The House on Olive Street (Harlequin Mira)

This author is equal to nora roberts and above all others. Her stories are real and you can put a face and soul to her charaters. I discovered her by pure accident when Walmart had her first three books of the Vergin River series. Fell in love instantly and have read most of her books planning to finish them all.

I have read around 15 of Robyn Carr's books just in the last few months (just discovered her) and this is the ONLY ONE I just simply could not get 'into'. Finally gave up and skipped to the end to see what sense I could make of it.

Must be just me since it has so many stars for its rating.

The novel was realistic and I could identify with segments of the story! The only thing I did not like was that the story was not quite finished for some characters...maybe a follow up? The ending as in many of the novels lately was rushed as if the author was tired of the story!

This is by far the worst book by Robin Carr that I've ever read. There were too many characters they were all introduced at the same time with not enough detail to really get a feel for their personalities. The plot was scattered all over the place. I almost gave up a dozen times and finally when I got about 50% through the book the plot started making sense and I could almost keep track of the characters. I finished it just because I'm stubborn!

A great story about friends continuing on after a tragedy. All totally different, each facing their own challenges and coming together. Robyn Carr blends each character into a story of love and friendship!

I usually enjoy all of Robyn Carr's books. However, this book was very slow and rather boring from the start. It took a long
time to get into the book. I would not recommend this book to anyone to read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is wondering where they are in life. I found the characters were realistic and was able to understand the self doubts they had. There were surprise twists and deep secrets that came out. A good read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is wondering where they are in life. I found the characters were realistic and was able to understand the self doubts they had. There were surprise twists and deep secrets that came out. A good read.

I couldn't believe it when I got this book based on the good reviews it got!! It has such horrible cursing in it, I can't possibly enjoy the book!! I'm sure certain people won't let them bother them, but I just can't believe the horrible language this book is full of. I gave it a chance to get better but after reading 16% of the book, it still was riddled with horrible cursing. I mean it just never ends.

I'm not sure what the author was thinking when she wrote this book because I've read other books by her and she certainly didn't use any curse words in those!! She might have thrown in a couple of hell's or damn's but I'm serious when I say that she maybe put 2 or 3 curse words throughout a whole 400 page book!! I'm not such a prude that I let that ruin the book or felt I couldn't understand why she put a couple of curse words that really fit the situation in the book.

I can't possibly understand why this Robyn Carr felt like she had to use such foul and distasteful (to my way of thinking...) and filthy language but it just made me sick!!

I just wanted to warn people in case really bad cursing bothers you so you will know before you buy the book!! I WISH I could get my money back since I read so many books!!

I hope this will help you make your own mind up about the book. I NEVER buy books by my favorite authors by buying just the "sample" because I've never had to worry about the language in them until now. I've been reading Kindle books ever since the Kindle came out. I have several favorite authors and have read every book these particular authors have written. This is just a "heads up" for everyone and I hate to have to knock this author but now I'll only get the "sample" book by her before I dare buy one!!
Good luck and God speed!! :)

Gabby has died. It has come as a complete surprise to her 4 friends, Elly, Sable, Barbara Ann and Beth. These women are all authors who have shared a great deal of their lives with one another. Gabby was the glue that seemed to hold them all together as a group.

Now after her death, she has requested a favor from the 4 of them. She wants them, led by Elly, to go through her papers, get things organized and figure out what to do with everything. She does not believe there will be anything of value, but if there is, it should be part of the inheritance for her two adult children.

The other 3 women are willing to help Elly. But, they are not certain how much they can help over the summer. Each of them have lives and commitments and they are all finding it difficult to get past the loss of their good friend.

Elly is a single woman who has known Gabby the longest. She has always prided herself on being unemotional and holding herself separate from everyone, that is everyone except Gabby. Her writing has been academic in nature.

Sable is a wealthy woman who has become a superstar in the world of authors. Her novels have provided her with a wonderful life, unless you count the fact that Sable has very few friends and Gabby had been mentor as well as best friend.

Barbara Ann writes romance novels. She is a wife and mother to 4 adult sons. She loves her family very much, but she feels uncertain as to how to deal with her family, her home and her sanity.

Beth writes mysteries which are successful. She is the youngest in the group. She keeps herself separate because she is shy and very frightened of life.

