Thursdays at Eight

by Debbie Macomber

Claire, Elizabeth, Karen, and Julia meet every Thursday for breakfast to share the events that are happening in their lives, from a painful divorce to an unexpected pregnancy, and to offer each other undying support, love, and encouragement.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Book Club, Friendship

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Debbie Macomber at her finest. Meet Julia, Karen, Liz and Claire - four very different women facing very different problems. They meet at a writing class but continue meeting up every Thursday morning at eight. Julia is a happy mother-of-two who has just opened her own knitting shop. What could go wrong? An unexpected, and unwanted pregnancy. Karen is in her twenties and has been pursuing an acting career for as long as she can remember. But her mother does not approve. In Karen's opinion, her mother wants her to be like her sister Victoria. Except, Victoria does not have it all worked out, and very soon relies on Karen to help her out of a terrible situation. Liz is a widow. Her husband died unexpectedly. Just when the grief had lessened, her two children move away, leaving her even more lonely. And then she begins to be pursued by a handsome doctor. Is she ready to date? Does she want to be involved with this arrogant man? And Claire. She had been through ahurrendous divorce. Her husband left her for a younger model - leaving her hurt and angry. But through her son she discovers what her ex is going through. She is about to learn there is a fine line between love and hate.

This was a great book, I really enjoyed it. It was easy reading, good chick-lit, but with some deeper issues. Macomber explores cancer, death, premature births and domestic abuse. And in my opinion, she did it well. In some cases, there were no happy endings, which is realistic and made the book more inviting. There were extremely sad moments, moments were I was shocked by the abuse, worried about the baby and cheering on the characters as they walked down paths of love and forgiveness. With all these issues I think Macomber did a great job.

I really liked how this was based on the author's own life. She has a network of friends that she meets up with regularly. Although the characters and events are fictional, there was an added dimension knowing that it was based on personal experience.

All the characters were great. I connected with all of them on different levels and found myself hoping and wishing for them, and experiences their emotional hardships with them. They all had a different story but they way they helped each other was lovely. This is ultimately a book of friendship, and it is just lovely.

I did feel that some of the characters were not featured as much as others, which was a shame, however, they did cross into each others stories to knit the narrative together. And speaking of knitting, it was interesting thatMacomber included that hobby in the book, especially in the form of a knitting shop, as her Blossom Street series also revolves around a knitting shop.

Overall, I just really enjoyed this book. It is a book of friendship and companionship. It is easy to read, well written chick-lit.

[Weinz · Rating 1 out of 5]

As readers we are all burdened with bad book recommendations. The moment someone discovers you are a book-lover they instantly assume you enjoy the same books they do.

I know you ALL have experienced this. Friends, family, neighbors will recommend a book to you and then hound you until you have read it. "Did you read that book yet?" "did you, did you, did you??" Now, most of the time, as human beings we try to spare the feelings of the recommender by not screaming "No! I would never waste valueable reading time on something so inane and pointless."

As the recommendee we are left with few choices: 1. Cutting off all contact with said recommender and never ever speak to them again (may not be an option if they are family members), 2. LIE "I loved it! What a fabulous read! You, my friend, know me so well to choose such an extraordinary book." or 3. Actually read the drivel.

You can see which road I chose on this book. What sacrifices we all make for those we love.

As a book snob this is my albatross.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I feel as if I've eaten an entire chocolate covered cheesecake at one sitting. Talk about overdosing on chick lit. Yet, it is good at what it sets out to be...a schmaltzy, superficial overload of female bonding. I've never read anything else by this author, but I'm familiar with her as a purveyor of novels in this genre. So, yes, it was an overindulgence, but tasty and somehow satisfying. Will I ever read her again? Yup. Just like I'll probably eat too much dessert again. Sometimes it's just fun.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Very heartwarming. Beautiful stories of healing, friendships between women, growth, family, and relationships. All the women were at turning points in their life. They shared their struggles through their journals and through their meetings with each other on Thursday mornings at 8am for breakfast. Lovely- I think these are the sorts of supportive friendships among women that most women long for.

