My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Author: Jodi Picoult
ISBN 0-7434-5452-9

Have you ever read a book that builds up your emotions; from touched to sadness to empathy, to joy and even leads you to immense anger with the author?

If you haven't, then you have not read this book by Jodi Picoult.

No, this is not a promotional post for the book by Jodi Picoult, but rather my very own review and personal opinion on a novel that I have just finished reading.

I have been wanting to read this book for a very long time, and I was happy to finally get my hands on it when I spotted it in the bookshop!

Synopsis of the story: (spoilers ahead)
Sara and Brian Fitzgerald's eldest daughter, Kate, was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer affecting her blood and bone marrow; Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia at the age of two.
Eager to save her child, Sara decided to conceive a second child through the doctor's guided implementation to produce that 'perfect' donor to match Kate's samples.

Anna, was born to be the life support of Kate. From the day she was born, she was destined to be donating her blood and bodily substances to Kate to aid her survival.
Anna was obliging since young, until the age of thirteen, when she was told she had to donate one of her kidneys to Kate, she decided against the decision and even filed a lawsuit against her parents for medical emancipation of her own body.
With the little money she had accummulated over the years, she hired lawyer Campbell Alexander who decided to help her against all costs.

Sara was furious with Anna's decision and battled against Campbell in court to retain her daughter in her own house. The court initially relented but when Campbell lodged a complaint that Sara could harass Anna at home, making her change her mind about the lawsuit, the court appointed Julia Romano as Anna's Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) whose job is to understand and decide what is best in Anna's interests.

While Sara was fuming over Anna's decision, Brian decided to try to understand his younger daughter's decision and even agreed that it was the best for her. At the same time, the troubled couple had to deal with the antics of their rebellious and troubled eldest teenage son, Jesse.

Anna stayed with her father, Brian at the fire station quarters where he worked while Sara took care of the dying Kate in the hospital.
Sara defended herself in court and tried to persuade Anna to donate her kidney to Kate as a final favor to save her life.
Anna refused this offer and Campbell took his stand in court.

The wilful Sara turned to a passionate mother in court, begging Anna for Kate's last chance of survival.
During the lawsuit, a surprising revelation took a twist when Anna revealed that it was Kate who asked Anna to initiate this lawsuit for medical emancipation because Kate did not want her sister to sacrifice for her anymore and she has decided that she did not want to live and suffer any longer, and she knows she will die anyway.
The shocking revelation stunned the whole court, and Sara refused to believe it despite Anna telling about the various incidents that Kate had tried to take her own life over the years.

Anna won the court case eventually, and Campbell was granted the authority and medical power as Anna's attorney to aid her decisions in all her medical treatments, etc.

When Campbell drove Anna home after the trial, they were involved in a serious accident where they were hit by a truck. Brian was dispatched to the scene and tried to revive the unconscious Anna who suffered a major injury to her head and when she arrived in the hospital, the doctors pronounced her brain dead and that the parents would want to consider any organ transplants.
Campbell declared that there is a patient upstairs in need of a kidney and Anna's kidney was successfully transplanted in her own sister, Kate.

At the end of the book, Kate was still alive after 6 years.

Character Analysis:
Anna Fitzgerald
The purposely-conceived child by Sara and Brian for Kate's survival. Since young, she was admitted to hospitals continuously whenever Kate collapses despite being a healthy person herself. She had to endure the pain of the treatments and injections for the sake of Kate. She did not understand what was happening, she did not want it to happen to herself but she was just thrown into it unwillingly. Nobody took notice of how she wanted to live her life, and everyone only started to pay attention to her when she filed for a lawsuit and when Kate is in a dying state in need of a kidney.
Her life was almost equivalent to non-existent; when she was ignored of all her pleas and her cries but I applaud her strength and I admire her mature way of handling situations despite being only 13. Of course, there were times when she just cried like a little girl when she felt depressed, but let's face it, how many of us had gone through a life like Anna's without feeling suicidal at all?

