Synopses & Reviews
Put on your red hats and plenty of attitude, and spend a hilarious, heartwarming read with five fabulous women. . . .
The Red Hat Club is back, in rare form. When Pru Bonner, black sheep of the group, falls off the wagon so hard it shakes Diane, Linda, SuSu, Teeny, and Georgia's world, "the girls" stage a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas to help their childhood friend clean up her act.
As the women confront their pasts along with their hazardous adventure, they discover surprising strength in themselves and their friendships. Laughter is spiced with secrets, surprises, and pitfalls aplenty, including a midlife pregnancy test, a fight for life, the perils of Internet dating, an all-expense-paid plastic surgery cruise, and a surprise celebration that proves it's never too late for love.
As in The Red Hat Club, these irrepressible heroines face the challenges of friendship in sickness and in health, with heart and indomitable humor. So join the Red Hat Club and remember that age is all in your head, calories should always be in chewable form (Diet Coke with chocolate éclairs!), and that when all else fails, your Red Hat Club will see you through.
(This novel has not been authorized or endorsed by the Red Hat Society.)
Review
Praise for THE RED HAT CLUB:
"A tribute to women who emerged victorious through divorce, menopause, spreading waistlines, and other tribulations."--Chicago Tribune
"The Red Hat Club is a valuable life lesson for women of all ages...a spunky, sexy, intriguing, lickety-split romp."--Times (Roanoke, VA)
"A gossipy, engaging read, full of witty Southern characters readers will be unable to resist the urge to cheer on."--Florida Times-Union
"Smith's celebration of comradeship is a loving tribute to those lifelong relationships that may defy logic...a joyous, joyful ode." --Booklist
"Rowdy Southern feminist fantasy." --Kirkus Reviews
"The Red Hat Club ladies are just Bridget, older, wiser, and with husbands who may or may not be faithful." --Toronto Sun
"A fine, confiding...voice, which makes for a fast, easy read. Her dialogue is true to life. She has a wicked sense of humor." --Bookreporter.com
"Inspiring...fun to read." --Romantic Times
"A humorous, cathartic coming-of-middle-age story of five feisty women who refuse to throw in the towel-or the hat." --Tennessean
"A hoot...A delightful read that shows that even 'mature' women can be full of surprises to themselves and others." --Chattanooga Times
"A great story with many fond memories for anyone who had a group of ladies in their high school."--Book Review Café
"An engaging tale that welcomes readers as if they were sharing wine with the heroines...fans of women's fiction will appreciate Haywood Smith's fine homage to the southern female."--Harriet's Book Reviews
Review
"Engaging flashbacks help tell this charming story. Readers who enjoy friendship-themed books … will definitely go for this, too."
--Library Journal
“Smith fans know that when 50-something females don red hats for lunch at Atlantas Swan Coach House tearoom, mayhem ensues.”
--Publishers Weekly
"A spicy ... engaging ode to the lasting bonds of southern sisterhood and life-begins-at-50 optimism … will melt the most cynical of Yankee hearts."
