Is there such a thing as love at first sight? Maybe it is for Cecily. She met Grant in a bar after her break up with Matthew. They took it slow and then 9/11 happened. Suddenly, Grant was gone, and Cecily is engaged to Matthew with a baby on the way. However, not all love stories can be wrapped up in a nice bow. This was a quick read about a beautiful twisted love story. The characters were well rounded and nicely thought out. I can't stand Matthew and his 'holier than thou' attitude. I don't have any negative comment on this story. It was almost perfect, with the exception that I don't really see Cecily in real life going back to Matthew even after Grant's death.


Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big Emily Griffin fan and I loved the first half of this book (writing style, characters, twist, etc). The second half? I found myself screaming, “What? No!” as the twists and the characters’ idiocy just went off the rails. No willful suspension of disbelief can save this novel.

If you enjoyed Something Borrowed, you'll love The Lies That Bind.

They're essentially the same story, only one is set against the heartbreaking backdrop of the 9/11 attacks. In fact, Rachel, Darcy, and Ethan even make an appearance in this story, which was fun...and a little nostalgic. I couldn't help but picture them as they looked in the film.

Anyway...

In the spring of 2001, following a devastating break-up with her boyfriend, Cecily meets Grant in a random NYC bar. What follows is a roller-coaster of a relationship which ends abruptly on 9/11, when Grant presumably dies in the World Trade Center's south tower.

Like all Emily Giffin's novels, I could hardly put my Kindle down...girlfriend can suck her readers in like a Dyson sucks in St. Bernard hair. Her secret? Her intensely likable and relatable characters--Cecily with her big family and Midwestern values; Grant with his unconditional dedication to his twin brother; and although stereotypical, even closeted Scottie, who is funny and fabulous.

My one and only complaint, and it's a small one, was Cecily's wishy-washy decision-making. Otherwise, all my reading buddies should grab a copy of this novel for themselves when it's published on June 2, 2020.

Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

*Thanks to Random House/Ballantine Books + NetGalley for the ARC!*

I love Emily's other books, so when I got this ARC, I dropped what I was doing to read it immediately. This is a book that pulls you in right off the bat and then doesn't let go!

Hiding the remainder of my thoughts to avoid spoilers.

First of all, I was pleased with myself for noticing the date the story began - May 2001 - and immediately realizing that 9/11 would play some part in this story. I wasn't sure if we would see characters living through it or a time jump around it (because admittedly, I didn't even read the blurb, it's just a must read based on author alone!), but in the past I don't feel like I've been super observant of these things, so I was pleased that I noticed that detail.

Okay on to the book itself! I enjoyed all the references - AIM! Answering machines! Throwback songs! - I tend to be on the side of less pop culture references because they often feel forced, but in this case, they worked. I also loved the chemistry between Cecily and Grant. I've always been a when you know, you know person, so their fast pace felt weirdly realistic to me.

That said, the reveal to Amy (where Amy basically says she knew already what was going on and has very little reaction to the whole thing) alongside the reveal that Grant is still alive felt very WTF to me. And then that Cecily takes him back after everything felt really UGH. Like let's leave aside that he's a white collar criminal, leave out that he faked his death and didn't contact you, let's consider *only* that he cheated on his wife - that's enough. Don't take that man back!

5/5 readability - it's a page turner! - 4/5 for the ending. Will recommend!

Wow, this book was a roller coaster! So many times, I thought I know what was going to happen... and then BAM, another twist or surprise. This was really well written and a joy to read. The characters were all special and fun to follow. Thank you for the opportunity!

I really enjoyed reading The Lies that Bind. I’ve read many of Emily Griffin’s books over the years and haven’t been disappointed yet.
Cecily was a strong character by the end of the book, much stronger than she started out as.
I really enjoyed the twist that the story took. A definite must read.

Thank you to Emily Giffin, Random House Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

I love all of Emily Giffin's books, and I really enjoyed this one. The ONLY issue I had with this book was the ending. It was just...meh to me, and I felt like it should've gone in another direction. The writing and descriptions of what happened during the 9/11 attacks were so intense that I felt I was right there in NYC. I loved how she snuck in Ethan, Darcy and Rachel as Something Borrowed/Something Blue are my favorites of her books.

Another winner from the amazing Emily Giffin!

The Lies That Bind
Emily Giffin
Publication date 6/2/20

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Lies that Bind is a 5 star book that will make you want to cancel all plans and stay home and finish up this book. It grabbed my attention immediately talking about Dido and many other nostalgic favorites from my life in mid 2001. Cecily Gardner becomes a character I root for, possibly someone I could become friends with.... I wasn’t sure exactly where this story was headed because I went in blind. Loving all of Emily Griffin’s books I had a feeling I wouldn’t be disappointed and when I was approved for an ARC for her newest book I was elated. This story was fast paced and kept me guessing. I felt myself often thinking where this story would end up. I wanted to put my life on hold so I could finish the book. I savored the last 1/3 of the book and didn’t want it to end. This is a thought provoking book as most people remember where they were during the attacks on 9/11. I loved the prior character tie in and will keep this story close to my heart! A wonderful masterpiece!!! Put this on your summer to read list!!

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3.5 stars**

Wow, not sure where to start with this book. The beginning was strong and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the chemistry between Grant and Cecily. But there was something off about him. Not until the middle of the book, the first plot twist comes which I kind of saw coming.

After that, it seemed a little far fetched and unrealistic. The fact that Amy was completely nonchalant about Cecily lying to her about Grant? And then Grant is alive out of nowhere. And then the ending had me screaming internally. She took him back after all of that!!! What? Ugh.

I was really connected to the story and it was hard to put down but the ending made me angry that she settled for Grant despite all the lies and bs.

Wow. This book really resonated with me not only as an independent woman living in New York of which I have had the unfortunate experience of being in relationships founded on lies but I also moved here in 2001. I will never forget 9/11 and what happened during that day and afterwards including the smell. I read this book in one sitting as I was utterly captivated. I am glad that Cecily followed her heart and head both with Matthew and Grant and fought for what she deserved rather than what was easiest.

So so good picked it up was drawn right in .Characters that come alive a storyline based around9/11 .Emotional moving a book I will be recommending an author whose books I always look forward to.#netgalley#randomhouse

Back to the real Emily Giffin style I love! I loved this book! Centered around 9/11, love and drama this book has a little of everything. I loved hearing from Darcy, Rachel and Ethan in this but wanted them to tie in more. Honestly, I feel the story did lack some depth and the ending left me wanting more. A solid 4 star- thanks to Netgalley for my advanced ebook copy! Coming June 2020!

I was very lucky to receive an arc of Emily Griffin’s new novel via netgalley. She is one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed this novel which is based roughly around the time of 9/11. It has a twist, which I did figure out on my own. I thought it was very well written and I did enjoy some surprise characters that were written in. :)

This book was so good. I didn't to put it down! The characters were well rounded, and the storyline sucked you into it and made you feel like you were really there. The author did an great job telling this story.