Name: At Seventeen
ISBN: 9781594933585

Gerri Hill

Growing up together, wealthy Madison Lansford and Shannon Fletcher, daughter of her live in maid, become fast friends and eventually lovers, until circumstances divide them for a time, and then throw them back together.

At Seventeen

Madison Lansford and Shannon Fletcher met when they were ten years old. Madison—daughter of wealthy parents and Shannon, daughter of their live-in maid and cook—became fast friends, yet both knew their place in life. There was never a doubt that they would become lovers . . . there was also never a doubt that Madison would marry and maintain her social standing in the community. Little by little, they grew apart, their love affair ending with Madison’s marriage and pregnancy. Now, years later, Shannon returns to her old hometown to care for her ailing mother. Can they rebuild their friendship? Or will their new-found closeness bring back memories of their long-lost love? Travel through the years with Shannon and Madison and watch their love unfold as they move from teens to young women and into adulthood.

Lucia Correa

3.25 Stars.

Gerri Hill is not one of my go to authors. I don't dislike her and I've read some of her early books and more recent here and there (most before GR). But some just don't appeal to me for various reasons. I decided to give her another try, as a few of my GR Friends really liked this one. I wasn't interested previously as I don't normally care for YA or romances with YA characters.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Carly Robins. She was a very good (4 Star) narrator. Considering she has narrated over 265 books, she better be!

I'm so conflicted on how I feel about this book. I wanted to like it more than I did. I will say, it kept me entertained. I've found for audiobooks, if I get bored and I drop an audiobook quicker than if I was reading it. Hmmm. Maybe because it's easier skip & skim pages if I'm reading it myself? 

The first part is their early years 10yrs to early 20s. It covers their friendship as young girls and as it slowly develops to be more than friends emotionally and physically in love. Though they never discuss it. (Note: I was not comfortable reading/listening teen sex scenes which is why YA romance isn't for me). They are separated by their stations in life - Madison (the upstairs) daughter of very rich parents and a mother that is ultra-status conscious and there is Shannon (the downstairs) daughter of the live-in cook. Madison, is very much controlled by her mother such that she is incapable of making any of her own choices. Shannon knows her "place" and doesn't force the issue. Madison reluctantly ends up marrying the boy that her mother chose when she was still a young girl! A weakness? Perhaps. More like abusive dominance by her mother and a clueless father. 

From the wedding until they are in their late 30s, they rarely see each other. Which I feel sadder for Shannon's mother as Shannon doesn't visit her often to avoid running into Madison. I think I enjoyed the last part of the book the best. Shannon returns after she and her brother decide to build a branch of their small "Whole Foods" type markets in their hometown. In part to be nearer to their mother, Alice who has been in poor health. Of course Shannon runs into Madison, because Alice has become like a mother to her and grandmother to her genius son, Ashton. (I loved Alice too!). They find that their love hasn't diminished, but can Madison make the necessary changes in her life? I'm sure you can guess.

At Seventeen

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