**** Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin (2010, St.Martin's Press, 368 pages)

First off, I must confess that I have been a huge fan of Ms. Giffin ever since I first read Something Borrowed in 2004.  I have met the author, and Ms. Giffin is as intelligent and sincere as you would hope she would be.

That being said, back to this book. Why is it worth four stars?

The characters and situation are believeable.  But that doesn't make the story mundane.  Instead, Ms. Giffin turns a tale of tragedy, loneliness, love and unhappiness into  Chick Lit you simply can't turn down.

The story focuses on Tessa, who recently gave up her career as a professor to stay home with the kids, and Valerie, a single mom who works full-time as an attorney (in a previous life, Ms. Giffin was a lawyer.) Tessa and Valerie are linked by Tessa's husband, a pediatric surgeon.

The characters face the spoken and unspoken dilemma's most women face as they make the transition from twenties to thirties, from having an identity that is just you to one that includes being a mother.   And it covers loneliness, both in a couple and outside of one.

I read this book in two evenings after work. I had to put it down after the first night because of work and dog walking committments in the morning. Otherwise, I would have read it straight through. I have already recommended it to friends. And I will re-read it.
 
If you are looking for well-written, intelligent, indulgent and engaging Chick Lit, buy this book! It's really  good.

This is my fifth exerperience reading work by Emily Giffin and I look forward to reading more Chick Lit by the author as I have  yet to be disappointed by Emily
Giffin Chick Lit.

Please find below a link to Ms. Giffin's webpage.
http://www.emilygiffin.com/