Meant to Be by Emily Giffin is a romance novel centered around a fictional Kennedy-esque family.

While enjoyable, I often found the story to be bland, the characters shallow, and overall less than what I expect from Emily Giffin.

Touching on a plethora of issues—domestic abuse, dead parents, the pressures of being from a famous family and dealing with the paparazzi—Meant to Be fails to connect on an emotional level. Throughout the novel, our narrators Cate and Joe are telling instead of showing us the story. This distance makes it fairly emotionless.

Standard rom-com plot format. Some backstory, a meet-cute, the dating period, “the event” that separates our couple, the subsequent reconnecting, and finishing off with a happy ending.

⭐⭐
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Thanks to Netgalley.com and Ballantine Books for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Joe and Cate grow up with very different backgrounds, but manage to find their lives intertwined anyway. And when they meet, that’s it—everything that came before and everything that comes after no longer matters, because they are Meant To Be. A fictional account loosely based on JFK Jr. and his wife, I still found it hard to put down, with Giffin’s writing style and attention to detail as fabulous as always.

Special Note: Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an hones review.

Meant To Be was an interesting book as told from each perspective of the characters Joe and Cate. It was easy to get involved in each page although the Kennedy family parallels were evident. Overall, it was a lovely book and thoroughly enjoyable.

**SPOILERS** - I am so thankful to be able to read Giffin's newest novel. When I first began reading I was immediately reminded of the Kennedy family. Perhaps this is because I live in Massachusetts. I fully expected the novel to be a retelling of the Kennedy's but I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the dual narrative, especially Cate's chapters. I have grown to expect some sort of conflict in Giffin's novels earlier on in the novel. I kept expecting something major to happen (which it didn't) until the end. There's a part of me that wishes the plane crash happened a little sooner and I would have liked to have seen how Cate and Joe come back together after this traumatic moment. Overall another great read by Emily Giffin!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of Meant to Be and give my review and opinions. Emily Giffin is one of my absolute favorite authors and I was beyond excited to get my hands on this! I started it the second I received it and didn't stop reading until it was finished. I will tell you this book does NOT disappoint! So good ! This will be a book everyone will be talking about all summer long! Do yourself a favor and read it the second it's published.

With more than a nod to the story of the Kennedy Curse and JFK, Jr, this is a novel about two misfits who find that they fit together just fine. I would have enjoyed the story more if not for the soapbox politics scattered throughout. #MeantToBe #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthors

Meant to Be is a terrific novel relating a “What If” story that mimics the lives of JFK, Jr and Caroline Bissette. It is a story of a fairy tale-like love, rich man, poor girl. Cara comes from an abusive home that she leaves at eighteen with a prosperous modeling career. Joe comes from a wealthy, noted family but really he has no definite career goals and lives under the pressure of who he is. Their insecurities chase them as they try to be a semi-normal couple.

Meant to Be was not Giffin's best work. Joe and Cate had absolutely no chemistry until 80% into the book. The story itself was enjoyable to read.

The Kennedys are actually bad, but this Kennedy fanfic is fine. Not Giffin's best but also certainly not her worst.

Emily Giffin once again delivers an enjoyable read. The characters are believable and the plot lines keep you reading well past your bedtime. My only complaint is it could have been even more salacious.

Meant to be is a lovely romantic saga, with a great twist. The characters are well-written, and the pacing is lovely. This might be my favorite Emily Giffin book yet!

I loved the Kennedy vibe to this story and how it paralleled JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s love story. It was a quick read. I just felt that the ending was rushed. I would have enjoyed another few chapters tying things up before the epilogue. I always love Emily Griffin’s work and would definitely recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read!

Another wonderful, impossible-to-put-down story from Emily Giffin! This one is loosely based on historical events, and quickly draws the reader in with compelling characters and a love story that is full of suspenseful twists and turns. I look forward to recommending this title.

I loved this book. Cate and Joe were such believable and real characters. I love how Joe struggled with living up to his father. Cate's insecurities were relatable and real. When Joe and Cate finally got together, their story was beautiful. I loved them together and how you tell how much they loved each other. I was worried that this book was going to leave me broken hearted, but in the end it was perfect.

I wish that Joe and Cate were real. I think they would help give people faith in humanity again. I don't want to say too much about the book because I don't want to give anything away.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes fairytales don’t exist. This is a great love story. Real emotions with characters you root for. Love that Emily Giffin writes so that the reader cares. Adored it

Full review www.Instagram.com/marisagbooks

Cate has a less than idealistic childhood, but the one constant she has in her young life is heartthrob, Joe Kingsley. The poster on her bedroom wall helps her escape the abuse in her home. When Cate turns 18, she quickly leaves her past behind in exchange for a modeling career. Her newfound career introduces her to many celebrities including Joe Kingsley.

Giffin tells an delightful love story. Although predictable at times, I found it enjoyable. It would make a great summer beach read. The characters are likable, and the plot is sweet. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this pleasant and light read.

Giffin is back with a book that should be a hit for Summer 2022. I have been a fan of Giffin from the beginning and this proves to be no different. This book was loosely based off a "Kennedy" vibe.

Told in 2 different POV between Joe and Cate. I especially loved this, because we got to know Joe and Cate from their own POV. The story has everything one can ask for love, hope, friendship etc.

Cate comes from a rough background and escaped a violent situation and moves to NYC to make something of herself. She only comes back for Joe as he wants to see where she grew up. He couldn't believe what she came from.

Joe came from a very wealthy family and no one would every be good enough for him except his ex, according to his mom and best friend Berry. Joe and Cate's relationship will be put to the test because of this.

I truly enjoyed this book.

While this was not my favorite of the author’s, it was worth reading. I was interested to see how she was going to spin this tale that is touted as loosely based on John Kennedy jr. and Carolyn Bessette - Kennedy. I wish she included at the end, more about what was true and what wasn’t. Joe seemed a little too perfect, but maybe JFK jr. was.

I absolutely loved this story, could not put it down.
Cate Cooper had a rough start to life, losing her dad, living with an abusive step dad, and never quite fitting in. That is until a chance encounter with a modeling agent changes her life forever. New doors are open, and she finally has a chance to move away from the toxic environment of her home and start afresh.
Joe Kingsley has a huge burden to live up to the legacy of his father and grandfather. His mother puts a lot of pressure on him to do the right things, be with the right girl, and have the right career. He just want to be happy.
A fated meeting of Cate and Joe on a beach near his summer home during her photo shoot, leads them both on a path of love, forgiveness, and self discovery. They come from two very different backgrounds, but can they find a future together?
I loved both main characters and their real life relationship. The story alternated between the POV of Cate and Joe, but flowed seamlessly. Highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not my usual genre but it kept me entertained. Well written, nice to have the fairy tale end well unlike the real story.