Jennifer Weiner writes with humor, self-awareness, heart, and sensitivity — all with an honest approach that never goes over-the-top into the realm of sappy or maudlin. Her latest novel, Best Friends Forever takes a little darker approach, but is still classic Jennifer Weiner.
It’s time for Addie’s fifteen-year high school reunion. Since her parents have died, she has made their home her own. So, she’s living in the same place she lived in high school, but nothing could drag her to the reunion. High school didn’t treat Addie so well, since it isn’t usually kind to loner girls who are slightly overweight.
Addie’s life changes when Valerie moves across the street: Girl the same age living across the street equals instant best friend. Addie and Valerie are best friends until something separates them their senior year. They haven’t talked since then, but after the reunion (which semi-celebrity weather-girl Valerie did attend), Valerie shows up on Addie’s doorstep begging for Addie’s help.
Valerie convinces Addie to go along with her to investigate the result of her not-at-all-accidental hit-and-run that occurred in the parking lot after the reunion was over, and the former best friends end up on the lam aka Thelma & Louise.
The darkness comes from the themes covered: The ruthlessness of revenge, the shallowness of self-absorption and vanity, and the reality of loss — the loss of a future and of lives squandered. But you’d be wrong if you saw this book as a depressing heavy tome rich with symbolism and desperation. The novel is written with Jennifer Weiner’s spot-on humorous observations about life and ends with hope.
It’s still basically chick-lit — it just delves a little deeper into the human psyche.
If you’d like to win one of three copies (U.S. residents only), leave a comment. We’ll announce the winners in next week’s column.
The winner of the two mysteries by Emyl Jenkins is #49 Pam.
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom contributing editor and 5 Minutes for Books managing editor Jennifer Donovan
This sounds like a great book! I love classic chick-lit, and this one is fun! I’ve never read anything by this author before.
Enter me please!
I would love to win.
I’d so love to read this book!
Sounds like a great read!
I would like to win this book!
i would love to read this book, sounds really good!
I would love to read this, hope I win! Thanks for the chance!
I would love to read this. Sounds like it would be a good book to read.
subscriber
i’ do love to win
Jennifer Weiner has a good sense of humor in
her books.I would love to read this one about
best friends.Thanks for the chance
This looks like a good summer read. Please enter me.
I’d love to read this book. Thanks.
I would love to read this book. It sounds great.
Love Jennifer Weiner!
Sounds like a good book
Please count me in ~ Thanks!
I’d really enjoying reading this great book!
Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in 🙂
I like Jennifer Weiner’s books and would love to win a new one to read.
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
I love to read chick-lit in the summertime!
I so want to read this …
Jennifer Weiner sure knows how to keep some one
interrested in reading her books.
Sounds good. I’d love to read it.
She’s always a blast to read!!!
Sounds like a good book
please enter me Con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you on twitter.
Please, enter me, great prize!!!
Sounds like a great story
I would like to enter.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I would love to read this as I love her books and the way she always develops her characters.
Sounds like a good read.
Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<
Would love to read this.
rsgrandinetti(at)yahoo(dot)com
Would love to win this! Reading is my passion and I just finished my latest book!
Thanks!
ksweeper21@gmail.com
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I would enjoy reading this book….
I’ve read Good In Bed and In Her Shoes…Jennifer Weiner is awesome! I’d love to win this book!
Sounds like a great read!
I would like this. Thank you
Thank you for the chance to win!
I’m always looking for books to add to my reading list–please add my name! Thank you for the contest!
i would love to win.
Awesome book!!! enter me pls
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
eswright18 at gmail dot com
I would love to read this!
Happy Summer!
I would love to win. thanks!
I LOVE Jennifer Weiner and have read many of her books. I’d be thrilled to win this. Thanks so much!
My wife loves Jennifer Weiner books and I would like to surprise her with one.
I would love to win this to read this summer!
Sounds like a fun read. Count me in…if I’m not too late to enter, that is.
I’d love to win this, cause I love to read.
I am an e-mail subscriber.
