Meant to Be

A Novel

By: Emily Giffin

Narrated by: Caroline Hewitt, Robert Petkoff, Emily Giffin

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • He’s American royalty. She comes from a troubled past. Is their love story meant to be? This “lively page-turner” (The New York Times) offers a nostalgic, hopelessly romantic escape—from the author of Something Borrowed and The Lies That Bind.

“I’m a sucker for an iconic, against-all-odds love story, and Meant to Be truly delivers.”—Tia Williams, author of Seven Days in June

“A chic, history-inspired summer read [that] strikes a careful balance between simply retelling the true story of JFK Jr. and his wife, Carolyn Bessette, and crafting an entirely new one.”—Bookreporter

The Kingsley family is American royalty, beloved for their military heroics, political service, and unmatched elegance. In 1967, after Joseph S. Kingsley, Jr. is killed in a tragic accident, his charismatic son inherits the weight of that legacy. But Joe III is a free spirit—and a little bit reckless. Despite his best intentions, he has trouble meeting the expectations of a nation, as well as those of his exacting mother, Dottie.

Meanwhile, no one ever expected anything of Cate Cooper. She, too, grew up fatherless—and after her mother marries an abusive man, she is forced to fend for herself. After being discovered by a model scout at age sixteen, Cate decides that her looks may be her only ticket out of the cycle of disappointment that her mother has always inhabited. Before too long, Cate’s face is in magazines and on billboards. Yet she feels like a fraud, faking it in a world to which she’s never truly belonged.

When Joe and Cate unexpectedly cross paths one afternoon, their connection is instant and intense. But can their relationship survive the glare of the spotlight and the so-called Kingsley curse? In a beautifully written novel that captures a gilded moment in American history, Emily Giffin tells the story of two people searching for belonging and identity, as well as the answer to the question: Are certain love stories meant to be?

©2022 Emily Giffin (P)2022 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A sweet and sensible romance firmly placed in the real world . . . Meant to Be balances classic romance scenes with nuggets of history and nuanced takes on modern issues. . . . Giffin’s writing is consumable and rich, balancing dialogue and descriptions to build a parallel world with convincing characters. Meant to Be proves you can have your romance and think deeply, too.”—Associated Press

“Giffin’s latest charts the course of true love between an American aristocrat and a troubled fashionista. . . . An intriguing meditation on the meaning of 'meant to be.’”—Kirkus Reviews

“Giffin reimagines the love story of John F. Kennedy, Jr., and Carolyn Bessette in her absorbing new novel. . . . Giffin convincingly dramatizes the challenges the couple faces, inducing readers to invest in them and hope desperately for a happy ending.”—Booklist

Great Kennedy storyline.

A great read. A few too spicy scenes. Great characters with a fast pace. Enjoy.

So SO corny

I wouldn’t bother with this unless you like really flat corny storylines. Love the Kennedy nod, but the characters are so boring and predictable. There is nothing unique about them and all they do is coo to each other and call each other, baby. It’s just a boring book.

She had me at the first chapter,

Emily has grabbed me again with one of the most memorable love stories based on 2 families that could not be more different. I loved all of the references to the gifts of family we have been blessed with or not and what two people with their gifts. Thank you Emily for another terrific read one of your best yet!

Had high hopes

This did not feel unique in anyway. I have really enjoyed other works by this author but this one is as flat as a hallmark movie. The characters had no depth nor did they grow.

A Kennedy Family Fanfic

I loved this story based on a fictional narrative of the lives of JFK Jr. and Caroline Bassett Kennedy. Although the characters are entirely fictional, their basis and storyline follows that of American Royalty. The love and friendship were all beautiful and completely developed, and overall this was a fun romantic read, perfect for summer.

Predictable and somewhat boring

I have enjoyed nearly all of Emily Giffin’s books. This one wasn’t bad but it also wasn’t good. The readers are great but they don’t have much of a storyline with which to work. Cate’s character has a bit of depth but Joe’s does not. Yawn.

Loved the book! Sad when it ended!!

The book was great. Loved the characters and storyline.

The Camelot comparisons made me think of the what ifs of John and Caroline Kennedy!

Highly recommend. I look forward to other books by this author.

Wonderful!

This was such a cute little book. It was such an escape from the mundane day-to-day.

Good story

Entertaining story but the narration was just ok. And parts of the story are pretty cheesy. But it kept my attention.

Swing and a miss.

Oh man. I have read Giffins books over and over and preordered this one. Unfortunately, I have to say: this was not it. It was a really bad lifetime movie with an even worse protagonist. There is nothing more irritating than a woman who is insecure, ashamed and non communicative in her relationship pushing a man away and he still somehow fawns over her for her to get her fairytale. Ugh. And in the end she’s so pathetic that he can’t help but love her through it. Hard pass for me. Super had pass.