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Love You More
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26A woman is newly engaged to a man she adores when she receives a call from her first love—with news that shatters her carefully ordered world—in this emotional, powerful novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Pact.
Billie has built the perfect life. Her practice as a doctor in New York City is thriving, and she’s finally found the right partner in Dean after years spent trying to move on from her high-school sweetheart, Mick. Their young love had been intense and true, but distance and ambition pulled them apart when she left Wisconsin for medical school.
Then one morning, just after accepting Dean’s romantic marriage proposal, Billie’s phone rings. It’s Mick—calling for the first time in nearly a decade. His news is urgent, and in a moment, everything changes.
As Billie boards a plane back to Wisconsin, the past comes rushing in—her friendships from home, the love she shared with Mick, and the choices that shaped them. What awaits her is a reckoning with what she’s lost, what she’s built, and what she still wants.
Gripping and deeply moving, Love You More is a story about the plot twists life throws at us—and how love, in all its forms, has the power to change everything.
Billie has built the perfect life. Her practice as a doctor in New York City is thriving, and she’s finally found the right partner in Dean after years spent trying to move on from her high-school sweetheart, Mick. Their young love had been intense and true, but distance and ambition pulled them apart when she left Wisconsin for medical school.
Then one morning, just after accepting Dean’s romantic marriage proposal, Billie’s phone rings. It’s Mick—calling for the first time in nearly a decade. His news is urgent, and in a moment, everything changes.
As Billie boards a plane back to Wisconsin, the past comes rushing in—her friendships from home, the love she shared with Mick, and the choices that shaped them. What awaits her is a reckoning with what she’s lost, what she’s built, and what she still wants.
Gripping and deeply moving, Love You More is a story about the plot twists life throws at us—and how love, in all its forms, has the power to change everything.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 7, 2026
2779 people want to read
About the author
Emily Giffin
39 books25.6k followersEMILY GIFFIN is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law. The #1 New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Baby Proof, Love the One You're With, Heart of the Matter, Where We Belong, The One & Only, First Comes Love, All We Ever Wanted, The Lies That Bind, and the recently released Meant to Be, she currently lives in Atlanta with her family.
Website: www.emilygiffin.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EmilyGiffinFans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/emilygiffin
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February 10, 2026Ummmmmm this was absurd
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wanna preface this by saying I love Emily Giffin, I have been a huge fan of her work for a long time. So I was very excited to read this, but I have to say this book for me. It was not it at all. I don't want to spoil the story. And explain my complete feelings. Because I would have to explain the spoilers, but it comes down to Billie left her small town and Wisconsin.)That somehow has a high school that 8 different middle school feeds-.So I'm not even going to begin to understand how that happens --- I don't know how we're measuring things in cornfields. In this book and talking sm small towns, if you come from an area that has 8 middle schools that converge into one big high school. That was big problem I had with this book in the very beginning. - i live in a a larger than average Minnesota city that has 3 elementary schools that feeds into one middle school. And then one high school, so if you're talking 8 middle schools to one high school, that's not a small town. I just can't let go of that anyway, sorry off my soap box) Billy and Mick meet in ninth grade math class - they are friends for most of high school. And become a couple end of high school beginning of college, she gives up her dream of going to Yale. To stay in college with mick and go to Madison, but she can't do it when it comes to med school. She's always wanted to be a doctor and she chooses to go to Columbia.In new york - they make it about 2 years and they break up because of the distance and obviously how hard it is to be.a doctor in training - that's their backstory when we meet Billy, who still calls NYC home this entire time (now 37) she is just getting engaged to her boyfriend. Dean, who's also a doctor, she now runs a fertility clinic with her 2 best friends. And then she gets some awful news from back home when Mick calls that changes a lot of things, she obviously goes home to Wisconsin to deal with it and then begins the story of the book, however I don't buy the story. I think it's absolutely ridiculous. The way that Mick and Billy handle it, I think no rational human being would respondthis way, . I don't want to spoil anything for anybody, as nothing is explained in the synopsis, just that it 's shattering news from the past-- I just think it's so far-fetched, and so unrealistic. I'm so disappointed because I do adore this author but this book is just not it. The only reason I'm giving it to stars is. I like the dogs.
Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review
February 13, 2026
This felt so rushed and underdeveloped in terms of a second chance romance. Also, a storyline that feels very unoriginal and done before. Unimpressed- I usually love her novels. Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
loved this story. it started so sad and ended so wonderfully. real parenting is displayed
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for this eARC!
