Something Borrowed

by Catherine Hapka

She's ready to catch the bouquet, not steal the guy!

When Ava gets dumped by her boyfriend, she's pretty upset. He wasn't the love of her life or anything, but with her sister's wedding - a.k.a. the social event of the season - just two weeks away, Ava's got to save face by finding someone cute and fun to bring as a new date.

With the clock ticking and no dates in sight, Ava asks her best friend if she can "borrow" her boyfriend, Jason, for the night. Ava's never been a big Jason fan, but he'll look great in a tux, and at least she'll have someone to dance with. But it doesn't take long for Ava to realize she's got him all wrong...

What do you do when Mr. Right is wrapped up in a package that belongs to your best friend?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult Romance, Teen, Rom Com, Chick Lit

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 8, 2008

About the author

Catherine (Cathy) Hapka has written more than one hundred books for children and adults, as a ghostwriter for series as well as original titles, including the Romantic Comedies Something Borrowed, The Twelve Date of Christmas, and Love on Cue. She lives in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Ava Hamilton has a front row ticket to the wedding of the season...that of Camille, her sister. Everything at home is in total chaos because of the event. Her sister is making her wear the Pink Horror. Pink is so not Ava's color, and the dress is hideous. To top it off, her boyfriend, Lance, has just broken up with her, by phone!

Ava is fit to be tied and complains to her best friend, Teresa. Teresa tells Ava that there's nothing wrong with going stag to the wedding. But Ava refuses to have everyone look at her with pity, thinking she can't get a date to her own sister's wedding.

So, Ava begins a quest with two weeks to go before the wedding. She has Teresa take her to the University of Pennsylvania's campus. There, Ava meets Zoom and they hit it off. He agrees to go with her to the wedding, but has to cancel after a freak BMX accident.

Next, Ava is convinced by Teresa's boyfriend, Jason, to ask out Oliver, the lead singer of the Manyunk Mucus, a local up-and-coming band. Much to Ava's surprise, Oliver agrees to go out with her, and then to accompany her to the wedding. After another freak incident, this one involving Ava's naked mom in the pool house, Oliver is long gone.

Such is the luck of Ava over the next two weeks. Finally, the night before her best friend is due to leave for a month-long internship in Germany, Ava asks Teresa if she can "borrow" her boyfriend. Ava's not a fan of Jason, but he's attractive, and has been a huge help with running errands for Camille's wedding. Ava doesn't realize, though, that maybe the reason she wasn't a fan of Jason was because secretly she was attracted to him.

Reading Ava's misadventures in dating over the two-week span is enough to make anyone thankful that it's not happening to them! Ms. Hapka writes an amusing story of the trials of one girl trying to get one date to a wedding she'd rather not have to attend!

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one awesome book! I am a member of the chapter-a-day book club, which where I get a small part of a YA book every Mon-Fri. Most of the time, the books they send me suck. Most weeks, I question why I even continue reading them. Probably because I'm just too lazy to unsubscribe. But then I get books like this and I'm reminded of how great the emails are.

This book entails the trials and tribulations of a girl named Ava(I think...the book is told in first person) who gets dumped by her boyfriend two weeks before the social event of the season: her older sister's wedding. Now she's on a quest to find the perfect date to the wedding.

The only problem I had with this book is the fact the description given (the fact she borrows her best friend's boyfriend and falls for him) basically gives away the entire book. Every time Ava got a new date, I'd wonder how it was going to end because I knew she was going with Jason (the guy she eventually falls for) to the wedding. So the whole "conflict" is resolved in the last fifteen pages. But it is a good resolution and DEFINITELY worth the read!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Borrowed is one of the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies. Ava's sister, Camille, is getting married. Teresa, her best friend, is with Ava in a bridal store. While Ava is trying on bridesmaid dresses, she gets a call from her boyfriend, Lance, telling her he wants to break up with her. Teresa isn't going to be in town for the wedding because she got accepted for an internship, so Ava will be stuck with Teresa's boyfriend, Jason. Ava finds him extremely dull and annoying. Ava doesn't want to go alone to her sister's wedding, so she goes on several dates, some worse than others. She starts getting to know Jason because of all the time they start spending together.

I loved this book. It is one of my favorite Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies.

[Yanmei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who has a wedding to attend soon but got dumped by her boyfriend and need to find one asap. Each time she finds one she gets dumped for some reason or other, making her use her last resort which is to "borrowed" her best friend's boyfriend.
i like this book because it was kind of funny. It had a happy ending which is what i like.

[Bekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was okay. Though I'm glad there was a happy ending of sorts I still think the main character is pretty selfish and no matter how she swung it I'm not a big fan of cheaters.

[Lindsey Milligan]

Something borrowed by Catherine Hapka is about a high school girl who is just trying to find a date to her sisters outrageously, must be perfect wedding. After Ava’s boyfriend Lance dumped her, Ava, her best friend Teresa, and Teresa’s boyfriend Jason go on a hunt to find Ava the perfect wedding date. Ava has a whole bunch of different, crazy flings with different boys; however they never seem to workout for a variety of reasons. The 3 of them always rode around in Jason's blue Prius either doing Ava’s sister, Camille, a favor or trying to find Ava a perfect date for the wedding. Teresa and Jason were very supportive, but Jason always stuck out the most I mean he was always willing to drive Ava around and he even had a nickname for her named “spongebobs”. Ava finally gave up and had the bright idea of asking Teresa if it was okay that she just took Jason as a date, Teresa said yes of course, they were best friends what could go wrong. Teresa left for her summer long Internship in Germany the day before the wedding, Ava knew she was a little off that morning but didn’t ask why.
The night of the wedding everything started off great even the pink dress Ava named “the pink horror” turned out okay, until Jason was being so annoying and ruining all these potential guys for Ava. Ava soon figures out why when Jason grabs her and kisses her, she slaps him until he explains that him and Teresa has broken up which was why Teresa was acting weird before she left. Ava and Jason ended up dating and they all still remained good friends!

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something borrowed by Catherine Hapka is about a high school girl who is just trying to find a date to her sisters outrageously, must be perfect wedding. After Ava’s boyfriend Lance dumped her, Ava, her best friend Teresa, and Teresa’s boyfriend Jason go on a hunt to find Ava the perfect wedding date. Ava has a whole bunch of different, crazy flings with different boys; however they never seem to workout for a variety of reasons. The 3 of them always rode around in Jason's blue Prius either doing Ava’s sister, Camille, a favor or trying to find Ava a perfect date for the wedding. Teresa and Jason were very supportive, but Jason always stuck out the most I mean he was always willing to drive Ava around and he even had a nickname for her named “spongebobs”. Ava finally gave up and had the bright idea of asking Teresa if it was okay that she just took Jason as a date, Teresa said yes of course, they were best friends what could go wrong. Teresa left for her summer long Internship in Germany the day before the wedding, Ava knew she was a little of that morning but didn’t ask why.
The night of the wedding everything started off great even the pink dress Ava named “the pink horror” turned out okay, until Jason was being so annoying and ruining all these potential guys for Ava. It makes you sit and wonder why Jason wasn’t letting Ava talk to other boys, does she fall for Jason or is he really just being a true stick in the mud?

[Jasmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my goodness the drama with this one. Ava just could not see what was under her nose. Kudos to the author for having to create so many ways for so many guys to have to cancel on her for the wedding.

[Becky Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable and an easy read. Obviously it was a predictable ending with a predictable formula, but I knew that when I picked up the book. Sweet YA romances like this are always a good palate cleanser when you’ve been reading heavy topics. Glad I had this one on my shelf to help.

[Esther · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been the best of my impulse-bought books lately, and that's probably saying something.

Very lighthearted and entertaining, which was what I was looking for, and much better written than other books I've attempted to read lately from my impulse-buy pile.

[°☆.。.:*・Nanna°☆.。.:*・ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book quite predictable, from her various dates that kept of bailing on her to who she ended up with. The summary in that back of this book made the plot line very obvious to the readers. It was very predictable Zoom would end up in the hospital with some serious injuries from the BMX competition. It was expected that Oliver, from Manyunk Mucus, would have some sort of gig or get signed before the wedding and that he would have to cancel on their date. It was also predictable that Rocco would eventually bail on her too. Even the part where Rocco tells Ava that he is gay was expected.

It was very obvious was that Ava would end up with Jason, especially since he seemed to like her a lot, from his teasing and his convenient ability to keep Ava away from all her potential dates and his jealousy of her being with any other guy but him.

At first when I thought that Ava was stealing her best friend's boyfriend I thought that she was slightly like Charlene, and was thinking "How could you do that to your best friend?" and "You should have at least pushed him away right away instead of kissing him back". I'm glad that Ava wasn't actually stealing her best friend's boyfriend and that her best friend was okay with this relationship.

