Book ~ "Bridges: A Daphne White Novel" (2017) Maria Murnane

From Goodreads ~ It’s a piece of news Daphne never expected to hear: her globe-trotting friend Skylar, who vowed never to get married, is engaged! Time to celebrate in Manhattan - Skylar’s treat, of course. After years scaling the corporate ladder, she can more than afford it.

Daphne arrives in NYC with news of her own - the novel she’s finally finished appears to be going nowhere but the trash bin of every publishing house around. She’s devastated but plans to keep her disappointment under wraps, something that becomes trickier when she sees Skylar’s spectacular apartment. Could her life have been like this if she’d chosen a different path?

What Daphne doesn’t know is she’s not the only one with a secret. Skylar and their friend, KC, are also holding something back but what? As the trip unfolds, the truth about each woman emerges, along with tears.

And laughter. And love.

Daphne had gotten together with her two best friends from college, Skylar and KC, last year on a Caribbean island to celebrate her fortieth birthday.  Skylar has recently gotten engaged (something she said she'd never do) and wants Daphne and KC to come to New York to celebrate for a long weekend.

In college, Daphne had had dreams of being a successful journalist but ended up devoting her life to being a wife (she's now divorced) and mom and working part-time in a flower shop.  In the last year, she gotten back her writing passion and has written a novel.  She sent it to 36 agents and the rejection emails have been coming in.  Her feelings of frustration and lack of confidence intensify when she stays at Skylar's new apartment and sees how successful Skylar is and perhaps how successful she could have been.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it ... it was a fun book.  I liked the storyline and the writing style.  It's written in third person perspective.  I like Daphne, Skylar and KC.  They each had very different personalities and lives but were able to joke and poke fun at each other ... and are there for each other when it matters.  Though we met the three friends during their vacation "last year" in Wait for the Rain, you don't have to read that book to read this one as it works as a stand alone.

I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Book ~ "Wait for the Rain" (2015) Maria Murnane

From Goodreads ~ Daphne White is staring down the barrel of forty - and is distraught at what she sees. Her ex-husband is getting remarried, her teenage daughter hardly needs her anymore, and the career she once dreamed about has somehow slipped from her grasp. She’s almost lost sight of the spirited and optimistic young woman she used to be.

As she heads off to a Caribbean island to mark the new decade with her best friends from college, Daphne’s in anything but the mood to celebrate. But when she meets Clay Hanson, a much younger man, she ignores her inner voice warning her that she’s too old for a fling. In fact, this tropical getaway might be the perfect opportunity to picture her future in a new sun-drenched light. 

With the help of her friends, Daphne rediscovers her enthusiasm for life, as well as her love for herself - and realizes that her best years are still ahead.

Daphne is a couple days away from turning forty.  She and her ex-husband split up two years ago and he's now engaged to get married again.  Their daughter is in her teens and doesn't need her much anymore.  Daphne had had dreams of being a successful journalist but ended up devoting her life to being a wife and mom and working part-time in a flower shop.  She's in a rut and feels like life is passing her by.

To celebrate turning forty, Daphne, KC and Skylar, her two best friends from university, go on vacation to the Caribbean.  At first, Daphne has a hard time letting go of her past and feeling like a failure.  But as the days go by, spending time with KC and Skylar reminds her of who she had been and who she had wanted to be.  Meeting an older couple who have a great outlook on life and having a younger man take an interest her helps with her healing process so she can move on.

This is the second book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it ... it was a fun book to read.  I liked the storyline and the writing style.  It's written in third person perspective.  I like Daphne, Skylar and KC.  They each had very different personalities and lives but were able to joke and poke fun at each other.  Even though they hadn't gotten together in ten years, they were still there for each other.

I look forward to reading other books by this author.

Book ~ "Katwalk" (2014) Maria Murnane

From Goodreads ~ Katrina Lynden has always walked a straight line in life, an approach that has resulted in a stable career and pleased her hard-nosed parents but that has also left her feeling unfulfilled and miserable. 

When her best friend suggests they quit their Silicon Valley jobs and embark on two months of adventure in New York City, Katrina balks at the idea but ultimately agrees, terrified yet proud of herself for finally doing something interesting with her life. 

But when her friend has to back out at the last minute, Katrina finds herself with a tough decision to make. Much to her surprise, she summons the courage to go alone, and the resulting journey is transformative, both emotionally and physically. Along the way she makes new friends, loses others, learns what is really important to her, and finds a way to grow up without leaving herself behind.

Katrina is almost 30, shy, naïve, lacks confidence, and is working in an accounting job that she hates.  She did well in school and has stuck with this job because it's what her parents wanted and she's never let them down.  Her best friend, Deb, also hates her job and convinces Katrina to quit her job so they can move to New York for a couple months for an adventure.  Katrina goes ahead with the plan and quits her job but Deb doesn't (she finally gets the promotion she's been wanting).

With everything all arranged and paid for, Katrina gathers her courage and goes to New York on her own.  With a list of things she wants to see and do, "Kat" meets new friends and discovers who she is (and isn't).

This is the first book I've read by this author and I enjoyed it.  I liked the storyline and the writing style.  It's written in third person perspective.

I liked Katrina and it was fun to watch her journey as she becomes Kat.  She meets Shana (her neighbour) and Grace on her first day in New York and they welcome her into their circle, which at times pushes Katrina out of her comfort zone.  She becomes open to trying new things like yoga and rediscovering things she had abandoned years ago like painting.  While I imagine her parents are well-meaning, I wanted to smack them, especially her mom, for always putting her down.  Katrina has always been the dutiful responsible daughter and while she is taking a two month break in New York, her mother is constantly contacting her and reminding her to look for a job.  Shana, Grace and the others in their circle sound like a fun bunch!

I look forward to reading other books by this author.