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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Two stars for the fact that I couldn’t put it down. It’s a page turner for sure. BUT in the worst way. As a woman and a NYer I find the main character’s blatant stupidity an insult and the use of 9/11 in the plot, specifically the way it was used, tasteless. Despite the bizarre page turning plot, I do not recommend.
An extremely captivating novel. Didn’t take a long time to get hooked, and there was tons of unexpected turns. I just admit, not too pleased with the ending. I’m happy things worked out for Cecily, but I don’t like who she ended up with. I think it’s a cop out, but then again, this novel was based in the early 2000’s so that was kinda the way to go. Definitely a good read, but nothing overly memorable about it.
I don't know, something struck me as annoying. I generally liked it for the gen fiction of it all, but the main character was occasionally insufferrable as were all the side characters.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of Emily Giffin’s latest novel, The Lies that Bind, in exchange for an honest review.
Twenty-eight-year-old Cecily Gardner is a mid-west transplant trying to create a life as a journalist in New York City. Ready to take the next step with her long-time boyfriend Matthew, she break-ups with him, when he doesn’t want a bigger commitment.
Distraught, she heads to a bar to drink, and consider if she has made a grave mistake. At the bar, she is about to call Matthew and ask him to take her back, when Grant steps into her life. Grant is charming and Cecily feels an instant attract to him. She quickly forgets Matthew and begins a whirlwind romance with Grant, including flying to London with her best friend Scottie, to see Grant, who has taken his twin brother to London for ALS treatment.
A few months into their romance, September 11th happens and Grant, who works for a financial firm in the World Trade Center, is presumed dead. Cecily realizes that she didn’t know very much about Grant, including his last name. While reporting on the terrorist attacks, Cecily encounters a sign with Grant’s picture as a missing person. She calls the number and speaks with Amy, Grant’s wife. Shocked by this discovery, Cecily becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery of Grant’s life, and in the process, becomes friends with Amy, who doesn’t know about her husband’s infidelity.
I’m a fan of Giffin, and I was very excited to read her latest novel. It has been nearly twenty years since the September 11th terrorist attacks and I remember the day clearly. I was just a few years younger than Cecily, and although I was living in California, I had many friends in NYC. I can’t recall reading another novel that uses 9/11 as a central aspect of the plot. It was strange to realize, with the technology and cultural references, how much time has passed, but to still have this day so etched in my memory. Giffin does a great job writing the uncertainty and fear surrounding that day and its impact. It’s unsettling to read and dredged up memories.
As a contrast, I experienced joy reading the chapters detailing Cecily and Scottie’s trip to London. London and NYC are two of my favorite place. Cecily and Scottie have a wonderful friendship, the kind of support and love that everyone should have in their lives.
The Lies that Bind becomes increasingly more complicated from the lies that are created after Cecily learns of Grant’s infidelity. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but quite a web of deceit is woven, and even though the lies are due to generally good intentions, they quickly spiral out of control. Coming clean becomes increasingly difficult.
I didn’t feel Cecily’s attraction to Grant, especially when he seemed to be giving her mixed messages. It was the same with her relationship with Matthew. Cecily is a doormat for a majority of the story. I believe this is to set her up for making the transition towards realizing her own strength and independence later in the story, but this revelation happens really late. For a majority of The Lies that Bind, Cecily is a weak character, and it made it difficult for me to connect with her. I felt sad for Cecily.
The Lies That Bind has an intriguing premise and it’s a fast read. I don’t think it’s Giffin’s best novel, but if you’re a fan of her writing, you should absolutely add this to your bookshelf.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
Twenty-eight-year-old Cecily Gardner is a mid-west transplant trying to create a life as a journalist in New York City. Ready to take the next step with her long-time boyfriend Matthew, she break-ups with him, when he doesn’t want a bigger commitment.
Distraught, she heads to a bar to drink, and consider if she has made a grave mistake. At the bar, she is about to call Matthew and ask him to take her back, when Grant steps into her life. Grant is charming and Cecily feels an instant attract to him. She quickly forgets Matthew and begins a whirlwind romance with Grant, including flying to London with her best friend Scottie, to see Grant, who has taken his twin brother to London for ALS treatment.
A few months into their romance, September 11th happens and Grant, who works for a financial firm in the World Trade Center, is presumed dead. Cecily realizes that she didn’t know very much about Grant, including his last name. While reporting on the terrorist attacks, Cecily encounters a sign with Grant’s picture as a missing person. She calls the number and speaks with Amy, Grant’s wife. Shocked by this discovery, Cecily becomes obsessed with unraveling the mystery of Grant’s life, and in the process, becomes friends with Amy, who doesn’t know about her husband’s infidelity.
