'Alphabet Weekends' by Elizabeth Noble [3 1/2]

Natalie and her sisters have known Tom and his family forever. They climbed trees together, scraped knees on the same pavements and shaped bonds that would last a lifetime.

So when Natalie's long-term love walks out on her, Tom is the much needed shoulder she cries on. And he dreams up an ingenious way to dry her tears; a series of Alphabet Weekends - activities which, if not fun, will nonetheless distract her - and what bigger distraction to get them started than A for Abseiling? And even as she plunges down cliffs, Tom hopes Natalie might see what's been staring her in the face all these years.

His undying love for her.

But as they tumble from A to Z, their families and friends face broken hearts and tragedies of their own. Can the Alphabet Weekends unlock love in all its many and wonderful guises? And not only for Natalie and Tom, but for everyone they care about?

OK, so this is the first novel in the four month reading challenge that I've read and it's a chick lit read ....

This turned out to be an interesting book for many reasons. First I loved the concept of the story ... basically you've got a guy who loves this girl and he is trying to find a way for her to realize that she loves him too, and what better way than to come up with weekend activities that start with the letters of the alphabet.

The author has devised a great way of keeping all the characters in context so that it doesn't get confusing ... each has their own name about the paragraph before it starts. While Tom and Natalie are the main characters there are a lot of others as well and because it's well written you do become interested in all the people in the story.

But .... there is just something that seemed to be missing and I just don't know what it is. While I was reading I became engrossed and enjoyed, but as soon as I put down the book I completely forgot all about the novel and so it took me a few days to get through it ...
There is bad language in this book and adult concepts as well, so it's not one for the kids or even teens.

I rate this book 3 1/2 stars.

Things I want my daughter to Know by Elizabeth Noble (2)

What would you like to tell your daughter?

What do you wish you could tell – or have told – your mother before it’s too late?

How do you cope in a world without your mother?
When Barbara realizes time is running out, she writes letters to her four daughters, aware that they'll be facing the trials and triumphs of life without her at their side. But how can she leave them when they still have so much growing up to do?
Take Lisa, in her midthirties but incapable of making a commitment; or Jennifer, trapped in a stale marriage and buttoned up so tight she could burst. Twentysomething Amanda, the traveler, has always distanced herself from the rest of the family; and then there's Hannah, a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood about to be parted from the mother she adores.
But by drawing on the wisdom in Barbara's letters, the girls might just find a way to cope with their loss. And in coming to terms with their bereavement, can they also set themselves free to enjoy their lives with all the passion and love each deserves?
This heartfelt novel by bestselling author Elizabeth Noble celebrates family, friends . . . and the glorious, endless possibilities of life.

I have saw this book many times while I looked for other novels and I kept getting drawn by the Title of the book ... It did make my ponder what would I say to my children ... What Messages would I like them to know ???

The book draws on the four daughters left behind and the husband who are left to cope with Barbara's loss .... To me this was an average read .... I don't really know what I was expecting maybe some miraculous insights ... But sort of left me empty abit .... You can understand and relate to the family left behind and how hard it is for them to move on .... But through all the emotion and their differences they are brought to together ....

It is an Ok read ....

I rate this book 2 1/2 **