Regina, Adelaide, and Sophie were book club besties a decade ago, when a rift tore the group apart. Now, Adelaide has sent out an SOS--she's having surgery, and needs her two friends to come take care of her and her young daughter, while her husband is overseas. Only problem is, she didn't tell either friend that she was inviting both of them, so they are understandably very mad when they show up. Can they heal old wrongs? Is it too late?

Marcelo has created another group of women I really want to be friends with. The Army life feels very real here--it's obvious that she spent time in the military, and has a clear-eyed view of the complications and close friendships that can result.

There's a sweet romance here, and a marriage or two in trouble. But the real story is the friendship of the three women.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Regina, Sophie and Adelaide meet when Adelaide organizes a book club for the women on the army base at Fort Fairfax in upstate New York. The three become fast friends and promise to be there for each during their spouse's 9-month deployment.

Fast forward 10 years, Adelaide sends out an SOS (she's having emergency gallbladder surgery) so of course, Regina and Sophie go to her. There's only one problem, something happened between Regina and Sophie so neither are overly happy about being there together. What caused the tension between them and can a week together fix their relationship? I really enjoyed this story of the friendship (framily -friends who are family, chosen family), between the three women and their ability to be there for each other no matter what.

Thank you to the Tall Poppy Writers for the advanced copy. This was also my BOTM March 2021 Selection; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Anyone who has been a member of a book club will love this story. It's a heartwarming tale of friendship, love, family, and forgiveness. Friend reunite after years of not speaking. It's a reminder that friendship and books form solid bonds that can't be broken.

This was not my normal genre but I did really enjoy the exploration of friendship, marriage, and family. All the characters were well developed and interesting. I’m not at all familiar with military life and this book really showcased the struggles and triumphs that go into those lives.

Overall this was a sweet and touching read but a bit slow at times. I felt like the plot was slow to develop and drawn out. I was also really annoyed by the minor plot twist and how easily that was resolved.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for the ARC!

Regina, Adelaide, and Sophie all became friends 10 years ago when they were Army wives. It all started at the monthly book club, and they instantly grew close. They leaned on each other through the good times and the hard times...until a major revelation ruined the friendship between Regina and Sophie.

Present Day: Adelaide has stayed friends with both Regina and Sophie, albeit separately. Her husband, Matt, is stationed abroad, which leaves her with their young daughter, Genevieve. When Adelaide finds out she has to have surgery for an issue (sooner than later), she sends an SOS to her friends. She needs Regina to come out to help care for Genevieve and to cook. She needs Sophie to come out for her much-needed nursing skills.

She also has a plan to get the two of them talking again, and to work out their differences. Unfortunately, neither Regina or Sophie knew the other the other would also be there...and they aren’t thrilled. Can they somehow patch up their friendship and heal from past wounds?

This is a compelling read about the dynamics of friendship, betrayals, triumphs...and a love for books. Author Tif Marcelo masterfully weaves dual timelines: the blossoming friendship that started 10 years ago, ultimately leading to the end of said friendship...and the present day, where things are rocky, but maybe hopeful.

The book is divided into sections, and each one starts with a quote from the book the characters were reading at the time in their book club. I loved that little touch, and couldn’t wait to find to find out if it would end with a book club selection in current times.

Initially, I thought the reason for Regina and Sophie’s fallout (or more so the fact that they had a fallout for such a long time) was a bit contrived once everything was fully revealed. However, I thought about it...and it worked. We are all human, and a lot of change can occur in ten years as people evolve and mature.

Side note: The BOTM version has a handful of typos/grammatical errors. Hopefully that’s just the little OCD in me and nobody else will notice.

An enjoyable read for a lazy couch day. It balances some depth with intriguing and likable characters.

In A Book Club Far Away will be published through Gallery Books on 4/6/21.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo traces the friendship of three women, Regina, Sophie, and Adelaide, who are military wives/partners and one of whom also was a member of the military as well. When their husbands/partners are deployed for nine months, they form a bond through a book club. Then, the inevitable betrayal of one of the friends occurs and a ten year rift. The friends reunited when one of them sends an SOS because of health issues. The book resolves much as one would expect, with a minor plot twist at the end. However, the pacing at times dragged, making me skip at places. In the end, the novel is a warm story about friendship and shares the struggle that military families must face, and I deeply appreciated that aspect of the book and the unsung service of those on whom the deployed depend. Book groups would appreciate this novel.