Kate Fitzgerald:
She was a healthy baby, until two, when she was diagnosed with a rare blood and bone marrow cancer and since then, she was like a ticking bomb, just waiting for the day of her death. She suffered for years, despite being aided medically by the donations of bodily substances by her beloved sister, Anna.
She felt depressed at her own state, and how she could never be normal like other girls her age. She had lost her hair and she looked awful and she dare not walk out of the door without feeling miserable as she does not own the lovely hair nor looks of her own pride. When she met a boy she loved at the hospital, she had to meet with devastation when he died and she knew that her life was bound for that; death.
That was the main reason she did not want her own sister, Anna to continuously sacrifice for her when she knew that she would not survive for long. She knew her mother would not listen, and she worked with Anna to file for that lawsuit for medical emancipation, despite knowing her mother would be angry.
She did not want to live anymore, and she did not want her sister Anna to be totally deprived of her own life for her.
I truly applaud Kate's courage and selflessness for her sister, despite being the sick one who got all the attention in this story.
She was truly an amazing character who just wanted everyone else to be happy.

Truly, Kate and Anna are my most amazing novel characters!

Jesse Fitzgerald
The eldest son of the Fitzgeralds and the elder brother of both Kate and Anna. He was also deprived of attention and harboured anger towards their parents for neglecting him. In his bid for attention during his sister's law turmoil, he committed a few crimes.
I pity Jesse as he was also, mostly neglected since he was a child (or since Kate was born). He was worse than Anna actually; at least Anna was remembered when Kate collapsed but Jesse was always on the hind, and he never did have a chance to enjoy activities with his parents like other children. His parents went back on their promises whenever Kate was in an emergency and over the years, who could blame his resentful behavior towards Kate and his parents?
He was closer to Anna, and in fact, he was the one who helped Anna in the lawsuit from the background and when Anna died in the end, he turned over a new leaf and became a law enforcer for a change.

Brian Fitzgerald
Father of the Jesse, Kate and Anna, and a dedicated fireman. He was the most understanding and composed character in the story, and to a certain extent, he played the role of a mediator in most situations. I loved how he never blamed Anna for her decision and even fought to defend her, despite risk incurring his wife's wrath. However, he had his sentiments too when he was torn in between at the court; between his two daughters and his wife. He was more harsh with his son, but I guess that's the norm with most dads.
I liked his parental character the most, and he was the one, I felt, who showed the most compassion for Anna.

Campbell Alexander
A man who had a bitter past himself and was in pain for losing the one woman he loved. He specialized in children cases, and he was initially resistent towards Anna's case as she did not have enough to pay him but he eventually took up the case. What started as a selfish bid to gain popularity for himself turned into a personal emotional race when he experienced the emotions and compassion felt for Anna throughout her life.
He cared for Anna like his own daughter and fought for her best interests; I truly liked this character.

Julia Romano
Appointed Guardian Ad Litem by the court for Anna, and the former love interest of Campbell Alexander. She never did understand the reason Campbell broke up with her during their teenage love relationship and misunderstood him as a player. However, when she found out about Campbell's medical condition(Epilepsies), she forgave him and they got back together. She loved Anna as well, and it was unique that for the first time in her GAL assignments, she was unable to reach a recommendation for the court, as she starts to understand the Fitzgerald's family.
She was torn between the interests of Anna, and the concerns of Sara as a devoted mother and the sick and dying Kate.

Sara Fitzgerald
I left her the last because I felt different emotions for this character; but mostly anger.
She was too obsessed with Kate's medical condition that she never stopped to think for Anna and Jesse. She was too stubborn with her own views and even when she softened down with Anna, it was to plead with her guilt to donate that kidney!
Sometimes, I wonder whether she did love Anna at all.
At the same time, I understood the emotional struggle she had as a mother to ensure the best of all her children but still, I could not help feeling that she only had Kate's best interests at heart.
I felt really angry with this character, despite her constant struggles and conversations with her sister and how she was on the verge of breaking down, but really, she should take a step back sometimes to understand how Anna and Jesse felt.
She was just too stubborn for her own good.

My personal opinion:
I was really saddened by Anna's narration right from the start; being the child who felt like she was deprived of attention and love from the very beginning.
At 13, she felt like she was only created for a reason; to save her sister and without that purpose, she meant nothing to the family.
(It was evident when she left the dining table and no one noticed).
I emphatized with her emotional struggle with guilt, pity and prioritizing herself for once. It was a load of emotional supply for a young girl like her.
It was a journey filled with anxiety and misery when Anna took that step to file for a lawsuit and it seemed that nobody understood her at all, except for her lawyer, guardian ad litem and father. She was deeply saddened by her mother's rage and wanted to just leave everything behind and run to her arms, but yet she knew it was wrong.
It was understandable when Anna revealed that it was Kate's request to do so, which was why she held on firmly to the lawsuit despite her continuous give-ups right from the start. I was surprised at how indecisive she was until I found out that it was not her, it was the struggle to fulfill what Kate wanted.