--Kirkus Reviews Gillian Engberg - Melinda Bargreen - Clarissa Cruz - Rita Dove - Oline H. Cogdill - Anthony Minghella, director of The English Patient and Cold Mountain - Janet Maslin - Jessica Moyer - Orson Scott Card - L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - Kevin J. Anderson - Katherine Kurtz - David Farland - Simon R. Green - Kevin J. Anderson - L. E. Modesitt, Jr. - David Farland - Nomar Garciaparra, professional baseball player - Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, medical director for the New York City Marathon - Danielle Ofri M.D., Ph.D, author of Singular Intimacies: Becoming a Doctor at B - Theodore Sturgeon - Alison Weir, author of Eleanor of Aquitaine and The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Wilton S. Dillon, Ph.D., senior scholar emeritus, Smithsonian Institution - Spider Robinson - Robert Silverberg - Richard A. Lupoff - Harlan Ellison - George R. R. Martin - Gillian Bradshaw - Neil Walsh - Andrew Leonard - Stephen R. Donaldson - Michael A. Stackpole - Glen Cook - Sharon Sala, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Dark - Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author of Say No to Joe? - Kirkus Reviews - Eoin Colfer - John Farris - David Hagberg - W. Michael and Kathleen O' Neal Gear - Lincoln Child - Stephen Coonts - Marilyn Stasio - Wed Lukowsky - Janet Maslin - Harlan Coben, author of No Second Chance - Andrew Klavan, author of True Crimes - Robert B. Parker, author of Back Story - Nelson DeMille, author of Up Country - Lisa Scottoline, author of Dead Ringer - Daniel Silva, author of The Confessor - Ronnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson - Kirkus - Martin Arnold - Page Traynor - Brian Lehrer, host of On the Media, National Public Radio - James McBride, author of The Color of Water and Miracle at St. Anna - Kevin J. Anderson - Dorothy Allison - Philip Lopate - Clive Cussler - Jon Winokur - Tony Hillerman - Jonathan Kellerman - W.E.B. Griffin, author of Final Justice - James Carville - Jacqueline Carey - Douglas Brinkley - David Gibson - Anthony Minghella - Fay Weldon - Anthony Minghella, director of The English Patient and Cold Mountain - Antonya Nelson - Jean Thompson - Charles Stross - Spider Robinson - Neal Asher - Karl Schroeder - Elizabeth Bear - Ulick O'Connor - Michael Billington - Michael Coveney - Sir Ian McKellen - Russ Parsons - Philip Pullman - Sara Douglass - Bill Bryson - Barbara Ehrenreich - Kirkus - John Blades - Ellen Kanner - Gilbert Taylor - Jane Brody's "Personal Health" column in The New York Times - Daniel Mallory - Jim Harrison, author of True North - Michael Ondaatje - Karen Karbo - Kristine Huntley - Susan Orlean - John Banville - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Neil Walsh - Stephen R. Donaldson - Jacqueline Carey - Glen Cook - Elizabeth Haydon - David Drake - Robert Charles Wilson - Cory Doctorow - Bret Easton Ellis - Candace Bushnell - Dominick Dunne - Jay McInerney - Jonathan Demme, filmmaker - A.O. Scott - Martin Arnold - Steve Kroft, 60 Minutes - J. B. Priestley - Charles de Lint - Dallas Observer - Jennifer Weiner, author of In Her Shoes and Little Earthquakes - Jay Leno - Laura Zigman, author of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, and Her - Liz Smith - Gillian Engberg - Clarissa Cruz - Jay Strafford - Hallie Ephron - Patrick Anderson - Walter Jon Williams - S. M. Stirling - Connie Willis, Hugo Award-winning author of To Say Nothing of the Dog - Morgan Llywelyn - Jacqueline Carey - George R.R. Martin - Frederick Busch - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Paul Di Filippo - Kirkus - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Jon Winokur - Neil Walsh - Andrew Leonard - Stephen R. Donaldson - Michael A. Stackpole - Glen Cook - Neil Walsh - Andrew Leonard - Stephen R. Donaldson - Michael A. Stackpole - Glen Cook - Neil Walsh - Stephen R. Donaldson - Jacqueline Carey - Glen Cook - Elizabeth Haydon - David Drake - Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, medical director for the New York City Marathon - Danielle Ofri M.D., Ph.D, author of Singular Intimacies: Becoming a Doctor at B - Jane Brody's "Personal Health" column in The New York Times - Ulick O'Connor - Michael Billington - Michael Coveney - Sir Ian McKellen - Oline H. Cogdill - Kristine Huntley - Oline H. Cogdill - Jay Strafford - Hallie Ephron - Marilyn Stasio - Wed Lukowsky - Spider Robinson - Robert Silverberg - Richard A. Lupoff - Harlan Ellison - George R. R. Martin - Jon Winokur - Alison Weir, author of Eleanor of Aquitaine and The Six Wives of Henry VIII - Dallas Observer - Jennifer Weiner, author of In Her Shoes and Little Earthquakes - Jay Leno - Laura Zigman, author of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, and Her - Liz Smith - Eoin Colfer - John Banville - W.E.B. Griffin, author of Final Justice - James Carville - Nomar Garciaparra, professional baseball player - Martin Arnold - Ulick O'Connor - Michael Billington - Michael Coveney - Sir Ian McKellen - Bill Bryson - Jon Winokur - J. B. Priestley - Dallas Observer - Jennifer Weiner, author of In Her Shoes and Little Earthquakes - Jay Leno - Laura Zigman, author of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, and Her - Liz Smith - Ulick O'Connor - Michael Billington - Michael Coveney - Sir Ian McKellen - Jay Strafford - Hallie Ephron - Daniel Mallory - Robert Charles Wilson - Cory Doctorow - Ellen Kanner - Orson Scott Card - L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - Kevin J. Anderson - Katherine Kurtz - David Farland - Janet Maslin - Harlan Coben, author of No Second Chance - Andrew Klavan, author of True Crimes - Robert B. Parker, author of Back Story - Nelson DeMille, author of Up Country - Lisa Scottoline, author of Dead Ringer - Daniel Silva, author of The Confessor - Ronnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson - Patrick Anderson - Sharon Sala, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Dark - Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author of Say No to Joe? - Janet Maslin - Harlan Coben, author of No Second Chance - Andrew Klavan, author of True Crimes - Robert B. Parker, author of Back Story - Nelson DeMille, author of Up Country - Lisa Scottoline, author of Dead Ringer - Daniel Silva, author of The Confessor - Ronnie H. Terpening, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson - Patrick Anderson - Bill Bryson - Jon Winokur - J. B. Priestley - Dallas Observer - Jennifer Weiner, author of In Her Shoes and Little Earthquakes - Jay Leno - Laura Zigman, author of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, and Her - Liz Smith - Kirkus Reviews - L.E. Modesitt, Jr. - Kevin J. Anderson - Katherine Kurtz - David Farland - Orson Scott Card - Simon R. Green - Kevin J. Anderson - L. E. Modesitt, Jr. - David Farland - Gilbert Taylor - Karen Karbo - Martin Arnold - Walter Jon Williams - S. M. Stirling - Connie Willis, Hugo Award-winning author of To Say Nothing of the Dog - Morgan Llywelyn - Jacqueline Carey - George R.R. Martin - Paul Di Filippo - Patrick Anderson - John Farris - David Hagberg - W. Michael and Kathleen O' Neal Gear - Lincoln Child - Stephen Coonts - Sara Douglass - Bill Bryson - J. B. Priestley - Dallas Observer - Jennifer Weiner, author of In Her Shoes and Little Earthquakes - Jay Leno - Laura Zigman, author of Animal Husbandry, Dating Big Bird, and Her - Liz Smith - Gilbert Taylor - Jacqueline Carey - Jonathan Demme, filmmaker - A.O. Scott - Philip Pullman - John Blades - Oline H. Cogdill - Page Traynor - James Boylan - Janet L. Nelson - Mavis Reimer - Gail M. Gerhart - Jessica Wang - The Source - Bill Piekarski - Harold W. Jaffe - Jessica Wang - Elizabeth A. Muenger - Megan Cassidy-Welch - Jeffrey Merrick - John Gray - Gilles Kepel - Peter Bergen - Jeffrey Merrick - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - Jessica Wang - Jessica Wang - Mavis Reimer - Elizabeth A. Muenger - Norman A. Lockman - Terrence Hackett - Shannon Mullen - Jessica Wang - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Michael Stern - Edmund Carlevale - Martin Sieff - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - Jessica Wang - Jessica Wang - Jessica Wang - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Peter Bergen - Gilles Kepel - John Gray - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - Paul Corner, Professor of European History, University of Siena - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - American Historical Review - American Historical Review - American Historical Review - Publishers Weekly - The Washington Times - The Boston Globe - The American Lawyer - New Statesman - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - Holy War, Inc. - American Historical Review - Asbury Park Press - Chicago Tribune - USA Today - War, Literature, and the Arts - The Lion and the Unicorn - American Historical Review - American Historical Review - Forum for Modern Language Studies - American Historical Review - Holy War, Inc. - Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam - New Statesman - American Historical Review - H-France - War, Literature, and the Arts - American Historical Review - New England Journal of Medicine - Library Journal - The Source - American Historical Review - Foreign Affairs - The Lion and the Unicorn - American Historical Review - Columbia Journalism Review - Publishers Weekly - Publishers Weekly - Romantic Times BOOKreviews - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - Chicago Tribune - Kirkus Reviews - New York Times Book Review - San Francisco Chronicle - Booklist (starred review) - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Altair - TV Week (Australia) - The Washington Post Book World - The Los Angeles Times Book Review - Booklist - Library Journal - Boston Globe - Library Journal - Library Journal Review - New York Post - About.com - Booklist, starred review - Publishers Weekly, starred review - San Francisco Chronicle - School Library Journal, starred review - Newsweek - Washington Post - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Parade - Publishers Weekly - Mystery News - Publishers Weekly - Chicago Tribune - Library Journal - The Washington Post - The Washington Times - Publishers Weekly - The Tampa Tribune - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - Altair - TV Week (Australia) - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - Library Journal - VOYA - Edmonton Journal - Bookpage - Rocky Mountain News - Minneapolis Star-Tribune - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - SciFi.com - Publishers Weekly - Chronicle - Publishers Weekly - Publishers Weekly - The Dark Spiral - Chicago Tribune - Philadelphia Inquirer - The Orlando Sentinel - Booklist - The Australian Woman's Weekly - Time Out New York - Time Out New York - Library Journal - Cincinnati CityBeat - The Washington Post Book World - The Los Angeles Times Book Review - Booklist - Washington Post Book World - The New York Times - Philadelphia Inquirer - Newsweek - San Francisco Chronicle - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - The Associated Press - San Antonio Express-News - Booklist - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) - Library Journal, Starred Review - Romantic Time Bookclub Magazine - Library Journal - Bookpage - Rocky Mountain News - Kirkus Reviews - The New York Times Book Review - The Atlantic Monthly - The Washington Post - Chicago Tribune Book World - The New York Times Book Review - Houston Chronicle - Los Angeles Times - The New York Times - San Francisco Chronicle - Time - Chicago Tribune - Publishers Weekly - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Library Journal Review - New York Post - About.com - Publishers Weekly - Washington Post Book World - The New York Times - Philadelphia Inquirer - Newsweek - Newsweek - San Francisco Chronicle - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - The Associated Press - San Antonio Express-News - Booklist - Washington Post - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Parade - Publishers Weekly - Mystery News - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) - The New York Times - Entertainment Weekly (A-) - USA Today - People Magazine - New Orleans Times-Picayune - Bookpage - Rocky Mountain News - Publishers Weekly - Fangoria - Publishers Weekly - Mystery News - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - New York Daily News - Publishers Weekly - The Dallas Morning News - The Guardian [UK - ] - The New York Times - The Times [UK - ] - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) - The New York Times - Entertainment Weekly (A-) - USA Today - People Magazine - New Orleans Times-Picayune - Library Journal, Starred Review - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) - Romantic Time Bookclub Magazine - Bookpage - Rocky Mountain News - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - USA Today - Pages Magazine - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Fangoria - Romantic Times - El Paso Herald-Post - Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear, USA Today bestselling authors - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - Max Evans - Norman Zollinger - Publishers Weekly - Richard Wheeler - Rocky Mountain News - Tony Hillerman - Tulsa World - The Washington Post - Library Journal - Booklist - Entertainment Weekly - Boston Globe - Richmond Times-Dispatch - The Financial Times (London) - The Guardian (London) - The Sunday Independent (London) - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Tribune Book World - Houston Chronicle - Los Angeles Times - Publishers Weekly - San Francisco Chronicle - The Atlantic Monthly - The New York Times - The New York Times Book Review - The New York Times Book Review - The Washington Post - Time - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Library Journal Review - New York Post - About.com - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Washington Post Book World - The New York Times - Philadelphia Inquirer - Newsweek - Newsweek - San Francisco Chronicle - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - The Associated Press - San Antonio Express-News - Booklist - Washington Post - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Parade - The Financial Times (London) - The Guardian (London) - The Sunday Independent (London) - Time Out New York - The New York Times - The Washington Times - The Guardian - The Observer - Financial