I think I tricked myself with this book. With a name like The Confession Club I was expecting a thriller or suspense novel but this isn't the case at all. This is a contemporary fiction book about a group of women who meet once a month and talk. It was heartwarming and interesting but I often found myself drifting. This is a nice, easy read and it is cozy but ultimately it didn't do much for me and that's okay! It could just be my own preferences.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

Sweet and sentimental, but sadly not enough to keep my interest. I needed a reason to root for these characters or at least want to see where they were going. DNF.

This is a short, sweet and sentimental book about a small Mid West town and its inhabitants. They have a social club of old friends who meet and reveal their quirky frailties, doubts, and misdeeds. Not literary fiction at the highest level and too sappy for my taste. Of course all ends well and happy endings are expected in this type of novel. However, real life often intrudes but not in Mason Missouri. I can not recommend anyone rush to read this book but it will appeal to some who like fuzzy feel good stories.

This was a nice book.... a fast read. I never got involved emotionally with the plot or characters though- felt like everything was pretty surface and not a lot of plot. Completely inoffensive book but nothing memorable at all.

I'm definitely going to need to go back and read the first two books in this series. I loved the sweet story of The Confession Club. It had a bit of a slow beginning for me, but once the story picked up speed, I was hooked and really enjoyed the characters of John and Iris immensely. I did feel like there were some characters who could have been more developed, and I would have liked to have known more of the backstory of Iris, but that may have been addressed in the first two novels. Regardless, this is definitely a solid standalone novel, with a sweet little love story and a light, quick read.

This book was so heartwarming and lovely. The friendships and the love formed between the group was just beautiful to read about. I truly believe its healing to confess our feelings and faults to others and I thought ut was refreshing to read a book like totally unique and gave me all the warm fuzzies I loved it!!

I love Elizabeth Berg, and I loved this book! A great, warm, heart lifting story of friends in Mason, Missouri and how they open up their hearts and lives to each other even if things aren't perfect.
Light read, easy finish, and great feelings abound. Thank you for the ARC!

3.5 Stars

The Confession Club is a group of women located in the small community of Mason, Missouri, former home of Arthur Truluv, and includes some of the more notable characters that appeared in the first two books of this Mason trilogy, as well as new, equally unforgettable characters.

For those who have not read The Story of Arthur Truluv: A Novel , or her follow-up book Night of Miracles: A Novel, the main connection making The Confession Club a part of this series are the people who knew and remember Arthur, and Arthur is only there in the memories shared by those people.

The Confession Club was born out of what was originally a monthly gathering of the women in this town, a chance to catch up, vent, share stories, talk about books, and swap recipes for the most part. Until one day, when burdened by some personal crisis, one of them shares her story, and they gather round her to comfort her and reassure her that they, too, have their own struggles behind closed doors. And that changes everything, and all their stories come spilling out, every time a woman shares her burden, they circle around.

Forgiveness. So hard to extend to others for some people, so hard to receive for others, the idea that someone could hear their worst fears and offer something so healing seems to be, these days, such a small-town value, swept aside in faster paced worlds, but so heartwarming to see it.

I enjoyed this, perhaps not quite as much as the first two books but I’m still glad that I took the time to read this heartwarming and charming story.


Pub Date: 19 Nov 2019


Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group – Random House

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for this ebook in exchange for an honest review. We've all heard of Book clubs, Wine clubs, Running clubs, but a Confession Club is a new one for me. What a creative concept, and I loved the fact that this group of women, all different ages, from different walks of life, came together this way. This was my first novel written by Elizabeth Berg, so I wasn't familiar with any of the characters, some of which also appeared in two previous books in the 'Mason' series. I can definitely say that it stands fine on its own, but I will definitely be seeking out the first two books, because I'm dying to know more! This story was so well-written, and I grew to care so much about so many of these characters; they felt like real people to me. I absolutely recommend this book and can't wait to dive into more novels by this author.

Many women rely on the support they receive from friends under the guise of a book club, church small group, or a dinner club. Elizabeth Berg takes this idea of female friendship and offers us The Confession Club, based upon a weekly meeting in which its participants unburden themselves in a judgement free zone. This novel is the third in the Mason, MO series and although the three books include overlapping characters, each novel can stand on its own. In The Confession Club we meet a multitude of supporting players, but then we get to know Iris, a woman who has resettled after her divorce and is pursuing a dream of offering baking lessons. She is unsure about herself and planning for her life in middle-age, when a mysterious man comes into her life. Iris will use her new friendships as a framework for her updated outlook on life and her self-worth. The women in The Confession Club are representative of multiple generations, attitudes, and backgrounds, so each reader will identify with at least one member. The real takeaway from Berg’s novel is the importance of female support and friendships, no matter your age.

Quick, easy read about a group of friends. I enjoy Elizabeth Berg's Mason series and appreciate that she focuses on different characters in each book but still manages to updates the reader on old favorites like Maddy.

Cute, cozy, chick lit story about three ladies who share secrets. If you are looking for something light and fluffy this is the one. The thought of a Confession Club sounds cool and fun though! It reminded me a little of "Sisters of the traveling pants" but with older ladies. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this cute book.

