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)

Great Book

This is one of my favorite books. It was great. I was not so sure about it in the beginning, but it only got better as it went along. There is a point in the book when you just fall in love with the characters and the story.

I love it when a sequel outshines the original!

As much as I love "Something Borrowed", "Something Blue" is hands down my favorite of the two. The writing here is just as good but Darcy as a narrator is more interesting than Rachel. And her observations are wittier and snarkier which makes it a lot more fun. The ending is definitely predictable but Darcy's journey to her happily ever after is hard fought and well deserved and I loved watching her get there.

I was a little concerned when I saw that the narrator had changed because I really enjoyed Jennifer Wiltsie's Darcy but Christine Marshall did a great job.

Absolutely love this book

I absolutely love Emily Giffin and this book was just fantastic. Well written, an emotional roller coaster, and an unconventional love story. This book, you will not regret. I recommend it 100%.

Not Believable

Maybe it’s just me. But I have a hard time believing someone like Darcy could have a complete 180 change of heart like that and end up with Ethan. It could also be because I’ve watched the movie, so the thought of Kate Hudson and John Krasinski falling in love and getting married as those characters seems far fetched.

A Sequel That Stands on It's Own.

Although a bit predictable, this sequel to Something Borrowed is a fun read. You don't have to read the first book to understand the back story because the author does a good job of reviewing the past events. Typical chic lit, but it is nice to see the main character change and evolve into a decent person by the end of the story. Of course, the character is so vile in the beginning, she has no place to go but up! It won't raise your I.Q., but it is a great beach book.

Predictable but sweet

I watched the movie Something Borrowed, and wanted to see what happened, and this delivered. Not a literary masterpiece, but very enjoyable. A good beach read.

If you liked the Heartbreak Kid...

Where does Something Blue rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My absolute favorite! It is wonderful dark comedy, almost gallows humor.

What did you like best about this story?

Darcy at the beginning--- don't we all know a Darcy? Her sense of entitlement, and delusions of grandeur are hysterical!

Have you listened to any of Christine Marshall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and I love her narration skills. This is the best one I've heard!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

To laughter, when she is giving Markus a hard time on her birthday...

Any additional comments?

I have probably listened to this book a dozen times since I bought it.

A good sequel, but Something Borrowed was better

Where does Something Blue rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Somewhere in the middle. It wasn't the worst thing, but there were parts that were dull or annoying.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It was good. A nice ending to the plot line.

What about Christine Marshall’s performance did you like?

She didn't try too hard, it was a nice balance for each of the characters.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No - it was your standard chick-flick.

Okay story!

What did you like best about Something Blue? What did you like least?

That Darcy and Ethan ended up together. I think he was the best person for her and could handle the spoiled brat. I didn't see that actually coming until the middle of the book.

Would you ever listen to anything by Emily Giffin again?

Yes, I loved Something Borrowed

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, because I went to see Something Borrowed and I always check out the sequel.

Hard to listen to. Returned this book.

The main character is obnoxious. The narration is whiny but it’s hard to blame the narrator when the main character is whining for the first 3/4 of the book. The prequel to this book was made into a movie and this sequel was not and it’s very obvious why. It would be harder to watch this unlikeable woman obsess over an ex and shop half movie.