What do you think?
Rate this book
Friends Forever
Five young children - two girls and three boys - all with strikingly different looks and talents, meet at the elite Atwood school. There is Billy, with a full head of curly red hair, who refuses to go anywhere without his toy football. And Sean, a dark-haired boy with striking blue eyes, who hopes to one day be sheriff. Petite Gabrielle is already a blonde bombshell, while her counterpart Izzie keeps her brown hair pulled back in braids and her outfits neat and business-like. And finally, there's well-mannered, blond Andy, with a serious demeanour beyond his years. Together, these children become an inseparable group - known to outsiders as 'The Big Five'.
They lean on one another through all of the bumps and bends of their childhood years, including parental divorce, drinking, drugs, and even death. But when the tight-knit group parts ways after their graduation, their lives veer off in different directions. Tragedy hits when they are separated, and some of the friends are lost forever...
The ones who remain will have to deal with the fallout, because 'The Big Five' - which they thought would always stay strong - is no longer. While some of the friends are crushed by this Stark new reality, others will be surprised to find love and hope where they least expect it...
They lean on one another through all of the bumps and bends of their childhood years, including parental divorce, drinking, drugs, and even death. But when the tight-knit group parts ways after their graduation, their lives veer off in different directions. Tragedy hits when they are separated, and some of the friends are lost forever...
The ones who remain will have to deal with the fallout, because 'The Big Five' - which they thought would always stay strong - is no longer. While some of the friends are crushed by this Stark new reality, others will be surprised to find love and hope where they least expect it...
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Danielle Steel
833 books15.1k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,403 reviews
July 18, 2016
This book was so bad it's got me writing my first review just to warn people off reading it.
First things first, the writing was bad. Now, good writing can sometimes make up for the lack of a good plot and vice versa, however, in this case, you've got a book that's full of cliches and nothing to distract you from noticing that. Quite the contrary, the author seemed intent on REMINDING everyone how unoriginal the plot was. And I mean that literally.
There wasn't a page in this book that didn't include a paragraph recaping the previous page's events for you and every couple of pages you got a recap of EVERYTHING that'd happened so far in the book, and lets also not forget the added bonus of three or four sentences in the SAME paragraph restating the same thing over and over again. It took all of twenty pages for me to start thinking (and wanting to shout) "I know already!!!".
But annoying repetitiveness aside, this book was still awful. There was no structure whatsoever and almost no dialogue. We are told things happen but we never actually SEE them happen. Now, when I took screenwriting classes a couple of months ago, there was this very important rule that our instructor insisted on and which at the time I thought only applied to scriptwriting, but now I can see that Danielle Steel could use: SHOW, don't tell.
This book was supposed to provoke feelings in the reader (or one would assume so, what with characters dying left and right) but in the end I couldn't find it in myself to care about any of the tragedies happening because I simply had not connected with any of the characters.
What's more, in the rare cases that there was dialogue, the author seemed to want to make up for lost time by writing meaningless unrealistic monologues that had the characters- guess what- repeating what we'd already been told an infuriating amount of times.
The book of course ended abruptly, like the author had gotten bored of writing, which it seemed to me she had already been way earlier in it.
In the end, Friends Forever left me wondering only one thing: HOW did Danielle Steel become a best-selling author?
First things first, the writing was bad. Now, good writing can sometimes make up for the lack of a good plot and vice versa, however, in this case, you've got a book that's full of cliches and nothing to distract you from noticing that. Quite the contrary, the author seemed intent on REMINDING everyone how unoriginal the plot was. And I mean that literally.
There wasn't a page in this book that didn't include a paragraph recaping the previous page's events for you and every couple of pages you got a recap of EVERYTHING that'd happened so far in the book, and lets also not forget the added bonus of three or four sentences in the SAME paragraph restating the same thing over and over again. It took all of twenty pages for me to start thinking (and wanting to shout) "I know already!!!".
But annoying repetitiveness aside, this book was still awful. There was no structure whatsoever and almost no dialogue. We are told things happen but we never actually SEE them happen. Now, when I took screenwriting classes a couple of months ago, there was this very important rule that our instructor insisted on and which at the time I thought only applied to scriptwriting, but now I can see that Danielle Steel could use: SHOW, don't tell.
This book was supposed to provoke feelings in the reader (or one would assume so, what with characters dying left and right) but in the end I couldn't find it in myself to care about any of the tragedies happening because I simply had not connected with any of the characters.
What's more, in the rare cases that there was dialogue, the author seemed to want to make up for lost time by writing meaningless unrealistic monologues that had the characters- guess what- repeating what we'd already been told an infuriating amount of times.
The book of course ended abruptly, like the author had gotten bored of writing, which it seemed to me she had already been way earlier in it.
In the end, Friends Forever left me wondering only one thing: HOW did Danielle Steel become a best-selling author?
September 21, 2012
***SPOILER ALERT***
I am usually a big fan of Danille Steel but one book would best describe this book and that word owuld be: Trainwreck!
The story centers around the lives of Izzy, Gabby, Andy, Billy and Sean who meet on the first day of Kindergarten and form a strong friendship. Their family members are also heavily involved in the storyline which makes it very confusing to keep track of who is who in the book. Also one of the main characters (Andy) has a very weak introduction and very weak storyline which found me asking myself many times during this book "what's the name of the 5th friend again."
The book follows the characters from kindergarten, through junior high and high school and then college (or post high school as not all the characters attend college) and like after college. Issues of divorce, workaholic parents, alcohol and drug abuse, and remarriage are woven through the storylines of the parents which affects these five friends. You see the effects of drug abuse through the death of the older brother of one of the characters (Sean).
Then the book takes a very strange turn as the author begins killing off the main characters (yes, I am serious). First Gabby (who is now a in demand model) when she is killed by a drunk driver. Then her boyfriend Billy is killed about 100 pages later (and he is a sucessful NFL player) by an overdose of ecstacy. 50 pages later we find that Andy (the 5th friend with a very weak storyline) loses a patient while in residency and feels so badly about it that he kills himself.
With the lack of storyline balance for these 5 characters the two with the strongest storylines are Izzy (the kindergarten teacher who cannot have a serious relationship and sleeps with people "just because) and Sean who has wanted to become a cop since he was a child and later decides to join the FBI to avenge the death of his brother. He is sent on mission after mission where he is not allowed to contact anyone and then comes back after being shot in the chest taking down drug lords.
The ending of this book isn't really an ending. Sean quits the FBI, sleeps with Izzy and that's the end of the book. This book reminded me of a Day Time soap that was about to be cancelled and was scratching at the surface to keep it's head above water. I am really hoping this author takes a break before her next book to regroup and possibly change her focus. It would be nice to see her focus on groups of people whose lives do not revolve around private schools, trips around the world and being wealthy. I think back to some of her more realistic books (The Gift, Star and Johnny Angel) and would like to see Ms. Steel go back to that sort of storyline. If the author keeps up with storylines such as this I will not be so eager to read her future titles.
Merged review:
***SPOILER ALERT***
I am usually a big fan of Danille Steel but one book would best describe this book and that word owuld be: Trainwreck!
The story centers around the lives of Izzy, Gabby, Andy, Billy and Sean who meet on the first day of Kindergarten and form a strong friendship. Their family members are also heavily involved in the storyline which makes it very confusing to keep track of who is who in the book. Also one of the main characters (Andy) has a very weak introduction and very weak storyline which found me asking myself many times during this book "what's the name of the 5th friend again."
The book follows the characters from kindergarten, through junior high and high school and then college (or post high school as not all the characters attend college) and like after college. Issues of divorce, workaholic parents, alcohol and drug abuse, and remarriage are woven through the storylines of the parents which affects these five friends. You see the effects of drug abuse through the death of the older brother of one of the characters (Sean).
Then the book takes a very strange turn as the author begins killing off the main characters (yes, I am serious). First Gabby (who is now a in demand model) when she is killed by a drunk driver. Then her boyfriend Billy is killed about 100 pages later (and he is a sucessful NFL player) by an overdose of ecstacy. 50 pages later we find that Andy (the 5th friend with a very weak storyline) loses a patient while in residency and feels so badly about it that he kills himself.
With the lack of storyline balance for these 5 characters the two with the strongest storylines are Izzy (the kindergarten teacher who cannot have a serious relationship and sleeps with people "just because) and Sean who has wanted to become a cop since he was a child and later decides to join the FBI to avenge the death of his brother. He is sent on mission after mission where he is not allowed to contact anyone and then comes back after being shot in the chest taking down drug lords.
The ending of this book isn't really an ending. Sean quits the FBI, sleeps with Izzy and that's the end of the book. This book reminded me of a Day Time soap that was about to be cancelled and was scratching at the surface to keep it's head above water. I am really hoping this author takes a break before her next book to regroup and possibly change her focus. It would be nice to see her focus on groups of people whose lives do not revolve around private schools, trips around the world and being wealthy. I think back to some of her more realistic books (The Gift, Star and Johnny Angel) and would like to see Ms. Steel go back to that sort of storyline.
I am usually a big fan of Danille Steel but one book would best describe this book and that word owuld be: Trainwreck!
The story centers around the lives of Izzy, Gabby, Andy, Billy and Sean who meet on the first day of Kindergarten and form a strong friendship. Their family members are also heavily involved in the storyline which makes it very confusing to keep track of who is who in the book. Also one of the main characters (Andy) has a very weak introduction and very weak storyline which found me asking myself many times during this book "what's the name of the 5th friend again."
The book follows the characters from kindergarten, through junior high and high school and then college (or post high school as not all the characters attend college) and like after college. Issues of divorce, workaholic parents, alcohol and drug abuse, and remarriage are woven through the storylines of the parents which affects these five friends. You see the effects of drug abuse through the death of the older brother of one of the characters (Sean).
Then the book takes a very strange turn as the author begins killing off the main characters (yes, I am serious). First Gabby (who is now a in demand model) when she is killed by a drunk driver. Then her boyfriend Billy is killed about 100 pages later (and he is a sucessful NFL player) by an overdose of ecstacy. 50 pages later we find that Andy (the 5th friend with a very weak storyline) loses a patient while in residency and feels so badly about it that he kills himself.
With the lack of storyline balance for these 5 characters the two with the strongest storylines are Izzy (the kindergarten teacher who cannot have a serious relationship and sleeps with people "just because) and Sean who has wanted to become a cop since he was a child and later decides to join the FBI to avenge the death of his brother. He is sent on mission after mission where he is not allowed to contact anyone and then comes back after being shot in the chest taking down drug lords.
The ending of this book isn't really an ending. Sean quits the FBI, sleeps with Izzy and that's the end of the book. This book reminded me of a Day Time soap that was about to be cancelled and was scratching at the surface to keep it's head above water. I am really hoping this author takes a break before her next book to regroup and possibly change her focus. It would be nice to see her focus on groups of people whose lives do not revolve around private schools, trips around the world and being wealthy. I think back to some of her more realistic books (The Gift, Star and Johnny Angel) and would like to see Ms. Steel go back to that sort of storyline. If the author keeps up with storylines such as this I will not be so eager to read her future titles.
Merged review:
***SPOILER ALERT***
I am usually a big fan of Danille Steel but one book would best describe this book and that word owuld be: Trainwreck!
The story centers around the lives of Izzy, Gabby, Andy, Billy and Sean who meet on the first day of Kindergarten and form a strong friendship. Their family members are also heavily involved in the storyline which makes it very confusing to keep track of who is who in the book. Also one of the main characters (Andy) has a very weak introduction and very weak storyline which found me asking myself many times during this book "what's the name of the 5th friend again."
The book follows the characters from kindergarten, through junior high and high school and then college (or post high school as not all the characters attend college) and like after college. Issues of divorce, workaholic parents, alcohol and drug abuse, and remarriage are woven through the storylines of the parents which affects these five friends. You see the effects of drug abuse through the death of the older brother of one of the characters (Sean).
Then the book takes a very strange turn as the author begins killing off the main characters (yes, I am serious). First Gabby (who is now a in demand model) when she is killed by a drunk driver. Then her boyfriend Billy is killed about 100 pages later (and he is a sucessful NFL player) by an overdose of ecstacy. 50 pages later we find that Andy (the 5th friend with a very weak storyline) loses a patient while in residency and feels so badly about it that he kills himself.
With the lack of storyline balance for these 5 characters the two with the strongest storylines are Izzy (the kindergarten teacher who cannot have a serious relationship and sleeps with people "just because) and Sean who has wanted to become a cop since he was a child and later decides to join the FBI to avenge the death of his brother. He is sent on mission after mission where he is not allowed to contact anyone and then comes back after being shot in the chest taking down drug lords.
The ending of this book isn't really an ending. Sean quits the FBI, sleeps with Izzy and that's the end of the book. This book reminded me of a Day Time soap that was about to be cancelled and was scratching at the surface to keep it's head above water. I am really hoping this author takes a break before her next book to regroup and possibly change her focus. It would be nice to see her focus on groups of people whose lives do not revolve around private schools, trips around the world and being wealthy. I think back to some of her more realistic books (The Gift, Star and Johnny Angel) and would like to see Ms. Steel go back to that sort of storyline.
September 9, 2012
Okay, I admit it. I'm a sucker for sunsets, romance, and what passes for happy endings in modern day. That's why blockbuster writer Danielle Steele's latest novel, ''Friends Forever' took me by surprise.
'Friends Forever' follows a group of five children who meet the first day of kindergarten at their exclusive San Francisco private school, and vow to become friends for life.
Trouble is, few of their lives get to last particularly long. In fact, these kids fall so far below the expected life span, by halfway through the book I was wondering if this was really a take-off on mystery writer Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None.' Or a new form of 'Hunger Games' where the pressures of society are the 'arena' in which our offspring fight to stay alive.
Danielle Steele is an accomplished writer, and we feel the anguish of the families as they struggle with the loss of their children. This is not a finger-pointing book, citing rich parents and indulgent lifestyles as the culprit. Instead, the inability to cope with loss, and how failure to cope leads to yet more loss, is the prevailing theme of the book.
Being the master craftsperson she is, Steele gives each child a unique personality and set of ambitions from the get go. All are sympathetic, as are the parents, and we want to see them grow up and have happy lives (or, in this case, at least grow up.) But only two make it to adulthood, both with crippling issues. Even though the two that remain manage to resolve the issues that keep them from both happiness and one another, it's hard to feel that they will be successful; their happiness is overshadowed by so much heartbreak.
The thread that truly intrigued me (once I stopped sniffling at all the funeral scenes) was the growing relationship between Izzie, the last remaining girl, and her estranged mother. While the mother was unable to connect with her daughter while she was growing up, the example she sets, and the intuitive way in which she reaches out to her child in adulthood, reminded me of what I'm looking for whenever I open one of Steele's books--the tremendous resiliency we all have within, if we choose to tap it.
But, with all respect, I hope Steele 'lightens up' in her next novel.
'Friends Forever' follows a group of five children who meet the first day of kindergarten at their exclusive San Francisco private school, and vow to become friends for life.
Trouble is, few of their lives get to last particularly long. In fact, these kids fall so far below the expected life span, by halfway through the book I was wondering if this was really a take-off on mystery writer Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None.' Or a new form of 'Hunger Games' where the pressures of society are the 'arena' in which our offspring fight to stay alive.
Danielle Steele is an accomplished writer, and we feel the anguish of the families as they struggle with the loss of their children. This is not a finger-pointing book, citing rich parents and indulgent lifestyles as the culprit. Instead, the inability to cope with loss, and how failure to cope leads to yet more loss, is the prevailing theme of the book.
Being the master craftsperson she is, Steele gives each child a unique personality and set of ambitions from the get go. All are sympathetic, as are the parents, and we want to see them grow up and have happy lives (or, in this case, at least grow up.) But only two make it to adulthood, both with crippling issues. Even though the two that remain manage to resolve the issues that keep them from both happiness and one another, it's hard to feel that they will be successful; their happiness is overshadowed by so much heartbreak.
The thread that truly intrigued me (once I stopped sniffling at all the funeral scenes) was the growing relationship between Izzie, the last remaining girl, and her estranged mother. While the mother was unable to connect with her daughter while she was growing up, the example she sets, and the intuitive way in which she reaches out to her child in adulthood, reminded me of what I'm looking for whenever I open one of Steele's books--the tremendous resiliency we all have within, if we choose to tap it.
But, with all respect, I hope Steele 'lightens up' in her next novel.
December 24, 2019
The characters and their close friendship really made this book great. They all took different paths and had different personalities but readers can warm to all of them because of this. None came off unlikable and the plot shifts throughout to keep the interests there. An easy, quick read that is enjoyable.
December 16, 2012
This book is about a group of friends who become friends in kindergarten and stay close as they grow up. Their mothers are friends, and they all form a kind of family. The premise I read said that they had difficulties growing up and dealing with the real world. I thought there would be drama, romantic angst, and maybe a little tragedy. That's what it sounded like.
