Heart of the Matter: A Novel

Emily Giffin

May 2010 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

"Giffin excels at creating complex characters and stories that ask us to explore what we really want from our lives."--Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her own mother's warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.

Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie--a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance--and even to some degree, friendships--believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.

Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.

In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin's Heart of the Matter creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.

Ratings and reviews

(3.5 stars) This is an easy entertaining read. True to form, Emily Giffin creates wonderful and complete characters. The story takes you into their lives, reveals their strengths and weaknesses, and makes you want to know more. The book is aptly named, it deals with matters of the heart and captures the essence of what matters to the heart. It’s about real life and being human and overflows with passion. It’s told from the viewpoint of Tessa, a stay at home Mom and Valerie a single mother, as they fight their personal demons and deal with a shared crisis. Emily fairly and honestly presents the opposing sides and in turn opens your heart to each woman, allowing you to completely relate to the doubts, fears and insecurities invading their thoughts and stealing their peace. One caveat, the book is slow to start. The first half does not have enough emotional pull or substance. Overall though, a great book for Emily’s fans and those who enjoy a good story about the inner workings of relationships, marriage and especially motherhood.

AHHH MAZING! I have liked all of the previous Emily Giffin books I have read, but this one was bar none my favorite. I always read the flap or the back to get a quick synopsis. Well after reading the flap, this book went down a completely opposite road then I thought it would. I do not want to give my idea or the road it actually took away because it was so good that I want everyone to log onto their library pages and request it immediately or head to a bookstore and purchase it. Told from the point of two different moms, alternating between each of their point of views, it kept the story moving without confusing the reader. These mom's worlds collide in a much different way then I was imagining. You don't know how small your world is, until it crashes down around you. I honestly can't say more or I will ruin this gem of a read. It was a quick and easy read with short chapters. Too all my ladies of all ages, you will love the interesting turn this book takes. If you are interested in the road I thought it was headed down - leave a comment with your email address!

Emily Giffin does it again! This was an amazing book which I found myself reading until my eyes were to tired to continue. It is a catchy book with many details and the author gives you enough details in order to picture what exactly is happening in the book as your reading! One of my favorite books by far and definitely recommend it to anyone!

About the author

Emily Giffin is the New York Times bestselling author of Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof and Love The One You're With. She lives in Atlanta with her husband and three young children.