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anne_reader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Body shaming, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Stalking, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Mental illness, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
esey18's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder
rachelapatterson's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such a cute book. I smiled a lot.
Joe was so kind and loving. His development was so good.
I dont know much about the Kennedy family but this story was so good. I love the star crossed lovers and the tropes of we are from different backgrounds so this can’t work.
Joe was so kind and loving. His development was so good.
I dont know much about the Kennedy family but this story was so good. I love the star crossed lovers and the tropes of we are from different backgrounds so this can’t work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
sfbookgirl's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this so much. Like so much. I'd easily say it's my favorite book of 2022 so far. After not loving Emily Giffin's All We Ever Wanted, I was hesitant to pick Meant to Be up...but I am so glad that I did. Meant to Be is the perfect, drama-filled read about the infamous Joseph S. Kingsley III and the beautiful model, Cate, written to be loosely tied to the love story of John F. Kenney Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. Coming from two very different backgrounds, Joseph S. Kingsley and Cate meet while Cate is on a photoshoot for a designer. Once their paths cross, the connection is instantaneous.
I devoured Giffin's story, her writing, and her well-paced plot. While Meant to Be is definitely a love story, it's a difficult one with numerous obstacles to conquer. The characters are incredibly-well developed and I couldn't help but keep turning pages. It's one of the better "what if" books I have read and I hope you put this one on your summer reading list. It's irresistible.
I devoured Giffin's story, her writing, and her well-paced plot. While Meant to Be is definitely a love story, it's a difficult one with numerous obstacles to conquer. The characters are incredibly-well developed and I couldn't help but keep turning pages. It's one of the better "what if" books I have read and I hope you put this one on your summer reading list. It's irresistible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, and Eating disorder
gruizco23's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This was probably the most boring book I've read in a while. To be clear, I'm a fan of the more introspective books, I've enjoyed Normal People, Persuasion, and other more "quiet" reads. This wasn't like those books because there was basically zero introspection. At the end of the book, the characters felt the same and acted the same, there was absolutely no growth. A character going through something traumatic and having them discuss it throughout the book doesn't qualify as development, but it feels like Emily Giffin hoped it would.
I know this was based on Carolyn Bassett Kennedy and JFK jr, so I'm assuming that's why it fell so flat. Emily Giffin might have depended a bit too much on readers having prior knowledge of the couple. Even though i did have that background knowledge, the characters were so one dimensional it just felt like a waste of a concept. Overall, a super disappointing book.
After reading some reviews I have to add that their love never felt genuine.
I know this was based on Carolyn Bassett Kennedy and JFK jr, so I'm assuming that's why it fell so flat. Emily Giffin might have depended a bit too much on readers having prior knowledge of the couple. Even though i did have that background knowledge, the characters were so one dimensional it just felt like a waste of a concept. Overall, a super disappointing book.
After reading some reviews I have to add that their love never felt genuine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder and Death of parent
mhinnen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Perfect read for a beach vacation (or in my case a perfect read during a cold winter weekend). It felt a bit like a good Netflix binge - light enough for easy reading but not trashy.
On the surface, Joe and Cate are modeled after a certain elite American "royal" family. But Emily Griffin thoughtfully and imaginatively fills out their characters with friends and families, hopes and dreams, life pressures and challenges. While there were similarities to the tragic real life couple that might have implications for any iconic couple who is in the public spotlight, Cate and Joe are their own people - individually and as a team. I found myself rooting for them and concerned for them as they navigate love and romance in a world very different from my own.
The first part of the book focuses on their back story with just the right pace and details so that there is enough to care about once we get to the heart of the story early on.
Some of the fourth quarter before the epilogue used a similar strategy but felt a bit rushed. A relationship with a pivotal character who appears later in the book is resolved but I would have liked to have some more conversations and deeper insight into the character.
The epilogue included a sense of forgiveness and redemption and tied up some loose ends but I wouldn't have minded an extra chapter - or even 50 more pages to fill in some of those details more fully (maybe I just wanted to spend more time with Cate and Joe?). The author's note was worthwhile and respectful.
#MeanttoBe #NetGalley
On the surface, Joe and Cate are modeled after a certain elite American "royal" family. But Emily Griffin thoughtfully and imaginatively fills out their characters with friends and families, hopes and dreams, life pressures and challenges. While there were similarities to the tragic real life couple that might have implications for any iconic couple who is in the public spotlight, Cate and Joe are their own people - individually and as a team. I found myself rooting for them and concerned for them as they navigate love and romance in a world very different from my own.
The first part of the book focuses on their back story with just the right pace and details so that there is enough to care about once we get to the heart of the story early on.
Some of the fourth quarter before the epilogue used a similar strategy but felt a bit rushed. A relationship with a pivotal character who appears later in the book is resolved but I would have liked to have some more conversations and deeper insight into the character.
The epilogue included a sense of forgiveness and redemption and tied up some loose ends but I wouldn't have minded an extra chapter - or even 50 more pages to fill in some of those details more fully (maybe I just wanted to spend more time with Cate and Joe?). The author's note was worthwhile and respectful.
#MeanttoBe #NetGalley
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Eating disorder
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