The Lies That Bind: A Novel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER In this irresistible novel from the author of All We Ever Wanted and Something Borrowed, a young woman falls hard for an impossibly perfect man before he disappears without a trace. . . .Its 2 A.M. on a Saturday night in the spring of 2001, and twentyeightyearold Cecily Gardner sits alone in a dive bar in New Yorks East Village, questioning her life. Feeling lonesome and homesick for the Midwest, she wonders if shell ever make it as a reporter in the big cityand whether she made a terrible mistake in breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, Matthew.As Cecily reaches for the phone to call him, she hears a guy on the barstool next to her say, Dont do ityoull regret it. Something tells her to listen, and over the next several hoursand shots of tequilathe two forge an unlikely connection. That should be it, they both decide the next morning, as Cecily reminds herself of the perils of a rebound relationship. Moreover, their timing couldnt be worseGrant is preparing to quit his job and move overseas. Yet despite all their obstacles, they cant seem to say goodbye, and for the first time in her carefully constructed life, Cecily follows her heart instead of her head.Then Grant disappears in the chaos of 9/11. Fearing the worst, Cecily spots his face on a missingperson poster, and realizes she is not the only one searching for him. Her investigative reporting instincts kick into action as she vows to discover the truth. But the questions pile up fast: How well did she really know Grant? Did he ever really love her? And is it possible to love a man who wasnt who heseemed to be?The Lies That Bind is a mesmerizing and emotionally resonant exploration of the neverending search for love and truthin our relationships, our careers, and deep within our own hearts.