The Friendship Club
Robyn Carr
January 23, 2024

Marni Cooks had just finished wrapping up the season filming. All involved in the show talked about celebrating in their usual way. Ellen the producer and project intern, Sophia stayed to clean up while Marni put out hors d’oeuvres. While they waited for Bella, Marni’s daughter and sister, Nettie to arrive all chatted about upcoming plans. When Marni’s life went awry after Bella was born, she took whatever jobs she could find to support her family. Those developed into a career as a TV chef. She built a new home in a secure area where the series could be taped twice yearly. It had become very popular and was syndicated. After losing her first husband and divorcing Jeff her second, Marni’s life circled around her show, Bella and her husband.
The Friendship Club will be published by Mira on January 23, 2024. I was able to read and review Carr’s latest novel via NetGalley. Once again, in reading her novels I was very impressed by her story-telling. The plot is family oriented with a delightful tone yet the particulars that surface are valuable advice. It’s a wonderful book that I encourage all to read. Her fans already have plans for the purchase or a library hold but those who have never read her books should get a copy. Her method of telling Marni and the characters' history is excellent. I found myself identifying with their situations. Do read and enjoy Robyn Carr’s latest publication!

I know I say this about every Robyn Harding book but this might just be my favorite by her!!!!!!!!!!! I loved the female camaraderie in this story so much!!!!!!!!

I have enjoyed the TV series based on Carr's work, so I thought it was time to read one of her books. I am so glad I did. I truly enjoyed the Friendship Club! The characters slowly enter into reader's hearts as we join them on their journeys to self discovery! Each of the female protagonists navigate huge life challenges, which they learn they can lean on each other for support. Carr handles big life topics like domestic violence, being a widow, finding new love, and living life in the moment throughout the pages of her book. I felt like I was sitting in a living room with the four friends and often wanted to give them my own advice. Carr has written yet another story readers can connect to that will tug at their heart strings. Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA and Net Galley for an ARC, so I could give an honest review!

The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr is a wonderful stand-alone novel. The story revolves around 4 women in different age groups (who are friends, family or coworker); centered around Marni McGuire.

Marni is a well-known cooking show chef, whose tv show, Marni Cooks, is very successful. She has been married twice and is now happily single. Her pregnant daughter, Bella, keeps trying to set up her mother with blind dates, which Marni tries to avoid; especially after her disastrous divorce a few years ago. Bella, who is a lawyer, finds herself overwhelmed by her pregnancy and her marriage is struggling.

Ellen works with Marni, and also loves being a chef, though she likes being out of the limelight. Ellen and Marni are very close, having worked together for over 20 years, with Ellen widowed and content living alone. Ellen enjoys spending off time with Marni, Bella and Sophia (who also works for the cooking show). Sophia is in college, and works at the television station, in an internship, helping prepare the food in the background.
These women have a close bond, which also includes Marni’s sister Nettie, and when they get together, they always help support each other. This is a wonderful story about friendship and relationships, as well as helping each other. Both Marni and Ellen find themselves becoming close to possible relationships. Marni becoming close to Sophia’s father, a local farmer, and Ellen slowly falling for her next-door neighbor.

When Sophia meets Angelo, she finds him very attractive and fun to be with. But things change drastically, and he shows a very bad side. Sophia breaks up with him, but now he is stalking her, breaking into her house. She finally tells Marni and Ellen, and they try to help her, with Sophia staying at Marni’s house; with a restraining order against Angelo, who continues to appear. They all have each other to get through difficult times, and Sophia, still living in fear, will change her life and move back home to Argentina, where she can be free.
What follows is a touching and heartwarming story, revolving around friendships, family, violence and love. The Friendship Club was a sweet story so very well written by Robyn Carr.

Robyn Carr can do it all! I absolutely loved the story of friendship and belonging in this story. Highly recommend.

The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr

I love Robyn Carr’s books, but usually her romances like Virgin River and Thunder Point. I was a bit worried about trying a women's fiction one since I don't typically enjoy the genre. I dove in because I love Robyn Carr, and I really loved this! The characters captured my heart and I loved the setting. I didn't want to stop reading when life things came up, and always hurried back to it when I could. Women's fiction tends to be very emotional, heavy, and dramatic and I don't like that in my books. That wasn't the case here, though. The book was happy and the drama was just the right amount to keep me interested. I definitely recommend this one!

We all need friends and what Robyn Carr has written here is a story of friendship and love. The women in this story support each other first and foremost. Each one helps the other shine brighter. Marni is a TV chef, Ellen is her assistant of twenty years, Sophia is her intern, and Bella is her daughter. Each woman has a different romantic path and outcome in the story.

Robyn writes characters so well and easily switches from each character's story seamlessly. Not only is a supportive environment for women shown but there is also an exposure to domestic violence and a battle with infertility. This story reminds readers of the importance of friendship and the willingness to try romance and change again. Learning about hydroponic gardening was a bonus.

This is a great read. Story follows four women. A famous chef, her best friend and producer, the chef’s daughter that is pregnant by invitro and is navigating the hormonal ups and downs and her very young intern assistant, along with each respective woman’s mate in their lives. This book has suspense, intrigue, friendship, romance, healing of past and present wounds. Storyline and characters meld well together for a smooth seamless book. Recommend. I was given an advanced reader copy of this very well written book by NetGalley and I am freely sharing my review.

