Interesting twists, turns and revelations. ( )

"Together Alone" is the story of three women who rely on each others close friendship for support, encouragement, and advise in dealing with their problems and every day issues. The most immediate issue they are all facing is they each have a cherished daughter leaving for college. Although, on the surface, the “off to college” routine is typically a mildly stressful event, it has much deeper significance for these mom’s who have just spent the last 18 years dedicated to raising that one and only child. All of a sudden they are faced with bigger issues, that up until now, they had managed to ignore: the unsatisfactory marriage, the idea of aging, the loneliness and boredom, and the challenge of finding a new purpose in life.

The primary character, Emily, is also dealing with a much deeper issue. Eighteen years ago, when her first child, a little boy, was two years old he was kidnapped. The kidnapper was never found. The child never returned. And the body never recovered. Emily still struggles with the pain and guilt of that tragedy.

In contrast, there were several quite funny scenes when one of the women, Celeste, a divorcee, decides to start dating and has a series of blind dates with men she contacted through a personal ad in the local newspaper.

And of course, just because the girls are off to college, does not mean the mom’s are off the hook on the worry about their wellbeing.

On the whole "Together Alone" is an inspirational women’s book. Every woman should be so fortunate to have one or two friends that will give this kind of mutual unconditional friendship. And every woman should have this kind of courage to move forward with their lives.

Part mystery, part love story, Barbara Delinsky sure squeezes a lot of drama into a novel. Individual portions were quite realistic and believable, but on the whole, there were just too many coincidences that made things fall into place precisely at the moment the novel required for it’s somewhat predictable ending.

Deep issues; mildly superficial presentation, but still, entertaining. ( )

This is a re-read, and it was fully justified. A story with many layers, about friendship, family, missing children, heartbreak and so much more. Wonderful story, movingly told on so many levels. Excellent. ( )

Another book of Barbara Delinsky that is a sure hit if you like her style of writting. Myself, I just loved it. As soon as I opened this book and turned the first page, I had to finish it. Together kept me on the edge of my seat, and as a mother myself, I could relate to many feelings of desperation and care all along the pages. A must read! ( )

About a lady who left her baby in the car to go in the Post Office and come back to find Daniel gone. It was a complex story of several families with great tensions and kept getting more intense until I had to read it to the end. lt Now I can go to bed. ( )