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stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
4.0
great writing although somewhat depressing tales!
ultimatekate's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy Jennifer Weiner's writing normally, but I was disappointed with this collection of short stories. Many of them have the same set-up: we meet a single career girl, flash back to the guy who hurt her (and the supportive family/friends who warned her not to get involved), then flash back to the current situation with the new guy who might be the one. I enjoyed seeing Cannie and her dog Nifkin reappear in one of the stories.
My favorite story was the one from which the book gets its title: "The Guy Not Taken." It features a stay-at-home mom who finds her college boyfriend's wedding registry, who then obsesses over the "one who got away." The magic of said wedding registry allows her to see what life with him might have been like, and I thought it was well-written. Many of the other stories, though, were trite. How many times can you write about divorce?!
My favorite story was the one from which the book gets its title: "The Guy Not Taken." It features a stay-at-home mom who finds her college boyfriend's wedding registry, who then obsesses over the "one who got away." The magic of said wedding registry allows her to see what life with him might have been like, and I thought it was well-written. Many of the other stories, though, were trite. How many times can you write about divorce?!
jess_mango's review against another edition
3.0
I have read several of Weiner's novels and I was looking forward to reading this short story collection. Most of the stories in this collection were written before Weiner's novels were published. Overall, the collection was a let down. The stories bordered on being depressing and featured women who were unhappy with their bodies and/or their lives. Most of the stories left me feeling unsatisfied.
allisondenae's review against another edition
4.0
Jennifer Weiner is so talented. I loved reading each of her short stories, and I was impressed with how quickly she can make an impact. My favorite were the first three. I loved "Travels with Nicki", I did not think I would like a short stories collection, but I did! Easy read!
ka2168's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
1.0
mschrock8's review against another edition
4.0
I've read several books by this author and heard her speak here in Johnson County. My first time to read short stories she's written. Read one a day.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
4.0
I started to read this because I thought that it would be chick lit. I was in the mood to read a fun book with little substance. The book title/cover, along with Weiner's other books, just screamed chick lit. This collection of short stories most definitely is not chick lit. This is a really strong collection of stories on a broad range of topics.
The standouts in the collection...
Swim- About a college graduate who is having trouble putting her English degree to good use. Deals with misconceptions.
Buyer's Market- A girl inherits a fancy Manhattan apartment, only to sell it to help out her boyfriend.
The title story was a little strange, part fantasy about a lonely housewife who looks up her former boyfriend and finds that he is getting married. This is the only story that I didn't care for, although found somewhat relatable.
The standouts in the collection...
Swim- About a college graduate who is having trouble putting her English degree to good use. Deals with misconceptions.
Buyer's Market- A girl inherits a fancy Manhattan apartment, only to sell it to help out her boyfriend.
The title story was a little strange, part fantasy about a lonely housewife who looks up her former boyfriend and finds that he is getting married. This is the only story that I didn't care for, although found somewhat relatable.
jessiejo42's review against another edition
3.0
It was definately a beginning, and you can tell how the auther honed her skills to write her next novels.