We all know about Frenemies, but in this book we learn about Framily. I love books about friends, and books, and this one did not disappoint.

Regina, Adelaide and Sophie are army wives that meet when Adelaide puts together a book club. They form a quick bond, becoming each other’s family and SOS. These women are friends we would all choose. Diverse, strong, flawed, devoted. Their bond is broken when a situation arises where there is no easy way out, and one is tested by their code. Adelaide sends out an SOS when she is in a dire health situation while her husband is deployed. Regina and Sophie, who haven’t spoke in 10 years, answer that call, but will they be able to put their differences aside and coexist. Until, things come to a head!

This book gives such insight into the sacrifices the army families and deployed make, not to mention the code of conduct. I loved the references to books they’ve read, comments on the books and a glimpse into the book club. Also, nice, subtle references to the pandemic in past terms! Life returning to normal! Wonderful characters, heartwarming, easy writing style that conveys the depth of friendship, love. This book is perfect for vacation or staycation, but have another book handy because this is a fast read! I haven’t read this author before, but I will definitely read her again.

Thanks to Ms. Marcelo, Gallery Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Regina, Adelaide and Sophie became friends when their military families were stationed in the same area. A decade later, two of the friends are estranged, but they come together when their other friend is facing a crisis and needs their help. This is a heartfelt book about friendship, marriage, motherhood, and the special challenges that military families face. It was refreshing to read a book that centers around these special families; as an Air Force wife, I could relate to a lot of their story.

This realistic story of three military wives is sure to be enjoyed by the military spouse community!

* Thanks to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC. All opinions & thoughts are my own *

Delightful story about friendships, family and books-what more could you ask for?!This book does bounce between the 3 main characters (Regina, Sophie & Adelaide); as well as from present day to years ago when a rift tore apart these friends. Even so, the story fits together really well.
But can books really bring people together? Any reader knows the answer, but will enjoy this story anyway!!

Thank you NetGalley, Tif Marcelo and Gallery Books for the ARC of In a Book Club Far Away. This is my personal review.
I was a military wife when I was first married and a book about the importance of our self-made families while our spouses had been deployed touched me.
The strong friendship bond of Regina, Adelaide and Sophie was amazing. And for it to end abruptly the way it did was by one event was heartbreaking. When they get an SOS call from one of the book club member years later it brings back to them the strong bond they had and that they could come together again when help is needed.
The book brought memories of friendships military wives make and how strong they are even when no communication happens between them for years. My time as a military wife was life changing and made me a stronger wife, Mother, and friend. I felt this so strongly as I read this beautifully written book.

Sophie, Regina, and Adelaide used to be the best of friends, as Army Wives they knew how important it is to have it in your corner when things got tough. Though these women could not be more different together they developed a quick and intense friendship and came up with their own SOS system for when one of them was in need. All struggling with their own issues with their husbands across the world these women had what seemed like an unbreakable bond. That was until one event tears them apart. Going in their own directions they are brought back together years later when Adelaide calls an SOS but is it too late to repair this friendship.

This is a wonderful book about friendship. The three main characters were all Army wives that became friends in 2012 when one of them started a book club. They were very close friends when their husbands were all stationed at the same place but as the years went on the they moved to other places, their friendship diminished. Until in 2020, one of the friends sent an SOS to the other two - that meant she needed help now - no questions asked.

Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden all became friends in 2011-12 when their husbands were all posted at Fort East. They were inseparable until a betrayal happened and the threesome were no longer friends. Adelaide was still friends with each woman but Regina and Sophie hadn't talked in over eight years and were still angry with each other. When Adelaide issues an SOS to her friends, they both go to her home immediately Her husband is overseas and she needed surgery and had no one to help her or take care of her daughter. When Regina and Sophie saw each other, there were instant fireworks and they were both adamant that they wouldn't stay. But their friendship with Adelaide came first so they both made the best of it to help her. Can they overcome their past hurts and resentments and become friends again or will they they be unable to forgive? Will Adelaide's dream of bringing the trio together again end up in disaster?

