A letter of concern to Vadino

Oh, Diane Vadino,

If you were really smart, you would not have titled your book “Smart Girls Like Me.” Then again, if you possessed intelligence, the novel would not exist. Your heroine, Betsey, who works in fashion (a shocker for chick-lit), is by far the most irritating character. She transforms from “the sad bitter woman without a boyfriend” to “the crazy bitter woman without a boyfriend.”

Development isn’t the only thing lacking. You’re missing a plot, too. Now, maybe you’re thinking, “Hello! Did you not catch that major drama between me (I mean my character that I obviously based way too much on myself) and that guy I dated, Ryan?” Yes, it was caught. It was so surprising to find out he cheated on you with your boss, you only eluded to it every other page. However, plot – like life – should have more to it than the person you are dating. 

“But remember, Betsey thought the world was going to end at the millennium. That’s plot, right?” No, not plot. While you mentioned the “obsession” a few random times, when the ball dropped, you were crying about how Ryan didn’t love you. Not seeing a realistic fear of the end of the world there. 

You did try. You wrote in Bridget, Betsey’s best friend.  Bridget was getting married to a doctor. She was pretty. Her life looked perfect. Then, out of nowhere, goodness gracious, Bridget had problems too. She wasn’t sure if she loved her fiancé enough to get married.

It sounds like an awful short story doesn’t it?  But no, somehow you managed to write 264 pages.

Entertainment Weekly said your book was “a raw and honest glimpse of single life.” Perhaps no one at Entertainment Weekly is single, because your book is actually about a neurotic woman trying desperately to find “the one,” get married, and never have to work again. Worse, this is all done under the guise that she is a feminist and does not believe any of those things could make a person happy.

“Smart Girls Like Me” was tired and predictable. 

Better luck next time,

Erica Rose Simpson