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The Friendship Chronicles #1
The Shoe Diaries
It’s never too late to put your best foot forward
From the outside, Reagan “Rae” Doucet has it all: a coveted career in Washington, DC, a tight circle of friends and a shoe closet to die for. When one of her crew falls ill, however, Rae is done playing it safe. The talented but unfulfilled writer makes a “risk list” to revamp her life. But forgiving her ex, Jake Saunders, might be one risk too many…
From the outside, Reagan “Rae” Doucet has it all: a coveted career in Washington, DC, a tight circle of friends and a shoe closet to die for. When one of her crew falls ill, however, Rae is done playing it safe. The talented but unfulfilled writer makes a “risk list” to revamp her life. But forgiving her ex, Jake Saunders, might be one risk too many…
224 pages, ebook
First published January 6, 2022
22 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
About the author
Darby Baham
22 books169 followersDarby Baham (she/her) is a debut author with Harlequin Special Edition and a New Yorker of five years who sometimes desperately misses the sprawling shoe closet she had while living in Maryland. She’s had personal blog posts appear in The Washington Post’s relationship vertical and has worked in the communications industry for more than two decades. The New Orleans, LA native is also a lover of big laughs and books that swallow you into their world. Her first book, The Shoe Diaries, debuts in 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 17, 2021
Growing up, taking risks, girlfriends, and fabulous shoes.
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Rating and equating your life to shoes might be a bit farfetched, unless you have the closet, and apparent unlimited funds, for fabulous shoes. This story is a journey through finding your insight to who you are and growing beyond your own self limitations. Having friends that know and love you, and you loving and supporting them. But it also learning to trust yourself and others with your heart.
Close friends know you better than you see and know yourself sometimes. I enjoyed the journey that Reagan took through her work and self development. Learning to trust yourself and your heart can be a huge journey and we traveled that journey with her. Multiple ups and downs, disappointments, but growth continued throughout with a positive spin.
One thing that was sad was that fact that we had to wait until the end to see what would happen with Jake. I somehow felt it could have been so much more. I missed an epilogue that would have leveled up The Shoe Diaries and brought in the “sigh” factor to wrap it up in a sweet bow.
Overall, this was a great read, written in a beautiful, insightful way that will inspire you to look at your relationships, friends, and happiness with your life. We all deserve great things and to live happy.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-shoe-dia...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rating and equating your life to shoes might be a bit farfetched, unless you have the closet, and apparent unlimited funds, for fabulous shoes. This story is a journey through finding your insight to who you are and growing beyond your own self limitations. Having friends that know and love you, and you loving and supporting them. But it also learning to trust yourself and others with your heart.
Close friends know you better than you see and know yourself sometimes. I enjoyed the journey that Reagan took through her work and self development. Learning to trust yourself and your heart can be a huge journey and we traveled that journey with her. Multiple ups and downs, disappointments, but growth continued throughout with a positive spin.
One thing that was sad was that fact that we had to wait until the end to see what would happen with Jake. I somehow felt it could have been so much more. I missed an epilogue that would have leveled up The Shoe Diaries and brought in the “sigh” factor to wrap it up in a sweet bow.
Overall, this was a great read, written in a beautiful, insightful way that will inspire you to look at your relationships, friends, and happiness with your life. We all deserve great things and to live happy.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-shoe-dia...
July 24, 2025
The Shoe Diaries by Darby Baham
The Friendship Chronicles series #1. Harlequin Special Edition romance. Diverse, own voice. Second chance troupe.
Reagan “Rae” Doucet is a professional writer in Washington DC with future career goals writing more female centric articles about empowerment or successes. She has a group of female friends that support each other through life’s ups and downs. She has hundreds of shoes for every occasion and often celebrates something special by wearing a certain pair of heels. She keeps track of when she wears each pair and for what occasion.
A wedding of one of the friends is a special event, requiring fancy heels. While it’s a cliche for a reason, Rae spends the night with her ex Jake Saunders. Is he what she wants? Can they make their relationship work this time?
A Harlequin story for today’s modern lifestyle. Female support and friendships are the key relationships. Career growth and development are priority. Romance and love would be nice but it’s just one part of life.
Rae uses her shoe closet to make different milestones and memories. Jake comes back into her life a couple of times. I wasn’t a fan of his. The story didn’t make their romance a priority until the very end.
I’m used to very little romance in the Intrigue line but expect more in the Special Edition category. I liked the friendships and support the women gave each other.
The Friendship Chronicles series #1. Harlequin Special Edition romance. Diverse, own voice. Second chance troupe.
Reagan “Rae” Doucet is a professional writer in Washington DC with future career goals writing more female centric articles about empowerment or successes. She has a group of female friends that support each other through life’s ups and downs. She has hundreds of shoes for every occasion and often celebrates something special by wearing a certain pair of heels. She keeps track of when she wears each pair and for what occasion.