Times - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books - The New York Times Book Review - Library Journal Review - New York Post - About.com - Booklist - The New York Times Book Review - Kirkus Reviews - Bulletin of Center for Children's Books - School Library Journal - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist, starred review - Publishers Weekly, starred review - San Francisco Chronicle - School Library Journal, starred review - Washington Post Book World - The New York Times - Philadelphia Inquirer - Newsweek - San Francisco Chronicle - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - The Associated Press - San Antonio Express-News - Booklist - Horn Book Magazine - School Library Journal - Publishers Weekly, starred review - Cory Doctorow, author of Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town - Janny Wurts, author of Traitor's Knot - Kevin J. Anderson - Nalo Hopkinson, author of The Salt Roads - Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author - USA Today - Dallas Morning News - Fantasy Review - Houston Post - Publisher's Weekly - The Denver Post - The Providence Sunday Journal - The Washington Post Book World - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - New York Times Book Review - Entertainment Weekly - Boston Globe - Richmond Times-Dispatch - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Booklist - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - Yoga Journal - The Financial Times (London) - The Guardian (London) - The Sunday Independent (London) - Newsweek - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly (starred) - SF Site - The Dallas Morning News - New York Observer - Booklist - Salon.com - SF Site - The Good Book Guide - Publishers Weekly - Salon.com - SF Site - The Good Book Guide - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Booklist - Romantic Times Bookclub - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Interzone - Library Journal - SF Site - Kirkus - USA Today - Enigma - SF Site - Australian Bookseller and Publisher - Australian Jewish News - Marie Claire (Australia) - Vogue (Australia) - Enigma - SF Site - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - SciFi.com - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Los Angeles Times - Vanity Fair - New York Times Book Review - Rocky Mountain News - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly - Southern Living - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Romantic Times - Midwest Book Review - Cincinnati Enquirer - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Romantic Times Bookclub - The New York Times - The Washington Times - Los Angeles Times - West Coast Review of Books - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - Booklist - Chicago Sun-Times - Rocky Mountain News - Chicago Tribune - New York Sun - Publishers Weekly - Fangoria - Horn Book Magazine - School Library Journal - USA Today - Entertainment Weekly - Boston Globe - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Entertainment Weekly - January Magazine - Booklist - Library Journal - Library Journal Review - New York Post - About.com - New York Observer - The New York Times Book Review - Publishers Weekly - The Knoxville News-Sentinel - The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction - Midwest Book Review - Santa Barbara News-Press - Newsweek - Library Journal - Greenwich Magazine - Time Out New York - New York Times Book Review - San Francisco Chronicle - Booklist (starred review) - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly (starred) - Washington Post Book World - Publishers Weekly, starred review - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - School Library Journal - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - Altair - TV Week (Australia) - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - SF Site - New York Observer - The Economist - Publishers Weekly - Enigma - SF Site - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Romantic Times - San Francisco Chronicle - Chicago Tribune - Washington Post - The Associated Press - San Antonio Express-News - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - Booklist - The Guardian - The Observer - Financial Times - New York Observer - Houston Chronicle - Art Week - Christian Science Monitor - Charlotte Observer - Edmonton Journal - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Time Out New York - Library Journal - Cincinnati CityBeat - Globe and Mail - Quill and Quire - Vancouver Sun - New York Times Magazine - The Washington Post - Library Journal - Booklist - Dallas Morning News - Newsweek - The Washington Post Book World - The Los Angeles Times Book Review - Booklist - Stephen Coonts - W.E.B. Griffin - Thomas Fleming - Walter J. Boyne - Pages Magazine - Chronicle - Publishers Weekly - Southern Living - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Romantic Times - Midwest Book Review - Chicago Tribune - Kirkus, starred review - Library Journal - Kirkus - Publishers Weekly - Mystery News - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - People - Entertainment Weekly - The Boston Globe - The Columbus Dispatch - The Roanoke Times - Bookstreet USA - Sullivan County Democrat - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - New York Daily News - Publishers Weekly - The Dallas Morning News - The Guardian [UK - ] - The New York Times - The Times [UK - ] - Washington Post - St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Parade - Publishers Weekly - Minneapolis Star-Tribune - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Chicago Sun-Times - Washington Post Book World - San Francisco Chronicle - Newsday - Buffalo News - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Library Journal - Los Angeles Times - Library Journal - Booklist - The New York Times Book Review - Kirkus Reviews - Bulletin of Center for Children's Books - School Library Journal - The Financial Times (London) - The Guardian (London) - The Sunday Independent (London) - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Time Out - Mail on Sunday - People - Kirkus Reviews - Elle - Time Out New York - Miami Herald - New York Post - David Gibson - Douglas Brinkley - People (four stars) - Baltimore Sun - New Yorker - Seattle Times - Library Journal - Booklist - The Chattanooga Free Press - Kirkus Reviews - The Calgary Herald - Publishers Weekly - Altair - TV Week (Australia) - Chicago Tribune - Chicago Tribune Book World - Houston Chronicle - Los Angeles Times - Publishers Weekly - San Francisco Chronicle - The Atlantic Monthly - The New York Times - The New York Times Book Review - The New York Times Book Review - The Washington Post - Time - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - Library Journal (starred review) - The Dark Spiral - Washington Post Book World - The New York Times - Philadelphia Inquirer - Newsweek - Publishers Weekly - Independent (UK) - Spectator (UK) - Times Literary Supplement (UK) - Booklist (starred review) - Indianapolis Star - Kirkus Reviews - New York Times - New York Times Book Review - Vogue - San Francisco Chronicle - Village Voice - The Dallas Morning News - El Paso Herald-Post - Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear, USA Today bestselling authors - Kirkus Reviews - Library Journal - Max Evans - Norman Zollinger - Publishers Weekly - Richard Wheeler - Rocky Mountain News - Tony Hillerman - Tulsa World - The New York Times - Analog - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly - Essence - CNN Money - Chicago Tribune - Philadelphia Inquirer - The Orlando Sentinel - Booklist - Romantic Times - Library Journal - O magazine - Washington Post - Publishers Weekly - The Australian Woman's Weekly - Romantic Times BOOKreviews - Library Journal - Boston Globe - Entertainment Weekly - USA Today - Washington Post - Elle - Esquire - Details - Yoga Journal - Publishers Weekly - Library Journal - VOYA - Time Out New York - Interzone - Library Journal - SF Site - Booklist, starred review - Publishers Weekly, starred review - San Francisco Chronicle - School Library Journal, starred review - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - SF Site - Kirkus - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) - The New York Times - Entertainment Weekly (A-) - USA Today - People Magazine - New Orleans Times-Picayune - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author of The Brotherhood of the Rose - Mark Burnett, creator of the television series Survivor - Lisa See, author of Dragon Bones - Lewis Nordan, author of The Sharpshooter Blues - Richard A. Gabriel, author of No More Heroes: Madness and Psychiatry in War - Craig Dirgo, author of The Einstein Papers - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - New York Times Book Review - Library Journal - The Washington Post - The Washington Times - Publishers Weekly - The Tampa Tribune - Booklist - Washington Post Book World - New York Review of Books - Boston Phoenix - Newsday - Boston Globe - The Boston Globe - Booklist - Library Journal - Kirkus Reviews - The New York Review of Books - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books - The New York Times Book Review - Margaret George, international bestselling author of The Memoirs of Henry VIII - The Newark Star-Ledger - Nelson DeMille, bestselling author of The Lion's Game - W.E.B. Griffin, bestselling author of The Brotherhood of War - Library Journal - The Fort Worth Morning Star-Telegram - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - The Washington Post - Library Journal - Salon.com - SF Site - The Good Book Guide - Chicago Tribune - Publishers Weekly - Fantasy Review - Houston Post - Publisher's Weekly - The Denver Post - The Providence Sunday Journal - The Washington Post Book World - Australian Bookseller and Publisher - Australian Jewish News - Marie Claire (Australia) - Vogue (Australia) - Edmonton Journal (Canada) - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - Library Journal - Cory Doctorow, author of Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town - Janny Wurts, author of Traitor's Knot - Kevin J. Anderson - Nalo Hopkinson, author of The Salt Roads - Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo Award-winning author - Publishers Weekly - Kirkus - Publishers Weekly - Newark Sunday News - Library Journal - National Review - Library Journal, Starred Review - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) - Romantic Time Bookclub Magazine - Bookpage - Rocky Mountain News - Booklist - Washington Post - Baltimore Sun - Boston Globe - Chicago Tribune - Los Angeles Times - New York Times Book Review - Booklist - The New York Times - Elle - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) - Miami Herald - People (four stars) - Publishers Weekly - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - Kirkus Reviews - Valerie Frankel, author of The Accidental Virgin - Melissa Senate, author of See Jane Date - Entertainment Weekly - The Seattle Times - January Magazine - Publishers Weekly - Booklist - Kirkus (starred) - Publishers Weekly (starred review) - Marie Claire magazine - Entertainment Weekly - New York Post - People magazine - Village Voice - Boston Globe - Publishers Weekly - Tampa Tribune - The Denver Post - The Boston Herald - The New York Times - The Los Angeles Times - Hartford Courant (CT) - The News-Press - Houston Chronicle - Buffalo News (New York) - USA Today - Miami Herald - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Review
"Engaging flashbacks help tell this charming story. Readers who enjoy friendship-themed books … will definitely go for this, too."
--Library Journal
“Smith fans know that when 50-something females don red hats for lunch at Atlantas Swan Coach House tearoom, mayhem ensues.”
--Publishers Weekly
"A spicy ... engaging ode to the lasting bonds of southern sisterhood and life-begins-at-50 optimism … will melt the most cynical of Yankee hearts."
--Kirkus Reviews
Review
Praise for
The Red Hat Club:
“A gossipy, engaging read, full of witty Southern characters readers will be unable to resist the urge to cheer on.”—Florida Times-Union
“Smiths celebration of comradeship is a loving tribute to those lifelong relationships that may defy logic...a joyous, joyful ode.”—Booklist
Synopsis
The Red Hat Club is back, in rare form. When Pru Bonner, black sheep of the group, falls off the wagon so hard it shakes Diane, Linda, SuSu, Teeny, and Georgia's world, "the girls" stage a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas to help their childhood friend clean up her act.
Synopsis
Georgia, SuSu, Teeny, Diane, and Linda are back in a new celebration of life and womens friendships from the New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hat Club The Red Hats are back, in rare form. When childhood friend Pru Bonner—black sheep of the group—falls off the wagon so hard it shakes the Red Hats world, “the girls” rally to get her into rehab with a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas, and act as her family for group therapy whether Pru wants it or not. Then Teeny celebrates Prus successful release with a one-month, carte blanche plastic surgery cruise for all six of them, after which Diane explores the unpredictable world of Internet dating. As always, laughter and heart are spiced with secrets, surprises, and pitfalls aplenty, including a pregnancy test for a fiftysomething, a fight for life for one of them, a gold-digging romeo, and a surprise wedding that proves its never too late for love.
Synopsis
Georgia, SuSu, Teeny, Diane, and Linda are back in a new celebration of life and womens friendships from the New York Times bestselling author of The Red Hat Club The Red Hats are back, in rare form. When childhood friend Pru Bonner—black sheep of the group—falls off the wagon so hard it shakes the Red Hats world, “the girls” rally to get her into rehab with a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas, and act as her family for group therapy whether Pru wants it or not. Then Teeny celebrates Prus successful release with a one-month, carte blanche plastic surgery cruise for all six of them, after which Diane explores the unpredictable world of Internet dating. As always, laughter and heart are spiced with secrets, surprises, and pitfalls aplenty, including a pregnancy test for a fiftysomething, a fight for life for one of them, a gold-digging romeo, and a surprise wedding that proves its never too late for love.
