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Book Review & Giveaway: The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton

April 22, 2011 by Darlene

The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton is, at its heart, a story about the enduring ties of friendship. I love novels that explore the friendships that women have and this novel doesn’t disappoint in that area. The Four Ms. Bradwells is about four women: Betts, Laney, Mia, and Ginger, who have extremely strong ties to each other and have all been harboring secrets from each other for over thirty years.

While Betts is waiting for confirmation of her appointment to the Supreme Court something that she and her friends have always kept quiet about, rears its ugly head. Thirty years ago when the girls were at Ginger’s family home one of her family members turns up dead. It’s ruled a accident/suicide and the girls all continue to go on with their lives. Now it’s coming back to haunt them, especially Betts, and the secrets behind it all could have a devastating effect on the career she’s worked so hard to build. Not knowing what else to do the women all flee back to where it all began: Chesapeake Bay, where they begin to unearth many things that they’ve kept from each other.

What I liked most about the portrayal of these women and their friendship was how real the author made it seem. These women obviously cared deeply for each other but at the same time they could make biting remarks that they knew would cut into the other. What I mean to say is that the relationships between these women didn’t seem to good to be true as I find with some other novels about women’s friendships. These really seemed like women who have been friends for over thirty years and know each really well – well enough to know that these remarks may hurt but ultimately wouldn’t break the friendship.

As for the women in the novel – well I’m not so sure I really connected with any of them on any level but I appreciated the fierceness with which they protected one another. The story also jumped around a little too much and at times I wasn’t quite sure whether I was in the past or the present or which of the women the story was focusing on. I did like how the author writes about how certain events in our lives often send us in different directions than we may have taken without them. The mystery of what really happened all those years ago really adds a nice touch to this novel and was what kept me reading.

Even with some of the issues I had reading this I think it’s an extremely well written novel with a great premise. While the beginning of the novel had a slow start for me, the last half flew by and I quite enjoyed it. The Four Ms. Bradwells would make an excellent book club choice as there are so many discussion topics within it: mother/daughter relationships, friendships, marriage, children, issues facing women, violence against women, and so much more. I think that a discussion of this novel could be quite lively.

I read The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Make sure to visit all the other tour stops here to see what others thought of the novel. You can find Meg on her website, blog, Facebook and Twitter. You can also purchase your own copy of the book here in the US and here in Canada.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with an email address in order to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, May 14/11. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher.

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Filed Under: 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, 2011•eBook Tracking Challenge, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Zibilee says

    April 22, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    I just won this book over on another site, and I am really excited to get the chance to read it. I loved your review, and I love that you mention that the women's friendships weren't saccharine sweet. It's good to know the author strove for reality. Fantastic review, Dar!

  2. Linda says

    April 22, 2011 at 1:29 pm

    I love books about friendships and long-lasting relationships among women. The fact that these are educated and ambitious women adds to the appeal. I'd love to read this novel. Thanks for the giveaway.

    extra entry – Google follower
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  3. debbie says

    April 22, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Thank you for your honest review. It sounds like a book, I would like to read.

    I am a gfc follower +1
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  4. Tea says

    April 22, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    I want to read this book so badly. Thanks for entering me.

    teakettle58@yahoo.com

    I already follow you

    I have tweeted about the giveaway at topazshell5.

  5. Karen says

    April 22, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    I am looking forward to reading this book. Please enter me in the contest.
    I follow you on RSS feed and GFC.
    karen.hofmaier[at]gmail[dot]com

  6. PoCoKat says

    April 22, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    I would love to read this book! Please enter me!

    pocokat AT gmail DOT com

  7. PoCoKat says

    April 22, 2011 at 3:34 pm

    GFC follower

    pocokat aT gmail DOT com

  8. Blodeuedd says

    April 22, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    Perhaps this could be a book for me. it all depends on my mood, and I would sure have to be in the mood for fiction

  9. Colleen Turner says

    April 22, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    I have wanted to read this since I saw it on Goodreads! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway.

    candc320@gmail.com

  10. Colleen Turner says

    April 22, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
    candc320@gmail.com

  11. Karen B says

    April 22, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    Great review! Now I really want to read this.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  12. Karen B says

    April 22, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    GFC follower.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  13. Madison says

    April 22, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    GFC follower!

    mh_stitchesoflove@yahoo.com

  14. bermudaonion says

    April 22, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    This book seems to be getting mixed reviews and I've read others that felt similar to you. Hopefully I'll get it read soon and see what I think for myself. No need to enter me.

  15. Carol N Wong says

    April 22, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    I agree with you about reading about friendships between women. Being friends with other women is one of the best things about being a woman. I would love to read this book and enjoyed your review. Please enter me in this giveaway.

    Thank you,

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  16. Carol N Wong says

    April 22, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    I am a GFC follower of your blog.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  17. Carol N Wong says

    April 22, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    My Twitter name is Carolee888 and I tweeted:

    https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2011/04/book-review-giveaway-four-ms-bradwells.html? Giveaway of "The Four Ms. Bradwells'

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  18. Brenda says

    April 22, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    Please enter me!

    dancealert at aol dot com

  19. Beth F says

    April 22, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    The mixed reviews have gotten my interest. I'll have to move it up in the list. No need to enter me.

