As an Emily Giffin fan who has read most of her books, I was excited to read this one as I enjoy her light writing style but I also love her characters--most of the time. I'm thinking back to the first Emily Giffin book I ever read, Something Borrowed, that I absolutely devoured. A previous review that I read had mentioned some similarities to that book, so I was even more excited to read this one.

I'm a setting girl. I love reading about places and transporting myself in that time/place. Since I was 20 when 9/11 happened, I remember it down to every last detail. However, my memories are from the midwest, and my memories are where I was and what I was seeing on the TV. I wasn't in New York, so reading a story that takes place during 9/11 right in the heart of the tragedy was both fulfilling and equally heartbreaking. To also head back to the early 2000s, right in the heart of my college years, I enjoyed the references to style, music, television, etc.

Now, to the plot: I was absolutely sucked in during the first half of the book. I was such a Grant fan, and I was enjoying every second of my reading. After about the first half, the plot seemed to just add one more slightly unbelievable point after another. There was that small voice in my head saying, "Could this really happen?" All of my own hesitation aside, I very much enjoyed this book. I tore through it, and for you Emily Giffin fans, Ethan, Darcy, and Rachel make an appearance in the book, which just made me smile like a giddy little kid.

If you've never read Emily Giffin, you should definitely start. This is a nice, easy, breezy quick read. I highly recommend it if you need something light (though Emily Giffin's last two books have strayed from her typical lightness, I've felt.) If you want REALLY light, start with Something Borrowed, (then obviously read Something Blue...), and then request this one when it comes out in August. Definitely worth the read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for ARC.

I don't think this genre is for me; I had a feeling where the story was going early on and wanted to see if it reached the conclusion I thought it would (yes. It did). The parts about 9/11 - having been there, were both difficult to read but honestly the most compelling part of the story. It was actually when I felt the writing come alive, weaving in a completely true narrative into this romantic work of fiction and capturing certain things so poignantly. I wish that depth and emotional resonance was in other parts of the story for me to be invested in - particularly Cecily. I felt like I knew Scottie and Grant and even Matthew better than I knew her. Adding in more layers to who she was and grounding her more in work and her own life outside of her romantic entanglements would go a long way. I understand that she wanted the kids the house and the husband but she never seemed to think who she was, all of that withstanding. But thats why the genre isn't for me: I'm not that kind of romantic. But for those who believe in soulmates and gut feelings and love at first sight, this book will work for them. It's got some messy complications but if the underlying theme is that love conquers all then those who believe that will find themselves their Labor Day read.

Tore through this book in one night as I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. There were so many twists and turns along the way, I couldn’t guess how it was going to end, but I was pretty satisfied with the happy ending (at least in my opinion) we got. It was fascinating to watch Cecily live through 9/11 and the aftermath, and while she kept a big secret throughout much of the book that felt a little odd, it wasn’t quite Sophie Kinsella-style where I was angry at the silly girl for not just telling the truth. This was so different from Giffin’s other novels (although some of the characters from her other books did, of course, make a cameo), but I really liked how it made me think about the circumstances that cause us to lie, and whether good people can make mistakes and do bad things… but still be good people at heart.

I love Emily Giffin books, and this was one of my favorites. I always appreciate how you can always relate to every perspective in her books, and your loyalty shifts page by page. I"ll definitely include this in my summer book roundup.

I don't even know where to begin with this review, so I guess first, I rarely finish a book that I'm not enjoying, this book was making me angry, but I still wanted to know what happened. I generally enjoy Emily Giffin's writing, but this book was over dramatic with too many frustrating twists and turns.

This book is so great - romantic, mysterious, and hopeful. It is a book that keeps you reading - you just want to find out more. What I particularly loved were the setting and characters. The NYC setting and characterizations were so well-done. Finally, this book offers us hope - hope for love, hope for second chances, hope for finding ourselves. A wonderful read!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Emily Giffin does it again! Masterful storytelling that pulls you in and makes you feel like you are part of the world you are reading about.

My one word that describes The Lies That Bind in unexpected. A story rife with unexpected second chances to several unexpected plot twists and the subject matter was definitely a little heavier than what we are used to reading from Emily Giffin, which while unexpected; still very welcome!

Giffin always seems to know how to give an ending that I want. I loved this book and am so happy I got to read it. It is one to add to the top of your TBR pile for sure!

#netgalley #TheLiesThatBind

Giffin's books are always great and this one was just as good and thoroughly enjoyed.

Cecily and Matthew have just gone their separate ways, but she is torn. Sitting in a bar one month after the breakup, she is about to drunken call him when a voice near her says not to. Good looking man, buys her a drink, so why not talk to him and let him walk her home?

The relationship with Grant shows her a lot of things missing in the relationship with Matthew and just feels like this is what true love really is.

Oh wait, the title talks about lies that bind, right? Of course it's not all as it appears, which takes up much of the book. The writing is comfortable, the characters are pretty likable and the story-line keeps you coming back. I hated for it to end. 4.5 stars

In this scary time we live in, it was a great mental escape and I so enjoyed my hours reading this. Great job. I look forward to more from her.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Emily Giffin's first books, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and Baby Proof were all books I found extremely entertaining and ones I enjoyed thoroughly. After that, I noticed I wasn't enjoying them as much anymore. I couldn't put my finger on it but I kept reading her work.

Then, this advance reader copy came along and I was so excited to see that I got absorbed into the story right away. I thought for sure I was heading to a 4.5 star review on Goodreads. Then, I heard the stars falling away about 60 percent into the book and it hurts me to say that!

The book starts off strongly. In New York, summer of 2001, Cecily is reeling from a breakup with her boyfriend Matthew and decides to drown her sorrows in a quick drink one night when she's feeling exceptionally morose. She meets Grant at the bar she chooses and there just seems to be an instant connection. They start off on a relationship and Cecily just cannot get over how it is working out.

You know right away with the way things are worded and the time frame, the horrors of 9/11 are going to happen in the story. I thought up to, and including this part was written well. I felt the sadness and tragedy of 9/11 all over again and the author did a good job in describing the feel of the city and the effects it had on all who lived there.

So, it was no big surprise that Cecily and Grant's story would be affected by the terrorist attacks, but I don't want to give anything away. Suffice to say, that because of the attacks in the book, secrets come out.

I was totally fine with all this and the FIRST secret that came out. Then, the SECOND thing learned was also kind of, if not surprising, still kind of a blow, but still in a good way. I was looking forward to how the author was going to address these issues and how Cecily would come out the other side. I looked down at my Kindle and saw that I was about 60 percent through and thought, "Wow, how in the world is this going to wrap up and end?" There is also a lot more that happens with Cecily and her ex, too, but that wasn't what was engrossing me most at that point.

Then, unfortunately in the book just started nose diving. No spoilers, but the reactions of the people to certain events were mind blowing and totally unrealistic. Almost like the author thought that she didn't know quite what to do with them and hurriedly wrapped it up. The THIRD thing (at the cabin) seemed like just an extra thing to throw in for shock value and nothing more.

Finally, I got one of those endings that are really far fetched and left scratching my head in disbelief in the way it was wrapped up in a bow. I really do hate leaving negative reviews, but there's no sense in acting like I liked it if I didn't. I'm sure some will love this story upon its' release in June 2020.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for this opportunity. No review was required and all opinions are my own.

A perfect beach-read for a relaxing afternoon. I enjoy Emily Giffin's writing and storytelling style. Simple, rom-com style books with lovable characters, a feel of summers in New York, and moments that you could almost picture as a movie as you're reading it. I felt this way with "The Lies That Bind" in its fairly predictable, but enjoyable style. I found myself cheering on the main character Cecily as she was reeling after a breakup. I could relate with her wanting to call her ex, waiting to see if he had called her....wondering what he was thinking about her....and also the giddy feelings of falling in love with a new love interest. I almost felt those giddy, twitter pated feelings she experienced as she fell in love with. But with events of September 11th turning her world upside down what was next for her? What about the new love interest, who might have been living a double life. Cecily's life is now even more complicated as she navigates the historical events surrounding 9/11 in addition to a tumultuous love triangle. Ultimately being faced with life changing events herself.

I enjoyed the lighthearted, mostly clean book. A great escape for a beautiful spring day (even if I am stuck at home during the COVID19 pandemic......)

(I receive an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for my honest review of the book)

No. Just...no. As a New Yorker, the whole 9-11 angle felt extremely exploitive and the actual story itself was so beyond ridiculous, I couldn’t even wrap my head around it. The characters were all terrible human beings. I’ve never been so upset with a book. Can I even give it zero stars?

Another fast-paced, absorbing read from Emily Giffin. Cecily meets a man in a bar shortly after a break-up. Their instant connection is something more than what she's had in the past, and yet still mysterious in some ways. Months later, tragedy strikes, and Cecily's life keeps taking unexpected turns in so many ways. Readers will not want to put down this book so they can keep reading what happens next.

I'm a little bias on my review because I'm a fan of Emily Giffin's books in general. I have read all her books, some I liked and some I loved. "The Lies that Bind" I loved. I was hooked on Cecily and Grant's love story from the get-go. I wanted to be single again and experience finding your soulmate all over again. Then something happens and I was not happy with how things were turning out...by the time I finished the book, I was loving the ending.

Thanks Emily Giffin for another beautiful book, NetGalley and RandomHouse for my advance reader copy.

On the rebound, would-be author Cecily meets her perfect match at random in a New York bar when Grant discourages her from calling her ex. She is bereft after September 11th when she learns that Grant worked as an investor in one of the towers and has gone missing. She sees a missing poster for him and tracks down the phone number, only to find out that it was posted by his wife, and that's how she learns about all of the secrets he kept from her. Not only that, but she soon realizes that she is pregnant with his child--or is it her ex's? This novel continues with twists and turns, concluding with a romantic resolution.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Let’s get what I didn’t like out of the way: I found the pacing to be a bit slow in the middle, and I found the ending to be unbelievable... however, I really enjoyed the book in spite of those things! The author did a great job with describing 9/11 - she really nailed it. I thought the main character was likable, and I enjoyed most of the secondary characters. The gay best friend was a nice touch. I enjoyed reading it and would likely recommend it to a friend.

I loved this hopeful book. Twisty but a satisfying end. I loved the characters, the setting and the story!!

So grateful to the author and publisher for allowing me an ARC of this novel. I love Emily Griffin and her novels. Was so excited to read this ! And I was not disappointed. This book has it all. Love, Lies. Secrets. Heartbreak. Redemption ? I don't want to give away too much so I'll keep it simple. I am not sure what you will see coming and what you won't. There are lies, lies and more lies. Excellent book.

The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin was a bit different than what I am used too from this author and yet I was captivated from the start. We meet Cecily as she is trying to move on from a previous relationship, but struggling, when she meets Grant. It was supposed to be one night, but one night was not enough. Then when tragedy strikes the nation, Cecily’s life is turned upside down in more ways than one. What happened to Grant? Who is he and what secrets is he hiding? There are surprises, twist and turns throughout this story. It was an emotional and intriguing story from start to finish.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC.

Hi, huge Emily Giffin fan here. I have read everything she has ever written, and purchase multiple copies of her books to give to family in friends because I’m that fan. But what... was this. At first, this was so strong. I was riveted. Even more so when Giffin described the morning of 9/11 from the main character’s point of view. It gave me the chills. But right after that? This book took a nose dive. It was so unrealistic and unbelievable. It was like two different people wrote this book. And the ending!! I rolled my eyes so hard. I did not love it.