A wedding of one of the friends is a special event, requiring fancy heels. While it’s a cliche for a reason, Rae spends the night with her ex Jake Saunders. Is he what she wants? Can they make their relationship work this time?
A Harlequin story for today’s modern lifestyle. Female support and friendships are the key relationships. Career growth and development are priority. Romance and love would be nice but it’s just one part of life.
Rae uses her shoe closet to make different milestones and memories. Jake comes back into her life a couple of times. I wasn’t a fan of his. The story didn’t make their romance a priority until the very end.
I’m used to very little romance in the Intrigue line but expect more in the Special Edition category. I liked the friendships and support the women gave each other.
February 19, 2023
4.5 glorious Sex and the City, shoe loving-I’m here for the second chance romance but the tight knit group of friends is holding my heart-stars! I really wanted to reread this once Darby announced their was an audio version. It took me a while but I listened to it in one sitting.
The Shoe Diaries is fun, refreshing and feels like a very modern day romance. I adore it!
The Shoe Diaries is fun, refreshing and feels like a very modern day romance. I adore it!
January 25, 2022
For me, this was just an okay book. I had a hard time liking the main character, Rae. Early in the book, she seems to have a constant litany of complaints, from her job to her love life, but no intention of actually doing anything about them. The best part of her life is her vast closet full of shoes, and even there, she shows discontent over the ones she's never worn.
Rae is a journalist who works for an online magazine in DC, writing about political and social issues. She'd love to take her articles in new directions, but her boss is resistant to the idea, and Rae doesn't push. Instead, she backs down and grumbles to her friends about being stifled. She runs into her ex-boyfriend from college, who apologizes for being a jerk and indicates an interest in trying again. But Rae isn't interested in risking her heart on someone who's already broken it once.
Then one of Rae's best friends falls ill. Christine encourages Rae to stop playing it safe and go after what she wants while she can. With the encouragement of her friends, Rae begins a "risk list" of goals to break out of her safe little world. But writing it down and doing it are two different propositions, and weeks go by with no progress. I liked seeing her other friends hold Rae accountable for her delaying tactics.
I was happy when Rae finally started taking those risks, though I ached for her over the catalyst for it. I especially enjoyed her confrontation with her boss, though I initially thought she would back down again. Her fears are understandable, and the realism of her job search was well done. It was great to see that someone appreciated her drive and creativity when she found a good fit for employment.
My biggest disappointment was in the lack of romance. At the beginning of the book, there's a brief sighting of Jake, the college ex, but then Rae gets involved with this other guy. It looked serious, which left me confused. When that relationship crashed and burned, I ached for Rae and understood what happened. I liked the support she received from her friends and family but wondered if/when we'd see Jake again. Though he made a few more appearances, I never felt any connection between him and Rae, so the so-called romance fell flat for me.
This book felt much more like a chick-lit story than a romance. I liked seeing the growth that Rae experienced and enjoyed the linking of her shoes to various life events. It isn't unusual for inanimate objects to trigger memories, which was well done. I would like to have seen an epilogue with a bit more of Rae and Jake together. Hopefully, they will show up in the next book.
#netgalley
Rae is a journalist who works for an online magazine in DC, writing about political and social issues. She'd love to take her articles in new directions, but her boss is resistant to the idea, and Rae doesn't push. Instead, she backs down and grumbles to her friends about being stifled. She runs into her ex-boyfriend from college, who apologizes for being a jerk and indicates an interest in trying again. But Rae isn't interested in risking her heart on someone who's already broken it once.
Then one of Rae's best friends falls ill. Christine encourages Rae to stop playing it safe and go after what she wants while she can. With the encouragement of her friends, Rae begins a "risk list" of goals to break out of her safe little world. But writing it down and doing it are two different propositions, and weeks go by with no progress. I liked seeing her other friends hold Rae accountable for her delaying tactics.
I was happy when Rae finally started taking those risks, though I ached for her over the catalyst for it. I especially enjoyed her confrontation with her boss, though I initially thought she would back down again. Her fears are understandable, and the realism of her job search was well done. It was great to see that someone appreciated her drive and creativity when she found a good fit for employment.
My biggest disappointment was in the lack of romance. At the beginning of the book, there's a brief sighting of Jake, the college ex, but then Rae gets involved with this other guy. It looked serious, which left me confused. When that relationship crashed and burned, I ached for Rae and understood what happened. I liked the support she received from her friends and family but wondered if/when we'd see Jake again. Though he made a few more appearances, I never felt any connection between him and Rae, so the so-called romance fell flat for me.
This book felt much more like a chick-lit story than a romance. I liked seeing the growth that Rae experienced and enjoyed the linking of her shoes to various life events. It isn't unusual for inanimate objects to trigger memories, which was well done. I would like to have seen an epilogue with a bit more of Rae and Jake together. Hopefully, they will show up in the next book.
