The Cougar Club: A Novel

By Susan McBride

Cougars are in! The older woman/younger man match up is no longer taboo—look at Demi and Ashton, or Courteney Cox in Cougar Town. Now Susan McBride, acclaimed author of the Debutant Drop-Out mystery series, shows us that life and romance emphatically do not end at forty in The Cougar Club. The funny and touching story of three childhood pals who discover that you’re never too old to follow your heart, The Cougar Club is an unadulterated delight which Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award-winning author Harley Jane Kozak calls, “can’t put it down storytelling…[that] will charm you and surprise you, right up to the last page.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jan 26, 2010
• ISBN: 9780061966125

Susan McBride

Susan McBride is the USA Today bestselling author of Blue Blood and the Debutante Dropout Mysteries that include The Good Girl's Guide to Murder, The Lone Star Lonely Hearts Club, Night of the Living Deb, Too Pretty to Die, and Say Yes to the Death. She also writes the bestselling River Road Mysteries and has penned three women’s fiction titles: The Truth About Love and Lightning, Little Black Dress, and The Cougar Club. She chronicled her bout with breast cancer in the short memoir, In the Pink: How I Met the Perfect (Younger) Man, Survived Breast Cancer, and Found True Happiness After Forty. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and daughter.

Reviews for The Cougar Club

[scoutlee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kat, Carla and Elise were high schools friends, only to lose touch when Kat moved away to New York. Factor in careers, marriages and the passing of time, these women slowly drifted apart, only to be reunited again when Kat lost her job.On her last day at work, she came home to find her much younger, live-in boyfriend engaging in self-activity while browsing the internet. Fed up, she decides to return home to Missouri to think about the next chapter in her life.Upon arrival, she reconnects with her two best friends Elise and Carla. Elise is married to Michael, has a son in college and is a successful dermatologist. Carla is the face that everyone loves and a popular TV anchor. As the friends catch up, they learn that life sometimes doesn't turn out as planned.The Cougar Club is a book about 40-something women coming into their own when things turn upside down. Together these women are able to face the curve balls life throws at them. The Cougar Club is my first book by this author and will not be the last.

[cozylover · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've read McBride's mystery series and must say she did far better with this book than she ever did with the Débutante Drop Out series! This was a fast, easy read with characters that were fun to get to know. I'd definitely recommend it to my 40+ year old friends as I know they can totally relate to the story line!

[thelibraryhag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After years of working for the same company, Kat is fired in favor of her younger assistants. Shaken, she leaves New York and her very young lover, to return to her hometown of St Louis. There she reconnects with her two best friends from high school, a newcaster and a dermatolgist. They soon find that they have a lot more in common than they would have thought, including an uncanny ability to attract younger men.Hmmm, this was a pretty good book. The characters were fun to get to know and their stories were interesting. I think women of a "certain age" will enjoy this book, particularly the younger man part. I know I did.

[aardvark2_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Cougar Club is the story of three 45-year-old women, friends since youth, who reconnect and support each other through relationship upheavals and career crises. All three find love/sex with younger men, hence the title of the book. As a reader who largely reads mysteries and non-fiction, I had no experience with this genre of fiction and found myself very pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this book, finding it very readable, with interestingly drawn characters and plot developments that kept me reading “just one more chapter”. The author’s message is optimistic: middle age can be the start of the best relationships or career choices of your life—it all depends on your point of view.

[jayble_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I tried really hard to like this book. I really wanted to enjoy it, especially as I approach cougar age. However, I just couldn't relate to the characters - they all seemed really kind of dippy to me for whatever reason. Also, they squealed an awful lot to each other over drinks. This can be done to good effect, such as Sex in the City, but here it came off more vapid than anything else.I think that these women were just not the type of people I would want to spend time with, even in mere book form. It made reading the book very difficult, although there are some good bits in here.

[bookwormteri · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A group of women, old friends, have their own "mid-life" crises and rediscover each other and themselves.I had a horrible time getting into this book. I appreciate the female friendship aspect and the difficulties that they were having, but I couldn't identify with any of them. They were all wealthy and really had no real problems. I don't know, we all struggle with who we are and what we should do with our lives, but don't all have the freedom to start over so abruptly.

[oelusiveone · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I thought this was o.k. After reading so many books (don't let my librarything nos. fool you), I think I've become somewhat jaded. I need to read something very exciting, interesting, or different to be really impressed. Unfortunately, this is none of these.

