The Cast by Amy Bluemenfeld

Twenty five years ago five friends were inseperable. They became more so when they bonded when one of their number got cancer. She survived the cancer but the effect of the hospitalisation, the treatment and the situation after remained with them forever.

Now all grown up, with families of their own, other than Seth the perennial bachelor they are getting together once more. More disparate than before, each have their own issues in their lives and once again Becca is facing a return of the cancer and this time it is creating a huge rift in her marriage as well.

The story goes back and forth between their school years and the present times and it threw up a scenario which was new to me. Becca is faced with a decision of a mastectomy, common enough today, but she is hesitating about reconstructive surgery. She is very keen with the idea of just having the mastectomy and stopping at that. Her husband Nolan is horrified. He cannot imagine his wife without breasts, as being "not normal" and not "womanly" being the butt end of jokes amongst his friends and his attitude has blown Becca's trust and love for him as this is a Nolan whom she cannot imagine.

The attitude of Nolan divides the friends as well who try to see the situation from his point of view as well but the camps are solely behind their friend. They supported her in the past and they will do so now.

Friendships, marriage, unexpected issues, deep attractions after decades all come up in this beautifully handled story.

The book was sent by Netgalley for an unbiased review, courtesy of Get Red PR