ellaminnowpea

This is one of the better chick lit selections I have come upon recently. The story -- following a twentysomething who leaves her secluded home for the first time and learns the true story of her background -- is unique. The theme -- that life can pivot on one day, a single event -- is a tad overdone but still poignant.

Tucker uses several different narrative voices, which doesn't always work for her but does help to keep the reader on his or her toes. She doesn't give away too much too quickly, but doesn't mistakenly assume that her cleverness is charming. I enjoyed reading about Dorthea's relationship with her father and the story of her parents' marriage. The romantic storyline between Dorthea and Stephen, however, was a bit unsettling. It felt too trite and unnatural, like it was only in there to fill a cliche. I think this was in part due to the fact that Stephen was never as fully developed as the other characters.

I liked the book, but it didn't leave me wanting more.