Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Divorce Party - Laura Dave - Review AND Giveaway


Summer's not done yet - here's another hot read for you!

Nate and Maggie are newly engaged. Nate's parents Gwyn and Thomas have been married for thirty five years. But their marriage has come to an end. Gwyn is throwing a divorce party with Thomas "to celebrate a peaceful end to a valued union." And this is the day when Maggie will meet her future in-laws for the first time....

This novel is told in alternating chapters from Maggie and Gwyn's viewpoint, all happening in one day. Both women have discovered things they didn't know about their significant other - albeit at a different stages of their relationships - the beginning and the end.

Dave has created charming, warm, wonderful characters that are believable. The female roles are the strongest. Gwyn is a self assured woman who is coming to grips with finding her own path after so many years as a couple. Maggie is an engaging young woman who is finding her footing as well. Supporting characters, notably Nate's sister Georgia, are also searching.

I had a hard time with Thomas. Although he is being true to what he believes to be the best path for himself, I disliked his dishonesty - I found it weak. Nate too has his secrets, but his reasons to be had less to do with selfishness, than his love for Maggie. I was more sympathetic to his cause, but still not thrilled with his duplicity.

When I picked up Laura Dave's second novel, I thought it would be a chick lit read based on the cover. I hesitate to label it as there was so much more to it. it was by turns funny, sad, poignant and hopeful. A fairy tale - no, but a definite page turner. You'll find yourself re reading some of the passages on relationships and thinking about your own.

Fans of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin would enjoy this book. (They both did as they've provided cover blurbs!)

As as a neat aside, Jennifer Aniston's film company has bought the rights to The Divorce Party.

You can read an excerpt of The Divorce Party.

This would be a good choice for a book club as well. There is an excellent reading group guide included in the book.

Or.....thanks to Penquin US, you can enter to win one of five (!) copies being given away. Open to both the US and Canada. Simply comment to be entered. Ends Saturday Aug 26/09 at 6 pm EST.

144 comments:

Patti V. said...

I definitely want to be entered in this giveaway! This book sounds great!

nfmgirl said...

I'd love a chance to win this one! Please count me in. Thank you!

nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

Pam said...

There is a piece of cake on the cover - need I say more? I'd love to read this! Enter me please!

melacan at hotmail dot com

Helen said...

I always want to read every book that is written! This is a good prize.

katsrus said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me too. Thank you.

Sue
katsrus@gmail.com

Anna said...

Sounds like a good one, and the cover...who doesn't like cake? ;)

Thanks for the giveaway!

--Anna
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com
Diary of an Eccentric

Suburban prep said...

Thank you for attaching the little snippet about what the book is read.
This sounds like a good read.

msgb245 at gmail dot com

Jo-Jo said...

I would love a chance to win this one.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

Nicole C. said...

I would love to read this!!

choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

mpartyka said...

I loved this book - fun and entertaining. I was able to imagine it as a movie when I read it.

Here's the link to my review along with an author Q&A.

http://bookwormwithaview.blogspot.com/2009/06/review-divorce-party.html

Margay Leah Justice said...

This sounds like a good book - interesting premise.
Margay

Unknown said...

This book sounds good, (not the divorce part even though I can relate, and I do admit that since I had no choice in my divorce I try to cheer myself up every year by celebrating my divorce-sary) I'd like a chance to read this book thanks!
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Sounds like an interesting book! Count me in on the giveaway!

randio said...

Sounds interesting!

Wanda said...

Sounds interesting. Please enter my name in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb (at) gmail (dot) com

wheresmyrain said...

been looking for a good book to read in a group. count me in.
wheresmyrain at yahoo dot com

Beth (BBRB) said...

This looks fun! Please enter me!

And very cool that it may be turned into a movie!

BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

Ashley said...

I would love to read this! i've read the excerpt and it sounds awesome

bellanovella@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading.
kathyluman@gmail.com

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

Sounds like my kind of read. Please enter me. :)

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

Luanne, I just wanted to say thank you for all your kind words to me over the past week. It meant a lot!

bermudaonion said...

I'd love a chance to win this! Thanks! milou2ster@gmail.com

Amber said...

Sounds like a really good read! And the cover is yummy too :)
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Looks like a good book.

chey said...

The Divorce Party sounds very interesting! Please enter me.

chey127 at hotmail dot com

janeh said...

I, too, am a bookworm....and I'd like to read this one.

scottsgal said...

I'd love to read this one - please count me in

msboatgal at aol.com

Bridget said...

Just posted on Win A Book.

