Five children meet on the first day of kindergarten. In the years that follow, they become friends and more than friends. Together, they will find strength, meet challenges, face life’s adventures, endure loss, face stark realities, and open their hearts. In this moving novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel traces their unforgettable journey — full of tests and trials — as three boys and two girls discover the vital bonds that will last a lifetime. Gabby, Billy, Izzie, Andy, and Sean — each bursting with their own personality, strikingly different looks and talents, in sports, science, and the arts. Each drawn by the magical spark of connection that happens to the young. At the exclusive Atwood School, on a bright September day, starting in kindergarten they become an inseparable group known to outsiders as the Big Five. In this rarefied world, five families grow closer, and five children bloom beside one another, unaware of the storms gathering around them. As they turn from grade-schoolers to teenagers, seemingly perfect lives are buffeted by unraveling families, unfortunate missteps, and losses and victories great and small. And, one by one, they turn back to the Big Five to regain their footing and their steady course. But as they emerge from Atwood and enter the college years, the way forward is neither safe nor clear. As their lives separate and diverge, the challenges and risks become greater, the losses sharper, and the right paths harder to choose, in a journey of friendship, survival, and love. In what may be her most intricate and emotionally powerful novel yet, Danielle Steel tells a heart-wrenching, ultimately triumphant story that spans decades, weaves together a vivid cast of characters, and captures the challenges we face in life — sometimes, if we’re lucky, with a friend forever by our side.
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"This book was amazing as are all of Danielle's books -- it starts out with the 5 children meeting in the school that they were to attend until graduation and how they continued to be the best of friends all thru school and after and all the hardships that they go thru -- i truly recommend this book to all -- thank you Danielle for another great read"
— Belinda (5 out of 5 stars)
" Not one of her bests. Really depressing. "
— Lauren, 2/20/2014" I've never read a Danielle Steel before. Couldn't even get through the first chapter. "
— Samantha, 2/17/2014" This book is really well written like most Danielle Steel books, but I have to say it is probably one of the saddest books I have ever read. I really liked the characters and then she had to go and I guess to not give too much away say, not give them the happy ending that I would of wanted. I cried multiple times reading this book. And I keep finding myself wondering why? Why did she have to do that to those characters? If you are up for heartbreak go ahead and read this book but it was definitely not one of my favorites. "
— Suzy, 2/15/2014" Usual Danielle Steele had nothing else to read. "
— Mary, 2/14/2014" This was a sad but good book. "
— Dawn, 2/12/2014" I have read every book by Danielle Steel and had gotten to where I figure out her plots pretty quickly. Not with this one...she had me gasping at the twists and turns this on takes. "
— Anita, 2/11/2014" Good book but typical Danielle Steele. I loved the characters but did not like having to fall in love with them and than lose them, it is a tearjerkers so you must be in the mood for a book with fun but a lot of sad moments. "
— Brandy, 1/29/2014" Was a quick read but I thought that the author could have spent some more time on fleshing out each of the characters in the story. I didn't feel like I really got to know any of them all that well and so I wasn't that caught up in what happened to them. The whole story seemed a bit hollow. I have really enjoyed many of the author's previous books but every now and then (like with this one) I feel that she should shoot for complexity and content instead of pumping out so many books per year. "
— Joni, 1/15/2014" Seems like it was written by a high school student. Don't waste your time. It may be last Danielle Steel that I read "
— Marty, 1/2/2014" Good-typical Danielle steel "
— Kelly, 1/2/2014" This was a good book, written in typical Danielle-Steel style. I loved the relationships in it. "
— Terri, 12/31/2013" I really enjoyed this book. I liked the way she carried the characters together through the years with interwoven surprises. I would definitely recommend it. "
— Vickie, 12/28/2013" This was a quick depressing read. Starts out so happy with friends meeting in kindergarten. Evolves to much death and sadness. "
— Julie, 12/20/2013" I Love Danielle Steel!!! "
— Susan, 12/13/2013" Too much tragedy and heartache nothing like what i expected "
— Antnjoobie, 12/10/2013" Sometimes Danielle Steel's books can become tedious because they are a lot the same, but the last few she has written (and i've read them all) have been different. This one is way off from what she usually writes and is a book of life-long friendship. I loved it from beginning to end. "
— Deejay, 11/20/2013" I have been a huge fan of Danielle Steel over the years and have noticed a change in her style of writing in the last couple of books. I did enjoy reading this but it was a very sad book so only read it when you are happy and cheerful or it will depress you! "
— Wendy, 8/2/2013" This was a different book for Danielle. It made me cry at least 3 times and I really felt a connection with the characters. Good book "
— Tabitha, 7/17/2013" Friends forever is not a long time in this tragic yarn with lots of misery. Ms. Steel use to be better than this. 1 of 10 stars "
— Tim, 6/8/2013" Depression city. Not a great light read. I like my fluff to put me in a good mood. This is not that book. "
— Vanessacantwell, 6/3/2013" Great book about friends but too sad! "
— Sandra, 5/18/2013" Her books are usually pretty predictable...this one had a few things happen I didn't expect. It was good and I enjoyed it. "
— Judy, 5/15/2013" This was a heartfelt story of children starting their lives together the first day of kindergarten & staying friends through college. Through their own personal ups & downs, together, they were connected by a pact made on graduation day. Good story - moves kinda slow, but worth reading on the beach! "
— Lorinda, 5/12/2013" Very depressing! Reads like most Danielle Steele books but not a lot of depth or meaning found in this one "
— Jennifer, 4/29/2013" One of her best novels in recent years. A sad story about friendship. "
— Vicki, 3/2/2013" The beginning of the book was promising...but I was very dissapointed with the rest. I understand that tragic things happen to people all the time, but this seemed to go to extremes to make that point. I also thought the ending was kind of rushed. "
— April, 2/12/2013" I got bored with this. I've only read maybe three of her books. The Ring and Remembrance. Much better. It goes by too quickly and there are too many characters. "
— Jaime, 12/4/2012" Horrifying, tragic, and sweet book. A little part of me died every time another character did. Danielle Steel pulled at the heart strings of a 24-year-old reader who can't imagine going through this kind of pain. "
— Sarah, 8/26/2012" Not bad for another Danielle Steele book. "
— Deb, 8/26/2012" Best book couldn't put it down "
— Nat, 7/3/2012Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world’s most popular authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include many acclaimed novels. She is also author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina’s life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children’s books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Nick Podehl is a professional voice actor. He has narrated numerous audiobooks, many of which have won prestigious awards, including fourteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. He currently lives and works around Grand Rapids, Michigan, with his wife.