I've been a fan of Emily Giffin since I first read Something Borrowed, almost 20 years ago when I was in college, so I was beyond excited to get the ARC of her new book.
Love You More follow Billie, as some unexpected news from her ex, Mick, has her finding herself in her hometown in Wisconsin. Now a doctor in NYC and engaged to a man named Dean, she is forced to look at her past.
Let me start off with the good things. I really like all the characters, as people. I liked Billie. She really turned her passion for medicine in a field that she connected with. I love that she had such good friendships, both back in Wisconsin and in NYC. Dean was wonderful - I really thought going in I was going to learn something that made me hate him, but he was great from start to finish. Mick was fine, I would've like to learn more about him, because he did seem really interesting. Phoebe and Erin were fun and added a bit of personality to the story.
All that being said, I did not enjoy this book. I don't think it was necessarily poorly written, but it lacked literally any ounce of depth. It felt like an info dump of things that happened, instead of how characters feel about what happened. No relationships were built. No characters learned anything. There was a whole part about the past - before we even met any of the characters in the present, so it felt hollow, like a list of things you need to know, instead of relating in any way to what was going on; it didn't add enough to the story to take up the amount of time dedicated to it. The "twist" near the end, should've been something that happened earlier in the book to give the characters time to deal with it. Honestly, I feel like the end of this book should've been the beginning. The story should've been about the time Billie spent changing and how she dealt with things in the long-term; Billie learning more about Phoebe, and, for the love of god, there needed to be more than one scene of her alone with Mick. How can you say that any relationship means anything if they aren't given any time to grow and the characters aren't give the chance to grow or learn anything. I was shocked that this book ended where it did. It felt incredibly rushed and I just wanted so much more.
If you love Emily Giffin, I mean, I don't think this book is terrible, but it is extremely surface level. It is a quick read, though, so if you want something quick and easy, this might be for you.
I've been a fan of Emily Giffin since I first read Something Borrowed, almost 20 years ago when I was in college, so I was beyond excited to get the ARC of her new book.
Love You More follow Billie, as some unexpected news from her ex, Mick, has her finding herself in her hometown in Wisconsin. Now a doctor in NYC and engaged to a man named Dean, she is forced to look at her past.
Let me start off with the good things. I really like all the characters, as people. I liked Billie. She really turned her passion for medicine in a field that she connected with. I love that she had such good friendships, both back in Wisconsin and in NYC. Dean was wonderful - I really thought going in I was going to learn something that made me hate him, but he was great from start to finish. Mick was fine, I would've like to learn more about him, because he did seem really interesting. Phoebe and Erin were fun and added a bit of personality to the story.
All that being said, I did not enjoy this book. I don't think it was necessarily poorly written, but it lacked literally any ounce of depth. It felt like an info dump of things that happened, instead of how characters feel about what happened. No relationships were built. No characters learned anything. There was a whole part about the past - before we even met any of the characters in the present, so it felt hollow, like a list of things you need to know, instead of relating in any way to what was going on; it didn't add enough to the story to take up the amount of time dedicated to it. The "twist" near the end, should've been something that happened earlier in the book to give the characters time to deal with it. Honestly, I feel like the end of this book should've been the beginning. The story should've been about the time Billie spent changing and how she dealt with things in the long-term; Billie learning more about Phoebe, and, for the love of god, there needed to be more than one scene of her alone with Mick. How can you say that any relationship means anything if they aren't given any time to grow and the characters aren't give the chance to grow or learn anything. I was shocked that this book ended where it did. It felt incredibly rushed and I just wanted so much more.
If you love Emily Giffin, I mean, I don't think this book is terrible, but it is extremely surface level. It is a quick read, though, so if you want something quick and easy, this might be for you.
February 11, 2026
(4.5 stars) Thank you to NetGalley for this arc! I didn’t love her last book but I really enjoyed this one. You could feel her grief for Erin throughout the entire book. It was beautifully written with lovable characters. I think that’s what made the book difficult is how Dean was pretty lovable throughout most of the story. Parts of it reminded me of Sweet Home Alabama.
Mick was wonderful (minus the one big reveal) and Phoebe was the star and light of the story. Long distance relationships are the absolute worst. Overall I really liked the book!
“Staring at the sealed box, I wonder if this is part of honoring someone-sorting and saving the proof of their life.”
"It's just part of being a team," he says, stroking my hair. "If something matters to you, it matters to me."
“But nothing about today fills the space Erin left behind. Nothing about it makes Phoebe's life any smoother or her grief any lighter. That work lives somewhere else entirely
—in small acts of love, in the ordinary days we're building around her, in the ways we keep her mother's memory alive.”
“But no one has inspired me as much as Phoebe. Caring for her these past few years hasn't always been easy-her adolescent stubbornness has definitely shown up. Yet in my entire life, nothing has brought me more joy. She has made me kinder and stronger all at once-a version of myself I didn't know was possible-and given my life deeper meaning than I ever could have imagined.”
Mick was wonderful (minus the one big reveal) and Phoebe was the star and light of the story. Long distance relationships are the absolute worst. Overall I really liked the book!
“Staring at the sealed box, I wonder if this is part of honoring someone-sorting and saving the proof of their life.”
"It's just part of being a team," he says, stroking my hair. "If something matters to you, it matters to me."
“But nothing about today fills the space Erin left behind. Nothing about it makes Phoebe's life any smoother or her grief any lighter. That work lives somewhere else entirely
—in small acts of love, in the ordinary days we're building around her, in the ways we keep her mother's memory alive.”
“But no one has inspired me as much as Phoebe. Caring for her these past few years hasn't always been easy-her adolescent stubbornness has definitely shown up. Yet in my entire life, nothing has brought me more joy. She has made me kinder and stronger all at once-a version of myself I didn't know was possible-and given my life deeper meaning than I ever could have imagined.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Billie thought she left her hometown and her high school boyfriend, Mick, in the past when she moved to New York and became a successful doctor. Now engaged to trauma surgeon Dean, a tragedy brings her back to her hometown and old life.
💜 Love triangle
💚 Big city/small town
💛 Grief
I absolutely love Emily Giffin and I was so excited to be approved for this advanced reader copy! All of the characters she wrote in this book felt so real, especially Erin and Phoebe. I could really feel their personalities shining through the pages and loved their resemblance to one another. I really loved the flash back chapters, and I think they were perfect to set up the story and to get the full background of Billie and Mick's past.
Billie was such a strong and resilient. yet kind and compassionate main character, and I loved seeing that reflected in everything she did. She faced extremely difficult decisions head-on, and was willing to compromise everything she'd spent her life working for, all for the people she loves. Her and Mick's ability to manage her grief alongside major life changes was really remarkable. This was such an emotional, but heartwarming read. I really loved the found family aspect of this book and the strength of all of the characters!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the advanced reader copy for review!
💜 Love triangle
💚 Big city/small town
💛 Grief
I absolutely love Emily Giffin and I was so excited to be approved for this advanced reader copy! All of the characters she wrote in this book felt so real, especially Erin and Phoebe. I could really feel their personalities shining through the pages and loved their resemblance to one another. I really loved the flash back chapters, and I think they were perfect to set up the story and to get the full background of Billie and Mick's past.
Billie was such a strong and resilient. yet kind and compassionate main character, and I loved seeing that reflected in everything she did. She faced extremely difficult decisions head-on, and was willing to compromise everything she'd spent her life working for, all for the people she loves. Her and Mick's ability to manage her grief alongside major life changes was really remarkable. This was such an emotional, but heartwarming read. I really loved the found family aspect of this book and the strength of all of the characters!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the advanced reader copy for review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A predictable yet enjoyable love story. I overly identified with the story as I read about high school/college sweethearts and lived their moments as my mind re-lived my own. I think I connected with this story because I met and fell in love with my husband at 16 years old. I could really feel the feels, and I think the author does a lovely job at writing her scenes and the dialogue.
A long time romance reader knows that there will generally be a HEA so it doesn't matter if the ending is predictable to make it a good story. What makes it a good story is the journey the author takes you on. I thought this one had Sweet Home Alabama vibes - two competing leading men both with pros and cons - and no overly dramatic issue that makes one stand out and be the obvious choice. It's a story of life, ambition, goals, dreams, and the journey to find oneself with and without a partner. It shows a character struggle through decisions and compromises and heartache and happiness.
Ultimately, I enjoyed it as a fast and happy read. I think my only con was that it wrapped up (as expected) but a little perfectly with a bow, too conveniently after all the build up and decade + of struggle to get to that point.
A long time romance reader knows that there will generally be a HEA so it doesn't matter if the ending is predictable to make it a good story. What makes it a good story is the journey the author takes you on. I thought this one had Sweet Home Alabama vibes - two competing leading men both with pros and cons - and no overly dramatic issue that makes one stand out and be the obvious choice. It's a story of life, ambition, goals, dreams, and the journey to find oneself with and without a partner. It shows a character struggle through decisions and compromises and heartache and happiness.
Ultimately, I enjoyed it as a fast and happy read. I think my only con was that it wrapped up (as expected) but a little perfectly with a bow, too conveniently after all the build up and decade + of struggle to get to that point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another great beach read from Emily Giffin, whose books I look forward to every summer. In this engrossing story, we meet Billie, who grows up in Wisconsin with a loving family and close group of friends, especially her very best friend Erin. As they move through childhood and adolescence they stay together, and Billie becomes fond of one of the group members, Mick. They eventually begin dating and attend the same college.
After college graduation, things change. Billie moves to New York City to persue her lifelong aspiration of becoming a doctor. Her life begins to center around NYC and her friends there. Billie and Mick try a long distance relationship. It doesn't work out, and they lose touch.
In the meantime Billie meets and falls in love with a fellow doctor. They become engaged, planning their wedding. Yet, a tragedy occurs which alters Billie, her boyfriend, and Mick's lives. It entails Billie commuting back and forth from New York to Wisconsin often. The outcome of all this traveling and living is that the relationships between these people change in deep, life-changing ways. They are all forced to face what they each want for their futures.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
After college graduation, things change. Billie moves to New York City to persue her lifelong aspiration of becoming a doctor. Her life begins to center around NYC and her friends there. Billie and Mick try a long distance relationship. It doesn't work out, and they lose touch.
In the meantime Billie meets and falls in love with a fellow doctor. They become engaged, planning their wedding. Yet, a tragedy occurs which alters Billie, her boyfriend, and Mick's lives. It entails Billie commuting back and forth from New York to Wisconsin often. The outcome of all this traveling and living is that the relationships between these people change in deep, life-changing ways. They are all forced to face what they each want for their futures.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of Love You More through NetGalley ahead of its July 7th release, and this book was so good.
The story centers on a woman who has worked relentlessly to become a fertility specialist—only to have her world turned upside down when her best friend dies tragically. She is left sharing custody of her friend’s daughter with the former love of her life, forcing her to confront both grief and unresolved feelings.
The novel begins in high school, building the backstory of her great love and her close friendship with Erin. It then follows her move to the “big city” for medical school as she pursues what she believes is her dream, then jumps forward to the present day. The shifts between past and present are smooth and add real depth to the characters and their relationships.
This book delivers strong storytelling and great character development. It’s a quick, engaging read that kept my attention throughout. While it has rom-com elements, it also brings emotional depth and weight, making it more than just a light romance.
I would absolutely recommend Love You More to fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction and romance.
The story centers on a woman who has worked relentlessly to become a fertility specialist—only to have her world turned upside down when her best friend dies tragically. She is left sharing custody of her friend’s daughter with the former love of her life, forcing her to confront both grief and unresolved feelings.
The novel begins in high school, building the backstory of her great love and her close friendship with Erin. It then follows her move to the “big city” for medical school as she pursues what she believes is her dream, then jumps forward to the present day. The shifts between past and present are smooth and add real depth to the characters and their relationships.
This book delivers strong storytelling and great character development. It’s a quick, engaging read that kept my attention throughout. While it has rom-com elements, it also brings emotional depth and weight, making it more than just a light romance.
I would absolutely recommend Love You More to fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction and romance.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was not your typical second chance romance. High School sweethearts, Billie and Mitch, are brought back together under tragic circumstances 11 years after parting ways. Told in 3 parts with part one building the backstory of how their romance all began and how it eventually fell apart. Part 2 brings a pretty big plot twist that quite honestly felt like a gut punch as I was really not expecting it! The third part is where this book lost a star from me as it felt rushed and then the ending was all just tied up a bit too perfectly in my opinion.
Overall, I found this story very quick and easy to read and enjoyed it. The characters were likable and relatable dealing with issues in mature and responsible ways. There was also no big miscommunication between characters which I appreciated as I hate that! I wouldn’t classify this as a light beach read as it does deal with some heavy topics (loss, grief, Alzheimer’s).