Each of these women are hiding things in their lives. All of them carry layers of anxiety and although they have been close to one another, there are still secrets.

All 4 women are interesting and well developed characters. The support they provide for one another makes the story sing. There is no judgment nor recrimination. There is simply loving and caring provided for one another. The depth of friendship they have for one another, at times, surprises as well as amazes. These are strong women who are willing to share their strength and admiration with one another.

The personal problems are written in a realistic manner and could be the same problems found in many groups of people. There are weaknesses in human beings. And at times human beings make choices which can be harmful to them or to others. That is part of being human.

This story shows what caring and supportive friends mean in times of trouble. Ms Carr has provided an overwhelming portrait of the healing powers of friendship.

The book realistically presents what it must feel like to face fear head on and try to overcome the causes of that fear.

There are few secondary characters, but the ones that are a part of the story play pivotal roles in the action.

I had never read a book by Ms Carr until now, but I am grateful that I found this book. I hope to read more of her stories and to find equally strong and powerful themes of love and friendship.

Rating: 3.5 stars __Contains PG-13 sexual content
Note: Stands alone read.

GOOD READ. Engaging storyline about close friendship, diverse and colorful characters, funny situations, strong extended family theme, and a surprise twist or two. HOWEVER, parts of the storyline are very predictable, a lot of bleepable language, but the major problem is the first several chapters are incredibly and painfully slow. But, don't give up or you will miss a poignant story about sisterhood, secrets, facing demons, and making changes.

THE STORY revolves around five friend, all writers, who meet regularly at the house on Olive Street to review and critique each other's work. Gabby, a respected journalist, writer of women's issues, novelist, is the glue that holds them all together. Elly, a professor, writes and reviews non-fiction; Sable, is rich, famous, isolated, and writes women's novels. Barbara Ann is a harried housewife, mother of four grown boys all living at home, and a romance writer. And finally, Beth, the youngest, is painfully shy and an abused wife, writes mysteries.

As the story opens, Gabby dies unexpectedly, and Elly moves into her house to sort through her personal papers, photographs, and unpublished manuscripts. One by one each of the other friends faces a personal crisis and moves into the house to help with the task. They spend the summer together, supporting each other, sharing secrets, and learning about Gabby's secrets through her writing. It is a summer that profoundly changes all of their lives.

OVERALL, this is NOT a romance, but it is an engaging, and deeply touching story of four unique women who share a special time in their lives.

You may also enjoy the complex characters and storytelling of N. Bruhns, A. Stuart, or E. Palfrey. For sweet, funny, heart touching romances, try Susan Fox, Cara Colter, or Nikki Logan.

I started this book years ago, and for some reason never finished. I was pleased to stumble across the title again and am equally glad I read it to completion this time. I enjoyed all four of the main characters. Each had flaws, but was likable and I wanted to know what happened to each of them. I even teared up a few times, which is not normal for me. A well-written book with flushed out characters.

I don't usually write reviews for books, but felt compelled to write one for this book. I have been a reader all my life, and will admit...use books to escape life, when I need a mental vacation. So, reading a book about "real" life is NEVER on my list of things to do. this book was so hard to read for the first 1/3, that I actually stopped, to bring up the store.com, to look at reviews, so I could decide if I wanted to finish it. After reading so many reviews that said the beginning was slow/not like Robyn Carr/hard to read, I figured I was right on track, and with so many high reviews for the book, decided to finish it.
I am so very grateful I did. I came from a lower middle class family of abuse. Have spent the better part of my life trying to learn to like myself, and trust others...to live a life that is a full as I believe we are "supposed" to live. This book helped remind me of how far I've come/how well I am doing/that if I don't like where I am...change is only a decision away.

The book starts by giving you a glimpse of every woman that plays a part, but not what is driving them. It shows the "ruts" they have gotten into, and their level of unhappiness, or acceptance of their current path. About 1/2 of the way through the book, each life starts changing. Like a snowball...once the changes start, the ball picks up momentum from the changes the women see in each other's life, until each woman has evaluated their life. The evaluations are painful to read, but cause each woman to move toward a life that gives purpose and fulfillment to their lives. By the time I finished the book...I had been caught up in the same snowball, and started making changes in my life...changes I had believed "could wait till ....some other time...when it would be simpler". The reality is...most of us take people in our lives for granted...and we allow others to take us for granted. This book makes you reevaluate what you will..and will NOT allow. It drives you to look for more passion in your life..to become passionate about spending your time more wisely, and really becoming involved with the people and tasks you are involved with on a daily basis.