I have had the same best-friend since we were 12 and in the 7th grade! I would love to win this book.
my niece would really like this one, cool
I’m a big Jennifer Weiner fan and can’t wait to read this one! Thank you.
I’d love to win this. I love her other books so I’d love to read this one too.
I would like to read this book. It sounds like the reader feels many emotions upon reading it.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would love to win this to read; it sounds awesome!
I love her books and would love the chance to read this one!
What a great author! I would love this.
Jennifer Weiner is one of my favorite authors.
I ADORE Jennifer Weiner! Last summer I took Certain Girls on vacation, and just cried and cried- she’s amazing! I cannot wait to read this one- and the library makes me wait forever!
Crossing my fingers…
🙂
would like to win this…great prize
Book wins are super – please enter me!
Please count me in too.
Book wins are so much fun. I love discovering new authors.
very cool love books count me in please
Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks!
I’d like to enter.
I LOVE Jennifer Weiner books, didn’t even know there was another one out, so thank you for the review!
I had the chance to meet her at a book reading. I am a huge fan!! I have been waiting for her new book forever!! Thanks for the chance. mogrill@comcast.net
Looks like a great read!!! Want it
enter me in the contest please! I added it to my facebook page.
I’d like to read this
I think Best Friend Forever should be a really special book, and I’d love to win it.
Sounds like a great book.Love to read it. Please enter me.Thanks!
This looks like a good read! I’ll have to add it to my ever-growing reading list. I’ve read others of Weiner’s books and enjoyed them quite a bit.
If you liked this, you’ll also like a new book called ‘Knickles and Dimes’. It has fun, entertaining characters and a light-hearted, charming story. I’d recommend it!
Anyway, thanks for the review : )
ohh! I would love to win this book! I love Jennifer Weiner, and I always have to have a book to read!!
I’d love to read this book!
Jennifer Weiner is one of my favorite authors, I would love to read her new book!
I enjoy reading her books.
I’ve actually heard about this book, but had no idea what it was about until now. I’m hooked! Hope I win so I can read what happens. thanks!
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance. jelly15301@gmail.com
This sounds like a good read.
I have been dying for a good book to take me out of the mud. Sounds like the perfect one. thanks for the opportunity to win 🙂
I’m a huge Jennifer Weiner fan, still on the library waiting list for this one. Would love to win!
I am a big fan of this author! I would love to win this.
I have read one other book by Jennifer Weiner- really like her writing.
I WOULD LOVE TO WIN PLEASE
I’d love to read this book. Please count me in!
This sounds really good! I may have to see if our library has it.
This is the only Jennifer Weiner book I don’t own. I’d love to win it!
This sounds like a great read… and I’m so addicted to books! 🙂
i love to read and would love to win
mverno@roadrunner.com
ooh I love Jennifer Weine’s books. I’d love to read this. I am currently on the waitlist at the library for this book!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I adore Jennifer Weiner – Winning this book would be great!
I’ve loved the other Jennifer Weiner books I’ve read and think I would really enjoy this one.
Sounds like a great read… thanks so much for the giveaway!
I would like to be entered, thanks!
This sounds like and interesting book that I’d like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.
abfantom (at) yahoo (dot) com
I’d love to win this — I love Jennifer Weiner’s writing. I haven’t had much time for reading lately but for this book I’ll manage it!
I would love to read this
I have never read anything by this author, although it sounds like an intriguing read and I would definately love it.
I can’t wait to read this book. I have loved everything that I have read by this author!
I’d love to win!
Nice! I’ve love to win a book!
I love new books. Thanks for the chance to win!
Count me in! I would love to win!
I love to read this.
I’d love to win!
That sounds like a good book! I hope I win!
I love Jennifer Weiner’s books!
mamie316(at)sbcglobal.net
anytime there is a good book available I am on board! Please enter me in this great giveaway!
cmflan122@gmail.com
Sign me up – a new book to read is like having a new adventure!
I never read chick-lit until I picked one up and tried it about a year ago. I still prefer non-fiction, but I now also read chick-lit when I am in the mood to lighten up and relax.
