Losing a sibling is a harsh blow to anyone's well-being --
it just is -- no matter age or circumstances. Life goes one
and the succeeding days, months and years seem to fill with
platitudes and wisdom -- thoughts of good wishes. But the
truth of the matter is that loss has left a void in the
surviving siblings that can never be filled or breached.
Life does continue and circumstances change as the family
learns to cope and move on to new stages in their own
lives.
Thoughts of that lost sibling become moments of fond
memories -- cherished but mostly delegated to the back
portions of our brains -- not visited as often anymore --
but
that does not negate the hurt.
Josie and Meredith take us on their voyage to heal. Their
lives have taken their own paths, directions, and outwardly
they are okay. Even if their lives aren't wondrous they are
fine. Burning question -- should we settle for fine?
FIRST COMES LOVE by Emily Giffin is a study of life going
on. Giffin's books share experiences of women who deal with
random life events and choices. I have to admit this is my
first foray into the writings of Emily Giffin and I can
assure you it won't be my last.
FIRST COMES LOVE is about regrets -- everyone has them --
it's natural but when those regrets start eating at your
conscience there are repercussions. You're going to love
Josie and Meredith probably because they seem like someone
you already know or shall I dare say remind you of
yourself. Yes -- they are that real -- a testament to the
talent of Emily Giffin. Situations and dialog are all spot
on and transport you into the lives of these seemingly very
different sisters.
Everything, every aspect of Meredith's relationship and
marriage to Nolan has a connection to her late brother
Daniel. It's odd, rather eerie and mostly just plain sad.
Could that be the reason that years old angst and doubts
are resurfacing. Meredith seems to have the ideal life that
her sister Josie practically covets. But it's supposed to
be Meredith's life -- isn't it?
Josie on the other hand can't seem to find the light at the
end of the tunnel but in her case that vision is closer
than she could imagine. Josie wants a home and family of
her own. She adores children. The nagging question is why
have all her past relationships come to abrupt ends? Where
is the man for Josie?
Every chapter in FIRST COMES LOVE is written from the
perspective of one or the other sister. Emily Giffin uses
Meredith and Josie as the narrators of their stories which
is as it should be since FIRST COMES LOVE is about their
family. The family that splintered following the death of
Daniel. But that would be simplistic and not entirely fair
or accurate. FIRST COMES LOVE is an amazingly honest look
at how real life can take you on paths that defy logic.
Love is not about logic. It's about feelings. FIRST COMES
LOVE by Emily Giffin makes you aware of all those feelings
-- good, bad, ugly and indifferent -- but wondrous all the
same.
A pair of sisters find themselves at a crossroads in this dazzling new novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed, Where We Belong, and The One & Only. First Comes Love is a story about family, friendship, and the courage to follow your own heart—wherever that may lead. 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 delicate bond splinters. 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 is assigned to 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 that they need each other more than they knew—and that in the search for true happiness, love always comes first.
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