I finally finished reading one of my books! While this book is not new, it is new for me! Hahaha. Emily Giffin's first book, Something Borrowed may not have the snappy writing that Love the One You're With had, but it had a pretty good story.I had a vague idea of what the plot of the book was prior to reading, and it made the book an attractive read to me. After all, how can you sympathize with a main character (Rachel) who sleeps with her best friend's (Darcy) fiance (Dex)? It is one of the ultimates of friendship violation and I expected myself to actually dislike Rachel and yet, she is actually totally understandable. Because in a sense, the book summary is right. True love comes at a very high price. And in this case, it can cost you a friendship, even a best friendship (hahaha).
Spoilers abound, but if you wish...
I imagine this book is particularly satisfying for anyone who has ever played the role of the Other Woman (not necessarily in the context of marriage) because it represents a vindication of being in that particular situation. After all, as the book goes, not everything is black and white and sometimes the end justifies the means. And in a sense, I do agree that true love will always triumph over even the most unusual or frowned upon of circumstances.
Surprisingly, even as a quick decision-maker/ultimatum/now-or-never kinda girl, I liked that decision to pick an arbitrary (yet not-so-arbitrary) date for when The Talk between Rachel and Dex will happen. It was refreshing for me to be made to realize that when dealing with something complicated that you don't wanna give up just yet, sometimes it's important to first allow yourself to feel before letting your thoughts (especially when they're severely judgmental and pessimistic) to get in the way. Yes, the outcome could prove disastrous but maybe the happiness (albeit momentary) would make it worthwhile. :)
And while I get why Darcy had to be portrayed in that characterization (anything less will make her boring), I wonder if the sympathy vote would have tilted heavily toward her direction had she been less, errr, bitchy. After all, the point is not that she was being a bitch, hence she had it coming. The point was that no matter how great a girl is, if she's wrong for a guy then that's just how it is. They have no business getting married. And she really shouldn't be forcing herself or the guy to get married.
I also particularly loved the statement about how it was a good thing that it was Dex who made the decision to break it off. Before Darcy could say anything. Because indeed, if Darcy was the one who initiated things then Rachel would always be wondering if Dex ended up with her only because things can no longer work out with Darcy. She would have always wondered whether she was really first choice or was merely chosen by default because the other option fell short. And while some situations can be netiher black nor white, choices always have to be so. Otherwise they aren't really choices, are they?
Giffin's second book is about Darcy this time. And while the teaser isn't as appealing as this particular book, I'm still interested to read it (if only I could find it), in order to see Darcy's side of the story and give her some sort of redemption (See, I am so fair! Why are other people not fair? Hahaha). I'm hoping Darcy ends up with Ethan. ;)
P. S. A movie for Something Borrowed might be on its way?! Except it stars Hilary Swank as Rachel. Ugh! >.<
...Read more
Spoilers abound, but if you wish...
I imagine this book is particularly satisfying for anyone who has ever played the role of the Other Woman (not necessarily in the context of marriage) because it represents a vindication of being in that particular situation. After all, as the book goes, not everything is black and white and sometimes the end justifies the means. And in a sense, I do agree that true love will always triumph over even the most unusual or frowned upon of circumstances.
Surprisingly, even as a quick decision-maker/ultimatum/now-or-never kinda girl, I liked that decision to pick an arbitrary (yet not-so-arbitrary) date for when The Talk between Rachel and Dex will happen. It was refreshing for me to be made to realize that when dealing with something complicated that you don't wanna give up just yet, sometimes it's important to first allow yourself to feel before letting your thoughts (especially when they're severely judgmental and pessimistic) to get in the way. Yes, the outcome could prove disastrous but maybe the happiness (albeit momentary) would make it worthwhile. :)
And while I get why Darcy had to be portrayed in that characterization (anything less will make her boring), I wonder if the sympathy vote would have tilted heavily toward her direction had she been less, errr, bitchy. After all, the point is not that she was being a bitch, hence she had it coming. The point was that no matter how great a girl is, if she's wrong for a guy then that's just how it is. They have no business getting married. And she really shouldn't be forcing herself or the guy to get married.
I also particularly loved the statement about how it was a good thing that it was Dex who made the decision to break it off. Before Darcy could say anything. Because indeed, if Darcy was the one who initiated things then Rachel would always be wondering if Dex ended up with her only because things can no longer work out with Darcy. She would have always wondered whether she was really first choice or was merely chosen by default because the other option fell short. And while some situations can be netiher black nor white, choices always have to be so. Otherwise they aren't really choices, are they?
Giffin's second book is about Darcy this time. And while the teaser isn't as appealing as this particular book, I'm still interested to read it (if only I could find it), in order to see Darcy's side of the story and give her some sort of redemption (See, I am so fair! Why are other people not fair? Hahaha). I'm hoping Darcy ends up with Ethan. ;)
P. S. A movie for Something Borrowed might be on its way?! Except it stars Hilary Swank as Rachel. Ugh! >.<
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