Review: Emily Ever After by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt

genre: Christian fiction

Growing up in sunny California, Emily always knew that she belonged somewhere else: New York City. She finally makes her way to the streets of Manhattan when she lands a job at a big publishing house. Rarely does life live up to our fantasies, though, and between being across the country from her family, her crazy boss and trying to be true to her faith without seeming too different, Emily's new world is a big adjustment. Emily has a lot of lessons to learn about who she is and what she really wants.

While this is a rather predictable coming-of-age story, I have to admit, I ended up pleased with it. Emily makes some mistakes, falls in and out of love, makes friends and, really, a few more mistakes. But she does know what's right and I appreciate the message that it's worth it to stick up for what you know is right. It's the kind of book I'd like my daughter to read in high school because in the end, Emily finds just the right kind of happily ever after.