So glad I ended my 2023 reading with such an enjoyable book. This was such a positive book in spite of the pitfalls some women face. Strong women with equally strong friendships made this a very uplifting story. Robyn Carr doesn’t disappoint. Thanks to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Well written characters going through the trials and tribulations that many women face in life. Would have been a 5 star read but the last couple of chapters were very disappointing.

I never miss a chance to read a Robyn Carr book, her style is one of my absolute favorites and I’m always drawn into the stories she creates in an effortless way. I loved that this centered on a group of women during all stages of life. You have Marni, a fifty something celebrity chef who may finally be ready to renter the dating world, then there is her daughter, Bella a smart and ambitious woman pregnant with her first child, then there’s also Ellen, Marni’s coworker who leads a solitary life but may also be ready for love again and finally Sophia, their young intern who finds herself in a bad relationship. The support these women offered each other was so beautiful and I adored all their friendships. While it may seem like they’re an unlikely bunch, they truly brought out the best in each other. With four storylines there’s never a dull moment which made this such a fast read for me. I was caught up in their lives and rooting for them all every step of the way. If you like books about strong female friendships this was really wonderful.

I love Robyn Carr’s books. This stand alone was a nice read. This story had multi-generational characters who bond. They come together to help each other through bad times and celebrate the good times. Gives a true meaning to “it takes a village.”

There is some heavy content in this story so be sure to look into trigger warnings.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy.

An amazing read about friends, love, family and lots of in betweens. I enjoyed the heck out of all the characters in this book. There is no particular favorite as this is so well written and easy to read you fall in love with almost every one of them. Yes, there are a few that you tend not like but they aren't supposed to be liked!
These women go through things that most of us in our everyday life, won't go through. Unfortunately, I bet you know someone who has if you haven't. The stalking and domestic violence in this story is just a bit of it, then the further you go the more you find out about who it has touched.
Fortunately, this shows you just how important close friends and family are. The people that are in your life and carry you through to the other side.
Wonderfully well written and highly recommend this book!

This story is about four women, at different stages of their lives, who are there for each other. Marnie, who was widowed young and then divorced from a cheater, now has a sucessful cooking show while she is still carefully guarding her heart. Her daughter Bella is a lawyer and is also currently very pregnant with a long wanted child, conceived via IVF and with hormones changing her moods at the drop of a hat. Ellen is Marnie's producer and assistant on her cooking show as well as being an accomplished chef. She's a widow after taking care of her husband for years following a stroke. And then there's Sophia, Marnie's intern, who looks up to all of the older women. Sophia will need help and caring from all the women following a situation with an abusive male friend who has become a lying stalker. Bella needs support and haugs while dealing with her hormonal life and a supportive but frustrated husband. And Marnie and Ellen both find love where and when least expected. There's heartbreak, love, laughter and joy all wrapped up in this story.. And you'll end up smiling at the end!

Thanks to MIRA and HTP for an advanced copy of The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr.

I love Robyn Carr books and The Friendship Club is about 4 women and while features romance, it's really a book about friendship and growth. I really liked Marni and her cooking tv show! The cast of characters rounds out with her pregnant daughter Bella, best friend Ellen and intern Sophia who form a special friendship.

I love that this book has relationships of different ages and stages and the crossroads that each faces.
If you like your women's fiction with a little bit of romance you'll enjoy this!

This story follows four women at different ages and stages in life. Marni, a celebrity cooking show host, her employee Ellen who prefers to stay behind the scenes, her daughter Bella, and Sophia, another employee still in college. Two are older, happily single and not looking for relationships but find them anyway; one is pregnant, and her hormones are driving her and her husband crazy (and he’s tried of eating salad every night); and one is trying to end a toxic relationship and fears for her safety. All four are remarkable in their own way. Throughout their triumphs and troubles, they have each other and they each find a way to deal with their issues.

I loved the storyline and the interesting careers and nonprofits mentioned in the story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book completely engrossed me from the first page til the last. The characters were real and easy to relate to, the plot was not only fun, but had some depth as well. I have always loved Robyn Carr books, and this may very well be my favorite yet. Cover to cover filled with family, friends who are like family, drama, romance, and a lot of great times. I wish I could have been a part of the Friendship Circle. A must read for all looking for a feel good, fun story that will make you laugh and tear up a time or two.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I greatly enjoy Robyn Carr books. This reminded me of a Debbie Macomber style book. The story was good and kept my attention. An unconventional group of friends from different ages, including mother and daughter. Goes into several different relationship abuse stories. Ends of a light hearted heart warming moment. Recommend to read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

Another great woman's fiction stand alone book from Robyn Carr. She is able to write woman's fiction so well and have multi-generational characters who bond.They come together to help each other through bad times and celebrate the good times. This book was an enjoyable quick read.

The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another great Womens fiction from Robyn.
Group of friends who are continually there for each other though all scrap they face on a daily basis. Friendship are hard to come by but takes a village when there are more than a couple. But they show us that its possible with hard work. Gives me hope.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.
Pre-order your copy today. Releases Jan 23rd. You won't be disappointed