BreakupBabe: A Novel

by Rebecca Agiewich

an online diary.

My How I got over the worst, most humiliating breakup in web-recorded history–and became stronger, smarter, and better off without the biggest Loser on the face of the earth.

Life is sweet for Rachel. She’s living with her boyfriend of two years in Seattle and is starting a new high-paying job at the same snazzy computer company where he works. Then Rachel’s system crashes. Her supposedly adoring almost-fiancé cheats on her, lies to her, dumps her, and hooks up with someone else–specifically, her own boss’s boss’s boss. Talk about tacky.

Heartbroken, beyond depressed, and stuck in nine-to-five hell, Rachel follows a recovery regimen that features an arsenal of meds (including General "the holy pink pill"), deliciously detailed daily entries in her newly inaugurated weblog Breakup Babe, and a string of dates–from the irresistibly bad Little Rockclimbing Spy, who proves to be full of surprises, to the high-flying ladies man Sexy Boy, who loves weed almost as much as he loves women.

With her shoulder-perched alter egos Sensible Girl and Needy Girl vying for her sanity, and a growing legion of supportive online fans threatening to snap her out of her grand funk, Rachel somehow survives, thrives, and discovers just how risky and liberating love, loss, and blogging can be.

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

My novel "BreakupBabe" came out in 2006 and was based on my dating blog of the same name. I no longer write about my dating life now that I actually have a boyfriend, but I do still blog at http://houseofsparkle.blogspot.com. I also teach writing and blogging classes in Seattle, as well as doing blog consulting. When I'm not reading or writing, I'm usually hiking, biking, skiing, or traveling. I love talking to people about writing -- whether it's to someone who has read my book or whether I'm teaching a class.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

-I thought I would like this book because it was about blogging and the main character works at a computer company. You would think it was an easy read, but the main character just droned on and on. I couldn't relate to her.
-I didn't like how each name in the blog was 'Galpal #1' or 'Sexy Boy'. It could get confusing!
+Two parts were shocking. I couldn't imagine my LJ being found out by my co-workers haha. At least I don't write bad things about them ;)

[International Cat Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously? This book got published? How the... oh, right. See page 321: "I also sent it ["it" being her book proposal] to a family friend who happens to be an editor at one of the big New York publishing houses" - so this is how a mediocre, whiny blog was turned into a mediocre, whiny book.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the type of book I really enjoyed about 10 years ago. I was younger and less cynical about finding Mr. Right. Fun reading about the main character's dating mishaps. But the story was just too predictable for my taste at this point in my life.

[Sari Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and often humorous fictional memoir about the search for love in the Internet age, and dealing with one's personal demons. The narrator could be a bit annoying at times, and for much of the book her self-esteem was directly proportional to whether or not a man (any man) was showing interest in her. I won't give away the ending, other than to say that I liked it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to skim over all the Needy Girl and Sensible Girl alter-ego stuff, but ultimately, there was a lot I could identify with: Blogging the breakups, the roller coaster of dating, straightjackety jobs, trying to turn it all into a book-worthy story, etc.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

where was this book during my awful breakup?

Fun read blending narrative and blog posts to chronicle a thirty-something's breakup and the subsequent putting together of pieces. I enjoyed it although felt the ending was a little rushed.

[Sarah Wu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read her blog and have exchanged emails with her when she first came out with the book. She sent it to me for free. She's very nice and the book was fun to read.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover is cute, the blog story line is engaging, but the main character was a tad bit annoying. Cute story, though. It's been a while since I read it, but I remember thinking it was a fun book.

[Al Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend, Rebecca's debut novel. Very funny.

I can't wait for her next novel.

[Duong · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is an ex-coworker's sister.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still reading this book, easy read. I've been her heels ...so can relate

[Sarah Courson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it for it's quirky humor, but the main character kept making me rage. I ended up skipping to the last chapter to get it over it.

[Crystal Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this book funny for about the first 100 pages, then got annoying and silly, as the main character reapeded her self. I got this book after i broke up with my current boyfrined.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book -highly recommended.

[Marianne Brodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard chick lit. A quick read/ guilty pleasure.