THE BREAK-UP BOOK CLUB by Wendy Wax

"Their shared love of books helps four different women through the most trying times of their lives."

The Break-Up Book Club

Posted: June 10, 2021

THE BREAK-UP BOOK CLUB is the story of four women, each at a different stage in life, yet all experiencing a “break-up” of a relationship. They are acquainted with each other through a monthly book club hosted by their local bookstore, Between the Covers.

Judith Aimes, the long-married empty-nester, accidentally discovers how her husband feels about her and their marriage, which isn’t what she expected.

Sara Whalen’s husband, Mitchell, has taken a new job in another city and is only home on weekends. When his doting mother has hip replacement surgery, she comes for an extended visit to recuperate and still hasn’t returned to her own home. Sara is now responsible for Dorothy, who has never made it a secret she thought Sara wasn’t good enough for her son.

Jazmine Miller, the single mother of a 13-year-old tennis prodigy, Maya, is a driven but successful sports agent. Once an up-and-coming tennis star herself, a tragic car accident 14 years ago took away her dreams and the love of her life.

Finally, there’s Erin Richmond, the single-minded force of nature behind her fiancé, Josh Stevens, star recruit of the Atlanta Braves and a client of Jazmine Miller’s agency. Her wedding is just around the corner when Josh makes an announcement that changes everything.

Through their common love of books and reading, the four women and the other members of the book club learn about one another and offer their love and support.

What an absolutely wonderful story this was! Each character had a great storyline dealing with the struggle they were having with a personal relationship in their life: man-woman, parent-child, coworker-coworker. I loved how involved each story was without taking over the entire plot. The writing drew me in immediately, and I was quickly immersed in each woman’s life. The women were all at different stages of their lives with different circumstances and journeys to get to where they were, and each and everyone was so real and genuine. Each woman faces their problems alone but gradually accepts the help and support and strength from friends. I loved how throughout the months over which the events evolved, the book club stood as a stable element in each of their lives. No matter what was going on, they knew that once a month, the group that comprised the book club would be there – a beacon and a lifeline. I recommend THE BREAK-UP BOOK CLUB to readers that enjoy stories of strong women becoming stronger.

Book Summary

Breakups, like book clubs, come in many shapes and sizes and can take us on unexpected journeys as four women discover in this funny and heartwarming exploration of friendship from the USA Today bestselling author of Ten Beach Road and My Ex-Best Friend’s Wedding.

On paper, Jazmine, Judith, Erin and Sara have little in common – they’re very different people leading very different lives. And yet at book club meetings in an historic carriage house turned bookstore, they bond over a shared love of reading (and more than a little wine) as well as the growing realization that their lives are not turning out like they expected.

Former tennis star Jazmine is a top sports agent balancing a career and single motherhood. Judith is an empty nester questioning her marriage and the supporting role she chose. Erin’s high school sweetheart and fiancé develops a bad case of cold feet, and Sara’s husband takes a job out of town saddling Sara with a difficult mother-in-law who believes her son could have done better – not exactly the roommate most women dream of.

With the help of books, laughter, and the joy of ever evolving friendships, Jazmine, Judith, Erin and Sara find the courage to navigate new and surprising chapters of their lives as they seek their own versions of happily-ever-after.