Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced read in exchange for this review.  I am a big fan of Elizabeth Berg's work.  Arthur Truluv was one of the sweetest stories I have read in a long time.

The Confession Club is about a group that hosts a supper club.  Over time, the club turns into the women sharing their confessions.  Iris and Maddy are invited to join, and this book is more of their stories and what they are escaping from.  I found the book to be charming.  However, I was disappointed at the ending because it left me hanging!  Still, a good read although it lacks some of the magic that Arthur Truluv had.

As this is a book in a series I did feel a bit lost not having read any of the previous books, and not really being familiar with the characters or the town. That being said I enjoyed the story - and the idea of Confession Club. The characters were well developed and I enjoyed their interactions. A heartwarming story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was disappointed with this book. First, I didn't find that the Confession Club was actually a huge part of the storyline. I was ready for a story about women building friendships through the sharing of stories, but the club was really minor plot point. Also, I was not excited to find some of the same characters from the Arthur Truluv books. I enjoyed the first two books with these characters, but am just not that interested in their journey at this point.

" The Confession Club " by Elizabeth Berg. Tentative publication is November 2019.
From Supper Club to Confession Club ....a delightful, heartwarming and bittersweet story. From sharing recipes to sharing secrets in Mason, Missouri. This is an adult novel interwoven with intimate and shared stories of childhood shoplifting, parent/child conflicts, new love, lost love, the survival and sadness ,in today's world, of a Vietnam veteran, fears, frustrations and dreams. An easy read.

This book just isn’t for me. While I enjoyed the idea of the confession club, I feel like there was so much thrown in that didn’t go along in any other parts of the story and everything had atoo happy of an ending for me. I would still recommend to other readers based on the preferences.

For lovers of Berg’s Story of Arthur Truluv or Night of Miracles, The Confession Club is the third in this really sweet trilogy. With just a couple of recognizable characters from the first two books, this one can stand alone as a character driven story about recognizing people’s worth and how to find love in the world. Just what I needed after a couple of darker books.

I will admit that when I heard the title I thought The Confession Club would be about some deep dark secret keeping a group of friends together. Maybe murder, intrigue, and thrills would surround some crazy act that is told in a hushed whisper after too much to drink. Then, I read the synopsis.

The Confession Club was nothing like I thought but still everything that you could want in a book. A heartwarming story about lovely women in Mason, Missouri who start a dinner club, that turns into a confession club when one of the women shares an intimate confession. The women are empathetic and supportive and quickly realize their group is a safe place to talk. As I read about the confession club, I was jealous that I didn’t have one in real life. The community and friendship the women shared was lovely and heartwarming. Hearing what each woman was going through made me connect with the characters and invest in their stories.

Elizabeth Berg is a fantastic writer and her characters worm their way into your heart. The story is really about the characters, and the part of life they are in and what they are dealing with. There are so many important points brought up, especially thoughts on forgiveness, friendship, and taking chances in life.

This book was a great break from the thrilling type of book I thought it was, and I’m so happy I gave it a chance. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House for the opportunity to read this lovely book. I will be posting my review on my bookstagram @bookarethemagic, goodreads, and amazon near the publication date.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview this ARC of The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg.

Rather than forming a book club, like many women do, this rogue group decides to have a "confession club" instead. And it's exactly what it sounds like. Every meeting one of the members must confess to something that they have done. Sometimes the confessions are banal, sometimes they're shocking, and they're mostly all heartwarming.

This book focuses on a few main characters. An older divorced Iris who has just met a mysterious and handsome man, who also happens to be homeless. And Maddy, who is taken in by Iris after separating from her husband, her past, and her issues. And how through each other and their confession club, they're all able to find resolution and contentment.

I do love an Elizabeth Berg. She has such a sweet and quiet way of writing a story that doesn't feel too syrupy or manipulative. The characters are so funny, I can practically hear their conversations and smell the confections over which they confess. I highly recommend.

I had high hopes for this book but I feel like it fell flat for me. I couldn't really connect with any of the characters and found the storyline to drag a bit.

Another wonderful novel by Elizabeth Berg. A group if small town women meet for what started out as a supper club, but turned into a “confession club.” They each take a turn confessing to something they have done that they regret (or not) or are ashamed of, or perhaps, proud of. In the process they find acceptance, forgiveness and improve their understanding of themselves. The relationships are lively and true to life. Very highly recommended.

Elizabeth Berg’s novels are always uplifting and hopeful and “The Confession Club” is no different. My only “complaint” with this novel is that it didn’t keep my attention and primarily I think that’s because this book is geared to a slightly older audience. Definitely a novel that can be enjoyed by all, but I think a certain age range would most connect with this story and these characters.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44108420

Elizabeth Berg's, Confession Club is the third novel in the Arthur Truluv stories. This book is wonderfully written and charming with memorable characters. I loved it! I am anxiously awaiting the next installment of the town of Mason. I refuse to believe there won't be another book! 5 BIG stars!