Sue said...

I'd like to read this! Thanks for the giveaway~

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

CherylS22 said...

I'd love to read this book - please count me in!

Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com

Jenny N. said...

Please enter me. I would love to read this.

jen4777[at]hotmail.com

abfantom said...

I'd like to read this book. Please enter in me in the giveaway.

abfantom (at) yahoo (dot) com

Karen B said...

Sounds interesting - please enter me!

Unknown said...

I'd love to round out my summer reading with this. Please enter me!

jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

AmandaK said...

This sounds like one fantastic read!!

orchestratenoise0726[t]yahoo[dot]com

linett said...

sounds like a good read, thanks

DarcyO said...

Looks like a good read. Count me in!

dlodden at frontiernet dot net

Sara said...

Sounds like a great new author to discover! Thanks!

Mozi Esme said...

Would love to read this!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

mverno said...

lets check it out mverno@roadrunner.com

jemscout425 said...

count me in
pksanddancer(at)yahoo(dot)com

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

Please count me in.

cindyc725 at gmail dot com

sharon54220 said...

I would definitely love to be entered in this contest. I would really like to win this.

Thanks for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

cqueen2 said...

Please count me in:)

wadesherry@hotmail dot com

barbara said...

This book sounds great - I'd love to win!

Unknown said...

Looks like a good book, please enter me into this drawing.

Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com

Darlene said...

I'd love to be entered Luanne.
Thanks.

bj19662001 (at) yahoo (dot) ca

Unknown said...

'm not part of a book club but this book sounds interesting.

jwx4 said...

Please enter me.
jwx4 at yahoo dot com

mindy said...

this looks great thanks minsthins at optonline dot net

Laura's Reviews said...

Wow - this book looks great and like something my book club would love to read. Please enter me in the drawing. My email address is:

laarlt78 at hotmail dot com

Thank-you!

Anonymous said...

Sounds good. Would like to have it please, thanks.

Deborah Wellenstein said...

I'm anxious to read this-thank you!

JoanneR said...

Please include me in a chance to win!

Sunnyvale said...

I'd like to read this.

Debbie F said...

Please enter me!
thank
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

holdenj said...

Would love to read this, thanks for the great giveaway.

JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

Esme said...

Who would not want to read this.

thanks

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

The Book Chick said...

Plese enter me to win this one- it looks like a book I would love to saok in the bubble bath with! (Which is why so many of my books have water stains, LOL)

jonitathebookchick (at) gmail (dot) com

mrsshukra said...

Nice to read this especially when you're happily married!

delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bcteagirl said...

This would be great, I could use some new books to read and this seems like something I would love to read. Thanks for the contest eh?

Lady Roxi said...

Love to have this.

Thanks,

darkfyre1(at)gmail(dot)com

iggysaysno said...

looks like a good read; please enter me

Anonymous said...

Enter me please

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

danosor said...

Looks like an interesting read.I'd love to win this book.

Valorie said...

I'd love a chance to win. :)

Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com

catss99 said...

This sounds great, please enter me.

Amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'd really like to win this book. It sounds interesting to me.

May Schultz
may041827@yahoo.com

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

Lesley (aka Upper West Side Writer) said...

This sounds like a great read; thank you!

lesleymfan(at)gmail(dot)com

Kat Bryan said...

I've heard of divorce parties but not one where both people attend. This sounds interesting.

Emma said...

This book sounds wonderful.Please enter me in the giveaway.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Thank you.

JoanneR said...

This sounds like such a great premise for a book! Thank you!

Nickolay said...

This sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Smooshy said...

enter me!

AmentsChick said...

I'd love to win this! Sounds like a great book!

amentschick@gmail.com

Luvdaylilies said...

Please enter me to win a copy and Thanks so much!
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

Belinda M said...

Please include me in your giveaway


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bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

sweetsue said...

This sounds interesting-I've never heard of a divorce party!
smchester at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'd love to own and read this book. Please include me in this giveaway.
Thanks.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I enjoyed your review and hope to win this book!

Thank you!

Amy
Aimala127@gmail.com

Misusedinnocence said...

It sounds like a great book. :)

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Alicia said...

Sounds like a good read.

Thanks for the giveaway >^..^<

bloggyig at gmail dot com

tatertot374 said...

I would love to win and read this
Thank you for the chance
tatertot3741@hotmail.com

ossmcalc said...

I would really like to read this book. Please enter me into this giveaway.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

This sounds like an interesting read.

Tarah
tarah716[at]ymail.com

Cindy said...