I'll start with the good: I couldn't put it down. I liked the characters for the most part, and they seemed like real people, despite the way Steel told the story rather than showed it to us. I also liked Steel's narrative writing. I admit that it's often better to show than tell, and most of the time, I appreciate this, but I felt like I was reading an account of something. It was new and interesting. I am also not sure how she makes this work, since I think it breaks all kinds of writing rules. But this is also my second Danielle Steel novel, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
Now for the bad: (If you don't want to read this because you plan on reading this book, feel free to skip. I don't know how to do the HTML to set the spoiler alert.)
This is not a realistic book. I feel like she use the tragedies that occur so that two of the friends could get together. I kept thinking why. How does this work? Why? Why would you kill four characters in an 8 and a half hour book? And then the two left get together? Whaaaaaat? In the end, there was romance, but I don't find tragedy followed by sudden passion romantic in that way. I am seeing question marks.
My "favorite" was the device she used right before Gabbi was killed. I would quote it, but I only read the book in audio. Steel begins describing in great detail what Gabbie is doing and what she is wearing as she steps outside to get a cab, which was not really her style throughout this book. I knew something bad was going to happen because of that.
After reading this book(and remembering the other one I read by Danielle Steel) I am convinced that her writing insults my inteligence. It works for some people, I suppose, but I don't generally like the tell verses show method. It was a good thing, but in this book there was too much of a good thing. The third person omniscient point-of-view was also too scattered in my opinion. There were characters we only heard from once or twice. They helped us understand the story, but I felt it unnecessary. Why do we need to hear from more than the main five? Speaking of hearing from the main five, we never hear anything about Andy(one of the group) until close to the end of his life. In fact, we never hear from his point-of-view until the night he dies. To what purpose?
I don't know if I would recommend this book, unless you want to be sad and feel pointless. If you read it, don't get attached to te characters.
I'll start with the good: I couldn't put it down. I liked the characters for the most part, and they seemed like real people, despite the way Steel told the story rather than showed it to us. I also liked Steel's narrative writing. I admit that it's often better to show than tell, and most of the time, I appreciate this, but I felt like I was reading an account of something. It was new and interesting. I am also not sure how she makes this work, since I think it breaks all kinds of writing rules. But this is also my second Danielle Steel novel, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
Now for the bad: (If you don't want to read this because you plan on reading this book, feel free to skip. I don't know how to do the HTML to set the spoiler alert.)
This is not a realistic book. I feel like she use the tragedies that occur so that two of the friends could get together. I kept thinking why. How does this work? Why? Why would you kill four characters in an 8 and a half hour book? And then the two left get together? Whaaaaaat? In the end, there was romance, but I don't find tragedy followed by sudden passion romantic in that way. I am seeing question marks.
My "favorite" was the device she used right before Gabbi was killed. I would quote it, but I only read the book in audio. Steel begins describing in great detail what Gabbie is doing and what she is wearing as she steps outside to get a cab, which was not really her style throughout this book. I knew something bad was going to happen because of that.
After reading this book(and remembering the other one I read by Danielle Steel) I am convinced that her writing insults my inteligence. It works for some people, I suppose, but I don't generally like the tell verses show method. It was a good thing, but in this book there was too much of a good thing. The third person omniscient point-of-view was also too scattered in my opinion. There were characters we only heard from once or twice. They helped us understand the story, but I felt it unnecessary. Why do we need to hear from more than the main five? Speaking of hearing from the main five, we never hear anything about Andy(one of the group) until close to the end of his life. In fact, we never hear from his point-of-view until the night he dies. To what purpose?
I don't know if I would recommend this book, unless you want to be sad and feel pointless. If you read it, don't get attached to te characters.
January 26, 2018
This book was not what I expected it to be. It was so much worse. It had a right beginning, a good theme, a meaningful, makes-you-want-to-dig-in-right-away kind of powerful title, but it just doesn't do justice to all of the plus points. I've been thinking of reading Danielle Steele books just to see what all the hype was about. Now I'm not sure I would want to read any of her books ever again.
Don't get me wrong, the book wasn't thaaat bad, but it was just not good. It was in no way realistic, or original. The story lacked the relatability we so badly look for when we read non-fantasy-type stories. Yeah, it's fiction, but I don't think anything as dumb as what happens in the book would happen even in the fictional world.
For starters, five kids Izzie, Gabby, Billy, Sean and Andy meet on the first day of kindergarten, and they grow up together up until they graduate - together? Really, don't kids grow up to have different tastes and personalities? And even weirder, these kids go on to become what they dream of becoming in childhood. Yea, it does happen, but all of them? Everything just happens to this group of friends. Seriously, I have never heard of dumber coincidences. And then, the friendship starts hindering when each of them are killed, one-by-one in different ways - accident, drug dealing, suicide. And what happens to the two who are left together? They make out. Hah! What happened to the years of friendship then?
In the beginning, Izzie was my favorite character, but at the end, the author screwed her up so badly, I wasn't even sure why I liked her in the first place. She sleeps with two of her best friends, Andy and Sean, just because. Thank heavens, the third boy Billy, was committed, or else I guarantee he would also have been laid out.
And they say, Izzie is the most reasonable of the five. Really.? I'd think Gabby was better. She at least had the right mind to stick with one person throughout. That sounds more reasonable that going for a one-night stand with two best friends.
The book did have plus points, it shows accurately how death of someone affects the people close to them. But it's also exaggerated, and unrealistic, predictable halfway through, and does no justice to the title.
I'm so not going to read this ever again. Thank you very much! Ms. Steele, I know you have made enough money, so please start writing realistic books even if it doesn't sell well. We'd appreciate it.
Don't get me wrong, the book wasn't thaaat bad, but it was just not good. It was in no way realistic, or original. The story lacked the relatability we so badly look for when we read non-fantasy-type stories. Yeah, it's fiction, but I don't think anything as dumb as what happens in the book would happen even in the fictional world.
For starters, five kids Izzie, Gabby, Billy, Sean and Andy meet on the first day of kindergarten, and they grow up together up until they graduate - together? Really, don't kids grow up to have different tastes and personalities? And even weirder, these kids go on to become what they dream of becoming in childhood. Yea, it does happen, but all of them? Everything just happens to this group of friends. Seriously, I have never heard of dumber coincidences. And then, the friendship starts hindering when each of them are killed, one-by-one in different ways - accident, drug dealing, suicide. And what happens to the two who are left together? They make out. Hah! What happened to the years of friendship then?
In the beginning, Izzie was my favorite character, but at the end, the author screwed her up so badly, I wasn't even sure why I liked her in the first place. She sleeps with two of her best friends, Andy and Sean, just because. Thank heavens, the third boy Billy, was committed, or else I guarantee he would also have been laid out.
And they say, Izzie is the most reasonable of the five. Really.? I'd think Gabby was better. She at least had the right mind to stick with one person throughout. That sounds more reasonable that going for a one-night stand with two best friends.
The book did have plus points, it shows accurately how death of someone affects the people close to them. But it's also exaggerated, and unrealistic, predictable halfway through, and does no justice to the title.
I'm so not going to read this ever again. Thank you very much! Ms. Steele, I know you have made enough money, so please start writing realistic books even if it doesn't sell well. We'd appreciate it.
December 3, 2012
This is my third or fourth Danielle Steel. I have girlfriends who adore her and so I decided to give her a try since I being an Evanovich follower can admit to loving popular fiction.
She is a good story teller and I can tell why many people like her. She is however, very predictable, with no surprises. However, she has a aggravating habit of being very repetitive. She restates the situation over and over. I found myself yelling at my CD player. " I know, I know! He is dead and that means he is never, ever, ever coming back." In the last book it was a couple who couldn't be together and went over and over the reasons they couldn't be together. Listening to this is like watching paint dry. This writing pattern only worked for Dr. Seuss.
After pulling my hair out and yelling at the CD player for three days I think I will pass on any more of her books or at least skip chapters without worrying about missing anything since she will tell you 400 more times what has occurred.
July 7, 2012
Danielle Steel delivers again! Very predictable story line but that's exactly why I read it. I know exactly what to expect and I get it - every time!
August 8, 2012
I knew when I saw this book that it ran the risk of being too generic and broad but I was intrigued by the idea of it. So I read. My main issue is that, while it's an interesting idea, there is just too much going on here. I never felt particularly attached to any character. By the end, I knew better than to get attached to any one character.
I felt pretty bored with the ones she did give us a peak at.
