page_karla's review against another edition
4.0
It was nice getting a glimpse of the life of an adopted. I always thought that these kids should be grateful to their adoptive parents and not bother looking for their biological ones who seemingly abandoned them. I felt no truer words were spoken in the story of Kirby. All her feelings seem justified and real. I also liked the realistic ending. One of Giffin's better novels.
dedraps's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the characters in the book. The problems they faced were real and thought provoking. I wondered if I would have done the same thing as Marian and Kirby, and if would have felt the same way as Lynn.
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
For me, this was the most enjoyable Giffin book since [b:Something Borrowed|42156|Something Borrowed|Emily Giffin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1305063535s/42156.jpg|1789440] and [b:Something Blue|42155|Something Blue|Emily Giffin|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1316638724s/42155.jpg|1470371]. While the storyline based on the jacket description alone brought to mind something out of a Lifetime movie, the book ended up digging deeper into the emotions of the characters and taking a few unexpected turns. I didn't expect Kirby and Marian to meet so early in the book, and while many of the events that followed were somewhat predictable, there were some nice moments and character beats scattered throughout. I liked the dual narrative that showcased the story from both the mother and the daughter's points of view, although I do think this hampered Marian from becoming a fully rounded character whose motivations I completely understood. I perused a handful of reviews that voiced disappointment with the ending and that these readers would have liked a little more closure between two of the characters, but I rather liked the ambiguity and appreciated that Giffin didn't spell everything out for me or rush them together by the final page.
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
3.0
Emily Giffin does a really good job of writing intelligent adult chick-lit. This was a good look at the repurcussions of the stupid stuff we do when we are teenagers, and I found it even more relatable because the main adult character was pretty much my age (or she will be in a couple years when the book catches up with itself, timewise). I could really picture how some of Marian's mistakes were made and then buried for years while she lived a very outwardly successful life. I appreciated that Giffin didn't take the book in a cliche direction and thought that the level of awkwardness that all characters experienced in their predicament was very appropriate. My main complaint is that I didn't think Kirby was written as well as Marian. It is a rare talent to write a young adult with the appropriate level of immaturity as an adult writer without coming across as condescending, and while Giffin was close, I think she excels at smart adult characters and Kirby was just a little...off. All in all, I'm pleased with the book and appreciated that it was my first Goodreads Giveaway win since I decided I was only signing up for books I really wanted to read.
ajafrost's review against another edition
2.0
Where We Belong just didn't do it for me. The plot was generic (adopted kid tracks down long-lost parents, begins to love them, folds them into her life and makes "one big happy family.") Vanilla plots can be redeemed by lovable characters, but that didn't really happen here. Marian is immature, weak, and completely overshadowed by all the other characters. Kirby is just okay; I didn't find her very realistic, and I'm exactly her age. Conrad is the one likable character but he's not present nearly enough.
That said, I was glad the ending wasn't completely neat and tidy. Conrad and Marian will probably end up together, but it's left for the reader to imagine their future.
That said, I was glad the ending wasn't completely neat and tidy. Conrad and Marian will probably end up together, but it's left for the reader to imagine their future.
glitterbomb47's review against another edition
3.0
Completely predictable, but I was in the mood for something light.
mrdonohoe's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mmasten's review against another edition
3.0
This book was about the relationship between a woman who gave a child up for adoption after a teenage pregnancy and her reunited 18 year old daughter.
It was good, definitely enjoyable but not great like some of the other Emily Giffin books.
It was good, definitely enjoyable but not great like some of the other Emily Giffin books.