Book Review: Love The One You’re With by Emily Giffin
August 26th, 2009
Author: Emily Giffin
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN #: 978-0-312-34866-3
Type: Fiction:ChickLit
Pages: 353 Trade Paperback
Published: May 13, 2008
Website: http://emilygiffin.com
Purchase: $10.94 (HERE)
The Story
Ellen married the perfect man for her… Andy. In addition to being a successful attorney from a good family, Andy is her best friend, Margot’s, brother. After a long courtship, planning the perfect wedding, and sunning on Hawaiian beaches for their honeymoon, the newlyweds settle into a seemingly perfect life in New York City. There, Ellen is a professional photographer, building her own business while Andy is employed by a large, reputable law firm. In their new marriage and new home, the future seems nothing but bright. However, on one fateful afternoon, things changed for Ellen that would alter the course of her future and her marriage.
That afternoon started like any other. As Ellen traveled through a cross-walk, she was confronted with the face of her past and was met with the eyes of her first true love, Leo. For Ellen, getting over Leo was a long journey filled with emotional hurdles. She was happy to be on the other side of the pain… married to Andy and living the life she’d always wanted. After Leo tracks her down at a nearby coffee shop, Ellen begins to question if she really is, in fact, over her feelings for Leo. Her love for him ran deep into her heart, mind, and soul. Was Leo, “The One That Got Away?” Ellen wasn’t sure. As Leo presses for a friendship to develop after their chance encounter, Ellen struggles with making the right decision, for her and for her family.
The Review
I became a fan of Giffin’s writing when I read Something Borrowed. I had high hopes that I would get to read Something Blue and Baby Proof, however no such luck. I just haven’t gotten around to picking up these two other books. I especially wanted to read Something Blue, as it was a sequel to Something Borrowed. Even though my goal was to read all of her novels, in succession, I just couldn’t pass up buying this book when I saw it in paperback at my local grocery store. Being an ultimate fan of ChickLit, I just couldn’t wait to get this book into my reading list!
I could really personally relate to the heroine of this story. I, too, have had that great love of my life… and lost it. I tried to imagine meeting a wonderful man in my current life and getting committed to one another… and then running into HIM. You know… THE ONE. I’m going to be perfectly honest in saying that it would still shake me to the core. I believe that true love really never does die. It may dim or hibernate, but it never really leaves you. It becomes a part of the permanent memory of your soul. So, if HE were then to share with me that HE’s not over me… misses me… and wants to try again… well, let me tell you… that would have my head spinning! I’m not sure that I’d have the power and the strength to deny HIM and not at least consider it. And, that’s what Ellen must face in this story.
Of course, Andy is the perfect new husband and nothing like Leo, the stormy, hot, sexy, passionate lover that stirred Ellen’s inner being. Andy’s “Mr. Dependable,” and is as reliable as the day is long. He’s loving, caring, considerate, financially secure and most of all committed to Ellen. He also shares his incredible family with Ellen. They love her and have accepted her into their hearts and homes. Logically speaking, Ellen would be a fool to walk away from Andy. Right? Right. But… Leo won’t give up so easily. Now that he’s found her again, he’s going to make his intentions known to her. And, Ellen isn’t exactly running from Leo.
For those of you who have met your soul-mate and have been fortunate enough to build a lasting relationship with him/her, consider yourselves very lucky. Great love is hard to find, but even harder to keep. For the rest of us poor souls who keep our noses tucked in stories of romance and love… well, we’ll keep wishing!
The Rating
On Sher’s “Out of Ten Scale,” in the genre of ChickLit, I am giving Love The One You’re With a rating of 8 out of 10. It made me think and it made me hope. And, you don’t know until the very end who Ellen will choose. If you’ve read it, I’d love to know who you think she should have chosen!
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9 Responses to “Book Review: Love The One You’re With by Emily Giffin”
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Name: Sheri
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Bio: Welcome & Thank You For Visiting!!! Hello... I'm Sheri, the proud keeper of my own personal menagerie consisting of twin daughters, 2 poochies, 3 kitties, and 3 fish tanks. To learn more about me, please visit my "About" Page where you can also access my BOOK REVIEW POLICY.
I listened to this book on audio, and my first reaction was that I wanted to read all of her other books. Well good intentions, right? Second impression? I could totally relate. I would suspect that most women in America have that one guy from their past that was IT. Many times there wasn’t closure when the relationship ended. We fantasize and romanticize the person. The cold hard truth, though, in most cases, is that the fantasy is much preferable than the guy in reality. I would imagine my guy “that got away” stilll has those personality quirks that annoyed me back then and I conveniently forgot! Still, if the guy walked up to me right now, it would knock me for a loop. Loved the premise, loved the writing, loved the characters…I felt like I already knew these people.
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I completely agree with you about true love… I would be rattled too.
I read this when it was first released and loved it. The concept of the struggle is good. Most women will relate to this book.
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Any book that evokes emotions sounds good to me. The cover of this one is adorable too.
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I loved how you included so many personal reflections in this review! It sounds like a good read.
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Oh Sheri, really what a great review! I am reading Something Borrowed right now and loving it. I look forward to working my way through the series.
Regarding meeting up with that one love that you just never got over fully. I had that dream of reconnecting until I fell in love with my husband. My ex and I had a stormy off and on relationship. Stormy because we could never just stick.
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This was my first Giffen title, and I was surprised that it didn’t blow me away given how incredibly popular her books are. I liked the premise, I liked the way the husband and ex were shown, I REALLY liked how the conflict was resolved in the end – but I didn’t form any relationship with the heroine through the whole book. There were some basic things that really bugged me about her.
I’m not sure if it’s just this book, and should give earlier titles a try, or whether I’m just not the right audience for this much-loved author, even though I’m a chicklit/women’s fiction girl.
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While reading your review of this book and its summary it sounded so familiar. Then it hit me! I was out waiting for my husband after a doctor appointemtn one day and he was delayed. I wandered into the library next door to the office and I started reading this book. When my husband came, I put it back vowing to get it from the bookstore but i completely forgot to!
I really enjoyed the little bit I read and now I know I better go out and get this book to finish reading! So glad you enjoyed” Love the One you’re With”!
Amy´s last blog ..Thursday Over Coffee !
Wonderful review – I have been wanting to pick up one of her books for a while, simply because I love the covers! Glad to hear the writing and plot are just as wonderful. I’m off to see if my library has this one.
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