Wow, is this a great book. I’ll be thinking about these characters and this story for weeks. The main character is so genuine and believable. I didn’t just read about Carrie Bell, I KNOW her now. Unhappy with her life, she leaves town abruptly after her fiance is left a quadriplegic as the result of a swimming accident. It’s difficult to read at times, but not for the reasons you might expect. It beautifully evokes the reality of life–full of grays, nothing truly black or white–coping with situations that don’t necessarily bring out the best in us. It’s about the decisions we make–and don’t–and the ramifications as our actions ripple out and affect others around us. Very compelling.
2 Things @ Once 
I’ve read this book as well, and agree with you 100 percent. Plus, I thought the author did a wonderful job of capturing the two main settings of the book: Madison, Wis., and NYC.