Book Review: In Her Shoes

In Her shoes

Author: Jennifer Weiner 

Published: 2002

Author Blurb:

Rose Feller is thirty years old, a high-powered attorney, with a secret passion for romance novels, an exercise regime she's going to start next week, and dreams of a man who will slide off her glasses, gaze into her eyes, and tell her that she's beautiful. Meet Rose's sister Maggie. Twenty-eight years old, drop-dead gorgeous and only occasionally employed, she dreams of fame and fortune - and of getting her dowdy big sister to stick to a skin-care regime. These two women with nothing in common but a childhood tragedy, shared DNA, and the same size feet, are about to learn that their family is more different than they ever imagined, and that they're more alike than they'd ever believe. 

Written by Jennifer Wiener, in her shoes follows the lives of Maggie and Rose, two sisters who despite acting, dressing and thinking very differently are ultimately much the same in what they want. They may not be the closest of sisters, or friends but they are much more alike than they both care to admit...

With the deceptively pink and girly cover this book is so much deeper than the Chick Lit that it initially appears to be.

This is a book about relationships, sibling rivalries and rediscovering who you are. It is a story that tells the reader that its OK to throw away other people's expectations of you and take a deep dive into the unknown - it might just turn out to be the best decision you ever made.

***

I found this read to be nothing like I was expecting - I was looking for something light and girly and the cover decieved me - however, I read it. Although I found the storyline slow and the characters somewhat predictable in the beginning I am kind of gald that I didn't just add it to my ever growing 'to read pile'.

The character development, which didn't really begin until the middle of the book, was interesting and deep and I increasingly found myself caring for and acting like a cheerleader for the two sisters and the estranged Grandmother more and more as the story neared the end and developed further.

That said, the biggest flaw of this book, in my opinion, were the two sisters. Although their storylines and development towards the end was interesting, if not very original, I felt as though their stereotypes were pushed too far. They became annoying and excessive.

I brought this book on a whim and although I am glad I read it, I dont think that it will get re-read for a very long time.

Rating: 2/5