Synopsis
Georgia, SuSu, Teeny, Linda and Diane have been friends for more than thirty years. But when Pru Bonner, black sheep of the group, falls off the wagon so hard it shakes their world, "the girls" stage a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas to help their childhood friend clean up her act. As the women confront their pasts along with their hazardous adventure, they discover surprising strength in themselves and their friendships. Laughter is spiced with secrets, surprises, and pitfalls aplenty, including a midlife pregnancy test, the perils of internet dating, an all-expense-paid plastic surgery cruise, and a surprise celebration that proves it's never too late for love.
As in THE RED HAT CLUB, these irrepressible heroines face the challenges of friendship in sickness and in health, with heart and indomitable humor. So join The Red Hats and remember that age is all in your head, calories should always be in chewable form (Diet Coke with chocolate éclairs!), and that when all else fails, your Red Hats will see you through.
Synopsis
Put on your red hats and plenty of attitude, and spend a hilarious, heartwarming read with five fabulous women. . . .
The Red Hat Club is back, in rare form. When Pru Bonner, black sheep of the group, falls off the wagon so hard it shakes Diane, Linda, SuSu, Teeny, and Georgia's world, "the girls" stage a hilarious kidnapping in Vegas to help their childhood friend clean up her act.
As the women confront their pasts along with their hazardous adventure, they discover surprising strength in themselves and their friendships. Laughter is spiced with secrets, surprises, and pitfalls aplenty, including a midlife pregnancy test, a fight for life, the perils of Internet dating, an all-expense-paid plastic surgery cruise, and a surprise celebration that proves it's never too late for love.
As in The Red Hat Club, these irrepressible heroines face the challenges of friendship in sickness and in health, with heart and indomitable humor. So join the Red Hat Club and remember that age is all in your head, calories should always be in chewable form (Diet Coke with chocolate éclairs!), and that when all else fails, your Red Hat Club will see you through.
(This novel has not been authorized or endorsed by the Red Hat Society.)
About the Author
Baby boomer HAYWOOD SMITH (born Anne Haywood Pritchett) grew up as one of five children in North Atlanta, Georgia. Inspired by Jenny Josephs free-spirited poem, “Warning,” Haywood writes lighthearted coming-of-middle age tributes to the Jilted Generation of women who, like her, have emerged victorious through divorce, teenaged children, menopause, the Internet, tennis elbow, spreading waistlines, nothing but tacky clothes in the stores, and countless other modern tribulations.
Reading Group Guide
1. The fifth Sacred Red Hat Club Tradition prohibits butting in and trying to fix each other. How do you feel about the Red Hatters' going after Pru? Were their actions justified?
2. What do you think about Georgia's reaction at the slot machine after playing that fateful coin? Put yourself in her place and discuss what you might have done.
3. (I don't drink, but this question is best answered with wine or margaritas.) How did you feel about Georgia's forays into adult toy stores and her reasons for going?
4. Is there anyone in your life who could benefit from an intervention? If so, keep the names to yourselves, but discuss how, based on the Twelve Sacred Traditions, you might stage your own intervention. ("Lighten up" is a great AA expression, so you can be as wild and funny as you like.)
5. Each of the absolutely fictional Red Hat Club members represents an archetypal composite of women facing midlife challenges. Which character do you relate to most, and why? The least, and why? Without naming names, do you know anyone like each of the characters? (If so, Haywood would love to hear from you at [email protected] with specifics.)
6. How do you feel about Linda's reaction to her "pregnancy" and subsequent revelation? How would you react?
7. (Another wine / margarita question) Personally, I think every woman should be putting away money for a lift or liposuction in her sugar jar. I certainly am. Would you ever consider plastic surgery?
a. If so, what procedures would you like to have?
b. If not, what if someone offered it to you for free?
c. If you've already had it and kept it a secret, would you be willing to "come out of the closet" with your friends? And do you honestly believe they don't already know? (Have another glass of wine before you answer.)
8. In the end, what chances do you see for happiness for each of the characters, and why?