The Lies That Bind

A Novel

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Will Damron, Vikas Adam, Simon Katz

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times Best Seller •

In this irresistible novel from the author of All We Ever Wanted and Something Borrowed, a young woman falls hard for an impossibly perfect man before he disappears without a trace.... 

It’s 2 AM on a Saturday night in the spring of 2001, and 28-year-old Cecily Gardner sits alone in a dive bar in New York’s East Village, questioning her life. Feeling lonesome and homesick for the Midwest, she wonders if she’ll ever make it as a reporter in the big city - and whether she made a terrible mistake in breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, Matthew. 

As Cecily reaches for the phone to call him, she hears a guy on the barstool next to her say, “Don’t do it - you’ll regret it.” Something tells her to listen, and over the next several hours - and shots of tequila - the two forge an unlikely connection. That should be it, they both decide the next morning, as Cecily reminds herself of the perils of a rebound relationship. Moreover, their timing couldn’t be worse - Grant is preparing to quit his job and move overseas. Yet despite all their obstacles, they can’t seem to say goodbye, and for the first time in her carefully constructed life, Cecily follows her heart instead of her head. 

Then Grant disappears in the chaos of 9/11. Fearing the worst, Cecily spots his face on a missing-person poster, and realizes she is not the only one searching for him. Her investigative reporting instincts kick into action as she vows to discover the truth. But the questions pile up fast: How well did she really know Grant? Did he ever really love her? And is it possible to love a man who wasn’t who he seemed to be? 

The Lies That Bind is a mesmerizing and emotionally resonant exploration of the never-ending search for love and truth - in our relationships, our careers, and deep within our own hearts.

©2020 Emily Giffin (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"Giffin is a worldwide best-selling author because she gets under your skin - by creating relatable characters wrestling within believable situations.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

“Giffin’s talent is pretty much unparalleled when it comes to the modern woman’s story about life, love and family.” (Redbook) 

“Giffin [has a] trademark ability to capture the complexities of human emotions while telling a rip-roaring tale.” (The Washington Post) 

So Disappointing

Could hardly wait for this book to download. What a sad disappointment. I think good stories start with characters you truly care for. And I cared for none of these. They were shallow and one dimensional. as well, the lead female is way too naive for 29. SPOILER: The lead male is an out and out self righteous sociopath painted up to be a do gooder liar: someone who lies and steals because he is such a good person as if that rationalizes it. Never mind the people he hurt along the way. Just sickening. Then, the ending was so unbelievable. And sad. I get this feeling Giffin had to fulfill a contract, her heart wasnt in it, and the people who have written glowing recommendations are an active part of her book club and see or talk to her often, or were paid to write them.
Giffin truly is a gifted writer. But this is not a good book. Don't waste your time or money.

I waited for SIX months to be sorely disappointed.

Yes, Emily Giffin books are a light, beachy read. And she's GREAT at that genre....but this book is terrible. It reads very Young Adult. The characters have no depth. You will not like a single character in the book. The narration is terrible. The main character feels extremely immature for a 29 year old. The "hot and steamy" scenes felt embarrassingly juvenile. I'm so disappointed I used up a credit months in advance just so I wouldn't miss her latest novel.

Blech

Disappointing. While typically her characters are complicated and it’s a dynamic storyline this felt like such a reach the entire time, with every plot twist being far fetched and completely unrelate-able. Even the end left me feeling “eh, gross”

Repeat characters

I used to love this author. I've read all her books, but the characters are starting to be the same. She uses the same locations of New York and London, she always mentions her alma mater Wake Forest oh, and it's just a little redundant. The story also seems a little far-fetched. Wasn't a fan.

Chapter one

Boring!
I couldn't get through the 1st chapter, also I do not support RACISTS, or WOMAN SHAMING!

Meh

First half plus was just boring. Last 1/4 of the book picked up but then was just one eye roll after another. Don’t recommend. Disappointing as I used to enjoy Griffin’s books.

Ugh

Who want to re-live 911 in the backdrop of a co-dependent girl. Don’t waste your time

BORING!

This takes FOREVER to get going. Finally at chapter 9 I read reviews and spoilers and decided not to waste my time with the rest of this book.

Dissapointment

This was such a dissapointment. I did not like the story line and it seemed very different than her other books. I'm also really saddened to hear about Emily Giffin bashing Megan Markle. I don't know if she is racist or not but bullying someone online is still inexcusable and not an author that I want to support. It is not what I would I would expect from an author who I would believe to support and empower other women and not make public petty criticism.

The Narrator Could Not Save This One

This was boring, plain and simple. Do not waste a credit! Emily is a hit or miss for me, and this was a huge miss.