It is certainly not Robyn Carr's usual fare....And it makes me wonder....if her newer books..are a more watered down version of what she wanted to write...but we, as readers...did not have the stomach to read.

the house on olive street by robyn carr
Friends who are authors are going to surprise one of their own and bring a catered dinner to her house as it's her birthday. Problem is Gabby's dead.
The friends take care of everything and the book continues on with each still writing and the problems each one of them has and what they are doing to
overcome them.

One is a heavy drinker, one is getting abused and another is starting an affair with her body guard.

Found a novel that had been started by their dead friend. could they finish it for her?
It's an autobio of their friend and her past history is revealed.

Sable is the star of an expose show on TV and her earlier life is brought to the screen. Even her closest friends had no idea. She runs to Gabby's house
and the other woman come to her aid and she tells them why she covered it all up.

She helps to clean out Gabby's closet and help the daughter who has a Downs syndrome child.
One of the woman leaves her husband and grown children, she's been a maid for them for too long. She helps them with the box Gabby left them

Grandmother shows up, mom goes to court for drug possession and speeding, everybody pitches in.
another confronts her abusive husband.
The women have just been there totally for one another to help them overcome their problems and move on with their lives.

I really like the decisions made for each of them and how they can continue on, the bond was in place.

This was an enjoyable 'chic-lit' story. Five female authors (some famous, some working on it) gather regularly to discuss their latest works, read reviews, and swap experiences. When one of them dies suddenly, the remaining four are given the task (by codicil to the will) to sort through all of her papers, letters, and manuscripts to decide which ones go to the family (personal letters, etc.), which ones go to the university library, and (if applicable) which to rework or edit for publication. Various family crises bring all of the women under one roof for the summer. Living and working on the papers in the deceased author's home, they grow in their friendships, their professional lives, and their personal lives. A well-written book on female friendships.

In Sacramento, California, four members of a writing group arrive at the home of the fifth participant to celebrate the author's fiftieth birthday. However, a shocked Barbara Ann, Beth, Elly, and Sable find Gabby dead from natural causes. The loss of a beloved friend devastates each of them.

Gabby leaves behind a note for Elly. She asks the writer to organize her personal papers with the help of the others in the group. friends. Each one of the women has their own reason to honor Gabby's last request. Romance writer Barbara Ann finds her personal life with a spouse and four kids out of control now that Gabby is no longer her sanity anchor. Mystery writer Beth hides an abusive relationship. Only her novels and Gabby helped her to contend with the difficulties. Elly lost her best friend and fears the loneliness that engulfs her. Best-selling superstar Sable hides her less than glamorous past that Gabby knew, loved, and encouraged her to reveal to the world. The inheritance that Gabby has given them is a chance to renew their lives to the fullest.

THE HOUSE ON OLIVE STREET may be the relationship drama of 1999. The story line focuses on the writers and several secondary characters reexamining their lives after the individual serving as their focal point dies. The characters seem genuine and their motives touching. Readers perceive Gabby through the eyes of much of the ensemble cast. That adds a haunting and poignant feel to the plot. Robyn Carr shows her skills as she brilliantly juggles the subplots and traits of her characters into a consistent and entertaining novel that deserves best seller status and critical acclaim.

Harriet Klausner

This story focuses on 5 women writers who gather together as a group to focus on their writing. When coming together for a surprise birthday brunch for Gabby, they find tragedy as she has died in her home. Although the women are quite different in temperaments, life styles and writing genres, they have been bound together by Gabby and her death devastates them but also makes them reevaluate their own lives. Sable has a tarnished past that has come back to haunt her, Beth has an abusive husband, Barbara Ann is overwhelmed by her family of older boys and husband who do nothing to help her manage the house, and Elly has a secret suitor that she is afraid her friends won't accept. The women end up working together and living together in Gabby's house, trying to pull together an autobiographical novel that remained unfinished. While things get worse for each, eventually they work together to put their lives on a new course. This was what I would call a good summer beach book.