[bugeyzz23 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I rarely rate books with 5 stars, but this one fits the bill! It grabs you right from the first few pages and takes you on a joy ride through the lives of three women who were close friends during their childhood and whose lives went in different directions---for a time. They reunite and rekindle their friendships and tackle some mid-life issues with grace and laughter. This was my first encounter with Author Susan McBride's works, and I look forward to see what else she has out there. I would love it if she would do a sequel following the lives of Kat, Carla and Elise on their next adventures! I'd say this is a MUST READ!!!

[almab_48 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I wanted to like this book but I couldn't get past the third chapter. To be fair this is not a genre I typically explore but I had hopes it would be fun. The novel focuses on the lives of 3 women from each of their perpectives. I found them vapid and shallow constructs. A doctor , an advertising exec, and a t.v. news anchor...wow they must be some pretty formidable women right? Wrong. Yes they continuously harp about how tough and kick a** capable they are yet all they do is whine and break down into tears. Not my cup of tea.

[bermudaonion_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Kat worked in advertising and lived happily with her younger boyfriend. Her world suddenly came crashing around her all in one day – she lost her job and discovered her boyfriend watching porn on his computer. Shattered, she returned home to St. Louis and rekindled her friendship with Carla and Elise – her two closest childhood friends.Carla, the evening news anchor, is obsessed with staying fit and youthful, so she can keep her job. Her boyfriend is the station’s younger sportscaster.Elise is a dermatologist married to her childhood sweetheart, a plastic surgeon. Their only child has gone off to college and they’re not only suffering from empty nest syndrome, but their marriage seems to have lost its spark. When Elise’s son’s old hockey coach comes to visit her about a rash, Elise is appalled by the attraction she feels.The three friends are able to pick up where they left off and re-kindle their friendship. Along the way, they discover just how much good friends can mean.I think the title of The Cougar Club by Susan McBride is a little mis-leading. Yes, the women are in their forties and they’re each involved with a younger man at some point in the book, but that’s not really what the book is about. It’s about being true to yourself and the importance of friendship. I enjoyed this book and I liked all three of the main characters, even though I didn’t like everything they did. I also think the book had a good message about surviving and taking care of yourself.Susan McBride says the characters in the book don’t like the term “cougar” and at the end of the book she shares how she became an “accidental cougar”.

[koalamom_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Three forty-five year old friends discover life's surprises when there lives take a turn - for the better or worse? That is the question.Each discovers that what they thought was permanence really isn't - things do change - and different can be good - starting over is not a bad thing - at any age, especially when you have good friends to stand with you as you find something new.

[miamismartgirl09 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I recieved this book as part of the Early Reviewers program.I enjoyed reading this book about 3 "cougars", ladies who are generally older (think 40s or so) but enjoy...the company of younger men. Their lives change very quickly, which drives the plot lines.I liked how it wasn't told from one person's perspective, switching it up ever few chapters.Although I am not yet a cougar, I enjoyed reading this chick lit book.

[24girl_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When Kat gets fired from her advertising job after 15 years she flees Manhattan for her home town in St. Louis. She leaves behind a much younger boyfriend who won't make a commitment and much worse, she doesn't fully trust. After a few days of feeling sorry for herself she finally gets up the courage to look up her old best friends, Carla and Elise.Carla is the city's top rated news anchor yet her ex-husband, the station manager, is gently pushing her aside to make his much younger (and bustier) girlfriend the next big thing. Now "What comes around, goes around." is all to true as she remembers doing the same to secure her own job many years ago. The Empty Nest Syndrome has got Elise very firmly in it's grasp. After her son leaves to college in Austin, Elise realizes that her husband has grown distant in recent months and she has a nagging feeling that he's seeing someone else. But she doesn't have the courage to confront him so she goes about her days as if nothing is wrong and spends night after night torturing herself with thoughts of what her husband might be up to. For the three women in their forties, being back together again is just what they need to snap them out of their blues and find their true happiness, even if it means being on the hunt for a much younger cub. The Cougar Cub was a great one-day read. Being 36 I could totally relate to these women because their stories were genuine. Their friendship keeps them strong and after a few rough patches they each come out on top to do as Kat says and, "Live Real". I highly recommend this one for fans of chick-lit.

[booboobad · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story for "women of a certain age" The friendship between Kat, Carla and Elise is amazing. The story shows how true friendship can survive any and everything. The cougars in this story have it all!

