"Insightful look at five decades of America"

The two women were born in 1948 in Pine Ridge, Washington. The location, the year, and their gender are about the only things these two women have in common. So how could Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski remain best friends and confidantes into the new millennium?

Jillian, the daughter of wealthy parents attended college while Lesley an unwanted child who forced her parents to marry repeated the same mistake as her own mother by having two children while still a teen. Yet from the Eisenhower through Desert Storm and the Clinton scandals they exchange first letters and later email as they describe what is happening to each of them during the various decades of the latter half of the twentieth century.

BETWEEN FRIENDS is an insightful look at five decades of America through the eyes of two friends living totally different lifestyles as the country goes about its changing business. The story line is an excellent look at the times starting with their childhood during the I like Ike decade to their teen years hindered by Nam and Watergate and finally to the naughty adult era of the eighties and nineties. Lesley and Jillian constantly communicate the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat". These two wonderful female characters empower readers to see Debbie Macomber at her best as the dynamic author provides a powerful look at the American half century reminiscent of Billy Joel's tune, We Didn't Start the Fire, but with much more depth.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 19, 2002

Summary

Debbie Macomber tells the story of a remarkable friendships story in which every woman will recognize herself . . . and her best friend.

The friendship between Jillian and Lesley begins in the postwar era of the 1950s and lasts to the present day. In this novel, Debbie Macomber uses letters and diaries to reveal the lives of two women, to show us the laughter and the tears between friends.

Friends forever!

Jillian Lawton and Lesley Adamski. Two lives joined by friendship. The only child of wealthy parents, Jillian knows a life of privilege. Lesley is one of many and her life is filled with scrimping and sacrifice.

You're my best friend. I can tell you ANYTHING.

As they grow up through the 1950s and 60s, their circumstances, their choices-and their mistakes -- take them in virtually opposite directions. Lesley stays in their Washington State hometown. She gets pregnant and marries young, living a cramped life defined by the demands of small children, not enough money -- never enough money -- and an unfaithful husband, Jill lives those years in a completely different way -- on a college campus shaken by the Vietnam War and then as an idealistic young lawyer in New York City.

There are no secrets between friends.

Through the years and across the miles, through marriage, children, divorce and widowhood, Jill and Lesley remain friends. They confide everything in each other -- every grief and every joy.

This deeply moving novel proves once again that nobody tells women's stories better than Debbie Macomber!