Baby Proof (Giffin) - Book Reviews

Book Reviews
[The characters are] funny and flawed, ambitious and insecure, relatable enough to feel like a good friend while enduring dramatic crises enough for a dozen women.
Elle

Giffin’s writing is true, smart, and heartfelt. Claudia is both flawed and achingly real.
Entertainment Weekly

Smart, snappy.... Sure to provoke discussion.
People


The bestselling author of Something Borrowed and Something Blue now tells the story of what happens after the "I dos". 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.
Publishers Weekly


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. —Karen Core, Detroit P.L.
Library Journal


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. —Kristine Huntley.
Bookist