Does Gigi appear to you, as the reader, to be unsentimental, hardened and cynical as Camden says early on?

Hi Heather - I did not think the Gigi was unsentimental or hardened (maybe a little cynical). For example, she purchased a piano and tons of art work for her new husband, and never got rid of it. (If it were me, I would of sold the stuff after about 3 yrs). I was more sympathetic to Gigi than Camden while reading this book. Not to say that I didn't like him, I actually loved both of them when they were together. I REALLY enjoyed reading it. Did you like how the author would flip back and forth from their courtship, to the present day? I loved how she did that. It made me want to fly through each chapter to see what happened either in the past, or what was coming up next. This book will be a keeper for me, but first I will lend it out to several friends!

In the first part I did see Gigi as a hard, cynical and unsentimental. But she was raised with one goal in mind and she was driven to accomplish that goal, no matter what it took. However, when she fell in love with Camden she changed. I don't think she retained many of those qualities after that point. Yes, she was ruthless in her means to get Camden, but, how many of us would not do anything in the name of love. I hated the extent of Camden's reaction but again when hurt feelings are involved we tend to want the other person hurting as bad as we are. So I could empathize with both characters.

As to the jumping around, at first to be honest, I hated it. Then I got used to it and it was an easier read. By the end, this was one of the better novels I have read by a debut author. There are thing that I would change but for me they are style issues that I do not particularly like but others will love. I will pick up her next book, mainly because she was able to bring her characters to life and it was easy to visualize their plights both together and individually. To me that is more important than any style issue. In that arena, I loved this book and would recommend it.
--
Rhae
"The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on." - Robert Bloch

Heather & Rhae - what did you think of how Gigi acted when she entered Camden's dinner party at the end of the book?

I think it took much for Gigi to do as she did. She was unsure as to the reaction in the first place and then had to brazen her way through the members of New York society. Of course Camden would let her get away with much as she had turned up for him. He then was able to reap the rewards!

I am trying to get this still yet. I have a bid on one with ebay.Hopefully I will win it.

Heather~
I loved the scene at the end with the dinner party! After all, I kept wanting to scream " What happened to that brazen girl who would do anything for the man she loved?" I understand how a person can get beaten down by circumstances but I just kept wishing she would take the bull by the horns and fight for not only Camden but herself. In the end she did not disappoint, and really if she would have done so when Camden first returned there would be no book :)