Four friends, four authors, drawn closer together by the loss of their best friend. As an author of more than 30 years, I felt a kinship with all of the characters. So much truth about the publishing world. Surprisingly, this is my first time reading Robin Carr. Can't wait to read so many more!!

Narrator Christina Moore did a fabulous job with the characters! I will definitely be looking for more audio books narrated by her.
You are the author of this revi

The book opens rather ominously with the death of fifty-year-old Gabby, a writer whose life is closely intertwined with that of four other women, all of them successful writers, and all of them with dark little secrets begging to be revealed. Their grim task, as outlined in a letter Gabby leaves behind for close friend Eleanor, is for Elly to go through Gabby's papers, personal documents, unpublished manuscripts, etc., and deal with it all. As Elly enlists the help of the other three women and they settle down to fulfill their late friend's final request, they begin sharing parts of their lives that have remained hidden through all their years of friendship.
The four women are wonderfully human, non-cardboard characters who deal with the little - and sometimes big - struggles of life and find succor and support in one another.
We have Barbara Ann, the midlist romance writer who seems to be the one on top of it all - happy family, book after book hitting the shelves - and who is, in fact, about to explode from frustration. While Barbara Ann simmers, Sable Tennet is discovering life without make-up. This polished woman (think Danielle Steel's career and Sable the Wrestler's looks) finds that she can live in sweats and knit shorts, walk around barefoot and not lose face in front of her friends. Meanwhile, mystery writer Beth finds her writing to be the only refuge from her abusive pig of a husband, until the strength of the other women begins to slowly seep through her. Last but not least, intellectual Elly, the academic writer who hates children, is tired and afraid of continuing her life as she has lived it for years - keeping everyone at a distance.
As summer progresses, the women begin facing their inner demons; Beth, the youngest and shyest of the four women, makes a decision but keeps the reader guessing as to whether she will go back on her word. For Sable, it's facing the ghosts, coming to terms with events from nearly twenty years ago and setting free the girl she once was. While Barbara Ann makes a drastic change in her life after she ends up in jail because of her inconsiderate, slovenly family, no one expects dry spinster Elly to change much, and in the end, her story is all the sweeter for it. Gabby's house gets a little more cramped with the arrival of her mother, Ceola, with eight husbands to her name and a knack for manipulating the four women into catering to her every need. Four healthy women are not enough to contend with Ceola's softly voiced demands and she ends up staying, and becoming part and parcel of the group.
There is also work to be done, however, and while contracts are drawn and manuscripts resuscitated, a single masterpiece emerges: Gabby's own love story, told in a book that will be fiction to everyone else, but to the friends, it will provide the final chapter to the story they only knew bits and pieces of.
I liked this book - a lot. While the ending might seem rather tidy considering how real each woman's set of problems was, it is not totally unrealistic. Each of them has changed for the better, but has not lost what made her unique in the process. While Fiction rather than Romance is still not my "thing," I will make an exception in the case of author Carr, and will definitely check out her next book

I knew this book was something special when, less than a third of the way through, I found myself thinking about the characters as I was driving around town, thinking about their problems and how I would like to help them solve them as if I were a friend of theirs. The women in this novel are so well-written, so multi-dimensional, you feel as if you've known them for a long time. Each of them has strengths and weaknesses, enjoys grand sucesses and suffers indignities large and small; but what is especially well done is we see how their problems result not only from outside sources but from their own personal faults and idiosyncracies, and this makes the solutions they struggle to find so much more real and riveting. Although the women in this book are all, to a greater or lesser extent, sucessful writers, their story is something anyone can relate to. I recommend this book to all my friends--as an opportunity to make some new, literary ones.

Wasn't sure I would like this book since it wasn't part of her series that I have followed. Well it was intriguing from cover to cover. Lesson learned never doubt a good author. Robyn Carr is one of the best authors I have read and continue to read. I didn't want to put it down. But as soon as I could pick it up and continue reading I was there. I hope others enjoy this book about friendship . And being there for others. Thanks for another heart felt adventure.

