Normally, I can't put an Emily Giffin novel down. Not as much with this one. I picked it up and put it down several times before finally finishing. Parts of the overarching plot were resolved at the end, but other parts seemed to still be dangling a little bit. I like it ok, although both Meredith and Josie seemed to hate the other without much provocation and it irritated me.

I love Emily Giffin's books, but this one was disappointing. I love stories about sisters but the characters were self involved and hard to relate to. The book ended abruptly. I hope her next one is better!

This was an enjoyable and thought-provoking novel. Fifteen years ago, Josie and Meredith lost their brother, Daniel, in a car accident. While their lives have moved on, the tragedy of their brother's death has colored their lives. Josie has never properly grieved her brother's death and has been holding onto a secret about the events of that fateful night. Meredith seems to have coped better, but in some ways the choices she has made consciously or unconsciously have been worse for her. The book focuses on how their lives (and the lives of their parents) have changed over the years. With the fifteenth anniversary fast approaching and their mother wanting her and the girls to travel to New York and meet up with Daniel's girlfriend at the time of his death, Sophie, both Josie and Meredith are forced to rethink their lives and what they want for their respective futures and they are forced to confront the events of the past, including how their brother's death has affected their relationship as sisters. Not only is this a well told story with plenty of drama and surprises, but the author has created characters with considerable depth.

I was so excited to dig into Giffin’s latest book even though her last one was one that I had abandoned. First Comes Love really brings the charm that Something Borrowed had captured in her writing as she explores the complexities of a relationship between sisters.

When their brother is tragically taken from them, Meredith & Josie’s lives pull into two different paths following his death. Meredith seems to have it all with the perfect marriage, a great career, and a child. Josie remains single, after her first love has moved on, and decides to take her life down a different path to raise a child in a less conventional way. Of course, neither story is as it fully seems and Josie carries around a secret that threatens her (already) failing relationship with her sister about the night of her brother’s accident.

This one is a satisfying read from start to finish and a pleasure to read! I absolutely loved it!

This is the story of two sisters, Josie and Meredith, and the complicated relationship they share. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline kept my attention.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book tells the story of two sisters, Josie and Meredith, who after a family tragedy have chosen very different paths for their lives. Their relationship while growing up was loving but never very close, they have always been polar opposites. Josie was impulsive and free spirited, while Meredith was thoughtful, serious and hard working. As they've gotten older, they've grown more and more apart as their lives have taken them in different directions; Meredith is a married lawyer with a young daughter, while Josie is single and an elementary school teacher.
As the anniversary of the family tragedy looms closer, each sister starts to rethink their lives and what it is that they really want. Secrets will be uncovered and will force both Josie and Meredith to confront their issues with each other and learn the true meaning of forgiveness and family.
Overall this was an interesting story, but I could not stand Meredith at all. I found her to be rigid and selfish and it made it hard for me to care about her part of the story. Fortunately the rest of the story was engaging enough to keep me reading.

I sometimes feel like I live under a rock. Granted, it’s a nice, comfy rock, and there are plenty of books to keep me company and the light is surprisingly good, but I cannot deny missing the boat on some popular trends. I picked this Emily Giffin book because how can you not know her name? Her books are beloved bestsellers, and when I saw this one on NetGalley I thought, she certainly does not need me to help her sell them — how nice of her to offer them to us!

But this book was just not for me. As a mother who came to that in the traditional way, but also as a woman who has been lucky enough to pursue her passion in work, I could not relate to these women and their many regrets. The courses they pursue seemed unrealistic and contrived, sometimes for shock value alone. I will admit, the book was well-written and, in some ways, compelling, but the characters just did not appeal to me. I will take issue with the blurb I read — I was promised “dazzling”, “emotionally honest and utterly enthralling”, but these are not the words I would have chosen. But hey, almost 24,000 people on Goodreads feel differently than me on this one, so clearly this was just a miss on my part. If you are a fan, don’t listen to me, just have at it and I’ll catch you next time.


For Goodreads:

Why I picked it — Giffin’s books are extremely popular
Reminded me of… Elin Hilderbrand, Nancy Thayer and Mary Kay Andrews’ books
For my full review — click here

Not my favorite by this author, who's earlier work I really love. The last two that I've read by her have had a different tone. But I'll always read something by her! She won me over early on.

Great book about sisters and family dynamics, how families aren't perfect and you can still love each other despite the choices you make.

DNF--I thought I had sent this in awhile ago. Sorry for the long, long delay in response. I haven't been reviewing in a while so it has been forever since I have been on Netgalley, for that kind of stuff.