#netgalley
December 12, 2021
Essentially A Black Sex And The City. This story is essentially Sex And The City, but replacing the mostly white cast with a mostly black one and replacing the "city" in question with DC. Same shoe fetish (though possibly amplified here?), used remarkably well as a plot device in this particular case. Same big oops moment with a former flame early on, only for the book to ultimately become a second chance romance later - with an interesting interlude in between. Minor discussions of the HBCU life and the central character wanting to be much more radical as a professional journalist than the "stodgy old white men" are allowing her to be, but at least here said "old white dudes" aren't thinly veiled racist caricatures, as so many similar novels from less talented authors have done. (The desire to be more radical is more central than the HBCU mentions, to be clear.) Overall a strong tale that will clearly play well with a couple of demographics in particular, but may not be something that will play as well in a more general audience. Still, excellent book and very much recommended.
July 15, 2025
This is not your typical Harlequin Special Edition.
This was a cute book that I enjoyed.
Not a lot of romance.
This book focused more on the relationships between these strong women.
The main character was searching for herself.
This was a cute book that I enjoyed.
Not a lot of romance.
This book focused more on the relationships between these strong women.
The main character was searching for herself.
January 23, 2022
After her best friend Christine suffers a health crisis, political writer and shoe lover Reagan "Rae" Doucet realizes that it's time for her to reevaluate her own life because she's spent too much time focused on the things she thinks she should do rather than the things that actually make her happy. She comes up with a "risk list" to help get herself out of her comfort zone and start living life on her own terms, promising herself a new pair of shoes for every item she checks off. Coming up with the list proves to be easier than actually completing it, but with the help of her friends, Rae explores new career opportunities and tentatively opens her heart to love again. When her college ex-boyfriend, Jake Saunders, comes back into her life shortly after yet another romantic disappointment, will Rae be able to embrace the spirit of the "risk list" and give him the second chance he's asking for, or will she give up on love for good?
To me, the strength of this book was its exploration of Rae's journey to find career fulfillment and her friendships with Christine, Robin, Jennifer, and Rebecca. It gave the book more of a chick lit or women's fiction feel, though there were certainly romantic elements to the story. I also really enjoyed the book's setting in Washington, DC, especially the way the author included real places as parts of the story. As someone who has lived and worked in DC for going on 20 years, it felt very authentic to me. In addition, I was intrigued by the insider's view of a "liberal media" that isn't always as forward-thinking or inclusive as many would like us to believe.
I was less enthusiastic about Rae's romance with Jake, which felt like an afterthought for much of the story. Most of their interactions took place in flashbacks, and there weren't very many of those. Based on this limited information, it was tough to tell what was so good about their relationship or why Rae's friends kept trying to push her back towards Jake. Further, they didn't actually get their "second chance" until the very end of the book (95% on my Kindle). It's tough to get invested in a relationship that starts with only ten minutes left in the book. It would have been nice if there had at least been an epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed "The Shoe Diaries" and recommend it for fans of books that feature strong female friendships. I will certainly be watching to see what the author writes next.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
To me, the strength of this book was its exploration of Rae's journey to find career fulfillment and her friendships with Christine, Robin, Jennifer, and Rebecca. It gave the book more of a chick lit or women's fiction feel, though there were certainly romantic elements to the story. I also really enjoyed the book's setting in Washington, DC, especially the way the author included real places as parts of the story. As someone who has lived and worked in DC for going on 20 years, it felt very authentic to me. In addition, I was intrigued by the insider's view of a "liberal media" that isn't always as forward-thinking or inclusive as many would like us to believe.
I was less enthusiastic about Rae's romance with Jake, which felt like an afterthought for much of the story. Most of their interactions took place in flashbacks, and there weren't very many of those. Based on this limited information, it was tough to tell what was so good about their relationship or why Rae's friends kept trying to push her back towards Jake. Further, they didn't actually get their "second chance" until the very end of the book (95% on my Kindle). It's tough to get invested in a relationship that starts with only ten minutes left in the book. It would have been nice if there had at least been an epilogue.
Overall, I enjoyed "The Shoe Diaries" and recommend it for fans of books that feature strong female friendships. I will certainly be watching to see what the author writes next.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 24, 2022
The Friendship Chronicle series begins with Reagan's story. For every event, there is a shoe that fits the bill. While I don't have a thing for shoes, I have a thing for romance novels, and The Shoe Diaries hits the mark straight on. A second chance romance is rekindled when Rae and Jake meet again at a wedding. Sparks may have been flying, but not in a good way. What would it take for Rae and Jake to find out if things could turn around for them?
