Emily Giffin’s “Meant to Be” is a captivating and nostalgic love story that explores the complicated relationship between American royalty and a troubled young woman from humble beginnings. Giffin masterfully weaves a new narrative based on the real-life love story between JFK Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette, while still providing readers with a unique and compelling tale of her own.

The book offers a delightful escape into a gilded moment in American history, transporting readers back to the 1960s and immersing them in the glamorous world of the Kingsley family. The Kingsleys are a beloved American dynasty, known for their military service, political prowess, and timeless elegance. The story follows Joe III, the charismatic son of the late Joseph S. Kingsley Jr., as he struggles to live up to the weight of his family's legacy while staying true to himself.

The other protagonist, Cate Cooper, is a young woman with a troubled past and a determination to make it in the modeling industry. Despite her beauty and success, Cate feels like a fraud in a world that has never fully accepted her. When Joe and Cate cross paths, their connection is instant and intense, and readers are left wondering if their love can withstand the pressures of fame and the expectations of the Kingsley family.

Giffin's writing is both eloquent and accessible, making the book an enjoyable and easy read. The characters are complex and well-developed, and readers will find themselves rooting for them from start to finish. The story's themes of belonging, identity, and the power of love are explored with nuance and sensitivity, leaving readers with much to ponder long after the last page has been turned.

In summary, Emily Giffin's "Meant to Be" is a beautifully written and captivating novel that is sure to delight fans of her previous works and newcomers alike. With its compelling characters, engaging plot, and thought-provoking themes, it is a book that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it. Highly recommended.

In summary, Emily Giffin's "Meant to Be" is a beautifully written and captivating novel that is sure to delight fans of her previous works and newcomers alike. With its compelling characters, engaging plot, and thought-provoking themes, it is a book that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it. Highly recommended.

Very loosely based on the Kennedy family. Joe Kingsley III is expected to follow in the footsteps of his father, a hero who died during a NASA mission. His mom, Dottie, expects much of him, and would like him to enter the world of politics. The Kingsleys are a wealthy and polished family. Enter Cate Cooper who is also fatherless. After her mother marries an abusive man, Cate realizes that her only way to escape this situation, is to accept a modeling contract at age 16. This leads to her being in the Hamptons when Joe Kingsley comes down the beach and they meet.
Joe pursues Cate, but she resists, as she doesn't feel worthy of the Kingsley status. Her insecurity and concern for the difference in social status, and how her family secrets might pull down Joe's dreams causes her to be uncertain.
When odds are stacked against you, can there be a love that is meant to be? This is a sweet story of love and loss. It touches on some serious subjects. It also hints at the spotlight and scrutiny put on JFK Jr, although this story ends differently.

I always enjoy Giffins novels. This one didn’t disappoint. The pairing with the US nobility was interesting and added to this story.

Quintessential Emily Giffin, as always. I was thoroughly pleased with this book, as I am with all of her books. A classic love story, the perfect summer read. I highly recommend it!

Emily Giffin is a must read author for me. Her books seem like old friends, and Meant to Be is no exception. I loved Cate and Joe and their story. I can’t wait to see what Emily has up next!

The beginning of Meant to Be was engaging as we learn the back stories of Joe and Cate. As we move into the middle the focus turns more to their meeting and their subsequent relationship. Their love story is loosely based on the Kennedy family and for me that distracted from the story. While an easily readable book the characters and dialogue felt a bit flat

This book is one that always got put off and I just never got around to reading, what a bummer. I really enjoyed Meant To Be which isn't surprising as I enjoy author Emily Giffin's style of writing. There is so much depth and back story in her characters and I love that you are insured a "happily ever after". I like to recommend her books to newer readers because I know her books are easy to read, easy to get into to, and always satisfying!
Cate Cooper has had a difficult upbringing with a father who passed and her mother's boyfriend of the month abusing her mom right in front of her. No one expected her to amount to anything, but that was the exact motivation Cate needed to make something of herself. With no one to believe in her she had to believe in herself, and that's exactly what she did. Cate got an opportunity to start modeling which was mind blowing to her, no one had her told her she was beautiful. All Cate can think about is starting her own life and proving to everyone she is worthy.
On a photo shoot Cate is approached by a handsome man she knows to be from the very prestigious Kingsley family. Joe boldly approaches and asks for Cates number so the two can go out but Cate knows he's from a world that she simply cannot exist in. This man is destine for Presidency and Cates past and family issues are too much. Joe is persistent and Cate can't help but fall for him, maybe their is a place for her in Joe's life, he doesn't seem to care she never finished High School or where she's from, so maybe she should let the past stay in the past.
As the relationship progresses secrets from Cates past will bubble to the surface, her family will accept money to trade for gossip, and Cate will be reminded of why she didn't think she'd be good for Joe. Sometimes though, we need to let fate step in and trust our own instincts in order to do right by ourselves.

