Bookw as better then I expected. Quite well written . Still rather predictable but as I am in a group of 4 best friends, I got personally involved in the stories of each of these ladies. ( )

Am listening to this novel on tape. Anyone that is trying to decide, or has not read it....You need to read this book. Very good!!!!!!!!!!Should we all have a friend that would know us well enough to be able to send us letters about what we should do to find happiness....I loved it. ( )

The Proper Care & Maintenance of Friendship is a heartwarming story of self discovery and second chances. After Rachel's death from cancer, long time friends Jo, Sarah and Kate, each receive a posthumous letter with a last request. Honouring Rachel's dying wishes proves to be a challenge for the women who are forced to confront uncomfortable truths and learn valuable life lessons. Kate is asked to parachute from an airplane and rediscovers her lost zest for life and adventure, Sarah is encouraged to open herself to love, and career driven Jo is given the care of Rachel's greatest treasure, her daughter, Grace.

With warmth and humor, Higgins invites us on a journey with these women as they step out side their comfort zone and find courage they never imagined they possessed. The four women, Rachel, Jo, Kate and Sarah are reflections of women we may know, or in fact may be, and as such easy to relate to. Their tasks are not easy for any of them but their doubts and missteps endear you to the characters as much as their triumphs. The friendship which has endured despite their differences, is enviable and Higgins captures the bond wonderfully.

The story is emotive, heartbreaking and heartwarming in turn but ultimately is a light, easy read. The plot is fairly predictable for the genre but in a way that is comforting.

This is a great choice of book for when you need a little reassurance you are not alone. A celebration of life and love, The Proper Care & Maintenance of Friendship is an enjoyable read and a reminder to live every day as if it is your last.

THE PROPER CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF FRIENDSHIP by Lisa Verge Higgins
Published by The Hachette Book Group
ISBN-10: 044656351X
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.

Synopsis (from Amazon):
What makes a wife a lover?
For Kate, the spark went out of her marriage long ago but her husband doesn't seem to notice. Their role as parents consumes their lives so they need to rekindle the romance they once shared.

What makes a woman a mother?
For Jo, a high-powered career has led her to believe that she doesn't have a single maternal instinct. When an orphan unexpectedly enters her life, she is forced to confront her own unhappy childhood and the walls it has built around her heart.

What makes a man the love of your life?
For Sarah, home is the steamy jungles of Africa while the man of her dreams waits in the air-conditioned confines of Los Angeles. Her longing for this man from the past is blinding her to a new love standing right in front of her.

What these women all have in common is a friend with a generous soul, an irrepressible spirit- and a serious illness. In her final letters, Rachel raises one last question: What makes a friend live in our hearts forever?

My Thoughts and Opinion: This book, unfortunately, has been sitting in my "review TBR" pile for quite some time, not because I didn't want to read it but due to getting lost during a year that was full of personal turmoil, much like the characters, and a year where I fell behind. I saw a review a while back written by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, that motivated me to pick it up at this time. Personally, I found this book to be so enjoyable, that I wish I had read it sooner.

Do you like books with relationship dynamics? Writing that makes you feel that you know the characters? Books that are engrossing to the point that you are unaware of your surroundings? Books that are full of emotions? Books that you might see a little of yourself in the characters? Books that you don't want to end because you have made a connection with the characters, that are so life like, that you want the story to continue to see what happens to your new friends? Books that are a great Chick Lit read? Then I suggest you read this book! A great read!!

My Rating: 4 ( )

Good for a quick summer read ( )