First Comes Love by Emily Giffin #SRC2016

Well after two years waiting anxiously for Emily Giffin’s newest novel, First Comes Love, I can say that I am completely satisfied and blown away.  It’s absolutely one of her best yet.  And now cue book hangover and another two years waiting for her next novel.  I savored this book because I knew once it was over, it was over, but I am so glad that I did.  It was so emotionally packed with deep relationships and at times heavy plot that I needed those extra days to process and think.  I can only say some many things about my love for EG and you can see from my Insta feed that I will support her not matter what but it is up to you readers to discover the magic of Emily on your own.  If you have yet to read any of her back catalog then put those on hold and start with First Comes Love, if this book doesn’t blow you away then I am not sure what will.

 

First Comes Love centers around sisters Josie and Meredith.  Both reeling from a tragic accident within their family, they could not be more different.  Josie is the fun, confident sister who is a teacher and single.  She lives with her best friend Gabe, who is straight and single as well ,but she is ready to give up on the dating game.  Meredith is the more reserved, hard headed sister yet picture perfect daughter who is always questioning Josie’s decisions and lifestyle.  She is married to Nolan and together they have a daughter. She is struggling within her marriage to keep it a float.  As the anniversary of their families tragedy comes near, each sister is at a crossroads in their lives.  Josie knows she isn’t getting any younger and wants to pursue having children without getting married or making any commitments.  Meredith is struggling to find out who she is within her marriage and isn’t sure if the man she married is the one for her.  Both connected by their bloodline, they struggle to support one another  yet know they are the ones who know each other best.  Meanwhile a secret holds them together in more ways than they know and when the truth comes out it will test their relationship.

Emily Giffin year after year puts out a bestseller, that is a fact.  But what is so amazing about her as a writer is that each novel, truly always about relationships, is so different and surprising.  She has a special way of creating characters and plots that are relatable and real.  It’s clear she is an excerpt and it solidifies my belief that she is the true “best friend author”.  I have talked about this before in regards to her but what I mean is, she is the author that you want to call and chat on the phone with.  She is the gal that you want to grab a glass of wine with when “the one” doesn’t call you back.  She is just so real to us readers and proves that if you ever get to meet her on tour.  I am not sure what more you can ask of in an author?!  I am choosing First Comes Love as my poolside pick of the week.  I give you my Bliss Beauty and Books promise that you will absolutely love this book and become an EG fan for life.

Counting down the days for these releases…..#favoriteauthors

Summer isn’t even here but I am literally screeching at the thought of these two releases!  If I had started my blog years ago when I first discovered Lauren Weisberger and Emily Giffin it is safe to say it would be an ode to them on a weekly basis.  Book after book that these two fabulous authors have released always automatically hit my favorite shelf.  Each book is like that perfect glass of Rose’- sparkly, layered and completely satisyfing. Thankfully they each have a new novel coming out this summer.  I thought it would be the perfect time to share my love for them and the wonderful titles that have come out over the years.  I also have included the synopsis of their upcoming books and will post more on the blog as it’s released.  Trust me if you have yet to read either of them run do not walk to your local bookstore, library, download on a Kindle- whatever, just get these gems!

Above are the beautiful covers of Lauren Weisberger’s novels over the years.  See the summary of her new novel, The Singles Game, coming out July 12, 2016.

via Amazon

The new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada and Revenge Wears Prada—a dishy tell-all about a beautiful tennis prodigy who, after changing coaches, suddenly makes headlines on and off the court.

Charlotte “Charlie” Silver has always been a good girl. She excelled at tennis early, coached by her father, a former player himself, and soon became one of the top juniors in the world. When she leaves UCLA—and breaks her boyfriend’s heart—to turn pro, Charlie joins the world’s best athletes who travel eleven months a year, competing without mercy for Grand Slam titles and Page Six headlines.

