NOTE: I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very mixed feelings about this one. The book is a page turner and I stayed up til 2am finishing it last night. So in that sense, Giffin did a great job writing - the book keeps apace, she builds up to a test that you try to guess, she weaves in some favorite characters from her previous books as is her trademark. I do think she could have captured the feeling that was surrounding NYC after 9/11 more vividly. I was in NYC at the time, and I believe Giffin was as well. I just feel she is a good enough writer to have brought that feeling of sadness, anxiety, community to life better than she did.

Also, I was disappointed in the main character. I think she makes bad decisions throughout the book, including the ending. Again, the writing was good in the sense that I had several guesses on the potential twist and I stayed awake reading trying to see which, if any, of my guesses were correct. But in the end, I didn't like the choices made and that left me feeling disappointed overall.

If you are a fan of Giffin, definitely read this book, particularly for the cameos. If you've never read her books before there are others that I'd recommend more highly than this one.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this. I will be posting a full review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Instagram.

You know I read so many books and truthfully the majority of them have been a big disappointment lately. The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin was not a disappointment.
I am a reader that prefers the focus on characterization and we do get to know Cecily very well. Do I agree with all her decisions? Absolutely not and while I do think some of her decisions are not believable, I still enjoyed the book and I think it's because of the writing. I've read a lot of Emily Giffin's books and not all are equal. But I've always enjoyed her writing and that is everything! Her characters are rich in emotion and I like it that we know what Cecily's thinking most of the time. She is a character torn throughout most of the story and does cling to a short fling that left her with profound sadness. ( don't want to spoil this)
I do recommend this book highly simply because it's good writing and an interesting story. Thanks so much to NetGalley!

So, I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to start checking those chick lit book boxes on questionnaires about my favorite book genres. I literally started this book today. It was a school holiday and I am feeling a little blue because today was suppose to be my flight to Argentina for a study abroad week with my NYU grad program... so I started on this arc, courtesy of @ballantines @netgalley and @randomhouse — needless to say, I could not put it down. It pulled at my heartstrings, it made me cry, and it made me a little more hopeful. @emilygiffinauthor has a magical ability to make you feel all the feelings when you least expect it. *sigh. Now I’m sad that it’s over. Make sure to pick this gem up on June 2 and grab a box of antiviral Kleenex just in case (I’m mean, for so many reasons at this point!! And now I’m pretty sure I need to binge read (again!!) some more Emily Griffin since I’m off all week..

Another great book by Emily Giffin!

Such a great story and yet heartbreaking to be taken back to 9/11.

#teamgrant

This story is about Cecily who meets a man named Grant, shortly after breaking up with her boyfriend named Matthew. Something felt off to me about Grant, but their relationship blossomed and things turn out okay. The story has a hint of mystery/intrigue as we learn more about Grant, and takes some surprise turns that I didn't expect.
As I just got to the end of the story, i'm not sure if i feel like there was good resolution to the story. It feels a little disjointed, and just has me thinking "huh..."

Another emotionally packed novel from Emily Giffin! A love affair cut short by 9/11 is the center of the novel with suspenseful twists and turns throughout. The book will hook readers from the start all the way to the twisty finish. A few tears might be shed, too.

The Lies That Bind has to be the best novel Emily Giffin has written in years! So rarely do we get a novel set in the early 2000s that combines our recent history with well developed (and for me, relate-able) characters. Giffin clearly knows her audience - I could not put the book down, and I couldn't stop thinking about Cecily when I was not reading. She even got me with a twist and an ending I found satisfying. I am looking forward to reading it again. Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #TheLiesThatBind by @EmilyGiffin

Beautiful story about real life people, decisions we make, and the ripple effects those choices have on shaping our lives.
Cecily and Mathew have a three year relationship that doesn't seem to be going any where. Deciding that she wants more, Cecily ends things. To drown her sorrow she goes to a bar, and upon contemplating calling Mathew and admitting she made a mistake, she hears a voice telling her not to call. Hence her introduction to Grant. Grant and Cecily have an instant connection, at times it almost feels too good to be true. And the saying goes, if something feels too good to be true, it probably is! What starts out as a rebound love turns into a life altering relationship. But after Grant is presumed dead on 9/11 things about Grant's life come to light, and most of it does not add up to the Grant Cecily knew and loved. There are many twists and turns to Cecily's life and story, and I truly enjoyed following along.
This is another great book by Emily Giffin.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Griffin has done it again! I love the way she writes this bittersweet love story! Perfect for this long summer days coming up.

Emily Giffin has been my favorite author for years, but this one is really different and similar to her previous work...in the best way.

The story is about an immediate reaction to a new person, and how chemistry can be instantaneous...until you find out it might have all been a lie. Emily Giffin uses her characteristic emotional depth, character development and fluid storytelling in combination with a unique story about what's forgivable, what isn't, and how a real connection can change everything.

Loved the book. She just proved why she's still my fave!

Cecily has just broken up with her long-term boyfriend, Matthew. She loved him, but he didn’t seem to put her first in the relationship and wasn’t eager to take the next steps toward marriage. When she’s on the brink of breaking down and calling him, she meets Grant---and the connection is instant. Even within a few weeks, Cecily realizes she has feelings for Grant like she’s never before, not even with Matthew. And even though she sees things she wants to ask Grant about, she knows there’s time for all of that. Except then 9/11 happens, and Grant goes missing, presumed dead…by his wife. I am a big fan of Emily Giffin’s and this book is right up there for me. She has a way of writing very relatable characters and very real situations, and she did it again with this book. And as someone who can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the planes hit the World Trade Center, I’ll say she got all of that part right, too.

Special note of thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book. From the first page, I could not put it down and finished in less than 2 days. I loved how the story was intricately woven and how the characters were developed. I truly did not know how this was going to end and wrap it, but I ended up loving the end and how it all tied together. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This novel is slow to start, but it really gets going in the last third. Cecily, a single journalist, is living in New York when she meets Grant. They connect instantly. However, tragedy strikes and Cecily struggles to find herself in the aftermath of 9/11. I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Nice novel about a girl who falls in love and her beloved dies unexpectedly. His death leaves many questions unanswered.

I have read all of Emily's books and find them to be a good escape. This was no exception. A fun diversion for an afternoon read when the rest of the world seems to be coming apart, more every day. The book was some what predictable but always enjoy the writing and the occasional surprise.

This book gutted me again and again ... I love a love story and this was a pretty great one with twists and turns for interest. This book is a must read ! Thank you to the publisher for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! I’m so confused! I’m pissed! I’m entertained! I’m heartbroken! I’m surprised! I’m so flabbergasted right now!

Normally I’m not indecisive person but this book seems like written by so many different authors or one author suffers from mood swings because that’s a first for me to love this book so much but also hate it truly.
It starts charmingly intriguing, hot and riveting then makes you curse to the characters for several reasons and in the middle a big bombshell changes everything: you turned into a toddler, dripping off saliva and talking gibberish, shaken to the core, and then more drama, angst, trauma….. Then what? The one of the worst endings of the book history (I can compare it with GOT’s, Lost’s final episode or unbelievably the most stupidest screenwriting of Alex’ Karev’s leaving episode of Grey’s Anatomy)

Let me tell you my problem with examples:

Firstly, we’re introduced with our heroine Cecily, suffering from bad breakup, blabbering nightmare about Rachel Green and her “break” with Ross Gellar. (She should see the letter she wrote 18 pages-back and forth-)
She misses her boyfriend so she decides instead of whining at the house, heading to the bar to drink herself numb but a perfect charming stranger stops her before she make a drink dialing to her ex and you know the drill, they talk, they like each other’s company and they decide not to talk about their names, having one night stand. (So, I think this book’s fast, hot and sexy chemistry, a little chic-lit-ish start deserves 4 stars!)

But then the charming, sexy hero gives his name: GRANT! It should be ended with one night but yes unfortunately our soooo naïve, blind Cecily falls in love with Grant who has so many neon plates pointing at him as an “untrustworthy guy”. There were so many signs implicate that she should run without looking back.
He doesn’t take her to his home, introducing her as friend, appearing at her place in the middle of the night, seems like he’s living a double life. What this asshole is hiding?

Okay Cecily, you are young but you shouldn’t act like you just donated your brain cells for saving money for your grocery shopping. Come on girl: the guy says he has a twin suffer from terminal disease and he has to take care of him. But don’t you think most of his excuses he told you are too fishy!

But I have to admit the brother was real and I feel like he was evil twin. I couldn’t connect with the character so well. Eventually my points start to go back and forth between two and three stars.

And then: BANG! Of course from the blurb and the dates, you may see it coming: one of the most painful, tragic events of the world history occurs. Grant dies at 9/11: I have to admit those parts of the book telling the tragedy and afterwards, the psychological breakdown it created on the civilians, their sufferings, anxieties, PTSD, grief are told by the author incredibly impeccable. That was the great example of the perfect writing. It’s so much better than “The girl you used to know” novel’s approach.

And there are so many bombshells, twisty, surprising facts Cecily has to face after Grant’s death which are magnificent. And eventually she returns back to her ex. Now she can have her happily ever after and I’m so ready to give FIVE STARS because of those amazing and powerful chapters.
BUT…. Yes I don’t wanna spill the beans but guess who’s back, back again, Shady’s back, tell a friend! I know we need a little controversy cause it feels so empty without him. ( See! I start to quote Eminem’s Without Me, that’s the side effect book caused on me!)

And more angst, blab la bla, more tears, more painful chapters later (my stars drop to 3 by the way after Shady is back!) we have a really bad conclusion of this starting great, developing well but ending unsatisfyingly story!

Don’t get me wrong! I love Emily Griffin’s books so much and I was delighted to have an opportunity to read this ARC and even though I was agitated by MCs and too many meaningless angsty and heart tearing parts, I was so ready to give 4 stars because it was still above the average and especially 9/11 parts of the story mesmerizingly heart-wrenching and poignantly described. But I didn’t like the ending just a little bit. This is not fair for me and I found it abrupt and awkward.

So unfortunately I’m giving three solid stars. I wish there would be miracle and the author could write another ending to conclude her characters’ stories.

So much special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine for sharing this promising ARC (even I have questions about ending) in exchange my honest review.

I love the way Emily Giffin writes a story and this did not disappoint! It’s a bittersweet love story with a 9/11 element added. There were a lot of twists and turns in the story that compelled me to keep reading. Her characters were interesting and their personalities were thoroughly examined. Highly recommended! #TheLiesThatBind #EmilyGiffin #NetGalley

I'll start this by saying Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors so when I dived into her latest, The Lies That Bind, I went in with high expectations of loving it...and I did...at first. The first half of the book and second half of the book were vastly different for me. I don't want to spoil it but I loved the first half and didn't love the second half of the book. The first half was classic Emily Giffin and the second half was just fluff until the last few chapters when she tried to tie everything together but it just didn't hit the mark for me.

I am eagerly awaiting her next book now that I just devoured this one in a few days time!