While I enjoyed the romance developing for Rae and Jake, the whole vibe of the story was great - and relatable. Rae was an influencer and that fits with today's world. Their obstacles were intense but the hope of a HEA was never too far away.
Considering this book is also the story of good friends, it was hard not to think of it as a black Sex and the City. I loved how the girls were always there for each other, even to the point of gifting a longed for pair of shoes when the chips were down. Ultimately, Rae and Jake found their way to one another, thus wrapping up this story and setting the groundwork for the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Harlequin Special Edition and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
While I enjoyed the romance developing for Rae and Jake, the whole vibe of the story was great - and relatable. Rae was an influencer and that fits with today's world. Their obstacles were intense but the hope of a HEA was never too far away.
Considering this book is also the story of good friends, it was hard not to think of it as a black Sex and the City. I loved how the girls were always there for each other, even to the point of gifting a longed for pair of shoes when the chips were down. Ultimately, Rae and Jake found their way to one another, thus wrapping up this story and setting the groundwork for the next book in the series.
Many thanks to Harlequin Special Edition and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
March 17, 2022
3.5 🌟
If you’re a fan of friendship fiction with a side of romance, this is an excellent book for you. Oh, and then there are the shoes.
Reagan or Rae is a journalist in Washington D.C., and she’d love to write more freely, but her boss is putting a lot of restraints on her. Rae has a great group of friends, but when one of them becomes ill, it causes Rae to re-evaluate how she has been playing her life too safe. Life is too short not to take some risks.
I thought this story was sweet, and although I would have enjoyed a little more depth to the plot and characters, it still was an enjoyable read. There is a second chance romance, but it takes second stage to Rae’s friendships and all her shoes!
If you’re a fan of friendship fiction with a side of romance, this is an excellent book for you. Oh, and then there are the shoes.
Reagan or Rae is a journalist in Washington D.C., and she’d love to write more freely, but her boss is putting a lot of restraints on her. Rae has a great group of friends, but when one of them becomes ill, it causes Rae to re-evaluate how she has been playing her life too safe. Life is too short not to take some risks.
I thought this story was sweet, and although I would have enjoyed a little more depth to the plot and characters, it still was an enjoyable read. There is a second chance romance, but it takes second stage to Rae’s friendships and all her shoes!
February 16, 2022
Well this book caught me by surprise. It wasn’t like any other Harlequin Special Edition I have read.
I felt like it was more of a women’s fiction story because it was about Reagan, the main character and her journey, which I liked. Written in first-person, I was drawn into the story, fascinated by how this character would find love when her world around her was falling apart.
I look forward to reading more of Darby.
I felt like it was more of a women’s fiction story because it was about Reagan, the main character and her journey, which I liked. Written in first-person, I was drawn into the story, fascinated by how this character would find love when her world around her was falling apart.
I look forward to reading more of Darby.
Read
August 1, 2025the title and blurb are kinda misleading. i was expecting a romantic comedy but that is not what this is. it is more a woman's lit book. once i adjusted my expectations, this became a pretty good book. i really enjoyed the friendships and saw myself and my friends in this book. i hope we get to see how everything goes with Jake and Rae through out the series.
January 30, 2022
I haven’t read a book in a long time that gave me all the feels. It made me laugh, cry, smile, and experience the characters emotions. I couldn’t put it down and wanted to see what happens next. Rae’s story is one many women can relate to. And her story hit all the challenging yet exciting aspects of growing as a professional female in today’s world. And she really hit home with the symbolism between shoes and having a strong exterior. Things may look good even when you’re hurting on the inside. I cannot wait for Darby Baham’s next book in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2025
The book starts off a bit slow. Rae had a relationship in college that didn't end well. Since it ended, she will date, but she never lets them get close. When one of her friend's ends up in the hospital, she evaluates her life and decides to make some changes.
This book does have some romance, but it's more focused on friendship.
This book does have some romance, but it's more focused on friendship.
January 23, 2022
What an amazingly insightful and beautifully inspiring story by @darbybaham This story and the raw, relatable characters will make you look harder at your life, friendships and relationships and make you crave better connections and happiness and most important to live your life, really live it. Life is short, wear the shoes. I’m definitely putting this as my top read for this month. #harlequinspecialedition #millsandboontruelove #millsandboonheart ❤️👠
June 3, 2025
"The Shoe Diaries" by Darby Baham is book one in "The Friendship Chronicles." I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to dive into book two in this series. This story focuses on Reagan and her group of friends. Reagan is obsessed with shoes and has a pair of shoes for any occasion. My favorite part of this story is when Reagan stands up for what she wants to do as a career. She gets tired of not doing the job that she wants to do, and that scene was absolutely amazing. Darby Baham is a new to me author, and I can tell right off that I will definitely read more by Darby. I would highly recommend this book and author.
