Emily Giffin was giving me all the vibes from my college years with the Steve Madden platform slides (I wore those literally every day), the AOL IM (can you hear the dial up internet tone) and Goldschläger shots (so much). And then 9/11. I feel like so much of life is thought of as pre or post 9/11- much like this story.

Newspaper reporter Cecily has just broken up with Matthew after three years because he is not ready to take the next steps. She happens upon Grant in a bar one night while wallowing and they have an instant deep connection. Months later, he is missing and presumed dead on 9/11. She spots his face on a Missing persons poster and discovers she isn’t the only one searching.... and she wonders how well she really knew him...

This is a book you start and absolutely cannot stop. Cecily and Grant’s connection is palpable. Then 9/11. And the twists and turns that follow. I couldn’t stop turning pages! And I’m honestly not sure how I felt about the ending.... pissed, satisfied, pensive.... I’m not sure Cecily made the choices I wanted. But maybe she did?? Idk. I’m SO CONFUSED by my feelings!!

It keeps the five stars because I was enthralled. No need for sleep could stop me. And instead of moving on to my next book, I’m still thinking about this one.

⚠️: major 9/11 trigger warnings here, as well as infidelity and ALS.

What I thought was going to be "just another fluff read" (which is still a great type of book) actually ended up having some really deep content. I feel this would be a fantastic book for book clubs or small literature circles. Along with these tough topics came a great deal of character development for readers to analyze and discuss. This was a great read that I didn't want to put down -- perfect for summer fun reading or for a more in-depth convo.

The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin was so cringe-worthy it made my eyes roll into the back of my head. September 11th is crucial to this story. Unfortunately the author demeans and trivializes this tragedy. It is so infuriating. I find it disrespectful to anyone who “will never forget” what happened that day. To the lost loved ones, the first responders, the by-standers and the horror felt by every New Yorker and freedom loving American

The majority of the characters are all terrible human beings and have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Which should be an indicator of good writing if you hate them that much. Not so. There are minor characters who have redeeming qualities. I’m disappointed in the author for trivializing such a monumental event. The main character couldn't possibly be bothered with a national tragedy when her heart is broken. Overall, I would not recommend this book.

I would like to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a huge fan of Emily Giffin’s novels and consider her one of my favorite authors. That’s why I am surprised to have to give this newest book only 3 stars ⭐️. What I usually appreciate in her novels is the inclusion of stories that demonstrate that neither life nor love is always tied up in a pretty bow and that unexpected complications should really be expected. While that was present in “The Lies That Bind”, the story became a bit too outlandish for my liking. Love stories that dealt with the grief of 9/11 were explored, but by the novel’s end, that part just left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. And personally (and unrelated to my final thoughts on the book), I found the protagonist’s inability to fully comprehend how her actions could lead others to have less than thrilling reactions, to be a bit annoying. As always, Giffin’s novel was a quick and entertaining read, but I just didn’t love it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy.

I enjoy all of Giffin's novels and this latest one did not disappoint. I devoured this and read it in two days!

Things I liked:
- The entire premise of the story
- The time period (hard to believe this was 19 years ago, but a lot of us reading can recall exactly where we were when this happened!) Giffin gives a lot of insight from the main character's (Cecily) perspective of that day and the aftermath
- I liked Grant and maybe I am naive, but I really didn't see the "twist" coming. I knew Grant had some things to hide, but didn't know it would be that!
- Amy. I didn't think I would like her, based on who she was. But she really grew on me!

Things I didn't like:
- Matthew (at all!) and Cecily's reliance on him
- The pregnancy storyline - it almost felt like an excuse to keep Matthew around

The perfect book to read outside during the Covid. Pretty silly a bit of a twist at the end. Very unlikely plot but it kept me occupied for a few hours

This book was incredible. I always love Emily Giffin’s books, but there was something different about this one that just took it to another level. It was heartbreaking yet uplifting, and there were some genuinely shocking parts. I finished this book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down, and I need to read it again already!

