Meant to Be, Emily GIffin
May 31, 2022
Random House -- Ballentine

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Emily Giffin hits a homerun with this new book. Yes, this is a romance at its core -- as Giffin gives us her take on a Kennedy-esque American family -- but, GIffin weaves a beautiful story that will make you believe in the power of the heart.

Joe and Cate both grew up without fathers, but that is where the similarities end. Joe is an assistant DA from a storied political family, sexiest man alive and destined for the White House. Cate escaped a violent, abusive home by becoming a successful model and hates the spotlight. This relationship shouldn't work and the paparazzi is relentless -- but, what if they are Meant to Be?

#netgalley @netgalley #arc #bookstagram #bookstagrammer @emilygiffinauthor #meanttobe #summerread #chicklit

I will be honest and say that I did not expect much from this book. I remember reading and really enjoying Emily Giffin's books when Something Borrowed first came out, and then not really paying attention for a while. This book came along to prove me wrong. I binge-read this thing in less than 24 hours. The character development was insane, and because it is inspired by a real-life story (I won't spoil it for you, but if you're over the age of 30, you will recognize the characteristics of the people in the story and figure it out sooner rather than later). I found myself really getting into the story and not trying to equate it with real life, which would normally happen if the characters took on the names of the historical figures they are based upon. I highly recommend this book if you want something refreshing, with a new viewpoint on a historical story, and perhaps some interesting and well-thought-out plot differences which I think really added to the story itself.

This ebook was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an early review copy of Meant to Be. Emily Giffin is a favorite author of mine, and I could not wait to read her latest!

Meant to Be is the love story between Joe and Cate, who grew up in two different worlds. Joe Kingsley Jr. is American royalty and a major celebrity. Cate Cooper grew up with her single mother, and her childhood was ruined by an abusive stepfather. They eventually cross paths when Cate becomes a successful model, and Joe is smitten. Little does he know that Cate grew up worshipping his good looks.

This book was classic Emily Giffin, and shares a heartwarming love story with just enough drama and interesting main characters to keep the reader engaged. I loved the dynamic between Cate and Joe, and how Cate challenged him. She had a traumatic past, which affected their relationship, but he was so endeared to her that he loved her despite her insecurities. The celebrity angle made this a fun read, but there was also a lot of grit and emotion to the story. I flew through this book and highly recommend it!

If you follow Emily Giffin on IG, you know she loves royalty, American or British. Meant to Be is loosely based on JFK Jr. and Caroline Bessette.

"The Kingsley family is American royalty, beloved for their military heroics, political service, and unmatched elegance. In 1967, after Joseph S. Kingsley, Jr. is killed in a tragic accident, his charismatic son inherits the weight of that legacy. But Joe III is a free spirit—and a little bit reckless. Despite his best intentions, he has trouble meeting the expectations of a nation, as well as those of his exacting mother, Dottie.

Meanwhile, no one ever expected anything of Cate Cooper. She, too, grew up fatherless—and after her mother marries an abusive man, she is forced to fend for herself. After being discovered by a model scout at age sixteen, Cate decides that her looks may be her only ticket out of the cycle of disappointment that her mother has always inhabited. Before too long, Cate’s face is in magazines and on billboards. Yet she feels like a fraud, faking it in a world to which she’s never truly belonged.

When Joe and Cate unexpectedly cross paths one afternoon, their connection is instant and intense. But can their relationship survive the glare of the spotlight and the so-called Kingsley curse? In a beautifully written novel that captures a gilded moment in American history, Emily Giffin tells the story of two people searching for belonging and identity, as well as the answer to the question: Are certain love stories meant to be?"

The ending of this book is what I needed to imagine for JFK Jr and Caroline!!!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story is loosely based on JFK Jr. and the what ifs of life. I loved it all: her writing, the characters, NYC, the story and how you know something will happen but didn’t see it coming. Meant to Be is out on 5/31 and you don’t want to miss it.

This propulsive novel was a fun, fictional exploration of the "American royalty" Kennedy obsession. It was a quick, easy read and I found myself truly drawn into the story and characters. I love fiction with a hint of truth/history, and it definitely piqued my interest in previously unfamiliar subjects.

In a wonderful story that parallels the Kennedy Family, Joe III, struggles to find his place in the family and the world. Cate escapes from an abusive home by using her beauty to model and try to find her place. Cate thinks that she is a fraud and shouldn't be where she is. When they cross paths, can they help each other find their paths, or with the world destroy them?

Meant to Be by Emily Giffin. It was only a okay book for me. I went into reading the book
after having read some of the pre-reviews and I think that ruined it for me. I think I would have
given it a better rating not having known some of the storyline.
But I did think it the author gave you a well written book and will read more by author.

Emily Giffin books are usually hit or miss for me, but I really enjoyed this book. Supposedly it’s based on JFK Jr and Carolyn Bassett, which made it an interesting read. You won’t want to put it down.

