Helpful Score: 2
Touching... do we have to give up our dreams for a family?
Helpful Score: 2
I'll admit it up front-I am a huge fan of Ms. Goudge's work. She has the ability to mix women's fiction with romance, tragedy, hope, and love in a seamless mix of words on a page. I began reading her work years ago, and I'm glad I never stopped. If I had, I never would have had the pleasure of reading OTHERWISE ENGAGED, a book that hit me particularly hard.
What woman-for that matter, what human-hasn't at least once in their life wondered what would happen if they could change places with someone who has a seemingly enviable lifestyle? Everyone that I know-from my children, to my friends, to my co-workers, to my mother-has, at one point in time, pondered the question "Who would you want to be if you could trade places with someone for one day?"
In OTHERWISE ENGAGED, best friends, Jessie Holland and Erin Delahanty, get that chance; one that few of us ever will experience. For Jessie, being a journalist in New York City is the epitome of everything she's ever wanted. She'd never in a million years exchange her middle-of-the-night take-out meals and trips on the subway for a middle-class, hum-drum lifestyle in the middle of nowhere. As for Erin, owning a bed-and-breakfast in a rural Arizona town is the fulfillment of her dreams, with a seemingly perfect marriage and a great teenage daughter.
What isn't so obvious is that Jessie and Erin are both suffering-Jessie needs a hot story to propel her career into overdrive, Erin and her husband are fighting almost non-stop, and both women want only to be somewhere else, someone else, for the time it takes to figure out how to fix whatever is wrong.
OTHERWISE ENGAGED is a wonderful book. Two best friends, both at crossroads in their life, decide to switch places-just to see, of course, if you can really go home again, if the "what ifs" are better than the reality, and if the grass is any greener on the other side. Highly recommended, Ms. Goudge once again proves that life is what you make it to be-and that, in itself, isn't necessarily a bad thing.
What woman-for that matter, what human-hasn't at least once in their life wondered what would happen if they could change places with someone who has a seemingly enviable lifestyle? Everyone that I know-from my children, to my friends, to my co-workers, to my mother-has, at one point in time, pondered the question "Who would you want to be if you could trade places with someone for one day?"
In OTHERWISE ENGAGED, best friends, Jessie Holland and Erin Delahanty, get that chance; one that few of us ever will experience. For Jessie, being a journalist in New York City is the epitome of everything she's ever wanted. She'd never in a million years exchange her middle-of-the-night take-out meals and trips on the subway for a middle-class, hum-drum lifestyle in the middle of nowhere. As for Erin, owning a bed-and-breakfast in a rural Arizona town is the fulfillment of her dreams, with a seemingly perfect marriage and a great teenage daughter.
What isn't so obvious is that Jessie and Erin are both suffering-Jessie needs a hot story to propel her career into overdrive, Erin and her husband are fighting almost non-stop, and both women want only to be somewhere else, someone else, for the time it takes to figure out how to fix whatever is wrong.
OTHERWISE ENGAGED is a wonderful book. Two best friends, both at crossroads in their life, decide to switch places-just to see, of course, if you can really go home again, if the "what ifs" are better than the reality, and if the grass is any greener on the other side. Highly recommended, Ms. Goudge once again proves that life is what you make it to be-and that, in itself, isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Helpful Score: 1
Two best friends exchange lives and learn where they were meant to be and with whom. Not predictable, I didn't guess how they would end up. enjoyable, a fast read.
Helpful Score: 1
Good quick read - nothing to exciting or not a SUPER GREAT book. But it was enjoyable anyway.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun, enjoyable read. Really makes you think "what if?..."
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great book. Once I started it, I could not put it down.
I love this book.It was a good read.
For anyone who's every asked themselves that question, this book is for you. It's a cute story that gives a peak into what life could be like if you swapped places with your best friend. An easy, quick read. Enjoy!
Very fun book, its been a while since I've read it so I can't tell you too much but it didn't end up in my trash can so thats a good sign
A GIRLY FICTION.
I very much enjoyed this book! If you are a fan of Marian Keyes, I recommend this one!
A fun, light read.
A fun read to explore the wonders of "what if..."!
Great book! I found myself laughing several times and found it hard to put down because I wanted to know how it ended.
This was a sweet book! Very interesting to find out what happens to each character.
this was a very good story, filled with realistic, likable characters- the kind you think could be your friends. I really enjoyed it!
Good Book. This story line is different than the usual books.
Interesting premise...trading places from small town to big city. Great characters who act real not perfect. I enjoyed this one very much.
The first book I've read by Eileen Goudge but won't be the last. A great story about 2 friends who 'swap' their lives for six months. Very entertaining.
it was pretty good...not the best story ive ever read
Could not get into this book. Unbelievabel situation. Was written with the characters knowing it was an unbelievable situation but still going through with it and getting into ridiculous predicaments.
Great read! Interesting concept of best friends who swap lives for 6 months to see if the grass is greener...