I was so excited to get my hands on this book by Elizabeth Berg. I've been a fan of hers for YEARS. I admit, that the last few books of hers I have not read and perhaps that's why I didn't LOVE this one. Also, I have come to realize that I love the grip of thrillers.

I thought this would be a nice treat, a quick read with beautiful descriptions of ladies similar to the Southern ones I've known all my life. I have to say, I struggled to finish this one. I struggled with all of the characters, their names felt unfitting for their ages and I found that each time I picked it back up, I had to re-acclimate myself with each of them.

For that reason, I gave The Confession Club 2 stars. It just wasn't my speed. And, that was difficult for me because I love the writing style of Elizabeth Berg so much, I follow her on FB because her updates are so beautifully written.

Better luck next book! I received this digital ARC from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @RandomHouse !

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy. A book about a group of women whom support each other as they form a group to share recipes and things in which creates a safe space to share their thoughts and experiences with each other once a member shares some deep private thoughts etc they realize that they can reveal anything.

A beautiful story of friendship and discovering friends don't judge but instead uplift and help to ease the hurdles of life! Strong on kindness and community strength made this a most enjoyable read. Thank you for allowing me to read this title prior to publication--I thoroughly enjoyed it!

There's a certain type of story or book that I classify as a "Good Housekeeping" tale. This moniker comes from my childhood, when I would read stories from my mother's magazines such as Redbook and Good Housekeeping. I haven't read either of those magazines in many years, so what I remember from way, WAY back then may not still hold true, but this is my memory: Redbook stories were often edgy, with subjects and endings that didn't conform to a set pattern, and although certainly not what I would call risqué, the themes were definitely adult. I loved them. Good Housekeeping stories, on the other hand, were usually much more predictable. The stories were mostly wholesome, romantic, boy-meets-girl type of tales, with tied-up-in-a-neat-little-bow endings. Entertaining enough, but a little boring and often sweet enough to set your teeth on edge.

Can you tell where I'm going with this? This was my first Elizabeth Berg novel, and it's going in the "Good Housekeeping" stack. But don't get the wrong idea. I really did like the book. It was well-written, it kept my interest, and I finished it quickly. It was just slightly too sweet and neat for me.

I didn't realize that this was number three in a series until after I had read it. To the author's and the book's credit, it was a good stand-alone story, with no need to know anything about the previous books to make this one readable.

The story is set in the small town of Mason, Missouri. Several women from the town, ranging in ages from their 20’s to their 80’s meet once a month to have dinner and dessert and delight and disarm each other with secrets they want to “confess.” These confessions include predictable situations such as marriage woes and other “normal” indiscretions. A couple of admissions are a tad heavier and sometimes funnier. But the Confession Club isn’t really the focus of the book. The lives of the group members, their loneliness, their family problems and their love stories, or lack thereof, are the main themes.

My favorite part of the novel revolved around a homeless man named John and his background. I found his story to be touching and thought-provoking. Unfortunately, the author didn’t delve deeply enough into John’s particular situation; there were teasers, but nothing substantial. He was a veteran with PTSD, yet this was glossed over so lightly, when it could have been a strong, substantial storyline itself. Ah, but that’s not the Good Housekeeping way. That would have made it hard to tie up everything in a neat package with a sparkly, sugary bow.

I know I’m being extremely critical of a good, decent book. And I certainly don’t want to spread any negative vibes about Good Housekeeping magazine; it was, and still is, I’m sure, a wonderful publication, with much to offer besides my memories of stories from 55 or so years ago!

I think this would be a good beach read, and I greatly appreciate Ms. Berg’s use of the English language. She is a wonderful writer, even if her story was not my style. I doubt that I’ll read any of her other books, but I do recommend this one to those who don’t want to dig too deeply into a topic. If I could give this 3.5 stars, I would. It’s certainly better than a 3 star, but I just can’t push it up to a 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so happy to hear that Elizabeth Berg had written a third novel that takes place in the wonderful small town of Mason, Missouri! The Confession Club is a treat, filled with quirky, warm and complicated characters who are just trying to do their best. In this book, the baking teacher, Iris Winters, is the focus character, but she is accompanied by some of the old regulars from Arthur Truluv and A Night to Remember. I hope she keeps writing these, because I definitely have not had enough yet! This book is probably best enjoyed if read after the first two, but it actually completely stands alone. Can't wait to recommend this to readers!

Inviting characters, each flawed in some way yet they band together to share their shames, bad deeds and help each other be free—to be who they truly are. The women Berg writes about are always strong and smart. This is one of the most unusual plots I’ve ever read

Fans of Elizabeth Berg will enjoy this third book in her Arthur Truluv trilogy. While I have loved the previous books, I find that I liked, not loved, this one. The premise appeals to me- women listening to and supporting each other. I believe in confession and absolution and that is what this little community is all about. There was, however, no depth or follow up to any of the confessions. Some of those stories could well hold this book together.
Instead, the author continued to follow the lives of previous characters, Maddy and Iris, as they struggle to find love and home and self.
The author does find unique and interesting characters for us to meet along the way. The old hippie in Las Vegas probably deserves her own book!
Berg is an amazing author and this is a perfect summer read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

I was excited to read this book based on the description, I liked the idea, but it wasn't a major part of the story like I thought it would be. I felt myself disappointed.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.