Baby Proof

April 24, 2006
The bestselling author of Something Borrowed
and Something Blue
now tells the story of what happens after the "I do"s. As a successful editor at a Manhattan publishing house, Claudia Parr counts herself fortunate to meet and marry Ben, a man who claims to be a nonbreeding career-firster like she is. The couple's early married years go smoothly, but then Ben's biological clock starts to tick. A baby's a deal breaker for Claudia, so she moves out and bunks with her college roommate Jess (a 35-year-old blonde goddess stuck in a series of dead-end relationships) while the wheels of divorce crank into action. Even after the divorce is finalized and Claudia embarks on a steamy love affair with her colleague Richard, she begins to doubt her decision when she suspects Ben has found a smart, young and beautiful woman willing to bear his children. Standard fare as far as chick lit goes, but there are strong subplots involving Claudia's sisters (one is coping with infertility, the other with a cheating spouse) and the childless-by-choice plot line produces above-average tension. 300,000 announced first printing
.

August 7, 2006
Cynthia Nixon is the perfect choice to narrate this seamlessly abridged chick lit novel, which unfolds like an extended Sex and the City
episode and deals with many of the same issues that the series' beloved TV characters faced during six years of shoe shopping and martini swigging in Manhattan. Nixon succeeds brilliantly with the tough challenge of making baby-shy editor Claudia Parr likable and appealing when her early selfishness threatens to undermine the listener's loyalty. She does a fine job creating a unique, throaty, confident voice for Richard (the office hottie with whom Claudia has an affair after her marriage dissolves), but the voices of some other characters, including Claudia's two sisters, blend too casually into one another. The bonus feature, a brief interview with novelist Giffin at the end of the final disc, is a mixed blessing. Although the sound quality has a poor call-in feel, fans will enjoy Giffin dishing on her characters, her life, and writers who have influenced her. Simultaneous release with the St. Martin's hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 24).

May 1, 2006
In her third novel (after "Something Borrowed " and "Something Blue"), Giffin introduces the character of Claudia Parr, a 35-year-old New York City book editor who has never wanted children. Claudia gets along famously with her husband, Ben, until he changes his own stance on children and decides he wants one after all. At first, she chalks it up to a phase, but soon it becomes clear that the love of her life is choosing fatherhood over her. Devastated, Claudia files for divorce and moves back in with her best friend. To make matters worse, the women closest to Claudia -her two sisters and her best friend -either already have children or are trying to get pregnant. Claudia makes the most of her situation and starts dating an attractive coworker, steadfastly believing she was right to stand by her values. Until, that is, she realizes that being with Ben is what matters the most. A fast-paced and interesting look at the various ways women view motherhood and pregnancy, this is sure to be popular with Giffin -s many fans. Recommended for all public libraries. [See Prepub Alert, "LJ" 2/15/06.]" -Karen Core, Detroit P.L. "

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2006
Giffin has made a name for herself with unconventional, extremely popular chick-lit novels that place her heroines in difficult situations; both " Something Borrowed" (2004) and " Something Blue" (2005) were surprising and defied the norm. Her third offering places 35-year-old Claudia in an untenable position. When Claudia married Ben, both agreed that they didn't want children. Suddenly, Ben has changed his mind, and he starts pressuring Claudia to reconsider as well. Claudia is resolute--she has never wanted children and is certain she never will. When both she and Ben stick to their guns, it drives a wedge into their relationship, until a big argument over the issue drives Claudia from their apartment. Suddenly, it seems their marriage is over, and Claudia sorrowfully consents to a divorce even though she still loves Ben. Months later, Claudia is still having regrets, and even when she starts dating a handsome, slick publicist, she can't forget Ben. She begins to reevaluate what is most important to her. By avoiding easy answers, Giffin once again proves she's one of the best chick-lit writers in this thoughtful, layered, and wholly original story of a woman facing a major choice in her life.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)