Five Fortunes

Rating:
Summary: Fine read, there are better choices out there
Review: This is the second book by Beth Gutcheon that I have read (the first was Domestic Pleasures) and this will be my last. Even though this novel was much better than Domestic Pleasures, it still lacked a certain something. The idea behind the plot, showing a year's worth of interaction and lives between women who meet at a spa/fatspa, is great. The characters are all different and very interesting at times, but even with that interest I still found myself skimming sections and not really dying to know what happens to these ladies next. If you read this, it won't be a waste of your time, but there are better "go women" reads out there.

Rating:
Summary: Fine read, there are better choices out there
Review: This is the second book by Beth Gutcheon that I have read (the first was Domestic Pleasures) and this will be my last. Even though this novel was much better than Domestic Pleasures, it still lacked a certain something. The idea behind the plot, showing a year's worth of interaction and lives between women who meet at a spa/fatspa, is great. The characters are all different and very interesting at times, but even with that interest I still found myself skimming sections and not really dying to know what happens to these ladies next. If you read this, it won't be a waste of your time, but there are better "go women" reads out there.

Rating:
Summary: If you're looking for a smiley-faced "lite" read, here it is
Review: This novel is definitely a piece of fluff, the kind of book that one might romp through during the course of a transcontinental airplane flight. It tries (too hard, I think) to be "inspirational" to women, with its everything-turns-out-great trajectory (kind of like some of those old "B" movies from the forties), happy coincidences, and saccharinely portrayed, totally predictable triumphant moments. There are lots of squeals of joy, hugs and kisses, and happiness-is-a-warm-puppy events in this one. There's even the obligatory "mystical ingredient" that seems so integral to women's novels these days. I suspect Beth Gutcheon can do better.

Rating:
Summary: A Woman's Story
Review: This story was nothing remarkable, but it was a good relaxing read. Something not too "heavy".
I didn't really like the ending, I think I know why she wrote what she did, but I felt it was weak.
There were some interesting twists in the book, I'd recommend it for a light read. Definately a woman's story.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Summer Fluff Read
Review: This was a good book to sandwich in between some other heavy duty reading I've been doing. It was enjoyable mind-candy -- the characters are fun and likeable. I vicariously enjoyed their stay at the Fat Farm -- wishing I could have been there with them. Yes, it is a predictable story line, but, sometimes, you just need to know that there will be a happy ending. Take a break from Oprah and have some fun.

Rating:
Summary: Real people
Review: This was the first Beth Gutcheon book I read, and I hated for it to end. I wanted to know more about these people, and even hoped for a sequel. I wish Beth Gutcheon was more prolific! I couldn't wait to start her next book. Lasting, productive relationships like those in this book are something many of us long for, I think. My favorite part of the book, a tiny part that really hit home, was the psychic telling Jill she had built a monument to a tragedy in her life. That really struck a chord with me. This book is a good read for women who cherish their friendships.

Rating:
Summary: AN ABSOLUTE DELIGHTFUL ROMP!!!!
Review: what a treat this lovely book is...simply amazing how fast you start to care about these five very different women...! this is not the usual type of book that i read and i'm glad that the cover of the book made me want to pick it up and read what it was all about cuz then i just had to read it!!! and am i ever glad i did!!! such a treat! try it, you'll like it...beth gutcheon is definitely a writer to watch and she's far superior to the danielle steels of the literary world....sorta yucky to even mention both names in same sentence! i'm looking forward to reading more from this wonderful writer!