Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Something Blue is a continuation of Something Borrowed.  If you haven't read that book, you should read it before Something Blue.  This isn't one of those books that you can pick up, start reading, and fully appreciate without reading the first book in the series.

For those of you who haven't read the first book, I will give you a quick summary of the characters.  Rachel and Darcy have been best friends since they were four years old.  They are now 30 and living in New York City.  Rachel is the smart and sensible attorney who recently stole Darcy's fiance' (Dex).  Ordinarily this would be an unthinkable situation, but I was actually rooting for Rachel and Dex because they seemed perfect for each other. 

Darcy on the other hand is an unlikeable character.  I can not describe her any better than their long time friend Ethan who said...

"You are shallow.  You're utterly selfish and misguided, with totally screwed up values."  She is the attractive, flirty, party girl who thinks she is entitled to anything and anyone she wants, simply because she is beautiful.  She was actually dating one of the groomsmen (Marcus) during her engagement and is expecting his child when she decided to call off the wedding.  Dex was also planning on cancelling the wedding because he was in love with Rachel.  You would think this mutual realization would lead to an amicable split, but not when Darcy is a factor in the equation.

This is where Something Blue starts.  I was a bit leery at first about the change in narrator.  The first book was told from Rachel's perspective, but now we are getting Darcy's side of the story.  Darcy does rehash several situations from Something Borrowed, so we get her point of view on various events that unfolded in book one.  We also learn more about her relationship with Marcus.  It doesn't take Darcy long to alienate herself from all of her friends and family.  I actually enjoyed watching her sense of entitlement get whisked out from under her as her life came crashing down before her pretty little Jimmy Choos.  Before long she was left with only one option.  She decided to move to London to "visit" Ethan for a few weeks, but she had no intentions of returning to New York.  She was on a mission to find herself an attractive and wealthy Englishman who could support her and her unborn child. 

After about 200 pages, and a reality check discussion with Ethan, we FINALLY get to see Darcy's finer side.  She begins to take her pregnancy more seriously and realizes that perhaps SHE is the one with the "issues" and not EVERYONE else.  As she begins to make a complete 180, I actually started to like her character.  By the end, I was on Team Darcy.

While I don't think it was quite as good as the first book in the series, it was well worth the read.  I was very happy with how the story came to a close and would recommend it if you are looking for a light and entertaining book to read.

2 comments :

  1. Me = #TEAMETHAN

    Also, best line I've read in a review in awhile: "I actually enjoyed watching her sense of entitlement get whisked out from under her as her life came crashing down before her pretty little Jimmy Choos."

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    1. I was TOTALLY team Ethan. I liked him in the first book as well.

      Thanks!!! I appreciate the complement :)

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