has totally knocked my socks off. Just like the other reviewer, I read this book in two sittings. I loved the characters and found the book sensational. What I liked most is what I have come to expect from a Berg book; the way she turns a phrase is so exquisite, at times, that you want nothing more than to simply stop, and read it again, for enjoyment's sake. I did this quite a few times with this book.
I haven't written a review in five years. This book was worthy of it, for sure. Happy reading.
Rating:
Summary: ~ Say When ~ ( When )
Review: I kept seeing this at the book store and every time I had it in my hands, but for some reason I would put it back, I saw this at the library and decided to read it and I am glad that I did. Reading what Ellen was feeling I could feel the emotions she was going through Elizabeth Breg did her homework, I am sure that there are women out there who have felt the way Ellen did. Then there are men out there who felt the same way as Griffin did, I could not help but feel bad for Griffin he loved Ellen so much that he would do anything for her even take her back if that's what she wanted. This is the second book by this author that I have read and I was not disappointed.Hapy Reading Lisa
Rating:
Summary: Interesting twist from wonderful author
Review: I love ALL of Berg's work and this book is no exception. Not knowing that she had a new book out, I practically jumped up and down when I saw it on the New Release shelf at our local library. The twist for Berg is that the novel is written from a male perspective. So it was really, really interesting to feel like I was spying on the Male Mind in its most intimate moments. We're all accustomed to the stories where the man has an affair, the woman suffers, the woman grows strong, yadda yadda yadda. In "Say When," it's the woman who has an affair and we experience the man's tangled emotions and thoughts throughout the story. Even for those in happy marriages, there is much truth in the husband's memories of the marriage and in the character dialogue. As soon as I finished it, I laid it on my husband's nightstand so he can read it too.
Rating:
Summary: Refreshing & well written
Review: I recently discovered Elizabeth Berg and am making my way through her works. I enjoy her perspective and Say When was no exception. I found the storyline to be more moving coming from the husband's view. It was not overdone with the emotional and stereotypical addages often found when dealing with a marriage in crisis. This was a very fast read, and well worth the time. My only complaint is that it felt contrived at the end. Almost as if Berg wanted to just "wrap it up". Not as strong as Open House, yet good characters, relevant plot and efficient writing are not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: Another Fine Book from Elizabeth Berg
Review: I think Berg got this one right. Having been through a similar experience myself, I recognized Griffin's pain and actions. It doesn't matter whether you are male or female, this hurts and it hurts both genders equally. There is nothing more demoralizing than finding out that your partner has fallen in love with someone else while at the same time you have been oblivious. Hits you right in the gut, actually. This is a very realistic portrayal of the pain of separation and it's affect on all those involved. I remember well the sleepless nights and constant questioning and "what ifs." It is hard to believe that someone you have devoted years to could abandon your love. I disagree with those who felt that Berg's male point of view is weak. I think she did a fine job with this book and I certainly look forward to more of the same. I think a sequel to this one might be in order.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not Berg's best
Review: I've read all of Elizabeth's Berg's novels, and while this one is good, I know she can do better! I was riveted to the story, but put off by all the descriptions of the characters' clothing. Isn't that the first thing you learn in writing classes? Skip the eye color and find something more insightful that what color shirt the character is wearing! Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read, although not as "meaty" as her other work. I found the man's point-of-view refreshing, and I enjoyed learning what Santas think behind the beard. The daughter's character was very annoying. She acted like a 3-year-old in some scenes, then like a pre-teen in others. Still, I love Berg's writing and would recommend this book to anyone who feels the same.
Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: If you think you've read all the novels you can about family and divorce, think again. Ms. Berg manages to tell the unfolding story of a couple dealing with separation, and does so with her usual talent. I especially liked their daughter Zoe's part in the story, I loved their conversations and her reactions. This was definitely a refreshing perspective on the topic and a great read.
Rating:
Summary: This one hits close to home...
Review: Not in my own marriage- but with several friends' marriages. When did they start drawing apart, one becomes complacent with how things are while the other wants more- "the way it use to be with them"...? Griffin wakes up to his wife wanting a divorce. She has found someone who makes her feel important and young again while Griffin goes about his routine. That's just it- it is all routine, taken for granted. Now Griffin is faced with possible life without his wife, Ellen and his eight-year old, Zoe and starting over again - or renewing his relationship with Ellen, getting that spark back. The story is told through the eyes of the husband, Griffin- which is different and very touching. It doesn't take long for Griffin to decide that separation is NOT what he wants and that he is going to "fight" for what is his. He refuses to move out forcing Ellen to live as roommates in the same house. She continues to see the other person while coming home to Griffin waiting up for her. Things are just too difficult at home so Ellen moves her and Zoe to an apartment, getting a taste of what it's like without Griffin being there. It's not like it's suppose to be for Ellen while Griffin tries to date a little and finds out that his feelings for Ellen are still strong and this just isn't right. It's a good story - will Griffin be able to convince Ellen that they can have the feelings that use to be there without giving up what they have now. Ellen finds out that "the grass is not always green on the other side of the fence." Zoe plays an important part as well. She has difficulty coping with what is happening to her family that she has always been able to rely on being together up to now. I like what another review said about it being an "endearing and honest book." I agree.
Rating:
Summary: 3 1/2 Stars: Show Me
Review: People sometimes marry someone who reminds them of their father or mother. This is not a problem I would think if for one thing said parent was a good person and secondly once married you didn't fall back into the parent/child relationship with your partner.
Unfortunately for Ellen in Elizabeth Berg's "Say When," she does. It is obvious that her relationship with Griffin is one of parent/child and not husband and wife. Because Griffin is conducive and receptive to this kind of relationship, he also falls into it head first, but unlike Ellen with his eyes open: "...he'd been waiting for something like this to happen. She was always just beyond his grasp, in one-way or another. He supposed that her cool reserve was one of the things that attracted him to her."
Isn't it funny that we sometimes, somehow get hooked up with the worst possible person for us and that, taking it to the ultimate degree fall in love and even marry him or her? It's as if all your radar is shut down for a period of time and when it is turned on again you wonder, "How did I ever get involved with this person?"
Despite the fact that Griffin is basically a good person, Ellen's radar flips back on and she decides to leave him and her child to sort out her life and to become a responsible adult: "...it's important that for once in my life, I take care of myself," she says. Griffin, like most men in this situation had not seen any signs, noticed anything unusual and when he takes to rifling through her desk for evidence he finds nothing: "It was all inside her, in the ways she'd changed. Little things-or perhaps not-so-little-things-that he simply ignored."
Unfortunately, "Say When" loses steam about 2/3 of the way through and Griffin and Ellen's situation becomes tiresome. And whereas, in the sublime "Never Change" and the humane "True to Form," Berg is at the top of her form, the prose here seems forced and ultimately common and boring: we stop caring about Griffin and Ellen.
Berg has fashioned a career detailing with and wisely commenting on relationships gone bad and exposing and expiating unfulfilled dreams. And she has done it with style and grace. "Say When" is not Berg at her best but nonetheless, there are still moments of such truth and honesty as to make you gasp with recognition and nod in assent.
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