Book Review: Heart of the Matter

Even though I got a head start for my 12 books in 2011 goal, I was happy I did. I feel accomplished and ready to start my next book. Before I do, I wanted to give a quick review on my first book of 2011 by Emily Giffin, "Heart of the Matter"

I loved this book more than I disliked this book, simply because it was written so beautifully. What I disliked about the book was how extremely frustrating the topic was: Infidelity. And although I don't want to write out any spoilers, I did not end the way I wanted. But alas, that is life.

The book revolves around two women. Tessa and Valarie. The story goes back a fourth on how these two woman's lives are intertwined together through an act of infidelity. Tessa's husband, Nick is a children's plastic surgeon working on burn cases and trauma. Valarie's son, Charlie was involved in an accident falling into a fire pit while staying at a friends sleepover. The child is then taken to the Hospital where Nick is his plastic surgeon. Nick and Valarie begin a friendship which ultimately leads to an affair. (which further fuels my argument that when you are in a serious relationship you CAN NOT be friends with the opposite sex. You can be friendly but NOT friends) The story goes on to Tessa's suspicion of her husbands intentions and a glimpse into their marriage with all its cracks and the very hard life Valarie had and how she is falling more and more in love with her son's doctor.

The book held my attention the entire time, which can be hard. There were a couple quotes in the book that really stood out to me.

"I think about the thin, fragile line separating all of us from misfortune, almost as a way of putting a few coins in my own gratitude meter, of safeguarding again an after happening to me."

"But i still find myself reaching out and knocking twice on our wooden cutting board. Because you can never be too sure when it comes to the things that matter most."

"I nod, thinking of how difficult marriage can be, how much effort is required to sustain a feeling between two people - a feeling that you cant imagine will ever fade in the beginning when everything comes so easily. I think of how each person in a marriage owes it to the other to find individual happiness, even in a shared life. This is the only real way to grow together, instead of apart."

All in all I thought the book was wonderful. It dealt with a tough issue and made it very real. I would recommend it to anyone.

Rating out of 5 stars: ***