First Comes Love by christie ridgway

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

I just completed this remarkable book and simply couldn't hold back from penning down my review right away!

If you haven't endured the tragic and abrupt loss of a family member, it's nearly impossible to truly fathom the essence of this story and the outstanding writing that so skillfully fictionalizes the turmoil that families go through during such times. It has a profound impact on you, transforming your relationships and your family as a whole. However, it doesn't diminish the love. Instead, it demands an enormous amount of effort (not just time) to grow and heal through it.

I awarded this book a full 5 stars for another reason that I adored it. It is set in Atlanta, GA, which happens to be the very place where I currently reside. I found myself constantly googling numerous locations mentioned in the book and even making plans to visit them in person. Additionally, I also conducted research and learned about an aspect of fertility medicine that was completely foreign to me. Thus, this book easily passed my 5-star litmus test and is, without a doubt, a solid 5-star read for me.

Even if you are fortunate enough to still have all your loved ones by your side, I firmly believe you will still relish this book, especially if you have a sister. For a woman, I don't think there is any relationship more significant than that of a sister, perhaps with the exception of that of a daughter, which this book also beautifully portrays.

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jhae

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin is a captivating story that delves into the complex themes of love and family relationships.

Meredith, who thought she had it all with a perfect husband and daughter, finds herself increasingly restless, questioning if she got the love part wrong. Josie, on the other hand, has been happily single for years but now desires a child.

Their relationship, once strained by the tragic death of their older brother over a decade ago, now blossoms as they realize they need each other more than they thought.

The author beautifully weaves together the concepts of love, family, and the uncertainties of life. The story explores how love can change even the most unpredictable circumstances.

Life is a constantly changing stream, and just when you think you have found happiness, everything can change in an instant. The novel also highlights how small things in life can bring a sense of peace and contentment.

First Comes Love is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave readers reflecting on their own relationships and the true meaning of love.

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YecaCRPD

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

This was the solitary one of Emily Giffin's books that I had yet to peruse, and I am overjoyed that I finally did. Well, to be precise, I actually listened to the audiobook, and I relished the narrators. I also have the intention of obtaining the physical book as well! This is precisely the sort of narrative that initially made me enamored with Emily Giffin.

It is a tale of two sisters - Meredith and Josie - who have never been especially close. Instead, they share that on-again/off-again, push/pull, love/hate relationship that numerous siblings possess. Fifteen years ago, their elder brother met his demise in a car accident, and this death still casts a large shadow over their family. The sisters, now in their late 30s, are each grappling with their own difficulties. Meredith feels restless in her career, marriage, and motherhood, while Josie remains preoccupied with her ex and yearns for a child of her own.

The story is recounted from each sister's vantage point, and I esteemed the authenticity of each sister's perspective and how they "perceived" the other sister. How words and actions were misinterpreted and how the persistent personality idiosyncrasies and behaviors irritated one another. How each sister was in the past is never erased from memory and impacts their perception of one another in the present day.

Both characters prove to be unlikable at times and make some poor, questionable, or unconventional decisions. I am delighted to read a book with flawed characters and genuine emotions, even the unappealing ones. I also adored the relationship between Josie and her best friend, Gabe, and Giffin's take on the query of "can men and women love each other but be *just* friends?". Overall, I found it to be a well-narrated story that struck the emotional chords within me (yes, I shed tears).

If you are an Emily Giffin aficionado, this is a must-read in my estimation. I had lost my partiality for her after "The One & Only", but I am glad to state that that book appears to be an aberration. I am so pleased that I picked this one up!

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NaomiGalaxy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

3.5 stars
I have always had a great passion for this author's books. So, when I caught sight of this particular one on the "free" cart outside my library, I wasted no time in seizing it. I'm not entirely certain if it was due to my own state of mind at that moment, but it took me approximately 50 pages to truly become engrossed in the story. However, once I did, I found myself really enjoying it. In fact, I became so invested that I was quite disappointed with the way it ended. It felt far too abrupt for my liking. I truly hope that at some point in the future, Ms. Giffin will decide to pen a sequel. This would give me the opportunity to further explore the characters and their storylines, and perhaps gain a more satisfying conclusion. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

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JabaCsmHater

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

Josie and Meredith are sisters, and their relationship is often filled with antagonism. Josie, the older and more impulsive one, is single and approaches life with a direct and head-on attitude. She works as a first grade teacher and has a strong desire to find a man and settle down, but above all, she wants to become a mom. On the other hand, Meredith, a married lawyer with a four-year-old daughter, is more cautious. She is often annoyed by what she perceives as her sister's antics.

