Something Borrowed

I've decided to start my own little Summer Book Club! I'm compositing a list of seven books, literally judged by their covers, that I will read from Memorial Day to Labor Day (technically what we, in Indiana, consider summer). Join me and enjoy some good Chic Lit! Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin was the first book on my summer reading list.

This story focuses on Rachel, a 30-year-old single lawyer living in New York City (although an Indy native). Rachel has a best friend from way back, Darcy, who is getting married to a law school friend of Rachel's named Dex, with Rachel as her maid of honor. After a surprise (not really) 30th birthday party for Rachel, thrown by Darcy, Rachel and Dex spend the night together, and thus begins the tale of the unrequited love of Rachel and Dex.

The two of them agree to keep their one night a secret from Darcy, who has a few secrets of her own. Rachel even tries to date Dex's friend, Marcus, with no real success. Rachel takes turns feeling guilty and justifying her actions by remembering all the past wrongs that Darcy had done her. There has been a long history of Darcy stealing boys from Rachel, copying her clothes, and upstanding her in every way she could think of. Deep down, though, Rachel knows that this does not excuse her actions. She longs for Dex to tell Darcy the truth so that he can begin a legitimate relationship with Rachel. After months of secret meetings and postponing any serious talks, Rachel delivers Dex an ultimatum: call off the wedding, or their love affair is over.

Rachel is a realistic "good girl" who you really will will end up caring about. Dex could have easily been made into nothing more than a glorified pig, but he is honestly torn between two women. Darcy is a little harder than Rachel to like, but she is the epitome of the driven New York City businesswoman. The interactions among these three main characters are realistic and interesting. There is an element of suspense as to what will end up happening between Rachel and Dex, and whether or not Darcy will find out about their affair.

I really had a HARD time putting this book down! I would often "read just one more paragraph" because I was on the edge of my seat. I give it five out of five stars!! Next: Something Blue by Emily Giffin. I'll blog this one next Monday!