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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Do you want to witness more literary wonders from me? Then check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer....

Josie and Meredith Garland are as different as night and day. A tragic accident drives them even further apart. 15 years later, Josie is working as a first grade teacher. She adores her job, but when her ex-boyfriend's daughter appears in her class, she can't help but long for a family of her own. Meanwhile, Meredith seems to be living the perfect life. She has a well-paying job, a 4-year-old daughter she loves dearly, and the ideal husband. However, she feels unhappy and lost in the life she has chosen for herself.

As the anniversary of the accident approaches, both sisters are faced with difficult decisions that could change the course of their lives forever. I was truly captivated by the dynamics of this book. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of the two sisters, which I believe enriches the narrative in the long term. It is fascinating to see how the same event can be perceived so differently by each sister. Both sisters are rather self-centered, which at times annoyed me. Meredith was quite unlikable, and Josie was overly whiny, but I appreciate how they both evolved over time.

At times, I found myself chuckling at the witty banter between the characters, especially Josie, Gabe, and Pete. The relationship between Gabe and Josie was also a breath of fresh air. I loved how it portrayed a genuine platonic friendship between a boy and a girl, something I seldom encounter in books. Additionally, I really liked that this book was not overly focused on romance, as I had initially expected based on the title. Instead, it delves into themes of grief, forgiveness, and following one's heart. There is so much depth and substance to the story, which I truly appreciate.

This will be a hard book to review and to remain "civil".

By that I mean that for starters, there was not one single character that I liked or that I thought had any intelligence or even morals. At first, I thought it was because I am an older person, but then I realized that these people are not that young. They are nearing their forties and in my opinion (IMO), they should have had more sense.

Josie and Meredith are sisters who, fifteen years earlier, had lost their brother in an accident. This terrible accident defined their family from that day on. It seemed that family and friends never actually moved on, and I actually got the feeling that they blamed their actions and bad decisions on that terrible night.

Jodie, the eldest sister, is a teacher but makes decisions rashly. Meredith, on the other hand, is a lawyer and has always made wrong decisions.

If there was one word that I could use to describe this story, I would say ENTITLEMENT. This generation has everything - nice homes, good family, good education, nice lives. Now they think they can have absolutely everything immediately whenever they want it. Like Josie wanting a baby and, on the spur of the moment, deciding to use a sperm bank. And Meredith accepting a proposal of marriage just because she thought that her dead brother would like it.

It was a mixed-up story that left me with more questions than answers. The characters were unlikable and their actions were often illogical. I found myself struggling to get through the book, and by the end, I was relieved it was over.

I received an advance copy of First Comes Love from Netgalley.

I'm a long-time fan of Emily Giffen, and I have devoured all of her books. First Comes Love is no exception. I loved it just as much as the others.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The story was so engaging that I found it extremely difficult to put down. I was completely immersed in the lives of the characters.

I have a soft spot for stories that explore relationships and show how various events can shape a person. Additionally, I have a particular interest in books about siblings, especially sisters. Maybe it's because I'm an only child.

I thought the way each chapter alternated between Josie's and Meredith's perspective was brilliant. It added depth and complexity to the story.

As I read, I laughed and cried. It was an emotional rollercoaster. And it wasn't until I read some other reviews that I realized Ellen and Andy were from Love The One You Are With. Now that I know, I think I love this book even more. It's like a little Easter egg that adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

Overall, First Comes Love is a wonderful book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good romance or a story about family and relationships.

“Yes is usually the easier answer:” Emily Giffin novels as psychological horror

“I must make up my mind which is right—society or I.” Henrik Ibsen, A Doll's House

I've now read several novels by Ms. Giffin. Her works present a consistent worldview, driven by patriarchal norms. Professional-class, college-educated women sacrifice not only their ambitions but their identities in pursuit of so-called “perfect” boys and men with unlimited family wealth. It's like Edith Wharton-era mores with modern trappings. If you find yourself in a Giffin novel, pray you're a male Christian WASP.

My claim that these novels are psychological horror is based on her use of close-first person, moral ambivalence, and resolutions that require a sacrificial she-goat. Although there are no supernatural forces, the women still feel trapped. Their other privileges can't mask their unhappiness.

I believe Giffin's books are worthy of being read and critiqued. The inequitable treatment of female and male authors is more pronounced than ever. We should eradicate the stigma of women's lit and the notion that a portrait of a neurotic suburban lawyer's romantic life is less serious.

The story of Meredith, the suburban neurotic lawyer, and her sister Josie unfolds with a sense of menace. The specter of Daniel, the “Perfect” Dead Brother, haunts the narrative. Meredith marries her dead brother's best friend and is miserable. She doesn't want another child, but her husband doesn't listen. Josie, the middle sister, is a damaged person who finds a sense of autonomy by going for what she wants.

By the end, I was angry at society and the novel. It's an accomplishment, but perhaps not the one Giffin intended. This is The Age of Innocence pretending to be light farce.