SheKnows Book Club Pick: “Heart of the Matter” by Emily Giffin
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin is the June/July pick for the SheKnows Book Club!
Reviewed by Vera (Luxury Reading)
Heart of the Matter was my first foray into reading Emily Giffin’s books; I’ve previously listened to Baby Proof on audio.
Heart of the Matter is narrated alternatively by the two leading female characters, Tessa and Valerie. Married to a brilliant plastic surgeon, Nick Russo, Tessa gave up her teaching career at a local university to be a stay-at-home mom to the couple’s two young children. Valerie, an attorney and single mom, has dedicated her life to raising her son Charlie and little else.
A freak accident leaves Charlie with serious burns over his face and arm, bringing the duo into Nick’s path. As he works to repair the damage, Nick’s concern for the patient and his mother evolves into something more than simple professional courtesy. Long room visits turn into daily phone calls; when Charlie is discharged from the hospital, Nick finds reasons to visit him, and Valerie, at home.
The quiet dissatisfaction Nick has with his marriage finds an outlet when he’s around Valerie, while Tessa is left to contend with Nick’s increasingly long “work” hours. Much of the novel grapples with Nick’s ultimate decision of whether or not to give into his growing affection for Valerie, and the potential ramifications of his choice on Tessa and their family.
Reading Heart of the Matter was akin to having a crush, and hoping that the other party felt the same way. The anticipation of mutual affection in real life and in Giffin’s novel was one and the same. In Heart of the Matter, she created the perfect combination of knowing what’s right, and still being able to sympathize with the side that’s wrong. While I felt for Tessa and understood that Nick’s actions were wrong, I also felt for Valerie and could not help but want her’s and Nick’s relationship to work out in some way.
Visit Emily Giffin’s website for more information.
This book was provided free of any obligation by SheKnows Book Club. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.
Category: Literature & Fiction, Women's Fiction
Review of Love The One You’re With By Emily Giffin…
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I have never read anything by this author but this books sounds really good!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I have only read Giffin’s ‘Something Blue’, and have wanted to read ‘Love the One You’re With’ but just haven’t gotten around to it yet … I’m noticing a theme though: she definitely writes about ‘flawed’ heroines (or, I guess in this case, it’s a hero?)… At least she handles it well – in ‘Something Blue’ everything was so crazily chaotic and mixed up it was kinda amusing; and it sounds as though she handled all the drama and questions well here too. It’s a very real fact of life, unfortunately
, so I guess it’s good that someone is taking the time to write about it in a careful, “fun” way – to make us think, but without making us feel really really bad about enjoying what we’re reading … Might have to pick this one up – but I’m reading ‘Love the One You’re With’ first! haha 
Love to read the book.
P.S. I have not read Something Borrowed, but I hear that Tessa from Heart of the Matter is actually the sister of the main character Dex in Something Borrowed…
I need to read this author! I’ve heard so many great reviews about all of her books!
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I have never read this author before either, but I actually purchased this book not that long ago because the synopsis sounded so good. I am glad that the author was able to relate this touchy subject in such a way that you can relate to both parties as I love when that happens
. One of my all time favorite authors, Jodi Picoult, has this ability and I just love when I can find a new author to devour!
I agree with what Kayla stated … this book I am surely hit home with many readers. I can relate to the synopsis of this book. I will keep this book in mind the next time I go to book store. Thanks for the review.
I feel like I come across the name “Emily Giffin” fairly often, but I haven’t read any of her work. THIS sounds EXCELLENT though. It sounds so real, so relatable.
I am looking forward to reading this book-I have enjoyed all her other books. As you say reading it is akin to having a crush-I find that she brings all her characters to life.