Thank you for your honest review! It sounds like a good book to read, especially since I am probably about the age of the older main characters.

Thank you for your great giveaways!

Cindy
Socmom213@aol.com

Carol EL said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me. jelly15301@gmail.com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Please include me in the giveaway.
Thanks!

Amanda
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

mariag said...

Sounds interesting.
Please enter me to win.

Anonymous said...

Please count me in...thanks.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

alycep said...

This does look like a great book club selection.

apoalillo at hotmail dot com

Lee P said...

I really want to read this book. Sounds like good ChickLit to me. Thank you for this giveaway and please count me in.

chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

LittleEagle said...

I would enjoy reading this book. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lisanne624 said...

I can't wait for the movie, so I'd love to win the book!

lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

minishoes1 said...

This is my kind of book! I would love to read this! Thanks! jacquecurl1@gmail.com

Gaby317 said...

This sounds so fun. Please count me in. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

Gaby317 said...

This sounds so fun. Please count me in. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com

turboterp said...

Sounds like a great book! Please enter me to win a copy. Thank you!

Natalie A. said...

Sounds like a great book! Please enter me to win! Thanks!
coolnatty12@yahoo.com

Ms. Cindy said...

Sounds like a great book! Please count me in on this giveaway! Thanks!
monkeyami1@yahoo.com

Daniel M said...

looks like a good read! - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Park Avenue Princess said...

I'd love a chance to win!

xoxo Amy(Park-Avenue Princess)

IAmHiMaintenance at aol dot com

DCMetroreader said...

This sounds like a fun read.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

Brandy said...

Neat sounding book!

AEKZ2 said...

Sounds like a good read. Thanks!

idahomom said...

My sister needs this book.

Anonymous said...

Happy Summer!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Karrie said...

sounds like a good read

Rhonda said...

I love to read and in need of a great book. This sounds great. Please enter me

rhondastruthers at yahoo dot ca

Hotsnotty2 said...

I would love to read this, hope I win! Thanks for the chance!

Hotsnotty2@hotmail.com

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - Sounds intriguing - the kind of book that can transport you from your everyday life!

erma said...

This looks good.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

CanAmBlond said...

Looks like an awesome book, thanks for the chance to win it!

sasquatch1bmf[at]gmail[dot]com

Stitchin in the Sip said...

Reading the excerpt has peaked my interest......

Gloria's Bits and Pieces said...

Looks like a good one! I'd love to get it!
kngmckellar@hotmail.com

Meg said...

This looks like a fun read!
mjs1708[at]yahoo[dot]com

Sheila Hickmon said...

Sounds like a great book. I like books that have strong female roles, and this sounds great! Thanks for the chance!
hawkgirl_16{at}hotmail{dot}com

Unknown said...

Sounds like a really great read! Thanks for the chance to add to my home library!

sherri419 at gmail dot com

prplrush said...

Thanks for this great giveaway, the excerpt makes this book sound very interesting.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like something I'd enjoy reading. Sure hope to win it!

cindy62@hughes.net

Tiffany819 said...

This looks like a great book! Thank you!!

Tiffanys819 at gmail dot com

blogggggg said...

Sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance!

wordsmoveme at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great book.

ladycat713@yahoo.com

Becky said...

Sounds like an interesting read

renee said...

I would love to reads this, please enter me
reneetaylor at sympatico dot ca

carol said...

sounds like a good book. Would love to win it.

susan1215 said...

Sounds like a good book

flowerchild said...

this book sounds really great..please count me in
thanks

flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

Curling up by the Fire said...

I will read anything. Please enter me.

susansmoaks said...

sounds like a fun book

Helen said...

Oh, this one sounds good!

lilyk said...

Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

lilyk@mail2world.com

george ferris said...

Sounds interesting.
george ferris
littlegeorgie56@yahoo.com

Kathy P said...

Thank you for the AWESOME GIVEAWAY.. Please count me in :)

07violet said...

sounds interesting

alterna7 at hotmail dot com

Mishia said...

I'd love to read this book!

js22 said...

this book sounds great!
Thanks for the giveaway!
email in blogger profile.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like an interesting read. I would love to win it. garrettsambo@aol.com

Karen said...

Sounds great :)

ktgonyea at gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Mary
zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

This would be such an amazing book to win - please enter me and thank you very much :)

Maja said...

seems cool

Jaina's Mom said...

I really need a good book that I can relate to right now, would love to win this.

fredamans said...

Thank you for the entry.

freda.mans@sympatico.ca

I would love to read this, being a divorcee.