First of all, I must say I have always loved Elizabeth Berg’s writing. Never Change is high on the list of my favorite books ever. Lately I’ve been somewhat disappointed. While I did enjoy Arthur Truluv, I am not happy about the last three books. Okay- that said, I found The Confession Club hard to read. I even had a difficult time remembering who was who. It was not the writer of her earlier books which had sentences that brought tears to my eyes. I liked The two main characters but had a hard time with both of them. I was in college when Vietnam took place. Yes I may have been somewhat sheltered but I have never met anyone with PTSD. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

As always, a wonderfully, funny and poignant women's novel from Elizabeth Berg. She never disappoints. Her characters are like long, lost friends and I adored the love interest.

I was absolutely thrilled to receive this advance copy. I have been reading Elizabeth Berg‘s books since her first one came out. She’s one of my all-time favorite authors. The Confession Club did not disappoint. . I was so happy to return to Mason Missouri. It felt like I was going home to visit old friends. I read this book on the week of the San Antonio, and Ohio mass murders. It was exactly what I needed. Her books are soothing, they are therapeutic. They are quite simply wonderful. I am hoping there will be another sequel, because these characters have so much more to teach us. The plot was excellent, you can see how people have moved forward in their lives, and I love the fact that all these women had the faith to confide in each other. I cannot thank you enough for this advance copy. Elizabeth please keep writing.

I was so happy to return to Mason, Missouri and revisit some of these characters. Iris and Maddy join Joanie and her confession club, a fun group of all ages. Elizabeth Berg just has a way about her writing, it just flows and her characters, I just love spending time with them. There are many ups and downs throughout the book and I laughed and almost cried as our characters worked through their confessions.
A great addition to the Mason, Missouri group of books by Berg. Still ruminating on this book, may come back and add to my review later.

Elizabeth Berg is my most favorite author EVER and this lovely story doesn’t disappoint! It is beautifully written and several stories are told, not just one, in a way that is not confusing or chaotic. I loved the reappearance of Nola (and her mom) from Elizabeth’s previous two books. Iris and Johns story is quite compelling, and I read this one all the way through without stopping (almost... well, I did have to eat!). Elizabeth has such a keen eye and ear for detail and for helping us see each other’s failures and foibles with kindness and compassion, which is something we can always use a little more of in our lives!

Thanks to, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to #netgalley and Random House Publishing for letting me read and review this early copy of #theconfessionclub. But thank you most of all to Elizabeth Berg who wrote such a wonderful book. The Story of Arthur Truluv is one of my absolute favorite books and this book will rank right up there with it. You don’t have to have read Arthur Truluv to enjoy The Confession Club but I love seeing the continuation of the characters lives and stories. Ms Berg wraps everything up in a neat little bow but without being too saccharine sweet or predictable. I highly recommend this book and would love if there was a continuation of this story and the lives of these characters.

"It's all well and good to congratulate someone on something good that they did, or to acknowledge what's wonderful or exceptional about them. And we should do that; we should never be spiritually stingy. But to say out loud our missteps or inadequacies - to _confess_ in an honest way and to be lovingly heard - well, that's the kind of redemption we need on a regular basis."

Elizabeth Berg's novels are a joy to read. They are quiet and sweet and kind and wind their way through your heart and soul. Her characters are richly layered and multi-dimensional and human. They have flaws, fears, delights and everything in between.

"Apparently, sometimes when you feel yourself done with something, you're not done with it at all."

This lovely story is just like what we've come to expect from Berg, it's about women aged 20 to 70 who meet regularly for "confession club" where they confess to something they feel bad about. Something they are ashamed of or embarrassed to admit out loud. There are a wide range of confessions, from funny to sad to serious but they all have a lot of heart, of course.

"She envies Nola for the way she is always in a rush to do everything, the way she rises so quickly to the possibility of joy. Most of all, she envies Nola her default setting of goodwill toward man, beast, or weather."

It's also about a homeless Vietnam Vet who is finding his way through and meets one of the main characters in the novel. I found him to be a great addition to the story, and really enjoyed his chapters, his journey, and his struggles.

"There are quite a few design flaws in us humans, you know. More than in animals and plants. And I guess we have to cope with them. Don't have to like them, just have to cope with them."

There is some plot in this story but really it's about people, it's about getting old, it's about being lonely, it's about navigating life or marriage or motherhood or friendship. It's about what it means to be human.

"That's what life is, at its best. A confession club: people admitting to doubts, fears and failures."

I am always left with a deep feeling of gratitude when I read Berg's novels. This one is no exception. They make me feel less alone, softer and kinder.

"We forget how ready people are to help. You can talk all you want about the evil spirit of man. But I don't think it's true. I think most of us are just dying to be good. And one way we can do that is to forgive the bad in others as well as in ourselves."

So many good reminders in this story, about taking risks, giving people chances, giving ourselves chances, and most of all about forgiveness. So grateful for writers like Berg.

Huge thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I didn't realise this book was the third of a series until halfway through the book. I was a bit lost about the background stories of some of the characters, otherwise it was fine to read this as a stand=alone novel. The Confession Club is funny, sweet, and heart-warming. I will definitely read the first two novels of the series to find out more about the stories of the residence of Mason.