Tuesday, March 27, 2012

FRIENDS LIKE US by Lauren Fox

See if you've won this book!







Here’s a book I’m soooo excited to bring to you, and this is one of those that I really devoured! (Yeah, I hate that phrase but I seriously did that with this book). I snuck it to basketball practice – like it was one of those where I was all, “I’LL TAKE LUKE TO BASKETBALL AND SIT THERE FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF!” Because I knew I could sit there for an hour and a half and READ Lauren’s book. 

Her characters, Ben and Willa, were best friends in high school, but then lost touch for seven years. At an impromptu reunion, they are, well yeah, reunited, and let’s just say, old feelings might have re-emerged that someone might not have known about. 

Enter Willa’s best friend and roommate, Jane. Willa gets the bright idea to set Ben and Jane up. Watch as everyone’s world explodes! And I thought that was all the book was going to be about. And for me, that was going to be PLENTY! But then there was so much more to Friends Like Us. There was Willa’s family – her messed up brother Seth. Which, interestingly, I HAVE A BROTHER NAMED SETH! (he’s not messed up though!) And Willa’s parents, and a hot guy named Declan from Ireland. Seriously, all these other additions to this book, and I could not put it down. 

It is a sad book of rediscovering of a friendship long ago lost and what happens when the main character sets her best friends up together. Recipe? Disaster. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a delicate balance of relationships and how we are formed by our own parent’s relationships, and how our siblings shape the way we behave – so many things I wasn’t expected as I dove into and fell in love with this book. I also fell in love with Lauren’s first book, Still Life With Husband. 


If you haven’t read her first book, Still Life With Husband you have to read that one – it was an amazing book too!

More things I love about Lauren’s writing is that she can be humorous one minute, and have you laughing out loud, but the very next line, she can make you think, really think about life, and the way things could be, or should have been, or might never have been, if you’d taken one other option. And the options in the book Friends Like Us, are so real, There’s nothing contrite or made up, nothing that sounds like, “Oh THAT would NEVER happen.” I love books like this, and although you may not feel like everything was wrapped up all happy in a perfect bow at the end, it’s books like Lauren’s that sit with you long after you close them, and characters like Ben, Jane and Willa, that really make you wonder, well after you’ve read them, that you’ll be sitting there doing something totally not book related, and you’ll think, “Wow, I wonder how they’re doing,” as if they are actual real people with real lives. And that’s the very best part of a book, in my opinion.

It’s an amazing read. I wish I had a copy to give to each and every one of you.

Here’s the blurb:

Best friends Willa and Jane are often mistaken for sisters, a comparison Willa secretly enjoys. They share a small apartment, paying the rent with freelance jobs while waiting for something better to come along. Willa sells flowers and writes advertising copy for a tea company (“The path to enlightenment is steep” and “Oolong! Farewell!”); Jane cleans houses and writes bad poetry about it, rhyming “clog of hair” with “fog of despair.” Together they are a fortress of private jokes and shared opinions, so close that there’s hardly room for anyone else. Until Willa’s closest cohort and confidant from high school—dorky then, handsome and confident now—falls in love with Jane.

To enter to win Friends Like Us tell me if you ever tried to set up friends, or if you ever lived with a friend and if it worked out or not -- just tell me a fun friend story and you'll be entered to win! I roomed with my best friend in high school when we went to college, and we survived. We lived together for four years in college, and yeah, there were some rough spots, of course, but we're still the closest of friends! In fact, when I went to Vegas in November, she came with and we had a blast! We've been friends since we were juniors in high school and we've shared so many incredible times and have so many great stories to share! We crack up every time we're together, and I'll be seeing her next month too! Friends are the BEST!

Remember, MaNiC MoMMy is aiming to feature great books each and every week this year, and you’ll have a chance to win it as well! Please stop by often AND MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE PREVIOUS POSTS as I’m now posting new books more than once a week! Open to US/Canada residents only, and thanks to all the participating authors and publicists for providing the books.