There are a few authors that at one point I enjoyed, but who now seem to be simply following some formula to churn out books. Hers feels a little like this: beautiful, smart and wealthy (or temporarily broke) person suffers great tragedy and comes out a better person for it.
I can honestly say that while I didn't hate the book, I do feel like it was a waste of my time.
I felt pretty bored with the ones she did give us a peak at.
There are a few authors that at one point I enjoyed, but who now seem to be simply following some formula to churn out books. Hers feels a little like this: beautiful, smart and wealthy (or temporarily broke) person suffers great tragedy and comes out a better person for it.
I can honestly say that while I didn't hate the book, I do feel like it was a waste of my time.
October 1, 2013
A good quick easy read, which was good for me after reading a heavier book prior to this. You don't have to think hard of course, and yes, most of the time I couldn't believe how she just tells everything, spoon feeding really.. But as they always do, DS serves a purpose, especially at the hairdressers on a busy Saturday, when I had four hours up my sleeve. An enjoyable story where you still care about the characters, of whom really do have the worst luck, frustratingly unbelievable in that respect!
August 31, 2012
Just terrible really - but so much so that it totally has a 'trainwreck' vibe and you feel compelled to finish it to see just how low it will go. (Verdict: pretty damn low.) I literally laughed out loud MULTIPLE times toward the end when the whole thing totally went off the rails. It's entertaining as hell on some level though. Not sure laughing your way through one overwrought, depressing character assassination after another is what she was going for though. lol
October 22, 2012
This book was awful! The writing was atrocious and the story was awful - spoiler alert: EVERY SINGLE PERSON DIES. How does that happen in "realistic" fiction? Truly, if all her books are this terrible, how is Danielle Steel so popular/famous/rich? Rest assured, I will never read one of her books again.
December 21, 2012
After all the "heavy" reading I've been doing, this one was really light. Maybe too light. But, sometimes, that's just what you need: an easy to read, hard to believe, fast paced novel. Now, back to literary fiction.
August 2, 2013
Whatever your initial preconceptions of this book are I can tell you, with absolute certainty, that they will be wrong.
I actually cannot believe that someone sat down and thought that this was a good concept for a book. If you do not want to be left feeling utterly depressed then I would steer well clear of this one.
Not only is it depressing, I believe that what actually happens must be statistically impossible.
This is not going to be a detailed review as I really do not think that it deserves it, but to summarise -
1. Five rich children meet in Kindergarten and from day one are the best of friends forever (or not as the case may be).....
2. As they get older and move through school all of their family dynamics change (inc 2 divorces, new partners, new siblings etc)
3. One of the friends older brother dies whilst doing a drug deal - aged 25
4. Shortly after, one of the actual friends (who just so happens to be an up and coming model) steps out onto the street and is mowed down by a drunk driver and is killed - aged 18
5. Four years later, another one of the friends (who coincidentally was the boyfriend of the girl killed by a drunk driver and just so happens to be a world famous NFL star) dies of a drug overdose - aged 22
6. The following year, another one of the 5 friends (this one the star student Doctor studying at Harvard) kills himself because he lost a patient - aged 23
7. In between the multiple fatalities (just in case that was not somber enough) there is alcoholism, drug abuse, neglect, anorexia, bullying, abusive relationships and various other miserable happenings.
So just to recap, 4 deaths of individuals all under the age of 25, 3 of whom in the same friendship group.
At the end of the book, the last 2 surviving friends, end up getting together (think that they are about 24/25 at this point) however in the run up to this, the male friend has become an undercover spy for the CIA/FBI; been shipped out to Columbia; was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds in critical areas. With said wounds, spent a week crawling through a jungle and survived. After recovering from this and being reliant on a cane, went back to Columbia and managed to take down a powerful drug lord and consequently, the drug ring. Please note that this all happened within his first 2 years of actual acting service.
This was the first Danielle Steel novel I have ever read and I can say, without reservation, my last.
Totally and utterly unrealistic, depressing and not particularly well written. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
I actually cannot believe that someone sat down and thought that this was a good concept for a book. If you do not want to be left feeling utterly depressed then I would steer well clear of this one.
Not only is it depressing, I believe that what actually happens must be statistically impossible.
This is not going to be a detailed review as I really do not think that it deserves it, but to summarise -
1. Five rich children meet in Kindergarten and from day one are the best of friends forever (or not as the case may be).....
2. As they get older and move through school all of their family dynamics change (inc 2 divorces, new partners, new siblings etc)
3. One of the friends older brother dies whilst doing a drug deal - aged 25
4. Shortly after, one of the actual friends (who just so happens to be an up and coming model) steps out onto the street and is mowed down by a drunk driver and is killed - aged 18
5. Four years later, another one of the friends (who coincidentally was the boyfriend of the girl killed by a drunk driver and just so happens to be a world famous NFL star) dies of a drug overdose - aged 22
6. The following year, another one of the 5 friends (this one the star student Doctor studying at Harvard) kills himself because he lost a patient - aged 23
7. In between the multiple fatalities (just in case that was not somber enough) there is alcoholism, drug abuse, neglect, anorexia, bullying, abusive relationships and various other miserable happenings.
So just to recap, 4 deaths of individuals all under the age of 25, 3 of whom in the same friendship group.
At the end of the book, the last 2 surviving friends, end up getting together (think that they are about 24/25 at this point) however in the run up to this, the male friend has become an undercover spy for the CIA/FBI; been shipped out to Columbia; was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds in critical areas. With said wounds, spent a week crawling through a jungle and survived. After recovering from this and being reliant on a cane, went back to Columbia and managed to take down a powerful drug lord and consequently, the drug ring. Please note that this all happened within his first 2 years of actual acting service.
This was the first Danielle Steel novel I have ever read and I can say, without reservation, my last.
Totally and utterly unrealistic, depressing and not particularly well written. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2012
Admission letters from the Atwood School are like getting into Harvard or Yale with the exception that this school goes from kindergarten to twelfth grade. It carries enormous social status and most children who graduate from this school are accepted into the finest colleges including many Ivy League ones.
The first day of school for five children is what this book is about. It focus's on Billy who has his football in hand, next to arrive is Sean holding his toy gun (which was not supposed to have gotten into the classroom) and they decided to sit down and play with the blocks.
Shortly, after that a beautifully little girl who looked like a princess walked in and said her name was Gabrille but that everyone called her Gabby. Then another little girl arrived wearing braids and her nametag read Izzie. She walked right into the kitchen and asked the two boys what they wanted to eat. Several moments later a boy came in and asked "am I too late for lunch?" and his nametag said Andy. So Izzie started preparing the lunches for all five of them and then when activities started they stayed together.
As the story progresses there friendships and problems and life is shared with all five of them. Some have problems at home as we learn that one of the children's older brothers got in trouble another two of the five parents are going to get divorced. One will remarry and the adventure's follow them thru graduation and then keep going.
They make a pact at graduation that where ever life takes them they will always remain Friends Forever.
We are taken thru some very heartwarming and touching moments in their lives some which are very happy and also sad ones. It lets us stop and realize just how precious each day can be and how things are not always what they look like.
Ms. Steel has written an excellent book that is something that could happen to any of our children today and it is a very touching story.
I have read all of her books and find this is one of the most touching and heartwarming books that she has written as we all can put ourselves into these places and possibly these situations. It's a quick read as most of her books are but this is one you wont be able to put down, as these characters are definitely real people.
October 14, 2012
I didn't like this book at all. It was just a brief, tragic synopsis of 5 kids from the ages 5-23. Terrible. Its like reading a book report I might have done in 8th grade...no emotion, no depth, mediocre writing at best and like most 8th grade reports, it was hard to follow. I actually had to write out a little cheat sheet to keep track of who was who, the parents of each kid and their siblings. A complete waste of time for sure.
November 24, 2012
This was my first (and last) Danielle Steel novel. It was incredibly poorly written. There is SO much repetition, which made it tedious to read.
The premise of the book was very intriguing, but there are too many characters and she never really develops any of them well enough that you feel attached at all. And all of the death is just ridiculous. I kept reading in hopes that the book would redeem itself, but the ending was far fetched and hard to feel any emotion about.
The premise of the book was very intriguing, but there are too many characters and she never really develops any of them well enough that you feel attached at all. And all of the death is just ridiculous. I kept reading in hopes that the book would redeem itself, but the ending was far fetched and hard to feel any emotion about.
August 22, 2012
I would say this was hands down the worst book I ever read. The book was all over the place with way too many characters, not to mention it was horrible and depressing. so thankful that I finished it.
