Where to Start with Emily Giffin
Emily Giffin is a powerhouse of contemporary women's fiction, celebrated for her ability to navigate the complex, messy, and deeply human aspects of love, friendship, and moral gray areas. If you are new to her books, the best place to start is with the Darcy & Rachel Duology, beginning with her smash-hit debut Something Borrowed. From there, you can transition into her standalone novels. Although these novels are technically self-contained, they are set in a shared universe featuring overlapping characters and family trees. Reading in publication order is the absolute best way to experience these fun Easter eggs without spoiling previous character arcs.
The Darcy & Rachel Duology
While most of Giffin's books stand alone, her first two novels are directly connected and must be read in order. This duology is the cornerstone of her bibliography.
- Something Borrowed (2004): This is the book that launched Giffin's career. It follows Rachel White, a hard-working Manhattan attorney who has always played second fiddle to her beautiful, self-absorbed best friend, Darcy Rhone. On her 30th birthday, Rachel ends up sleeping with Darcy's fiancé, Dex, sparking a complicated affair that tests the boundaries of loyalty and love. It was adapted into a major motion picture in 2011.
- Something Blue (2005): The direct sequel shifts the point of view to Darcy in the aftermath of the first book's fallout. Facing fallout from her own actions and finding herself pregnant and alone, Darcy flees to London to stay with her childhood friend, Ethan. The novel tracks her journey from a spoiled, narcissistic socialite into a mature, self-sufficient woman.
Emily Giffin's Standalone Novels in Publication Order
Once you finish the duology, you can read the rest of Giffin's books in any order you choose. However, reading them chronologically allows you to track the evolution of her writing and catch character connections in sequence.
1. Baby Proof (2006)
This novel tackles a unique and modern dilemma: the choice to remain childfree. Claudia and Ben marry with the mutual agreement that they do not want children. However, when Ben changes his mind, their relationship is pushed to its absolute limits, forcing Claudia to choose between the man she loves and the life she envisioned for herself.
2. Love the One You're With (2008)
Ellen has been happily married to Andy, her devoted husband, for one year. But when she runs into Leo, the first love who broke her heart and left her with endless "what-ifs," she is forced to confront unresolved feelings and decide what truly makes a marriage work.
3. Heart of the Matter (2010)
This emotional drama explores infidelity and forgiveness from two different perspectives: Tessa Russo, a stay-at-home mother whose marriage is tested by tragedy, and Valerie Anderson, a single mother whose son is treated by Tessa's plastic surgeon husband. Crossover Note: Tessa is the older sister of Dex Thaler from Something Borrowed, and readers get a brief, satisfying update on Dex and Rachel's lives in this book.
4. Where We Belong (2012)
Marian Caldwell is a successful 36-year-old television producer living in New York City with a seemingly perfect life. Her world is turned upside down when Kirby Rose, the eighteen-year-old daughter she gave up for adoption as a teenager, shows up on her doorstep looking for answers about her past.
5. The One & Only (2014)
Set in a small, football-obsessed Texas town, this story centers on thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby. Having spent her entire life in Walker, Texas, Shea is forced to re-evaluate her career, her friendships, and her unconventional romantic life after the sudden death of a mentor.
6. First Comes Love (2016)
Josie and Meredith are two sisters who couldn't be more different. Fifteen years after a family tragedy tore their family apart, the sisters find themselves at personal crossroads on the anniversary of the event, forcing them to confront their past and their fragile sibling bond.
7. All We Ever Wanted (2018)
Set in Nashville, this novel follows three distinct characters—a wealthy mother, her privileged son, and a hard-working single father—whose lives collide when an inappropriate photograph goes viral at an elite private school, raising questions about class, race, and family loyalty.
8. The Lies That Bind (2020)
Set in New York City in the summer of 2001, Cecily Gardner falls for a mysterious man named Grant Wood. When he goes missing in the chaos of September 11, Cecily embarks on a desperate search for him, only to uncover a web of secrets and lies about his true identity.
9. Meant to Be (2022)
A glamorous and nostalgic romance loosely inspired by the real-life love story of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. It details the relationship between Joe Kingsley, the heir to an iconic American political dynasty, and Kingsley Court, a young model trying to escape a difficult childhood.
10. The Summer Pact (2024)
Following a tragedy just before college graduation, four friends make a solemn pact to always show up for each other when life hits a breaking point. Ten years later, when one of them hits rock bottom, they reunite for a restorative trip to the Amalfi Coast to find healing and self-discovery.
11. Love You More (2026)
Billie has built a stable life in New York and is newly engaged. Her comfortable future is thrown into disarray when her first love suddenly calls, prompting a journey back to Wisconsin to confront unresolved choices and decide where her heart truly belongs.
Practical Reader Advice
Here are some key tips to make the most of your Emily Giffin reading journey:
- Look Out for the Thaler Connections: Since Tessa Russo (Heart of the Matter) is Dex Thaler's sister, reading the Darcy & Rachel duology before Heart of the Matter is highly recommended. It adds a layer of depth to the cameos.
- Standalone Versatility: Don't feel pressured to read every single book in order. If the plot of a specific standalone like Baby Proof or Meant to Be catches your eye, feel free to jump right in. Giffin designs her standalones so that prior reading is never mandatory to understand the plot.
- The Anthology Short Story: If you are looking for every piece of writing she has published, look for the 2006 charity anthology Girls' Night Out. Giffin contributed a short story titled "A Thing of Beauty" alongside authors like Meg Cabot and Marian Keyes.