Thank you so much for this ARC!

Emily Giffin has been a go-to author for me for years - I knew her books would be heartfelt, funny and overall give me good vibes. This book was a bit different for me.

Very slow moving with a semi-un-original storyline. It was cute but it was not my favorite of hers. I will be a forever fan, this just wasn't for me!

Emily Giffin gives me Jojo Moyes, Nicholas Sparks, and Kristin Hannah vibes, and I don't really like those three authors, but I'm always here for another great Giffin book! Also, the cover is *chef's kiss*!

I love Emily Griffins writing and this novel did no disappoint. It was dubbed as American Royalty and it very much is reminiscent of JFK jr and Carolyn Bessette love story. It was charming and would be great for a beach read. I am just sad it took me so long to get through it. My reading time is not what it once was prior to the pandemic. I love that the book is told from alternate view points. I love Kate's POV and Joe is just devilishly handsome and charming.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.

I thought this book was fun! The story had me engaged even though I thought I knew where it was going (spoiler: I didn't actually know that, either). I'd recommend it!

💕𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆💕

Meant to Be by Emily Griffin
⭐️⭐️⭐️

A story inspired by John F. Kennedy and Carolyn Bassette. Joe, is destined to take over his fathers role as a political leader but all he wants to do is become a lawyer. Cate, on the other hand has a different life. She struggle through life and was abused emotionally.
They meet and have an immediate connection and feels like it was meant to be. Will they be able to get past their mothers choices and make their own decisions to pursue the careers they love?

I did feel like the book was predictable and sometimes I lost interest in the book. I am used to Emily Griffins other books like Something Borrowed, Something Blue and Love The One You’re With, that I couldn’t get into this one.

💭 What is your favorite Emily Griffin book?

Emily Giffin is one of my go-to authors for a light, breezy, beachy type read. And this book does not disappoint. I loved the build up between Joe and Cate. The book is based loosely on the love story of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. I knew I wanted to read it immediately. I feel like we get a tiny glimpse behind the curtain of what could have been their love story.

I loved the re-imagining of this beautiful story. And I love how Gffin ends the story. Definitely a must read! I'm looking forward to her next book.

My thanks to Emily Giffin, Ballantine Books and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of Emily Giffin. I love her other books. This was another good read that kept me interested. I like how it reminds me of vintage romance and american history.

Emily Giffin always writes engaging stories with characters you want to know more about. Meant to Be is a loose retelling of the love story between JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. In duel perspectives, we hear from Cate Cooper, an only child growing up with a single mother when her abusive step-father enters the picture, and Joe Kingsley, famous-since-birth son of a beloved war hero turned astronaut who died when Joe was three years old. We see each of their lives as they struggle under the weight of what their families are, and we root for their unconventional love when they finally meet on a beach as adults.

While I find this book to be one of the least intriguing of Giffin's (many of her other novels offer more social commentary or interpersonal dilemmas), I still enjoyed the love story. Fans of celebrity romances like The View was Exhausting and Funny You Should Ask will enjoy Meant to Be.

I was captivated by this story from the first sentence. The author tells a story that is reminiscent of the Kennedy family. It is about a scion of a prominent family and. his relationship with a women who is from a completely different background. Both characters are sympathetic and you can't help but root for them. I highly recommend this intriguing tale. I couldn't put it down until it was finished.

Emily Giffin does it once again with characters you can relate to. Loosely based on the Kennedy family you get a little glimpse into what could have beens and what ifs of JFK Jr and Carolyn. Great read!

The latest by Emily Giffin crosses social classes as two people Joe & Cate, both raised in very different single parent homes, explore if their differences can unite them. Told in alternating viewpoint this story appeals to anyone who has admired a celebrity from afar while wondering if their paths ever crossed could they have a future together. A quick read that at times finds the reader encouraging Cate or Joe to push on and resolve challenges to the relationship. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

I was not well versed (or much at all versed) in the life of JFK Jr. or Carolyn Bessette before reading this novel. From what I can tell, there are plenty of differences between real life and fiction that make this enjoyable whether or not you are familiar with them.

I did enjoy this story and the untraditional pacing. Much of the story is devoted to how main characters Cate and Joe got together, with the main conflict and resolution at the very end. It was easy to read, although I did think there was a bit too much repetition in the dual narrators.

While this wasn’t much of a memorable or impactful read for me, I did enjoy that it was a change of pace from a typical romance or historical fiction book.

Another great read by Emily Giffin! Her writing continues to evolve compared to the Something Borrowed series I read years and years ago. This was very reminiscent of the Kennedy family and I liked the comparison between the two.