The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin

☆☆☆☆
ebook, 293 pages
Expected publication: June 2nd 2020 by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books
About the Book:
It’s 2 A.M. on a Saturday night in the spring of 2001, and twenty-eight-year-old Cecily Gardner sits alone in a dive bar in New York’s East Village, questioning her life. Feeling lonesome and homesick for the Midwest, she wonders if she’ll ever make it as a reporter in the big city—and whether she made a terrible mistake in breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, Matthew. As Cecily reaches for the phone to call him, she hears a guy on the barstool next to her say, “Don’t do it—you’ll regret it.” Something tells her to listen, and over the next several hours—and shots of tequila—the two forge an unlikely connection. That should be it, they both decide the next morning, as Cecily reminds herself of the perils of a rebound relationship. Moreover, their timing couldn’t be worse—Grant is preparing to quit his job and move overseas. Yet despite all their obstacles, they can’t seem to say goodbye, and for the first time in her carefully constructed life, Cecily follows her heart instead of her head. Then Grant disappears in the chaos of 9/11. Fearing the worst, Cecily spots his face on a missing-person poster, and realizes she is not the only one searching for him. Her investigative reporting instincts kick into action as she vows to discover the truth. But the questions pile up fast: How well did she really know Grant? Did he ever really love her? And is it possible to love a man who wasn’t who he seemed to be?

I’ve always loved you, and when you love someone, you love the whole person, just as he or she is, and not as you would like them to be.

I have read some really bad reviews about this book and was very worried starting it, I am in the minority because I enjoyed it a lot! This is Ms. Giffin’s best book yet, in my opinion, a beautifully crafted story of love, loss and second chances. This book is an incredibly emotional read, taking you on a journey through life, love and the grief which descends when having to say goodbye to someone close. If that sounds depressing, let me assure you it is so much more than a tear jerker as it’s both a celebration of love and the ups and downs we experience through a life shared.


We may not get do-overs in life, but we can always have fresh starts and new beginnings.

You'll read about the happy, the sad and the hurtful parts of relationships. As you continue, you'll see the grief evolve and play out. This is a very touching and skillfully written book. This is a great read and a reminder to say the things that need to be said while you can and enjoy life now because the future is promised to no one.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine Books and Emily Giffin for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

#TheLiesThatBind #NetGalley