Review: Songs Without Words by Ann Packer

I was very excited to get this novel because I loved Packer's first book, The Dive From Clausen's Pier. Sadly, I found Songs Without Words to be depressing, whiny and a waste of time. Set in the Bay Area it centers on two best friends Liz and Sarabeth. Both in their 40's, Liz is a yuppie mom of two while Sarabeth is a career-less single. When Liz's daughter Lauren tries to commit suicide, their worlds and their friendship falls apart. I read most of this on an afternoon off from work and finished feeling depressed, discouraged and sick to my stomach. Because of this, I can't recommend this book at all. I'm not asking for sunshine and roses, but this novel plunges the reader into a scary and dark place where, really, I feel no one needs to go