Review By Tina Avon

I am a fan of chick lit and usually don't really enjoy reading contemporary fiction written for women - but I made an exception for The Divorce Party because I thought the premise sounded so intriguing. I am soooo glad that I did. Author Laura Dave is wonderful, wonderful and creating characters that are touching, realistic and pure joys to read.

In Divorce Party - we get to read about two women who are, technically, at exact opposite places when it comes to their love lifes. Gwyn has been married for 35 years and instead of celebrating her 35th year, she is planning a divorce party. Gwyn is at a place in her life where she needs to re-evaluate herself and her own belief system about love, companionship and men in general and where they fit into her life.

Basically where does love for the man in your life end and where does the love for yourself begin?

At the same time, her soon to be daughter-in-law Maggie, is supposed to be in the early stage of her relationship with the man that she wants to marry--and this is supposed to be the best time of her life. She is in love and nothing can stop her - but yet, Maggie seems to be at a place in her life where she needs to re-evaluate herself and her own belief system about love, companionship and men in general and where they fit into her life.

Where does love for the man in your life end and where does the love for yourself begin? This premise had me completely involved and Dave manages to tell both characters' stories, in alternating chapters, in such a respectful and moving way that I fell in love with this whole storyline and the two strong characters who are not afraid to look at what they really want/need in their lives.

This is definitely a book written from a woman's point of view and it is extremely touching (and I HATE to cry when I am reading).

This is a definite read.

About The Author

Laura Dave is the author of the acclaimed novels The Divorce Party (Penguin Group/ Apr 2009) and London Is the Best City in America. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Glamour, Self, Redbook, ESPN the Magazine, and The New York Observer. Dave graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. In August, Cosmopolitan magazine named her as one of the eight "Fun and Fearless Phenoms" of 2008. She lives in California. Visit her online at LauraDave.com

4 Stars

The Divorce Party (Penguin Group/ Apr 2009) by Laura Dave

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