Noreen has just left her job of 18 years and her boyfriend mysteriously disappeared with it. With a year and half of severance pay, she is in no real hurry to take another misstep… but has no idea exactly what her next move should be. Soon Noreen finds herself in the company of two of her neighbors, Tess and Rosie and the three of them start walking every morning for fitness, for bonding, for fixing what they didn’t even really know was broken.
Author Claire Cook recommended this book to me when I interviewed her a couple weeks ago and she did not lead me astray. 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.
And, apparently in my Claire Cook review fashion – I once again have decided to duplicate the cover:
Book Journey had updated the 2010 Reading map to include The Wildwater Walking Club
While in Massachusetts visiting Noreen and her friends, be sure to check out Cool Books and Coffee … a must for any coffee/book lover!
239 pages
Cover story: Perfectly perfect! This is a great cover that truly drew me to the book.
I purchased my copy of this book from Amazon
Book Journey 
I really want to read this – after reading Seven Year Switch, I’m a Claire Cook fan!
I am too Kathy – I know I have one more in the library sale pile and as soon as I get through some of these others I am grabbing that one up 😀
This one sounds like my kind of read! I’m adding it to my wish list.
Thanks!
Natalie :0)
Its a great one for this time of year Natalie and as women, I think it makes us realize to never stop dreaming.
I too am a fan of Clair Cook after reading “Seven Year Switch”. I can’t wait to get the rest of her books!
Not only does she have an amazing talent for writing, she also has a great sense of humor!!
She really does Vicki and I have found a common theme between the book s- she teaches us things through classes…. I am curious to see if this continues in her other books 😀
I found Wildwater Walking Club to be a sweet, memorable book. There are some passages and plotlines that seem far-fetched, but they add to the charm of the story. Beneath this fun summer read, there is a long-lasting message of friendship, self-exploration and seeking to be one’s best self. I’m a Claire Cook fan too!
I liked it Linda – it was charming and I really want a job that will give me 18 months severance pay – LOL 😀
This sounds fabulous! I am already a Claire Cook fan, and after I read The Seven Year Switch, I’m going to have to order this one.
Love your fun “duplicated” covers.
Thanks Laurel – her covers are fun and I like that they are so summery!
I loove this cover. This book looks incredible.
Its a good one Esme!
I have this and have been wanting to get to it. I better get around to my summer reading books soon. Before you know it the snow will be flying! Great review! I’ll be bumping this up the tbr pile!
Oh Beth I hate to think that Summer is going to pass us by…. I must get outside as much as possible 😀
Definitely a fun, colorful cover!
It shouts warm weather and beaches to me Hannah – two of my favorite things 😀
Indeed it does shout those! 🙂
I love that quote from the book! I think I definitely need to read this one too. Fantastic review. I like how you redo the book covers 🙂
Thanks Christina – I am a book dork 😀
Sounds like another good one Sheila. Boy, you are making my TBR pile like The Leaning Tower of Pisa. 🙂
But Jill -we will share in the knowledge of such fascinating reads 😀
I look forward to reading this one, thanks!
jbdownie5@yahoo.com
It was another fun quick read Joann – perfect for summer!
Sounds like you can’t go wrong with a Claire Cook novel. Lovely review and I love your cover replication!
I have enjoyed discovering this new author (to me) Teddyree! I will definitely continue reading her books.
I love that quote!
I do too Laughingstars 😀 It makes you really think.
Hm, sounds interesting!
Amanda I have really come to enjoy Claire’s writing. Fun summer reads…. cant wait for the next one! 😀
Thank you for another fabulous review, Sheila! I’m so glad you enjoyed The Wildwater Walking Club! And thanks for all your kind comments, everybody! I appreciate your support and encouragement more than I can say!
xxxxx
Claire Cook
Go to http://ClaireCook.com to win a beach bag filled with all 7 of my novels, plus a beach towel!
Hi Claire, thanks for visiting and thanks for the link to the Beach Bag! I hope my readers will take a chance to win that – I signed up and am crossing my fingers 😀
Cute cover! I love flip flops lol. Glad to hear that though it looks like fluffy chicklit it has some depth.
Ladytink it does – I have been impressed witht he facts that Claire Cook adds to her books.
I need to read this book. Goes well with trying to get my mind focused on better organizing my life. Sounds like a good and effective pep talk.
Thanks for bringing this book to our attention.
Pat at this point I would say that Claire Cook is an author to read! I cant wait to try another one of hers!