[Vaida Book lover❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jautri paliečianti.. Nevertinu šios knygos, kaip gilią prasmę turinčio romano, tačiau vertinu emocijas, kurios kilo man ją skaitant.
Tačiau, mane ji palietė, susitapatinau su tam tikrais moterų išgyvenimais. Tikrai nesu jautri, galiu ne emocijų triauškinti trilerius kaip riešutėlius.. Na o čia, vietomis nubraukiau ašarą.. Na gerai net ne vieną. Turbūt dėl paliečiamų temų. Bet nenoriu per daug gilintis į knygos turinį, noriu tik pacituoti mano mylimą frazę ,,Nespręsk pagal knygą iš jos viršelio". Viršelis saldus, gražus, skanus, bet romanas tikrai ne toks. Aišku priklausys kokiu laikotarpiu jį skaitysite 🙏
Labai tinkama knyga atostogoms, ar tiesiog ramiam jaukiam vakarui❤️
Nuoširdžiai nesitikėjau, kad ji man taip patiks. Bet patiko. Kai tikiesi mažiausiai, gauni daugiausiai. Na ir manau šia 17-ta sausio mėnesio perskaityta knyga užbaigsiu šio mėnesio skaitinius. 🙏🤗

[Marianne Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber is like a favorite pair of PJ's. She is so comfortable and so snuggly. Her books are always perfect.
This book had a particular lesson in it that really resonated with me.
I highly recommend this book.

[Dowwille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nemeluosiu, visų pirma knyga patraukė savo saldžiu knygos viršeliu. Anotacija - sukėlė intrigą. Labai sužavėjo graži, keturių moteriškių tradicija - susitikti ketvirtadieniais aštuntą.
Knygos herojų istorijos nėra eilinės. Kiekvienos jos istorija yra išskirtinė. Autorė paliečia daugybę gyvenimiškų problemų. Tad knyga skaitosi labai lengvai ir įtraukiančiai.

[Karen J · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fun entertaining and a heartfelt read…

[Glenda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this some time ago ... it was very good ... a little different than most of Debbie Macomber's books. I think this is one of my favorite Macober books.

[smiltė · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5⭐️

[Justina Neliubšienė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jos buvo čia. Visos keturios. Kiekviena įžengusi į skirtingą gyvenimo tarpsnį. Jos galėjo juoktis ir verkti drauge, kartais dviese vienu metu. Viskam yra savas laikas ir tai - jų gyvenimo laikas. Tikrai patiko, labai gyvenimiška ir jautru.🙂👍

[Eve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four women, Liz (57), Clare, Julia (39) and Karen (in her 20s), meet in a journal-writing class. They enjoy each others company and decide to meet every Thrydsay morning at eight for a coffee. Even thought they are all of different age and backround, they find companionship and comfort in each other. Together they share joys, hopes and dreams, but also their fears, losses and sorrows.

I liked the story but I still don't quite enjoy stories with multiple narrators because when some of the protagonist are not so interesting or I don't like them, then I tend to skip their POVs and some of the story gets lost. In this one I didn't much care for Karen. She sounded a bit too immature for my taste. Too rant that her parents wanted her to get education...how could she have gotten her teaching position if it weren't for her education? Julia's reaction to her pregnancy sounded also outdated ... these days many woman have their first child in their late 30s, so all that fuss was over the top. Her kids were horrible and I didn't by their sudden change of heart! Liz was my favorite.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thursdays at Eight is the 65th stand-alone novel by popular American author, Debbie Macomber. In this novel, Macomber takes what are essentially four short stories and entwines them by having the main characters meet on Thursdays at Eight for breakfast, chat, love and support. The women are quite different, not just their ages, but also their attitude to life. Clare’s husband left her for a younger woman: her sons are angry and she is stunned by how much anger and bitterness she still feels towards her ex, even a year after their acrimonious divorce. Then her youngest son starts to meet with his father in secret. Hospital Administrator, Liz is managing to cope with being a widow, but her loneliness is intensified by her daughter’s family moving to another state, and her son moving out of home. Then, a slightly younger paediatrician with a womanising reputation sets out to woo her, but does she want what he’s offering? Substitute teacher and would-be actress, Karen wishes her mother would just accept her as she is and stop comparing her with her respectable sister. But is the life her sister has quite as perfect as everyone believes? With her fledgling yarn shop finally taking off, Julia is pleased with her life at forty, until she finds she is pregnant. Macomber uses two formats to present her stories: each woman keeps a journal and these entries, together with third-person narration, tell the story. Macomber manages to touch on many aspects of everyday life: divorce, grief and loss, cancer, empty-nest syndrome, domestic violence, late-in-life pregnancy, career choices, selfish teenagers and crack babies. Each chapter is prefaced with an interesting and often funny quote from a well-known woman. There are lots of words of wisdom in this feel-good offering from Debbie Macomber.

[Dorian Jandreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toks mielas ir skanus viršelis sugundė nusipirkti ir perskaityti knygą. Tai knyga apie keturias moteris ir jų gyvenimus, kiekviena su savo problemomis. Liza vyriausia iš visų ir dirba ligoninėje. Karena turi problemų su savo itin priekabia motina ir smurtą patiriančia seserimi. Klerė išgyvena skaudžias skyrybas ir buvusio vyro ligą. Džulija laukiasi.

Beveik kiekvienas skyrius prasideda dienoraščio ištrauka, skyriai gan trumpi ir neįkyri skaityti, nes labai lengvas rašymo stilius. O ir įdomu skaityti kai istorija taip lengvai plėtojasi. Nors viršelis ir saldus, bet knyga ne tokia- joje netrūksta skaudžių įvykių. Tačiau viskas su laiminga ir gražiai pabaiga. Man tikrai patiko ši knyga, atitiko visus mano lūkesčius- ne per saldi, bet įdomi ir lengva.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. Some of it was similar to other books, but then again I have read close to 100 Macomber books. I liked the insight into the lives of 4 very different women. They all have a large range in age, but were brought together by a journal class. I would recommend this book to any friend who likes cozy books.

[Kay Cardona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Debbie Macomber 's books. They never disappoint. They are so wholesome. I love her characters and plots. It's light reading but good solid values.

[Gabrielė|Kartu su knyga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Šiuo metu norėjosi kažkokio lengvesnio skaitinio. Pasirodė, jog knyga apie keturias moteris bei jų gyvenimo peripetijas puikiai tam tiks.

Kiekvieną ketvirtadienį, aštuntą valandą ryto "Mokos akimirkos" kavinėje susitinka keturios moterys. Jos visos susipažino dar visai nesenai dienoraščio rašymo pamokose. Tarp moterų užsimezga ypatingas ryšys ir jos nusprendžia ir toliau jį puoselėti.
Deja, bet visoms šioms moterims likimas nepašykštėjo išbandymų.
Klerei teko išgyventi skaudžias bei netikėtas skyrybas.
Karena vis dar siekia savo svajonės bei nori tapti aktore, nors jos tėvai visišksi tam nepritaria ir aktorystė dažniausiai tampa jų pykčio priežastimi.
Liza turi puikų darbą, tačiau jaučiasi be galo vieniša. Likus našle, moteriai vis dar sunku susitaikyti su šiuo statusu.. Džulija atrodo, jog išgyvena puikų laiką. Turi savo parduotuvę, kuri po truputį atneša vis daugiau pelno, o vyras yra mokyklos ditektorius. Viskas klojasi puikiai iki kol Džulija sužino, jog laukiasi.. O jai jau keturiasdešimt. Nėštumo ji tikrai neplanavo.

Tikėjausi, jog ši knyga bus šilta bei kupina nuoširdžios draugystės. Visos šios moterys tokios skirtingos, bet tuo pačiu ir panašios. Negalėjau nesižavėti šių moterų draugyste bei jas siejančiu ryšiu.
Debbie Macomber palietė tikrai ne vieną jautrią temą, tad knygą skaityti buvo tikrai įdomu bei jautru.
Ši istorija puikiai tiks tiems, kuriems norisi šiltos, lengvos bet ne per saldžios knygos. Manau, jog norint atsipalaiduoti ši knyga persiskaitys itin "skaniai".

[Eglė / Gal paskaitom? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber „Ketvirtadieniais aštuntą“ ☕️

Šilta, jausminga knyga apie keturių moterų draugystę ir jų gyvenimus. 💕

Klerė, Liza, Karena ir Džulija – be galo skirtingos moterys ir jei ne dienoraščio rašymo kursai, jos tikriausiai niekada nebūtų susitikusios ir tapusios draugėmis. Visgi vienai iš jų kyla idėja susitikti ne tik kursuose, bet ir kitu metu ir visoms tinkamas laikas yra būtent ketvirtadienio pusryčiai. Šie susitikimai tampa keturių įvairiapusiškų moterų tradicija ir užuovėja nuo asmeniniuose gyvenimuose vykstančio chaoso.

