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4.1/5
50 reviews
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin Reviews
#35 in Books

Description

A hard-working attorney at a large Manhattan law firm and a diligent maid of honor to her charmed best friend Darcy, Rachel has always played by all the rules. Since grade school, she has watched Darcy shine, quietly accepting the sidekick role in their lopsided friendship. But that suddenly changes the night of her thirtieth birthday when Rachel finally confesses her feelings to Darcy's fiance, and is both horrified and thrilled to discover that he feels the same way. As the wedding date draws near, events spiral out of control, and Rachel knows she must make a choice between her heart and conscience. In so doing, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk everything to be true to yourself.

    Reviews and Ratings

    96% OF CHICKS DIG IT

    4.7/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    September 02, 2009

    I LOVED this book. I actually read Something Blue before reading this one, so I was really curious to read things from Rachel's point of view. Surprisingly I thought less of both Rachel and Dex than I thought I would. From reading Something Blue I thought those characters would somehow be redeemed for what they did based on their side of the story but they weren't for me. I love the idea of these companion novels and I like that Giffin reintroduces characters in other novels like Baby Proof where we get a glimpse of Ethan and Darcy.

    I'm a huge fan of Giffen now after devouring 4 of her books this summer. Her novels are easy, compelling and feel very real.

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    3.7/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    August 06, 2009

    I bought this book after reading the reviews on this site. Its definately a great chick lit. I totally agree with Merri that I can't stand behind someone who cheats on her bff, and actually the entire book i was expecting the guy to pull a typical bad guy move and end up cheating both girls while maintaining his own "good guy" image. I'm still not convinced he is actually a good guy. I can't fault the main girl (Rachael i think) too much because yes she's cheating on her bff, but her bff is also cheating on her fiancee.. not that it cancels eachother out, but still.

    The fact that the guy pissed me off, Rachael's subsurvient nature pissed me off, and most of the characters in general left me feeling disquiet .... these to me are still the markings of a good book. Because it makes you think, you're not reading it waiting for it to be over (because i just can't start a book and not finish it!). You're sitting there fuming, but reading, unable to put it down because you just HAVE to KNOW.

    I would highly recommend this to anyone into chick lit or even into books that make you think.

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    3.3/5
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    Recommended? Fugheddaboutit!
    August 05, 2009

    From my blog:
    I've been horribly slow in reviewing Emily Griffin's book Something Borrowed. It was my first book by her, but aparently she's a big chick lit author, because whenever i'm reading something by her, women stop by and comment on it. Apparently, everyone's a fan. This makes me think that maybe i should read it somewhere public where there are hot women around... a great conversation starter lol.
    The book itself went very fast, but my main complaint was that i really didnt like the main character. here is a woman who is sleeping with her BEST FRIEND'S FIANCE!! Throughout the book, she's making excuses, such as Darcy (her bff) has always had things easy, always thinks of herself and gets her way.. She's always trying to justify why Darcy is a bad friend, but she's not. No one's perfect. It's the main girl Rachel who is the bad friend. She whines, whines whines, and cheats her very own best friend. I can't get behind a girl like that at all. It kind of ruined the book for me, because the whole thing was just so distasteful.
    I guess there is a sequel to the book, told from Darcy, the poor cheated on friend's, point of view. I really want to read that. I'm sure this girl has many bad points to her, but she is loyal, and i need something in the character that i can respect. What do you think, is there anything that can justify lying and stealing and breaking the trust from your best friend?

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    4.2/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    April 24, 2009

    I read this book on vacation and it is a PREFECT summer beach read. I absolutely LOVED this book. I am a huge fan of chicklit to begin with and this book falls squarely into that category. Not only that, it is one of the best chick lit books I’ve ever read. The book is about two best friends, Rachel and Darcy who have been best friends their whole lives. Rachel is a perpetual nice girl, and Darcy is one of those girls to whom perfection comes naturally. The drama begins when Rachel sleeps with Darcy’s fiancé – don’t worry I didn’t ruin anything for you here, it says it on the cover, and it happens in like the first chapter – which sets off a chain reaction of events.

    This book is fantastic because it is SO relatable. I guarantee you will connect with the girls in the story, and I was so invested in the outcome by the end that I felt like I was actually friends with them. The book left me SO hungry for more. Good thing there is a sequel – Something Blue, told from Darcy’s perspective instead of Rachel’s.

    If you’re a fan of chicklit and you haven’t read this already – what are you waiting for?!? READ IT!!! You will love it, I can pretty much promise you!

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    4.2/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    December 09, 2008

    I love this story. I really could not put it done. I loved it so much I bought the follow up Something Blue. The author is great at describing and really does know how to create a page turner. I would recommend this to anyone who loves the romantic storys. Very funny, sad, and has a great ending.

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    3.5/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    October 21, 2008

    This is a fun read for lovers of chicklit. The characters are sympathetic and I was engaged by the story. I found the plot to be somewhat predictable (but really, how often are we surprised? Exactly.) but it was still fun getting there. Anyone who's been trampled on by a dominant BFF will totally relate to this story, and at the same time the main character has her own flaws that rescue her from being a perfectly boring person. It's nice to see a good girl make her mistakes and still make the best of them.

    While I prefer the sequel to this book, Something Blue, I certainly recommend this novel!

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    5.0/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    September 05, 2008

    Currently my favourite book of all time!! i LOVE rachel and surprisingly found her feelings and emotions 110% relateable to mine when it came to love, relationships and friendships. You feel like you're in the novel when you read it and it was so hard to put down - I finished it in two sittings! This is a novel EVERY girl must read : ) !!

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    4.3/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    August 11, 2008

    I loved the partner in this series. Something Blue. It's actually the 2nd book but I ended up reading it first (my bad :p) But it doesn't really matter because the 2 books are basically the same story but from 2 different friends points of view. This book is a really good light read. It's serious but still entertaining and funny. It probably made it on to my top ten list but I did happen to enjoy Something Blue better
    Hope this helps!
    ~Meg :)

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    3.2/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    July 16, 2008

    I also really enjoyed this book. It's a popular 'series' at the library, and akin to the Shopaholic series, although written in a more serious way, and does not attempt at humor. It's serious yet light, a great summer beach read! I currently have the second book on hold at the library, excited to read it!

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    4.3/5
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    Recommended? You Betcha!
    January 27, 2008

    After reading Emily Giffin's book Something Blue, I promptly went out to buy Something Borrowed. These two books have stories that overlap, one from one friend's point of view and the other from the other friend's point of view. I accidently read the second book first but both books can also stand alone so it did not make a difference. Something Borrowed is the story of a 30 year old girl Rachel who sleeps with her best friend's fiance after a night of partying. Rachel is a very nice level headed girl who has always played it safe and on the night of her 30th birthday the 'incident' takes place. Her best friend has always gotten what she wants and is portrayed as a selfish manipulator while Rachel is portrayed as the nice girl who always finishes last.

    You would think that you would immediatly hate Rachel for what she has done but the author makes a point of developing her character so that you sympathize with her situation rather than judging her for it. This book delves into female friendships and the difference of being good friends with someone you have known out of habit/familiarity vs being friends with someone who has always been good to you. I thought this book was a great light read.

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