Between Husbands and Friends

A Novel

By: Nancy Thayer

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Now available for the first time in audio, this poignant novel by New York Times best-selling author Nancy Thayer tells the engrossing story of two women, two families, and a shocking revelation that changes everything.

When Lucy West and Kate Cunningham meet, the two spirited young women recognize kindred spirits in each other. Both Lucy and Kate married early and lack complete confidence in the brave new world of mothering. As their friendship deepens, their lives become fully intertwined. With husbands and children in tow, they spend glorious summers together in a large house on Nantucket island, sailing and feasting on lobster - and when their husbands are back on the mainland, the two women even get a chance to kick up their heels. The closest of allies, Lucy and Kate share their highs and lows, their joys and darkest secrets.

Or so Kate thought. One summer, in the midst of a devastating family crisis, Lucy reveals a truth she has long kept hidden from her best friend. And in the aftermath of this astonishing revelation, the lives of the Wests and the Cunninghams will never be the same.

Praise for the novels of Nancy Thayer

“The queen of beach books.” —The Star-Ledger

“Thayer has a deep and masterly understanding of love and friendship, of where the two complement and where they collide.” —Elin Hilderbrand

“Thayer’s gift for reaching the emotional core of her characters [is] captivating.” —Houston Chronicle

“One of my favorite writers.” —Susan Wiggs

“Thayer portrays beautifully the small moments, inside stories and shared histories that build families.” —The Miami Herald

“Thayer’s sense of place is powerful, and her words are hung together the way my grandmother used to tat lace.” —Dorothea Benton Frank

©1999 Nancy Thayer (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Introduction © 2014 by Nancy Thayer.

Excellent family story

I loved this book. Such real, likable characters, an engrossing story and exceptional narration. I did not want it to finish and recommend it highly

I like the older Thayer

I learned a lot about cystic fibrosis in this book and the narration was outstanding.

Ugh

Seriously. Thought a fun Nantuckety intertwined family(ies)' story would be an interesting twist on your basic boy-girl love story. ...throw in a heartless twist about a child's devastating disease with a righteous mother as a cheater. Blech. Total buzzkill. BOO. 👎🏻

Not as good as I expected

I read Nancy Thayer's Hot Flash Gang and loved it and expected to love this book too but I didn't. Much of the book seemed to meander and I couldn't see where it was going. From the beginning of the book Kate told her husband serious lies and roped an unwilling Lucy into being her alibi. Not my idea of a best friend. Then SPOILER ALERT Kate cheated on her husband for no discernable reason other than she was bored and wanted to be young again. The story line seemed to be sex as therapy and commitment seemed to be situational. Well into the book a crises brings everything out into the open (well almost everything) and I felt that the way Lucy handled the initial reveal was unrealistic. This may just be me, but I didn't particularly like the adults in this novel. For me, this was an OK read but not terribly captivating.

Hard to follow

While the setting and characters were good, the story was hard to follow as it jumped from events set in the past. The story also became very slow and uninteresting.

Not worth the credit

I listened through Chapter 15 and was as disappointed as I was through Chapter 1 for the amount of time spent for very little captivating activity in the story.

My interest waned off early, but my hopes kept expecting for the next chapter to improve - sadly no improvement.

Not a happy read

Of friendships, families and betrayal- not a happy read. It’s hard to care about the lives until the end

THE ABSOLUTE BEST!

I don't know how I found this book but it was magnificent! The characters, the heartbreak, the friendship, the marriage, the setting was just written so well. I devoured this book.

Métza Metza...

The content didn’t really resonate with me. Kinda dark and def not what I expected. It may be a better read for others, though.