This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration.

First Comes Love

Summary: In this dazzling new novel, Emily Giffin, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed, Where We Belong, and The One & Only introduces a pair of sisters who find themselves at a crossroads.

Growing up, Josie and Meredith Garland shared a loving, if sometimes contentious relationship. Josie was impulsive, spirited, and outgoing; Meredith hardworking, thoughtful, and reserved. When tragedy strikes their family, their different responses to the event splinter their delicate bond.

Fifteen years later, Josie and Meredith are in their late thirties, following very different paths. Josie, a first grade teacher, is single—and this close to swearing off dating for good. What she wants more than the right guy, however, is to become a mother—a feeling that is heightened when her ex-boyfriend’s daughter ends up in her class. Determined to have the future she’s always wanted, Josie decides to take matters into her own hands.

On the outside, Meredith is the model daughter with the perfect life. A successful attorney, she’s married to a wonderful man, and together they’re raising a beautiful four-year-old daughter. Yet lately, Meredith feels dissatisfied and restless, secretly wondering if she chose the life that was expected of her rather than the one she truly desired.

As the anniversary of their tragedy looms and painful secrets from the past begin to surface, Josie and Meredith must not only confront the issues that divide them, but also come to terms with their own choices. In their journey toward understanding and forgiveness, both sisters discover they need each other more than they knew . . . and that in the recipe for true happiness, love always comes first.

Emotionally honest and utterly enthralling, First Comes Love is a story about family, friendship, and the courage to follow your own heart—wherever that may lead.

 

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I really, really, really enjoyed Emily Giffin’s Something Borrowed and Something Blue. In fact, I re-read them every few months.

But, the last few ones by Emily Giffin that I’ve read- I’ve not really enjoyed. They’ve been ok. But def not up to the enjoyment level that I got from her first 2 books.

When First Comes Love showed up at my house, I was curious. The book did sound good.

Where do I begin?

First, I did not like the sisters. In Emily’s first 2 books- I adored Rachel and while I thought Darcy was selfish- she did have some qualities that I liked. But Josie and Meredith- well it’s like Meredith decided everyday that she wanted to be unhappy and Josie- well I can’t exactly describe her- but at times she had a selfish air. But I never really enjoyed my interactions with either character.

I thought the premise of the book was interesting- death leaves behind so many reactions and experiences. People change, they stay the same, they go through the 5 stages of grief, they stay stuck in 1 stage of grief. Emily did her research and truly did some thinking about the sister’s reactions.

Bottom line: For me, this was just ok. I didn’t care for the sisters, but I did finish the book. I’m kind of wondering if I’m outgrowing Emily Giffin’s chicklit style of writing- but I’m not completely ready to give up on her. Last note: If you haven’t read Love The One You’re With- you might want to read it before First Comes Love- unless you want to be spoiled.

 

*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

**First Comes Love was a 2016 BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge book.**

 

Happy Reading and Bookishly Yours,

T @ Traveling With T