Rating:  Summary: Not for me Review: Aside from the fact that the writing of this book was bad, this story was not something a well-educated woman would appreciate. It's too geared toward the type of woman who feels she needs a man, any man, to survive. There were a few funny things here and there, but The desperation and tone of this book turned me off within the first couple of chapters.
Rating:  Summary: Very Smartly written 1st novel - main character not likable Review: While this book kept my interest throughout, I found the main character, Eve, highly annoying and very self-absorbed. I found Otherwise Engaged to be funny - at times- and very smartly written - wounderful metaphors. Eve, the main character, was just way too analytical about Michael and marriage. I kept thinking to myself - this girl should not get married - as she was in constant doubt up to the minute she walked down the aisle. I have been married 4 years and if I had just one of the ridiculous doubts that Eve perseverated about, I would not have gotten engaged, nevermind married. They say don't judge a book by its cover, I am judging this one by the 2 main characters, Eve and Michael. Eve was so annoying and such a drama queen that at the end I didn't care what happened to her. Michael was everything my husband is NOT - and I didn't like him from the get go. Therefore, the 3 star rating. Ms. Finnemore needs to create and write about main characters that readers can like and want to remember - not forget.
Rating:  Summary: It "made" my day Review: On a recent business trip I was given Otherwise Engaged by a colleague who said this would make my long plane trip bearable. I chuckled all the way to New York. A delightful and fun novel.
Rating:  Summary: It's all true Review: Loved the book and title. Otherwise Engaged could mean otherwise engaged in making it to the altar. Fun summer reading.
Rating:  Summary: Not too good Review: It's too bad. I was hoping to enjoy this book, but I didn't find this character funny at all. There was nothing interesting about the story. I usually enjoy reading diary-type books, but the events that lead up to this man and woman's marriage seemed inappropriate. The kind of fighting that they did during their engagement seemed to be a bit rough, and turned me off.
Rating:  Summary: a funny, witty novel not to be taken too seriously Review: I certainly would not give this book 5 stars as it doesn't hold a candle to the Yah Yah Sisterhood to name one, but it is witty and clever enough. The one line zingers at the end of many paragraphs are worth the read alone e.g. PMS being termed Pardon Me, Sybil. Just a fun summer read when you have a few hours to spare.
Rating:  Summary: Fun Reading Review: Yes, I am from Northern California. A big place with millions of people and I am one of those many who find Otherwise Engaged a witty, biting, caustic and funny book. As the author herself said, "not for everyone" - no only for those who are literate and not threatened by a fictional character.
Rating:  Summary: Jolly good read Review: Am visiting some friends and was telliing them about a funny book I had just read. Imagine my surprise to find that in America it is called Otherwise Engaged. In the UK it is called Old Maid. Either title is unimportant because this is a funny, funny book.
Rating:  Summary: Whiny, immature, annoying Review: I could not believe how Eve, the main character, behaved in this book. I'm 27 and not married, but I know enough about men to know that this is not the way to get one to marry you! She picks ridiculous childish fights with Michael, and he says horrible things to her (during one argument he calls her the "c" word... unforgivable!) I would not WANT to marry a man if I had to give him an ultimatum, and I really wouldn't want to marry a man who came back and sort of mumbled "well, I guess we should get engaged..." What self-respecting woman would? Still, there are some very funny parts in the book. At one point, Eve wonders (duh...) if it isn't all his fault... "Mama's making the shake and bake, but I'm helping" I actually read that one out loud to a friend. There are a few other moments like that in the book, but overall I just wanted to shake Eve and say "This is not how it's done!"
Rating:  Summary: I'm not the only one Review: I am glad to be finally seeing comments that reflect what I felt when I read this book, that it was the kind of book that I regret spending the time on. At first I felt that maybe I missed the point, and perhaps didn't get the humor. Now that I feel that I wasn't crazy to not like the book, I thought I would send my review too.
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