Review: Now and Then Friends by Kate Hewitt

Now and Then Friends

by Kate Hewitt

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 368

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Childhood best friends Rachel Campbell and Claire West have not only grown up, but after fifteen years, they've also grown apart...
 
After her father left, Rachel had to dedicate her life to managing her household: her two younger sisters, her disabled mother, and her three-year-old nephew. When Rachel’s not struggling to look after all of them, she makes her living cleaning the houses of wealthy families—inclulding the Wests, where a surprise now awaits her. . . .
 
A lifetime of drifting in other people's currents has finally left Claire high and dry. First it was her parents, then the popular crowd in school, and finally her fiancé. Now she’s returned to Hartley-by-the-Sea to recover. But running into Rachel brings back memories of past mistakes, and Claire wonders if she now has the courage to make them right.
 
Soon Claire’s brother, Andrew, asks Rachel to keep an eye on Claire, which is the last thing either woman wants. But as their lives threaten to fall apart, both Claire and Rachel begin to realize what they need most is a friend. The kind of friend they once were to each other, and perhaps can be again. . . .

Kritters Thoughts:  The second in a series, this story centers on Rachel and Claire who were friends in primary school, but grew apart before they ever left their small hometowns.  Rachel stayed there and has been the backbone of her family as her father left, her mother had a tragic accident and her sisters aren't quite stepping up.  Claire returns after a stint in rehab and a potential break up with a fiance and is trying to decide what is next for herself.  

Just as in the first book in the series, this book is told in alternating perspectives and both Rachel and Claire have the opportunity to tell their story.  And just like the first book in the series, the female friendships are the foundation of the story and of course there is romance involved, but the drama of their friendship is the center.  

Something I didn't mention yesterday was the setting.  I loved the small English town where news flies by lunch time!  I loved that even the characters that had grown up there were surprised that their news had spread around town so quickly.  

If there is a book three, I will definitely continue in this series, but I would maybe advise against reading it all in a row.  I read the first two in a row and it was fine, but the format and stories would get repetitive.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2016 Challenge: 19 out of 50

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Berkley NAL.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.