Emily did her thing with this book, somehow, I felt this passion over these characters, I LOVED ALL OF THEM. Not only was the romance between Joe and Cate effortless, smooth, understanding, loving, omg it was EVERYTHING, I can’t get enough of this book. Joe and Cate had the most amazing backstories, and the moment they met? It was magnetic, Joe was relentless, in a good way, a total gentleman, open minded and very understanding, and Cate had met her match. I loved how their backgrounds were so different, but they are both so similar in so many things. After reading the last chapter before the Epilogue, my suspicions have been confirmed when it came to the inspiration of this book, lol, and when I finished the book I sat back and thought “what if” this really happened this way? WHAT IF the most famous family in American history had a different ending then the one, they had? I sure wish it was different for them just as much as the rest of the world. Thanks, Netgalley and the Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Emily Giffin has a talent for writing women's fiction that will draw the reader into the characters as though they are personal friends! From the beginning both Cate Cooper and Joe Kingsley touch the reader with their desire for normal lives...Cate because she lives in a home of domestic abuse, and Joe because his family is considered "American Royalty" and is in the watchful eye of the public at all times.Its inevitable that they meet and are attracted to each other, but their road to a relationship is bumpy and cautious. The story of this budding romance keeps the reader cheering on the romantic Joe and the young woman who is afraid of committment and what it could do to their relationship. Cate finds it difficult to share her family secrets knowing that his family will find her to be unworthy of their status. And will the final secret that is revealed be just too much to deal with? A quick, entertaining read that will be reminiscent of the Kennedy family that so many grew up reading and dreaming about.. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House PUblishing/Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #MeanttoBe #NetGalley.

Is the expression if it’s meant to be cliché? Does it apply in the romance department too or is there more too it than just leaving love to fate? Hang on tight as this book takes you through all the ups and downs and twists and turns that will have you turning the pages right through to the end. Beautifully written with many important characters in the book who persevere through life changing events. Characters that will touch your heart and warm your soul. Run and grab this one! Not to be missed!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Emily Giffin is back with another winner. This one is a little different as it feels like a story we have all heard before, as Giffin introduces us to the Kingsley Family, often considered American Royalty.

We get to know the Kingsley family rather intimately as we root for them and fall in love and grow along with them. This is truly an American love story written in Giffin's signature tone that is sure not to disappoint.

If you are a fan of the Kennedy family, this books will hit just the right spot. I really enjoyed the alternate viewpoints of Joe and Cate. Emily Giffin did a great job with the supporting characters to give the story more depth. I wish the ending had more depth as it felt rushed, but overall this was a solid book in women's literature.

Looking for a cute, cotton-candy summer beach read? Well, you will find it in Emily Giffin's latest chick-lit novel. This was a cute, whimsical read that essentially parallels the story of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy's romance, courtship, and marriage. Instead of JFK Jr., we have Joe Kingsley III, and Carolyn has become Cate. Honestly, there is not much to tell that we don't know. Kingsley is a political icon, set to follow in his father's footsteps. Cate is a former model, the proverbial "girl from the other side of the tracks who done well". Joe immediately becomes smitten after seeing her at a photo shoot on the beach one day. Completely unrealistic, naturally, but addictive and sweet anyhow, They battle the normal obstacles that fame and fortune present, and we all know that tragedy is likely to fall upon them at any moment in time. Or will it?

This was ultimately a cute novel that I breezed through. Obviously, we all know a variation of this story, and these characters are simply there to alter that variation in an entertaining matter for us, the readers. While this novel lacks the depth and originality of Giffin's earlier works. it was still a fun read that would be PERFECT for the beach or pool this summer. Well done, Emily. Keep 'em coming!

Emily Giffin is one of my go-to authors. Her books never disappoint. Her newest novel, Meant to Be, is loosely based on the JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette romance. The story is told from alternating points of view between the main characters Joseph Kingsley III and Cate Cooper. I found the story intriguing and compelling.....hoping that the Joe and Cate have a different outcome from the people that are based on. The only reason that I am giving the book 4 stars instead of 5 stars is that I found some of the chapters to be repetitive even though the story was being from a different point of view. I highly recommend this book to all the who have been captivated by The Kennedy Family! Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC!

When I picked up Meant to Be by Emily Giffin, I was expecting a fictional love story similar to her other books. I was surprised to find that this was a departure from that and a historical fiction novel loosely based on JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessett. I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of historical fiction, but this novel and Emily Giffin's engaging writing pulled me right into the book from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine Books for providing me with an ARC of Meant To Be in exchange for an honest review. This review will be posted on Goodreads/Amazon upon publication of the book.

Meant to be is a beautifully written 'what if' homage to the Kennedy Family. Joe Kingsley and Cate are based on JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessett-Kennedy. Wonderfully told, Giffin includes tidbits of John Jr's life, big things like the risk taking and dating models, to smaller things like a shark tooth necklace and having a real interest in acting.
Being a Kennedy fan myself, it was nice to read and imagine a happy ending for John and Carolyn and could have been.

I love Emily Giffin’s writing and absolutely binged this book. The characters are so lifelike, you feel like you’re reading a true story but kind of forget that you actually are. Meant to Be is a recent-history historical fiction loosely based on JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessett. I can actually remember when their plane crashed in 1999, but I loved how Giffin brought it all to life.

America’s golden boy, Joe Kingsley III, has the weight of expectation on his shoulders. After all, he is a Kingsley, and you know what they say about “of whom much is given.” Cate comes from a troubled childhood, raised with an abusive stepfather, and leaves home the day she turns 18, to pursue her modeling career in New York. One day, while walking his dog on the beach, Joe happens upon a photo shoot Cate is modeling for. From the moment he first sees her, Joe is inexplicably drawn to Cate. Months later they meet again, and even though she tries to play hard to get, Cate knows the effort is futile and falling for Joe is inevitable. What follows is the type of love story you’ll get swept away in. As Cate struggles with the newfound attention their relationship brings, will their stark differences drive a wedge between them, or will their love overcome?

This was an un-put-downable book and an obvious five stars from me!

Emily Giffin does it again. Meant to Be has the flare of the Kennedy’s but add in social media and even crazier paparazzi. The love story between Cate and Joe grabbed me from the first few chapters and kept me engaged through the end. If you are a fan of the Kennedy stories, you will love this fictional story as well.