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the chance to read this ARC before it releases on July 7, 2026. ❤️
Overall, I found this story very quick and easy to read and enjoyed it. The characters were likable and relatable dealing with issues in mature and responsible ways. There was also no big miscommunication between characters which I appreciated as I hate that! I wouldn’t classify this as a light beach read as it does deal with some heavy topics (loss, grief, Alzheimer’s).
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the chance to read this ARC before it releases on July 7, 2026. ❤️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I want to start by saying that I love romance novels, and I enjoy Emily Giffin's books. I feel the need to say this because I did not love this book. It did not feel at all realistic or possible; instead, it felt rushed and unrealistic. Let's start with the characters. Billie seemed like she was going to be a great character, and so did Mick. But then they and the relationship they have after the tragedy was not developed enough; it seemed too superficial. And talk about realistic - how realistic was it that Phoebe seemed so easy going after suffering through the same tragedy - I just don't think anyone in her position would have been so happy about everything and never show sadness or pain. And then why, at the end, were they moving to NYC if they were all so happy in Wisconsin? The entire plot was just not developed enough to be believable, and it was a disappointment. That being said, I do thank Emily Giffin for writing, and I look forward to reading her next book. And I also thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We follow Billie, a successful doctor in New York, whose carefully planned life is turned upside down when she receives a call from her high school sweetheart, Mick. Engaged to Dean and settled into a future she thought she wanted, Billie returns to her hometown and is forced to confront old feelings and the possibility of a second chance at first love.
I really enjoyed this romance. Emily Giffin knows how to draw you in and pull at your heartstrings without overdoing it. While the story does feature a love triangle, it’s written in a thoughtful, respectful way with no messy overlap just emotional tension and real choices. It also makes you realize that timing truly is everything and that fate plays a much bigger role in our lives than we often expect. The ending delivers the perfect happily ever after, making this an engaging, heartfelt read and an ideal summer romance.
Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this romance. Emily Giffin knows how to draw you in and pull at your heartstrings without overdoing it. While the story does feature a love triangle, it’s written in a thoughtful, respectful way with no messy overlap just emotional tension and real choices. It also makes you realize that timing truly is everything and that fate plays a much bigger role in our lives than we often expect. The ending delivers the perfect happily ever after, making this an engaging, heartfelt read and an ideal summer romance.
Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a 3.5 star! Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC. I have loved Emily Giffin for a long time and she still knows how to tug on the heartstrings. I don’t think it had quite the same emotional depth as The Summer Pact, but of course I still read most of it through tears. My favorite part was the first part that built Mick and Billie’s relationship. I felt the rest was a bit rushed, for example the character of Lena was introduced and never addressed again. I also felt Phoebe was sort of a side character in the story and I wished it would have centered more on her. She also was one of those perfect book children who is always happy and well-behaved, and that is just not real life. It makes them feel
more like a prop and a child in her situation would especially be far more challenging. Overall though, Emily Giffin is a great writer and good storyteller and I would recommend it!
more like a prop and a child in her situation would especially be far more challenging. Overall though, Emily Giffin is a great writer and good storyteller and I would recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There was a lot of good happening in this book, but also a lot to be desired. We follow Billie who is living in NYC and has it all - dream job, good friends, and a fiancee she loves. Then a phone call from her high school/college sweetheart, Mick, changes everything. In part 1 we get the lead up and the back story of Billie and Mick's relationship. To me, this was the highlight of the book. I loved seeing their relationship grow and eventually fall apart. Parts 2 and 3 bring us back to the present which is where things went astray for me. I felt the story was rushed and way too surface level for the situation(s) that were happening. I need a lot of depth and time to feel grounded in the story and I didn't get that.
Overall, still an ok read, just left me wanting more. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own
Overall, still an ok read, just left me wanting more. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Oh. My. Gravy!! I absolutely loved this book. Love You More is a truly unputdownable book that I forced myself to put down because I didn't want it to end. Emily Giffin has outdone herself with this new poignant and emotional story.
The story follows Billie who is now a doctor in NYC. Part one showcases her life growing up, highlighting her family, best friend, and first serious boyfriend. The second part focuses on her current life and the emotional situation she is currently navigating.
This is a captivating and thought provoking story. The characters are well developed and relatable. Giffin takes us on a ride through the gamut of emotions. There is love, loss, joy and forgiveness along this powerful journey. Giffin's books are always a must-read for me, and this is my favorite by far.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy
The story follows Billie who is now a doctor in NYC. Part one showcases her life growing up, highlighting her family, best friend, and first serious boyfriend. The second part focuses on her current life and the emotional situation she is currently navigating.
