First line: I was in the fifth grade the first time I thought about thirty.
Why I read this: I’ve had this book on my shelf for a while and now that the movie is out, I needed to read it first before heading to the theater.
From the back cover: Meet Rachel White, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl – until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend Darcy throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy’s fiance. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. In her wildest dreams (or worst nightmare?) this is the last thing on earth Rachel could ever have imagined happening. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren’t always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness. Something Borrowed is a phenomenal debut novel that will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend.
My thoughts: This was a fun, quick read that I devoured in one night because I had to find out how everything panned out. It is about the friendship between Rachel and Darcy who’ve known each other since they were five years old. Rachel is unhappily employed in NYC as an associate at a law firm. Her best friend, Darcy, is engaged to marry one of Rachel’s friends from law school. Darcy is the perfect girl–pretty, vivacious, always gets what she wants, although somewhat petulant and demanding. Just a few months before the wedding, Rachel has a one night stand with Darcy’s fiance that develops into a full fledged love affiar. Emily Giffin treats what could be an awkward topic with respect and empathy for all the characters. This novel delves into the complexity of female friendship – the frequent mixed emotions one has toward a close friend. Beyond her attraction to her best friend’s fiancé, everybody can relate to the position of Rachael. She has existed in the shadow of her flamboyant best friend, Darcy, for years and is faced with the dilemma of remaining loyal to her friend or following her heart. I found myself rooting for Rachel and Dex despite the fact that I would have been pissed had someone done the same thing to me a few months before my wedding! As I was reading the book, I couldn’t help but picture Kate Hudson as Darcy (I did see the movie previews for this book prior to reading it) and now am anxious to head out to the theater to see it. This is a great summer read and I am looking forward to reading Something Blue this summer as well.
(I got this book from Paperback Swap.)
I'm not usually a chick lit kind of girl (I used to be but haven't read much in the last 10 years) but lately I have really been enjoying it. I guess I must be living under a rock because I had no idea that there was a movie coming out about this book! (Maybe now I can read it for my 'books to movies' challenge!). Great review Kristin – I am definitely in need of a good, light read.
Bonnie @ HandsAndHome
each N paycheck
I recently saw the movie premiere for Something Borrowed and it enticed me. Glad to hear it's based on a book, as I love books to movies, and the comparisons that go with it.
@ Bonnie: I've had this book sitting on my shelf for a while now and besides the fact that the movie is coming out, my brother's fiance and my sister both wanted to read the book so I figured I should read it before giving it out. It really was a fun book.
@ Shirley: There are quite a few movies coming out this summer that are based on books and I am hoping to see them all!
I really enjoyed reading this book. Giffin is certainly a talented writer because she handles the complexity of this story so well. Something Blue is great too. After you develop some not so great feelings toward Darcy in this book, you are challenged to see things through her eyes and I'm so glad that I read both books!
As far as the movie goes … bleh. It just ruined a lot of the book for me. But it is hard to really do a good movie adaptation of a book. So much gets lost or changed that if you loved the book, you are unlikely to love the movie.