Check back on this post in a few days to see if you’ve been chosen, and as long as there is not a highlighted winner’s name on the top of the blog post, you may enter to win any of the previous books being offered. One entry per person as always! Please include an email address or a uniquely identifying user name when entering to win!

70 comments:

Kristen said...

I set two of my friends up on a date, and it did not go well. She said it was the weirdest date she's ever had! She's since asked me not to set her up with anyone else.

robynn78 said...

I convinced a friend to go on a double date with me, she was unsure about the boy as he was a lil older than us.. they just celebrated 17 years together yesterday.. :o)

Crystal said...

ooh girl NO!! I would not do that! FI always asks if I have any "hot" friends for his boys. I'm like "no, that is code word for 'easy' and my girls have class" thankyouverymuch! LOL

crystal717

Lindsay Elizabeth said...

I lived with a friend from high school right after college. We had always been friends but living together turned us into best friends! 6 years later we're in each other's weddings 2 month to the day apart!

susieqlaw said...

I grew up next door to my bestfriend. She is just 5 months older than I am. After first grade, our teachers started to put us in separate classes, because we were so close. We even have the same handwriting!

Tina B said...

I tried to set up 2 of my friends...they would've been perfect for each other. They could never coordinate their schedules and ended up never going out :(
Brannanflooring@aol.com

Literary Chanteuse said...

This definitely looks good! I have had many roommates who were friends male and female. I had a crush on one particular male roommate however he unfortunately had a crush on my other roommate(female) In the end no one ended up together and eventually we all moved out and moved on.

Margaret(singitm)

Ready To Be A Momma said...

I've never been the matchmaker type. I lived with a friend once for 6 months. If it would've been any longer, one of us would not have made it out alive!
Qweska8402

Dani In Chicago said...

I've set up a couple of friends that hit it off. One couple got married and have been married for over 15 years. The other couple only dated a few months. But I know when a couple will hit it off. I do a soft set up. I introduce them at a party and let fate take over.

Jeffie T said...

I lived with my best friend from high school for a couple of years after college. She's the only person that I've remained friends with AFTER sharing a place.

Jessica said...

I lived with a friend in college and it did not work out very well. The whole year went great until the last few weeks. She got mad at me because I spilled something on her rug and didn't do a good enough job at cleaning it up. We are not friends anymore, haha. I guess it's a good idea not to live with friends!

Thanks!

-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

BrendaL71 said...

Hmm, thats hard. I only had a roommate once and we weren't good friends to begin with so we don't talk anymore. Then there is my ex we lived together for 7 years and we are not together. It is hard to live with other people.

Bev V said...

I set up 2 of my best friends in college. I had to wait until male friend broke up with another girl, but they've been together since. I think they will celebrate their 29th anniversary this year, so I made a good "match" here!

Bev V (shaggy552@gmail.com)

Melissa said...

I set up my friend once and then it was awkward when it didn't work out. Melissa Rem

equinn726 said...

In college I set up a close male friend of mine with one of my other friends. They have now been married for over 10 years and have two beautiful daughters :)

DaphneSFL said...

I've got 2 friends I've been trying to set up for at least a year, but it can't get off the ground. I wish I could get them to meet, because I know they'd fall in love immediately.

Kimmi said...

I set up a friend once, albeit very reluctantly, as I didn't think they'd get along (she liked the looks of him and insisted that I introduce them). They clashed so badly, she didn't stay until the end of the meal.

TaraUB said...

Not much of a match maker so I'll just talk about my friends. I have known my main group of friends since junior high, and some of them since 1st grade. We get together about once a month when I visit my home town to see family. We always have the best time. We now have an annual camping trip on Memorial Day weekend and it something I look forward to all year. I don't know what I'd do without these girls in my life.

jenmc9 said...

Oooo...setups by friends can be dangerous! I was the victim of an attempted set-up. There was a tennis match. It wasn't pretty.

Ally said...

None of my match making attempts have ever gone well...I should just retire.

jdstec said...

my first husband and I set up a guy I work with with a friend. I am now married to the guy I worked with.

Krystal said...

