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Book Review of The Birthday Girl: A Novel

The Birthday Girl: A Novel


Ellie is celebrating her 40th birthday with a party that has her close family and friends. The appearance of an old acquaintance reminds her of the 16th birthday she wishes she could forget.

Normally I would not read a story like this but I am a fan of Melissa De La Cruz and people keep offering me books with this storyline. Last year I read The Dinner by Herman Koch and The Party by Robyn Harding all with the storyline of a party or dinner that has gone bad because the people are bad people. Every one of these books tries to give the story a twist at the end you are not supposed to see coming. Frankly, I don't like stories that end so dark or twisted. I know not every story can end in happily ever after and I don't want them to...it is just these stories depress me. There is enough in the world going on to depress me right now.

The story was okay. I was able to follow and it was well written. I prefer Melissa De La Cruz's fantasies rather than this contemporary fiction.