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. You can get your copy here : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YRWFWTJ/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

We begin this episode at a Grungy bar in Manhattan-what better way to start a book! It is the NYC version of, "It was a dark and stormy night..." This book has some great lines, " You look like a girl with a good mattress..." I am CRYING right now, after reading that.
This book is very deep. Don't get me wrong, I do love a deep thoughts book every now and then, but this one is like a bad break-up, where you just simply cannot get it out of your head- the only thing is, I cannot cyberstalk, do late night drive-byes to see if this book is home and grieving too. (LMAO!) Emily covers all the feels we all felt during the 9-11 tragedy. I moved the day before from Jersey City, so had I not moved that day, I would have been in the lobby of the towers that morning. The survivors all have a story of various forms of anger-my stupid train was late, I spilled coffee on my skirt and had to stop and get a new one, my kid was extra clingy that day, etc. My heart goes out to all of those families that lost someone on that day. Last year was the year that the kids born in 2001 graduated high school. The kids that were alive back then have seen such tragedy! This book has an affair, lou gehrig's disease (also known as ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), scandal, deception, Goldschlager, chance meetings, break-ups, deaths, love, loss and so much more. Emily packs so much punch into this book! I am not so sure I can carry on with my life, I may still be obsessing over Cecily and all the drama. I loved this book so much!!!! I cannot wait for Emily’s next book and hope I am honored enough to receive the AC of that!
While Cecily and her bestie, Scottie were getting back from London with Grant; they see that planes have hit the twin towers. This brings back so many feelings! I feel like that day, so many of us were paralyzed watching it over and over again with tears running down our faces. She is 40 blocks away, but still, that is close enough to smell the smoke and hear the helicopters circling. This brings us to some unfolding of the story. Things we could not have imagined have happened. I refuse to give any spoilers, so you will have to read the rest to find out how this unfolds.

Emily Griffin has been one of my favorite authors for years and I was positive that no book could top my love for All We Ever Wanted but this book rivals it and may beat it (😉). This book was a ROLLER COASTER. I loved the 20 something living in NYC vibe, the way Giffin describes the scene of 9/11 was so heartbreaking and made me nauseous, and the plot twists — let’s just say I almost read the whole book in one sitting because I NEEDED to know what happened next. I don’t know how Giffin gets better with each book she writes but she does and I love her for that. Pre-order this RIGHT now. You will not be sorry. If you like romance, plot twists, scandal and for your heartstrings to be pulled this is for YOU!

Let me start by saying I'm a HUGE Emily Giffin fan. I've read ALL her books. Unfortunately, I did not love this one. I think it's my least favorite of all her books. I loved the beginning and it drew me in right away--it went downhill from there. I like that 9/11 is showing up in fiction now--it's important to remember and discuss--which wasn't my issue here. The lies and drama was a bit too over the top for me. However, the book did keep me turning the pages, which is why it's getting 3 instead of 2 stars. I will definitely keep reading Emily's books in the future.

Hauntingly beautiful and richly emotional. I felt as if I were on a roller coaster while reading this story.
Many thanks to Ballantine Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Can someone tell me what the heck just happened here? This book is a solid 3.5 stars for me. The ending brought my rating down, but the fact I felt so many ragey emotions and binge read the whole book meant I couldn’t give it a 3 star rating. There was so much back and forth in this book, it made my head spin. Although I did see the twist and ending coming, I sat here saying, please let me be wrong!

We meet Cecily in May of 2001 in NYC, just broken up with her boyfriend of 3 years, Matthew. She is down and out at a bar and meets Grant. It’s instant how they fall for each other, almost like an obsession, but he has a terminally ill brother and needs to go to London for a clinical trial. We all know what happens 9/11/01 so it’s safe to assume that those plot lines are thrown in there. At first you think one thing, then you think ok, NOW she will be happy, then you think, oh wait maybe NOW, but in the end it is all over the place.

I loved seeing a glimpse of Rachel, Darcy and Ethan though. Ethan was still the voice of reason, which I loved. This book put my emotions through the wringer, for sure. My heart almost beat out of my chest a few times. I expected to only start it tonight, but not finish it. In the end, i has to know if my suspicions were correct or not. Thank you to Emily and Netgalley for letting me read it early.

I enjoyed this book, even though I had read several non-favorable reviews and was kind of prepared not to like it. It was a quick, easy, fun read. Even though I might not have made the same choices as the main character, to me, that's why we read, to live in someone else's shoes for a bit. I even enjoy being like "Don't do that!" while I'm reading, lol. At first I did not like the ending being all wrapped up and pretty, but I am liking it now that it has settled on me for a few hours. This was an enjoyable escapist book for me. I would recommend it to others.

I'm usually a big fan of Emily Giffin's novels, but with The Lies That Bind, I think it's going to be a case of "It's me, not the book." I just really struggled to connect with the main character, Cecily. She was somewhat naive and I just couldn't relate to some of her choices. Even though I struggled to connect with her, the story itself was still entertaining enough to keep me turning the pages. It's filled with those dramatic twists and turns that Giffin does so well. I have to admit I was a little conflicted about the use of 9/11 in the book but overall, even though it's not my favorite Giffin read, it's a pretty solid read.

This book follows the story of a twenty-something woman named Cecily Gardener living in New York city in the early 2000's. She had just broken up with her boyfriend Matthew and is drinking alone at a bar when she meets Grant.

Grant is sexy and mysterious and they immediately feel a connection and end up falling madly in love. However, Grant leaves to go to London over summer and that puts a strain on their relationship - having to maintain it over long distance. Imagine, e-mailing at an internet cafe! No FaceTime or Skype!

Grant comes back in the city but then 9/11 happens. And Cecily's world falls apart. Grant is missing and can't be found and the aftermath that follows is full of twist and turns.

I had really, really high expectations for this book. I read and loved some of Emily Giffin's other book, including one of my all time favorites Something Borrowed.

Let's start with the highs - loved getting that "inside" experience on what it must have felt to be in New York during 9/11 I think Giffin handled that exceptionally well. I also enjoyed the nostalgia of that time, of not having the same internet access that we're all used to right now. I liked that Cecily was a very complicated heroine which I always enjoy.

I couldn't however, get behind the relationships in this book which is what this entire story is centered around. At the end of the day I also couldn't get into the ending because I thought it was going to end another brilliant wonderful way which would have made this book 5 stars for me and I almost wish I stopped and didn't read the actual ending.

Thank you to Random House via NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Giffin is a consistent favorite author! Her stories never disappoint and The Lies That Bind is no different. I give this book 5 stars. Its an excellent read.

What would you do if the man you loved vanished from your life…forever? That’s what happened to New York writer Cecily Gardner and what happens next makes The Lies that Bind simply unputdownable.

After an inevitable breakup with her longterm boyfriend Matthew, Cecily meets Grant in a bar. They instantly connect although she knows it is too soon for another relationship and Grant is leaving for London to care for his sick brother. Their instant love affair is too much to resist, so they keep in touch and visit over the summer although some behaviors leave Cecily doubting Grant. Then he disappears into the chaos and tragedy of 9/11. She finds a poster of Grant with contact information and that lead turns Cecily’s world upside down. Then Matthew reenters her life.

The Lies that Bind is about love - what it means to truly love someone. It’s also about what makes a family and the love that holds that family together. And it’s about lies told to protect yourself and others. Cecily, Grant and Matthew are hard to forget. 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and Emily Giffin for this ARC.

Emily Giffin books are always a treat and the Lies That bind is a great read!

Many thanks to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Boy and girl meet. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy and girl break up. Girl meets another boy and falls in love with him. Boy #2 disappears during 9/11. Girl goes on a quest to find him only to discover things aren’t what they seem. I was hooked from the first chapter of this novel. I’m already an Emily Giffin fan and this book did not disappoint. What a tangled web this book is and I couldn’t put it down!!

Emily Giffin’s latest novel, The Lies That Bind, is simply “unputdownable!” As a fan of Giffin’s earlier books, I was excited to get my hands on this one. I was not disappointed. The main character, Cecily, is a young newspaper reporter/journalist who has recently broken up with a long time boyfriend. She meets Grant and the story takes off. There’s some mystery, romance, travel, and deception. Most of the novel takes place in New York City in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Pick it up, you will be happy you did!