Something Blue

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Christine Marshall

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed comes a novel that shows how someone with a ‘perfect life' can lose it all—and then find everything.

Darcy Rhone thought she had it all figured out: the more beautiful the girl, the more charmed her life. Never mind substance. Never mind playing by the rules. Never mind karma.

But Darcy's neat, perfect world turns upside down when her best friend, Rachel, the plain-Jane "good girl," steals her fiancé, while Darcy finds herself completely alone for the first time in her life…with a baby on the way.

Darcy tries to recover, fleeing to her childhood friend living in London and resorting to her tried-and-true methods for getting what she wants. But as she attempts to recreate her glamorous life on a new continent, Darcy finds that her rules no longer apply. It is only then that Darcy can begin her journey toward self-awareness, forgiveness, and motherhood.

Emily Giffin's Something Blue is a novel about one woman's surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship, love, and happily-ever-after. It's a novel for anyone who has ever, even secretly, wondered if the last thing you want is really the one thing you need.

©2005 Emily Giffin (P)2005 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“[A] modern-day Jane Austen.” —Vanity Fair

“Giffin's writing is warm and engaging. Readers will find themselves cheering for Darcy as she proves people can change in this captivating tale.” —Booklist (starred review)

“Highly entertaining...Despite a happy ending, Giffin raises thorny questions. A long friendship can (like marriage) turn claustrophobic or abusive. Is infidelity the solution? And why are pretty girls so easily taken in by scheming Plain Janes?” —Boston Globe

“[Giffin's] plotting and prose are so engaging that she quickly becomes a fun, friendly presence in your reading life.” —Chicago Sun-Times

“The author's impressive knack for intimacy and insight sparkles in this delightful novel.” —Hamptons magazine

“Something Blue goes beyond the traditional conventions in a witty and compelling way, and reaffirms a lesson we all should have learned long ago: Love doesn't need a fairy tale, fancy wrapping or a big price tag. Often, it's better without.” —Charlotte Observer

“Darcy is Scarlett O'Hara set in modern [day]. Giffin orchestrates her gradual change ingeniously...[and] successfully answers any 'Gone With the Wind' fan who wondered if, after Rhett Butler decided he didn't give a damn, Scarlett ever morphed into someone softer.” —Newark Star-Ledger

“Smartly written. The dialogue is real with lightly rendered lessons about what really matters in life...Emily Giffin knows what she's doing.” —Winston-Salem Journal

“Emily Giffin's sophomore effort is a joy to read from start to finish, taking the egotistical villainess of her first novel and turning her into an unlikely heroine. Any woman who carries the scars of a broken friendship will appreciate this literary gem, which covers every emotional battleground possible--from rejection and betrayal to self-discovery and pregnancy.” —CanWest

“A touching depiction of one woman's surprising discoveries about the true meaning of friendship and happily-ever after. Sometimes you can lose it all, only to find everything in the end.” —The State (SC)

Not as good as the first book

The story is not as great as the first book. I just am so appalled that a character like Darcy who is so shamelessly arrogant still gets her way and ends up with a good man despite her God-awful character. Though she somewhat changes for the better, it's so disappointing that she does not find a true revelation within herself and that she still needs a man to fulfill her needs. The book is ok, but I think it could have been written better with a much more compelling plot.

A Character I hated

It’s funny I started this book hating Darcy’s character by the end I was so satisfied with what they did to her. Wish there were more stories with Rachel and Darcy!

Totally engaging!

Emily Griffin is such a good author and she truly shows her understanding of differing personalities.
I got through the first half of the book with a great dislike for Darcy, being so superficial and self absorbed, but as the book goes on you cant help but route for her.
There were moments where I caught weird looks in public, as i realized i was laughing out loud. Thankfully, I was at home when the book evoked moments of tears. I couldn't put the book down, so to speak. and as much as i was uplifted by the ending, i didnt want it the end to come.

Indiana Accent

Great story. The accent that the reader uses for the characters in Indiana is so obnoxious though. I’m from Indiana and have never heard anyone that sounded like that. It sounds like more of a Wisconsin accent.

Where’s the movie

I loved reading this part two to something borrowed. Although I only read the book because there was no movie yet lol and it was better than expected

Loved it!

The 1st 1/2 is Darcy's recap of part 1. The 2nd 1/2 picks up when she arrives in London to stay with Ethan. So many surprising events occur. What an amazingly perfect ending.

Light predictable love story ... terrible narration

I'm sometimes a sucker for lighthearted and cheesy romance novels. This one satiates that hunger. However, the narration was terrible. First of all, while I understand the protagonist is quite a whiny pill, I refuse to believe that anyone can be that <italicized except I'm writing via mobile app> whiny.
Secondly, I made the mistake of reading along with the narration and discovered that the narrator doesn't seem to understand that italics mean to emphasize the italicized words to inflect a certain meaning into the sentence containing the italicized word.
This made my enjoyment of the novel short-lived. Which is another phrase mispronounced throughout the narrative as "short-lyved".

Therefore, if you're looking for cheesy and predictable romance, Emily Giffin doesn't disappoint. She's a guilty pleasure for me.
4 stars

The narration is cringeworthy. 1 star

Very good

Darcy’s character change is amazing. Wish they had made this into a movie as well

This is Something Better!

I purchased Something Borrowed and didn't like it so much but Something Blue is great!! As some of the others said, Darcy is kind of annoying but keep listening she gets better. By the end as you watch her change you are really pulling for her. Her relationship with Ethan develops so sweetly over time. Once you meet her mother you understand why she turned out to be so selfish. People can change and Darcy does. Great story, great character development and perfect ending. I will listen to this story again!!

fairy tale ho hum

The narrator did such a great job of portraying this self-absorbed drama queen of a character. Nauseatingly annoying. I don't know how I could have finished listening to this. And such a fairy tale story. She basically gets whatever she fantasizes, wants and covets. I wanted to see if there was some sort of karma to be had for what she had done to others, but no......
And she turns a new leaf, becomes selfless towards the end....RIGHT.