Firefly Lane Library Binding – Large Print, January 1, 2008

The book was interesting to read, with all kinds of twists and turns a story about everyday life should have. To some, such stories about mundane things seem boring, but to me, people’s lives are the most exciting thing to explore through books. Still, the characters’ actions and choices, the direction the plot takes after two main characters enter adulthood, kept causing frustration in me that I couldn’t suppress.It isn’t that I couldn’t connect with the characters. I usually don’t need to like them to enjoy reading about them. The main issue for me was that they didn’t get any kind of closure. The author has hinted in a way that both main characters were happy with the choices they made in their lives. Alas, I didn’t feel it. Maybe – probably – it’s the problem of my personal perception.In the centre of the plot, there are two women, Kate and Tully. They meet at the most vulnerable age of fourteen, absolutely different in everything, from their background to their level of popularity at school. And they become friends for life. I liked the portrait of their controversial friendship spanning over three decades. That’s how it often is in real life. Two gentle rosebuds of women rarely can stay interested in each other to stay friends for so long. Almost always, one is the leader, while the other one follows them, making certain sacrifices along the way.The love triangle and how it played out at the end, is what hasn’t worked for me. Kate’s insecurities about her husband kept frustrating me rather than caused sympathy. And because this plot line dragged through the big part of the book, when it came to a heart-wrenching finale, I simply couldn’t automatically switch to the “and still, you’ve always been the only one whom I truly loved” idea. As I said, other readers might feel differently. But for me, it was like that.I’m grateful to the author for showing how beautiful saying goodbye to your close one can be. The death of someone you love will always be the most painful experience in any person’s life. There will never be anything positive about it. But Kristin Hannah has drawn a picture of a perfect parting, the way it should be in modern society. We proclaim that human life is the most precious thing, the highest value. While in reality, death is treated with embarrassment, with most people averting their eyes and pretending that it’s nothing special, which makes the experience even more painful.To sum up, the story of Tully and Kate, two women who chose different paths in their lives, is dynamic, with some heartfelt moments and a bright Hollywood movie feel.

Leave it to Kristin Hannah to leave me laughing then crying all within the pages of one book, again! Firefly Lane was a trip down memory lane for me. I grew up and was the exact age Kate and Tully were in 1974, so the songs, the lingo, the clothes and the times were all my memories brought back to life. My thoughts and feelings were all over the place while I read this wonderful book. The seventies were a crazy, mixed up time to be a teen and Hannah brought it to life again brilliantly. I could almost feel the angst of my teen years all over again and the despair of not being old enough, but thinking I was so grown up!Tully and Kate couldn't be more different, but when Tully moves in across the street from Kate in 1974 Kate's world will never be the same. Kate is not in the popular group, which as you know is a death sentence in middle school. Tully is new to town and she's different, which makes her a novelty and an instant popular girl. Kate is curious and watches her house with wonder. One night purely by accident after a tragic event Tully runs into Kate and they strike up a conversation. Tully shares her traumatic incident with Kate and the bond of friendship is formed with the secret. They are now and forever best friends and become known as TullyandKate.Kate's mom is a typical stay at home mom who works hard to keep her children on the right path. She's always doing what's best for her children and worries Tully may be a bad influence on her daughter. Tully's mom is an alcoholic and drug addict who barely knows her daughter exists. Tully has no relationship with her and is shuffled back and forth to her grandmother's house whenever her mom decides to just leave, with no explanation. Tully is always hoping for more from her mom, but her mom doesn't have the capacity to care. Kate's family eventually rushes in to help Tully and opens up her world to what family really means.The two girls, now women go their separate ways after college. Tully is all about her career in journalism and gaining fame and wealth, Kate on the other hand enjoys writing, but quietly wants love, marriage and children, not the most popular choice for women in the 80's, but it is what it is. She begins working with Tully in the journalism field, but her heart is not in it. Tully goes on to become a national star in the news world and Kate settle down to become a wonderful wife and mother, with all the challenges and joys that brings.This book really got to me. I don't cry over books, until now. I saw myself so much in this book it was scary. I was a fourteen year old, as Tully and Kate were in 1974 when the world seemed so hard for a teen, when every decision seemed to be so big and came with such consequences that you second guessed every one. The songs Hannah mentioned, the foods she brought up and even the language the girls spoke were the ones I knew and spoke myself. I had a best friend that I got into "trouble" with, I drove my mother to distraction, I pushed every limit and I survived. I'm sorry to say I lost contact with my best friend after college, but this was part of the reason for my tears. I missed out on the rest of what could have been a lifetime of memories with her. I did reach out to her on FB after I read the book, still waiting to hear back. Another amazing part of the book, for me anyway is the unsung heroes, stay at home moms! If you've raised a teen daughter or are in the process of doing so, CONGRATULATIONS! When my daughter was a teen I was sure she was abducted by aliens and replaced with a being I did not know! It was the most challenging time of motherhood for me. I worked full time while raising children, but I admire women who choose to be full time moms, I couldn't do it. It's ten times harder than going to work everyday! They all deserve medals and hazard pay!If you've ever had a best friend who has been there through thick and thin, has been your secret keeper, your dance partner, or even your therapist this one is for you. If you've raised a teen girl and think it's just you or your daughter, this one's for you. And if you want a book that will take you on a journey through every emotion you can feel, this one's for you. It's a masterpiece of love, friendship, family, hardship, redemption and hope and I loved every single word. I've loved Kristin Hannah for years and always find her books to be moving, with each one better than the last. This one really got to me and I can't wait to read the sequel! It was so fitting that I finished it on the first day of the new year, it just seemed like the perfect look back on my memories to get a better understanding of why I am who I am in this time and I am reminded that I too was once a teenage girl who drove her mother nuts! Happy Reading!