Man ši miela knyga patiko ir tikrai nebuvo tokia saldi saldi kaip atrodo iš viršelio! 🍬 Knyga sudaryta iš moterų įrašų į savo dienoraščius, kasdienių įvykių gyvenime ir susitikimų ketvirtadieniais. Į dienoraščius ir savo draugėms jos išlieja visa savo širdį. O pasakoti tikrai turi ką, nes kiekvienos moters gyvenimas yra vienaip ar kitaip nelengvas. Aptariamos ir skyrybos, ir nėštumai (laukti arba netikėti), ir netektys, ligos... Nors problemų daug, bet po skaudulius labai giliai nesikapstoma, moterys stengiasi viena kitą suprasti, palaikyti ir į viską žvelgti pozityviai. Pradėjus skaityti, knygos įžanga iškart nuteikė smagiai, nes joje atskleista, kad rašydama autorė rėmėsi savo patirtimi ir tradicijomis iš savo gyvenimo. Tokios knygos, kur autorius, kad ir smulkmeną, bet vis tiek įdeda kažką savo, man visada įdomesnės. Šią knyga man skaityti buvo jauku ir šilta, ji puikiai tiko visiškam atsipalaidavimui. Gilių jausmų ji manyje nesukėlė, bet atostogoms ar vakarams, kai esu pavargusi ir nesinori labai susikaupti (kokia ir buvo mano praėjusi savaitė 😄) ji kaip tik!

Rekomenduoju šią knygą mėgstantiems šiltas, ganėtinai lengvas, bet ne per saldžias istorijas. Jei norite kažko atsipalaidavimui – nedvejodami išbandykite ir manau neliksite nusivylę. 😊

3,5 ⭐️ | 2021 – 7 📚

[Joann M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sob 😢 fest! I loved it.

[Trace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very charming read... full of the kind of friendship and community we all want in our lives.

[W.B. Abdullah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read--and very pleased to see knitting characters :). I felt the story was heartwarming and moving at times, especially with Clare and Michael's storyline. I'm starting to really like Debbie Macomber and how she tells the characters' stories, and lets us get to know them. A nice escape for me, and I think if I'm ever at a loss for a book out of town, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up a Debbie Macomber title! Very classy lady.

Favorite quotes from this book:

"He grinned. 'Ah, yes, this breakfast group of yours. Tell me, are the meetings just an excuse for men-bashing?'

Leave it to Sean to suggest such a thing. 'Oh, hardly. The problem with you men is that you're so threatened by women getting together, you naturally assume it's all about you.' " (p.170)

"Although she could well afford a cleaning service, she preferred to do her own housework. She joked that it helped her work out her aggressions, which was true; she also felt that she could better maintain the kind of control she wanted over her environment." (p.178)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was at Target in the book aisle. I wanted something cozy and easy to read. As I perused the selection and read lots of back covers I came across this book. I had never read anything by Debbie Macomber before but this seemed like a perfect fit...and it was! Reminiscent of "Steel Magnolias"...but also not really...but kinda. These ladies don't have the same quick wit or sarcasm and southern sass but have their own challenges that they share with each other every Thursday at 8:00 over breakfast. This was a perfect book to pick up and put down and fill some in between time (I started and finished 2 other books after starting this and before finishing it).

I liked it. I enjoyed reading about 4 different women and their lives and the friendships they formed. It was a bit tidy and at times very cheesy but was exactly the kind of snowy day...warm blanket...book that I was looking for. A solid 3.5.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read many books by Debbie Macomber but I thought the book was a good summer read and quick for me. I borrowed it from a friend while I was stayationing at my sister's.

The book ends on New Year's Day as 4 women individually chose a word that will motivate them thru the upcoming year. The book is written in sections as each woman tells about her day or so. The 4 women became friends during a journal writing class and they decided to meet at a coffee shop on Thursdays at eight to keep up with each other. The women are slightly different ages, different marriage status, different incomes but they become good friends to each other.