I truly pitied Anna, who lived her life for EVERY one around her, except herself and I hated Sara, a mother who clearly had no compassion for this 'donor' child.
She seemed to emphasize more on Kate, the sick child, and yes, it was understandable to shower Kate with more attention due to her medical condition, but not to the extent of neglecting your other two children who was deprived of a normal childhood and growing up phase.
Furthermore, it was morally disturbing that she created a child to lengthen her sick child's livelihood.
It seemed wrong to me, but even if she did so, she should have been more accommodating to Anna in all her needs.
I felt so sad with each of Anna's pleas when she wanted to just go back to her mother and drop the whole lawsuit, and yet Sara was only trying to persuade her to donate her kidney.
When Anna eventually won, she had to die...this was when I felt truly upset and angered with Jodi Picoult's decision but yet, when I took some time to think about it, perhaps it was a good way to end because even if Anna won the lawsuit, she would have to live with guilt for the rest of her life if Kate dies without her kidney.
Either way, Anna would still be unhappy and this way, she would be alleviated of her sorrows and guilt throughout the lawsuit.

My Verdict:
READ this book by all means, it is truly a great read and gives you a good thought on what is morally right or wrong and that there is always a thin line when it comes to emotional struggle.
I heard that there is a movie produced too; starring Cameron Diaz but the movie had a change in the storyline and the ending.

Before you watch the movie, I highly recommend the book but be warned ahead, if you are one who cannot accept unexpected and unfavorable endings which could lead to anger and destruction, you might want to think twice.
I know I did not want to read Jodi Picoult for a while after reading this book, because she killed poor Anna =P

My Latest Wish List

I have been avoiding the bookstores, as I know myself so well, that I'd never walk into a bookstore and walk out empty-handed.
That, is not such a good idea when you are kind of on a budget and I think last year's book warehouse sales got me quite well covered with my loot.

Anyway, while I was walking into the bookstore on Sunday to check out my magazines (yeah, I still buy mags =), I could not help doing a bit of a window shopping at the books; especially the bestsellers and I tell you, that was one of the silliest ideas I have had in ages.
What was I thinking, book window shopping????!!!

I did not feel any much better, in fact, I built a mental list of books that I really want or want to get in the future and the list just blew my mind off!
I just lost that capacity and I couldn't even remember the list I've made anymore!

There are just so many books that I really really want!

I tried to shorten the list, so yeah, this is the list (shortened version!)

1. Last Night at Chateau Mermont by Lauren Weisberger

2. The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern

3. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger

4. The Gift by Cecelia Ahern

5. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

6. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

7. The Pact by Jodi Picoult

8. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

9. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

10. The Nanny Diaries

11. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

12. The Girl who kicked the hornet's nest by Stieg Larsson

13. The Girl who played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

14. One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

15. Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

16. Falling Leaves by Adeline Mah

17. The Rice Mother by Rani Manicka

18. Map of the Invisible World by Tash Aw

19. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

20. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time by Mark Hadoon

Okayyyyy, I am not writing anymore...it's making me want to grab all the books from the bookstore now!

Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult

Synopsis from book:
What does it mean to be a good mother?
How far would you go in the name of love - and justice?

In the course of her everyday work, career-driven assistant district attorney Nina Frost prosecutes child molesters and works determinedly to ensure that a legal system with too many loopholes keeps these criminals behind bars. But when her own five-year old son, Nathaniel, is traumatized by a sexual assault, Nina and her husband Caleb, a quiet and methodical stone mason, are shattered, ripped apart by an enraging sense of helplessness in the face of a futice justice system that Nina knows all too well. In a heartbeat, Nina's absolute truths and convictions are turned upside down, and she hurtles toward a plan to exact her own justice for her son - no matter the consequence, whatever the sacrifice.

My version of synopsis (Warning: may contain spoilers)
Nina Frost was a district attorney who was strong-willed and confident as she strives to put her criminals in child sexual abuse cases behind the bars. She was so intent on doing her job well that she thought she was doing the right thing for all the parents and their child victim.
Her job was taking most of her time away from home, away from her husband and their five-year old son, Nathaniel but she perceived herself doing the right thing.

