Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding (1999)

I read this when it first came out (23 years ago!), so it's a re-read. There were a bunch of things that I forgot, so I enjoyed it, even if they break up over something stupid. All she had to say was, "Rachel told him that I was keen on him, that you said we were breaking up and that's why he planted an unwanted kiss on me." But, she doesn't and they break up.  (spoilers)

Bridget's struggles and antics, while a bit outrageous, are relatable for any singleton. Where the first book cover a singleton's dating travails while on the quest to find a nice man, this second book covers what it's like being in a relationship (with moments that are the majestic and the miserable).  And like the first book, you end this second one with a smile on your face.

I was planning on reading the next two books but then I found out that they cover Bridget's life *after* she's married Marc and he's died from a heart attack. Instead of getting to enjoy the bliss of Bridget and Marc together (because you know it would have some ridiculous moments because that's life with Bridget Jones), we get to suffer through Bridget being a singleton all over again. I decided to pass and let Marc Darcy live on.

It's a solid follow-up to the first book. My rating: 4 out of 5 stars.