Alicia Webster
5webs@comcast.net
I’ve enjoyed Jennifer Weiner’s previous books and would love to win a copy of her latest!
This sounds really good!
I haven’t read any of her books, but I’d love to read this one !
Sounds like a good read. Will be putting this book/author on my TBR list
I can’t tell you how many times I have picked it up at the bookstore only to put it down because I have other things still to read. It looks like such a good read. I have it on a list of books I want to read.
Hope this comment isn’t going to post more than once, but for some reason it doesn’t seem to be working! 🙂 Anyway,
Sounds like a great book. I’d love to win, and I’m always looking for new books to read! 🙂
I would love to win this book. It is on my list to read!
I love her other books-would really like to win this one;)
trishnatey@gmail.com
I always love intros to new authors – count me in!
Would love to win this!
I would love to win a copy of this book. It sounds like it’s a good mix of the things I like to read about.
I’d love to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
accoupons at gmail dot com
I’d love to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
accoupons at gmail dot com
I just cut an ad for this book out of a magazine and added it to my TBR binder! Winning a copy would certainly speed up the process!
I’d like to win! I like her books – definitely chick lit, but does get deeper – I agree!
this sounds very good
Please count me in. Sounds great!!
Karen K
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ooh, I’d love to win a copy! I’ve enjoyed the two or three books I’ve read by her and would love to read more 🙂
I’m a big fan of Jennifer Weiner, and would love to read this!
I’ve loved all of Jennifer Weiner’s books!
I’d love to win a copy. (heathernkemp(at)hotmail(dot)com)
Thanks for the review (and give-away).
I’d love to win this. I love her books.
Sounds very interesting. Need another good book before summer is over 🙂
I have a class reunion this year. But I felt like this lady, and see no reason to go. Should be a very interesting read. Please enter me. Thank you.
By the by, I’m having my own book giveaway tomorrow just in case I can return the favour.
Best wishes
I love quick easy chick-lit books! Crossing my fingers for a copy! Thanks!!
I usually only read YA, but this sounds interesting.
I’d like to win!!
I love Jennifer Weiner books and haven’t read this one yet!
Thanks for the opportunity. Jennifer Weiner is always a good read!
Sounds like it might be pretty good. Need something light, but balanced.
I haven’t read Jennifer Weiner’s books but will have to give them a try soon. Appreciate the chance to win one of them.
I have read and loved all of Jennifer Weiner’s books. Haven’t had a chance to pick this one up yet though. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love Jennifer Weiner’s books and would love to read this one.
I added this to my To Be Read list! Sounds good.
looks like an interesting read!
It may just be that a little escapism might be just the ticket.
Cheers
Please enter me -looks like a good book!
I’d love to win this!
Oooh, I’d love to win this book! I have enjoyed the Jennifer Weiner books I’ve read, and I’d love to read this one, too!!
I love her books, please enter me.
Thanks!
She’s a great author…this is on my to-read list! Please enter me.
I love her books ;0)
aprilmom00 at gmail dot com
I need some more books! Would love to win! bestmom4girls(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have been want to read this. Please enter mee too.
denise22315(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance.
this book sounds very interesting and I would love to win the chance to own a copy
shopannies@Yahoo.com
I would love to win this book!
Jennifer Weiner is a fun author. I’d love to win. 🙂 I’m on bedrest and need a good book to entertain myself. 🙂
Interesting idea to get us to keep on coming back to your blog!! I’m always looking for new books to read; not sure if this is quite my taste, but may be a great read for my Wife!
Thanks for the review and the insight.
I love Jennifer Weiner, and would love to win her book 🙂 It sounds great!
Sounds interesting. Never read a book by this author. I’d love to win. Wow, I’m number 4, never been so high up on the comments from this blog before. I am usually three hundred and something. LOL
It seems interesting to read the book. I haven’t got it honestly. Additionally, I would be so proud of winning the prize. Thanks for the chance. Toddler Crafts Susan
I would love to win!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
I’d love to win this. I’m always looking for a new book to read.