  20. Brenda says

    April 22, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    I'm a follower via gfc and a subscriber by email

    dancealert at aol dot com

  21. Brenda says

    April 22, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    I posted it to my blog:
    http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/04/peeking-between-pages-review-giveaway.html

    DanceAlertReads.blogspot.com

    dancealert at aol dot com

  22. Amy says

    April 22, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    I'm very interested in reading this book because of the strong female characters, their law school background and the intriguing storyline. Thank you for hosting a giveaway of it. Please include me in it!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  23. Amy says

    April 22, 2011 at 8:04 pm

    I'm a GFC follower!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  24. Linda Kish says

    April 22, 2011 at 8:52 pm

    I would love to read this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  25. Linda Kish says

    April 22, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  26. Bethie says

    April 22, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway.
    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  27. Sandy Jay says

    April 22, 2011 at 9:37 pm

    I'd love to read this. Thanks for the giveaway.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  28. Sandy Jay says

    April 22, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    GFC follower.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  29. Sandy Jay says

    April 22, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/ForWhlz/status/61544158392893441

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  30. Yvonne says

    April 22, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Sounds great! I'd love to be entered.

    yvone473[at]optonline[dot]net

    I'm already a follower.

  31. Staci says

    April 22, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    I felt that way about the book she wrote a couple of years ago…I just didn't connect with the characters. Not sure if I'm willing to read her again, but thanks for your awesome review!

    Please do not enter me in contest.

  32. skkorman says

    April 23, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  33. skkorman says

    April 23, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I follow you via GFC (skkorman)!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

  34. naida says

    April 23, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Great, honest review Dar. I know what you mean about not really connecting with characters but still wanting to keep reading.

  35. mamabunny13 says

    April 23, 2011 at 4:54 pm

    +1 I really, really want this book!
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
    +1 I follow you via gfc
    +1 tweet http://twitter.com/#!/mamabunny13/status/61834861136191488

  36. traveler says

    April 23, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Thanks for the review and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

  37. Charleydog says

    April 23, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Please enter my name in the book giveaway. Thank you!

    pboylecharley(at)hotmail(dot)com

  38. LBC says

    April 23, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    I would love to be entered. I am a GFC follower.

    Darrowenator at gmail dot com

  39. as always ♥ Carol says

    April 23, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    Blog follower GFC
    email: caroespejel15(at)yahoo(dot)com
    thanks for giveaway =D

  40. heathertlc says

    April 23, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    I'm glad that you enjoyed this one in spite of the issues you had with it. I can see it being a great one for discussion!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.

  41. Angela says

    April 24, 2011 at 12:04 am

    Great review.
    I am a GFC follower.

    aploughery (at) yahoo (dot) com

  42. melissasmeanderings says

    April 24, 2011 at 4:45 am

    Thx for the chance to win
    +1 GFC mk261274
    mk261274 (at) gmail (dot) com

  43. Aths says

    April 24, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    I totally loved this book! I liked that the friendship between these women were so much more realistic than I usually read about. You wrote a fantastic review!

  44. Tina says

    April 25, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    I'm really becoming a big fan of books that feature well developed characters and relationships. It sounds like a good one. I follow on Google reader/FC, and I've posted your giveaways in the sidebar on Tutu's Two Cents

    tbranco24 AT gmail DOT com

  45. Liz V. says

    April 26, 2011 at 7:04 am

    Looking for not-read-yet authors. Thanks.

  46. Georgia Girls says

    April 29, 2011 at 2:31 am

    Thanks for the bookclub recommendation!

  47. Margie says

    April 30, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    Sounds interesting…thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  48. Margie says

    April 30, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    blog follower via GFC
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  49. Rachel R. says

    May 1, 2011 at 7:07 pm

    Thanks for the review! Sounds interesting!
    rachel.rooneyr@gmail.com

  50. Jo-Jo says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    I would love to win this book Dar!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  51. Jo-Jo says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:21 pm

    I'm also a follower.
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  52. a real librarian says

    May 3, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    This book is everywhere! I'd love to read it!

    I also follow!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  53. ann says

    May 7, 2011 at 2:31 am

    Sounds enjoyable to read and I'd like to win it. thanks
    amhengstATverizonDOTnet

  54. ann says

    May 7, 2011 at 2:31 am

    i am a follower 2

  55. ann says

    May 7, 2011 at 2:31 am

    i follow your blog

  56. Hoot says

    May 8, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I am a follower of your blog and would love to win this book.

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  57. Hoot says

    May 8, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    I am a follower via GFC and on a RSS feed

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  58. Hoot says

    May 8, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/hootowl1978/status/67249049757171712

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  59. BrittanyGale says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:42 am

    I follow via GFC quixoticdreamer

    I tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/QuixoticWeetzie/status/67464405989863424

  60. BrittanyGale says

    May 9, 2011 at 5:43 am

    forgot my email 😛

    quixoticdreamer(At)hotmail(dot)com

    Thanks 🙂

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