"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.
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"I loved this novel. The characters were such real women, both of whom I genuinely liked. I found myself rooting for one, then switching to the other, then back the first again. It's a testament to Emily Giffin's writing that she was able to make even the adulterous husband likeable. A great read."
— Lori (5 out of 5 stars)
“With realistic and a sharp depiction of relationships, Giffin crafts an emotional, effortless read.
— MoreLike Giffin's previous books, Heart of the Matter is a story about love, relationships, and infidelity, with a decidedly Sex and the City tone, so I think Nixon is a natural pick to orate it.
— Entertainment WeeklyCynthia Nixon narrates the audiobook and she is just fantastic. She has the ability to convey a lot of emotion with her voice and I was impressed with her performance.
— Daemon's BooksVery well done - I didn't realize until I was most of the way done that the voice is Miranda from Sex and the City. She does a great job.
— My Reading Room" Made me upset.. not her best work. The first 3 were much better. I probably would have been happier not reading this one. "
— Lauren, 2/19/2014" Cheating is never ok. How could a book with this plot line be titled "heart of the matter"? "
— Katherine, 2/15/2014" This book has been written many times. Do not waste your time. I bought it because I had read other stuff by her but I did not enjoy it. "
— Robbin, 1/26/2014" Predictable--which is why it made for a good book to keep beside the baby crib for late night feeding/rocking time. Thought the ending was kind of lame and shallow (no spoilers here). There was potential for a better story to come out of this plot. But, like I said, it makes for an easy, light pick-up-put-down sort of book. PS: why did she bother to bring other characters from prior books into this one, and then go basically no where with them in the plot? I felt like that device fell flat. "
— Erin, 1/26/2014" I enjoyed reading it. The earth didn't move but it was distracting. A quick easy read. Good topic. Characters lacked depth. "
— Christine, 1/16/2014" I really enjoyed it, it had twists that we're interesting but were also predictable. Better than love the one your with, that's for sure "
— Laura, 1/16/2014" I love filling the gaps with her books, always quick easy nice reads. Enjoyed getting both perspectives through out the book, the wife and the other women. "
— Stacey, 1/7/2014" It was interesting to read a book like this from the perspective of 2 women. "
— Barbi, 1/1/2014" Another great story by Emily Giffin! "
— Jennifer, 12/21/2013" Not the author's best work at all! Did not like the general theme nor the ending. "
— Liz, 12/19/2013" This book was pretty terrible. But I needed something easy and mindless to get me back to reading after a several month long hiatus....so I guess it worked for that. "
— Angela, 12/9/2013" This is the third book i read from Emily Giffin, but the truth is that i didn't enjoyed this one, I just read all the book because I was hopping for something better at the end. "
— Karla, 12/2/2013" The writing was brilliant. I love the way the scenes and actions are described so well. But the storyline just doesn't do it for me.. I'm not blaming the book, I just didn't find it interesting enough.. I actually found it quite boring. (it's just me ) "
— Rabbie, 9/15/2013" I liked the book, but it was not my favorite from Emily Giffin. I hope she wows me with her upcoming book! "
— Meredith, 8/2/2013" Giffin is a really great writer. This book just struck a little too close to home for me to enjoy its entirety. But I'd be lying if I said she didn't completely suck me in. "
— Amanda, 6/16/2013" Thought provoking book as you are able to understand the points of view of all 3 parties involved in an affair - which is a scary reality! "
— Leslie, 12/31/2012" Love Emily Griffen. Love all her books. Couldn't put this book down. BUT, it left me feeling sad and melancholy. Even though I couldn't put it down, I wouldn't recommend it;( "
— Amieway, 12/11/2012" This book was a great escape and an easy page turner! Good little dramatic story. It was also fun to hear about Rachel and Dex from the other novels! "
— Jacque, 8/19/2012" a real thought provoker for a married mama:) "
— Kylenkaisha, 3/19/2012" Just couldn't get in to this one. Didn't finish. "
— Jennifer, 11/4/2011" This is my second favorite of Emily's books. Something Borrowed is still number one thus far. "
— Jessica, 10/21/2011" I wish I could say that I loved this book, but I just didn't. It was weak and I found myself spacing in parts, it was just boring. Not what I had hoped for. "
— Mary, 10/20/2011" While at my daughter's this week, I snooped around in her books for something to read. Imagine my surprise to read such a good book! And she has 4 others by this author that she sent home with me. Very well written. "
— Barbara, 7/14/2011" I really enjoyed this book. Typically I don't chose page turners or chick lit. This was a new genre for me, and I loved it! I plan on reading all Emily's books. "
— Lorraine, 6/12/2011" Touching, realistic, and well written story told by two women...one who was the wife, the other who had an affair with that wife's husband. I didn't want to put it down. "
— Carol, 5/19/2011" I really enjoyed this book and it actually made me think. It was a bit slow at parts, but definitely worth reading! "
— Fabulous, 5/19/2011" Really good chick-lit; intelligent and insightful characters. Not the pulp I expected by the cover. "
— Nicole, 5/18/2011" Have decided I'm not a fan of Emily Giffin's and probably won't be reading anymore of her books. "
— Emily, 5/16/2011" I couldn't put this book down because I wanted to know what happened. There are parts of the book where I felt like I needed to talk to someone about what was happening. "
— Carrie, 5/15/2011" I liked the characters and found them believable, but the story line became old about half-way through. "
— Nancy, 5/14/2011" Good read, wonder why Emily centers so much around cheating spouses but then what would make the story so interesting if people just lived a boring life :) I liked the ending "
— Tammy, 5/14/2011" I usually love Emily Giffin books but I didn't like this one at all. It was a little to serious for my liking, I prefer a more light-hearted story. <br/> "
— Rose, 5/12/2011Emily Giffin is the author of eleven internationally bestselling novels, including the Adventures of Darcy series and nine stand-alone novels, including eight New York Times bestsellers.
Cynthia Nixon is an actress best known for her role in the popular television series Sex and the City. She has received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and A Grammy Award. Nixon lives with her wife and three children.