So often, one opens the new novels written by members of that small and exclusive club of best-selling authors, and the entire book is nothing more than re-cycled garbage. Maybe the garbage once was fresh and new, but after the umpteenth airing, there's nothing to recommend it. Still, these writers have become brand names, so their publishers give each of their new books the big send-off with the requisite advertising budget and a publicity tour. And faithful readers buy these books without hesitation.
Then, one stumbles upon a gem, a little perfect gem. THE HOUSE ON OLIVE STREET is just such a gem. Its author deserves the book tour, the big ad budget. Instead, this book simply will have to make its own way on the paperback racks. That's fair neither to Robyn Carr, who wrote HOUSE, nor to the legion of women who look forward to reading good fiction and who should be assisted in finding her novel more easily.
This novel has all the elements: A half-dozen complex characters, real and well-drawn, multiple plots, lively prose. The underlying subtext is about values and about love. None of the storylines descend to cliche. Unlike many similar novels, the ending is not entirely predictable, either, much to Ms. Carr's credit.
The thread that weaves HOUSE together is a writers' group, with some of the members single, some married, some childless, some with large broods, each of whom writes a different kind of book and all of whom support and nurture the others through every kind of crisis.
THE HOUSE ON OLIVE STREET deserves a big success. Read it, you'll like it.

I estimate that I've read at least 15 books by Robin Carr, and this one is the best one of all I've read so far. Many of Carr's books are part of a series, focusing on several characters at a time in a small town. While many of her stories are quite entertaining, and good reads, the House on Olive Street is different. It is more complex, with deeper characters, and each woman in the story has problems that draw the reader in a personal way. There are a few parts of this book that are truly hilarious as well. I cried and laughed, and was inspired by the way these women confronted their problems. A memorable book!

Wow what a book!--Covered a lot and ran the gamut from a come from nothing-secret past(sable)
Dead friend with a secret affair(Gabby) Elly(Hard exterior--with soft centre)Naive Beth with an abusive spouse and how she escapes. Barbara --Willing to leave her slobby family of men to get the message across about their habits. All four women come together to write the story of Gabby's life in a fictional form to further understand her and pay homage to the mentor they loved--As are most Robyn Carr works, this was hard to put down--I felt pulled in by the characters and their stories.

This is one of the best female friendships stories I have ever read. Four women, Elly, Sable, Barbara Ann, and Beth are drawn together by the death of their friend Gabby. All four women are writers, and all four women are experiencing difficulties in their lives. As they spend the summer sorting through Gabby's personal papers, they come together in friendship and support.
This is a wonderful story, as each character's story is presented separately, yet they are connected tightly throughout the novel. Each character has a secret, but until they can admit to the truth in their lives, they cannot move on.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is sad and happy all at the same time. There are five authors. Four of them were going to have a birthday party for the fifth one, but when they got to her house they found her dead. They all moved into her house one at a time to just get away from things. They were going though her papers and novels. They all had different things to deal with.

I just finished reading this book for the second time (and for me, that's saying a LOT)! It's just wonderful, well written. I was so absorbed with the story and the characters, it was as if I was there with them. Crying with them, rooting for them, laughing with them. The story was very believable and showed how women can empower themselves and each other. This was not sappy, or soap opera-y though. Just great women's fiction. If you like this, I'd suggest Five Fortunes by Beth Gutcheon, another wonderful women's fiction story.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? SUCH a wonderful book, very original, full of characters I came to care about. When the book ended, I fully expected one of them to give me a call and tell me to come over, their story wasn't done yet. Despite their famous writer status, these women had backgrounds and issues we can relate to. You get involved with each of the women's lives. Compulsively readable. If you have chores for the day, forget about them, by 5pm, you'll still be lying in bed, reading! If you liked the Saving Graces, you'll love House on Olive Street.

I've never read a book by Robyn Carr before - but you can bet I'll be reading lots more. This book was great from the very first sentence to the last. I truly enjoyed getting to know all the characters in the book. They were all so believable. I won't go into the details of the story - you can read the synopsis provided by the store or in other reviews. All I can say is I would recommend this to anyone who asked for a great book. High praise indeed.

The story started off a little slow and I wasn't sure I would like this book. But then the individual characters got developed and the storyline took off. I found myself liking and cheering for each of the friends as they struggled with their own life problems. Great story that totally came together!

