What do You think about Best Enemies (2005)?
So, my mom and I end up talking a fair amount about how there are at least two sides to every story. It depends on how many participants are involved, but in your typical good vs. bad story, you hear all about Batman's experiences, and the audience is all, "Poor Batman!" while forgetting that the Penguin has a perspective, too. Which is what made Best Enemies so cool: Heller switches halfway through the novel to tell the "bad guy's" story. And when I saw that, I was, in my 3-am, sleep-deprived overly-emotional, giddy state, unduly upset about this decision. I didn't want to read Tarra's story; I liked Amy. And the first couple of pages were pretty hideous. However, seeing Tara's side to the initial interactions of the pair did that whole-new-light thing on the relationship. I still like Amy better, but I don't dislike Tara, either. The best part of it all, though, is that they both grow up and mature enough to make amends and be friends again. And they aren't perfect at it, either. They don't say, "Aw, sweetie, lets be friends again!" and life is happily ever after. Amy lapses. And she realizes how ridiculous her lapse was, feels terrible, and apologizes, like a sincere, mature adult. And I'm a big, big fan of people being sincere, mature adults. I think it's something we should all strive to be.
—Kristina Jo
Thoroughly enjoyed this particular tell of two best friends who through a broken trust and thus a broken engagement become enemies. Amy and Tara were best friends, but yikes ... who can be best friends with the girl you find boinking your fiancee? Flash forward five years and they meet again ... the tale begins, first with Amy's POV and then when the story reaches it's turning point, we get to see what Tara thinks.Well done using the two-character point of view. Nice characters, inlcuding the new man Tony Stiles. An enjoyable read.
—Trish
Amy Sherman is pretty; Tara Messer is a beauty. Amy has a nice Manhattan apartment; Tara's suburban Tudor castle boasts an actual turret. Amy was engaged to Stuart Lasher, who took maid of honor Tara to bed and then to the altar. Now Tara has chronicled her perfect lifestyle in a book called Simply Beautiful, about to be published by Lowry and Trammell—where her editor plans to make her "the next Martha Stewart, without the baggage" and where Amy is publicity director. Can you spell delicious co
—Kris
