The Wildwater Walking Club

While at first glimpse of this fun summary cover and the synopsis above you are probably thinking chick lit.... light and summery, a fun and easy read. AND - you would not totally be mistaken. However, as I flipped through the pages of this smooth book, I found a deeper message that as I closed the final page, actually caused me pause.

While Claire has once again brought together a read of wonderful women friendships, she also sneaks in a message about self-worth - and not finding your worth through a job, or through someone else s eyes - but through creating you... to be who you know you can be.

Laugh if you will," Brick said. "But your ability to tell the world who you are is the first step in figuring out what you want your life to be."

page 64 The Wildwater Walking Club

And while the message at the time I read it didn't stick and hold, it did later as I read on and watched how Noreen, as well as her friends grew through the strength of each other.

Another enjoyable read by Claire Cook. My second of hers this summer and there is another one sitting in the Library Sale box that I may just have to pull out yet.

The Wildwater Walking Club is the first book I've read by Claire Cook. I liked it enough to want to read it to the end. I liked the main characters of Noreen, Tess, and Rosie. However, I really wanted to like it more than I did.

I also walk with a group of girlfriends on a regular basis. We start off early in the morning just like the girls in the book. We thoroughly enjoy this valuable time we spend exercising together. One of the reasons I was so drawn to this book in the first place is because of this common passion for walking and how it enhanced the lives of these women. Walking has certainly enhanced my life and the lives of my friends. I wanted to share this book with them because we could relate so well to this wonderful bonding opportunity. When we "walk and talk" some of our conversations have been about the different books we've read. We not only discuss the content of the books but we actually pass the books around so we can all enjoy them. I very much wanted The Wildwater Walking Club to be one of these special books. I'm disappointed to say that I can't recommend it to them. I had my friends in mind when I purchased it but I know it is not up to the high standard that they would expect of a recommended read.

I can't tell you how many times I cringed while reading this. Ms. Cook's writing style is horrible. Lame dialog, paper-thin characters, dopey plot. The only positive I got from the whole thing was when I Googled Sequim to see if it was a real place and was delighted to learn there really is a Lavendar Festival which is now on my must-visit list. Otherwise a terrible waste of time and money. I won't make the mistake of ever buying another one of her books again.

Thank you so much for the cute sticker and wrapping the book in tissue paper. I received the book on time and you made me smile. Again, thank for the extra effort it is appreciated and did not go unnoticed,

Thank you so much for the cute sticker and wrapping the book in tissue paper. I received the book on time and you made me smile. Again, thank for the extra effort it is appreciated and did not go unnoticed,

Now, this one I liked, after reading two others by Clair and not being impressed.

This book was recommended to me because I enjoy the three major premises of the book--female friendship, walking, and lavender. For that reason, it was a nice read. However, I found the book a little flat---not one that made me steal time during the day to read a chapter or two. For that matter, I completed it just because I kept thinking that it would get a little better.
Perhaps it was just a too simplistic look at life.

Sometimes things happen in life that you don't expect. Its not so much our reaction to them at the time of the happening but what we do after the situation has subsided.

"The Wildwater Walking Club" is a story of Noreen, a women who is counseled by her boyfriend to take a buyout only to find that after she is gone her boyfriend, Michael, take the position that she was in previously and them he unceremoniously dumps her.

In this world of hurt and the looming question of what to do next, she buys a few pairs of shoes (she worked for a tennis shoe company) and starts walking. Along the way, she finds therapy, friends, lavender and her own voice.

This book is on the same level as "Eat, Pray & Love" - its about a women finding out how she is and what she wants - and not apologizing for any of it.

Great book - can't wait to hear more from this author.

I just finished reading The Wildwater Walking Club and I wished it hadn't ended. I know I am going to miss reading about these people! It is an easy, breezy, makes-you-feel-happy kind of book. I loved it! Would recommend this for a book club read.

The book arrived in great shape! Thank you, I'll purchase merchandise from you again!