Eleanor is retired and noticing her own loneliness, now that she is cut off from the normal social interchanges she had while going to the office. Over several days,while drinking her tea and looking out the window, she notices that two young women, both with children, are continually passing each other in front of her house with out even noticing each other.  Eleanor, who is getting sick of her own company, decides that she is going to change that. So the next time she sees the two women, she invites them to come to her house on Friday night and they do, although rather awkwardly. Eleanor leaned that Lindsey’s husband had died suddenly before she even knew she was pregnant and Paula had a complicated relationship (he’s married) with the father of her child which prevents them from living together. Soon Jules, Lindsey’s sister joins them on Friday nights and then Blaise, a single business woman who lives next door comes along with her friend and colleague, Karen. And thus “Friday Nights”were born: a time to talk about the challenges they each face in their lives and to help and support each other as best they could.  For Eleanor it was a chance to be a part of a family and younger children since she didn’t have any of her own, and to help these younger women navigate life’s choices.

And all was fine until Paula met Jackson and wanted to bring him to a Friday night gathering to introduce him to her friends. It wasn’t exactly his fault, but somehow he was the catalyst and everything began to change in ways none of them could have expected.

Trollope is always insightful, entertaining and a joy to read! If you haven’t read her yet, this is a good place to start.  Each of these characters with their different concerns, fears and hang ups are people we can identify with and understand. Trollope is able to work with the usual dichotomy of career vs. having children in such a way that each choice seems valid and having both, while not easy, is at least feasible with some sacrifices. Spunky, no-nonsense, Eleanor is really the glue that keeps the group together. The “wise woman,” of the group, she is both discerning and helpful as she elicits the answers from within each woman so that they can move forward. This a wonderful book about friendship which transcends age, economic circumstances, careers and children and celebrates the joys and challenges of being a woman.

Brenda’s Rating:****(4 Stars out of 5)

Recommend this book to: Sharon, Marian and Lauren

Book Study Worthy? Yes

Read in ebook format.