After her best friend Christine suffers a health crisis, political writer and shoe lover Reagan "Rae" Doucet realizes that it's time for her to reevaluate her own life because she's spent too much time focused on the things she thinks she should do rather than the things that actually make her happy. She comes up with a "risk list" to help get herself out of her comfort zone and start living life on her own terms, promising herself a new pair of shoes for every item she checks off. Coming up with the list proves to be easier than actually completing it, but with the help of her friends, Rae explores new career opportunities and tentatively opens her heart to love again. When her college ex-boyfriend, Jake Saunders, comes back into her life shortly after yet another romantic disappointment, will Rae be able to embrace the spirit of the "risk list" and give him the second chance he's asking for, or will she give up on love for good?
To me, the strength of this book was its exploration of Rae's journey to find career fulfillment and her friendships with Christine, Robin, Jennifer, and Rebecca. It gave the book more of a chick lit or women's fiction feel, though there were certainly romantic elements to the story. I also really enjoyed the book's setting in Washington, DC, especially the way the author included real places as parts of the story. As someone who has lived and worked in DC for going on 20 years, it felt very authentic to me. In addition, I was intrigued by the insider's view of a
"liberal media" that isn't always as forward-thinking or inclusive as many
would like us to believe.
I was less enthusiastic about Rae's romance with Jake, which felt like an afterthought for much of the story. Most of their interactions took place in flashbacks, and there weren't very many of those. Based on this limited information, it was tough to tell what was so good about their relationship or why Rae's friends kept trying to push her back towards Jake. Further, they didn't actually get their "second chance" until the very end of the book (95% on my Kindle). It's tough to get invested in a relationship that starts with only ten minutes left in the book. It would have been nice if there had at least been an epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed "The Shoe Diaries" and recommend it for fans of books that feature strong female friendships. I will certainly be watching to see what the author writes next.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
About "The Shoe Diaries"
It’s never too late to put your best foot forward. From the outside, Reagan “Rae” Doucet has it all: a coveted career in Washington, DC, a tight circle of friends and a shoe closet to die for. When one of her crew falls ill, however, Rae is done playing it safe. The talented but unfulfilled writer makes a “risk list” to revamp her life. But forgiving her ex, Jake Saunders, might be one risk too many.
Read an Excerpt from "The Shoe Diaries"
He was inches away from me when I fell into his arms and began crying. All the anger I’d felt toward him, the hurt he caused me, the stupid ways he’d played me…they all meant nothing in this moment. He was here when I needed him the most. And I could no longer hold my tears back as he stood without a word and let me soak his shirt with sobs for minutes, only occasionally rubbing my hair to bring me comfort.
“Maybe we should go for a walk,” he finally said.
“A walk sounds good.”
“Wait, what are you doing here?” I asked once I had a moment to calm down. We’d walked to Jake’s car to get some privacy while I tried drying up my tears, but the peace and quiet away from the hospital walls also brought me back to reality. It certainly didn’t help that Jake had the kind of car a man gets when he has no intention of having obligations any time soon: a two-seater, silver Jaguar F-TYPE. It was gorgeous on the outside, intimate inside and was also a stark reminder of the reason we broke up in the first place.
“Christine’s mom called me. I assume she was just going through the numbers she had of her friends, and I was still on the list.”
“Oh.”
I guess I’d forgotten that Mama Vasquez had Jake’s number from when we were in college. And that we hadn’t exactly updated her to let her know he shouldn’t still be on the call list of people to inform if something went wrong.
“And so you came all the way from New York?”
“Actually, no. I was in town already for work. It’s why I called you the other night as well. Was hoping we could talk after all these years. But then when Chrissy’s mom called, I just figured it was fate I was here, and so I should come.”
“You definitely came around that corner just as I needed you to,” I admitted with a sigh. “I’m sorry about that, by the way. I just… I couldn’t cry in there and then I saw you and—”
“Hey, you don’t have to apologize for that. I’m—I don’t want to say glad but—grateful I was there when you needed someone.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to make this about me, though. She’s the one in there fighting for her life. I was simply trying to encourage her to keep doing so because… I’m… I’m just not ready to lose my friend.” I held back more tears that were aching to flow down my cheeks.
“And it’s okay to feel that,” he said, lifting my head so we were eye to eye. “It’s okay to not be everyone’s strength all the time. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“I don’t think you do, but that’s okay, too. Just know you don’t have to be strong with me. I can take your tears and your questions.”
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