Robyn Carr has written a very sweet, warm tale of 4 women writer friends forced to bond together after a death. Each has a much more complicated, secretive life than the other's know, until they, by circumstances, come to live together for a summer. Several serious issues are addressed and dealt with rather well. This is a good summer, beach, hammock,(your peaceful preference) read and I recommend it to all who like buddy books. I actually would give this 3 1/2 stars if I were able!

This book dealing about women in a writers' critique group is not only a wonderful book about women's friendships but also gives some insight into the world of writers. We meet Sable, a bestselling author of romance novels who has a past she is reluctant to reveal but comes back to haunt her when a tabloid reporter tries to dig up dirt on her; Ellie, a professor, nonfiction writer, and book reviewer who hides a private romance with a man she's embarrassed to introduce to her friends; Barbara Ann, a prolific author of category romances who wants to break out into single title books but whose life taking care of a husband and four young adult sons is standing in her way; Beth, a popular mystery author whose books are her outlet for dealing with an abusive husband; and posthumously we meet Gabby, an author whose books have never been bestsellers in part due to an editor who wasn't really committed to her. The women gather together after Gabby's death in order to organize her personal papers, and all for one reason or another end up spending the summer in Gabby's home together. This is a terrific read and I can only hope it gets the audience it deserves. Brava Ms. Carr!

Robyn Carr has created a story that will touch the heart of every reader. Her protagonists come from every situation and have faced every hardship known to woman. In spite of adversity, each succeeds in her own way, guided by the wisdom of the dear friend who loved them and left them a legacy that would change their lives. Everyone will enjoy this book, but for writers and would-be writers, it is a MUST read.

Ms. Carr's THE HOUSE ON OLIVE STREET is that good. It has been quite a while since I've had the joy of reading such a satisfying book. Ms. Carr's characters became my friends; I laughed, cried, and shouted in triumph with them as each grew and experienced events that I could relate to, both as a struggling writer and simply as a person. Be prepared to put down everything else while you read; my world stopped while I experienced the lives of these remarkable women--Beth, Elly, Sable and Barbara Ann, and their families. Thank you, Robyn, for a terrific read! This book is beautiful.

It is easy to identify with the women in The House On Olive Street. Their frustrations, struggles, triumphs, snappy comebacks, reminded me of myself, or someone I've known, loved, resented, wanted to hold up, kick in the pants, cheer on or throw rocks at. These spunky ladies do it all.
I would recommend it for anyone working through an abusive relationship, or loving someone in such a situation. If neither applies, it's just plain fun, like watching Arnold S. punch the abusive dad, and the school's principal confess how badly she'd love to have done it herself. Wouldn't we all.
Each of these women face challenges, but they stick together, harbor secrets, search for answers, seek places to run or hide or heal.
The writing is fast paced, witty and insightful. I really, really enjoyed this book.

This book is just simply amazing. Granted its' pace is a little slow at the beginning but the flow of the story is just perfect. Robyn Carr has perfectly described the friendship between four very different women, their relationship with their family and their struggle with life. This story is not about some fantasy-like characters. This story is about some realistic characters dealing with simple daily problems and how they learn to be true to themselves. It's a great book.

This is not the quality that I expect from Robyn Carr. This book was sad and dull and I read 4 chapters and it did not feel like it would ever be a good read. I gave up. My time is more valuable than to waste it on junk like this. I checked out a different Robyn Carr book and am totally enthralled in it.

When Gabby is found dead within the first few pages of the book, I thought the book would be depressing. What a wonderful, uplifting story this turned out to be! The book tells a story of the friendship between women and how we all support each other. I highly recommend this book.

Honestly, I had a difficult time getting into the book for the first few chapters, but suddenly I was hooked and by the middle of the book I couldn't put it down. The characters are all so complex and you find yourself really pulling for them all. Like other Robyn Carr books, I find that The House on Olive Street gives a well-rounded picture of many different characters and their lives. It is not just centered on one or two major players. Definitely recommend.

THE HOUSE ON OLIVE STREET is a gutsy, ambitious book that is brilliant on a number of levels. I'm recommending it to everyone I know. I enjoyed it so much that after a wait of 45 minutes in the doctor's office I was annoyed at being interrupted from reading it to see the doctor! The book is that fascinating.