[A'ndrea (Auni) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's see, I liked this book enough to give 4 stars. I loved the characters as I usually do in a Macomber book. It was a good quick read. I did find that it was a tad bit predictable. But that aside I just love Macomber books, and want to read more of her stuff. She writes so well and it flows nicely.

[Melissa Aguirre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this "feel good" book!! The friendship that the four women developed was lovely and refreshing. I also enjoyed the fact that the author gave me insight to the lives of the secondary characters. In addition, I appreciated how the author transitioned from scene to scene. I plan to read more books by this author.

[Murran Curran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of dorky book. Many irritating characters especially the two very bratty teens. Best part of the book was that the four characters each choose a word to represent their hopes for the coming year. Interesting concept. Would not recommend.

[Andrew Wolgemuth · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first foray into the prolific Macomber's work, and I enjoyed it. Her genre isn't my preferred, but it's easy to see why she's immensely popular: her characters are likable, the challenges they face are real and close-to-home, and the outcomes are heart-warming.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have friends I meet with once a week, so I really connected with the characters in this book!

[Alicia (aliciasbooksanctuary) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OVERALL STAR RATING: 5/5
CLEAN RATING: 4/5

I've been wanting to read a Debbie Macomber book for quite a while, but wasn't sure where to start. I had a friend suggest Thursdays at Eight. Let me just say, I am so glad I read it. This book was AWESOME!

Another great read as I journey into more women’s fiction with middle aged MCs. This story was full of realistic and raw family drama. There are a lot of heavy stories of brokenness within these pages, but also such a beautiful message of hope and the power of female friendships. Debbie’s writing style pulls you in and you find yourself completely invested in these women’s stories right from the start.

This group of women, each at a different place in their life, each with a challenge to face and a life full of uncertainty. One thing is solid though, their commitment to meeting over coffee every Thursday morning. They’re each other’s support group during uncertain times and reading through each of their personal stories is truly going to move your heart. I could sit and give a breakdown of each character and their trials, but it would honestly take away the magic of reading and discovering it all on your own.

If you’re not afraid of deeper topics and trauma, I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait to read more from Debbie Macomber.

4-Star clean rating for around two dozen instances of mild language. No F words and no spice. Please be aware that this story touches on topics of infidelity, spousal abuse and cancer.

For more reviews and bookish content, be sure to follow me on Instagram @aliciasbooksanctuary

[Ligelite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romanas apie keturias skirtingas moteris, kurios kiekvieną ketvirtadienį susitinka kavinėje aptarti savo savaitės.
Klerė - išsiskyrusi dviejų vaikų mama, labai pykstanti ant savo vyro dėl išdavystės.
Karena - jauna mergina, siekianti savo svajonių ir priimanti visus gyvenimo iššūkius.
Liza - šeštą dešimtį baigianti našlė, kuri stengiasi branginti kiekvieną gyvenimo akimirką.
Džiulija - jai netrukus sukaks keturiasdešimt, jos vyras mokyklos direktorius, o vaikai paaugliai. Jai viskas klostėsi gerai, kol gyvenimas neiškrėtė išdaigos.

Labiausiai akį patraukė anotacija ir viršelis. Nežinau ko tikėjausi iš šio romano, bet tikrai ne to, ką gavau.

Supratau, kad toks rašymo stilius ne man. Dauguma skyrių prasideda lyg asmeninis dienoraštis, o po jo vystosi veiksmas. Man nepatiko dienoraščio dalys, greičiausiai todėl, kad norėjosi daugiau veiksmo.
Pasakojimo dalys patiko. Patiko paliečiamos temos, tokios kaip smurtas šeimoje, netikėtas nėštumas ir žinoma meilė.
Manau, kad ši knyga turejo būti kur kas storesnės. Tik spėju įsijasti į kurios nors moters problemas, o čia jau ir skyriaus pabaiga. Lauki kito skyriaus su problemos tęsiniu, o pasirodo istorija peršokus kelias savaites ar mėnesius. Vienu žodžiu - nepatiko toks staigus laiko pasikeitimas. Skaitai apie birželio mėnesį, o po jau lapkritis aprašomas.

O jeigu trumpai, romanas nesužavėjo tiek, kad skaityčiau antrą kartą. 😊