(53)The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin

Sunday, June 7, 2020


Cecily is sitting in a bar contemplating calling her ex-boyfriend when she meets a handsome stranger. He is charming, intelligent, handsome, and Cecily takes Grant Smith home that spring night in 2001. She even takes him home that night, but nothing happened. And Cecily knew that Grant Smith was special. Over the next few months Cecily falls hard for Grant, she sees him as her future. She even traveled to Europe to spend time with him while he was there taking care of his twin brother. But then one September morning the world changed and Grant was gone. Like the rest of the world, Cecily is stunned and left enshrouded in grief. And then she discovers that Grant was keeping secrets and she is left to try to figure out the man she thought she loved. Will she ever find the happiness she was sure she would find with Grant?

I absolutely love Emily Giffin and I have for nearly twenty years. But, The Lies That Bind was tough to read. Not because the book wasn't really good, because it was, but because of the reliving of  9/11 and the days after that day. Given the heaviness that has enveloped our nation with the death of George Floyd, it made it difficult to immerse myself in reliving the anguish of 9/11.  Having said that, I loved the throwback to the early days of this century. The references to the music, clothes, and technology were a fun "throwback."I loved Cecily as a character. I think she is the kind of character that I could have been friends with back in 2001. It was interesting to watch her struggle with her moral dilemma.  I didn't really care for Matthew, he seemed arrogant and opportunistic.  I will say that I was shocked by the big reveal, but I loved how Cecily handled it. - CLICK HERE FOR SPOILERS

Bottom Line - If The Lies That Bind had released at a different time in history, it probably would have made the "Best of ...." list, it is that good. It takes a really rare situation where a 9/11 book doesn't leave me a sobbing mess, but 2020 has left my emotional well quite dry. 

Details:
  • The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin
  • On Instagram
  • Pages: 352
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books
  • Publication Date: 6.2.2020
  • Buy it Here!
  • Thanks to NetGalley for the book in exchange for an honest review. 

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