Could have been soooo much better!: (2010-07-27) 
I am usually really, easy to please when it comes to reading material and Beth Kendrick is on my must-read list but her latest book, "Second Time Around" was by far not her best.
The story line was awesome. Four friends (English Majors) who are given the chance to re-invent themselves with new careers by the fifth friend who passed away. However, the book seriously lacked depth. Any English major who reads this will be very disappointed. The book starts off way too slow and then rushes right through te interesting parts...and is not nearly long enough. It has 4 main charachters and we never do manage to get a good feel of who any of them really are because every time a scene begins to develop, we are rushed to the next scene.

Readable but definitely a disappointment.

A meaningful, non-put-downable read!: (2010-06-05) 
There's a lot of soul-searching and decision making between five long-time best friends who have made a pact to get together once a year on July 4th ever since college. Their ten year reunion was celebrated at Arden's vacation home...(a successful attorney) where they got caught up in a deep discussion on the subject, "What if?"
Arden dies within the following year and leaves each friend a boatload of money to rediscover themselves with and explore that question, "What if?"
I love this one, not only because it's an exciting, humorous, meaningful peek into these women's interesting lives but the camaraderie, the heart-felt quests, the chance to start over and follow the DREAM, and the opportunity to realize what is truly important in life.....A wonderful lesson in life that can't be touched on too often!!

Another book with a similar lesson and a beautiful, meaningful non-put-downable book that I could read over and over again is EXPLOSION IN PARIS...I LOVE "What if" books!

English majors unite!: (2010-05-21) 
Friends since their college years at small Thurwell College in upstate New York, Jamie, Anna, Brooke and Cait are surprised to learn of a million dollar inheritance to be split among them. Former English majors, they all have put their dreams on hold while trying to make a living in the 'real' world. The money gives the women the impetus and funds to follow some of their dreams. The story moves very smoothly between the four friends.

Reading with Tequila: (2010-05-16) 
Second Time Around is female bonding at its best. Five women, friends since college, get together for a mini-reunion once a year. One dies, leaving a million dollars to be split between the rest. The catch? They need to use the money to follow their dreams.

Each woman has a job she doesn't love. Each has a seemingly impossible dream. The money gives those dreams a chance. While changing their careers, the women are forces to deal with personal problems ranging from guilt over accepting their dead friend's money, infertility, poor choices in love and one is haunted by a secret she has kept for over a decade.

Second Time Around is full of fun and sorrow, potential and regret, hope and fear. It really makes the reader question what they would change in their lives if given $250,000. Imagine the possibilities. The enduring friendship of the four women left mourning their friend is inspirational, a wonderful example of what friendship between women should be.

Beth Kendrick has written a book that does what all books should do. She put ideas in my head. She made me consider my life. She gave me something to think about. The message that life is too short to waste time on things you don't love is an important one and it couldn't have been written more beautifully. Second Time Around is chick-lit that focuses on the whole of a woman, not just her romantic life. I would love to see more books of this nature and highly recommend Second Time Around to any woman willing to reexamine where her life is headed. Funny, entertaining and meaningful - Second Time Around hits the trifecta.

Second Time isn't always better: (2010-04-18) 
I liked this book alot but felt the first half of it was extremely slow. I have always enjoyed the Beth Kendrick books but this was probably my least favorite. Her humor is never lost in her writing and the friendship's she builds are spectacular but I did find myself wanting it to pick up but I refused to put it down knowing that it would be a truly wonderful story in the end.