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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
This might be my favorite of Emily Giffin’s books. I was sucked in immediately. And honestly, the way she wrote about 9/11, as it was happening, felt very authentic. That’s not an easy subject to discuss obviously, but it was done very well. Highly recommend this book.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read the reviews before diving into the latest offering from Emily Giffin, but had to see for myself if it was that bad. It is. There were so many issues I don't even know where to start my complaints. I know it's been 20 years since the 9/11 attacks, but the world still isn't ready for it to be treated as lightly as it in this book.
It's spring 2001 in NYC and Cecily Gardner is reeling from a break up with her long term boyfriend of three years. She heads to a dive bar to clear her head and avoid calling him. She is just about to dial his number from the bar when a mysterious stranger says "Don't call him." It's Grant Smith. A guy Cicely will spend the next several months trying to pin down, but never really getting what she wants. Then 9/11 happens. And then Cicely makes a lot of questionable decisions before the book takes a ridiculous turn in the last 20%. Just no to the entire ending. I won't spoil anything in case you want to check this out for yourself.
I'm going to try to pretend I didn't read this and remember Giffin's early works, Something Borrowed and Something Blue, come to mind. Which the only redeeming moment in this book was a glimpse of those characters. Otherwise this was a very fast read, but I spent more time hate reading than enjoying it.
It's spring 2001 in NYC and Cecily Gardner is reeling from a break up with her long term boyfriend of three years. She heads to a dive bar to clear her head and avoid calling him. She is just about to dial his number from the bar when a mysterious stranger says "Don't call him." It's Grant Smith. A guy Cicely will spend the next several months trying to pin down, but never really getting what she wants. Then 9/11 happens. And then Cicely makes a lot of questionable decisions before the book takes a ridiculous turn in the last 20%. Just no to the entire ending. I won't spoil anything in case you want to check this out for yourself.
I'm going to try to pretend I didn't read this and remember Giffin's early works, Something Borrowed and Something Blue, come to mind. Which the only redeeming moment in this book was a glimpse of those characters. Otherwise this was a very fast read, but I spent more time hate reading than enjoying it.
I want to start by saying I think Emily Giffin is BRAVE. She's outspoken. She's not afraid to say what's on her mind. She is definitely starting to tackle more and more complex subjects as her writing evolves and I am here for it.
A lot of people are saying "too soon" or that she is "capitalizing on the nation's pain".
But I think that it's a part of our history that deserves to be talked about and I'm glad she's an author who takes risks and did it tastefully, and yes, it was risky. But it's refreshing to not read the same stories over and over.
That being said - not my favorite of her books. Did I read it compulsively and tear through the pages like I do with all of Giffin's books? YES. Did I enjoy escaping in the story? YES.
The first 25% felt like classic Giffin. It was SO nostalgic for me. I was living in NYC in the late 90's and early 00's. I remember all the sights and sounds and things of that era that she describes (PERFECTLY) and I LOVED it all. Thursday night Friends was our JAM and she brought me right back there.
Them BAM. Gutted. I felt everything she described. The anger, the fear, the uncertainty that is described on that fateful morning. I spent the day trying to make sure friends I knew were safe. Other friends who had parents in the towers that clearly were not safe. And the aftermath of it all. I thought it was done tastefully, and well and then - it got crazy.....
There was A LOT to unpack after that and I felt 9/11 had a small part. SO MANY things were jam packed into the last 25% that my head was spinning. I had a hard time believing anyone was really in "love" with anyone in the book. I had a hard time putting all the pieces together and making sense of it all in the end.
Did I like it? YES. It wasn't my favorite book of hers, but I commend her, and I still love her books and will devour everything she writes.
A lot of people are saying "too soon" or that she is "capitalizing on the nation's pain".
But I think that it's a part of our history that deserves to be talked about and I'm glad she's an author who takes risks and did it tastefully, and yes, it was risky. But it's refreshing to not read the same stories over and over.
That being said - not my favorite of her books. Did I read it compulsively and tear through the pages like I do with all of Giffin's books? YES. Did I enjoy escaping in the story? YES.
The first 25% felt like classic Giffin. It was SO nostalgic for me. I was living in NYC in the late 90's and early 00's. I remember all the sights and sounds and things of that era that she describes (PERFECTLY) and I LOVED it all. Thursday night Friends was our JAM and she brought me right back there.
Them BAM. Gutted. I felt everything she described. The anger, the fear, the uncertainty that is described on that fateful morning. I spent the day trying to make sure friends I knew were safe. Other friends who had parents in the towers that clearly were not safe. And the aftermath of it all. I thought it was done tastefully, and well and then - it got crazy.....
There was A LOT to unpack after that and I felt 9/11 had a small part. SO MANY things were jam packed into the last 25% that my head was spinning. I had a hard time believing anyone was really in "love" with anyone in the book. I had a hard time putting all the pieces together and making sense of it all in the end.
Did I like it? YES. It wasn't my favorite book of hers, but I commend her, and I still love her books and will devour everything she writes.
3.5 I liked this the best out of all her books that I’ve read.
I wish I could give 3.5 ⭐️.
This was a very fast read for me, quick chapters on my kindle.
It took me back to 9/11, a time I have not read about for some time.
So many lies, that were a tad frustrating. Just be honest, just tell him/ her, I often said in my head.
I did appreciate Cecily calling Matthew out on everything having to be on HIS timeline.
Yes, somewhat of a happy ending, but a lot of recovery ❤️
This was a very fast read for me, quick chapters on my kindle.
It took me back to 9/11, a time I have not read about for some time.
So many lies, that were a tad frustrating. Just be honest, just tell him/ her, I often said in my head.
I did appreciate Cecily calling Matthew out on everything having to be on HIS timeline.
Yes, somewhat of a happy ending, but a lot of recovery ❤️
Too many cliches in the storyline post 9/11
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
What starts out promisingly gets an unnecessary injection of melodrama and becomes a mess by the end. I knew what I was getting into, as I'm familiar with Giffin's style and was aware of the historical event within the plot; that particular development, although somewhat manipulative in usage, thankfully didn't catch me off guard. Once the book reaches this point and sets off a ripple effect, I was intrigued when the story started to focus on two women who find themselves bound together in an unexpected way. Unfortunately, Giffin instead introduces new problems at nearly every turn and employs a ridiculous, infuriating twist late in the book that leads to an unsatisfying ending, invalidating a lot of what preceded it. I was rooting for Giffin after [b:All We Ever Wanted|36344555|All We Ever Wanted|Emily Giffin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1512578976l/36344555._SY75_.jpg|58025501] managed to tackle some serious issues with grace while being told in an entertaining manner, but this is a disappointing follow-up.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes