Something Borrowed

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Jennifer Wiltsie

Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Rachel has always been a good girl--until her 30th birthday, when her best friend Darcy throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy's fiancé Dex. Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for Dex. She prays for fate to intervene, but when she makes a choice she discovers that the lines between right and wrong are blurry, endings aren't always neat, and you have to risk all to win true happiness.

©2004 Emily Giffin (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

Giffin does it again

I don't know what it is about Emily Giffin's books, but I am always hooked from the first minute. Maybe because she includes references to Andy Gibb, the Brady bunch, or any one of a million things I remember from my youth? Or maybe it is just a good story, interesting characters? While I know it is "chick lit", it is a cut above the rest of the genre. Good narration, too.

Finally some good chick-lit!

Yeah, this isn't going to be winning a pulitzer anytime soon, but if you're at all into chick-lit, this is a good one. I enjoyed the story because I like when I find myself vacillating between agreeing and disagreeing with a character, which definitely happened here. Well worth the buy, and the narrator is great.

It was okay

I enjoyed the narrator, but the story was just okay for me. I appreciated the fact that the book didn't rely solely on bedroom scenes to propel the story forward.

Better than the movie

The story is simple, but since I saw the movie many years ago, it came to life for me as I envisioned the actors and actresses as I read. The narrator was right on target and captured each character perfectly. Even though I knew the basic plot line, it still had me on the edge of my seat as the final decision had to be made! Seeing the movie again after reading the book, I can only say, "The book is awesome and way better!" So much so, that I am now reading Something Blue to get the other side of the story.

Messy But Entertaining

Okay…the reader did a great job. No complaints about her whatsoever.

And yes I read the reviews of this before I bought it and I have even seen the movie prior to listening to this book.

ALL of the characters in this book are AWFUL people! Number #1 spot going to the main character Rachel! Aside from the obvious fact that she’s having an affair with her best friend’s fiancé. It’s the fact that she spends the entire book trying to justify it by trying to make Darcy the bad guy.

Don’t get me wrong, Darcy is insufferable as well. But you made a conscious choice to be life long best friends with this person who is just kind of awful, you introduce her to the guy you like because YOU managed to convince yourself that every sign this guy was throwing at you was just him “being nice” due to your own insecurities, all to eventually just destroy it because you’re essentially jealous that Darcy didn’t live her life for other people the way you did! Could NEVER be me!

Worth a listen if you like scandalous situations. Prepare to go on a few sassy rants when the main character is talking though. 3 stars for the story because it was messy asf.

Solid beach read

Surprised to find that this had some complex ideas about friendship and morality while mostly just being highly entertaining and satisfying

My opinion has evolved with age and time

I first read this book 12 or 13 years ago. At the time I was still in my 20s so I think I related a little more to the book. I had been married for a few years but related to the idea of pondering my future career wise, etc. I recall still thinking the protagonist was as shallow as Darcy, the person who was actually supposed to be the shallow one. Their friendship is so unhealthy and I couldn’t see myself entertaining the idea of continuing it for as long as they did. I was annoyed in parts but overall I enjoyed the book. I revisited this book now at the age of 40 and it is a struggle to get through. My perspective is much different at this age, my boundaries even stronger. Darcy is horrible, Dex is horrible and Rachel is horrible.

Engaging.

Such an engaging story. Completely enthralled. Movie was ok despite being well cast. Book is much better.

High Strung

I had a hard time identifying with the chaaracters. They were young, self-centered, socialites in NY. I dind't hate it but it wasn't one of my favorites.

Excellent

This audio book is great: I wanted to read the book prior to watching the movie; now I can't wait to see the movie to see if it does the book any justice