Heart of the Matter

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Cynthia Nixon

Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her own mother's warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.

Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie - a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance - and even, to some degree, friendships - believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.

Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.

In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.

©2010 Emily Giffin (P)2010 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Giffin excels at creating complex characters and stories that ask us to explore what we really want from our lives." ( Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

"Giffin’s talent lies in making her characters believable and relatable, and readers will be enthralled by this layered, absorbing novel." ( Booklist)

Loved it!

This book was great! I really enjoyed the link to previous characters from past books.

Insightful but a bit slow

I liked both of the female characters very much but I thought that looking in on their every thought was unnecessary. The book did make me think. I've always assumed that I'd leave my significant other if ever he were unfaithful but now I'm not so sure.

One of my favorites

I've listened to this book about a dozen times .. It's honestly one of my favorites. Good job hoping her other books are just this good.

A Touchy Subject Handled Delicately

Sadly many people break their marriage vows. Handsome attractive doctors are high on the list (up there with rock stars) as far as opportunity.
The book is well narrated and produced.
I ultimately agreed with how it was handled and the book's "message" which should also be a key part of good marriage vows.

Great reader makes the book live

It is great to hear a professional actor reading this book. The life in the voice makes all the difference and keeps the story interesting and alive.

On the Fence

In some ways I liked this book and in others I really didn't. It was a little cliche and at times I wasn't sure I liked any of the characters. I wasn't a fan of Dex and Rachel from Something Borrowed so to keep hearing how "perfect" they are was annoying. I will say the narration was fantastic, although I did picture Tessa with red hair!

Cynthia Nixon was amazing!!

I thought this book was a great read and that Cynthia Nixon was perfect as the narrator. I think it was a combination of her soothing voice and talent as an actress that lend just the right touch to this novel. I would recommend this to anyone, the heart of the novel has a truth to it that we can all relate to. If you have read an Emily Giffin novel and enjoyed it you will not be disappointed.

enjoyed

this story kept my interest to the point that i could make excuses to go listen. it was well read and well written.

Enjoyed it all.

It had me loving and caring for each one of the characters. I enjoyed it greatly.

Great read about relationships

I love stories about moral dilemma, and while this book doesn't exactly fit that category, it does have you asking what you would do and trying to decide who is right and who is wrong. I gave the book a 5, when I think it was more a 4.5 because it's not a book men will read and enjoy. But it certainly deserves more than a 4. Cynthia Nixon does a great job with narration. Highly recommend.