Love the One You're With
by Emily Giffin
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Book Reviews of Love the One You're With
Book Review: She made Andy too perfect
Summary: 3 Stars
I've enjoyed Giffin's books and admittedly, finished this in a matter of hours all the while ignoring my boyfriend and even sneaking in a few pages at work on my lunch break.
I agree that Giffin creates some interesting and thoughtful characters, including Ellen, Margot, and Leo. I thought Andy's character was a bit one-dimensional and wonder if that was intentional so that we would be in suspense about 'who will she choose'? until the last chapter.
I liked how Ellen felt around Leo. For that reason I felt ripped-off at the end of the book. The last scene turned into some random Mr. Big and Carrie drama that made me frustrated. I agree with the final sentences in the book, sure - but - come on Giffin - Andy's character and his life was a bit ridiculous and perfect. What about the other women out there who are trying to choose between a Leo and a modified version of Andy (i.e. minus the tennis club membership, fancy house, cut body, and likeable character?). To add to that, Andy was always so understanding and always said the right things -- most men I know have a defensive-gene in their body that makes arguing so unproductive.
Thanks though for the fun read. I love getting caught up in your books.
Book Review: ellen
Summary: 5 Stars
maybe this is heresy among emily giffin fans, but i really liked ellen much more than rachel in something borrowed (too whiny). she's not quite up there with the fabulous darcy, or the smart alecky claudia, but she's an engaging character simply because of the fact that she's so brutally honest with herself through out the book. at the times in the book that you really hate her, she hates herself just as much, if not more. at the times you want her to just give in to her desires, she starts listing off all valid reasons she should as well. in that sense, i thought she was one of the more relatable characters ive read in a long time.
i really felt like this was a story of personal growth for ellen. i think one of the hardest things in life is learning when it's best to let go of certain things, and knowing when it's worth fighting to hold onto them. it's not always easy to answer these questions and ellen's self-examination in this book totally felt real to me.
there is a passage late in the book when she's talking about having to make the same choice day-after-day and what that says about love that had me completely tearing up. if for nothing else, you should read this book for that chapter alone.
Book Review: Impressed, as always.
Summary: 5 Stars
I finished this book nearly a month ago. I found the book to be sort of slow in the begining, but it began to pick up a fourth of the way into it. I've always enjoyed reading Emily Giffin's books.Her characters really well developed to where you are able to be at a sympathetic level with them. She writes about practical issues women can faced be with in their lifetimes. And sometimes one may have to sacrifice or tweak a few major things in one's life in order to overcome such obstacles.
In this book, a major theme is the saying "What if...?" Ellen, the main character is faced with that question when she runs into her ex-boyfriend Leo. Would things had been different, if she had stayed with Leo, instead of being with her husband Andy. Curiousity, gets the best of Ellen and she on journey to discover that maybe the life she has now, is the one she is meant have and live.
Lastly, the most significant reason, I am giving this book a FIVE STAR, is I was very lucky enough to meet Emily Giffin herself, on June 11th, 2008 @ Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena,Ca. Everyone who was there was able to get real in depth insight on her inspiration for this book. That made the book really more enjoyable as well.
Book Review: Really good book
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed Love the One You're With! In my opinion, it didn't quite live up to Emily Giffin's first three books, but that is setting the bar pretty high and it's still a definite five star read. Personally, I thought the book was very moving and relatable, though with slightly less humor than the first three. I also thought it was a lot like Something Borrowed, in that there was this sadness that sort of hung over the entire book, since you knew there was no clean way for Ellen to get out of the situation in which she found herself and that either way there was going to be heartbreak.
Speaking of Ellen, I didn't find her unlikeable at all. But whether you do like her or not, I don't think it really affects whether you can get into the story or not. The book is more about the situation of being caught between two loves and not knowing what to do about it. As they say, the heart wants what it wants...but what if your heart wants two things at once? What do you do? Some might say that the ending was inevitable, but the journey and the growth required to get to that ending is something that this book describes with real sensitivity and honesty. The epilogue is a real killer.
Book Review: Bittersweet
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been waiting two years for this book and made sure to go out and buy it as soon as it was available! Totally worth it, as I couldn't put it down and got completely into Ellen's story. Overall, it's another great Emily Giffin book and if you've read any of her first books, you will know what to expect. Lots of smart writing and a lot insights into how people really act and think.
I found this book to be one of her most true to life stories, in the sense that she really talks about how we sometimes can't control our feelings or how we feel about certain people (much like how Ellen can't control how she feels about Leo), but we CAN control how we act on those feelings. And because of that, the ending of the book really stuck with me, as Ellen had to make decisions that really committed her to one life or another. The idea of choice is really important to this story and it's something we all have to do as we "grow up." It is a bittersweet process and I think the book captures that gain something/lose something idea really well (after all, not all endings are completely happy or completely sad).
Great book. I'll be waiting eagerly for the next one.