Meant to Be by Emily Giffin – a Review

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Description:
The Kingsley family is practically American royalty, beloved for their military heroics, political service, and unmatched elegance. When Joseph S. Kingsley III is born in 1960, he inherits the weight of that legacy. Growing up with all the Kingsley looks and charisma, Joe should have no problem taking up the mantle after his father’s untimely death. But he is also a little bit reckless, and can’t seem to figure out how to channel the expectations of an entire country.

No one ever expected anything of Cate, on the other hand. She, too, grew up in a single-parent household—just her and her mom scraping by in their small apartment. As a teenager, though, Cate is discovered for her looks. Modeling may be her only ticket out of the cycle of disappointment that her mother has always inhabited. Before too long, her face is everywhere, though she is always aware that she’d be a pariah in her social circles if anyone knew her true story.

When Joe and Cate’s paths cross, their connection is instant. What remains to be seen is whether their relationship will survive the glare of the spotlight that follows Joe everywhere. And just as they find themselves in the make-or-break moment, the tragedy that seems to run in Joe’s family right alongside all that privilege will repeat itself.

In a beautifully written novel that recaptures a gilded moment in American history, Emily Giffin tells a story of a love that may or may not have the power to transcend circumstances that seem arrayed against it . . . and the difficulty of finding your way to the place you belong.

Review:

Meant to Be by Emily Giffin is a wonderful standalone novel that is loosely based on the Kennedy family; especially John Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.  Meant to Be is centered on the Kingsley family, with young Joe Kingsley, who has grown up as part of American royalty (similar to the Kennedy family), always in the public eye.  His grandfather being a philanthropist, his grandmother a famous suffragist, and his famous father, who was an astronaut, but heading to politics, until his tragic death, when Joe was 3 years old.  Joe knows about the expectations of following his family legacy, being pressured by his mother and best friend, Berry (like an adopted sister). Much to his mother’s dismay, Joe enjoyed going out with his friends, and girlfriends; as he was a hunk and very popular; then he meets the girl of his dreams.

Cate Cooper, our heroine, also lost her father at the age of three, with her mother struggling to make ends meet, until she meets and marries a cop; who Cate hated, as he was abusive to her mother. In high school, Cate was discovered by a modeling agency for her beauty, with her step father taking most of the money.  Cate leaves her home and school to a successful modeling career; with her becoming extremely famous as her face was everywhere.    

One day during a photo shoot on a beach, Joe who is walking his dog, Thursday, sees the group taking pictures and immediately introduces himself to Cate.  He gives her his phone number, but time will pass until they accidently meet again, and they both feel the strong connection. When they become exclusive, will Cate be able to handle the paparazzi who constantly follows Joe; putting the glare of the spotlight on both of them, as they were always hounded.

What follows is a beautiful romance that continues to build, with both Joe and Cate having their own family issues; such as Joe’s mother and Berry not feeling Cate was right for him; and Cate’s stepfather being very abusive to her mother. I really did love Cate and Joe together and with a few obstacles, I rooted hard for them to get past them.  I also really did like so many of the secondary characters that we got to enjoy throughout the book.

Meant to Be was a heartwarming, captivating, romantic novel that had me unable to put the book down.  The last quarter of the book was amazing and intense at times, but I did love the epilogue.  Meant to Be was so very well written by Emily Giffin.  You need to read this wonderful story.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher