Plus, receive recommendations and exclusive offers on all of your favorite books and authors from Simon & Schuster.
Best of Friends
By Cathy Kelly
Table of Contents
About The Book
You can have it all!
Abby Barton's TV career is taking off and now she and her husband can have the life they've always dreamed of in a lovely Irish town -- at least, in theory! But when your husband takes you for granted and your teenage daughter hates you, an adoring old flame can spell danger to your seemingly perfect life. Fortunately, Abby has her friends to keep her sane. For starters, her best friend, Sally, owns a beauty salon, and Sally and her husband throw fantastic parties, where there are still more friends to be made.
Just be sure to share.
Sally's friend Lizzie makes time for everybody: her gal pals, her grown children, even her ex-husband. But when her ex finds someone new, Lizzie can't help but wonder if she'll ever love again. The women are all thrilled to meet Erin, who has moved home to Ireland from Chicago for her husband's new job. But is she cut out for small-town life, and what of the family she left behind years ago? Together and on their own, these four women are about to face highs and lows they never anticipated. Only from each other can they learn that life is for the living and that they need to grab it with both hands....
Abby Barton's TV career is taking off and now she and her husband can have the life they've always dreamed of in a lovely Irish town -- at least, in theory! But when your husband takes you for granted and your teenage daughter hates you, an adoring old flame can spell danger to your seemingly perfect life. Fortunately, Abby has her friends to keep her sane. For starters, her best friend, Sally, owns a beauty salon, and Sally and her husband throw fantastic parties, where there are still more friends to be made.
Just be sure to share.
Sally's friend Lizzie makes time for everybody: her gal pals, her grown children, even her ex-husband. But when her ex finds someone new, Lizzie can't help but wonder if she'll ever love again. The women are all thrilled to meet Erin, who has moved home to Ireland from Chicago for her husband's new job. But is she cut out for small-town life, and what of the family she left behind years ago? Together and on their own, these four women are about to face highs and lows they never anticipated. Only from each other can they learn that life is for the living and that they need to grab it with both hands....
Reading Group Guide
Get a FREE ebook by joining our mailing list today! Plus, receive recommendations for your next Book Club read.
By clicking 'Sign me up' I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy and Notice of Financial Incentive. Free ebook offer available to NEW US subscribers only. Offer redeemable at Simon & Schuster's ebook fulfillment partner. Must redeem within 90 days. See full terms and conditions and this month's choices.
Best of Friends
Pocket
0-7434-9025-8
Questions and Topics for Discussion
13. What do you think is the novel’s message?
A Conversation with Cathy Kelly
Q. What was the genesis for this story?
Q. Where do your characters come from? Are any parts of the story autobiographical?
Q. In a previous novel you deal with women trying to balance career, love and family. Is this something that you struggle within your own life?
Q. Have you ever done anything daring, like Lizzie’s skydiving?
Q. How do you approach writing a novel? What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
Q. Which writers inspire you? What are you reading now?
Q. In your afterward, you speak of how you knew that one of your characters was going to die when you sat down to write this and how hard it was for you. Why did you decide to have Sally lose her battle with cancer?
Q. What would you like readers to take away from this novel?
Q. What’s next for you?
0-7434-9025-8
Questions and Topics for Discussion
- Why do you think Abby, Lizzie and Erin think of the Richardsons as the ideal happy family?
- Why do you think Erin wants to find her family after so many years?
- With the state of Tom & Abby’s marriage, do you think her affair with old flame Jay was inevitable?
- Do you think there were better ways for Abby & Tom to deal with their breakup? How did the situation affect Jess?
- What do you think of Tom’s reaction to Abby’s affair? Why do you think they were able to move on after Jess was found in Galway?
- There is some tension between Debra and Lizzie when Debra moves back home—why do you think they treaded each other as they did? Do you think Debra will get back together with husband Barry?
- Lizzie decides to make a list of things to do before she’s 50. If you had to make such a list, what would you put on yours?
- How has each character changed throughout the course of the book? How have their friendships changed?
- How does Erin deal with meeting Shannon again after all these years? How does Greg help Erin to accept her? Do you think Shannon will keep in touch with Erin, Greg, and their baby?
- After Sally received the grave diagnosis, each of her friends wondered, ‘What do you say to someone who’s dying?’ (p. 214). In what ways do Sally’s friends provide comfort?
- How does Sally’s death affect each of the characters? How did it affect you?
- In Best of Friends, each character brings something special to their friendships. Which qualities do you value in a friend? Which ones do you possess?
13. What do you think is the novel’s message?
A Conversation with Cathy Kelly
Q. What was the genesis for this story?
Q. Where do your characters come from? Are any parts of the story autobiographical?
Q. In a previous novel you deal with women trying to balance career, love and family. Is this something that you struggle within your own life?
Q. Have you ever done anything daring, like Lizzie’s skydiving?
Q. How do you approach writing a novel? What’s your favorite part of the writing process?
Q. Which writers inspire you? What are you reading now?
Q. In your afterward, you speak of how you knew that one of your characters was going to die when you sat down to write this and how hard it was for you. Why did you decide to have Sally lose her battle with cancer?
Q. What would you like readers to take away from this novel?
Q. What’s next for you?
About The Author
Sven Arnstein
Cathy Kelly is the #1 bestselling author of fifteen bestselling novels in Ireland, which have all hit the Sunday Times’ top ten in London. She lives in Ireland with her husband and twin sons. In 2005 she was appointed an ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. Contact her on Twitter at @CathyKellyBooks or follow her on Facebook or at CathyKelly.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Downtown Press (February 1, 2005)
- Length: 528 pages
- ISBN13: 9780743490252
Browse Related Books
Raves and Reviews
"A compulsive read."
-- Woman's Weekly
"Warm and delightful."
-- New Woman
"Compassionate and compelling."
-- Irish Independent
"A warm and cozy comfort read with a timely message gently delivered: Never take happiness for granted. Cathy Kelly has a very tender heart."
-- New York Times bestselling author Pat Gaffney
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): Best of Friends Trade Paperback 9780743490252(1.0 MB)
- Author Photo (jpg): Cathy Kelly Sven Arnstein(3.8 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