September 23, 2025
Crystal recommends The Shoe Diaries, book 1 in the The Friendship Chronicles series by Darby Baham
My Expectations...
Based on the book title and series title, I expected a book containing lots of shoe descriptions and moments of friendship.
What I Loved...
This story flipped the script. So often a series such as this highlights the relationship, having the friendships for support or having them developing along the way. This book is all about the friendship; my favorite moments involve Rae's friends and how they support her in ways only amazing friends can and do, for example, by investing in her success because they have confidence in her. I loved how the relationship took backseat in this book, allowing us to meet and see the bonds of these friends who will each get their own story.
It is strange to say that I loved something that is sad but necessary that takes place in this book, but I did. I think that the author uses the loss of a friend as a catalyst for so much good, reminding us at every turn how precious life is and the importance to live a life that will touch others in their journeys.
My Final Thoughts...
I got what I expected and so much more in this book.
This is a second chance romance that details the growth that takes place between the first and second attempts at a relationship. I do not believe we have seen Rae's full story yet, and look forward to seeing it unfold as her friends find their HEAs.
The message of the risk list stuck with me long past the close of the book and had me giving consideration to what I would put on my list. The friendships in the story were highlighted above the relationship of Rae and Jake and I look forward to seeing these friendships bloom and blossom as they each find their forever.
My Expectations...
Based on the book title and series title, I expected a book containing lots of shoe descriptions and moments of friendship.
What I Loved...
This story flipped the script. So often a series such as this highlights the relationship, having the friendships for support or having them developing along the way. This book is all about the friendship; my favorite moments involve Rae's friends and how they support her in ways only amazing friends can and do, for example, by investing in her success because they have confidence in her. I loved how the relationship took backseat in this book, allowing us to meet and see the bonds of these friends who will each get their own story.
It is strange to say that I loved something that is sad but necessary that takes place in this book, but I did. I think that the author uses the loss of a friend as a catalyst for so much good, reminding us at every turn how precious life is and the importance to live a life that will touch others in their journeys.
My Final Thoughts...
I got what I expected and so much more in this book.
This is a second chance romance that details the growth that takes place between the first and second attempts at a relationship. I do not believe we have seen Rae's full story yet, and look forward to seeing it unfold as her friends find their HEAs.
The message of the risk list stuck with me long past the close of the book and had me giving consideration to what I would put on my list. The friendships in the story were highlighted above the relationship of Rae and Jake and I look forward to seeing these friendships bloom and blossom as they each find their forever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2022
I very much liked the respect for and focus on friendship, as well as Rae learning to take more chances. And the cover is gorgeous.
The romance was a very, very small part of the story, which in theory isn't a big deal. However, the hero, Jake, had dumped her without ceremony or discussion in the past, and while he might have had regret, he didn't have remorse, if you know what I mean. None of the handful of pages they spent together (when you take out very brief flashbacks, we're probably looking at less than 20 pages) involved any sorting out of the past or evidence of growth on his part.
In fact, it felt like there was a theme that Rae needed to just let it go, although Jake wasn't much better (or more reliable) than another college ex, or a guy who she dated in the middle of the book.
I guess he expressed remorse off page to one of Rae's friends? I needed just a little more.
Rae lives in DC and is a political reporter. In 2019. Her political thoughts are centered around intersectional feminism, which I love. Some politicians in the legislative branch are mentioned by name, and she notes Republicans and Democrats can't get along.
We pretend, I guess, there's no executive branch, and nothing noteworthy there. And I'm not mad, because no one wants to see an author potentially antagonize half of readers in a category romance. I get it, but still I sense there's so much more the author wanted Rae to think and say. A bit of realism had to be sacrificed, and while I get it, that does detract from the story for me a tiny bit.
This wasn't a slam dunk for me, but because of what I did like, I've preordered the next book in the series.
The romance was a very, very small part of the story, which in theory isn't a big deal. However, the hero, Jake, had dumped her without ceremony or discussion in the past, and while he might have had regret, he didn't have remorse, if you know what I mean. None of the handful of pages they spent together (when you take out very brief flashbacks, we're probably looking at less than 20 pages) involved any sorting out of the past or evidence of growth on his part.
In fact, it felt like there was a theme that Rae needed to just let it go, although Jake wasn't much better (or more reliable) than another college ex, or a guy who she dated in the middle of the book.
I guess he expressed remorse off page to one of Rae's friends? I needed just a little more.
Rae lives in DC and is a political reporter. In 2019. Her political thoughts are centered around intersectional feminism, which I love. Some politicians in the legislative branch are mentioned by name, and she notes Republicans and Democrats can't get along.
We pretend, I guess, there's no executive branch, and nothing noteworthy there. And I'm not mad, because no one wants to see an author potentially antagonize half of readers in a category romance. I get it, but still I sense there's so much more the author wanted Rae to think and say. A bit of realism had to be sacrificed, and while I get it, that does detract from the story for me a tiny bit.
This wasn't a slam dunk for me, but because of what I did like, I've preordered the next book in the series.
Read
February 1, 2022Heat Factor: It’s low heat, but only because the hero and heroine aren’t in the same room together all that much.
Character Chemistry: When they ARE in the same room, hooo…it’s fluttery.
Plot: Rae loves shoes and ends up making a “risk list” to push her to open her life up to happiness—and one of those items seems to keep circling back to her college love, Jake.
Overall: This was absolutely more of a Women’s Lit than Romance because Rae’s dealing with so many other plot critical things—but it’s fun, romantic, and makes your heart swell up.
I was not prepared for the variety of feelings this book took me through, but I have to say it was well worth it.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Character Chemistry: When they ARE in the same room, hooo…it’s fluttery.
Plot: Rae loves shoes and ends up making a “risk list” to push her to open her life up to happiness—and one of those items seems to keep circling back to her college love, Jake.
Overall: This was absolutely more of a Women’s Lit than Romance because Rae’s dealing with so many other plot critical things—but it’s fun, romantic, and makes your heart swell up.
I was not prepared for the variety of feelings this book took me through, but I have to say it was well worth it.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
March 19, 2022
This one was cute! I definitely expected more romance from it, but I actually really enjoyed the turn it took.
This one focused so strongly on friendship, and it was super fun to read. I loved the friend group Rae had, and I felt like I got to know all of them throughout the book. It was so nice to see a romance that actually focused on platonic relationships too, as they tend to be left out. This one did an amazing job of highlighting them, and the series title makes so much more sense now.
Another thing I really loved was the discussion of Rae's political articles. I'm about as far from political as you can get, but I really enjoyed the perspective they added. They added really nice nuance to her character, and brought up some interesting points.
I do wish that this one had a bit more romance. I'm not sure why I expected this to be primarily a romance, but it wasn't. It was contemporary slice-of-life, not romance. There's nothing wrong with that, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
Other than that, I really liked this one! It was a fun read, and I can't wait to read the author's next book!
Thanks to Harlequin Publishing for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
This one focused so strongly on friendship, and it was super fun to read. I loved the friend group Rae had, and I felt like I got to know all of them throughout the book. It was so nice to see a romance that actually focused on platonic relationships too, as they tend to be left out. This one did an amazing job of highlighting them, and the series title makes so much more sense now.
Another thing I really loved was the discussion of Rae's political articles. I'm about as far from political as you can get, but I really enjoyed the perspective they added. They added really nice nuance to her character, and brought up some interesting points.
I do wish that this one had a bit more romance. I'm not sure why I expected this to be primarily a romance, but it wasn't. It was contemporary slice-of-life, not romance. There's nothing wrong with that, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
Other than that, I really liked this one! It was a fun read, and I can't wait to read the author's next book!
Thanks to Harlequin Publishing for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 6, 2022
FYI: This is NOT a romance. TW: character death.
It's been a while since I've read a Silhouette Special Edition novel, but I do expect an HEA, or at least a more satisfying HFN. This felt like a cliffhanger. If this had been marketed under as women's fiction, I wouldn't feel so let down.
Frankly I really wanted to like this way more than I did, but Reagan (Rae) just made me cringe a lot. She was just too much a sad sack heroine and I'm absolutely NOT A FAN of those. To be honest, I was more invested in her shoes that seemed to have more of an interesting life than she did which is not a good thing. Also, the constant string of losers including the "I don't know how to communicate" ex who keeps popping back up. "Living fearlessly" is an admirable goal, but it was time for Rae to move on sis! And keep moving when one doesn't work. Not to mention the ridiculous pressure Reagan gave herself to achieve that "fantasy wedding".
Three stars for the strong female friendships. And the shoes. Though I can't do stilettos. If I can't outrun zombies in them, they're useless, I don't care how cute they might be.
I do have this whole series and I'm hoping they'll get better. The writing was good and Baham can tell a story. I just wasn't invested in the characters.
It's been a while since I've read a Silhouette Special Edition novel, but I do expect an HEA, or at least a more satisfying HFN. This felt like a cliffhanger. If this had been marketed under as women's fiction, I wouldn't feel so let down.
Frankly I really wanted to like this way more than I did, but Reagan (Rae) just made me cringe a lot. She was just too much a sad sack heroine and I'm absolutely NOT A FAN of those. To be honest, I was more invested in her shoes that seemed to have more of an interesting life than she did which is not a good thing. Also, the constant string of losers including the "I don't know how to communicate" ex who keeps popping back up. "Living fearlessly" is an admirable goal, but it was time for Rae to move on sis! And keep moving when one doesn't work. Not to mention the ridiculous pressure Reagan gave herself to achieve that "fantasy wedding".
