Amy Blumenfeld | THE CAST

Plot (via Goodreads):

Twenty-five years ago, a group of ninth graders produced a Saturday Night Live-style videotape to cheer up their ailing friend. The show’s running time was only ninety minutes, but it had a lasting impact: Becca laughed her way through recovery, and the group—Jordana, Seth, Holly, and Lex—became her supporting cast for life.

On the silver anniversary of Becca Night Live, the friends reunite over the Fourth of July to celebrate Becca’s good health—but nothing goes as planned. The happy holiday card facades everyone’s been hiding behind quickly crumble and give way to an unforgettable three days filled with complex moral dilemmas and life-altering choices. Through humor, drama, and the alternating perspectives of five characters, The Cast explores the power of forgiveness, the importance of authenticity, and the immeasurable value of deep, enduring friendships to buoy us when life plays out differently than expected. 

Review:

Yes, you are still on the right blog. While I usually feature suspense and thrillers, sometimes I just need a good palate cleanser. When Get Red PR reached out to me to see if I was interested in reading and reviewing this novel, I took a look at the synopsis and immediately fell in love. This one seemed like a heartfelt story of friendship and drama. I was definitely in the mood for something different and this one came at the perfect time.

I loved how Blumenfeld began this novel. Getting to know the characters as teenagers and then seeing them blossom into the adults they are in present time was a flattering example of great characterization. It was like watching the final season of FRIENDS. I knew these characters, I knew their backstories, and I just couldn't wait to see where their lives were headed. Now, as the date of the big party approached, the characterization got actually suspenseful. Seeing them in different situations, some good and some bad, some big and some little, it really amplified these glorious people and I couldn't fly through the pages fast enough. Told through alternating perspectives, it was great seeing the lives of these people take wildly different turns and I genuinely cared for them and their future.

This novel is a beautiful portrayal of drama, romantic comedy, and a heartfelt tale of friendships and relationships. How quickly everything can change from one weekend. How one decision can outline the rest of your life. How you never know what to expect.

Special thanks to Get Red PR and SparkPress for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5