In this dazzling novel, Emily Giffin, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed, Where We Belong, and The One & Only introduces two sisters who find themselves at a crossroads.
Growing up, Josie and Meredith Garland shared a loving, if sometimes contentious relationship. Josie was impulsive, spirited, and outgoing; Meredith hardworking, thoughtful, and reserved. When tragedy strikes their family, their different responses to the event splinter their delicate bond.
Fifteen years later, Josie and Meredith are in their late thirties, following very different paths. Josie, a first grade teacher, is single—and this close to swearing off dating for good. What she wants more than the right guy, however, is to become a mother—a feeling that is heightened when her ex-boyfriend’s daughter ends up in her class. Determined to have the future she’s always wanted, Josie decides to take matters into her own hands.
On the outside, Meredith is the model daughter with the perfect life. A successful attorney, she’s married to a wonderful man, and together they’re raising a beautiful four-year-old daughter. Yet lately, Meredith feels dissatisfied and restless, secretly wondering if she chose the life that was expected of her rather than the one she truly desired.
As the anniversary of their tragedy looms and painful secrets from the past begin to surface, Josie and Meredith must not only confront the issues that divide them, but also come to terms with their own choices. In their journey toward understanding and forgiveness, both sisters discover they need each other more than they knew . . . and that in the recipe for true happiness, love always comes first.
Emotionally honest and utterly enthralling, First Comes Love is a story about family, friendship, and the courage to follow your own heart—wherever that may lead.
PRAISE for First COmes Love
First Comes Love is a #1 New York Times Bestseller!
“An engaging story of sisterly love...Illuminating and engrossing." —People
“Giffin delivers another emotionally honest work…. First Comes Love is a heart-stirring novel about the many layers of sibling rivalry.” —Associated Press
“Kudos to Giffin for it takes a talented and resourceful writer to create a wealth of characters and have them all be fully described for the reader to understand and enjoy…Two years is too long to have to wait for a new Emily Giffin book but First Comes Love brings her back with a vengeance. Tales of sisters have been at the core of other great novels but Giffin turns that relationship upside down and makes her view a fascinating one.” —Huffington Post
“Giffin’s talent is pretty much unparalleled when it comes to the modern woman’s story about life, love and family.” —Redbook
“Giffin at her finest—a fantastic, memorable story.” —Publishers Weekly
“Emily Giffin is back with the perfect beach book...In this funny, sad, and culturally relevant story, Giffin lends insight on the importance of family bonds and forgiveness.” —Parents Magazine
“First Comes Love is an un-put-down-able, smart, and thoughtful novel that will make you think about the nature of family and how our past informs our present.” —PopSugar
“With her tale of love, loss and self-exploration, Giffin adds what will surely be another fan favorite to her repertoire…. [a] must-read.” —RT Book Reviews
“Moving and complex, [First Comes Love] proves [that Emily Giffin is] still at the top of her game.” —Booklist
“A realistic portrait of the troubled and complex relationship between a pair of sisters… fast-paced, witty, and thoughtful.” —Kirkus
“Giffin is a great writer and the psychologically complex narrative races along, making for compulsive reading. [First Comes Love] is a compelling portrait of a family in crisis; warm, witty, wise and so honest it occasionally made me wince. I loved it.” —Daily Mail (UK)
“Another engaging hit from Emily Giffin…The characters are richly developed and their situations and conflicts are compelling… very engaging, fast-paced, witty and satisfying.” —Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
“In an enthrallingly emotional journey of understanding, happiness and forgiveness, First Comes Love is this year’s most powerful reminder to never give up on family.” —SheKnows.com
PRAISE For emily giffin
“Emily Giffin ranks as a grand master. . . . She has traversed the slippery slopes of true love, lost love, marriage, motherhood, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption that have led her to be called ‘a modern-day Jane Austen.’ ”—Chicago Sun-Times
“A dependably down-to-earth, girlfriendly storyteller.”—The New York Times
“Giffin’s talent lies in taking relatable situations and injecting enough wit and suspense to make them feel fresh.”—People
"Emily Giffin is the creator of characters so real and so enthrallingly flawed that people sometimes forget they are fictional." —Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"When it comes to writing stories that resonate with real women, bestselling author Emily Giffin has hit her stride." —San Francisco Chronicle
"Giffin knows a thing or two about writing a page turner.”—Southern Living
"Giffin’s writing is true, smart, and heartfelt." —Entertainment Weekly