[mountie9_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Some of my enjoyment of this book came from the fact that I read it while on vacation at Smugglers Notch and the fact that it wasn't another dark and twisted piece of Canadian literature. That being said I really enjoyed this one. It is light and laugh your ass off funny at times and other times makes you really think about womens lives after they hit the big 40 (and I am less than 2 months away from that big #) The characters are interesting, if not horribly realistic. I do have to say that I REALLY didn't like the character of Carla and honestly just wanted to smack her alot, but it didn't really affect my overall enjoyment of the story. I just wanted more of Kat or Elise and so much less of Carla the irritating whiny bitch (Sorry have to be honest) I loved the friendship between the 3 ladies and it really reminded me of that saying "A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway" The book really is more about true and lasting friendships than being a Cougar, but that is why I think I liked it so much. Susan McBride has created a realistic example of female friendship. The women in this story have rebuilt their friendship and learned the importance of maintaining closeness with your true friends who love you no matter what. It was really nice to read about how healthy it can be for women to provide support to one another, and most importantly to just let loose and have fun! I know a lot of people have a problem with the term Cougar, since it is often used in such a negative light, but don't let that stop you from buying the book. I also don't think there is anything wrong with being a Cougar -- men have been dating women way younger than them for centuries. My only little complaint is that things got tided up a little too quickly and at times the plot was slightly predictable, who didn't guess that Elise's husband was going to be gay. Other than that I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to ANY women over the age of 30. This is my first Susan McBride story and I will definitely be checking out more by her. Now I am off to the Reference desk to ogle some of the sexy young Firefighting Students (Only the ones over 25 though-- any younger and it just gets creepy no matter if you are a guy or a girl)

[zedd_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received The Cougar Club by Susan McBride through Library Things Early Reviewers program. Though, as the title would suggest, the book is based on three "cougars", their love/hate relationships with younger men, job security and new beginnings, I found that the book transcends any age. More than being about older women chasing after younger men, The Cougar Club's main theme was new beginnings. How Kat started her life over after catching a cheating boyfriend and loosing her job all in one morning. Or Carla, afraid that she will lose her job to a younger, more buxom "girl". And of course, Elise, who finds her whole world shattered by her husbands revelations. Each woman picked up the pieces, moved on with her life and had some fun inbetween.

[kariannalysis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book came special to me from blogging buddy Megan from WriteMeg! We did a little swap with books. I sent her One Amazing Thing. And although I told her not to send me anything in return, she did and I have never been happier to receive a book in the mail. This was a very pleasant surprise and one I had near the very top of my To Be Read list.Kat is 45-years-old, has a great job and a super hot 20 something boyfriend. That all changes in the first chapter. She uproots from her NYC home and goes back to St. Louis where she grew up. She catches up with her best friends from high school, Carla the news anchor and Elise the dermatologist.All these women are realizing that at the age of 45, nothing is guaranteed. Jobs are on the line and marriages are on the line, but the good thing about 45? All the young guys love them a cougar. Now, this book isn’t about a bunch of women going around hooking up with younger men. Yes, it happens once or twice throughout the book, but it is more of a coming of age, finding yourself book.Quickly, I fell in love with these women. Of course, I felt a connection with Carla because we’re in the same business and although I don’t anchor or report, job security in media is a scary thing.These women are more my mom’s age than mine, but this book definitely hit home on the family level. I’ve been through a similar circumstance that one of these women went through with her family so I was able to feel this book.I really liked how this book was written. It is definitely a 2010 book. Twitter and Crackberry are just a couple of terms that I remember from the book that kept me reading because I felt like I really lived in the same world they do.As much as I love Chick Lit, I always feel paranoid when I read them. They normally give me hope that I know I can get through things, but they never really give me much hope for the future of my marriage. I kind of got away from these books right before the wedding because they paranoy me, along with Lifetime Movies, but I can’t stay away.Another paranoia these books give me is that I need to make sure I keep working out now so I don’t regret not doing it later. At one point in this book, after almost 20 years of not working out, one of the ladies goes back to the gym then turns around and walks out. At that moment, I started dong squats while reading. I am such a dork I know!I give The Cougar Club 4 bookmarks.

[polarbear_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was happy to receive this book via the Early Reviewer program. It was quick, enjoyable, light reading. I knew from the title as well as the description this would be about three women as they enter their mid-40s and their relationships (largely) with younger men. I found the repeated focus on the characters noticing other "cougar" relationships mildly irritating. I reminded myself that this is normal behavior. If someone is involved in an activity, they tend to notice others involved in similar activities more readily.I've recently heard the term "cougar" as it relates to the older woman, younger man relationship, but I sensed the term was overused in the book and detracted from an otherwise enjoyable story.Even though it was a little thin, I liked the characterization of each of the women -- each so different yet supportive of each other. I thought for sure Carla was going to screw up her whole situation. I loved the way she handled Michael when she caught him and wanted to persuade him to do the right thing. Perhaps oddly, I wanted more interaction with Kat's mother. The ending came out satisfactory and enjoyably. As one other reviewer commented, this was more a novel about women's friendship than female-male relationships.Fore a quick, entertaining read, this book is worth your time. If you're looking for something more, give it a pass.

