This is the case with The Five-Year Engagement. In this new romantic comedy starring the always pitch-perfect Emily Blunt and Gen X’s funniest romantic leading man, Jason Segel (who also co-wrote the movie, along with Nicholas Stoller, his Forgetting Sarah Marshall director), we certainly feel this couple’s pain as their mutual journey takes them to all of love’s road stops–attraction, commitment, loss–until, finally, they come to the realization that love may not always be perfect, let alone perfectly timed.

A cute meet is expected: for these singletons—Tom is a sous chef at one of  San Francisco’s hot haute restaurants, and Violet is psychology major—it happens at a New Year’s Eve costume party. Of course there would be a love-at-first-sight connection between a chic Princess Diana look-alike and a giant fuzzy Super Bunny. The evening ends with his making her a scrumptious plate of eggs Benedict. A man who is sweet, funny and cooks? Yep, he’s a keeper.

(Now, if only he could keep his pants on in the kitchen. Really it would help if he kept his pants on everywhere. As much as we adore Segel as a comedian, full back-all is not a great look on him…)

It’s inevitable that this movie has its Happily Ever After. Within ten minutes (fast-forward a year, in movie time) he’s proposing to her, on the rooftop of his Bay Bridge-adjacent restaurant, just as the fireworks fill the sky. (Those of us who actually live here may snicker because usually it’s cold and drizzly—so we’re all dressed in Bubble Boy coats and open ‘brellies, searching for the rocket’s red glare somewhere within a whipped cream fog.) Stoller’s San Francisco is a love letter to the city, so trust me, I ain’t complaining. It’s why we put up with the high rents. That, and oh yes, the food…

Which brings us to the supposed conflict within the movie. Life is filled with Plan Bs. When Violet doesn’t get into UC Berkeley doctoral studies program in psychology, she initiates her back-up plan: taking a position in a similar program at the University of Michigan.

Of course, Tom agrees to go with her. Little does he know that Ann Arbor is the culinary version of a tumbleweed-strewn desert. Its only oasis is the (real and renowned) deli, Zingerman’s. (Hopefully the employees don’t partake in the after-hours shenanigans we saw in the film.)

This supposedly one-year commitment is enough reason to postpone the wedding, despite the fact that their own engagement party was the hookup moment for their besties: for Tom, his fellow chef Alex (Chris Pratt); for  Violet her sister, Suzie (Alison Brie). Another sign of a knock-it-out-of-the park comedy is that the supporting actors are just as engaging as the leads. This movie is filled with them (including comedic heavy sluggers Mindy Kaling and Rhys Ifals). Pratt and Brie in particular are on their game, thanks to a script that is filled with hilarious—and best yet, true to life—dialogue. Touché, Mssrs. Segel and Stoller.

This couple’s conundrum isn’t a timing issue, but it is a timeless one among couples: should one give up one’s own dreams in order to helped their partner accomplish his or hers? When Violet’s academic assignment is extended another two years, Tom’s descent into the culinary equivalent of the Seventh Circle of Hell—not to mention the backwoods of Michigan—may be funny, but it’s also grimmace-worthy. Violet’s commitment issues are what sends him there. We, the audience who loves them both, have no doubt that she will come to her senses. The questions is when.

About twenty minutes sooner would have been ideal. Still, as with any wedding reception you’ve been to, when it’s all over, the only thing you remember is the fun stuff.

If only that were true of all movies.

(See the trailer, below…)

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Josie Brown is Single Minded Women’s Relationships Editor. She is also the author of several novels, including The Housewife Assassin’s Handbook.

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ENTER SINGLE MINDED WOMEN’S
“FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT” CONTEST

for a $100 Visa Cash Card, to spend at the movies!

You’ll also win a cosmetic bag filled with lip shine, nail files, eye mask, purse hanger, comb/mirror and faux engagement ring!

To enter,send Single Minded Women your funniest engagement or wedding story, to SMWContests@gmail.com.

Contest ends Monday, April 30, 2012, at Midnight PT.

Good luck!

Dead Flowers by Lori Armstrong
Cynical, bad girl PI Julie Collins isn’t the hearts and flowers type, especially not after she’s spent the last few weeks spying on cheating spouses. So when Julie suspects her man, Martinez, may be stepping out on her, she sees red and decides to take matters into her own hands. Let’s just hope Cupid’s Bow gets to Martinez  before Julie does.

Above Reproach by Allison Brennan
Sex crimes detective Selena Black knows high-powered government attorney Greg Keller is the River City Rapist; proving it is another matter. Keller enjoys the cat and mouse game with the blonde detective, and makes sure she knows she’s exactly his type. As every possible avenue of investigation is shut down by the courts or her boss, Selena realizes that if someone doesn’t do something to stop Keller, more women will suffer–and she may be next.

The Housewife Assassin’s Bloody Valentine by Josie Brown
What is CIA contract assassin Donna Stone’s idea of a Valentine’s Day getaway? Certainly not orchestrating a jailbreak out of a Mexican prison for a notorious drug lord. But because he has intel as to the whereabouts of an international terrorist organization planning a Valentine’s massacre, there will be no intimate dinner for two or couples massage for Donna and her ops leader, Jack Craig. Just plenty of sun, surf, submarines, sharks… oh yeah, and sex.

Bobbie Faye’s Whacked Out, No Good, Really Sucky, Hot Mess of a Wedding by Toni McGee Causey
Bobbie Faye Sumrall, Cajun Contraband Days Queen, gun expert, and ultimate professional in being in the wrong place at the wrong time, absolutely positively does not want to go through with the ridiculous wedding that Trevor’s forcing her to agree to, but she soon finds out she has more important things to worry about–like surviving the plot to make her disappear when she’s set up as a fall guy for the theft of a priceless religious icon. And that’s the good news.

Blood and Roses by Sylvia Day
When insurance investigator Anastasia Miller sets out to retrieve the rose-hued pink diamonds stolen in a recent heist, she finds herself working alongside former flame, deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Monroe — the man she loved enough to leave behind.

Nightfall by Laura Griffin
Stranded on an icy road as darkness falls, Holly Henriksen knows she is in trouble. A charming stranger stops to help and Holly decides to trust him, but soon finds out he is harboring a deadly secret.

King of Hearts (A Rough Rider Short Story) by Lorelei James
Deputy Cam McKay is devastated after dealing with a Valentine’s Day murder/suicide in his small county. Will allowing his family to see the dark past that haunts him, help heal him?

A Punishing Night by Sophie Littlefield
Detective Joe Bashir returns to his alma mater to investigate the stabbing death of a male college student. Rumors of date rape and fraternity hazing complicate a sensitive case as Joe tries to balance the demands of the investigation with caring for his elderly father. Help – and possibly romance – come from an unexpected source.

Pick Your Poison (A Bullet Catchers Novella) by Roxanne St. Claire
Benjamin Youngblood’s only chance to prove he’s worthy of being a Bullet Catcher is to find and stop an assassin.  On probation from the elite security force, Ben has to rely on instinct and brains…and one feisty flower farmer.  When Callie Parrish discovers her entire crop of rare black roses has been stolen, she’d partner with the devil himself to recoup her loss.  It doesn’t take her long to realize she’s done just that…and the road to hell is paved with poisonous petals and deadly kisses.

Rebel Rose  by Karin Tabke
For Detective Cash Cantrell, hunting down a University serial killer is as routine as strapping on his gun each morning.  Until he comes face to face with meddlesome coed, Rebel Yell Culpepper. He doesn’t know if he should arrest her or kiss her, but one thing Cash knows for sure, Rebel is key to finding the murderer, and the killer knows it too…

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

MurderSheWrites.com is a six-year-old blog of suspense and romance writers who collectively have more than 150 books published, nearly two years on the NYT best seller list, and are the recipients of several major awards, including the RITA, the Shamus, the Anthony, and the Daphne.

These never-before-published stories and novellas were penned by: Lori Armstrong, Allison Brennan, Josie Brown, Toni McGee Causey, Sylvia Day, Laura Griffin, Lorelei James, Sophie Littlefield, Roxanne St. Claire, and Karin Tabke.

Visit MurderSheWrites.com for more information about the authors.

Order Guns and Roses: A Murder She Writes Anthology today.

Want to be a SMW Book Reviewer? Click here.

Tired of looking for love in all the wrong places? SingleMindedWomen.com’s 2012 Top 10 Cities for Single Women is a handy guide to some great cities that we think should be high on your list of possible destinations, based on the the following criteria:

Life: When weighing a city’s attributes, its beauty and vibe are very important features. Obviously both are in the eye of the beholder, subject to its “awe” factor. That said, to arrive at our rankings, we included cultural venues and outdoor activities, as well as night life as a measure of a city’s livability.

Love: To reach our very important “Single and Available” ranking, we looked at each metro area’s population as they pertained to single male-to-single female ratios between ages twenty-five and fifty-four,which has a lot to do with your statistical probability of finding Mr. Right: one desirable outcome in starting life in a new city.

Career: The factors pertaining to your financial stability were also high on our list. It’s no secret that the American economy is still in a tender condition, but in recent months signs of an economic revival are evident. This guide also reflects important economic factors, such as the cost-of-living rankings, and job growth statistics over the past twelve months.

So, what cities should be high on your list to visit — or better, to live in?

Let’s start with City #10…

Life: Raleigh is often the unexpected entry in a list of top US cities. Nevertheless, its popularity continues to grow. A closer look will tell you why. Raleigh is a city with a youth and population explosion that began in 2000.

The city is  strategically located, with easy access to everywhere in what has become known as the Research Triangle: an area that encompasses Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Inside that Triangle you’ll find affordable living, a delightful blend of urban and rural areas, and three distinguished universities: Duke, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State.

Raleigh is close to the rugged tree-covered Blue Ridge mountains. It is also within driving distance of America’s most captivating beaches, which you’ll find along an area called the Outer Banks. Known for it’s usually mild weather, here you’ll find a place that is not too cold in the winter and not too hot in the summer.

Raleigh is also filled with parks, walking, hiking, and biking trails. It’s a city where southern hospitality and a grand sense of living come together, making it a great place to  fall in love, settle down, and raise a family.

Love: Almost evenly split in its single male-female ratio, what gives Raleigh the edge over other towns that did not make the list (such as Denver, San Francisco, Boston, and Miami) is its large academic community, coupled with an attractive cost of living.  Always youthful in its mindset, the entire Triangle Area pulses with a very real sense of self, and a graciousness that makes newcomers feel welcomed.

Not often mentioned as a place for nightlife, Raleigh nevertheless can be a great destination for single women. With over 100 restaurants and bars in downtown Raleigh alone, the spectrum of choices is impressive for this once sleepy southern enclave. From live music to cabaret shows, Raleigh residents are not shy about trying something new, which is yet one more reason why young, hip, open-minded newcomers start anew here each and every year.

Career: Raleigh ranks consistently as one of the best places to work and start a business. It has a diverse economic base that covers many professional fields. But at the heart of the local economy — and the reason for its stability even in difficult times — are its three largest industries: government, higher education and health care. In addition, Raleigh is a hub for high-tech companies in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, computer software and hardware. If you’re looking to restart your career, Raleigh will meet you more than half way.

Click here for City #9…

Life: If you live in America and never experienced life in New York City, you have truly missed an amazing experience.

It’s not that New York is the ideal city in any one particular area; but when taken as a whole, it has a vibrancy, a cultural depth, and a night life that has to be lived to be truly appreciated.

Manhattan is the heart of New York City. While the other four boroughs that make up the city — Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx — all have something special to offer, moving to New York and settling in to a Queens neighborhood is like tripping up on the five yard line.The simple truth is that only in Manhattan can it be said that you have scored a touchdown.

It is there that the city earns its claim for having the nations top ranked cultural life and nightlife. Of course, in culture only DC and Chicago offers New York any serious competition. From the Metropolitan Museum to Lincoln Center to the brilliant lights of Broadway, this is a city pulsing with an endless variety of cultural venues of enjoy the frenetic pace because you’ll find it everywhere you go.

Love: The city is #5 in SMW’s “Single and Available” ranking because of the the quantity — and quality of men you’ll find there. While Manhattan can be subdivided into more than a dozen neighborhoods, on a warm summer’s night you can walk from south to north and east to west and feel at times like you are at one endless party of trendy bars and restaurants filled with chic, smart, ambitious young people.

In no other city is it so clear that the population thrives on the motto of “work hard, play hard.” While this intensity of the city can be intimidating to newcomers, the truth is that most of those New York guys are just overgrown puppy dogs, so don’t let the fast talk mislead you: New Yorkers have a soft spot for out-of-towners. In a city as insular as New York, there is a real fascination for people who come from other places. If nothing else, it’s a great conversation starter if you hail from such exotic places as New Orleans, St. Louis or Seattle. New York’s single females are a close match to single males, but in truth, as you know, the only number that really counts, is the one guy you’re hoping to call: Mr. Right!

Career: Over forty of the nation’s Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in New York City. And while financial services took a direct blow in the 2008 financial crisis, New York City is showing strong signs of making a healthy and substantial comeback.

Hospitality and tourism has roared back in New York as the millions of Americans who live within two hundred miles of the Big Apple decided to drive there for a family vacation, rather than fly off to far away destinations.

New York is also a leading hub for high tech and medical services and technology, and transportation is also showing signs of a strong comeback.

On the minus side, New York City is not an easy place to put down roots and begin a new life. While pay is higher than most US cities, the cost of living is far higher as well. But for those willing to take on a challenge, there is no greater city than New York. As Sinatra so famously sang, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. It’s up to you New York, New York.”

In other words, conquer New York and everything else will seem easy.

Click here for City #8…

Life: America has three world-class cities: New York, San Francisco, and Chicago.

In fact, with its grand boulevard (Michigan Avenue) brilliant architecture and outstanding museums, Chicago is arguably the most European of American cities. At the same time, it is uniquely American.

For a very big city, Chicago never forgot how to smile, and it’s a city where people openly lend their neighbors a helping hand. There are breathtaking vistas from every angle, be it the observation deck of America’s tallest building to the city’s dazzling skyline, verdant Lakeshore Drive, or its elegantly restored  Navy Pier.

Because the terrain is flat, with many parks and beautiful old neighborhoods — each with its own unique style — the city itself is a walker’s paradise. And when you tire of walking, CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) will take you from anywhere to anywhere, in a matter of minutes. Even both of Chicago’s airports, Midway and massive O’Hare, are connected to CTA by trains that run every few minutes into the city center, better known to locals as the Loop.

The city’s one unavoidable drawback is the cold winters. What Phoenix is to hot summers, Chicago is to cold winters. Lovely fall and spring weather, and warm summer nights is not enough for many who know that generally, from November through March, this city of “big shoulders” can put your plans on ice. To counter that, Chicago boasts great theaters, magnificent shopping, and nonstop activities throughout the year. If you don’t mind scarves, gloves, and hats Chicago could very well be at the top of your list.

Love: With youth on its side, Chicago ranks #6 on SMW’s “Single and Available” list.  Another advantage is its reputation as a very big city with mostly small town manners. As opposed to a New York or LA, “who are you” stares are replaced with warm, welcoming smiles in this city, which has not forgotten how to laugh at itself or with others.

As for nightlife, remember that this is one of America’s top city’s for jazz, comedy, improv, and nightclub entertainment. Arguably the best bars and array of restaurants anywhere in America can be found scattered throughout Chicago’s many trendy, youthful neighborhoods. From Bridgeport to Lakeshore East, the city offers an incredible array of lifestyle choices, all closely connected by Chicago Transit.

Career: Chicago, like much of the upper Midwest, has had a tough go since the economic meltdown of 2008. But as you can imagine, a great city is hard to keep down.

Chicago, the adopted hometown of President Barack Obama, is making a strong comeback.  Bright spots have been showing up in manufacturing, business services, residential and commercial real estate, information technology, and medical services. Approximately 25% of all Chicagoland employers plan on adding staff in 2012, and the rest plan on maintaining current levels of staffing which is good news in a metro area that peaked out 12% unemployment rates. It’s still a hit or miss proposition, but for people ready to give Chicago a try there is a better chance that you’ll find the right job now than at any time in the past five years.

Click here for City #7…

Life: The Greater Phoenix area, known locally as “The Valley of the Sun,” is made up of a mix of many cities such as Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Glendale, Peoria, and Surprise among others. A metro area of just 750,000 people in 1960, by 2010 had a population of 4.2 million people and ranked as America’s 14^th largest metropolitan area.

Metro Phoenix offers an astounding array of affordable housing opportunities in areas with attractive amenities. It also offers all the major league sports, and is home to baseball’s Cactus leagues, which gives residents for one month every year in the early spring a chance to see many of the nation’s top baseball stars compete in the cozy confines of ballparks that seat 6,000, as opposed to 60,000, fans.

The only way to discover Phoenix is by car. While mass transit exists, as in Los Angeles, it truly is a city to be explored, and understood, with the help of your own vehicle.

Love: Ranked #7 in SMW’s “Single and Available” list, Phoenix has a large seniors population, but it has a thriving young singles scene as well.

Some like it hot.  If you’re a lady who likes a little sizzle in your life — say, an afternoon in July when it’s a 110 in the shade — then Phoenix might be the city for you.

Whereas days can be spent seeking the cool air conditioned surroundings that allow you to beat the desert sun,  the dry warm nights are perfect for outside partying, at some of the countries best bars and restaurants. Sure, while May through September can be far too hot for a stroll in the noonday sun, there is no better place in America for a tennis game late on a summer night. From trendy Scottsdale to offbeat hangouts in Phoenix proper, the city offers a vibrant nightlife that surprises most visitors expecting a city moving at a slower pace.

Careers: Phoenix, somewhat analogous to Florida, was ground zero for the housing boom of the last decade. With builders and sellers making thirty percent returns on their high flying real estate values, there was not a great temptation to follow another economic paths to success. So Phoenix took a particularly hard hit when the housing market collapsed at the epicenter of the 2008 meltdown.

Clearly 2011 marked a turnaround in the area’s economic fortunes but it’s most likely two or more years before it returns to the type of growth experienced through 2006. High Tech, Manufacturing, Aerospace, and Biosciences are helping to lead the charge along with a variety of and service industries. What makes the city more attractive is the attractive cost of housing and lower costs than most of the nation in other areas of daily life as well.

A Phoenix comeback is not a matter of if, but when. It has far too vibrant an economy, meaning that now — before costs rise again–  might be a very wise time to put your bet down on the next stage of growth in the Valley of the Sun.

Click here for City #6…

Life: If you want a city that is centrally located in the southeast, you would be hard pressed to find a better lifestyle choice than Charleston, SC. Certainly Atlanta is the dominant commercial capital of the Southeast and has one of America’s best airport hubs, but Atlanta is far from many of those things that people enjoy the most about living in the south: the warm, coastal beaches.

Charleston sits on the Atlantic coastline, whereas

Atlanta is more than a five-hour drive inland. Charleston has the charm and history of the colonial South, Atlanta by comparison is all but devoid of that rich history.

Charleston has much of the offbeat charm of a New Orleans, but far more of the lifestyle amenities that has long made the city a magnet for tourism and people interested in relocation. It’s a city with the unique character of a San Francisco with a much lower cost of living.

Love: Charleston ranks #4 in SMW’s “Single and Available” ranking.  Finding your Rhett Butler is easy, once you get into the city’s social rhythm. Getting involved is easy. People are generally friendly, laid back, and approachable without much of the off-putting defensive behaviors more commonly find in the cities of the Northeast. Check out Charleston’s numerous art galleries and parks, the Dock Street Theatre, its First City Festival, and world renowned Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

Charleston is also known for an array of fine dining options. Great tasting food and a nightcap at one of the many bars or lounges is always at your fingertips. Whether you’re a fan of sushi bars, dive bars, or bar and grills, you won’t run out of choices in this special place that loves to see the good times roll.

Career: Charleston’s economic engine is moved forward by a combination of factors, principal to which are tourism, industry, and its port. While there are jobs in all fields, if you’re life is in medical research, high-tech and other specific areas Charleston would be down on your list of choices.

But if you’re a generalist and perhaps looking to kick start your life in another direction, Charleston might be an excellent career choice. Like much of the Florida coastal cities, Charleston is loved by tourists from around the world. And North American snowbirds flock to Charleston every winter to escape the cold of Toronto, Boston, New York and elsewhere throughout the snowbelt. Hospitality is a year round industry, and the city is a regional healthcare hub, as well particularly given its large number of retirees.

Click here for City #5…

Life: Don’t doubt Dallas. It’s a major league city in every sense of the word. The vast expanse of the metro Dallas-Ft. Worth area is reminiscent of LA metroplex, minus its beaches.

But you never need to leave the confines of Dallas itself to enjoy everything from a vibrant nightlife to great museums and other cultural venues. As you probably already know, Dallas does nothing small, so whether you’re looking for an airport with easy nonstop connections to the rest of the Americas and most anywhere in the world, or simply an incredible farmer’s market, Dallas never settles for being second best.

Dallas also has one of the fastest growing light rail systems in the nation. The free McKinney Avenue Trolley will take you from the Dallas arts district to the uptown area filled with restaurants, pubs, great shops and small boutique hotels.

Love: With a median age of 33.8 and 50.18 percent single male-to-female ratio, Dallas is a popular destination for singles. It helps that it also has economically friendly conditions, and a high quality social environment

A vibrant night life with an endless choice of hot spots brings out the party in just about everyone. It’s easy to say why men like Dallas, it has teams in all major sports led by the World Champion Dallas Mavericks of the NBA and baseball’s twice consecutive American League Champions, the Texas Rangers. The men of Dallas have a reputation for swagger, but peel it away and more often than not you’ll find a puppy dog just waiting for some love and attention.

Career: Like much of the Southeast and Southwest, Dallas offers generally a somewhat reduced pay scale when compared with cities of the Northeast and West, but it’s lower cost of living more than compensates for that difference.

Increasing the desirability of Dallas as a relocation destination is the fact that its economy continues to improve. It is rebounding more quickly than most other metropolitan areas throughout America.

Industries that showed particular strength throughout the last half of 2011 include financial, hospitality and leisure, healthcare, and business services. Most economists are optimistic for Dallas, along with the rest of Texas, to continue experiencing an improving rate of economic growth through 2012.

Click here to go to City #4…

LIFE: There is an old joke which goes like this: “If you want to visit your money, go to D.C.” As is true of the old capitals of Europe, the nation takes pride in its seat of government. Whether the administration is guided by tight-fisted fiscal conservatives or the more generous liberals, it seems that D.C. thrives.

LOVE: Washington, D.C.  is #10 in SMW’s “Single and Available” ranking. Whereas women outnumber men 52.1 percent to 47.9 percent, what you may not find in quantity is made up for, in quality. The combination of its large academic community, its numerous cultural venues, its social and financial bearing — and the fact that it is the nation’s capitol — certainly brings the best and the brightest to this town. The men are smart, informed, witty — and driven.

Astounding museums and galleries and verdant open spaces — all within walking distance of a Metro stop –  announce to visitors far and wide that D.C. is a place of  prominence. You never know: Mr. Right may be standing there,  next to you at the Lincoln Memorial…

CAREER: No doubt, America and most of the world’s leading economies have been under an economic cloud in recent years. In Washington, D.C., however, there are times that can be hard to imagine. While belt tightening is often discussed from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue (the Capitol) to the other (The White House), throughout the rest of this hip, happening town it appears that hard times is more news story than real story.

Thanks to incredible cultural and job growth opportunities, Washington D.C. rightfully sits near the top for possible relocation. And certainly if you’re interested in a career in politics, policy-making, government, or corporate growth, D.C. is a place you should consider.

Click here for City #3…