I highly recommend "Firefly Lane" by Kristin Hannah! 📚✨ This beautiful tale explores the enduring friendship between Tully and Kate, two women who navigate life's ups and downs together. With its rich character development and poignant storytelling, "Firefly Lane" will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of friendship. Grab a cozy blanket, a cup of tea, and get ready to be swept away by this unforgettable novel!

I cried and laugh with the characters and feel in love with them both! Such an amazing read! Definitely recommend!!

I got this book after watching the Netflix Series and being saddened that it didn’t get renewed. It took me a while to get into the book, but once I did, it was a hard to put down read! Highly recommend the book!!!!

What an emotional read! Couldn’t put the book down! Even though I’d see the Netflix mini series I couldn’t get enough of this story! As soon as I’d finished I immediately bought the second book.

Even if you didn’t like the show, you should read the book. I loved the show but the book was different, so good though!!

Good book… no issues with delivery or seller

Storyline flowed well to begin with - although I did find the characters somewhat unbelievable - perhaps that’s just the cynic in me though. A good female friend is precious, of course, but one who takes over your life and death is (in my opinion) a tad undesirable. The ending was all rather sickly sweet and just too trite - although pretty much in keeping with the rest of the book. Such a sanitised version of a tragic death. I finished the book but wish I hadn’t bothered. Wouldn’t recommend - especially if anyone is going (or has gone) through something similar.

I read The Nightingale a few years ago and loved that book, in fact it's one of my favourites. This book started off well but midway through I found it slow when Tully (one of the main characters) became a journalist. I also couldn't take to the character of Tully. She was bossy, manipulative and selfish and caused friction between her best friend, Kate, and Kate's daughter. She did improve towards the end of the book but I found the last few chapters very depressing. Not one of my better purchases.

I have read several of Kristin Hannah's books and have really loved them, but I have to say this book was very disappointing. While reading it I kept thinking that it was a revised edition of Beaches but much longer. The book could have been reduced by a third and I found myself skimming through large parts of it. The two main characters were hard to relate to - Tully was completely self absorbed and Kate seemed much too compliant in her shadow. What also bothered me was the emphasis on their beauty - pages and pages about their perfect shaped faces, clear skin, stunning eyes and fabulous hair. The male characters also had paragraphs describing their good looks - again I would have preferred real human beings. So much of the story was completely predictable, especially the ending. It was a book for adolescents.

I'm very torn about this book, on one hand I thought the development, plot and plausibility were really poor, but on the other I literally could not put it down.The thing that really frustrated me were the two main characters. I thought Tully got off to such a promising start, I felt so sorry for her as a teenager but as she got older she just become some sort of caricature. She didn't care about who she hurt, she didn't really seem to care about Kate, she completely misconstrued so many things. I understand that the author was trying to show how she was messed up by her upbringing but I don't think it quite worked. And she never really under went any change, I thought with the 'betrayal' that would be the time for her to realise what she's like, but she didn't and I find that really unsatisfying because I think characters should go through an emotional journey and find a resolution.Katie was also very irritating at times!! My goodness I wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip woman when she just watched Tully and Johnny get together. It was also pretty boring reading about her and her teenager and I don't think enough was explained about why she wouldn't let her teenager do stuff, particularly when she knows what she was like. I also thought she was pathetic the way she always forgave Tully. The two main characters really reminded me of Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield from Sweet Valley High which I absolutely loved as a child but now you can just see how 2 dimensional the characters are.Although nothing really happens and the betrayal is a bit ludicrous I have to admit I was hooked. I could not put the book down and ignored my boyfriend all night trying to finish it. I was also desperately trying to hide my crying at the end. So whilst a lot got on my nerves I know it can't have been that bad because I could not put it down, plus I keep thinking about it.I think whether you will enjoy this book depends on what sort of thing you like. If you really dislike trash and want characters to undergo a significant change then I don't think you should try this book (by trash I mean the storyline, the authors writing isn't too trashy). But if you're willing to just be entertained, even if things are unrealistic then I would say it's a great read.

Was recommended this book, and was told that the last 10pct of the book was really sad, and this book should come with a health warning!. however never been one to sit and cry and a book before thought I would give this one a try!We meet with Tully and Kate, in 1974 when they are both young teenagers both going through different but difficult times in their lifes, where they both support and build a friendship that will last the course of time. We go through the high school years with both of them, then through the colleage years with them, They both have the same aim in life, however the aim is more Tullys then Kates. We go through different stages in their lifes, boyfriends, husbands, children, jobs and agruements. But its only when tragedy strikes do you realise the bond that they have.This book really tugs at your heartstrings, the last 10pct of the book had me in floods of tears, and even after I finished the book still found myself thinking of this book, which to me is the sign of a good book. Would recommend this book, however do not read the last 10pct of the book in a public place - the best place in curled up, on the sofa, by yourself with a nice big glass of wine!