What Women Want [Paperback]

In this book we meet three women, one in the process of a divorce, one happily married but with her last child leaving home, and one who was widowed ten years ago and has spent the last ten years focusing on her children.

I felt the characters were all drawn very well. I loved Bea who is feisty and determined, but sometimes finds it hard to control her jealousy and has a few little insecurities. Kate comes across as loving but sensible. I felt for her when she was struggling with her empty nest and an ever distant husband. Finally, there is Ellen. I have to say I found her frustrating at times, but actually that's what makes the writing so excellent - that's the point - you're meant to be frustrated by her blindness to Oliver's deceptive nature! It's frustrating that she can't see through Oliver, but she thinks she is in love, and women will be able to relate to situations where you literally can't see the wood for the trees. Sometimes it takes a friend, and it needs to be your best friends otherwise you'll just close up and shut them out, to show you the truth. The descriptions of Ellen are written very well, especially when you think she's finally going to do something about Olive and turf him out on his ear, but then he'll do something (sometimes just look at her, or pull her close) and she'll melt into him.

I was suspicious of Oliver from the start, but I suppose the back of the book told me that something was going to go awry. I really liked the descriptions of him clicking his nails; its little things like that that really bring a book to life and for me this was one of them.

The interaction between characters is very clever. Bea has known Ellen for much longer than Ellen has known Kate, yet Bea can't help but think that perhaps Kate and Ellen get on much better. We've all probably experienced a similar situation, but this book shows you that actually none of you are loved or valued any less, it's just that your different character strengths play different parts in each other's lives.

This is a lovely story of a friendship which is put to the test but pulls through the other side. Do they say `men will come and go, but friends last forever'? - If they don't, they certainly should and this book is the perfect illustration of that.
If I had to criticise the book for anything, I'd say it was a little slow starting off. It took me a little while to get into it (not to warm to the characters, which happened instantly) but before I really started to get that urge to keep page turning to know what was going to happen with the Ellen-Oliver-saga! But that moment did come, and I eagerly read on until I'd turned the last page!

I've read some other reviews which say you need to be in your 40's/50's to appreciate and enjoy this book. I totally disagree, Fanny Blake certainly doesn't alienate the younger reader; I'm in my 20's and don't feel I would have gained anything more from reading this book if I was older.

What Women Want is a warm, witty and heart-warming tale of the lengths women will go for their friends, and is full of little details that really bring it to life! Not just a story of friendship, but also career women, family life and relationships.

Finally, I can't possibly leave this review without saying that this book has given me my favourite saying of the year; `vertiginous heels' - Amazing, I'm going to use this phrase as much as possible in the future!!!

Loved this book. I thought it was warm, funny and engaging with marvellous characters and a pacy, tight story-line. i've already bought copies for all my women friends who are a smidge older than me - the ones with the teenage kids! Thoroughly recommended, but if you're taking on holiday - be warned, you won't be able to put it down....

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, excellent story and didn't want it to finish.. Felt really involved in the story line and couldn't put the book down.