Cate and her mother are poor. Cate's father died when she was three, leaving Jan to struggle to support them and jumping from man to man, looking for someone to take care of the two of them. Jan isn't that brilliant, and when Cate is in high school, she marries a violent, horrible man. Cate finally escapes into the modeling world and meets Joe Kingsley. They are from opposite sides of the tracks, so she plays it cool, knowing they have no future. Instead, they fall totally in love. But the hurdles seem insurmountable, and the end is breathtaking.

Giffin does a fine job of describing two worlds most of us will never encounter: high fashion and extreme wealth/pedigree. Yet she takes us inside those two worlds believably. The characters are well-drawn, and the dramatic tension is at a high pitch throughout. The ending was so satisfying I read it twice.

As I read, I thought the book seemed based on the lives of John Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, although I doubt the latter came from a poor, abusive background. Giffin's afterword adds richness to the tale. I recommend it 100%. What a treat.. Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this exquisite read.

These days, it takes a lot of me to want to pick up a straight romance novel, but I’ll make an exception for Emily Giffin every time. The fact this book is basically fanfiction inspired by John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette made me even more excited to start reading—though you don’t need to be a Kennedy aficionado to love this story.

“Meant to Be” is another five-star read from Giffin, sure to satisfy her readership. I laughed, cried, and rooted for these characters, just like I did with her earlier work (as I’m still not over the magnificence of Something Blue and Love the One You’re With).

Giffin is a writer who can really pull off two distinct character voices. I found myself enjoying Cate and Joe’s POVs, as both were needed to tell this enchanting love story. I loved reading their separate storylines and seeing how the stakes were laid for how they’d eventually converge. Within the first 3 chapters, I was already highlighting quotes on my Kindle.

My only minor complaint is that Cate’s gay friend, Curtis, felt very one-dimensional and flat. I would’ve liked to see his character go beyond being the sassy gay sidekick for Cate (the same complaint I had with Scottie in The Lies That Bind).

Overall, this book felt very cinematic, and I experienced so many different emotions as the story progressed. Meant to Be was beautiful, poignant (yet happy), and left me feeling all the feels when it was over. And this cover is stunning!

I am an absolute emotional wreck right now.
I didn’t know what I was going into. I just saw Emily had a new book and that’s a “no questions asked- instant request- instant read” situation for me. So, I follow sports and know all about athletes. My best friend knows the celeb stuff. We keep each other informed. As I was telling her about the book, she mentioned how it sounded a lot like JFK Jr. So I started Googling and on top of reading this book in under 24 hrs, I’m now an emotional basket case over the what ifs and what could’ve beens and what might’ve beens. Now, aside from that- Emily’s writing just gets better with every book. Each character felt like someone I knew. The development of characters, plot, time, place- all perfection. I’m left now feeling similarly to how I felt after watching Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and I’ll leave it at that as to not spoil, but the what-ifs now are breaking my heart. Once again, Emily has knocked it out of the park and even opened up a whole new interest for me in the Kennedys. Every star in the sky for this one!!!!
Can’t wait to buy the hardback on 5/31/22

MEANT TO BE is Giffin's imagining of the life and courtship of a man known as Joe Kingsley, Jr. - a character that greatly resembles JFK, Jr. In the novel, Joe meets and falls in love with Cate Cooper, a woman with a background very, very different from his own. With her usual inviting writing style and engaging characters, Giffin shows how romance is affected by the glare of the paparazzi and media. While not as deep as Giffin's previous novel, it was a very enjoyable read and reminds of of why Giffin is a jewel in the "chick lit" crown.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Emily Giffin has done it again. Meant to Be alternates between Cate and Joe, two people who lead very different lives. In early adulthood, their lives cross paths and a relationship is born. It was so easy to fall in love with both Cate and Joe throughout the book. Giffin tells their individual stories, as well as their love story, and all of the difficulties in between so well.

It is no surprise Emily Giffin is such a successful writer- her books are captivating, well developed, and keep you coming back for more. Didn't want to put this one down, and sad when it was finished.

I love this author and her latest is fabulous. Cate and Joe are from different places in society. Cate, a high school drop out turned model; and Joe, a Kingsley. Cate is strong, fierce, and independent. Joe pursues her relentlessly. This novel reminded me of a famous family almost from the very beginning. Giffin spins a wonderful yarn Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

Emily Giffin has written another winner with Meant to Be. Cate and Joe's rags to riches story is so inspiring stressing that determination can bring success and happiness inspite of family history and interruptions in your lives. You need to read this one and recognize the hints of relationships to famous families