Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Where We Belong summary
Brief summary
Where We Belong by Emily Giffin is a captivating novel that explores the complexities of identity, family, and the choices we make. It tells the story of a successful woman whose life is turned upside down when a stranger from her past reappears.
Table of Contents
Where We Belong
Summary of key ideas
Rediscovering the Past
In Where We Belong by Emily Giffin, we are introduced to Marian Caldwell, a successful television producer in New York City, who has carefully crafted a life that she is proud of. However, her world is turned upside down when Kirby Rose, an 18-year-old girl, shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her daughter. Marian had given up Kirby for adoption when she was a teenager, and had kept her past a secret from everyone, including her boyfriend Conrad.
As Kirby and Marian try to navigate their newly discovered relationship, they embark on a journey to Marian's hometown, St. Louis. Here, Kirby hopes to find answers about her biological father and understand the circumstances that led to her adoption. The trip forces Marian to confront her past, including her teenage relationship with Kirby's father, Conrad, and the reasons she chose to give Kirby up for adoption.
Challenging Relationships and New Beginnings
Back in New York, Kirby struggles to fit into Marian's sophisticated world and build a relationship with her birth mother. Marian, on the other hand, grapples with feelings of guilt and regret over her decision to give Kirby up for adoption. She also faces challenges in her romantic relationship with Conrad, as he learns about her hidden past and the daughter she never told him about.
As the story unfolds, Kirby and Marian's relationship begins to evolve. They find common ground in their shared love for photography and start to bond over their similar personality traits and interests. Marian also starts to reconcile with her past and learns to accept her mistakes, while Kirby gains a better understanding of her mother's difficult decision and the life she was given.
Understanding and Acceptance
Throughout their journey, both women are forced to confront their fears and insecurities. Marian's fear of losing her carefully constructed life and Kirby's fear of rejection from her birth mother are at the forefront. However, as they begin to understand each other's perspectives, they both find the courage to face their fears and move forward.
By the end of Where We Belong, Marian and Kirby come to terms with their shared past and look towards the future. Marian makes peace with her decision to give Kirby up for adoption and acknowledges the impact it had on both their lives. Kirby, in turn, learns to accept Marian's past and the life she was given, and looks forward to building a new relationship with her birth mother.
Embracing Change and New Beginnings
In the concluding chapters of the book, both women embark on new beginnings. Marian makes the difficult decision to end her relationship with Conrad, realizing that she needs time to focus on her relationship with Kirby and come to terms with her past. Kirby, on the other hand, decides to postpone college and take a gap year to focus on her photography and explore her newfound relationship with Marian.
In the end, Where We Belong is a story of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the power of second chances. It explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and the importance of understanding and accepting one's past. Through Marian and Kirby's journey, the novel highlights the transformative power of embracing change and facing our fears, ultimately leading to a sense of belonging and a brighter future.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Where We Belong about?
Where We Belong by Emily Giffin tells the story of Marian, a successful television producer whose carefully constructed life is turned upside down when her long-lost daughter Kirby shows up on her doorstep. As the two women navigate their complicated relationship and search for a sense of belonging, the novel explores themes of family, identity, and the choices that shape our lives.
Where We Belong Review
Where We Belong by Emily Giffin is a captivating novel that explores themes of identity, family, and love. Here's why this book is worth your time:
- Offers a compelling storyline that delves into complex relationships and the search for belonging.
- Provides thought-provoking insights into the choices we make and their long-term consequences.
- Keeps readers hooked with its twists and turns that challenge preconceived notions about fate and destiny.
Who should read Where We Belong?
Readers who enjoy thought-provoking and emotionally engaging stories
Those who are interested in exploring themes of identity, belonging, and personal growth
People who appreciate complex and relatable characters
Categories with Where We Belong
Book summaries like Where We Belong
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Where We Belong FAQs
What is the main message of Where We Belong?
The main message of Where We Belong is discovering true identity and the complexity of relationships.
How long does it take to read Where We Belong?
Reading Where We Belong takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary takes around 15 minutes.
Is Where We Belong a good book? Is it worth reading?
Where We Belong is worth reading for its poignant exploration of life choices and relationships.
Who is the author of Where We Belong?
The author of Where We Belong is Emily Giffin.
What to read after Where We Belong?
If you're wondering what to read next after Where We Belong, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
- Becoming Attached by Robert Karen
- All Joy and No Fun by Jennifer Senior
- The Opposite of Spoiled by Ron Lieber
- Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest
- Moms Mean Business by Erin Baebler and Lara Galloway
- Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
- Screamfree Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel
- Getting to 50/50 by Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober
- The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller