Where We Belong

Marian Caldwell is a successful television producer in New York City who has crafted the life she always wanted. Her world shifts when Kirby Rose, the daughter she gave up for adoption eighteen years ago, shows up at her door seeking answers about her birth parents. The story alternates between Marian and Kirby's perspectives as they navigate their new relationship and complex emotions. Kirby's appearance forces Marian to confront long-buried secrets and reconnect with people from her past, including Kirby's father. Both women embark on journeys of self-discovery as they question their identities and choices. The narrative explores how one decision can ripple through decades and impact multiple lives. The novel examines themes of identity, forgiveness, and the true meaning of family. Through its dual perspectives, it considers how people find their place in the world and what drives the choices that shape their paths.

Readers describe this as a lighter, faster-paced book compared to Giffin's previous works. Many found the dual narrative structure engaging and appreciated exploring both main characters' perspectives. Readers liked: - Realistic portrayal of adoption relationships - Strong character development of both protagonists - Less focus on romance than Giffin's other novels - Complex family dynamics - Satisfying but not overly neat ending Readers disliked: - Side characters feeling underdeveloped - Some found the pacing slow in the middle - Several noted the story was predictable - A few felt the teenage character's voice wasn't authentic Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (87,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,400+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) "The emotional depth surprised me" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much build-up for an anticlimactic ending" - Amazon reviewer "More nuanced than your typical beach read" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

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🌟 The novel reached #2 on The New York Times Best Seller list shortly after its release in 2012 📚 Author Emily Giffin worked as a litigation attorney in Manhattan before pursuing her dream of becoming a writer 🎬 The book's authentic portrayal of the television industry stems from Giffin's research and interviews with actual TV producers 💝 The adoption storyline in the book was partially inspired by Giffin's own experience adopting her daughter from China 🗽 New York City, where much of the novel is set, has one of the highest rates of domestic adoption in the United States, with over 1,000 adoptions finalized annually