Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, Who Do You Love, is not like her others. For one thing, the cover picture is simply a paperclip shaped like a heart (which is significant to the story). The other is that half of the story is told from a male perspective, which hasn't happened in a Jennifer Weiner novel as far as I can remember (aside from the free e-short story Good Men, which was also featured in The Guy Not Taken).
Rachel Blum and Andy Landis are just eight years old when they meet late one night in an ER waiting room. Born with a congenital heart defect, Rachel is a veteran of hospitals, and she's intrigued by the boy who shows up alone with a broken arm. He tells her his name. She tells him a story. After Andy’s taken back to a doctor and Rachel’s sent back to her bed, they think they’ll never see each other again.
Rachel grows up in an affluent Florida suburb, the popular and protected daughter of two doting parents. Andy grows up poor in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia with a single mom and a rare talent for running. Over the decades, their paths cross in magical and ordinary ways, as they grow together and apart. But Rachel and Andy never forget that night in the hospital waiting room all those years before, a chance encounter that changed the course of both of their lives. (Synopsis courtesy of Atria.)
I really liked the pace of this story, as well as seeing how Andy and Rachel's lives were so different and how they balanced each other out so well. Both their perspectives were interesting and emotionally strong throughout. I could definitely relate well to Rachel, as we had similar upbringings, aside from her being popular while I wasn't. (And curly hair, as well.) However, I enjoyed Andy's side of the story because it took me into a lifestyle of which I wasn't so familiar. I especially liked Andy's relationship with Mr. Sills, who became a father figure to him. Aside from that, there were some really good "romantic" scenes. Jennifer didn't disappoint when it came to that part of the story. The dialogue flowed nicely and there were a lot of things I didn't expect, so this novel never became predictable.
The only thing I would have liked to see is an epilogue that takes us out to the following year or so, where we can see what has happened in Rachel and Andy's lives since the ending. Perhaps Jennifer will write a follow-up short story someday?
Overall, I enjoyed Who Do You Love and recommend it to anyone who wants a sweet story told with Jennifer Weiner's natural flair.
Thanks to Engleman and Co for the book in exchange for an honest review. They even have one copy for a lucky US reader!
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28 comments:
He was a very very bad boy and I had a lot of fun with him for almost 5 years. He broke my heart, but it was for the best.
My first love was a really sweet, great guy in high school. :)
My first love was a guy two years ahead of me in high school. He died in a motorcycle accident while we were dating just before the end of his senior year. It was devastating. I went on and loved again and so forth, but it was rough for a good portion of my teenage years.
A sweet boy named Matt.
Mark!
he was a special man.
Was very special.
My first love was a guy named Bobby. We met when I was a freshman in high school and he was a sophomore. He was a "bad boy" and the total opposite of me but we had a pretty intense relationship for about a year.
I fell in love with my future husband! We met when I was 15 and he was 16. Married when I was 21. 32 years later, he is still the love of my life! xoxoBeth
A boy named Michael, many years ago.
I thought he was but after the heartache he caused me, I truly haven't had a first love and I'm okay with that. I think it will happen when I least expect it. :)
I would consider my husband my first "true" love!
My first and only true love forever. Soulmates. My husband.
Very special.
My first love broke my heart. He went off to college then decided he had made a mistake in ending our relationship and wanted a second chance, but it was too late. I had fallen in love with someone else only to be heartbroken again. The third time around I fell in love and married my soul mate! :))
I guess my first love is my current boyfriend :) we have been dating for about 9 months now. He's my second "official" boyfriend but the first relationship only lasted about 2 1/2 to 3 months.
I guess my first love was a boy in second grade. He suddenly just kissed me. It was weird.
can't remember
Scott Baio. OK, we never dated, but at the time I loved him. (I know...so crazy, right?)
Noah Wylie was my first celeb crush! Older men allll the way!
My hubby - 46 years now. Met in 7th grade, invited him to my 14th birthday party, and that was it, I was gone.
My husband.
The boy I fell in love with at nineteen. I fell hard - and eventually he broke my heart:(.
Shaun Cassidy...I loved him
My husband.
A boy named Seth that I met camping when I was 16
My first real love was my hubby! :)
I thought I loved a few guys before my husband. He's the true love of my life. I'm one of the lucky ones
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