[eam_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a quick, fun, enjoyable read. It was easy to keep track of the characters and did not require lots of concentration. It was more about taking the things life throws at you and dealing with them head on, rather than about "cougars". So, if you are looking for an entertaining story that is easy to keep up with, this book is for you!

[tadad_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I don't know why I'm reading this book for Early Reviewers. I don't remember requesting it; this type of book is just not my bag. I must have accidentally clicked on the link and I apologize to those of you who didn't get a copy because I did.I didn't like it. I don't have a love for this genre, that's true, but it's more than that. I read Olivia Goldsmith's The First Wives Club at the beach one year...just as much "chick lit" as this one...and, while I had no desire to rush out and get more of her books, it passed an afternoon and I could see how someone who enjoyed that genre would like the book. This one, I don't. There simply wasn't any plot, less than some short stories I've read, and the characters were so hackneyed.By the way, I apologize for the spoilers below but there's really not much plot to spoil. If this is your type of book and you're planning to read it, don't go any farther—you now know my opinion.In an attempt to be somewhat fair and minimize the gender bias, I tried to think about the story with all the sexes reversed. We have three 40-something friends. One gets laid off from his advertising job because kids fresh out of school are cheaper, so he moves back to his home town and announces he'll open a gallery. A second is concerned his spouse is cheating but, before he can confront her, she confesses to liking women more than men. He says, "Ok", arranges for an amicable divorce and moves on to an interesting and pretty, young thing. The third is in a glamour job, is afraid of being replaced by someone younger and hipper, and decides to not go quietly...only to find out that the owner never intended to replace him. That's it. Seriously...that's the entire plot. The vast majority of the pages are spent with the friends in restaurants and bars, cheering each other up and ogling the pretty girls (occasionally maneuvering a one-night stand).Put that way, the whole thing sounds pretty lame, doesn't it? Somehow, the fact that the three friends were really women and the "young things" are all guys is supposed to overcome this. It's as if McBride figured she didn't have to put any work into the book because prurient interest over a reversal of the "traditional" age gap was enough. After all, it even has a name—they're Cougars. That term makes me wince; we don't label the older gent with the pneumatic young lady on his arm, do we? I am sure that there are books in this genre that have a decent plot and characters not constructed out of cardboard, but this isn't one of them.

[bookwormygirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Three best friends, Kat, Carla and Elise, are back together in the same town after many years apart. They are now in their mid-40's and are each at a turning point in life:Kat just recently lost her job in Manhattan because her superiors have decided younger employees are the way to go and upon finding her much younger boyfriend having some cyber fun, she has decided he's got to go too. So she packs up and heads back home to St. Louis and her two BFF's.Carla is the town's news anchorwoman... a celebrity of sorts. She's hot at 40, and she knows it, not to mention she's going out with the young Sportscaster at her station. But she suddenly finds herself in a déjà vu moment, when a younger woman is a threat to her job... just like she did once upon a time to her predecessor.Then there's Elise - whose life seems to be the most stable. She's been married for years, her children are grown and gone from home and now she finds herself in a rut. Her marriage and sex life sucks and her husband is quite possibly cheating on her.Their unofficial "Cougar Club" is what they'll need in order to see, get through and move forward from these not-so-great moments in life.This was a fun and quick read that had it's funny and light moments but also had some moments that were thought-provoking. I love the idea of a cougar. Why? Well because I've never felt that age should define a person. Plus I give kudos to any woman who at 45 can still live and look like they are in their late 20's, early 30's. You go girlfriend!Ms. McBride's writing is hip and fun. She really brought these woman to life - made you feel as if you could know someone like them in real life. The issues and struggles they face were realistic and most women over 30 can definitely relate. I truly enjoyed this story about friendship, love, and just life in general.I loved the Club's motto:True friendship never dies, the only way to live is real, and you're never too old to follow your heart.I think that is so true and certainly something every woman, no matter the age, should live by.This was a wonderful treat to read and I definitely recommend it.

[sdbookhound · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book through the member giveaway program.Kat, Carla, and Elise are old friends reunited and brought close again by their mutual struggle of being 45 year old women in a society obsessed with youth. Each woman has been very successful in her chosen path, but finds herself facing stress in her personal life. I loved reading about their friendship and how they encouraged one another. This, to me, was the best part of the book.As a 40-something woman myself, this was a fun book to read even though the whole idea of being a "cougar" is far removed from my life or that of any of my friends. I would have liked to have seen more depth to the characters. Perhaps if there is a sequel we will get to know them better. All in all an enjoyable read and more power to those women who are members of the "cougar club".