October 21, 2012
I am not ashamed to admit that I read Danielle Steel. She was a staple in my adolescent book pile. I haven't read anything from her in a long while and picked this up at the library. To say that I was underwhelmed is an understatement. Usually I can count on Steele to have me sobbing at some point. I can count on her to weave a story full of well rounded characters and make me care. Not this time.
Perhaps it was too many characters. I don't know. But none of these characters felt like people to me. I think I get what she was trying to do; tell the dramatic story of 5 friends and their families, but it fell short for me. I was not invested in any of them. It read, to me, like a narration that you hear in a letter included with a christmas card "And then, he died. And then, we were all sad. And then she died." Yes, there was emotion here, any maybe I really am the cold hearted bitch that people tell me I am, but I wasn't feelin it Dawg.
This is basically the story of 5 friends and three of them die. One by a drug overdose, one in a drunk driving accident and one by suicide. Seriously, the suicide pissed me off more than anything. This guy is studying to be a doctor, loses his first patient and hangs himself? WTF. I can see the other deaths. But what a shitty way to write a suicide. It is almost insulting. Heck no....it IS insulting. And izzy, one of the lone survivors....really? REALLY? I don't buy her for one minute. Another thing that ticks me off is that all of these people live their dream lives at one point or another. REALLY? You know what....upon writing all of this, I didn't like this book at all. Talk about the dumbing down of America.
Perhaps it was too many characters. I don't know. But none of these characters felt like people to me. I think I get what she was trying to do; tell the dramatic story of 5 friends and their families, but it fell short for me. I was not invested in any of them. It read, to me, like a narration that you hear in a letter included with a christmas card "And then, he died. And then, we were all sad. And then she died." Yes, there was emotion here, any maybe I really am the cold hearted bitch that people tell me I am, but I wasn't feelin it Dawg.
This is basically the story of 5 friends and three of them die. One by a drug overdose, one in a drunk driving accident and one by suicide. Seriously, the suicide pissed me off more than anything. This guy is studying to be a doctor, loses his first patient and hangs himself? WTF. I can see the other deaths. But what a shitty way to write a suicide. It is almost insulting. Heck no....it IS insulting. And izzy, one of the lone survivors....really? REALLY? I don't buy her for one minute. Another thing that ticks me off is that all of these people live their dream lives at one point or another. REALLY? You know what....upon writing all of this, I didn't like this book at all. Talk about the dumbing down of America.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2012
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com...
I feel like I should begin with a disclaimer. I read Danielle Steel books. I went through a phase of my life when I read through pretty much everything she had written. Then, for a while, I felt that the reality of life went so far beyond these books that they seemed contrived and unreal. Yet, I continued to read them. Recently, I have not particularly liked the books. Yet, when one comes out, I read it. That being said, I am glad I read this one.
Friends Forever is the story of Andy, Billy, Gabby, Izzie, and Sean who meet on the first day of kindergarten and become an inseparable group of friends. The story follows the "Big Five" as they grow up and grapple with the issues of growing up. In particular, a central focus of the book becomes the challenges of changing family ties, and the use of alcohol and drugs in teens and young adults.
I enjoyed this book much more than I have recent Danielle Steel books. The characters in this book seemed more real as did the situations. As a parent, I feel that the message of this book is an emphatic one and a necessary one. The book still has the dramatic elements that will appeal to Danielle Steel fans, but this books offers a little bit more.
I am glad I have persevered in reading her books. Wonder what the next one will bring?
I feel like I should begin with a disclaimer. I read Danielle Steel books. I went through a phase of my life when I read through pretty much everything she had written. Then, for a while, I felt that the reality of life went so far beyond these books that they seemed contrived and unreal. Yet, I continued to read them. Recently, I have not particularly liked the books. Yet, when one comes out, I read it. That being said, I am glad I read this one.
Friends Forever is the story of Andy, Billy, Gabby, Izzie, and Sean who meet on the first day of kindergarten and become an inseparable group of friends. The story follows the "Big Five" as they grow up and grapple with the issues of growing up. In particular, a central focus of the book becomes the challenges of changing family ties, and the use of alcohol and drugs in teens and young adults.
I enjoyed this book much more than I have recent Danielle Steel books. The characters in this book seemed more real as did the situations. As a parent, I feel that the message of this book is an emphatic one and a necessary one. The book still has the dramatic elements that will appeal to Danielle Steel fans, but this books offers a little bit more.
I am glad I have persevered in reading her books. Wonder what the next one will bring?
August 27, 2013
Why do I even try reading her books anymore? I guess it's because she was once a good writer that I enjoyed.
This one had potential. It's the story of five friends who met on the first day of kindergarten and spans not only their individual families but also 28 years and a lot of tragedy.
Ms. Steele did two things in this novel. First, she spent too much time on tiny, insignificant details. Second, she didn't spend enough time on the more important parts of the stories. I think this caused her to lose focus of what the novel was about, or perhaps she didn't have the focus to begin with and that's why she strayed. In any case, it didn't work.
There was also the problem with her last ten novels...grammar and poor sentence structure. As I have mentioned previously, she suffers from "and-itis"...in fact, she has a terminal case of it. I don't know why her editors don't fix this or point it out so she can fix it. It leaves us with the feeling that she dictated the novel, using the word "and" as a space filler, then failed to go back for a much needed edit. She has sentences that take up nearly a half page, containing five or six "and" instances. Not good. Very poor writing. Come on, insist that your editors be honest with you or get new editors!
This one had potential. It's the story of five friends who met on the first day of kindergarten and spans not only their individual families but also 28 years and a lot of tragedy.
Ms. Steele did two things in this novel. First, she spent too much time on tiny, insignificant details. Second, she didn't spend enough time on the more important parts of the stories. I think this caused her to lose focus of what the novel was about, or perhaps she didn't have the focus to begin with and that's why she strayed. In any case, it didn't work.
There was also the problem with her last ten novels...grammar and poor sentence structure. As I have mentioned previously, she suffers from "and-itis"...in fact, she has a terminal case of it. I don't know why her editors don't fix this or point it out so she can fix it. It leaves us with the feeling that she dictated the novel, using the word "and" as a space filler, then failed to go back for a much needed edit. She has sentences that take up nearly a half page, containing five or six "and" instances. Not good. Very poor writing. Come on, insist that your editors be honest with you or get new editors!
October 12, 2012
this book was awful!!!! not only did the writing sound as though it was written by a third grader, the plot was so bad that not even a third grader would come up with it. do not waste your time on this book. I am truly sorry I did and now I will never get those hours of my life back.
August 7, 2012
Have not read Danielle Steele in years and this book reminded me why. Writing is very simplistic. I thought the story line was ridiculous--won't ruin for those who want to read.
May 24, 2021
Oh my god.. What the hell is this book?
So I was at Goodwill and I saw it being sold for 2 dollars, I hadn't read it yet.. So I picked it up and I am pretty shocked at this book.. First of all... Here's one thing it has going for it.. I couldn't put it down, because from the beginning of the book you knew it was gonna end badly for these kids... I swear Danielle Steel was Drunk or High as kite when she wrote this
Five rich WHITE children meet in Kindergarten and from day one are the best of friends forever.. Or maybe not Forever, Who knows? ha.. So those kids grow up things change like 2 divorces, new partners, new siblings etc.. Then here comes the deaths.. One of the friends older brother dies whilst doing a drug deal - aged 25 and then shortly after Shortly after, one of the actual friends (who just so happens to be an up and coming model) steps out onto the street and is mowed down by a drunk driver and is killed - aged 18.. Four years later, another one of the friends (who coincidentally was the boyfriend of the girl killed by a drunk driver and just so happens to be a world famous NFL star) dies of a drug overdose - aged 22.. The following year, another one of the 5 friends (this one the star student Doctor studying at Harvard) kills himself because he lost a patient - aged 23.. In between the multiple fatalities (just in case that was not fucking depressing enough) there is alcoholism, drug abuse, neglect, anorexia, bullying, abusive relationships and various other miserable happenings.
So just to recap, 4 deaths of individuals all under the age of 25, 3 of whom in the same friendship group.
At the end of the book, the last 2 surviving friends, end up getting together (think that they are about 24/25 at this point) however in the run up to this, the male friend has become an undercover spy for the CIA/FBI; been shipped out to Columbia; was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds in critical areas. With said wounds, spent a week crawling through a jungle and survived. After recovering from this and being reliant on a cane, went back to Columbia and managed to take down a powerful drug lord and consequently, the drug ring. Please note that this all happened within his first 2 years of actual acting service.
