This new title describes a dinner party held annually at Lydia’s house where 6 good women friends attend (almost) every January for the past 20 years or so. Each chapter is told from the viewpoint of a different member of the friendship circle of women now mostly in their 50’s. We learn that Lydia is awaiting a call from her doctor who is supposed to call her the day of the party with the test results where she will learn whether or not she has cancer. As each women prepares to attend the party, some are more eager than others. Some are married, some are not. The party itself is less than half the book, but that’s okay. The narration of the party is somewhat of a disappointment because reading about what each woman is thinking beforehand is more interesting than what actually occurs at the party. The premise is good, but not followed through enough. I don’t want to give away the ending, but while the book was somewhat entertaining, overall the plot was had holes in it and was not as fulfilling as it started out to be.
