Everyone in my bookclub seemed to think the main character in this book was the most horrid person. As did many of the characters in the book. For not standing by her (as I remember - its been a few years) boyfriend who was critically injured and paralyzed after a diving accident. She never intended to marry him prior to the accident and everyone acts as if she is obligated to. That she is a horrible to break off the relationship. But she needs to for her own happiness and life. I felt sorry for her because she was in a horrible position and cast as a terrible person for wanting to be selfish. But HAD she stayed she would have hated him. 
 It is a very strong character driven story.