traces the lives and friendship of Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski through their letters, diaries, and other correspondence. Jillian, the only child of wealthy parents, and Lesley, one of many children born into a poor family, meet when they are in grade school and are immediately taken with one another. Both girls are extremely smart, but Jillian's family wealth opens doors while Lesley must scrimp and save for everything. Jillian graduates from high school as valedictorian while a pregnant Lesley prepares for marriage. Jillian goes on to prestigious colleges and eventually becomes a lawyer and later a judge, while Lesley's family grows to four children and she gives up on her hope of becoming a nurse. Both women experience loss, from men to dreams, but through it all they remain the truest of friends for 50 amazing years.[return][return]It's my second Debbie Macomber, and I enjoyed it too. Nice to see that she put in a little social history as well, with Nixon's resignation, and Clinton's impeachment only 2 of many references to the "real world". it's good that the format of their interactions change over the years, from letters to emails

Written as a series of letters, journal entries, et al, the book traces the friendship of two babies born in 1948 and raised in Washington state, attending the same Catholic Academy. It was very similar to reading a history of my own life as it mentions all that those of us born after WWII have experienced. The friendship between Jillian and Lesley spans their lives despite the fact they had very different lives and even had most of the USA between them most of their adult life. Very real issues were faced by each woman, and they were always there for each other in any way they could be. Bit of a tearjerker for me at least, but an enjoyable read.

FROM AMAZON: The story of a remarkable friendship - told in a remarkable way. A story in which every woman will recognize herself...and her best friend.

Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski. Two girls from very different backgrounds become best friends in the turbulent '60s, but their circumstances and choices - and their mistakes - take them in opposite directions. Lesley stays in their hometown. She marries young, living a life defined by the demands of small children, never enough money, and an unfaithful husband. Jill lives those years on a college campus shaken by the Vietnam War, and then as an idealistic young lawyer in New York City.

But they always remain friends.

Through the years and across the miles, Jill and Lesley confide everything to each other - every grief and joy. Because the quality of a friendship is the quality of a life.

Bonus Novella: Home to Honeymoon Harbor by JoAnn Ross

The rivalry between the Mannion and Harper families has divided them for over a century. Which is why, when John Mannion and Sara Harper fall in love, they become the small seaport town's very own Romeo and Juliet. But in Honeymoon Harbor, nothing - not even an infamous family feud - is a match for love. ( )

This novel follows the lives of Leslie and Jillian, beginning before they were even born through their long lives. Told in an epistolary style, the reader follows the girls as they grow, through the choices they made, both good and bad, while enjoying the good things they had and surviving life’s tragedies. Though from different economic backgrounds, the girls shared a bond of friendship that never wavered. Author Debbie Macomber included both the good things that happen to people as well as the terrible things that can occur, and since this novel covers several decades in a short amount of pages, be prepared for a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. Very well written with endearing characters, this novel explores some ways to deal with life-lessons as well how to enjoy the good things in life. ( )

Nice book. Takes place over a long period of time so lots of memories
and history. ( )

Different style of writing by this author. The story is told about the lives of two best friends over 40 years, with a series of notes, letters, emails, diary entries and announcements. It's a better read if you're a woman of a certain age, because historical events are alluded to, not expicitly spelled out or explained. But that made it a nice "remember when" for your own thoughts. I won't spoil the book, but these are two very tough women to endure what they chose to do. ( )