I was like are you kidding me? This book is DEPRESSING and Terribly written... If you are gonna write a depressing book, make it well written, Like Kristin Hannah..
So I was at Goodwill and I saw it being sold for 2 dollars, I hadn't read it yet.. So I picked it up and I am pretty shocked at this book.. First of all... Here's one thing it has going for it.. I couldn't put it down, because from the beginning of the book you knew it was gonna end badly for these kids... I swear Danielle Steel was Drunk or High as kite when she wrote this
Five rich WHITE children meet in Kindergarten and from day one are the best of friends forever.. Or maybe not Forever, Who knows? ha.. So those kids grow up things change like 2 divorces, new partners, new siblings etc.. Then here comes the deaths.. One of the friends older brother dies whilst doing a drug deal - aged 25 and then shortly after Shortly after, one of the actual friends (who just so happens to be an up and coming model) steps out onto the street and is mowed down by a drunk driver and is killed - aged 18.. Four years later, another one of the friends (who coincidentally was the boyfriend of the girl killed by a drunk driver and just so happens to be a world famous NFL star) dies of a drug overdose - aged 22.. The following year, another one of the 5 friends (this one the star student Doctor studying at Harvard) kills himself because he lost a patient - aged 23.. In between the multiple fatalities (just in case that was not fucking depressing enough) there is alcoholism, drug abuse, neglect, anorexia, bullying, abusive relationships and various other miserable happenings.
So just to recap, 4 deaths of individuals all under the age of 25, 3 of whom in the same friendship group.
At the end of the book, the last 2 surviving friends, end up getting together (think that they are about 24/25 at this point) however in the run up to this, the male friend has become an undercover spy for the CIA/FBI; been shipped out to Columbia; was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds in critical areas. With said wounds, spent a week crawling through a jungle and survived. After recovering from this and being reliant on a cane, went back to Columbia and managed to take down a powerful drug lord and consequently, the drug ring. Please note that this all happened within his first 2 years of actual acting service.
I was like are you kidding me? This book is DEPRESSING and Terribly written... If you are gonna write a depressing book, make it well written, Like Kristin Hannah..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2013
Danielle Steel is one of my favorite authors. I have been a fan of hers and read many of her novels over the last 30 years. Suffice it to say, I am hooked. My favorite novel of hers was a book called Palomino.
I recently finished her book, Friends Forever. Unfortunately, much of this current book did not engage me.
The story was about five friends who met in kindergarten and become immediate friends through their childhood, teen and college years. They dubbed themselves the Big 5, and became inseparable. The cast of characters included them, their parents, stepparents, and siblings.
What I did not enjoy about this book was the pacing. The book moved too fast, rapidly changing from scene to scene. It was quickly flipping back and forth through the characters through time as they advanced from kindergarten to college.
Much of the first half of the book was about the parents of the Big 5. This, in my opinion, made it very hard to get any true character development with many of the characters until the last 1/3 of the book. By this time, the story had quickly trimmed the cast down by moving rapidly through drug overdoses, suicide, and an accidental death, and funerals.
The overall message was about the risky life’s choices of this particular generation. The events in the story did affect the lives of the characters. Unfortunately, due to its fast pace, the reader did not have time to feel it.
I enjoyed the last third of the book when we finally were left with one main character and her struggles. The book slowed down enough to look inside a couple of the character’s motives, feelings, and decisions that they faced.
As typically Danielle Steel novels go, it was an easy read. It had an ending that left you feeling good. Unfortunately, it did not capture my heart as some of her previous novels did.
I recently finished her book, Friends Forever. Unfortunately, much of this current book did not engage me.
The story was about five friends who met in kindergarten and become immediate friends through their childhood, teen and college years. They dubbed themselves the Big 5, and became inseparable. The cast of characters included them, their parents, stepparents, and siblings.
What I did not enjoy about this book was the pacing. The book moved too fast, rapidly changing from scene to scene. It was quickly flipping back and forth through the characters through time as they advanced from kindergarten to college.
Much of the first half of the book was about the parents of the Big 5. This, in my opinion, made it very hard to get any true character development with many of the characters until the last 1/3 of the book. By this time, the story had quickly trimmed the cast down by moving rapidly through drug overdoses, suicide, and an accidental death, and funerals.
The overall message was about the risky life’s choices of this particular generation. The events in the story did affect the lives of the characters. Unfortunately, due to its fast pace, the reader did not have time to feel it.
I enjoyed the last third of the book when we finally were left with one main character and her struggles. The book slowed down enough to look inside a couple of the character’s motives, feelings, and decisions that they faced.
As typically Danielle Steel novels go, it was an easy read. It had an ending that left you feeling good. Unfortunately, it did not capture my heart as some of her previous novels did.
December 15, 2012
I came home from work today looking forward to getting immersed in this novel, Friends Forever, by Danielle Steel. I've been a Steel fan for years and while some of her books are sad, there is typically a positive, happy payoff. So after hearing about the senseless CT school shooting almost all day, I thought this would be a good escape. I really don't think I could have possibly picked a worse book to do this. This was an extremely depressing book with almost no let up on bad events. As a matter of fact, each bad event was followed by something even worse. And after the two NFL incidents and shootings over the past few weeks, this was eerily similar. Unless you need something to start you on a good cry, I would not recommend reading this book.
Five children meet on day 1 of school and form an instant bond with each other. They stay friends throughout their childhood, into high school, college, and young adulthood although the circle gets considerably smaller over the years.
Five children meet on day 1 of school and form an instant bond with each other. They stay friends throughout their childhood, into high school, college, and young adulthood although the circle gets considerably smaller over the years.
November 6, 2012
I'm only going to give this 4 stars, which is unusual for me, although I enjoyed it, it was written mostly like someone was telling me a story and hardly any conversation in it, I found it hard to follow at times. The story was good, although unbelievable that a group of 5 children growing up and one by one they die in circumstances [totally unrelated to each other] seemed a bit far fetched for me.
I'm glad I read it though or I'd be left 'wanting to read this book'
I'm glad I read it though or I'd be left 'wanting to read this book'
February 21, 2018
Ahora si, comencé sin muchas expectativas este libro, sobre todo por las reseñas de aquí; pero la verdad me sorprendió al final, quizás al principio no me atrajo mucho ya que es una historia como muchas otras, pero el simple hecho de que me hiciera llorar es mucho (soy una llorona de closet, según yo no me gusta ver películas románticas, pero cuando se trata de libros me llegan al corazón)
La historia se centra en cinco pequeños que se conocen el primer día del kínder, los cuales se convierten en mejores amigos. estos son Gabby una pequeña rubia que parece un ángel, Billy un pequeño pelirrojo que ama el futbol americano, Sean un pequeño moreno de ojos azules que no quería dejar atrás su pistola de juguete, Izzie una castaña súper dulce y Andy un rubio que llega para completar a este hermoso grupo.
A lo largo del libro vemos como van desenvolviéndose y creciendo, como dejan de ser unos niños y pasan por la adolescencia hasta convertirse en adultos, con todo lo que esto conlleva.
Como dije una historia como tantas mas en el mundo, pero la forma en la que esta escrito es muy buena.
Yo no cocía el libro (a la autora si) este fue un regalo, y espere a este mes del amor y la amistad para leerlo, pero nunca creí que lo devoraría :$ por lo que creo hare un resumen total.
Como comente al inicio la historia comienza cuando Billy, Sean, Gabby, Izzie y Andy comienzan su primer año de kínder en Atwood un colegio particular que es muy famoso en San Francisco ya que permite a sus alumnos permanecer en el hasta que terminen la preparatoria.
Billy tiene un hermano menor Brian que justamente nace ese día, ama el futbol americano gracias a su papá.
Sean llega muy Valiente con una pistola de juguete, su madre una antigua maestra esta contenta pues en la misma escuela tiene a su hijo mayor Kevin un pequeño un poco diferente a Sean. su padre es un constructor muy importante.
Gabby es una pequeña muy linda pero con carácter fuerte, te dicen que se parece a Judy su madre una joven que parece concursante de certámenes de belleza, su padre vende carros y tiene una hermana pequeña.
Izzie es la mas dulce de los chicos y es hija única sus padres son abogados.
Y finalmente tenemos a Andy hijo de una Dra. y un psiquiatra.
Todos tan diferentes entre si, pero con una amistad en común.
Vamos avanzando poco a poco viendo como los chicos van creciendo y descubriendo lo que los rodea. Los primeros en hacer un cambio dentro del grupo son Billy y Gabby pues se convierten en novios cuando tienen trece años haciendo que la dinámica de su grupo de amigos cambie pero sin romper la amistad.
