ALMOST SISTERS: THE COMPANY OF GOOD WOMEN, by Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, Carroll Hofeling Morris, Deseret Book, 418 pages, $15.95, softcover

      The prologue to "Almost Sisters" sets the standard, describing three older women wearing matching denim jackets with appliqueed fabric art on the back: "There was something about the women — their obvious enjoyment of life, their confident bearing, the way they linked arms as if they were a set — that attracted attention."
      Because the three authors met and became friends during a Brigham Young University Women's Conference in 1990, this LDS-oriented novel is loosely based on their own stories. Each woman is very different, yet they came together through the sharing of their problems and a "guilty secret." The women in the story range in age from 22 to 34.
      Juneau, from Pasadena, is serious about changing her life; Erin, a recent LDS convert from Minnesota, wants to be a better person; and Willadene, a stereotypical homemaker from Wellsville, is after a new recipe for homemade yogurt. Instead, each forges a new bond of friendship, which becomes one of life's genuine treasures.       The novel is organized in sections headlined with the name of each woman.
      Willadene is the most interesting and satirical — because she represents the stereotypical LDS woman, one who prepares noodle-and-ham casseroles for her husband, Roger, so he won't have to cook anything while she is gone for a week in Provo. She tells Roger to cook the casseroles at 350 degrees for 45 minutes: "Bitsy won't eat the ham, just the noodles. Carl won't want the peas but make him eat them anyway. Oh, and don't let Bitsy feed her ham to the dog. The vet said it's too salty and will make him sick."
      All three women are nervous at first, but they relax as they click with each other. All three find the classes a little too intense, so they cut afternoon classes to get root-beer floats.
      Juneau is newly pregnant and not at all sure she is happy about it. Being with other women who feel and understand her concerns is just what she needs.
      After the conference, they continue the relationship through letters.
      This is a delightful story of unexpected friendship blossoming for adult women. It's not the stereotyped LDS novel about resisting temptation. Each woman discovers that, along with the role of husbands and children in their lives, friendship with other women is not only a genuine need but a wonderful surprise.
      The writing style is witty and lighthearted. And just as each woman in the story is different, this novel dares to be different.
      The authors view this book as the first in a trilogy they will do together. Let's hope they continue the story.