Until the Real Thing Comes Along

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Summary: This book was fantastic!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. The characters were believable and interesting, and the plot was truly original. Parts of it were like reading my own life story! There was so much to this book--more than expected. This is a great read!

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Summary: sappy, somewhat unrealistic
Review: Not Berg's best, and I've read a bunch. A far-better book that captures and explores the straight woman/gay man dynamic much more accurately is Pretzel Logic, a novel by Lisa Rogak: it's the funny but biting story of a woman married to a man who happens to come out during their marriage.

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Summary: another winner
Review: I have looked forward to Elizabeth Berg's books and have not been disappointed with her latest. She writes with such clairity, bringing her characters to life. Her observations of daily life and human nature are right on the money. I will remain a loyal fan.

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Summary: Loved It!!
Review: I was travelling and had purchased a People Magazine for the plane trip, just enough for the 1 hour flight. My flight was delayed for six hours so after reading the synopsis in People, stopped in the bookstore to buy, my first Berg novel. I loved it!! It's not too deep, and yes, there are some predicable and unrealistic moments, but that's why I read. If fiction was like life, I wouldn't need to read... I will read Berg again and again.

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Summary: A Big Disappointment for a Big Berg fan
Review: I was so excited to learn that Elizabeth Berg had a new book out this summer and couldn't wait to get my hands on it, since I have read all her other works of fiction. However, I was truly disappointed in this book. I found Patty Ann, the main character, to be highly immature for a 36-year-old. However, I could identify with her need for wanting a baby. I felt that the road she took to achieving her dream was unrealistic and not in character at all with Berg's past fabulous female creations. For a woman who did not seem to make enough real estate sales to support herself for even a month, I wondered throughout the novel how she was financially taking care of herself, and if she had given thought as to how she was going to take care of an infant, with the never ending demands an infant makes. I also felt it extremely difficult to believe that once Patty reached her destination, that this too was simply implausable. Please, if you are just starting out reading Elizabeth Berg's wonderful novels, do not start with this one or you may not discover her wonderful way of weaving the threads of relationships between women and their families. Ms. Berg is truly a gem of a writer, but this particular book is not a star in her crown.

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Summary: Completely Wonderful
Review: Somehow, even as an avid reader, I had never heard of Elizabeth Berg before I read this book. I settled down on my couch to read a few chapters with no particular expectation except to be pleasurably diverted on a warm summer evening. Several hours later I found that I had finished the entire book without effort or interruption. Whenever I discover a writer who has that kind of effect on me, I go into binge mode and read everything else I can find by her. Within the past 2 weeks I've also read The Pull of the Moon, Range of Motion, and Talk Before Sleep, all of them superb. Berg truly understands women and is a graceful, insightful writer, one of my new favorites. So get this book, make yourself comfortable, and immerse yourself into Elizabeth Berg's world. Once you start reading, you won't want to stop.

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Summary: Seizes your interest and heart.
Review: This was a great book both light and enchanting. Not Berg's best, if you compare this with her other works; nonetheless well written and highly entertaining. Winning my heart, was how in this book Berg weaved in a character from her previous book "Pull of the Moon," A reward for her faithful fans.

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Summary: Reading Berg's like chatting with sis at the kitchen table
Review: Patty was so incredibly real and down-to-earth! I rooted for her all the way through the story...she felt like a sister. Elizabeth Berg possesses an unequaled talent for bringing the reader into the lives of her characters. I'm surprised & saddened by the disappointing reviews I've read here. This book is an absolute treasure!

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Summary: Read it!
Review: I must defend this delightful book. If you are a fan of Berg's clever writing style, you won't be disappointed. The story is light, quick and enjoyable.

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Summary: Loved it!!
Review: In many ways, I am Patty Anne. I think that's why I found myself laughing and crying throughout the reading of this book. Being in love with the gay man was interesting, but I think that what the author was conveying is the anguish of desperately wanting something or someone that we can't have. Hey, we've all been there, done that and probably read the book about it. I'd never read any of Elizabeth Berg's work before and just picked this one up on a whim. I'm glad I did. For me, it was worth the effort and I will probably pick up another of her books sometime in the near future.