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Have you heard about Lauren Grodstein's new novel, A Friend of the Family?



A Reader's Respite just finished reading it and what a riveting novel it is, too. This is one of those psychologically taut novels -- not what we'd call a thriller, by any means -- that keeps you on the edge of your seat just having to read "one more page."

Pete Dizinoff is a successful husband, father and doctor in suburban New Jersey. All of Pete's hopes and dreams are pinned on his teenage son, Alec. But when Alec finds himself entangled with the wild-child daughter of Pete's best friend, just how far will Pete go to ensure his son's future?

Okay, so this book would make a great book club read...lots of grist for the mill, so to speak. Grodstein writes a tight plot which closely examines the fluidity of our morals and values, as well as the consequences of our actions. Bad things do indeed happen to good people in this novel.

There is enough tension to keep you turning the pages. And the ending? It's, ummmmm, good. Not great, but good. We admittedly were a tad disappointed that the ending wasn't as high of quality as the rest of the novel. Quite frankly, that is why this will be a book we mention to our friends, as opposed to a book everyone is talking about.

But don't let this small criticism keep you from picking up the book. Mediocre ending or not, the book is worth your time.




It's your turn to read it! Leave us a comment if you're interested and we'll draw a random winner here on November 30th, so check back here then to see if you won. (International entrants welcome!)

25 comments:

  1. Sounds like an interesting book. I would be interested in reading it.. Thank you

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  2. Oooh - me please! Would love to read this one :)

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  3. I like the set up of this one. It sounds like something that would make a perfect Christmas present - something to wrap up with during the holidays with a nice cup of tea.

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  4. I read the review of this one somewhere else, and was compelled enough to put it on my wish list. So I'm going to put my name in the hat for it...thank you! rnawrot at cfl dot rr dot com

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  5. I would definitely love to be entered to win this book.

    Thanks for the chance.

    sharon54220@gmail.com

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  6. sounds great, please throw my name in the hat!

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  7. I'm interested in reading it. Thanks for the chance to win!
    ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

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  8. No need to enter me - I have the book. You've just made me anxious to read it though!

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  9. This was much better than I was expecting it to be. I was all set to give it away unread and then took a moment to read the first few pages . . . sucked right in! It holds one's attention is solidly good. The end wasn't strong, but it was fitting.

    No need to enter me.

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  10. I like mediocre!! ;-)

    Thank you for the entry!!

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  11. I'll go ahead and enter for this one. Between your review and Beth's comment I'm intrigued.

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  12. I'd love to win this! Sounds like a good one!

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  13. Sounds great - I'd love a chance to read it, thanks.

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  14. Sounds like a great page-turner. I'd like to read this book. :D

    linna.hsu at gmail dot com

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  15. I would like to read this one! Please enter me.

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  16. This is a phenomenal giveaway!

    mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

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  17. Well you got me interested. Enter me for this one too :)

    givingreadingachance AT gmail.com

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  18. Sounds like something I'd definitely be interested in. Please enter me, and in the meantime I'll put it on my severely oversized wish list. =)

    Thanks!

    toadacious1 at yahoo dot com

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  19. This does sound interesting. Lovin' the cover.

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  20. Sounds a very interesting read. Please count me in.

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  21. Please include me!

    allygotts567 at hotmail dot com

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  22. Intrigue, intrigue and more intrigue...have to adore family sagas!

    mabelilly28 at yahoo dot com

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  23. sounds like an interesting book...please count me in...thanks.

    karenk
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. Sounds like a good read...would like to read it as a possible book club pick. Thanks!

    niteswimming at gmail dot com

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  25. I'm always looking for something interesting for our book club.
    Thanks!

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Fire away!