Best Friends Forever

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:

Some bonds can never be broken...

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That's what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they're both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school's scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents' house in their small hometown of La Prairie, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She's just returned from Bad Date #6, when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, with a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. "Something horrible has happened," Val tells Addie,...


My Review:

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun, light and quirky. This book has it all, mystery, family and most of all friendship. All the twist and turns all three take kept me reading almost nonstop. In the very beginning a crime is committed and it drew me in. I had to know why it happened and who did it. Then Jennifer tells us the history of Valerie and Addie's friendship, first as young girls, then as teenagers and now as adults. Boy the high school years sure brought back memories. I felt like I was right there again but this time I was with Addie and Valerie. Now as adults after a high school reunion Valerie shows up on Addie's doorstep in trouble. The two go on the lam even though they have been estranged since high school. The book takes on a very Thelma and Louise feel but in a fun way. I really hated Valerie at times. She seemed like trouble to me. Then I would feel sorry for her because I don't think she could really help it due to her strange upbringing. I felt much compassion for Addie who overcame so much in her life. She grew from a shy, weak girl to a strong woman. This was a great story of friendship and the bumps it takes along the way. I will be looking to read more of Jennifer Weiner's books.

I received this galley to review as a courtesy from Simon and Schuster. A special thank you to them.