Grown-Up Girlfriends: Finding and Keeping Real Friends in the Real World (Focus on the Family) [Paperback]

Erin Smalley (Author), Carrie Oliver (Author)

Book Description

Series: Focus on the Family | Publication Date: March 20, 2007

Even when life is hectic and harried, every woman has a God-given longing for relationship, and her female friends play an important role in filling that. Oliver and Smalley help women distinguish between self-centered, insecure, childish relationships and other-centered, healthy, “grown-up” relationships. Using personal anecdotes and scriptural principles, they explain ten characteristics of a grown-up friend and offer ideas on how readers can develop these attributes in themselves. Finally, they tackle the tough issues of friendships, such as how to support a friend in crisis, how to work toward forgiveness when a friend has injured you, and how to determine when it is best to let a friendship go.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (March 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414308094
• ISBN-13: 978-1414308098
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Erin Smalley holds a master's degree in clinical psychology. She and her husband, Greg, work together at the Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University. Their book, "Before You Plan Your Wedding, Plan Your Marriage," was released in early 2008. Erin has published numerous articles for "ParentLife," "HomeLife," "Marriage Partnership," and "Discipleship Journal." She and Greg have two daughters, Taylor and Maddy, and one son, Garrison.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The PERFECT book to give to your girlfriends!!, May 4, 2007

By 

Julie Kelly (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Grown-Up Girlfriends: Finding and Keeping Real Friends in the Real World (Focus on the Family) (Paperback)

I absolutely LOVED this book!! Erin Smalley and Carrie Oliver have done an amazing job explaining the different kinds of friendships that women have and how we handle each friendship. I appreciate the fact that they both have shared some very personal stories about both healthy and failed friendships in their lives. I enjoyed this book so much that I have ordered a few more to give to my closest girlfriends. If you have ever been hurt or struggled through a broken friendship, you have got to read this book! It will help you view your friendships differently and possibly bring some healing. It did for me, anyway. It will also make you value and treasure your closest friends all the more. You won't regret purchasing this book. :)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for your girlfriends, May 7, 2007

By 

Lori K. Tugwell "Lori" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grown-Up Girlfriends: Finding and Keeping Real Friends in the Real World (Focus on the Family) (Paperback)

Fabulous, informative, and a great book to enrich your friendships.
Caught my attention immediately - Erin and Carrie have great insights in this book on how to grow up you friendships with your girl friends.
Loved it - take it on vacation this summer and share it with your friends for Mother's day!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for sisters, friends, and moms, July 1, 2007

By 

C. Sawyer (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grown-Up Girlfriends: Finding and Keeping Real Friends in the Real World (Focus on the Family) (Paperback)

I found this book extrememly helpful as I walk through my "grown up" friendships. This book offers not only concrete ways of being a better friend, but also how to move on from those friendships that are damaging. I appreciated the real stories from both women on their journeys through healthy and unhealthy friendships. I felt like they really said what we as Christian women think, but don't always have the guts to say or do. It really challenged me to look at friendship in a more mature manner. This book would make a great gift for those women close to to you.