Wow. I don't know how to begin my review for this book, except to say that this was exactly what I needed to read. I wish that I'd been able to read this book a year ago; it would have helped me immensely as my best friend and I "broke up." Still, over a year after the event, this book helped me immensely.

We all hear that best friends are forever, but that just isn't the case sometimes. Friendships are dynamic and ever-changing; sometimes people just grow apart. In my case, my best friend started dating someone seriously and decided that she didn't have the energy or time to devote to anyone else but him. I was devastated. I was angry. I was ashamed every time someone asked me where she was - weren't we best friends? Above all, I was hurt. And it felt like no one understood why I was so upset about losing my best friend.

After muddling through my emotions for a year, I found this book, and finally there was validation for my thoughts and feelings. I realized, finally, that I wasn't alone, that other women went through similar circumstances with their so-called best friends. And after the author works through the pain of being "dumped," its stages, and why it is okay to hurt so much, she offers a lot of insight into female friendships, what makes them tick, what makes them thrive or wither away, and what a person can do to foster more friendships.

There is some great stuff to be found in this book's pages. I'd recommend it to anyone who has been "dumped" by a close friend. ( )

This book fills a valuable role by recognizing that the breakup of a friendship can be as traumatic as the breakup of a romantic relationship, however I could have liked a little more practical advice for handling one. (The after-effects, that is; there is a wealth of advice for dealing with friendships that may need ending or downgrading.) ( )