When Nathaniel loses his speech ability, Nina and her husband, Caleb were worried and a visit to the psychiatrist hinted at a possibility of sexual assault. The MD soon confirmed it from his anal examination and it was then that the truth hit Nina; her son had been anally raped and nobody knew the culprit except Nathaniel himsel but he was not speaking.

Nina, following their psychiatrist's recommendations soon resorted to sign language to communicate with Nathaniel but refused to believe that her husband's accusations were true; that she was intent to use the sign language to find out the culprit.
Then Nathaniel makes some surprising progress when he signed the symbol of father in the psychiatrist's office which led everyone to believe that Nathaniel's father, Caleb was the main suspect in the case. Nina, enraged and yet confused with the sudden revelation, resorted to shutting her husband out of their lives and requested for a restraining order so that her own son would not have to go to court. She had been seeing this too many times, and she could not put her own son through the repeated times of appearing in court and traumatizing him further.

However, Nathaniel soon revealed that Caleb was not the culprit but rather, an astonishing suspect; who was the local Catholic parish priest, Father Syzsynzki. This shocking revelation tore Nina's world apart as she feared her knowledge of the legal system and the consequences it would have on her son.

On the day of the hearing, she walked straight into the courtroom and shot the priest in his seat four times in his head. She was initially relieved with her actions although she was being shunned by her own husband, and her son, Nathaniel just wants her back at home. Her best friend, Patrick had to distance himself due to his awkward position and all of a sudden, she was not sure whether what she did was right or wrong anymore.

To make matters worse, the DNA report returned and revealed surprising results which turned Nina's world upside down when she realized she had made a mistake. She had killed an innocent man, and all of a sudden, her plan to plea for an acquittal based on insanity seemed no longer important as she regretted her dreadful actions.
The hearing continues on the case as all the characters in the story reflected on their own lives and what is important to each and everyone of them.

(Not revealing the ending of the story, it is too good and you will need to read it for yourself).

My opinion:
Another gripping novel which explored a taboo and unspeakable subject of trusted and respected priests who could lurk as predators behind the curtains of the majestic church. Ironically, Jodi Picoult claimed that she wrote this story before the news of the priests involved in sexual abuse surfaced.
It was a page-turner, this one, like most of Picoult's novels, and it was just so disturbing to read that a friendly and noble guy like a priest could be capable of such a despicable act. Then again, it also explored the notion that priests were just as human as all of us and that they are not invincible to sins and crimes.
It touched my heart to read about the perspectives from most of the characters; particularly Nina and the child victim, Nathaniel. A very good and engaging read.

What I liked
How the author narrated from the main characters; Nina on her views on the right act to protect her child and her regret over her actions and also Nathaniel, the five year old victim and how he perceived the whole sexual abuse case on himself.

What I disliked
Caleb; the character who was also deemed very important and imminent in the story but somehow, Patrick Ducharme, the detective and best friend of Nina got most of the limelight instead. It would be interesting to have heard his point of view in the whole case once in a while; as he was not just another devastated parent but he was also a distraught husband. I did like how he was finally mentioned towards the end; and his sentiments towards the hearing and torment on his child.

If I were the author, I would shine the torch a little on the perpetrator and to see from his sick eyes on how he committed the action. I don't mean explicit details or anything like that, but it could be written from his eyes and how he preyed on an unsuspecting child to lead him into his trap. Just a short excerpt in the story would do the trick.

My Verdict/Conclusion
Excellent read, highly recommended! Not for extremists in religion, nor the weak-hearted if you cannot be open-minded enough to accept the idea of a priest committing a crime.

Rating:
8.5 out of 10

Current reading list

This is what I am currently reading....

Can you believe I actually read something like this? =)
Yeah, I do....

Sex and The City by Candace Bushnell

Synopsis
In this chronicle of the mating habits of New York's cultural elite, Bushnell infiltrates celebrity affairs, sex clubs, and posh suburbs to introduce us to "bicycle boys," "modelizers," and "toxic bachelors" - powerful and successful men who bed single and married women as if it were a contest. Often funny and occasionally bleak, this is an inside account of the quintessential '90s romance and the never-ending search for the perfect marriage partner in high society.

What is it all about
It is about journalists entailing the sex and love lives of the city folks; mainly in New York and Manhattan and the focus is mostly on those 30-year olds who were single and in multiple relationships in their main mission to search for The One; whom they would settle for marriage and happy-ever-after.

