This event is sold out.
Woodruff Auditorium is located inside McElreath Hall. Doors and cash bar will open at 6pm.
The Kingsley family is American royalty, beloved for their military heroics, political service, and unmatched elegance. In 1967, after Joseph S. Kingsley, Jr. is killed in a tragic accident, his charismatic son inherits the weight of that legacy. But Joe III is a free spirit—and a little bit reckless. Despite his best intentions, he has trouble meeting the expectations of a nation, as well as those of his exacting mother, Dottie.
Meanwhile, no one ever expected anything of Cate Cooper. She, too, grew up fatherless—and after her mother marries an abusive man, she is forced to fend for herself. After being discovered by a model scout at age sixteen, Cate decides that her looks may be her only ticket out of the cycle of disappointment that her mother has always inhabited. Before too long, Cate’s face is in magazines and on billboards. Yet she feels like a fraud, faking it in a world to which she’s never truly belonged.
When Joe and Cate unexpectedly cross paths one afternoon, their connection is instant and intense. But can their relationship survive the glare of the spotlight and the so-called Kingsley curse? In a beautifully written novel that captures a gilded moment in American history, Emily Giffin tells the story of two people searching for belonging and identity, as well as the answer to the question: Are certain love stories meant to be?
![Meant To Be book cover](https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/app/uploads/2022/04/Cover_-Meant-to-Be-760x1125.jpg)
About the Author
Emily Giffin is the author of nine internationally bestselling 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, and All We Ever Wanted. A graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Virginia School of Law, she lives in Atlanta with her husband and three children.
About the Moderator
![Woman with sunglasses](https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/app/uploads/2022/04/Headshot-760x950.jpg)
Mara Davis LIVES in - and for - the moment. A pop culture fanatic who consumes more content than should be legally allowed, Mara is on top of media trends and has a keen eye - and ear - for the next big thing. Her mission: to help some of our greatest content creators create, well, even greater content! As a talent booker, producer, writer, radio & TV host, and social media maven, Davis's motor never stops and she knows firsthand what it takes to engage and entertain an audience.
Davis enjoyed a successful first act as a longtime Atlanta-based FM radio DJ, TV host, emcee and gal about town. With an overstuffed "contact list" and desire for a career recharge, Davis took a leap of faith...in 2016 a friend suggested she apply for the talent booker job at Adult Swim because "you know everyone", the trajectory of her career changed. The network was looking for someone to help secure guests for their live streaming shows. Davis was hired on the spot.
In the 5 years with the network, she booked top bands like Cage The Elephant, Neko Case, Jason Isbell and Los Lobos and Sting to emerging talent like Doja Cat and Billie Eilish - years before their mainstream success. Davis also booked the bands for the animated hit show "Squidbillies" including Willie Nelson, Dinosaur Jr and Sturgill Simpson. Davis also worked with Shirley Manson of Garbage, booking the talent for podcast "The Jump". She secured top guests including the likes of Patti Smith, Alanis Morissette, and David Byrne. Manson loved her booking style so much she boasted that "they shared the same brain when it comes to music." Her passion for talent management and attention to detail attracted other high-profile clients. She's recently worked with and/or is currently working with NPR's Bullseye, Pineapple Street Studios, Depresh Mode, Alton Brown's Brain Food Productions, 7S Management, Talkhouse Productions, Vox Media, Imperative Entertainment, I Heart Media and more.
Davis keeps up with her broadcasting chops co-hosting a Georgia politics podcast with State Senator Jen Jordan called VoteHer. Her passion for music flows through her work with the National Recording Academy where she serves as Secretary on the board of the Grammy Chapter in Atlanta. She is a moderator and emcee for events locally and nationally. Her love of podcasts earned her a contributor spot at Paste Magazine where she writes a round up column of the best shows. Philanthropy is a passion as donates her time to organizations including the Atlanta Humane Society, Helping Mama's and The Homeless Period Project. She is an avid social media, news, and pop culture enthusiast. Staying in the loop is the best way to find the next big talent.
Mara lives in Atlanta with her husband Mike, son Charlie and rescue dog Brogie.
Promotional language provided by publisher.