I would have given this book 5 stars without hesitation. The story had so much potential, and I was really enjoying it up until the very end.

But then, the ending happened, and I was left completely dumbfounded. What on earth was that? I had expected so much more to occur. It felt like the author just threw in a random and rather unconvincing conclusion. The ending was as corny as it could be, and it really disappointed me.

Also, throughout the book, Meredith's character was a real annoyance. She seemed to be constantly making bad decisions and was just generally unlikable. However, on the bright side, Josie was a delight. Her character was hilarious and so genuine. She really added some much-needed humor and authenticity to the story.

Overall, despite the flaws in the ending and Meredith's character, I still found some enjoyment in the book thanks to Josie. But it's a shame that the ending couldn't live up to the rest of the story.

I received a free ebook copy through First to Read.

This is my first Emily Griffin book. At first, I was quite excited to start reading it. However, as I delved into the story, I found myself really struggling. Maybe saying I "suffered through it" is a bit too harsh, but the truth is, I just couldn't get into it.

The book is told in alternating voices between two sisters, Josie and Meredith, who are dealing with death and loss. Unfortunately, both of them were equally frustrating for me. I simply could not relate to either of their experiences or emotions.

The story also starts out extremely slow. It seemed to drag on and on, and I found myself constantly wondering when this emotional mess was going to end. There were a few brief moments when the story managed to pique my interest, and the last 40 or so pages were actually pretty good. But then, all of a sudden, BAM, the end.

Overall, I have to say that this book is just not for me. I just couldn't establish a connection or empathize with the characters, and the story as a whole was just okay. It didn't leave a lasting impression on me, and I don't think I'll be picking up another Emily Griffin book anytime soon.

This is an absolute perfect summer read. It's my very first encounter with the works of Emily Giffin. The story is presented in a style that closely resembles that of Liane Moriarty.

Josie and Meredith Garland are sisters, yet the sisterly bond between them has significantly weakened over the years. Fifteen years ago, their much-beloved brother Daniel was tragically killed in a car accident. This event sent a powerful shock wave throughout the entire family.

The Garland parents ended up divorcing. Whether it was due to the overwhelming stress of losing their son or the alcoholism that afflicted Mr. Garland, it's hard to say. Josie and Meredith took divergent paths in life. Meredith, always the responsible one, became a high-powered attorney. She married Daniel's best friend Nolan and had a little girl named Harper.

Josie, on the other hand, who was always the happy-go-lucky kid, became an elementary school teacher. At 39 years old, she finds herself unmarried, childless, and sharing an apartment with her best friend, a guy named Gabe. On the anniversary of the tragic event of Daniel's death, the sisters find themselves deeply questioning their life choices. And some long-held secrets start to surface and are revealed.

The big question now is: Will this newfound knowledge bring Josie and Meredith closer together or will it drive the wedge even further in their already strained relationship? Only time will tell.

It’s been an incredibly long time since I last delved into an Emily Giffin book. Her remarkable talent for exploring the intricate web of relationships and creating a cast of relatable characters has firmly placed her on my list of favorite authors. After such a lengthy hiatus, this book served as a powerful reminder of just how deeply I enjoy her writing. There is a significant part of me that is now eager to go back and reread some of her masterpieces, beginning with Something Borrowed and Something Blue.

This captivating story revolves around two sisters, Josie and Meredith, who couldn't be more different. Their relationship is far from easy, and in fact, they seldom agree on anything. The only thing they share in common is the belief that life would have been vastly better if their brother hadn't fallen victim to a tragic accident fifteen years ago. Some of the choices they made in the aftermath of his death have led to regrets, and now it's time for them to face some harsh realities. Will they simply sit back and accept the status quo, or will they muster the courage to make a drastic change?

The sisters find it truly challenging to find common ground. They don't understand each other and aren't exactly accepting of one another's viewpoints. The alternating point of view brilliantly showcases just how differently they perceive the world. This book is filled to the brim with a plethora of emotions, and at times, I found myself completely torn as to whose side I should take.

I had a slightly harder time connecting with Meredith's character compared to Josie's. It was difficult to watch Meredith grapple with her feelings for Nolan, who seemed absolutely perfect in my eyes! But perhaps that was just my subjective perception. In the end, I believe she made the right decision.

Josie and Gabe's relationship took me completely by surprise. I had envisioned a different ending, one that would have been a total cliché. I'm not sure if I would have made the same choice as she did, but in the end, it resulted in a unique and unexpected conclusion, especially for a book within this genre.

On a different note, it was great fun to look up some of the places the author mentioned throughout the story. Since I recently relocated to Atlanta, it added an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative for me.

\\n  *Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*\\n

I've read every single one of Giffin's other books, and typically I really relish them as those no-brainer, palate-cleanser kinds of reads. They're the sort of books that you can breeze through without much thought, just for pure entertainment. However, this particular one really failed to hit the mark for me.

The negatives are quite significant. One sister is portrayed as being dumb and selfish, while the other is cold and bitchy. I simply couldn't bring myself to care about anyone in the book except for Daniel. The plot seemed to be all over the place, lacking a clear and coherent direction. It was rather disjointed and made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story.

On the positive side, it was indeed a quick and easy read. I was able to finish it in a relatively short amount of time without much effort. But unfortunately, that's about the only redeeming quality I could find.

If there happens to be a sequel titled "Then Comes Marriage," I can say with certainty that I will not be reading it. I'm just not interested in continuing with this story or these characters after this lackluster experience.

I really enjoy reading the books written by Emily Giffin. Her works always have a unique charm that attracts me deeply. Among all the books I have read of hers, this one is my favorite so far.

The story in this book is extremely engaging and filled with various emotions. It takes the readers on a wonderful journey, making them experience different situations and feelings along with the characters.

Emily Giffin's writing style is also very appealing. She describes the details vividly, making the scenes and characters come alive in the readers' minds.

In conclusion, I highly recommend this book to all the readers who love good novels. It is definitely worth reading and will leave you with a deep impression.

First Comes Love was truly an adorable read. It centers around two sisters, Josie and Meredith Garland, who are on a quest to find happiness. Approximately 15 years ago, their brother Daniel passed away in a tragic car accident, and they are still grappling with the unexpected loss.

As the anniversary of their brother's death approaches, Josie and Meredith decide that it's high time they grow up and bid farewell to their brother. Not in a permanent sense, but they need to start moving forward from that fateful day sooner rather than later.

I thoroughly enjoyed delving into the lives of Josie and Meredith throughout the book. Each chapter alternated between their perspectives, which was initially a bit irritating. However, I soon got into the overall rhythm. Honestly, I favored Josie's parts much more than Meredith's. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean both characters didn't frustrate me at times.

Josie had a strong desire to become a mother. Now, I have no issue with this goal or the means by which one becomes a parent (as long as it's legal). But she had the perfect sperm donor right before her eyes, and she just couldn't see it! It was driving me crazy, and I felt like pulling out my hair. Then there's Meredith, who definitely needs a vacation. However, I'm not sure how I feel about her going on a vacation alone and leaving her family behind. I have a hunch that I've read a similar story before where a mom goes on a vacation without her kids, and I still haven't quite figured out my stance on that.

Perhaps it's because I'm not a mom and have no children. I'm certain my opinion and how I feel about Meredith's situation would change once that becomes a reality for me. Someday... maybe... who knows?!

Overall, it was a charming book. It was enjoyable to read, despite the few moments when I wanted to tear my hair out. I'm definitely going to make an effort to find another book by Emily as soon as possible.

Well, after two long years of anxiously waiting for Emily Giffin's newest novel, "First Comes Love", I can finally say that I am completely satisfied and truly blown away. It is, without a doubt, one of her best works yet. And now, here I am, suffering from a book hangover and already looking forward to another two years of waiting for her next novel.

I savored this book because I knew that once it was over, it was truly over. But I am so glad that I did. It was incredibly emotionally packed, filled with deep relationships and at times, a heavy plot that required those extra days for me to process and think. I can only say so many things about my love for EG, and as you can see from my Insta feed, I will support her no matter what. However, it is up to you readers to discover the magic of Emily on your own.

If you have yet to read any of her back catalog, then I suggest you put those on hold and start with "First Comes Love". If this book doesn't blow you away, then I'm not sure what will.

"First Comes Love" centers around the sisters Josie and Meredith. Both are reeling from a tragic accident within their family, yet they could not be more different. Josie is the fun, confident sister who is a teacher and single. She lives with her best friend Gabe, who is straight and single as well, but she is ready to give up on the dating game. Meredith, on the other hand, is the more reserved, hard-headed sister and the picture-perfect daughter who is always questioning Josie's decisions and lifestyle. She is married to Nolan and together they have a daughter. She is struggling within her marriage to keep it afloat.

As the anniversary of their family's tragedy approaches, each sister is at a crossroads in their lives. Josie knows she isn't getting any younger and wants to pursue having children without getting married or making any commitments. Meredith is struggling to find out who she is within her marriage and isn't sure if the man she married is the one for her. Both connected by their bloodline, they struggle to support one another yet know that they are the ones who know each other best. Meanwhile, a secret holds them together in more ways than they know, and when the truth comes out, it will test their relationship.

Emily Giffin year after year puts out a bestseller, and that is a fact. But what is so amazing about her as a writer is that each novel, truly always about relationships, is so different and surprising. She has a special way of creating characters and plots that are relatable and real. It's clear that she is an expert, and it solidifies my belief that she is the true "best friend author". I have talked about this before in regards to her, but what I mean is that she is the author that you want to call and chat with on the phone. She is the gal that you want to grab a glass of wine with when "the one" doesn't call you back. She is just so real to us readers, and this is proven if you ever get to meet her on tour. I'm not sure what more you can ask of in an author?! I am choosing "First Comes Love" as my poolside pick of the week. I give you my Bliss Beauty and Books promise that you will absolutely love this book and become an EG fan for life.

I truly relished this book that delved into the complex themes of family, sister rivalries, and the lengths some individuals will go to maintain peace within a family grappling with a death that might or might not have been unconsciously brought about by a family member.

At times, I encountered difficulties in recollecting which of the two sisters was speaking. However, that was my own issue. Moreover, the author invariably spelled out the name of the sister who wasn't speaking at some point. It was almost as if I required a crayon and paper, and I considered that to be a nice little detail. Ha!

I am certain that I really adored this book and was thoroughly entertained throughout the reading process. It was skillfully written and presented a captivating story with several unexpected twists that you most definitely don't anticipate.

I extend my gratitude to Ballantine Books and Net Galley for furnishing me with a complimentary e-galley in return for an honest review.

I have always had a great passion for reading books that explore the relationships between sisters and the complex dynamics within a family. I believe this stems from my own experience of having a sister. All I know is that I truly desire for my sister to also read this particular book. In any event, while I have relished Emily's previous novels such as "Something Borrowed" and "Something Blue", nothing has captured my attention as strongly as those two until now.

I was really impressed by how Meredith and Josie were such鲜明的 contrasts and were each grappling with their grief and guilt over their family's tragedy in distinct ways. Meredith feels that her marriage is a misstep that was taken as a means to hold everyone together after the tragedy. Josie's connection to the tragedy prompts her to make decisions for herself that she might not have made under other circumstances. Although the sisters clearly do not see eye to eye, they still manage to find ways to support each other.

The only aspect that I would have liked to see more of is the mom's perspective. She only has a voice in the prologue and then the narrative alternates solely between the sisters after that. However, not hearing from the mom again does not in any way diminish my enjoyment of the book.

Emily Giffin had me flipping through the pages non-stop with her latest novel and I sincerely hope that Josie and Meredith will make cameo appearances in future books, similar to how a character from one of her previous books showed up in this one. I am definitely eager to see what the future holds for them!

Here is my ideal movie cast:

Josie: Judy Greer (I am aware that I selected her as Shea's best friend Lucy in "The One & Only", but I could only envision her in this role and I believe she would excel in it.)

Meredith: Rachael Lee Cook

Gabe: Steve Talley

Nolan: Ryan Reynolds

Josie and Meredith are sisters, and the untimely death of their brother, Daniel, 15 years ago, has had a profound and lasting impact on their lives.

Their parents' marriage crumbled under the weight of grief, leading to a divorce. Meredith, in an unexpected turn, married Daniel's best friend. However, as time has passed, she has begun to have doubts about her marriage.

Josie, on the other hand, is a grade school teacher. To her surprise, her ex-boyfriend's daughter is now in her class. Struggling to find love and fearing that at her age she may never become a mother, Josie has made the decision to swear off men and explore an alternative path.

As the family attempts to move forward and heal from the loss of Daniel, long-buried secrets start to surface. These revelations have the potential to completely change all of their lives.

This is a truly engaging read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I would like to express my gratitude to the Publisher and Net Galley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC. It has been a wonderful experience.

This book is about a family whose life is full of secrets, silences, pains, and angers.

Often we don't tell the truth in order to protect, fearing how that truth might affect people. Or maybe we want to protect ourselves.

Whichever variant it may be, it leads to even more complicated situations, from which the further we go, the more difficult it is to break free.

I have been fond of good family dramas. This one has really turned out very well.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, constantly wondering what will happen next.

The characters are well-developed, with their own flaws and virtues, making them relatable and engaging.

As the plot progresses, we see the family members struggle with their hidden emotions and the consequences of their actions.

It's a powerful and thought-provoking read that makes us reflect on our own relationships and the importance of honesty and communication.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good family drama that delves deep into the human psyche.