A la par vemos su situaciones familiares el papá de Billy es el peor personaje trata mal a Brian de hecho no lo reconoce como hijo, presiona a Billy, trata mal a Marilyn la madre de los chicos, bebe sin control.
Kevin el hermano de Sean es un chico rebelde, que bebe y se droga sin control, logrando ser internado en un centro de rehabilitación
Los padres de Izzie han decidido divorciarse dejando desolada a la pequeña.
Un segundo gran cambio es cuando la pareja de los Grandes cinco decide tener relaciones sexuales dando paso a su etapa como adolescentes. Donde podemos sumar el divorcio de los padres de Billy , el nuevo matrimonio de su madre con un hombre mas amable que el ex esposo lo que orilla a Billy a comenzar a beber y esto empeora cuando se entera de que va a tener unas hermanitas.
Izzie ha aceptado el divorcio bien ya que siempre supo que su madre no tenia un sentimiento maternal hacia ella, de hecho la ve tan poco que no la llega a extrañar realmente , pero le es imposible aceptar que su padre pueda comenzar una relación nueva, lo considera un hombre mayor.
Al parecer todo va bien los cinco grandes siguen con su amistad, siguiendo sus metas, Las pequeñas hermanas de Billy nacen pareciera que su vida es perfecta.... sin embargo ocurre algo Kevin es asesinado cuando este se encuentra comprando drogas, obviamente el mundo de Sean cambia. Él siempre quiso estar del lado de la ley y con la muerte de su hermano su deseo de estar en el FBI se acrecienta.
A esto le sumamos que es el momento de que los chicos vayan a la universidad. Sean a Washington. Andy a Harvard a estudiar medicina. Gabby a Los Angeles a iniciar su vida como modelo, Billy e Izzie a la UCLA, él con su beca deportiva, ella sin un camino definido.
Es aquí cuando las cosas comienzan a cambiar drásticamente.
Descubrimos que Michelle la hermana de Gabby sufre de desordenes alimenticios, Brian se sentía a la sombra de Billy; los padres de Sean se sienten solos por la ausencia de sus hijos. Izzie sigue sin aceptar a Jennifer la novia de su padre. Andy e Izzie hacen el amor en un momento de locura, y al finalizar Izzie se da cuenta de su error rompiendo un poco el corazón de Andy, aunque como ella dice prefiere mantener la amistad a perderlo, lo que al final es un acierto pues Andy conoce a Nancy una chica que estudia Medicina como él.
Billy es un excelente quarterback por lo que junto a su equipo logra llegar al Rose Bowl; sin embargo esta muy adentrado en la bebida y como le muestra a Sean también a las drogas, lo que hace que Sean se moleste con él pues esta presente la muerte de su hermano y le pida que lo deje.
Y el trauma comienza....
A la semana del gran partido Gabby esta contenta de haber conseguido una gran campaña publicitaria, seguir con Billy su novio el cual le ha regalado un hermoso anillo, no el de compromiso que le ha prometido pero han estado juntos y son jóvenes a los 18 años tienen mucho por vivir.... Pero justo en ese momento Gabby es atropellada y muere dejando a todos destrozados, a Izzie sin su amiga casi hermana, a la familia de Gabby huérfana de hija, a Billy con el corazón destrozado por haber perdido a su primer y único amor, a Sean y Andy por perder a una amiga.
Cuatro años después de esto, el padre de Izzie decide casarse, Izzie se convierte en maestra del kínder donde ella estudio, Billy comienza su vida en la NFL, Andy en su internado de medicina, Sean se encuentra en Quantico iniciando su camino en el FBI.
Billy tiene una vida desenfrenada mujeres, alcohol, drogas... lo que finalmente logra matarlo. Es así como finalmente la pareja de los grandes cinco se unen.
Es a partir de este punto se nota un cambio en la narración, pues ahora es Izzie en la que recae la narración.
Vemos que es el entierro de Billy, Sean se va al FBI y se encuentra en una misión que lo lleva lejos de casa sin comunicación por un año, Andy esta en la escuela de Medicina, sin embargo Izzie esta perdida, pues no sabe que hacer se encuentra en una relación que no la satisface y su madre hace que abra los ojos. Realiza un viaje a Argentina pagado por su madre gracias al cual regresa a la vida.
Una sorpresa llega a su vida cuando Sean regresa para acción de gracias, el le hace unas preguntas un poco extrañas pues le pregunta si tiene novio, si se encuentra bien. Y le dice que va a regresar como infiltrado lo cual la pone muy triste. Cuando Sean se va Izzie conoce a un hombre que la hace sentir muy feliz pero que también le da una lección, que si algo desea debe de ir por ello y no dejar pasar oportunidades.
Izzie mantiene contacto con el único amigo con el que puede, Andy le pregunta sobre Tony y su relación, le cuenta sobre su vida en el hospital y la deja con la promesa de volverse a poner en contacto. El regresa a su trabajo pero tiene un duro golpe, pues una pequeña muere en su guardia y aunque el medico adscrito le dice que no había nada que hacer por ella Andy se siente culpable y toma una decisión, es así como decide terminar su vida colgándose en su apartamento.
Un nuevo golpe para Izzie por ello decide realizar un viaje a Japón y cuando esta por abordar el avión la madre de Sean le habla contándole que él sufrió un ataque y que estaba muy grave y que le pedía que lo fuera a ver; sin embargo Izzie le dice que no porque Sean no le apoya que a pesar de esto, en cuanto el este bien volverá a arriesgarse. Sin embargo decide ir a verlo y en cuanto lo ve el despierta y trata de bromear con ella, ella le pregunta si va a regresar y su respuesta la entristece.
Pocos días después Sean la va a visitar y se da cuenta que en la casa de Izzie solo hay fotos de él, una pregunta silenciosa surge y ella le comenta que es porque de los cinco grandes solo el esta vivo, cuando él intenta hablar no salen palabras y comienza a besar a Izzie lo que termina en un acto de amor puro entre estos dos chicos.
Sin embargo cuando ella le pregunta si va a regresar como infiltrado y cuando él le contesta que si ella lo corre de su vida y le pide que no regrese nunca más, le dice que no quiere volver a sufrir lo mismo que con las muertes de sus otros amigos que se llevaron una parte de ella, no quiere que se lleve lo que queda en ella.
Sean acepta que cometió un error y que no tenia derecho a lastimarla.
Izzie decide viajar a la India y cuando esta por partir, Sean aparece nuevamente en su puerta diciéndole que la quiere, cosa que ya es irrelevante, algo que aterra a Sean, pero le dice algo que cambia todo, le dice a Izzie que regresa para quedarse pues a pesar de que le gusta estar como infiltrado la ama más a ella. Es así como terminan nuevamente en la cama e Izzie le dice las palabras que hace mucho Sean esperaba oír.
-Bienvenido a casa.
Llore mucho, sobre todo cuando comienzan las desgracias. Al final me encanto. El libro deja varios mensajes, obviamente el principal es ver como conforme vamos creciendo y a lo que nos enfrentamos puede formar la persona que llegamos a ser.
Quien pueda tener la oportunidad de leerlo espero le guste porque en serio vale la pena, a pesar de las calificaciones que tiene en la aplicación
La historia se centra en cinco pequeños que se conocen el primer día del kínder, los cuales se convierten en mejores amigos. estos son Gabby una pequeña rubia que parece un ángel, Billy un pequeño pelirrojo que ama el futbol americano, Sean un pequeño moreno de ojos azules que no quería dejar atrás su pistola de juguete, Izzie una castaña súper dulce y Andy un rubio que llega para completar a este hermoso grupo.
A lo largo del libro vemos como van desenvolviéndose y creciendo, como dejan de ser unos niños y pasan por la adolescencia hasta convertirse en adultos, con todo lo que esto conlleva.
Como dije una historia como tantas mas en el mundo, pero la forma en la que esta escrito es muy buena.
Yo no cocía el libro (a la autora si) este fue un regalo, y espere a este mes del amor y la amistad para leerlo, pero nunca creí que lo devoraría :$ por lo que creo hare un resumen total.
Como comente al inicio la historia comienza cuando Billy, Sean, Gabby, Izzie y Andy comienzan su primer año de kínder en Atwood un colegio particular que es muy famoso en San Francisco ya que permite a sus alumnos permanecer en el hasta que terminen la preparatoria.
Billy tiene un hermano menor Brian que justamente nace ese día, ama el futbol americano gracias a su papá.