I’m a fan of Giffin, and I was very excited to read her latest novel. It has been nearly twenty years since the September 11th terrorist attacks and I remember the day clearly. I was just a few years younger than Cecily, and although I was living in California, I had many friends in NYC. I can’t recall reading another novel that uses 9/11 as a central aspect of the plot. It was strange to realize, with the technology and cultural references, how much time has passed, but to still have this day so etched in my memory. Giffin does a great job writing the uncertainty and fear surrounding that day and its impact. It’s unsettling to read and dredged up memories.
As a contrast, I experienced joy reading the chapters detailing Cecily and Scottie’s trip to London. London and NYC are two of my favorite place. Cecily and Scottie have a wonderful friendship, the kind of support and love that everyone should have in their lives.
The Lies that Bind becomes increasingly more complicated from the lies that are created after Cecily learns of Grant’s infidelity. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but quite a web of deceit is woven, and even though the lies are due to generally good intentions, they quickly spiral out of control. Coming clean becomes increasingly difficult.
I didn’t feel Cecily’s attraction to Grant, especially when he seemed to be giving her mixed messages. It was the same with her relationship with Matthew. Cecily is a doormat for a majority of the story. I believe this is to set her up for making the transition towards realizing her own strength and independence later in the story, but this revelation happens really late. For a majority of The Lies that Bind, Cecily is a weak character, and it made it difficult for me to connect with her. I felt sad for Cecily.
The Lies That Bind has an intriguing premise and it’s a fast read. I don’t think it’s Giffin’s best novel, but if you’re a fan of her writing, you should absolutely add this to your bookshelf.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
Loved this roller coaster of emotions and story. I didn’t know where the author was going with any of it. Read it in one day lol
CW: 9/11, death
CW: 9/11, death
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s only getting 2 stars because I was interested enough to finish. I normally am an Emily Giffin fan. This was not good. I’ve never hated all the characters in a book. It was predictable, and even the protagonist was so un likable that I neatly abandoned this book multiple times. Love does always deserve to win, especially here. My one saving hope that kept me moving forward was I love this audio narrator. She was great and kept me into it. Other than this, I do not recommend.
Twisting story line!
I want to know more! What happens next?? That's the sign of a good story. Love Emily Giffin and this didn't disappoint.
I want to know more! What happens next?? That's the sign of a good story. Love Emily Giffin and this didn't disappoint.
This one wasn't for me, however, I wonder if I might not have been the ideal audience. As someone in my late twenties I was in kindergarten when 9/11 happened so I don't have the same memories of it that someone who was an adult at the time would have. Beyond that, I felt like this book was written more like a book written 20 years ago than a book written today. The characters experience some truly difficult problems like sickness and loss of loved ones, but their solutions are often show them to be more concerned about appearances or pride than the best possible solution. I enjoyed how much Cecily and Grant loved each other but by the end of the book I didn't really respect either of them. They both atoned for their mistakes but it wasn't enough for me. One final complaint about this book is Cecily has a pretty stereotypical gay best friend. There is of course no right or wrong way to be gay but this was another thing that made the book feel a little outdated to me.
I wanted to write a spoiler free review but I also need to rant some. Cecily gets pregnant doesn't know who the father is and for MONTHS strings her fiance along telling him he is the father. She even gifts him the pregnancy test like they had been trying. She also befriends her ex-boyfriend's wife to learn more about him and lets her help Cecily's wedding to another man. Grant steals money because his brother is sick and wants him to get into a clinical trail. He admits he could have borrowed money from his in laws but didn't want to because of the place his marriage was in. At the same time he sort of cheated on his wife with Cecily for months without telling either woman. Both Cecily and Grant got off pretty easy because they had friends and family with money!
Spoiler
I wanted to write a spoiler free review but I also need to rant some. Cecily gets pregnant doesn't know who the father is and for MONTHS strings her fiance along telling him he is the father. She even gifts him the pregnancy test like they had been trying. She also befriends her ex-boyfriend's wife to learn more about him and lets her help Cecily's wedding to another man. Grant steals money because his brother is sick and wants him to get into a clinical trail. He admits he could have borrowed money from his in laws but didn't want to because of the place his marriage was in. At the same time he sort of cheated on his wife with Cecily for months without telling either woman. Both Cecily and Grant got off pretty easy because they had friends and family with money!
The first half was SO GOOD, and then it seemed like another book?
My rating would probably actually be a 2.5…this book took a dive and I lost any sort of sympathy for the main character as she continued to make stupid mistakes…and then the “twist” did not do anything to help redeem any of the characters involved. I found myself eye rolling through 2/3rds of this story.