I lived with a friend for a while, but it did not go well. Once we moved out, we were better friends again.
kndyer

Katie said...

Never have set up a friend but my husband and I were set up by mutual high school friends (although years after hs) and the rest is history!

Anonymous said...

One of my best friends from HS is a guy. In college, he was my date to a wedding, but we had to leave at 9 so he could get home for his first date with our class valedictorian. 15 years later, they are married and still good friends of ours today.

Colbey J

Lesley Davis, esq said...

I've never set a friend up or lived with one. Guess I'm boring that way.

Kelleyc said...

Was part of an unintentional match-making! My male friend from college invited me and my friends to a party at HIS friend's house. Well, his friend and my friend hooked up and are celebrating like 16 years married now!!!

Bernadette7 said...

I casually introduced my older sister to my friend Mitchell - despite being in the same grade and going to the same high school they had never met - celebrating 5 years of marriage this year. I don't think I can accept credit for their getting together since it would have never occurred ot me that they would make a good couple- shows what I know!

ncsuloges said...

Oh a book you devoured! That is so exciting!!! I have never set up friends but a friend set up me and my boyfriend and we have been together almost 2.5 years.

*Amy R* said...

I refused to live with my best friend in college. I like to think that's why we are still very close ;)

Emma S. said...

I want to set a up a male friend of mine with a friend of a friend. They haven't met yet, but I'm hoping they will meet soon!

buttah said...

I have tried to set up friends a couple of times in the past, and it never went well. Needless to say, almost all of our friends are married now, or engaged so we don't have to worry about that anymore! Hubs and I weren't really "set up" but more introduced through our BFF's and we are still together almost 16 years later, and are still very close with his BFF!

Juliet Farmer said...

every time i've tried to set up friends, it's been BAD. no more. and yes, i've lived with friends before. that wasn't great either.

accidentalgypsy said...

I've lived with a guy that I had feelings for...but after seeing how he lived, he's like a brother now. :) Still love him to death, just in a platonic way now. lol

Unknown said...

I've never lived with any of my friends for a long period of time. A few months at best. But I'm an easy to live with kind of person (so they've all said). :)

A few times I've tried to set up friends...but they never want it. LOL

Carly said...

I haven't really tried to set anyone up but my best friend started dating the cousin of my then boyfriend. It was cool at first and then they broke up and was really awkward. REALLY awkward.

Carly H

Leah B said...

I lived with my best friend for a year and it was a great year. I miss living with her sometimes, but I don't think my husband is ready to add her to our household! :-)

Christina said...

A friend of mine is possibly moving to another city where my best friend lives. If she does move I'm totally setting them up! I've lived with many friends over the years, and I don't have any horror stories of where it didn't work out, except when my freshman year roommate threw out my beer when I had a friend come to visit. I was NOT happy!

ChristinaL

absolutahnie said...

ellen & i have been friends for 26 years. tonight she's going on a first date with a "match" from J-date. she's nervous as hell but she told me that all my cheerleading is helping calm the butterflies! i really hope this one "sticks" for her, she's a gem who deserves someone great!

Leslie said...

I have never lived with a friend, but I do have one that we vacation together with our kids each year. Long car trips, multiple kids, and even once the spouses were allowed to go, and we have gotten closer each time. LeslieGC

Lizett34 said...

I have never set up any of my friends and at this point I do not think I would want to.

lizett34@yahoo.com

lucy872 said...

Before my husband and I started dating we already knew each other from high school and when we were home for summer break from college, our two best friends took an interest in each other. So, we all met up together to go out to a club that night. Our friends didn't end up dating, but my husband and I discovered we liked each other's humor and sarcasm. We ended up dating and 21 years later here we are! Too bad for our friends, but great for us!

Amelia said...

I never set up any friends - now I know this is corny but I do live with my best friend - my husband!

GoGreen said...

A friend and I went on a weekend girlfriends getaway a few years ago. We had manicures, pedicures and facials and had a great time.

Denise said...

I love my best friend, but we can't manage a week of vacation together without fighting, we vowed never to live together!