This is a captivating and thought provoking story. The characters are well developed and relatable. Giffin takes us on a ride through the gamut of emotions. There is love, loss, joy and forgiveness along this powerful journey. Giffin's books are always a must-read for me, and this is my favorite by far.
Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my ARC Copy of Love You More by Emily Giffin.
This book has everything, small town romance, big city dreams and more plot twists than I was expecting! I really connected with Billie, and her complex feelings throughout the book.
I think this book does a great job of conveying that we are all human and showing the work it takes to pull through difficult situations in life. I love that this book includes the messy, because realistically... life tends to include more messy than we expect.
My only feedback is that I wish there was a bit more at the end, the conclusion wrapped a little faster than my brain was ready for, but I really loved the epilogue, the outcome was exactly what I was rooting for.
This book has everything, small town romance, big city dreams and more plot twists than I was expecting! I really connected with Billie, and her complex feelings throughout the book.
I think this book does a great job of conveying that we are all human and showing the work it takes to pull through difficult situations in life. I love that this book includes the messy, because realistically... life tends to include more messy than we expect.
My only feedback is that I wish there was a bit more at the end, the conclusion wrapped a little faster than my brain was ready for, but I really loved the epilogue, the outcome was exactly what I was rooting for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a beautiful ode to Wisconsin! As a born and raised Wisconsinite this felt extra special. I really, really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The only reason I knocked a star off was because I felt like the end wrapped up a little too quickly for my liking. This might just be a me problem. I kept checking the % and felt nervous that the author was running out of time. The plot twists were perfectly placed within the story and it made for such an interesting read — it almost needed those plot twists because life is never straight forward. As for the ending… both of these men were exceptional. I would have been okay with any ending that Emily Giffin decided on.
A perfect summer read for July. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC — I so appreciate it.
A perfect summer read for July. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC — I so appreciate it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I can’t wait to read more of Emily Giffin’s novels (this was my first)! I absolutely loved “Love You More”. The strong friendships, determination, and love each character showed one another made it such a memorable read. Billie’s choices, both for herself and for those she cares about, made her an easy character to like. Although the title hints at a love story, I found this book to be even more about perseverance. Billie’s journey to chase her dreams, navigate the guilt that came with it, and the work and thought she put into staying connected was the story for me. I finished it in one sitting because I couldn’t wait to see how everything unfolded.
Thank You NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank You NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I picked up Love You More by Emily Giffin expecting a sweet second chance romance, and wow this one hit way deeper than I thought it would! The moment Billie gets that call from Mick, I felt the rug get pulled out from under her. The contrast between her polished NYC life with Dean and the emotional pull of her past in Wisconsin was so well done. The flashbacks to her first love were especially powerful, and there were a few scenes with Mick that just sat in my chest long after I read them. This isn’t a fast and fluffy read, but it’s incredibly immersive and emotionally gripping! If you like stories about timing, hard choices, and how first loves never really leave us, this one will absolutely stick with you!
February 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the eARC of this book.
I am a huge Emily fan and I have always loved the way she can describe emotions that allow you to feel exactly what is taking place. This book was a beautiful love letter to a first love and how even as time goes by and people change, you can still find your way back.The way Emily told the background of Billie’s story as a young girl growing up in an idyllic setting and her beautiful relationship with Erin and eventually Mick had me tearing up and thinking of my hometown and friends.This was a quick read and I am definitely telling all my reader girlies to read it! I really loved this book!
I am a huge Emily fan and I have always loved the way she can describe emotions that allow you to feel exactly what is taking place. This book was a beautiful love letter to a first love and how even as time goes by and people change, you can still find your way back.The way Emily told the background of Billie’s story as a young girl growing up in an idyllic setting and her beautiful relationship with Erin and eventually Mick had me tearing up and thinking of my hometown and friends.This was a quick read and I am definitely telling all my reader girlies to read it! I really loved this book!
February 18, 2026
Love You More is a sweet second chance romance perfect for those who love small town-big dream vibes, dual timelines, and stories about friendship, found family, and overcoming grief. Bonus points for lovers of rescue dogs. 🥰
I really enjoyed the first half of the book from the throw back chapters to Billie’s teen years, chasing her dreams in med school, through the phone call that changed everything. I was so invested in the characters and their stories. Then a life altering event happened and I realized there was only 10% of the book left with so much to wrap up! One person mentioned completely disappeared. The ending felt very rushed and left me with questions and wanting more.
