This story follows the journey of four women who are neighbors, and all of them are dealing their own issues surrounding men. One woman's husband has just died and she doesn't think she can go on without him, one woman's husband has gone to prison, one woman's husband was cheating on her and she kicked him out, and the last grew up very poor thanks to her dad and she is trying to change her life and realize a dream she has of becoming a writer.
Normally I really enjoy this author's books, but this one just fell short of expectations for me. All of the characters felt one-dimensional, and overall the book just seemed depressing. Maybe this was just a "it's not you, it's me" scenario.

This is one of several book I've read by Barbara O'Neal, and unfortunately I didn't feel it was the same caliber as her others. Usually, what I love about this author is the raw emotion, and the suspense in the emotional journey you're taken on - the conflicts and the ups and the downs.
This book was so bland. I felt like you do when you watch a soap opera 5 days in a row and the story doesn't really progress, it's just a little more of the same from the day before. That's how this book was. It was so boring.

The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue by Barbara O'Neal was such a beautiful story.
This was a phenomenal women's fiction read.
I just can’t say the right words to describe how much I love her writing .
It’s a compelling story that keeps you turning the pages.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

An emotionally charged novel about the lives of four very different women, all dealing with issues of grief, love and life challenges. The women are neighbors and become friends while helping one another to heal.
The author alternates between the four women's perspectives. I loved how she told Roberta's story through letters and Shannelle's via emails versus the first person narrative used for Trudy and Jade.
By the time I finished the book and shedding many tears, I felt like the characters were also my friends.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An emotionally charged novel about the lives of four very different women, all dealing with issues of grief, love and life challenges. The women are neighbors and become friends while helping one another to heal.
The author alternates between the four women's perspectives. I loved how she told Roberta's story through letters and Shannelle's via emails versus the first person narrative used for Trudy and Jade.
By the time I finished the book and shedding many tears, I felt like the characters were also my friends.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

It has been a beautiful story where she presents us how 4 women overcome in different ways and at the same time united their respective romantic dramas, we meet one whose marriage seemed idyllic until she discovers her husband's cheating, another loses her husband and so on, each one presents us the reality with which they are dealing.

An overview of friendship and overcoming life's challenges, it was a very good first glimpse of the author.

Thank you Netgalle and publisher for this ARC.

#TheGoddessesofKitchenAvenue #NetGalley

Please note that this is a rerelease of the book from 2004.
I like Barbara O'Neal books normally but this one was rough. It's a book about 4 women whose lives intertwine for one reason of another. While it was interesting in some parts I found myself forcing myself to keep reading when I wanted to be done. It was so slow and boring and I just couldn't get into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.

A rerelease. An emotional story of four women all living on the same street. One is betrayed by her husband of 20 years, one a widow and the others are making life shifts that bring them together. I enjoyed reading about the friendships, the honesty, and the way the author draws the reader in.
I appreciate the ARC

Several women who are neighbors are going through life changing drama in their lives and start to lean on each other to help them navigate. Trudy is dealing with a husband who cheated on her and trying to find herself and her left behind dreams. The story mainly deals with her going through all the changes in herself and her life as she's living in her 40s. I thought this novel was well written and the characters were thought out and even the secondary characters had depth.

I am a big fan of Barbara O'Neal and her new novel The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue was a hit.
The book features 4 female narrators - two through a first person narrative style and two through written word (letters and emails.) It didn't take long for me to understand each viewpoint and O'Neal gives a distinction to each character which makes it easy to read and follow each viewpoint as they intertwine with each other.
The main story follows Trudy through her separation, her empty nest, her unfulfilled dreams, while also exploring her natural healing. goddesses and her rediscovered sensuality.
I enjoyed Trudy's story but I would love if O'Neal would write the full story of Roberta and Edgar. I wanted to learn more about their love story. Also, I'd love to read how Jade and Shannelle's stories advance in the future. I think the book is open to a prequel and sequels.
I read the book in one sitting, staying up until 3 a.m. to finish.

A richly woven story of four very different as they navigate big changes in their lives. Their unlikely friendships lead to self discovery and encourage them to live for themselves. A nice story about the importance of friendship and making the most of second chances.

I found the writing style extraordinary beautifully written with finely developed emotional foundations. Was a very good book, satisfying read with well-defined characters. Readers also find the themes uplifting, inspiring, and forgiveness, the storyline is enthralling and the details carefully put into place. I would buy this as a gift

This book is one of the first of Barbara O'Neals books that I have read. It has plunged me into being an O'Neal binge-reader. Barbara, like few authors I have read, understands the minds of the women she writes about. This one, Trudy has had the shock of her life. The man she loved and trusted has betrayed her. Surrounded by supportive women and a strong person herself she manages to build a life that does not include him, but she can't forget him and the love and life they shared. She also can't forget what she gave up, and the hardships of the life she chose with him. The book explores well the psychology of women and their relationships with men, what pain and tragedy can do to a relationship, and the journey back. I am loving this book and looking forward to reading more from this lady that understands relationships so well. Thanks to #NetGalley#TheGoddessesofKitchenAvenue#BarbaraO'Neal for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Four women, all trying to find their way. Trudy, whose husband has left her, trying to find her old self. Her dreams and her inner self. Jade, trying to get over her anger, yet using it to do something she has always wanted to do. Roberta, getting over the loss of her husband, just wanting to join him in death. And Shannelle, her hopes and dreams of becoming a writer. All of these women, neighbors, supporting each other. Strong women, all trying to find their joy. The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue- Barbara O’Neal. Four stars.

This book was just an ok read for me. The premise sounded good but the execution just fell flat. I didn't fully connect with any of the characters. There were bits of each character I liked but not one character that I absolutely related to.

The story includes some emails between one of the secondary characters and her mentor. I enjoyed reading those and found them a nice break from the rest of the story which includes some longer length chapters. I didn't really care for the short, one page chapters about the goddesses. I didn't find these to add anything substantial to the story.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley so I went into it thinking it was a new release. I found that the book was originally released in 2004. I found the book to seem really dated and maybe that is because I was expecting a current, up to date story. I have no problem with reading books that are older so I'm not sure why this one bothered me so.

All in all this was an ok read. I doubt I recommend this book to anyone. Not sure if I would be willing to read anything else by this author either.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

This is a re release read by me when it came out 20 years ago. It was so fun to revisit as I enjoy this author's wonderful writing. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

This is a emotional page turner that starts with four women all living on the same street. One is betrayed by her husband of 20 years, one a widow and the others are making life shifts that bring them together. I loved the friendship, the honesty of their situations and the beautiful writing that draws the reader in. You will find yourself reading to conclusion of this lovely story. Thank you to the author for this re release. it is also delightful to read of life 20 years ago before technology took over our lives. A truly wonderful read I highly recommend. This authorr writes of strong independent women finding their power that is inspiring to read.

I had high hopes for this book but the writing style was not for me. The story is interesting but slogging through the poorly written work made it a challenge to finish.

Don’t give up on your dreams to allow others to live theirs.

The author has developed plenty of characters and sub-plots, but I found the progress slightly slow in some parts and I wasn't able to connect with many of the characters. I must also admit that I was hoping for a different ending.

4 stars

Three women, neighbors, all working to claim their power and define themselves. Trudy’s husband left her after 20+ years of marriage. Jade’s ex-husband is a manipulative felon. But, that doesn’t stop her from missing him. Shanelle’s husband is holding her back from pursuing her dream of becoming a novelist. Each of the women discovers they can only love fully if they love themselves first. My only issue was that I found the beginning a little hard to follow.

This is a re-release of a 20-year-old book. That doesn’t diminish from the story but it was funny to see Sears and Circuit City mentioned.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley to read this title in return for an honest review.

4 women at different times in their lives and how they navigate death of a spouse, divorce, marriage breakdown and rekindling as well as career development and changes. She does a great job of creating characters. Not her best but a good read.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.