I love this book for the different insights in the relationships of the rich and famous; and the distinction in the perspectives from both men and women about sex and relationships.

I would have preferred if there were more stories; or perhaps a sequel! =)

If I were the author, I would include more stories from the other side of those ‘conquests’; namely the models and actresses or young men whom the rich 30-40 year olds target upon.

My Conclusion/Verdict
Not too bad if you are into the movie/drama of the same title; I usually like to read the book first and I think I liked how the stories are compiled into short files with different insights from the person and the journalist herself.

This is a 7 out of 10

Me and Mr Darcy by Alexandra Potter

Synopsis
After a string of disastrous dates, Emily Albright decides she's had it with modern-day love and would much rather curl up with Pride and Prejudice and spend her time with Mr. Darcy, the dashing, honorable, and passionate hero of Jane Austen's classic. So when her best friend suggests a wild week of margaritas and men in Mexico with the girls, Emily abruptly flees to England on a guided tour of Jane Austen country instead. Far from inspiring romance, the company aboard the bus consists of a gaggle of little old ladies and one single man, Spike Hargreaves, a foul-tempered journalist writing an article on why the fictional Mr. Darcy has earned the title of Man Most Women Would Love to Date.

The last thing Emily expects to find on her excursion is a broodingly handsome man striding across a field, his damp shirt clinging to his chest. But that's exactly what happens when she comes face-to-face with none other than Mr. Darcy himself. Suddenly, every woman's fantasy becomes one woman's reality. . .

What is it all about
Another light-hearted story about a girl in search for a perfect love story; and was trying to fend off the friendly offers from her best friend cum bookstore colleague who was truly concerned about her. In a bid to get away from the invitation to go for a wild vacation with her friend in Mexico, she signed up for a literature tour in a haste to visit her favorite author; Jane Austen’s home in a tour in the England countryside.
She found herself in the company of a bunch of senior folks; mostly women who were fans and secretly dream of the charming and much-loved character of Mr Darcy in Jane Austen’s book and she started wondering whether she made the right decision to ditch her young peers for a tour full of older people.
There was only another young person her age (or at least younger than the rest) but he made quite an impression and the duo got off on the wrong foot from the beginning.
Just when Emily was beginning to lose hope and enthusiasm in the tour, she found herself bumping into who else, but the legendary Mr Darcy himself. Thrilled and realizing that she was seeing him for real, she started hanging out with him secretly and it was like living a fantasy in the reality. Only thing is, she started to see more of Mr Darcy than just what appears in the book and also understands about love and hatred in life. This trip definitely turned out to be more educational and inspiring than what she had signed up for.

I love this book for the funny moments and enjoyable literary tour of Jane Austen (she’s also one of my favorite authors!). The part where Mr Darcy just appeared during the tour was truly enchanting and unforgettable and it was really hard to realize that you have come face-to-face with the fictional character himself. I think the author really made that part really good where Emily slowly realized that this Mr Darcy was for real. Also, I really loved the main protagonist; Emily Albright, who sounded a little like me in real life (I mean not that I had trouble with dates or social life, etc) where she really loved books! I laughed at the part where she started packing her books and trying to stuff her books into her bag and only left the clothes last. I remembered I used to do that when I was a kid; and Dad would always have to make me leave at least half of my books behind. That was such a great kick to my own memories =)

I would have preferred if nothing was changed from the book; I think I liked it the way it was and the flow was just right for the story.

If I were the author, I would change nothing, as mentioned, I liked everything in the book already =)

My Conclusion/Verdict
Great read; and inspiring, and it is true that what you see or believed in may not be necessarily as good as you get it. An inspiring read to teach us to cherish what we have and not fantasize about things we cannot have.

I give it a 8 out of 10

Who’s That Girl by Alexandra Potter

Synopsis

If only you knew then what you know now...

Imagine if you could go back ten years and meet your younger self -- would you recognise her?
And what advice would you give?

Wear sunscreen!

Back away from those PVC trousers?

DON'T give that idiot your phone number?

Lemon juice won't bleach your hair -- it just attracts wasps...

He's the one - don't let him go!