Overall a super sweet and emotional story. I just would’ve loved to stretch the last 10% out 100 more pages for a more complete feeling ending.
3.5 rounded up to 4 ��️
I really enjoyed the first half of the book from the throw back chapters to Billie’s teen years, chasing her dreams in med school, through the phone call that changed everything. I was so invested in the characters and their stories. Then a life altering event happened and I realized there was only 10% of the book left with so much to wrap up! One person mentioned completely disappeared. The ending felt very rushed and left me with questions and wanting more.
Overall a super sweet and emotional story. I just would’ve loved to stretch the last 10% out 100 more pages for a more complete feeling ending.
3.5 rounded up to 4 ��️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Emily Giffin is my go to romance writer ever since Something Borrowed and this one did not disappoint. Section one seemed a little slow but it was necessary to set up the background. Section two quickly picked up as the story had a few twists and turns. Well by section three I was totally in and was quickly turning the pages as I had to see where this story was headed. Her characters felt real as they experienced all the emotions of life’s complications. Great summer read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early eGalley of the book. All opinions are truly my own.
#LoveYouMore #EmilyGiffin #NetGalley #BallantineBooks
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early eGalley of the book. All opinions are truly my own.
#LoveYouMore #EmilyGiffin #NetGalley #BallantineBooks
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really liked this. I usually have mixed feelings about Emily Giffin, but this book was much more mature (probably because she is as well) and is likely the most well written of her books. I loved the characters and the idea that you really can always go home, but home isn't where your house is, but where your people are. In a lot of current romance books, the woman can't have it all and in this one, she can get the right guy, raise a child, and live in NYC with her dream job. That's the "reality" I want to see in romance books! Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I devoured this in a single day. It completely swept me up. It has strong Sweet Home Alabama vibes in the sense there's tension between who you were and where you’re from colliding with who you’re becoming, blended with Life As We Know It (yes, the Josh Duhamel movie), where tragedy reshapes your future. My heart ached for this enduring, unfinished love and for the tender way the story explores moving forward while still carrying the weight of the past.
Thank you Ballantine and Net Galley for this ARC! Book comes out July 2026❤️
Thank you Ballantine and Net Galley for this ARC! Book comes out July 2026❤️
February 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and a lot of aspects of the story. I really would have liked to see parts of it more fleshed out and maybe some of the backstory cut down. Everything felt very quick and the time jumps were often. I also felt like things were missing…like what happened to Mick’s girlfriend? Overall I liked the story, but I gave it 4 stars and I just felt like something was missing. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Emily Giffin writes good, light romance novels, although “love you more” had me holding back tears a few times. Mitch and Billie are high school/college sweethearts. When Billie moves to New York City for medical school, they try to make long distance work. 11 years after breaking up, they are brought back together during tragic circumstances.
The flashback and return to the present is a bit choppy, but I otherwise thought this was a great book. 3.75 stars
Available in July of 2026
The flashback and return to the present is a bit choppy, but I otherwise thought this was a great book. 3.75 stars
Available in July of 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 ⭐️
The first half was good. I liked the flashback scenes with Billie and Mick, but the wheels really fell off once we got to the second half. The second chance romance felt extremely rushed and underwhelming. I found myself skimming a lot, it didn’t feel original at all. I wasn’t connected with or rooting for any of the characters. In the end, this one just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
The first half was good. I liked the flashback scenes with Billie and Mick, but the wheels really fell off once we got to the second half. The second chance romance felt extremely rushed and underwhelming. I found myself skimming a lot, it didn’t feel original at all. I wasn’t connected with or rooting for any of the characters. In the end, this one just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My first 5 star of the year! I fell in love with these characters almost instantly. Sometimes things happen in life that are completely out of our control and our true character is revealed. College age Billie is ambitious and leaves love behind to accomplish her goals. But when tragedy strikes, she prioritizes friends who are like family and puts her best friend's daughter's needs before anything else.
Thank you to Net Galley for the arc. I really enjoyed it!
Thank you to Net Galley for the arc. I really enjoyed it!
February 11, 2026
Excellent! Emily Giffin is compulsively readable! This novel had a lot of heavy choices, no easy black and white answers. I respected Billie and her thoughtfulness, the way she handled the cards fate dealt. This was part love triangle, part coming of age, part rediscovering of self. Thank you so much NetGalley! Five plus star read!
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