Book Review: The First Husband by Laura Dave

Title: The First Husband

Author: Laura Dave

Publisher: Viking

Publication Date: May 2012

Genre: Adult Fiction

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Synopsis can be found here.
NetGalley review.

Review:

Annie Adams is surprised to learn her long term, live in boyfriend has decided to break up with her. Shocked and devastated, Annie goes for a drink, and finds a handsome chef manning the bar instead. Three months later, Annie and Griffin say I do and she says goodbye to Los Angeles to head with Griffin to his hometown in Massachusetts.
But when they get there, Annie is overwhelmed. Not only by the town, and her new life, but also by Griffin's own life, his family, and his ex girlfriend who still lives there.

I wasn't prepared by how much I was going to love this book.

Funny, clever and realistic, The First Husband is a bittersweet romance about finding who you love in your partners and in yourself.

Annie is sweet, smart and clever. I liked her voice and thought she was a person I cuold probably be friends with.

I totally fell for Griffin. He is sensible, calm and supportive- a positive person in Annie's life. Even as Annie grapples with her own affectionsf or Griffin
Annie's best friend Jordan is sharp, hilarious and bitchy. A good push you for your own good kind of best friend who says what Annie's afraid to say out loud.

But this chick lit isn't just fluffy fun. Annie is trying to come to terms with some real problems, including her own self worth and self esteem. As her job plummets and she comes to terms with her actions, she must realize what is the life she wants. What is most important to her. And what happens when maybe that has changed.

There's also the awkwardness of being in Griffin's hometown, with his less than loveable mother, his self absorbed brother and Griffin's ex-girlfriend who seems to be everywhere. I loved these complications because so rarely does everything work out like the movies, where everything is wrapped up in a perfect bow. I loved the beautiful ex-girlfriend being around, being a grey area between Griffin and Annie and bringing out Annie's own insecurities. The not so warm welcome from Griffin's mom, the job fail, the danger of seeing a way out and taking it.

I only wish I could read it again for the first time.

Rating 9 Ridiculously Awesome, like Cookies and Ice Cream