-Denise F.

Terri said...

I roomed with my best friend in college. We only made it about half the year before she moved out. We didn't talk for 5 years then reconnected right before we each were getting married...to guys that had also been friends. We are at a place now where we keep in touch and occacionally get together, but we both realize we wasted those five years.

Terri M.

Megan said...

I've never tried to set anyone up, but one of my college friends tried to set me up with someone and it ended up being with someone I already knew! Needless to say it didn't work out, but we're still friends!
Eloisepeaches

Erin G said...

I have never set up any friends. Right now, by BFF and I are considering setting up her sister with my brother...

Anonymous said...

I have tried setting friends up and have since decided I will NEVER do that again. It never ends well and I somehow get stuck in the middle of it.

Amy Nichole G.

your invisible pixie said...

i lived with a friend of mine right my sophomore year of college, but we didn't get along after that :( but my senior year i lived with two guys and it was perfect!

Jenn3128 said...

There is no way I could live with any of my friends!

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

I was never much into all that setting up this friend with that friend. They all seemed to get along fine without my intervention.

Melissa said...

I lived with a couple of girlfriends during my last year of college. We would stay up late talking and joking around. That was probably the best arrangement. The worst was sharing a dorm room with someone I thought was friend and turned out to be a pain in the ass. She would sit around NAKED!!!
Melissa A from CLC

EBrowning said...

I set my two best friends up once. They dated for a few months but when it ended, it ended BADLY!!! It made everything awkward among our group of friends for quite a while!

Unknown said...

I set up a friend with my cousin. It was great at first...they dated for year and then he dumped her because he didn't want kids or to get married. Then he married the next girl he dated and had kids:(. My poor friend is still single and no kids.

Tiffany Drew said...

I may have been the middle man in a couple of high school relationships, playing the "this person likes you, what do you think" but not since then. I don't want to be held responsible lol.

ludy2288 said...

I lived with friends in college & it wasnt the best. Several years later, we reconnected again and are now friends, but we took a 'friend break' for awhile after living together.

Emily said...

I have lived with friends before...I am always jealous when it works well for people and they become closer, because after I live with someone....it seems the last thing I want to do is be around them!

Emily116

Kristi said...

I've tried to set up my sister several times. It never works out but I'm sure that eventually it will!

aggiekristi04

Anonymous said...

My husband and I were fixed up by some friends. I have been calling it a double blind date because my friend never met him and his friend had never met me. It must've been meant to be because we are now happily married.

-Donna W.

Wohlski said...

Setting up friends is always a challenge but I set up two friends 14 years ago and they got married 9 years ago. I'm still proud of that!

Carie Casey said...

A friend and I moved from KC, Missouri to Georgia when I was 21. My boyfriend was stationed there and we thought it would be fun. We lived together for a year and then ended up moving in with our boyfriends. She was a great roommate and she is still is a great friend.

Kristen said...

I was the victim of a terrible set-up with a friend, so I will never do it to anyone else! Makes it awkward all around. :)

betsy_blixt said...

I lived with my best friend for a few years and we kind of messed around off an on before and while we were living together. After living together for three years we decided to test out dating. That didn't work very well at all. We broke it off and he got upset when I said I wanted to move out. Thankfully I had been waiting to move across country for a long time so I took that opportunity to get out of a relationship that was holding me back from other relationships.

Dolly said...

In the past, I've had horrible experiences living with friends, but now at age 50, I have a friend living with me and it's working! I guess it's a matter of maturity.

jcsites2002 at hotmail dot com

Melissa said...

I haven't tried to set my friends up but I love that I'm still pretty close w/ my besties from high school!

-tmd636

TinaPow said...

Never!

karenk said...

no...i haven't set up any friends

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Joelle said...

My hubby and I lived together while dating all while living with my parents...lol. We'll be married 12 years come October.

Kristin said...

I tried to set up a couple friends but it never got off the ground. In the end, they wouldn't have been a good match.

A.C. said...

I set up my crush with my friend in jr. high. No clue why actually. They dated for about a year or so I think.