For Charlotte Merryweather, there's no need to imagine. She's about to find out for real. With surprising consequences... Alexandra Potter's deliciously funny and enchanting romantic comedy looks at life, love and what might happen if you could turn back time.
What is it all about?
The synopsis seems to have spelt it all out; and that was all in a nutshell to this book as we follow the bone-tickling antics of our protagonist as she meets her younger 20-year old self; an incident she initially thought was an object of her hallucination/stress or a result of a possible brain tumor.
When she realized that she was given a second chance to meet her younger self (who doesn’t seem to recognize her older self) for real, she tried to hand out advices to the younger one and found herself dealing with dilemmas and issues of her own at her age and realized that everything in the past moulded her into someone she is at the moment.

My Opinion
This book got me by the interesting and catchy prelude written at the back of the book and I knew I just had to get my hands on it and read it.

I love this book for the quirky and witty lines running through the mouths of the characters; mainly of the main protagonist; Charlotte Merryweather who was just a living example of a woman in the 21st century with a great sense of humor. I loved the wonderful and the wicked sense of humor in all her thoughts and words.
I think I found it ticklish to the bone and I remembered laughing so hard that it hurts when I was reading this on my bed and I just could not stop laughing. I don’t think it helped for my insomnia and God forbid that my housemate thought that I was out of my mind. Truly, those lines were just so entertaining that you no longer need the tv series or tv to impress you =)

I would have preferred if there were more scenes of the 20-year old Charlotte Merryweather and her antics; with the current 32-year old intercepting into her life without much avail.

If I were the author, I would just insert more parts about Charlotte Merryweather’s 20-year old self and the funny mistakes that could make the 32-year old gag and try to change.

My Conclusion/Verdict:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book and this book made me start on a mission to track every single book by the same author and she has officially became my favorite author as well!

I give this book a 8 out of 10! =)
(Officially a book which has landed on my ‘Favorite books’ shelf)

Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger

This is one book which, after the wickedly funny Devil Wears Prada by the same author, tells you about fashion and the mad mad world of PR (event planners)

From the start, the protagonist clicks with us normal people, who, just leads that boring life of a routine and clockwork job as a banker stuck at her desk from nine to five each day.
She had no boyfriend, no social life and pretty much, NO life, as her Uncle Will says.

It all changed when she finally mustered up her courage to say the big NO and quit her job at the bank and she took up the offer to join a PR company under the recommendation of her famous Uncle Will, whereby the owner of the PR company was his student.
Thus began Bette Robinson's life (our protagonist) as she struggles to fit into this ever-tumultous and challenging world full of glamour, fame and materialism, not to mention a wicked humor once in a while.

She had a rather unpleasant encounter with the bouncer at one of the most happening clubs in town; Bungalow 8, and that same night landed her in one of the hottest and juiciest columns as the latest girlfriend to British playboy, Philip Weston who had a rather noble royalty background and an equally notorious relationship fact sheet to make up for.

Her actions were constantly supervised by the anonymous writer, Ellie Insider and her faux relationship with Philip Weston has garnered her unwanted fame and transforming her from Plain Jane to an immediate superstar almost overnight.
This piece of news thrilled her publicity hungry boss, Kelly but shocked her loved ones who suddenly felt that they do not know her anymore.

To make things worse, there was not even such a relationship to begin with, as Bette had NO relationship nor sex with the playboy, who seemed to be only snuggling up to her for publicity sake.

She felt suffocated trying to explain herself and even hurt her best friend, Penelope which left their long term friendship to a test.

Everything seems to look perfect and yet bleak and so wrong at the same time, as Bette struggles to get herself out of this mess.
At the same time, she found herself truly falling for the bouncer, whom she then found out from him that he was her old schoolmate who had a long-time crush on her.

They struggled to keep their relationship alive while Bette tries to maintain her sanity.
In her efforts to maintain the best of both worlds, she had to take a risk which meant putting her own job and future on the rocks as she threatens to expose the truth to the whole world about her co-workers, and the person responsible for jeopardizing her life and career, in her bid to restore her former life.

It was a killer of a decision, that's for sure, and I am not going to spoil everything for those who have yet to read this book.

My verdict is very clear from the start, I absolutely love this book from the first chaper itself and this is one book which is just a stone's throw from Devil Wears Prada and I don't need to figure out why since they came from the same womb; I mean, the same pair of hands who penned them down.

I LOVED the story to every bits and found myself chuckling incessantly to myself at night, and I must say, this is not a book for bedtime as it will just keep you awake and wanting more rather than going to sleep. It is such a page-turner!

I hope to see more of such books from Lauren; and yeah, I agree, Birkins Bag is not just any bag, albeit the tag of twenty grand....it's a LIFESTYLE!