The One and Only by Emily Giffin – 432 pages
Audio Version
Book Blurb:
Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas–a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade. But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most–and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.
My Review: 1.5 stars
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Seriously, this is a perfect example of how the Good Book Fairy can save you from bad books. Again, I listened to this one on a drive up to Michigan, so perhaps the listening versus reading killed it, but I doubt that based on other reviewer’s remarks. The main character was whiny, selfish and a bad friend. She didn’t represent women well and the overall retake of the Friday Night Lights atmosphere fell far from the mark. Her continual use of brand name dropping was beyond annoying and didn’t help add to the characterization of the people or town. I’ve never read Ms. Giffin, but I’m certain due to her overwhelming popularity that I would’ve enjoyed her earlier series. This however even had her most faithful fans cringing with their reviews.
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Oooh, I think I saw you at the library that day; I could have warned you. This is the worst of her books.
It was that day Jodi. Glad you’re in agreement. Oh well, win some and lose some!
ok, I am embarrassed to say that I loved this book. I didn’t “read” too much into it (pun intended), and I read it on vacation sitting poolside in California, but I really liked it and loved the characters. They seemed real to me and for some reason, they stayed with me for a while after the book was over. I kinda had a crush on Coach Carr!
stacey, it shouldn’t be embarrassing. that’s what makes chocolate and vanilla! personally, ANYTHING would be good poolside in California.
happy reading!
L
I have to admit that I enjoyed this book as well. I appreciated it for what it was…a mindless poolside read. Not too deep but relatable characters that I could grow to like or hate over the course of the book. It’s definitely not at the top of my Giffin list but I enjoyed it while it lasted. Top Giffin spots still go to “Something Borrowed”, “Something Blue” and “Heart of the Matter.”
Lauri, I’m so glad you liked it. Reading is for enjoyment so it’s awesome if you did just that, enjoyed it! I think, like you, her devoted fans will love all her books, with some ranking higher than others. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
happy reading,
L