Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Meant to Be by Emily Giffin

14 reviews

evergreenreader's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Death of parent

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

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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

leic01's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Car accident and Infidelity

kristywebb's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent

kshertz's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s hard to feel bad for a model and jfk jr basically but they do have their issues. Rich people problems. But I could not put it down. I rooted for them. I loved the side characters. Then the ending is so intense. It’s definitely worth a read as a slightly intense beach read

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Abandonment, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Violence

rachelapatterson's review

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

kkosberg's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I loved this book. Joe and Cate stole my heart and I couldn't help cheering for them and wanting to know how their story ended up. I also loved the way this book was written in a more biographical way with the dual point of view. Joe feels a little bit trapped by his family's name and the expectations placed on him because he is a Kingsley. Cate sometimes struggles to get past the trauma that marked her childhood. When they meet, they can't help but be drawn to each other. Unfortunately, at the time they are both seeing other people, but life brings them together again, and this time they don't let go. That is until something is revealed that threatens to tear them apart. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Minor: Death of parent

b00kluvrbea's review against another edition

emotional hopeful relaxing 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? No

3.75

first book of 2023! i really liked the buildup to joe and cate meeting - the set up of the characters, alternating POV on the same timeline-  it made me feel more attached to them reading about their lives pre-each other / late 20s.

once they got together though it was a little rushed and not fully fleshed out i felt like. and i was stressed about the cate’s mom’s storyline. Also i wish we got insight into the conversation of resolution between joe and cate rather than her saving him then they love each other and she went to therapy happily ever after. it just was a really rushed resolution after i was invested in cates growth. we also didn’t get to see how her and her mom resolved their conflict. Oh! and all the berry stuff just not really explained was a bummer too. and her being in love w joe— predictable!

 

but at the end of the day, i love a cute romance where the characters are so in love. so here’s to love in 2023!

*edit- read the authors note! didn’t realize this was inspired by JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette! going down that rabbit hole now…

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: 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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body shaming, Death, and Eating disorder

cassmills's review

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Body shaming and Death of parent