Reviews

The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe

carmentxx's review

emotional lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

i would’ve given this book 4 stars if it weren’t for that ending which came out of NOWHERE. i mean it didn’t come out of nowhere, but it was very shocking. like, wtf. 

however, i have been very into reading about young women in new york, and this one was a great lighthearted read to bump along to, except from the last 50 or so pages.

what a bloody tool, eddie harrison. and wtf about gregg!! cant believe she just died and caroline was like damn, let me just go to vegas. bye!

the ending really brought it down for me, so i’d read un until page 400 and then call it a day. 

teresac's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

bimmbles's review

4.0

A little slow to get into this one, but an absolute delight. Women have been going on boring dates forever! A revelation.

librarydancer's review

DNF. The beginning was interesting, but as it developed I lost interest. I then put it down and never picked it back up again.

mhsohn321's review

3.0

As this book began I found it interesting, and it has a good story line. I was disappointed in the middle as the narrative began to drag. Overall it was a good read, and the ending was a surprise to me.

tscott907's review against another edition

4.0

This book was fascinating because it’s such a product of its time and yet, as a woman in 2024, I felt so seen by it. Sucks you in with its Mad Menish gloss and glamour and then leaves you with a pit in your stomach, and yet you (well, I) loved it so much!

naoki's review

5.0

I couldn't give this book less than five stars. When you think about how the role of a "woman" has changed in western society since the 1950s, this book was super progressive for its time. It deals with complex feelings around identity that women even today endure, and the expectations we seem to struggle with. I related to every character, and their quest to find meaning in affairs of the heart. It's such an interesting story, and surprised me...just when I thought it wouldn't. Plus, it's based in New York and celebrates the city continually. Whether you're a hopeless romantic or bitter to no end, I think it will be an enjoyable read.

buttercup7's review

2.0

weird. made me a little depressed. entertaining. life may suck now but at least women’s only role in life isn’t finding a husband. caroline’s story (until eddie blegh) was the strongest, and i HATED gregg. zero self respect. actually none of them really had self respect. so many affairs. so little storyline outside of men. glad i wasn’t born in the 1930s.

dvertreese's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

pixe1's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5