Firefly Lane

I expected to love this book because I love everything else I've read by Kristin Hannah (The Nightingale, The Great Alone, The Winter Garden). I went into it with such high hopes, but I have to admit that I found this one disappointing.

This story follows the friendship of Kate and Tully through three decades. These two women are so different, yet they become best friends. Kate, quiet and introspective, comes from a loving family while Tully, outgoing and ambitious, comes from a broken home with an addict for a mother. They experience ups and downs in their relationship, but they always come back together.

The problem I have this book is with the plot. I find it unoriginal and predictable with characters who do not have depth or development. The plot reads much like the movie Beaches. If you've watched that movie, you can pretty much predict this entire plot. I do not like when I can see everything coming. It takes the fun out of reading. I also found that the characters were extremely predictable in their behaviors. They did not grow or change much as the story progressed. I found their friendship a bit unbelievable because no one I know would remain friends with a person who treats them the way Tully treats Kate.

Now, you may be wondering why I gave this book 3 stars if there is so much I do not like. I gave it that rating because, like Hannah's other books, the writing itself is excellent. Reading a Kristin Hannah books is such an enjoyable experience because of her talent with prose. I also like the pop culture references to the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

Would I read this book again? No. Will I read Kristin Hannah's work again? Absolutely!