Small change

The economic downturn has affected everyone in some way, even the residents of sleepy Heart Lake. Rachel is a substitute teacher and newly divorced; she takes care of the kids while her ex-husband uses the child-support money to support his new wife. Jessica's husband just got downsized from his banking job while her adult son, also recently laid off, has moved back in, causing massive arguments. Tiffany's husband is hanging on to his job by a thread while she just can't seem to stop herself from shopping and racking up thousands of dollars in credit-card debt. The three women realize that they need to get their finances under control and start saving. With each other's guidance, the women begin to save money, pay off their debts, and build better relationships with their friends and their families. Roberts' fans will enjoy returning to Heart Lake and its enthusiastic residents, and most fiction lovers will enjoy this feel-good approach to today's uncertainties.--Hatton, Hilary Copyright 2010 Booklist

The three friends in Roberts's (Angel Lane) light read are happily reminiscent of Sarah Strohmeyer's The Penny Pinchers Club. These Heart Lake, Wash., neighbors become divas living on a dime when harsh economic times hit. Still recovering from a miscarriage, Tiffany Turner is a shopaholic who becomes frantic when her out-of-control credit card spending prompts her husband, Brian, to leave her. Rachel Green is a struggling divorcee with two children who's just lost her teaching job and professes to not need a man until she meets Chad Alvarez. And stay at-home wife and former musician Jess, when informed by her banker husband that he might lose his job, wonders if she can be a rocker chick again. To cope, the "Small Change Club" members decide to simplify their lifestyles and take control of their future. Homing in on issues many readers can identify with, Roberts's women search for practical solutions to a common challenge with humor and froth. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved