Having enjoyed this author's previous books, I was all set to dive into The Lies that Bind. Sadly, this one was disappointing in every way. The plot just turns silly and unbelievable. Using 9/11 as a backdrop in the way the author does seems inappropriate. I just wasn't enjoying this book at all, couldn't care less about the characters, and found the plot annoying. I will not be rushing to pick up Emily Griffin's next book.

I really enjoy Emily's writing style. Her books keep you hooked and usually I read them in one sitting. I do feel like 9/11 should have been left out of this story. Having a connection to it and having someone you love risking their life kinda throws a wrench into the story for me a bit. It's a tragic time and a topic that authors should stray away from. Overall I enjoyed this book but I did have a love hate relationship with these characters lol. There were parts that left me second guessing where the story would go and I love when an author can pull that off. I look for to reading more from Emily in the future.

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I rated this 3 stars because I struggled to get into the story line. I started and stopped three times before finally getting through this. To be fair, it could easily be due to my own brain, and not the story, but I just couldn’t find connection with Cecily. I’m historically a fan of Giffin’s work, but this one left me wanting.

I could not put this book down. Unbelievable from start to finish and one of Emily Giffins best! I am a huge fan of the author's earlier works that have leaned more towards the romance but slowly she has built herself up into this incredible writer of all divisions in women's fiction. This book is in my top 3 for sure! I thought she handled the topic of 9-11 beautifully and in an incredible sensitive manor. This is definitely a book I will be encouraging all my reader friends to pick up! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have read other titles by this author so I was looking forward to this book.
The main character, Cecily, seems caught between two men, Matthew and Grant.
The story definitely kept me guessing.
However, I thought that the ending was too predictable, so while I recommend this book,
I can't give it 5 stars.

I really wanted to like this one because I usually love Emily Giffin's books but this was so all over the place that it was hard to even keep reading. The main character acts like a complete idiot for large portions of the book and that was frustrating. While the middle of the book picked up somewhat the end did nothing to redeem it for me. Overall I didn't like a single character and kept losing interest. I wouldn't recommend.

I enjoyed reading this book which is a combination “coming of age, mystery and psychological thriller. There were numerous coincidences that seemed unlikely but I just kept reminding myself that truth is stranger than fiction so I am sure stranger coincidences have really happened.

Wow! This book blew me away. Have you ever chosen a book, but then you start reading it and you totally forget what it is about when you begin in? It started out as such an amazing love story. I was in love with the love story but it felt a bit too good to be true. So I went back to read the book description, and I am glad that I did, because it prepared me for what was to come. And oh boy, it hit me luck a ton of bricks! I was in shock as to what happened, and in awe that Emily Giffin could think up a story about this with so many twists and turns, but in a very believable way. I know that there are a lot of stories that are set around the time of 9/11 but nothing that can compare to this. It was amazing. I laughed, cried, was so angry and so happy throughout this seemingly short book. It was a very quick read, but I enjoyed every second of it--and I think you will too. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and netgalley.com. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Author and publisher for a copy of this ARC.The opinions expressed are my own.

Due to a extended illness I've gotten way behind on my reviews, so these are going to be short and sweet!


I loved this story. Read in one setting., Excellent plot, held my interest from first word. The characters were well liked and complex.
5 stars highly recommend

I really enjoyed this book normally I read mysteries and thrillers, and this was a nice change. The book took place during 9/11 and was written very respectfully. I really love the authors writing style . Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The Lies that Bind is about Cecily, a 20 something woman living in NYC. We are taken through her relationships with two men, Grant and Matthew, and the decision of what kind of relationship is the right one. It is tough to summarize it without spoilers.

This was one of those books that you will read in a weekend, and kept my attention. There was a surprise I didn't see coming, but ultimately, I only liked this novel. The end was rushed. I was invested in Cecily and her journey, but the way everything concluded so quickly was unsatisfying. Overall, the book was good, I just wished for a little bit more of a resolution.

The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin
Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine (June 2020)
3.5 Stars

This was my first Emily Giffin book. The beginning scene of Cecily nursing her broken heart at a bar where she gets caught up in a whirlwind romance had me believing it was going to be a “in your feels” juicy read. The writing was light and fun and easy to follow along with. I read the whole book in one day! But honestly that’s where the excitement ended for me.The twists were a little too much of a coincidence for me to really connect with the story line. Something about the casual use of 9/11 as a turning point in the plot had me cringing every time it was brought up as well. I did enjoy the little 90s/Early 2000s throwback references but after awhile they became redundant. Overall an okay book and I would most likely pick up another book by Giffin when I’m in the mood for a book I don’t need to take seriously.

Thank you @Netgalley and @RandomHouse for the gifted copy of this book!



***Instagram Review will be posted 6/18/20

I received the digital arc of this book from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

In May 2001, Cecily Gardner is a 28 year old reporter working for The Mercury in New York. Growing up in rural Wisconsin she dreamed of heading to New York after graduating from University of Wisconsin. There were aspects of home that she missed, in particular, her best friend, Scottie and her close knit family.

Although working for The Mercury was not quite her dream job, she did find her colleague, Jasmine, to be a confidante. For the past 3 years, Cecily had been in a relationship with Matthew who was in no hurry to get married. Feeling like her feelings weren’t reciprocated she broke things off with him. Not wanting to be alone, she walks to a local bar for a drink. It isn’t long before she is involved with an engaging conversation with a handsome stranger.

They talk for hours drinking and doing shots until closing. She invites him to stay over even though they never exchanged names during all their banter. Cecily is surprised by how easy it is to talk to Grant who she discovers works as a stock broker. They develop a strong friendship while the sexual tension between them continues to rise. Cecily wonders if this is too good to be true. She struggles with missing Matthew and knowing that he still wants a relaxing with her.

The story takes a few unexpected turns which left me ambivalent. The story began light hearted where it seemed like it would be a fun and uncomplicated. Suddenly, the conversations with Grant Smith become personal as he shares information regarding his parents and now ailing brother. The stories he explains to Cecily are devastating yanking further on her heart strings.

I don’t want to provide spoilers so I will say that there were a lot questions regarding where the story was going. The characters did not seem grounded and the plot vacillated between feeling serious in the atmosphere of 9/11 and almost comedic with the crazy “surprises” that come.

The story is one about love and honesty in relationships by trusting your instincts. Can love survive betrayal and lies? Is doing the wrong thing for the right reason ever acceptable?

The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin

I just can’t help but love Emily Giffin’s books. This one did not disappoint. I can honestly say there were a lot of plot twists in this one that I didn’t see coming, which I love!
Cecily is in the thick of a breakup, and is drinking away her sorrows when she meet Grant. He convinces her she shouldn’t make that drunken phone call to Matthew her ex. She likes Grant, but she can’t quite figure out why. Grant is mysterious, but someone that has inspired her to move on. But who is he really?
Check this one out friends. It’s a great summer read and a story you can easily get lost in.

The Lies That Bind had my attention straightaway, and I could not put it down! Every spare moment I had was spent reading this.
There were moments that were predictable (but I will not give spoilers), but I was still surprised when what I predicted started to happen. It has been a long time since I have thought of the days and weeks just after 9/11, and even though so much time has passed, Emily Giffin transported me back to that time and even gave a perspective I cannot have - that of a New Yorker.
I highly recommend if you are a fan of family drama fiction.

This is a story about love, loss, friendship, family ties but most importantly, it’s about second chances. Two people meet by chance at a bar and something that could have easily been a one night stand, ends up being so much more. There’s a connection that takes them by surprise but as they continue going ahead with their relationship, a tragic event comes to pass and changes everything. Lies and secrets are discovered. Difficult choices have to be made in order to be able to forgive and move on. I became invested with the main characters, though not perfect and not always making the best decisions, came across as real.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I don't know what exactly I expected from this book but it definitely delivers a wide range of emotions. The plot ends up being pretty far-fetched but it does move quickly so I kept reading. Probably an okay choice for distraction but not something I would whole-heartedly recommend.

This book was so utterly weird and I'm not sure what to make of any of it.. I feel like her first book is still her best book.

i was given this ARC by netgalley and publisher for honest review and opinion
Cecily has broken up with her long term bf, Matthew and ends up taking home a new guy named Grant who instantly falls in love with. Grant is not very reliable when he does not take Cecily ever to his home, shows up late at night, and is not very up front about himself. We do find out that he has a twin brother that is very ill with a mental illness.
the book was good even tho a little predictable. i felt at times that Cecily was portrayed as very naive and unrealistic but than again she is only 20 years old.

This book is an emotional roller coaster and I found by the end that I was disappointed in the characters' development most of all. I'll recommend this to readers who have enjoyed Giffin's previous books but definitely not one of my favorites.