When Ava was dating all these guys I kept thinking, aren't you spreading yourself a little thin. I also thought that it was ok for her to find a guy to go the wedding with and that she should probably get to know some of these strangers before she takes them to the wedding, since, for all she knows, they could be psychos. I just thought that she was dating too may guys and being all boy crazy because while she was dating a guy she was also thinking of going out with another guy. I also found that her lack of sympathy to Zoom was horrible. I mean she was busy looking for a date before the wedding, but she could have at least visited Zoom at the hospital a few time, and after a while I think she may have even forgotten about Zoom since she doesn't speak about him until the end of the book.

I also thought that the ending could have been better and less abrupt. I felt that it just skipped to them together and didn't really have a good transition. All in all, I liked the variety of people in this book and that this book didn't just focus on one person, but I found that the storyline could have been more original and less anticipated.

[Navila Islam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read something borrowed by Catherine Hapka. The main character is Ava. Her sister is getting married and she can't wait. But a few rays before the wedding her boyfriend breaks up with her. Ava can't shoe up to her sisters wedding without a date. She went with her best friend Teresa to her campus to search for a guy.She finds a guy that is her type. They hot it off. She asks him to go to the wedding with him and he answers yes. Unfortunately he gets into a accident. She feels horrible but she still needs a date. She goes to a concert and hits it off with the musician. But he sees her mother naked and walks out. Everything goes astray. She uses her last resort she asks her best friend if she can borrow her boyfriend for the wedding. Teresa looks at her but says yes. Ava isn't very fond of John. In the wedding she finally learns johns feeling about her. They both kiss. She feels horrible that they were kissing. But john says they broke. They're finally together.
Ava seems really shallow. I mean it's really just like guy after go after guy. She really doesn't seem to really care about them at all.She just wants a date for the wedding. She didn't even care that after her breakup the first date she had got into a accident. She just wanted another date. That is just wrong and really shallow. This book was good. I would give it a 7 out of 10 because all in all it seemed like a dumb girlie book. But while reading it, it was good. But something i thought was friend would be why Teresa didn't tell Ava that they had broken up. And in this book they never really got to the bottom of that. They finished the book without really revealing what that was about.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book so much.

Ava is a riot and had me giggling like crazy in her search for "Mr. Right Now." In her quest she finds love in a very unlikely place. And let me just say, he is a-freakin'-dorable. As in, I want to put him in my pocket and keep him nice and save.

Ava's bouncing back and forth from one man to the next does get a little old, however. And once again, I felt the final moment when Ava finds her "Mr. Right now and forever" was a little too fast paced for my liking. I would have liked a little more time or maybe some better moments of the two of them together leading up to the BIG moment when she realizes her feelings.

(Let's be honest, that is why we read these types of novels. For the warm fuzzes and when the warm fuzzes are lacking the overall gooey-ness of the ending isn't as profound. yaknowwhati'msayin?)

I think that's why this is more of a 4 to me then a five but it is a solid four leaning towards a four and half, just because it had me giggling so hard and I really loved the lead and her leading man together.
End ramble.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ava's sister is getting married. The plans have been in the works for a year. Every detail has been planned. The one little tiny problem that Ava didn't plan on was being dumped by her boyfriend two weeks before the wedding. She is the maid of honor and she needs a date. It shouldn't be too hard to find someone to go with her though. She's pretty and outgoing. So she begins trying to find someone but as her best laid plans fall apart she is more and more willing to take anyone. Her journey to find another date is witnessed by her best friends boyfriend, Jason. He teases her as one problem after another takes her potential dates away from her. Jason is cute. But he annoys her - probably because they are so much alike. He is also there for her repeatedly. So why not borrow him for the wedding? Her friend is out of town anyway, right. It gets interesting.

I like this fun quick read. I had wouldn't say some of it was believable but it was fun!

Enjoy the read!

[Gabby712 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overview of Something Borrowed
I think Ava (the main character) is getting to over reacted on getting a boy for her sisters wedding. That's all she's focused on right now.

The whole thing started out with her boyfriend Lance broke up with her 3 weeks before the wedding. For those 3 weeks all Ava did with her best friend Teresa and Teresa's boyfriend Jason was try to find a guy for the wedding. I don't really want to spoil anything, but Ava found 1 guy at Teresa's college, Zoom. He gets hurt, no more wedding for him. Then Oliver, a singer, but he has a gig that night. 3 days before the wedding she has no boy yet. So she asks Teresa for a favor... read the book to find out more.

[Leela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is a great read for when your down in the dumps! This story is an amazingly funny, sad, and romantic book. The thought of something like this happening in real life makes me burst out laughing!
I have become addicted to Simon Pulses romantic comedies. This is definatly one I would suggest, especialy for beginers, new to the world of Simon Pulses Romantic Comedies. It is a little pre teen at some parts, but the book itself makes up for it. So, for everyone considering reading this, I give 5 stars and a thumbs up to this book, the author, and all the people that helped in the making and/or publishing of this book.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In general, I love the Simon Pulse series so of course I gave this one a try. Ordinarily I probably would have hated the plot (basically girl steals best friend's boyfriend) except for three things: a. there actually is a bit more to the plot than that; b. it's really funny; and c. it's set in Chester County, where I was born and raised. I would definitely recommend this to people who love the Simon Pulse books and/or are looking for a quick cute contemporary romance.

Oh, and I adore the cover!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for gr. 6-12. The characters are high-school age, but there is nothing objectionable for younger readers. The main character spends the whole book trying to find a date for her sister’s wedding, trying old boyfriends and men she “picks up”. In the end she discovers that Mr. Right was nearby all along, and realizes how shallow her previous efforts were. Some funny moments as she and her family deal with her “Bridezilla” sister.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romantic comedy, i have to admit that this book tossed me some moments that i did not expect. Ava had a breakup with her boyfriend just before her sister's wedding. So Ava borrowed her best friend's boyfriend. She discovered that they have a lot more in common then what she at first. He use to make fun of her a lot. In the end, they get together. her best friend already knew that her boyfriend liked Ava. Somethings life throw something at you.

[Kate H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies are always a fun read. These books are not necessarily the best written novels but the stories are always fun and you know you will get a happy ending. I think some adult romances could take a note from these books b/c they are characterized well which is much of the battle in writing any novel since you want your characters, for the most part, to be endearing and relatable.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a recently dumped girl who needs to come up with a date for the wedding of the year.(her sister's) Funny situations, not too bad of language, but the main character is a little easy! (she keeps picking up guys) Loved the relationship with the main hottie Jason though. Fun easy read.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute quick read. In "Something Borrowed" Ava is dealing with her sister who has turned into a Bridezilla. She is looking forward to at least attending the wedding with her boyfriend. When her boyfriend breaks up with her she is forced to try to find another date. What follows I think turns into a cute novel. I enjoyed this good read.

[Jennie Cha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was nice, I was expecting the ending because I knew that she would end up liking Jason. However I did not expect for things to end with him and Teresa that way though it does make senses. I liked Jason but not when he was with Ava which was strange. Jason was cute at the wedding but also annoying? It was cliche for the guy to have "liked" her first. However it was a good read.

[Jessica Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to review this alone after reading both this and Something Blue. It is the same story told from two characters perspectives. The most interesting thing was seeing the "other side" of friendships. I believe at times every woman has been both Rachel and Darcy. You can relate to each of them at times and also be equally frustrated with them.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, it was a 2.5, but closer to the 3 than two. It was kinda cute, but about as deep as the kiddie pool. Not that I thought it would be, but the characters were more 2-d than I thought they'd be. But it was relatively clean and had a good ending.

[mjsquared · Rating 2 out of 5]

My sister in law gave me this book when she had heard about the Something Borrowed series, except we didnt realize there was more than one book with the same title. This is the epitome of cheesy chick lit, pretty poor writing, but an easy read.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fairly obvious from the start. I knew all those boys had to drop out of the wedding because on the back of the book it said Ava was going to be bringing her bestfriend's boyfriend. There was a little catch at the end but otherwise a fairly obvious book.

[Lizzette · Rating 2 out of 5]

It only took 2 and half hours to finish this book with interruptions. I liked this book because its funny because Ava has only 2 weeks for her sister's wedding to get a hot date. All her dates either get in accident, get traumatized, or well hate other dates. What will Ava do?

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very light read. I thought this book was very cute and sweet! Perfect for me! I am not sure if lot of people would enjoy this as much as me but I sure did. If you love cute sweet book and a love chick lit this is for you!

[Joan Ridge]

This was an easy read.
It had some laughs but I thought Rachel who is a young attorney really was a wimp in keeping Darcy as her friend.
To me Darcy is the kind of friend who uses everybody, there really is no pleasing Darcy and what she gets she deserves without a doubt.