Small Change

I LOVE this book. I actually borrowed this book from a friend and I couldn't put it down. I even used some of the ideas from "Diva on a dime". Now I can't wait to go out and buy the rest of them, including Small Change to start my Sheila Roberts collection!

I just love this author. Sheila Roberts is a talented and wonderful writer. I enjoyed reading about Rachel, Jessica and Tiffany and the friendship between the three women. Through their financial "problems" in the book, they all come together for each other. I liked the romance between Rachel and her hunky next door neighbor Chad. What fun! I look forward to all future books by this author. Thank you Sheila Roberts.

Small Change is about three women - Rachel, Tiffany and Jess - who are friends and neighbors. For different reasons they find themselves on the same financial boat and it is beginning to sink. Rachel, a divorced working mother of two, is coming to the end of a long-term substitute teaching job and can't find another job. Tiffany works at a salon and has a shopping addiction that she tries to hide from her husband. Jess, housewife and former stay-at-home mom, has a jobless grown son living at home and a husband who is about to lose his executive job. These women need money. Yesterday. Sheila Roberts' latest novel holds a mirror to an issue faced by many people these days: financial difficulties due to job loss and related fall-out. Trying to compete with her ex, Rachel spends money on her children for things they really don't need because she feels guilty saying "No" to them. She realizes that the unnecessary spending has to stop when she sees the end of her paychecks looming. Tiffany loves finding a bargain and she finds herself in trouble when she can't pay her credit card bills - the cards she promised her husband she wouldn't use anymore. She's at the point of hiding purchases from her husband. Jess has a boomerang kid who sleeps until noon, surfs the web for a few hours looking for a job, and then heads out for the night to party with friends. That drives her husband crazy and results in shouting matches between father and son. On top of that, her husband's bank has been bought out and he's about to lose his job. Talk about stress! In the past Rachel, Tiffany and Jess would meet weekly to make a craft, talk, share a bottle of wine, etc. In light of their financial situation they turn the weekly gabfest into brainstorming sessions for ways to bring in more money and improve things at home. There are moments of tears and lots of moral support as they start to figure out why they spend and begin to work their way out of their money troubles. It's not an easy journey but the three women cheer each other on as they face the challenges along the way. I think everyone can identify with at least one of the characters or knows someone just like one of the women. Because of that, Small Change would be a great selection for a book club. In typical Sheila Roberts style it is entertaining while addressing a serious topic. Roberts offers her characters (and readers) suggestions for cutting expenses and how to live well on a budget. I'm looking forward to trying a couple of her ideas myself!

Small Change is the story of Rachel, Tiffany, and Jess, three women I wish lived on my street. They're all struggling with real life issues such as money, infertility, divorce, job loss, children, and reinventing their lives. But the story isn't a downer. It's one of those books I hated to put down and couldn't wait to get back to. Sheila Roberts deftly manages the three main characters' stories and gives them each full, well-rounded lives. I found it sweet, a bit sad, inspirational, and even educational without ever being boring. The ending was satisfying with a few surprises--everything wasn't tied up in a neat predictable bow, and that's a good thing.

In Heart Lake, Washington, Brian Turner is anxious over money issues as he fears a lay-off due to the economy tanking. He has been tolerant of his wife Tiffany's recent spending as she suffered a miscarriage, but now calmly explains to her that she can no longer waste money on her "bargains". When Tiffany fails to cut back on her credit card use, he cannot take it any longer. He leaves his shopaholic spouse. The Heart Lake Elementary School principal informs temporary fifth grade teacher Rachel Green that Ambika Sinj is coming back to work after being on maternity leave. Rachel was hoping for a permanent teaching position rather than subbing as the former means benefits for the divorcee and her two children since the rat Aaron dumped her and their money. No longer trusting in Prince Charming, she has another problem, Chad who wants her and the kids in his life. Banker Michael Sharp informs his stay at home fortyish wife Jessica that though he remains employed his job has been centralized on Ohio though he has a local offer at less money. To supplement their income instead of moving to Ohio, Jess wonders if she could return to the music she gave up years ago to raise two kids, who now are adults; though one has returned to the nest. The three neighbors form the Small Change Club to help each other cope with the impact of the downward spiraling economy by being a support group. Each seeks pragmatic solutions to financial woes. This is an enjoyable look at the impact on three suburban families struggling with financial strain. The ensemble cast is powerful especially the three lead females who set out to make Small Change in their respective lifestyles in order to swim rather than sink in red ink. Readers will enjoy this fine tale as the heroines seek practical solutions to their woes. Harriet Klausner