You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
3.5 stars an enjoyable read with a little mystery thrown in.
I have read all of Giffin's books - I would place this book in the middle not her best or her worst.
I enjoy her writing so I finished this book in one day. I was disappointed with some of the plot points and a few characters were a bit unbelievable. For her longtime fans she did have some cameos of characters from her past books which I found amusing. This is a good book for sitting by the pool and want a light-ish read.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy her writing so I finished this book in one day. I was disappointed with some of the plot points and a few characters were a bit unbelievable. For her longtime fans she did have some cameos of characters from her past books which I found amusing. This is a good book for sitting by the pool and want a light-ish read.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think I’ll give this a 3.5.
I’ll start off by saying that I greatly appreciate that Giffin addressed the fact that adult romantic relationships often are convoluted, complicated, and messy. I like that she addressed social issues such as sex on the first date, LGBTQ topics, having babies before marriage, etc. I also appreciated the setting during 9/11, and must admit that reliving that time through this book brought tears to my eyes a couple of times.
However, I can’t get over how damn far-fetched so much of this plot was! I mean, it kept me interested (though I figured out some parts early on), but it was way over the top. I didn’t really like the characters, either - like I didn’t bond with them. I’m not sure what Cecily saw in Grant or Matthew. She didn’t describe their romances in such a way that brought tears to my eyes (which for me is ultimately what makes romance believable for me as a reader). Honestly my favorite characters were Amy and Scotty and they were supporting characters.
Idk, it just didn’t really work for me. But I’m giving it a 3.5 because it was interesting and well written.
I’ll start off by saying that I greatly appreciate that Giffin addressed the fact that adult romantic relationships often are convoluted, complicated, and messy. I like that she addressed social issues such as sex on the first date, LGBTQ topics, having babies before marriage, etc. I also appreciated the setting during 9/11, and must admit that reliving that time through this book brought tears to my eyes a couple of times.
However, I can’t get over how damn far-fetched so much of this plot was! I mean, it kept me interested (though I figured out some parts early on), but it was way over the top. I didn’t really like the characters, either - like I didn’t bond with them. I’m not sure what Cecily saw in Grant or Matthew. She didn’t describe their romances in such a way that brought tears to my eyes (which for me is ultimately what makes romance believable for me as a reader). Honestly my favorite characters were Amy and Scotty and they were supporting characters.
Idk, it just didn’t really work for me. But I’m giving it a 3.5 because it was interesting and well written.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have read all of Emily Giffin's books. For some reason, this one felt a little different to me (I don't know why). It held my attention and had just enough tension to keep me on the edge of my seat. A few things were predictable, but still a good, entertaining read.
I liked the first half way more than the second half. The characters were more likeable and relatable at that point. The more the story unfolded the less relatable it seemed.
I wasn't a fan of the ending/epilogue type chapters. There seemed like a lot of build up for character growth that then was just... told more than shown.
I picked this up after loving 'all we ever wanted' by this same author, but liked that one so much more than this one.
I wasn't a fan of the ending/epilogue type chapters. There seemed like a lot of build up for character growth that then was just... told more than shown.
I picked this up after loving 'all we ever wanted' by this same author, but liked that one so much more than this one.
Wow - I went to leave my review and I noticed tons of 1 star reviews and all of comments about racist remarks to Megan Markle and the bad taste to use 9/11 as a back drop to the story. I had no idea there was so much controversy surrounding this book and the author.
Ok - on to my review! 3.75 stars ⭐️ I went into this book blind and then I had to google the plot because I wondered what I was reading. Once I had the gist, I was able to guess a lot of plot points in the book but I was still surprised by a few of the twists and turns. Now a little bit about me, I like the drama. It’s why I liked Crazy Rich Asian, it’s why I sometimes watch pointless reality TV. To me it’s entertaining, so yeah—- this book has cheesy drama and it’s a little predictable but I was still entertained with all the twists and turns. (At one point I was cackling and had to set my kindle down and walk out of the room, my husband says I’m weird but I do that in uncomfortable scenes in movies too).
So even though I thought this books was an easy and entertaining read, do I recommend it to you? Well here is what you should ask yourself before reading this book.
1. Did the cheating plot line in “Something Borrowed” bother you? Like did you feel it was wrong to promote a love story out of infidelity? I didn’t. I’ll read anything if I’m entertained tbh BUT if you think that’s wrong, then don’t read this book.
2. Does a messy love story that has a backdrop of 2001 and the 9/11 attack and aftermath bother you? If so, this is not the book for you. To me people write love stories (or make movies) around historical tragedy’s and (more often than not during a war) all the time... “Pearl Harbor?” “Remember Me?” But I think for some people it’s too soon to have a backdrop with 9/11 that isn’t entirely about 9/11. Also, maybe the characters should have been more likable and it wouldn’t have been that offensive to some? Not sure. Anyway if 9/11 being mixed into the storyline and plot bothers you- then you should hard pass.
3. Can you read books where the characters are exactly likeable? If you can’t, and you need to like them and can’t get past bad behavior or decisions to finish a book- then skip it.
4. Do cheesy books bother you? Not me, I like extra cheese on my nachos and I like cheese in my books sometimes too. But if you don’t- ehhh maybe it won’t be as entertaining to you.
Happy reading or non-reading, I’m off to my next book!
Ok - on to my review! 3.75 stars ⭐️ I went into this book blind and then I had to google the plot because I wondered what I was reading. Once I had the gist, I was able to guess a lot of plot points in the book but I was still surprised by a few of the twists and turns. Now a little bit about me, I like the drama. It’s why I liked Crazy Rich Asian, it’s why I sometimes watch pointless reality TV. To me it’s entertaining, so yeah—- this book has cheesy drama and it’s a little predictable but I was still entertained with all the twists and turns. (At one point I was cackling and had to set my kindle down and walk out of the room, my husband says I’m weird but I do that in uncomfortable scenes in movies too).
So even though I thought this books was an easy and entertaining read, do I recommend it to you? Well here is what you should ask yourself before reading this book.
1. Did the cheating plot line in “Something Borrowed” bother you? Like did you feel it was wrong to promote a love story out of infidelity? I didn’t. I’ll read anything if I’m entertained tbh BUT if you think that’s wrong, then don’t read this book.
2. Does a messy love story that has a backdrop of 2001 and the 9/11 attack and aftermath bother you? If so, this is not the book for you. To me people write love stories (or make movies) around historical tragedy’s and (more often than not during a war) all the time... “Pearl Harbor?” “Remember Me?” But I think for some people it’s too soon to have a backdrop with 9/11 that isn’t entirely about 9/11. Also, maybe the characters should have been more likable and it wouldn’t have been that offensive to some? Not sure. Anyway if 9/11 being mixed into the storyline and plot bothers you- then you should hard pass.
3. Can you read books where the characters are exactly likeable? If you can’t, and you need to like them and can’t get past bad behavior or decisions to finish a book- then skip it.
4. Do cheesy books bother you? Not me, I like extra cheese on my nachos and I like cheese in my books sometimes too. But if you don’t- ehhh maybe it won’t be as entertaining to you.
Happy reading or non-reading, I’m off to my next book!
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