Both sisters have been deeply affected by a tragic accident that took the life of their older brother, Daniel, fifteen years ago. This incident has had a profound influence on their entire family. As the anniversary of Daniel's accident approaches, Josie and Meredith are forced to face their painful past once and for all.

This book was a challenging read for me, but I truly enjoyed it. I must admit that neither Josie nor Meredith is a particularly likeable character. However, they are relatable, which is crucial. Their flaws are human and ones that we can recognize in ourselves and those around us. The author, Giffin, did an outstanding job of depicting how Meredith, Josie, and Daniel's parents and close friends are still so deeply affected by his passing after all these years. This portrayal will resonate with others who have experienced a similar loss and are grappling with the guilt and grief that accompany it.

The book isn't always easy to read because of its emotional depth, but I believe it is well worth it. There are also some comedic moments that provide a bit of relief. Reading about real life and seeing it portrayed so realistically and clearly can be a valuable experience. The characters may be flawed, but they are vivid and real, and you can't help but become invested in their lives. Their complex and tangled relationships form a web that you want to see them untangle and emerge from. By the end of the book, I found myself smiling and feeling at peace. I had truly become immersed in these characters' lives, which, to me, is the mark of a great book. It's not the kind of tense novel that I would want to read all the time, but this one really spoke to me.

I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley (thank you!), and it has been available everywhere since 06/28/2016.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about family dynamics, loss, and grief. It's a powerful and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

Whether you can relate to the characters or not, you'll be able to appreciate the author's skill in telling a story that is both engaging and emotional.

So, if you're looking for a book that will make you think and feel, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed.

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animemangafan4

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

2.5 stars

This rating might seem a bit of a mystery at first. It's not a full 3 stars, which would typically indicate a solid and satisfactory experience. But it's also not a 2 stars, which would suggest that there were some significant drawbacks.

A 2.5 star rating could mean that the overall impression was a bit of a mixed bag. Maybe there were some aspects that were really good, but then there were also a few areas that needed improvement.

It could be that the product or service had some nice features, but perhaps the user interface was a bit clunky or the customer service wasn't as responsive as it could have been.

In any case, a 2.5 star rating is a bit of a middle ground. It's not great, but it's also not terrible. It's a rating that makes you wonder what could have been done to make it better and whether it's worth giving it another chance.

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kofi

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

DNF (Did Not Finish) at around 150 pages!!

This book is an incredibly boring and pointless read. From the very beginning, it fails to capture the reader's attention and engage them in any meaningful way. The story seems to be going nowhere, and the characters lack depth and personality.

I found myself constantly struggling to stay interested and keep turning the pages. My advice is - don't bother. There are so many other great books out there that are worth your time and attention.

I can't believe I endured this much waiting for something to happen. It was a complete waste of my time and energy. Save yourself the disappointment and choose a different book.

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CrescentWaves

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 14,2025

This one just starts with a bomb dropped in your lap right off the get go.

In a sense, it hit me a little differently due to a personal tragedy that occurred in my past. The trauma associated with it made me deeply ponder.

I've also had to be the one to inform people that they've lost a special young person, and those responses haunt me to this day - the sounds and all.

It allowed me to observe how each sister coped with their grief in their own unique ways. It almost seems as if they were both trapped in their states of mind since the tragedy struck 15 years ago.

"I find myself wondering which is more egregious, to pretend to be happy when you're not, or to feel consistently dissatisfied when you should be happy".

Also, for a chuckle, "but you know how you can tell someone's gluten free? Because they'll f*cking tell you". DEADDDDD, because I'm GF

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First Comes Love

christie ridgway

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Josie Garland

Meredith Garland

Nolan

Gabe

Pete

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christie ridgway

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