This is a somewhat fictionalized story about the Kennedys. It was a sweet book that explores questions of class and secrets, abuse, publicity and how that impacts relationships. It wasn't for me much of an emotional connection, maybe the writing style was a bit removed or ? . Others seemed to love it

Love this author and this book is a reason why! Very much like reading the tale of the Kennedy’s! Easy book to get lost in!

My grandmother subscribed to every major magazine and kept them in haphazard stacks next to her recliner in the den. When the month of publication was over, those magazines were mine. I read them, then cut them up, using them for design ideas or art projects. Some I'd keep for months afterward, organized chronologically in a suitcase under my bed (I was born to be a librarian). One of those covers had JFK Jr on the cover, looking slightly over his shoulder, hand to his chin. This image became the model for a portrait I had to paint for art class - and that portrait was selected for the countywide art show. So, with the premise of Meant to Be loosely based on the relationship of JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette, I had to read it. It was a push the other books to the side and start this book moment. I had stared into the dark, knowing eyes of this man for a solid six weeks, trying to get the flow of his swept-back hair just right - and I didn't mind one bit. I wanted to read this reimagining of his love story.

Emily Giffin makes the story a bit more than Camelot's bad boy heir meets his match, instead weaving in domestic violence and classicism for added depth. Girl from New Jersey who doesn't finish high school because she starts modeling meets the man she had pinned to her wall as a teenager. This is more a beach read, hitting the romance notes hard, but it does tap into the plotlines of an engaging story.

I love Emily Giffin and have been a fan since the beginning. I'm always excited when she writes a new book. I am grateful to this book, because I have been struggling with recreational reading lately, and nothing has hooked me. True to Emily Giffin style, this book hooked me and I finished it in 2 days. I liked Cate's backstory much more than Joe's, though the Kennedy nods were highly recognizable. Maybe it just seemed predictable to me. I really wanted to love this book, but I only ended up really liking it, if that makes sense. Maybe I'm cynical but I feel like if I were Joe, my patience would have long worn thin with Cate by the end of the book. The ending felt rushed to me, and like all the pieces fell magically into place. However, I would still recommend this read and will be purchasing it for our library. I appreciate the ARC and the chance to review it.

As always, Emily Giffin delivered another stellar novel. This time, Giffin tells the story of Joe Kingsley Jr and Cate Cooper and their unlikely road to love. Readers will notice similar details between Giffin's Joe Kingsley Jr and his notorious Kingsley family and JFK Jr of the historic Kennedy family, including his aversion to his family's fame and the pressures for him to follow in his father's footsteps, and ultimately him finding his love match in a very private, very blonde fashion representative. Giffin pulls many similarities from the real life Kennedy story, giving readers who may or may not be JFK Jr fans, a glimpse into the life of America's Bachelor, but she also crafts Joe and Cate's story as their own. Cate must face the not-so-happy past that she's tried to hide her entire life in an effort to save Joe's might-be political clout. Once again, Giffin creates complex characters and a story with twists just when you think you know what's going to happen next.

AMAZING!!!! Maybe Giffin's best book yet!!!!!!!!!! I felt like it was smart and well paced. Well done!!!

This book is loosely based on the Kennedy family.

From the start they were an unlikely pair; a wealthy golden boy and the girl from the other side of the tracks.

Joe Kingsley III is part of a upper crust family that is practically considered American royalty. Cate grew up in a meager, single parent home. She is thrust into the spotlight when she enters the modeling industry as a young teen.

When they meet there is an instant and strong connection. Will their relationship be able to withstand the near constant attention that Joe receives on a daily basis?

I am a fan of Emily Giffin and looked forward to this book, as she takes her time to publish, thereby offering the reader her best. Her writing style is engaging but then I would expect nothing less. The story of Joe and Cate are captivating and I truly can’t wait for her next publication!

⛵️Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5⛵️

I do not even know where to begin with this story. I loved it. I laughed, cried, my jaw dropped at least once and I was on the edge of my seat for parts of it.

Cate was young when her mom told her that her dad died. They remained close until her mother remarried Chip, a cop who was abusive to her mom and Cate. She grew up in a small town and got out as soon as she could. She moved to New York to pursue a modeling career before she graduated from high school. Cate’s love life was practically nonexistent. She had occasional boyfriends here and there, but nothing serious or long term.

On the other hand, Joe Kingsley III is part of one of America’s most famous and loved families. His father also passed away when he was young but was consider an American icon and hero, and Joe was expected to live up to those standards. He went to a prestigious college, then to law school, and became a lawyer in the district attorney’s office. His love life was all over the place and was followed closely by the paparazzi.

When Joe and Cate meet, they have an immediate attraction and strong connection to each other. Joe can’t seem to get Cate out of his head and Cate wonders why Joe never called. When they finally reunite months later, the connection is still there. But with Cate wanting to stay out of the media and tabloids, will their relationship outlive the paparazzi and constant attention Joe receives?

I really enjoyed this book being told from Joe and Cate’s point of view. I felt it added more to the story and really got a feel for both characters and how they were feeling in the same moment. I loved Joe and Cate’s story, overall. It felt raw and genuine, and you could really tell how much they cared for each other. Their story was so captivating and I could not put this book down.

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are a romance reader, you need to read this book.

Meant to Be is set to be released on May 31, 2022.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books (Random House) for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

By all accounts, Joe Kingsley, III and Cate Cooper should never be together. He is from a wealthy, political family and she is from the wrong side of the tracks. He is a playboy bachelor who can have anything and anyone he wants. She is a serious girl trying to find her way in a world that doesn't favor someone with her social "status." After being discovered by a modeling agency, Cate's life begins to change. It is during this time that Joe's path crosses hers. This is NOT a story of rich boy meets poor but beautiful girl and changes the trajectory of her life forever. It IS the story of two very different people who, despite their differences test the theory that love conquers all. But are they truly meant to be?
Loosely based on the story of John F Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette, this is a love story for the ages. Emily Giffin hits the mark with this novel. As someone who has read all of her books, this one is definitely one of my favorites.

What if? It seems like this is the book about what ifs. #emilygiffin #meanttobe reinvents a fictional tale of #jfkjr and #carolynbessette a tale of love. Of meant to be. A world reimagined. It’s a cute story and if you are obsessed or just like the #kennedyfamily this is a read for you. Not all fairy tales last forever. But maybe. Just maybe. Some can and do. #johnfkennedyjr #carolynbessettekennedy #kennedycurse #randomhousepublishinggroup #ballantinebooks #lovestory #readersofig #bookstagram

Emily Giffin writes the best romance novels. This book is simply so well written that you cannot put it down after the first chapter with its introduction into Joe's world. There's no big mystery of what is going to happen; the title says it all, but as a reader you find yourself so drawn to the characters and their love affair that it breaks your heart when things don't appear to go the right way.

I loved it, just like I have enjoyed all her previous books. I'm super grateful to Ballentine books/Penguin Random House for sending me this ARC.

Thanks Emily for writing such a beautiful love story.

I didn't know much at all about the Kennedy family, but it was fascinating to read this fictionalized account of JFK Junior (Joseph S. Kingsley III) and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (Cate Cooper), even if I can't say how much of it matched reality. Cate dropped out of high school to become a model, and when Joe sees her on a beach, he falls in love at first sight and begins a relentless pursuit, even as Cate thinks their two worlds are too different to merge. I loved this novel, even as it was very different from Giffin's others, and highly recommend it whether you know much about the Kennedy family or not. It's certainly made me want to research more!

It wasn't until finishing the book that I was aware of the parallels of the Kennedy lives in this book. Perhaps that changed by view after.... or not. It wasn't my favorite Emily Griffin book, but it was pretty good. A quick and easy read.

Predictable at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their development. One of Emily Giffin’s best, this is a fast read and perfect for an afternoon on the beach.

Thank you so, so much NetGalley, Emily Giffin and Penguin RandomHouse for this ARC. Emily is one of my top authors and I always get so giddy when I get an ARC of any of her books.

I absolutely could not put this down once I picked it up. I finished reading it in a few hours. I loved the characters, emotional roller coaster and mostly the love story of Cate Cooper and Joe Kingsley. Cate and Joe are from 2 different worlds and once their worlds collide no-one can stop what is happening. This story wrecked me in all the best ways and left me wanting more. This is definitely one to add to your TBR no matter how big the pile is. You have until 5/31 to clear the pile and when Meant to Be hits the shelves. Just in time for your beach bag!

I always love an Emily Griffin book and Meant To Be is no exception. It was clear to see that Joe and Cate were fictional characters based off of JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. That knowledge didn't make me feel like I knew what would happen. I was still excited to continue reading and had a hard time putting it down! It was completely refreshing to imagine what their lives had been like as well as would have been like in today's time, had the I tragic deaths had not taken place.

Emily Giffin is magical and this book proves that. I was so into this book that I couldn't put my phone down. The parallels were obvious throughout but not in an obnoxious way. It was just enough. The ending was obviously incredible and I won't give spoilers but WOW. Just wow. Well done.

Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors and I loved this book like I have all of her others.

Joe's family is like American royalty. Everyone knows who they are, they are fabulously wealthy, and they live a privileged life. Cate comes from the wrong side of the tracks who makes it big as a fashion model.

When Joe happens upon a photoshoot Cate is doing on the beach, he falls for her. Cate tries not to fall back. She feels like there's no way the two of them can possibly work given that they have such different backgrounds.

However, they were meant to be. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for my arc. I always love Emily Giffin’s books and was so excited to get to read this one early.

Right away, I realized the Kennedy connections in the storyline. I enjoyed that it followed the point of view for both main characters, Joe and Cate. I also liked how everything was tied up in a nice bow at the end.

If only it had turned out this way. A fun read with believable characters and a storyline that keeps you reading.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58935768