Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave him the Wrong Finger, by Beth Harbison

Looking for a fun book about getting over an old love? Pick up Chose the Wrong Guy, and get ready to laugh. And then cry. And maybe laugh some more.

Ten years ago, Quinn was interrupted right before she walked down the aisle by her fiance’s brother, Frank. Frank felt compelled to tell her that Burke, her fiance, had had an affair (or two) while they were engaged. After calling off the wedding, Quinn and Frank leave town for a couple days of drowning sorrows and steamy sex. When Quinn comes back to her senses, she returns home alone and settles into a quiet rut. Which is where the story picks up.

Quinn has a successful business making original bridal gowns (as penance for walking out on her own wedding?)  She prides herself on being able to create the perfect gown for the bride and her party.

When Dolly, the grandmother of the two brothers decides to get remarried, she comes to Quinn for her gown. And Quinn realizes she’s not as over the high school romance as much as she thought she was.

With the help of her best friend Glenn, she tries to change her life. He gives her a mission every day for a month (experience speed dating, eat breakfast out, try a new hairstyle, etc.) There are some laugh out loud moments as Quinn tries new things to shake up her perspective. (I made a mental note not to try all of Glenn’s suggestions!) And with the brothers back in town for the wedding, there is certainly opportunity to confront the past and put it behind her.

In many ways it reminded me of the movie The Runaway Bride.  Like the Julia Roberts character, Quinn needs to figure out who she is before she can take the steps to be with someone else.

Harbison’s characters are imperfect, and that’s what makes them appealing. I felt like I knew people like them in “real life”–and ended the book hoping they would find their happily ever after.

Check the WRL catalog for Chose the Wrong Guy, Gave him the Wrong Finger