Three stars for the strong female friendships. And the shoes. Though I can't do stilettos. If I can't outrun zombies in them, they're useless, I don't care how cute they might be.
I do have this whole series and I'm hoping they'll get better. The writing was good and Baham can tell a story. I just wasn't invested in the characters.
January 31, 2022
Looking for a fun ChickLit series featuring successful friends looking to make the most of the life they have made? Then the Shoe Diaries by Darby Baham is what you need.
For me, the romance takes a backseat to the female friendships featured in the book. There is something special about girlfriends that are there for each other through thick and thin, good and bad times, men that come and go, sickness and health, and last but not least, the shoes!
Reagan has a wake-up call after one of her best friends is laid low by illness. She's tired of living a safe life. It's time to create a risk list to start living her best life. It's time to take chances on romance, go for the brass ring at work, quit making lists, and take charge of her happiness.
This book is a quick, entertaining read that will make you think about your own choices in life... or maybe just the shoes. The shoes are a character in their own right in this one.
I received a copy of the book for a Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
For me, the romance takes a backseat to the female friendships featured in the book. There is something special about girlfriends that are there for each other through thick and thin, good and bad times, men that come and go, sickness and health, and last but not least, the shoes!
Reagan has a wake-up call after one of her best friends is laid low by illness. She's tired of living a safe life. It's time to create a risk list to start living her best life. It's time to take chances on romance, go for the brass ring at work, quit making lists, and take charge of her happiness.
This book is a quick, entertaining read that will make you think about your own choices in life... or maybe just the shoes. The shoes are a character in their own right in this one.
I received a copy of the book for a Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
February 1, 2022
What can I say? I like shoes. So a romance called the shoe Diaries? Definitely something for me. And yes, the story has a lot of shoes in it. And it is very funny to read about Rae’s choices for shoes in regards to her mood or activities. And maybe a little too close to home (LOL) The story also gives you a lot to think about, regarding your life choices and priorities.
Of course, Christine’s illness and her going in and out of the hospital is very confronting and sad.
And you have to admire Rae and her friends for making that risk list and pushing her to follow through. The ex Jake is making appearances throughout the story, but he felt a bit like an afterthought. It still isn’t clear to me why Rae’s friends chose his side.
But in all, a nice story. It made me think, and made me buy a new pair of shoes… Three out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.
Of course, Christine’s illness and her going in and out of the hospital is very confronting and sad.
And you have to admire Rae and her friends for making that risk list and pushing her to follow through. The ex Jake is making appearances throughout the story, but he felt a bit like an afterthought. It still isn’t clear to me why Rae’s friends chose his side.
But in all, a nice story. It made me think, and made me buy a new pair of shoes… Three out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.
July 31, 2025
I have mixed feelings on this book, and it’s pretty much solely down to the blurb being extremely misleading. I thought I was signing up for a romance, even a romantic comedy, and instead, this was more women’s fiction/chick lit with a small dash of romance. I couldn’t connect with the main character or any of the characters really, and the male lead was practically a cardboard cutout, he was featured in the story so little. I did enjoy the humor, especially around the shoes (even though I am sorely lacking in that department by comparison), and I enjoyed seeing the friendship circle that was explored. But I was sorely disappointed by the lack of romance, and when I got to the end, I was sure there must be a sequel, because surely, this wasn’t the ending? But alas, no sequel. I think if the blurb had better explained the actual plot and marketed it as women’s fiction over romance, I would have enjoyed it much more and been way less confused.
July 19, 2025
I went into this book completely blind—didn’t read the blurb, didn’t know what to expect—and I’m so glad I did. What unfolded was a genuinely heartfelt story about friendship, love, and the long, winding journey of healing. The main character’s experiences span years, and throughout that time, we see them navigate love, heartbreak, and self-discovery in a way that felt both relatable and deeply moving.
What I loved most is how the story balances heavy moments with humor and warmth. There were parts that had me laughing out loud and others that left me with a lump in my throat. The author captured the complexities of growing up, letting go, and finding yourself again in such a beautifully written and emotionally rich way. It’s one of those stories that sneaks up on you—and stays with you long after the final page.
What I loved most is how the story balances heavy moments with humor and warmth. There were parts that had me laughing out loud and others that left me with a lump in my throat. The author captured the complexities of growing up, letting go, and finding yourself again in such a beautifully written and emotionally rich way. It’s one of those stories that sneaks up on you—and stays with you long after the final page.
March 24, 2022
Rae (from Reagan) seems to have a good life. Good job, that also lets her indulge her shoe habit, good friends. But the love life scene is almost non-existent. There's that college sweetheart that just keeps popping up in her mind. But there are cracks in her life. She wants to do more at her job in writing about women in politics and their wider world. Her friend Christine is really sick after an operation. A new guy who seems promising dumps her at the New Orleans Mardi Gras ball. Will things ever look up?
