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tarin's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alyssalowyo's review against another edition
4.0
the only book of emily giffin's that doesn't involve a cheating scandal in the main character's arc
allisondenae's review against another edition
5.0
First Giffin book I read and after I did, I had to read more of her work. She is fantastic. Loved this book!
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
The people in Giffin's books are seldom people I can relate to. This book continued that trend. I hadn't read her for years, so I'd forgotten. Still, the fact that I don't actually hate visiting their lives says something for how they are written. Not my favorites, but I don't hate them.
anna3101's review against another edition
1.0
Now, the book had a very promising beginning. The main character, Claudia, happily married to Ben, is no fan of children, has never been and isn't planning on changing that. Ben seemed to agree until one not so beautiful day he decides he wants children after all. So, what to do when a couple cannot agree on a such major, life-changing issue?
An ept author could build a fascinating story from here. A story of struggling, suffering, thinking, talking.. Unfortunately, Emily Giffin doesn't even try. The events that follow Ben's revelation are so implausible that they make you want to grub the author and shout into her ears: "Hello? Is this real life we are talking about here?" And so, the "happily married, madly in love" Claudia and Ben don't even try couples counselling or talking or even thinking a bit. No, they immediately divorce - just like this, on the spot (sort of makes you wonder what kind of "true love" they had if getting a divorce is their first and immediate decision upon first serious disagreement). But hey, that's where things only become more "interesting"! Because after some time - guess what? - Claudia suddently decides that Ben is her soulmate after all and she's ok with having a baby "just to keep him". Now, how do you like that? One lucky baby it's going to be, its reason for birth being "you know honey, I just really wanted to keep your daddy, I hope you don't mind that I don't care about you that much".
I really hate it when the author is trying to sell me cheap stupid morals of this kind. Like "love is worth sacrificing everything for it". Really? Would you jump out of the window if your lover told you to? Or "every woman wants to be married and having children". What kind of naive and stereotypical generalizing is that?
As soon as I could see where this book was heading, I knew it would be the last one by Giffin that I ever read. Don't take me wrong. I love romance, and tear-jerking scenes, and I don't mind reading about marriages and having children and stuff. I just hate it when the author is trying to persuade us that this is the only way for every woman.
An ept author could build a fascinating story from here. A story of struggling, suffering, thinking, talking.. Unfortunately, Emily Giffin doesn't even try. The events that follow Ben's revelation are so implausible that they make you want to grub the author and shout into her ears: "Hello? Is this real life we are talking about here?" And so, the "happily married, madly in love" Claudia and Ben don't even try couples counselling or talking or even thinking a bit. No, they immediately divorce - just like this, on the spot (sort of makes you wonder what kind of "true love" they had if getting a divorce is their first and immediate decision upon first serious disagreement). But hey, that's where things only become more "interesting"! Because after some time - guess what? - Claudia suddently decides that Ben is her soulmate after all and she's ok with having a baby "just to keep him". Now, how do you like that? One lucky baby it's going to be, its reason for birth being "you know honey, I just really wanted to keep your daddy, I hope you don't mind that I don't care about you that much".
I really hate it when the author is trying to sell me cheap stupid morals of this kind. Like "love is worth sacrificing everything for it". Really? Would you jump out of the window if your lover told you to? Or "every woman wants to be married and having children". What kind of naive and stereotypical generalizing is that?
As soon as I could see where this book was heading, I knew it would be the last one by Giffin that I ever read. Don't take me wrong. I love romance, and tear-jerking scenes, and I don't mind reading about marriages and having children and stuff. I just hate it when the author is trying to persuade us that this is the only way for every woman.
juliabodson's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book despite my best efforts not to. The characters felt very real and their feelings were deep and genuine and the plot was so engaging I could hardly put the book down. Pleasantly surprised!
christiana's review against another edition
3.0
I like that Giffin has characters from other books show up as minor characters in another book. It's like seeing someone you haven't seen for awhile!
emerygirl's review against another edition
2.0
Being a women who gets teary eyed on mother's day because I don't have a baby I couldn't relate at all to Claudia. In fact I was mostly irritated that whole time at Claudia. The only reason this book got 2 stars is it was written in the first person...and I love books written in the first person. However, I wouldn't recommend any women who is a mother, or wants to be a mother, or even has a mother read this book.
traceyelder's review against another edition
4.0
Read this story at a very interesting time. Though I'm not going through a breakup because I didn't want children, much of the emotions the main character, Claudia, is going through hit home. She's flawed and real and is dealing with similar emotions I've been experiencing.
I enjoyed the book overall, and like Giffin's other novels, it's an easy summer read.
I enjoyed the book overall, and like Giffin's other novels, it's an easy summer read.
aurorabulgaris's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I wasn't sure what sort of development to expect when the main character and I align on one very key life-view right from the get go and the story starts with an apparent happy ending. I was right to be worried - the "I'm going to suddenly change my mind about something as major as having kids just the keep the dude" storyline was anything but original. We couldn't just have one book where she's childless and happy, could we?
Also, unsure if the character or the writer was fat phobic, but the multiple times derogatory comments were made towards fat "NPCs" left a whole other bitter flavor... Don't even get me started oh how altogether unpleasant the main character is... She's entitled and rude, and her holier-than-thou I know best always attitude is irritating to no end.
Also, unsure if the character or the writer was fat phobic, but the multiple times derogatory comments were made towards fat "NPCs" left a whole other bitter flavor... Don't even get me started oh how altogether unpleasant the main character is... She's entitled and rude, and her holier-than-thou I know best always attitude is irritating to no end.