Sean llega muy Valiente con una pistola de juguete, su madre una antigua maestra esta contenta pues en la misma escuela tiene a su hijo mayor Kevin un pequeño un poco diferente a Sean. su padre es un constructor muy importante.
Gabby es una pequeña muy linda pero con carácter fuerte, te dicen que se parece a Judy su madre una joven que parece concursante de certámenes de belleza, su padre vende carros y tiene una hermana pequeña.
Izzie es la mas dulce de los chicos y es hija única sus padres son abogados.
Y finalmente tenemos a Andy hijo de una Dra. y un psiquiatra.
Todos tan diferentes entre si, pero con una amistad en común.
Vamos avanzando poco a poco viendo como los chicos van creciendo y descubriendo lo que los rodea. Los primeros en hacer un cambio dentro del grupo son Billy y Gabby pues se convierten en novios cuando tienen trece años haciendo que la dinámica de su grupo de amigos cambie pero sin romper la amistad.
A la par vemos su situaciones familiares el papá de Billy es el peor personaje trata mal a Brian de hecho no lo reconoce como hijo, presiona a Billy, trata mal a Marilyn la madre de los chicos, bebe sin control.
Kevin el hermano de Sean es un chico rebelde, que bebe y se droga sin control, logrando ser internado en un centro de rehabilitación
Los padres de Izzie han decidido divorciarse dejando desolada a la pequeña.
Un segundo gran cambio es cuando la pareja de los Grandes cinco decide tener relaciones sexuales dando paso a su etapa como adolescentes. Donde podemos sumar el divorcio de los padres de Billy , el nuevo matrimonio de su madre con un hombre mas amable que el ex esposo lo que orilla a Billy a comenzar a beber y esto empeora cuando se entera de que va a tener unas hermanitas.
Izzie ha aceptado el divorcio bien ya que siempre supo que su madre no tenia un sentimiento maternal hacia ella, de hecho la ve tan poco que no la llega a extrañar realmente , pero le es imposible aceptar que su padre pueda comenzar una relación nueva, lo considera un hombre mayor.
Al parecer todo va bien los cinco grandes siguen con su amistad, siguiendo sus metas, Las pequeñas hermanas de Billy nacen pareciera que su vida es perfecta.... sin embargo ocurre algo Kevin es asesinado cuando este se encuentra comprando drogas, obviamente el mundo de Sean cambia. Él siempre quiso estar del lado de la ley y con la muerte de su hermano su deseo de estar en el FBI se acrecienta.
A esto le sumamos que es el momento de que los chicos vayan a la universidad. Sean a Washington. Andy a Harvard a estudiar medicina. Gabby a Los Angeles a iniciar su vida como modelo, Billy e Izzie a la UCLA, él con su beca deportiva, ella sin un camino definido.
Es aquí cuando las cosas comienzan a cambiar drásticamente.
Descubrimos que Michelle la hermana de Gabby sufre de desordenes alimenticios, Brian se sentía a la sombra de Billy; los padres de Sean se sienten solos por la ausencia de sus hijos. Izzie sigue sin aceptar a Jennifer la novia de su padre. Andy e Izzie hacen el amor en un momento de locura, y al finalizar Izzie se da cuenta de su error rompiendo un poco el corazón de Andy, aunque como ella dice prefiere mantener la amistad a perderlo, lo que al final es un acierto pues Andy conoce a Nancy una chica que estudia Medicina como él.
Billy es un excelente quarterback por lo que junto a su equipo logra llegar al Rose Bowl; sin embargo esta muy adentrado en la bebida y como le muestra a Sean también a las drogas, lo que hace que Sean se moleste con él pues esta presente la muerte de su hermano y le pida que lo deje.
Y el trauma comienza....
A la semana del gran partido Gabby esta contenta de haber conseguido una gran campaña publicitaria, seguir con Billy su novio el cual le ha regalado un hermoso anillo, no el de compromiso que le ha prometido pero han estado juntos y son jóvenes a los 18 años tienen mucho por vivir.... Pero justo en ese momento Gabby es atropellada y muere dejando a todos destrozados, a Izzie sin su amiga casi hermana, a la familia de Gabby huérfana de hija, a Billy con el corazón destrozado por haber perdido a su primer y único amor, a Sean y Andy por perder a una amiga.
Cuatro años después de esto, el padre de Izzie decide casarse, Izzie se convierte en maestra del kínder donde ella estudio, Billy comienza su vida en la NFL, Andy en su internado de medicina, Sean se encuentra en Quantico iniciando su camino en el FBI.
Billy tiene una vida desenfrenada mujeres, alcohol, drogas... lo que finalmente logra matarlo. Es así como finalmente la pareja de los grandes cinco se unen.
Es a partir de este punto se nota un cambio en la narración, pues ahora es Izzie en la que recae la narración.
Vemos que es el entierro de Billy, Sean se va al FBI y se encuentra en una misión que lo lleva lejos de casa sin comunicación por un año, Andy esta en la escuela de Medicina, sin embargo Izzie esta perdida, pues no sabe que hacer se encuentra en una relación que no la satisface y su madre hace que abra los ojos. Realiza un viaje a Argentina pagado por su madre gracias al cual regresa a la vida.
Una sorpresa llega a su vida cuando Sean regresa para acción de gracias, el le hace unas preguntas un poco extrañas pues le pregunta si tiene novio, si se encuentra bien. Y le dice que va a regresar como infiltrado lo cual la pone muy triste. Cuando Sean se va Izzie conoce a un hombre que la hace sentir muy feliz pero que también le da una lección, que si algo desea debe de ir por ello y no dejar pasar oportunidades.
Izzie mantiene contacto con el único amigo con el que puede, Andy le pregunta sobre Tony y su relación, le cuenta sobre su vida en el hospital y la deja con la promesa de volverse a poner en contacto. El regresa a su trabajo pero tiene un duro golpe, pues una pequeña muere en su guardia y aunque el medico adscrito le dice que no había nada que hacer por ella Andy se siente culpable y toma una decisión, es así como decide terminar su vida colgándose en su apartamento.
Un nuevo golpe para Izzie por ello decide realizar un viaje a Japón y cuando esta por abordar el avión la madre de Sean le habla contándole que él sufrió un ataque y que estaba muy grave y que le pedía que lo fuera a ver; sin embargo Izzie le dice que no porque Sean no le apoya que a pesar de esto, en cuanto el este bien volverá a arriesgarse. Sin embargo decide ir a verlo y en cuanto lo ve el despierta y trata de bromear con ella, ella le pregunta si va a regresar y su respuesta la entristece.
Pocos días después Sean la va a visitar y se da cuenta que en la casa de Izzie solo hay fotos de él, una pregunta silenciosa surge y ella le comenta que es porque de los cinco grandes solo el esta vivo, cuando él intenta hablar no salen palabras y comienza a besar a Izzie lo que termina en un acto de amor puro entre estos dos chicos.
Sin embargo cuando ella le pregunta si va a regresar como infiltrado y cuando él le contesta que si ella lo corre de su vida y le pide que no regrese nunca más, le dice que no quiere volver a sufrir lo mismo que con las muertes de sus otros amigos que se llevaron una parte de ella, no quiere que se lleve lo que queda en ella.
Sean acepta que cometió un error y que no tenia derecho a lastimarla.
Izzie decide viajar a la India y cuando esta por partir, Sean aparece nuevamente en su puerta diciéndole que la quiere, cosa que ya es irrelevante, algo que aterra a Sean, pero le dice algo que cambia todo, le dice a Izzie que regresa para quedarse pues a pesar de que le gusta estar como infiltrado la ama más a ella. Es así como terminan nuevamente en la cama e Izzie le dice las palabras que hace mucho Sean esperaba oír.
-Bienvenido a casa.
Llore mucho, sobre todo cuando comienzan las desgracias. Al final me encanto. El libro deja varios mensajes, obviamente el principal es ver como conforme vamos creciendo y a lo que nos enfrentamos puede formar la persona que llegamos a ser.
Quien pueda tener la oportunidad de leerlo espero le guste porque en serio vale la pena, a pesar de las calificaciones que tiene en la aplicación
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2021
4/5⭐
Not really what I expected but pretty enjoyable (and extremely sad at the same time).
Not really what I expected but pretty enjoyable (and extremely sad at the same time).
July 19, 2022
Amizades que começam na infância e que vão pela vida fora, unindo as suas vidas e condicionando-as.
Uma história baseada na amizade mas triste.
Uma história baseada na amizade mas triste.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,403 reviews