This is a beautiful book about female friendships. Women know how important their friends are to their lives - they are people to laugh with, cry with and be with at sad times. The friendship that these three women had in the earlier parts of their lives was awesome and they had all suffered without each other over the ensuing years. This book reinforces the importance of female friends. This is my first book by this author and I definitely plan to read some of her earlier books.

Thanks to goodreads for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

thank you netgalley for making sure i got to read this book early! it was so fun and sweet and i really love that!! i'm glad these characters exist.

In A Book Club Far Away is a sweet cozy perfect for women wanting a relaxing read. Wives or daughters of military members will especially enjoy this book. The characters in the book are described well, but are a bit flat. The book itself is enjoyable.

In a Book Club Far Away by Tif Marcelo
Delightful must read book for anyone who has ever been in a book club or anyone who ever wanted to join a book club. For some of us book club is about reading books we would never have picked ourselves. For some of us it is about reading the books and for others of us it is about the relationships with the friends at book club. Would you answer an SOS call from someone in your Book Club years later? Grab this book and discover if Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden are still best friends 8 years later and see what happens next.
I received an ebook copy from NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

An adorable book. Regina Castro, Adelaide Wilson-Chang, and Sophie Walden were best friends. Their husbands are in the military, and for a time, they were at Fort East. When they were in this place, they created a book club. This club allowed them to get to know each other more and thus be able to form a wonderful friendship. However, an unimaginable betrayal happened in the group, and they ended their friendship abruptly. Eight years later, Regina and Sophie are shocked to receive a call for help from Adelaide. Adelaide's husband is abroad. She is in Alexandria, Virginia, and no one else can help her take care of her young daughter. Adelaide needs to undergo a medical procedure. It might be the opportunity Adelaide, Regina and Sophie have to rescue the friendship they had. I liked the book because it shows the importance of friendship. I don't know many women who are married to soldiers, but I'm sure it's not easy. This book gave me an idea of what the situation is like from the spouses' point of view. The author narrated from different points of view, which I found enthralling. I was also delighted that the story had different timelines. The book made me feel part of their story. Sometimes I laughed and even felt like I was listening to the voices of the characters. I thank NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Three women, Regina, Sophie and Adelaide, create a deep bond as their husbands’ unit is on a 9 month deployment overseas. A core element of their connection is the book club that Adelaide founded. As each woman faces the loneliness associated with being the “support” person for a military spouse, they draw on each other’s strength and realize that they have become family – one of choice, not DNA. The “sisterhood” is fractured by a betrayal and the subsequent miscommunication leads to a ten year rift. It is only when Adelaide needs her friends as she faces surgery that she sends out the “Book Club SOS” and the women reunite to address the past.

The book alternates between their initial meeting in 2011 and the present. Additionally, alternating chapters reveal the perspectives of each of the three women as they navigate their lives and their friendship.

When I began reading this book I found it intriguing. I have minimal experience or knowledge about military families and the challenges they face – not once, but each time one member is deployed and/or relocated. I have a greater appreciation now for the strength and dedication it takes to weather the strains created on a marriage/family by a military career. That said, I found this a very slow read. The pace crawled along and I kept losing interest as the story and the illusive details of the betrayal were alluded to, but not revealed, until well into the last half of the book. The promotional blurb refers to the author’s “enchanting prose,” but this was sorely lacking for me.

My thanks to the author, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

This book, sent to me by Netgalley (Kindle) for free...to review...is about friendship-that of three different women. Diversity...military...marriage...children...helping others. The going back and forth to various times in their lives is quite confusing...I prefer a linear timeline...However, the story is intriguing at times...sometimes it is slow moving...a fun read for an afternoon-a quick read.

This is a lovely telling of friendships gone awry, but when one needs help, the other two come to the rescue. I enjoyed the themes of a book club and military lives. Unless one has lived in a military family, you cannot appreciate the hardships wives suffer and how important those friendships are.