After Charlie suffers a disastrous loss and injury on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, she fires her longtime coach and hires Todd Feltner, a legend of the men’s tour, who is famous for grooming champions. Charlie is his first-ever female player, and he will not let her forget it. He is determined to change her good-girl image—both on the court and off—and transform her into a ruthless competitor who will not only win matches and climb the rankings, but also score magazine covers and seven-figure endorsement deals. Her not-so-secret affair with the hottest male player in the world, sexy Spaniard Marco Vallejo, has people whispering, and it seems like only a matter of time before the tabloids and gossip blogs close in on all the juicy details. Charlie’s ascension to the social throne parallels her rising rank on the women’s tour—but at a major price.

Lauren Weisberger’s novel brings us exclusive behind-the-scenes details from all the Grand Slam tournaments: the US Open, the French Open, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon. Charlie Silver jets around the globe, plays charity matches aboard Mediterranean megayachts, models in photo shoots on Caribbean beaches, walks the red carpet at legendary player parties, and sidesteps looming scandals—all while trying to keep her eyes on the real prize. In this sexy, unputdownable read about young tennis stars who train relentlessly to compete at the highest levels while living in a world obsessed with good looks and Instagram followers, Charlie must discover the secret to having it all—or finally shatter the illusion for good.

Below are the addicting and stunning novels of Emily Giffin.  I have met her twice on tour and she is exactly how you would expect- fabulous on all levels and really all of our best friend, right?

 

Emily’s new novel, First Comes Love comes out June 28, 2016.  See below for a cover preview and summary.

via Amazon

In this dazzling new novel, Emily Giffin, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed, Where We Belong, and The One & Only introduces a pair of 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.
 

 

Visit either website for more details and upcoming tour dates for Lauren and Emily as well links to order any of the above books!

 

http://www.laurenweisberger.com

http://www.emilygiffin.com

 

 

The One and Only by Emily Giffin- 1 year anniversary!

It’s been one year since the release of not only one of my favorite 2014 reads but also favorite books and author ever!  The One and Only by Emily Giffin has special meaning to me as it was the first book I read after the birth of my daughter.  I was so excited to get back into my reading groove and even more thrilled that it would be a book by the fabulous Emily Giffin.  I have been a fan of Giffin’s since the first page in her first novel Something Borrowed.  She has this way of telling a story that not only grabs you from the first sentence but also makes you feel like you are reading about old friends.  She tells stories of truth and creates a plot that is completely relatable on some level.  Upon its release date, May 20, 2014, The One and Only had great reviews and was being compared to the amazing television show Friday Night Lights as the backdrop for both was Texas and football.

The One and Only centers around Shea Rigsby who lives in Walker, Texas a town that lives and breathes college football.  A born fan herself, Shea works at the college athletic center alongside the teams coach, Clive Carr.  Clive also happens to be her best friend Lucy’s father.  Lucy and Shea couldn’t be more different but when tragedy hits close to home the bond between one another is tested.  Shea decides to take a chance at a dream job leaving the comfort and safety that she knows at the athletic department.  This move makes waves not only in her career but her relationships as well.  She starts to question everything she thought she once knew.  Love, family, career and passion are all ingredients into this amazing story.  You do not need to be a football fan to fall in love with Shea, Clive and Lucy- this story is so much more than that.

Once again Emily Giffin creates characters that once you say goodbye on that last page you immediately start to think what happens next.  This is the case with all Giffin’s books.  I have gotten the chance to meet Emily on two occasions while in Boston and like her characters she always feels like a friend you have known for years.  Her down to earth personality and love for writing always is the heart of her books and The One and Only is no exception.  I was going to start my “Blissful Beach Bag Picks” on June 1st but I am making The One and Only the honorary pick today.  Pack your beach bag and make sure to grab this book.  The paperback is out and its the perfect companion to sun and sand.  I am counting down the days until Emily’s next book and I know it will be an instant favorite.  In the meantime we can all dream and wonder if The One and Only were to be a movie, as is Something Borrowed, who would play the cast?