By Mhairi McFarlane
“If you look for problems all the time, you’ll start to create them. I’m wondering why you do.”
Her boss Richard once told her she was her own worst enemy, and though the title of her worst enemy had been a keenly fought competition, he might be right.
When last we saw Edie and Elliot, it was in the final pages of Who’s That Girl? The couple had reluctantly split up 4 months earlier and Edie is fixing Christmas Dinner when her sister Meg calls excitedly to her that there is someone at the door for her. That’s it. The End. But we knew it was Elliot and that somehow they would work their movie star/normal girl issues out and have their happy ending. That ending was very controversial for a Rom-com and there were lots of complaints. But I was fine with it, even though I am famous in my own mind for wanting closure with all of the loose ends tied up. This sequel is meant to be that. Even though I was satisfied with the ending of the first book, of course I welcomed more of Elliot and Edie, and after all, you can never have enough closure.
Even though there are many challenges for them to tackle in working out a relationship that works for them both, they are deeply in love (and like) and can’t bear to be without each other. Unfortunately, some of their challenges have to be tackled over and over again. The book got pretty repetitive thanks to Edie’s stubborn lack of faith in Elliot’s loyalty and love. Her knee-jerk reactions to such things as paparazzi stories were irritating even though she always calms down and wises up later after she thinks about it. I disliked Edie doubting Elliot over and over. I could have used a lot less of that. She didn’t realize what a wonderful treasure of a man he was until it was almost too late. She always put the worst spin on anything that could be taken two ways. In one incident she was warned by Elliot and his agent about a story coming out in the tabloids of Elliot and his beautiful costar and that it was very misleading. She still goes off the deep end and behaves like a child. She doesn’t think it through herself but needs an objective friend to point out the obvious before she can believe Elliot and not the photos. She had gained a lot of understanding and insight in the first book, but apparently not enough. She is not a quick learner, and I often wondered how Elliot could be so patient with her.
Fortunately, there are some subplots that end up being very entertaining. Horrible jerk Jack who caused her so much grief in the first book comes back on the scene to vindictively try to ruin Edie’s life (again). How that is dealt with is a stand-up and cheer-worthy surprise that Mhairi is so great at setting up. The second involves personal details about Elliot that were leaked to the press that only his nearest and dearest would know. Who could be violating Elliot’s trust? It couldn’t be Edie, we know (and happily so does Elliot.) It couldn’t be his much-loved and lovable brother Fraser. Or their parents. But Fraser’s new fiance, whose behavior and family has been a bit questionable, and to whom Fraser of confides freely, looks to be the only possible source.
Elliot’s dilemma was, to me, very reminiscent of what William must have been going through with Harry. He too felt he had to warn his brother about getting married so soon to a woman he was head over heels with but hadn’t known too long. Edie and Elliot realize it is tricky and would probably result in anger, misunderstanding, and possible estrangement. There seemed to be a lot of parallels, but this fictional situation ends better thanks to Edie. The third is Edie’s rapport and friendship with a new workmate that we know will eventually lead to trouble with Elliot. When the confrontation finally came, I saw both sides, and it went deeper than expected. But it finally results in blind as a bat Edie seeing the light about herself and her relationship with Elliot. I found the climax suspenseful and worrisome. They have a real knock-down-drag-out and they both score solid points. The happy ending was hard won and at the end, I believed in their relationship because of their love and compatibility, but also their mutual sense of humor.
I really loved this one and the many positives overshadowed the few irritations. Yes, it was a bit long. But for writers such as Mhairi McFarlane, better too long than too short. I’d even welcome a third book in which Edie goes to Hollywood or New York.