- Title: While We Were Watching Downton Abbey
- Author: Wendy Wax
- Narrator: Orlagh Cassidy
- Published: April 2013 – Penguin Audio
- Source: I purchased the audiobook
My take: Wendy Wax had me at Downton Abbey 🙂 HOWEVER, you don’t need to have watched the series to enjoy this novel.
When the British concierge of the Alexander, an upscale Atlanta apartment building, alerts residents of weekly screenings of Downton Abbey in one of the common rooms no one is sure what to expect. Certainly unexpected is the resulting friendship of three women who’d not met until the first screening.
Samantha is a wealthy woman in her forties who seems to live an easy life. She’s very good at putting on a good face for all who know her but below the surface there’s family drama and turmoil.
Brooke is a divorced mom of two young daughters. After working hard to put her ex-husband through medical school and setting up his office he decided he didn’t want to be married to her anymore. Now his girlfriend is pregnant and wearing a huge diamond ring.
Clare, an author, is a divorced empty-nester. With her daughter away at college Clare has given herself a year to concentrate on her writing – no day job. Trouble is, she has writer’s block.
Edward, the concierge, is a warm and intuitive man who does his best to make sure the residents enjoy the weekly screenings. He also befriends the three women. Edward has a bit of a story himself but would never divulge it to anyone in the building.
When the unthinkable happens their friendship is put to the test. As usual, Wendy Wax’s story completely entertained me. Orlagh Cassidy did a good job voicing each character. I really liked her performance. She kept me walking or knitting – always signs of a good audiobook.
If you like women’s fiction I think you’ll enjoy While We Were Watching Downton Abbey.
I wanna read it 😀 or listen to it
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I would also like to read this.
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Thanks for your review. I am not familiar with this author. I’ve added this book to my To Read List. I did not watch Downton Abbey, but it sounds like that is not necessary to enjoy the story.
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Not necessary to have watched the series 🙂
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I won this book recently but have hesitated to pick it up since I’ve never watched the show. I do enjoy women’s fiction, though, so it sounds like I’ll like it.
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I think you’ll like it!
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Thanks for the review! Just wanted to mention that Downton fans will recognize a lot of the inspiration behind the characters, but you don’t have to have watched the series to enjoy the story! In fact, I’ve heard from a number of readers who began watching the series after reading WWWWDA!
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Thanks for pointing that out, Wendy. I’ve added that to the beginning of the review. Thanks for a great book!
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Thank you! : )
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I have Wendy Wax’s book Ocean Beach on my shelf. This looks like another good one from her.
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That one’s on my wish list! I enjoyed Ten Beach Road and Magnolia Wednesdays. Can’t wait to read the others on her back list.
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I’ve got this on my audio wish list, but it needs to be near the top. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I love Downton Abbey!
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I enjoyed the audio of this book too. I loved Edward!
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Edward has definitely been a reader favorite. I really enjoyed writing him. Inspired by Charles Carson but looks like George Clooney! : )
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[…] ← Audio: While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax […]
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Can’t wait for Downton season 4, and yep I bought this one based solely on Downton Abbey being in the title lol. So glad you enjoyed it, I’m hoping to get to it soon!
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I am one of the few that has not seen the show. I have time for 2, maybe 3 shows a week and I’m booked up!
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I’m glad to hear you liked this audio as I have it to listen to one of these days.
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Wendy always entertains me too. I get really sucked in by her characters. Glad you enjoyed this one.
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