When I first starting reading, the main character Mara seemed too wimpy and dippy for words, but then I began to realize how easy it is for each of us to let our friends and relatives dictate how we live our lives. There's a little too much Toronto mentioned (even for me, who used to live there; it's like the author is trying to show just how Canadian she can make this book!) but it didn't take very long before I was rooting for Mara to, just once, make her own decisions and start to live her own life. And she does! Not in an obvious, Hollywood ending sort of way, but in the way that ordinary people do, with small steps that accumulate into achievements that make life more satisfying. Mara's wake-up call comes when a true friend (not who you think!) tells her how self-centered she is. Grab hold of this book and don't let go until they make a movie of it!
