My take on: Declaring Spinsterhood

Ever got so fed up with the dating scene that you decided to give it all up? Think you could be happy without marriage? Think you could be happy with just yourself and a few close friends? I personally say no!! I'm 28ish, and I don't want to give up on the happily ever after fantasy until I'm 30.

In Declaring Spinsterhood by Jamie Lynn Braziel, Emma Bailey is a gun-toting 30-year-old who is ready to give up. A series of bad dates and meddling from her mother lead to this decision. She's quite content running her children's bookstore, reading Nancy Drew novels, listening to Keith Urban music, and watching old Hollywood movies with her dog and best friend Brian. Yes, her best friend is a man.

Brian is the type of friend Emma can confide in at her darkest hour. To me their relationship is as close to marriage, except there is no sex involved. He knows what ticks her off and what doesn't. Only he knows how much Emma would appreciate a blow-up doll of Cary Grant!! You have to read the book to get that one, but trust me it's all in good fun.

Emma says, "I'm declaring spinsterhood." While her mother thinks she has lost her mind. But Brian sees it as Emma standing up for herself. Brian is always there, whether it's to have a shoulder to lean on at church or to run interference with her mother. He's there to comfort Emma when her self-centered former boyfriend breaks her heart. But what happens when he's not sharing her philosophy and "declaring bachelorhood?"

Brian's dating life picks up when Emma decides to abandon hers. Is she just worried that Brian will no longer have time for her? Or is it love? It is love. Rather than confess her feelings, Emma decides to suffer internally. Meanwhile I'm screaming in my head, "No, no, no, no!!" That will never work. If you don't seize the opportunity, it might never come again.

This is a lovely and entertaining story. The only thing that seemed out of place an action sequence towards the end. Overall, it was a cute story worth checking out.

Rating: Superb

Note: I received a copy of the book at the request of the author's publicist (Little Bird Publicity) in exchange for an honest review.