Great book. I almost wish it had been expanded as a stand-alone. The romance in this is pretty thin. That's ok, but I think Baham would have been better served not being in this series.
Great book. I almost wish it had been expanded as a stand-alone. The romance in this is pretty thin. That's ok, but I think Baham would have been better served not being in this series.
December 31, 2021
I think that romance novels are a good way to understand how the world changed and what is going on.
This is a riveting and entertaining story, a story about black women who have to fight and the love for shoes.
To be honest I've got some shoe fetish and couldn't help loving the shoe description and how the heroine love them.
It's a multilayered story: you can read it as a romance (root for the characters and blah blah) or as a description of what a black professional woman has to face.
I loved both the aspects, rooted for the characters, and had fun.
An excellent story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Harlequin Special Edition and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is a riveting and entertaining story, a story about black women who have to fight and the love for shoes.
To be honest I've got some shoe fetish and couldn't help loving the shoe description and how the heroine love them.
It's a multilayered story: you can read it as a romance (root for the characters and blah blah) or as a description of what a black professional woman has to face.
I loved both the aspects, rooted for the characters, and had fun.
An excellent story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Harlequin Special Edition and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 1, 2022
Going into this book I expected it to be heavy on the romance. Yes its a fairly short book but after reading the dedication and it being a Harlequin book I assumed it would dial up the romance. But I was wrong. This book in my opinion was a good book. BUT it is not a romance. There is very little romance in this book and I feel like what there was (besides the prologue) was told and we didn't actually get to see it. I loved the glimpses of the past of the relationship between Rae and Jake. I was rooting for them as a couple, but we got very little interaction with them, and that was disappointing for me. As far as the rest of the story I really like it. I loved seeing the friendships with Rae and her girls, and I loved seeing Rae come into her own. I picked this book up for a vacation I was going on and it was perfect for the flight and sitting out watching the sun rise. This book seems to be the first book in the series and I will pick up the next but definitely won't have the romance heavy expectations.
July 24, 2025
This book was not what I expected, but turned out even better. While there is a romance thread, this book does not take the typical romance book path. The Shoe Diaries prioritizes Reagan and her journey from heartbreak to who she is when she's really ready to open herself up again. Years pass, experiences change her, friends guide her, and then ... only when the time is right .... she is able to take the ultimate leap with the one who has always been the "Right Person, Wrong Time" until now.
Reagan and Jake are destined, but they have few scenes together. Reagan finding her happiness and then adding a partner to share life with makes this a unique and refreshing romance.
Reagan and Jake are destined, but they have few scenes together. Reagan finding her happiness and then adding a partner to share life with makes this a unique and refreshing romance.
July 27, 2025
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 4
Performance – 4
Story – 4
This story started out pretty slow for me and I didn’t like the narrator at first, however the longer I listened the more I enjoyed the story and the performance. This is the first book I’ve read b Darby Baham and it’s not my usual kind of book to read but my book club was reading it and I’m always surprised when a book club book doesn’t seem like it’s to my taste and then I end up liking it a lot.
There’s not much real romance in this story but the strong friendship among the women in the story was really good to read about. I don’t know if I’d read another book in this series but I’m not sorry that I read this one.
Overall – 4
Performance – 4
Story – 4
This story started out pretty slow for me and I didn’t like the narrator at first, however the longer I listened the more I enjoyed the story and the performance. This is the first book I’ve read b Darby Baham and it’s not my usual kind of book to read but my book club was reading it and I’m always surprised when a book club book doesn’t seem like it’s to my taste and then I end up liking it a lot.
There’s not much real romance in this story but the strong friendship among the women in the story was really good to read about. I don’t know if I’d read another book in this series but I’m not sorry that I read this one.
August 22, 2025
I finished this book several weeks ago, and quite honestly, it has stuck with me.
I think it is best to view this book as a prequel to the Friendship Chronicles. It introduces the close knit group of women who are the focal point of the series. There isn't much romance in this book, because Rae and Jake's love story took place in the past. The beauty of this book lies in the friendship of the women and the growth of Rae's character as she gets to a place where she can take the risk that may ultimately bring her all she wants.
I loved this book for the friendship angle and for the "risk list" aspect. Rae inspired me to at least consider taking risks in my life.
I think it is best to view this book as a prequel to the Friendship Chronicles. It introduces the close knit group of women who are the focal point of the series. There isn't much romance in this book, because Rae and Jake's love story took place in the past. The beauty of this book lies in the friendship of the women and the growth of Rae's character as she gets to a place where she can take the risk that may ultimately bring her all she wants.
I loved this book for the friendship angle and for the "risk list" aspect. Rae inspired me to at least consider taking risks in my life.
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