Though I really like Kristan Higgins books, I almost gave up on this. Early in the story, the female characters were a little too needy and whiney for my tastes but I decided to stick with it and I'm glad I did.; Half-way through, I was alternately touched and bent over laughing. A good book for the summer or anytime.

"Love isn’t always the thing that fills up the room, or your heart. Sometimes, it’s what sneaks into the in between spaces."

Heartfelt and sincere, Always the Last to Know conveys the message that unmitigated joy often comes with self-acceptance. Or finding the guts to crumple up the blueprints of what life should look like, in favor of an unexpected and more rewarding path. And that, right there, is why Kristan Higgins continues to reign as one of my favorite authors. Her characters and humor infuse charm, while her plot lines deliver a meaningful message.

In her twentieth novel (wow!), Higgins brings readers into the lives of the Frost family during a tumultuous time.

Barb, mother to Juliet and Sadie and husband to John, is forced to reevaluate her situation. Her plans to divorce John, after 50 years of marriage, comes to a standstill when he has a debilitating stroke and needs round-the-clock care. Their five decades together have been far from fulfilling, leading Barb to feel less than, in more ways than one.

Juliet, Barb’s oldest and favorite daughter, has an impressive career as an architect in a male-dominated firm, a loving and yummy British husband, and two girls. Yet, the attention showered on a new, younger architect, with a less impressive skillset, spurns loads of self-doubt.

And then there’s Sadie. Barb’s youngest and a tried and true daddy’s girl. From birth, Sadie and Barb have struggled to connect. She doesn’t quite fit her older sister’s perfect mold. More of a free spirit, Sadie chose to leave it all behind in pursuit of being an artist amongst the glitz and glitter of New York City. A reality that crushed her first love, Noah, and severed their relationship. Following her beloved father’s stroke, Sadie returns to her posh hometown and all those messy feelings she left behind.

The magic of Always the Last to Know lies not only in the three women finding their true selves and managing to quiet that destructive “not good enough” inner voice but also in the relationship dynamics Higgins puts on display. The mother-to-daughter, sister-to-sister and father-to-daughter dynamics are relatable on so many levels.

Of course, no shocker here, given I’m a fool for a chemistry-ridden love story, Sadie and Noah’s connection stole my heart instantly. A big part of me wanted Sadie to give in early on—for the sake of a happily ever after and a brood of curly-haired cuties—but I admired her dogged pursuit to find success with painting. Making their heartrending journey worthwhile is seeing the version of love and family they create together.

Both Sadie and Juliet’s storylines show that you don’t have to toss your dreams, thoughts, or goals to the wayside for a relationship. Having it all is possible with a supportive partner.

And who said women’s fiction was all fluff?

This was a lovely story about the Frost family and the trials and tribulations faced over a lifetime trying to empathize with one another. I loved this story. It perfectly balances humor and heartbreak. Though it deals with some heavy topics, it was surprisingly uplifting. I would definitely recommend it for fans of women’s fiction.

Oh my gosh, this one of the best books I have read in quite awhile. I feel that anyone who reads this will be able to relate to at least one of the characters. I was pleasantly surprised how well written this book was. I am recommending this to my book club when it comes out. Love this story

Always the Last to Know by Kristan Higgins. Thanks to netgalley and Berkeley Pub for the e-ARC ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When the patriarch of the family is left debilitated after a stroke, the family comes together to care for him and find their own way of dealing with the new circumstances and the effects it has on their lives.

This was such a lovely book. It isn’t the type of book I’ve been reading lately, so I was a bit hesitant. Lately I’ve been into actions, thrillers, fast-paced page turners. I can say, while this was sentimental and heartfelt, it kept the pages turning. The characters were so real and well developed. They each had their own voices, in their own chapters. I really got a feel for their unique personalities. This was a book about grief, and the unique response we all have. It was about personal growth and bonding as a family. It was definitely a worthy read that I’ll recommend to all, no matter what genre you typically read.

Always the Last to Know comes out 6/9.

“He’d had my heart since before I knew what love was”

“The heart wants what the heart wants, and the heart can be a real idiot”

I have loved and hated Higgins work in the past (oddly enough, I never feel in the middle!) Always down to try a new novel when she comes out with it; unfortunately, this one didn't resonate with me.

Unfortunately, this is my least favorite book I have read from Kristan Higgins. It was so slow paced and I had to force myself to keep reading hoping that something exciting was going to happen, but it never did.
While at certain points in my life I have felt like Barb, I still didn’t connect with her. In fact, I didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters. Sadie absolutely got on my nerves with all her blabbering.
And the text messages sent between John and WORK were the worst!!
I really wanted to like this book because I have enjoyed Kristan Higgins in the past but this is just a no for me.
I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley and Penguin Random House in exchange for my honest review.

The characters were well thought out, and the development of those characters was done. well. I loved the resolutions at the end of the book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A man has a stroke leaving his family to find out the truth about his behaviours beforehand.

I am a big Higgins fan and was very happy to get approved for this ARC. I am happy to report that she does not disappoint in this latest effort, "Always the Last to Know" - which centers on the lives of the Frost family following the stroke of the family's patriarch. Told in alternating POV's - the wife, and two daughters mainly, we come to know their lives, successes and heartbreaks. No one does family stories like KH! I literally could not put this book down - I also loved how she threw out some references to an earlier work, with some familiar characters. Highly recommend this heart-tugging novel! I received a free e-book from Net-Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

When John Frost has a stroke the women in his life, wife Barb and daughter's Juliette and Sadie have to figure out their life's in this new 'normal'. What is important? What gives them joy? And how will the family survive? A story of family, of secrets, and of family dynamics and expectations, and of figuring out what is truly important.

I have loved everything that I have read from Kristan Higgins! Her books and storylines are so different from everything else out right now that I tend to devour them.

Unfortunately, Always the Last to Know is my least favorite book I have read from this author. I felt like it was a little too slow paced and I had to force myself to keep reading hoping that something exciting was going to happen.

I will continue to read books from Kristan though, because not every book will be ones I love!

Higgins is such a reliable author, and this book did not disappoint. I was engaged from the first page, and it really helped me out of a reading rut brought on by Corona panic. In fact, it was the perfect book to distract me... not too sappy, not too difficult... an easy read filled with likable, complex characters and an interesting story line told from multiple perspectives, with a satisfying ending. Greatly enjoyed this one!

Kristan Higgins has written another feel-good novel. Her characters are always finely-drawn, and there is usually something to make you laugh. Sadie, who teaches art in a small Catholic school in New York, was determined to escape the small town in Connecticut where she grew up. Her sister Juliet, the overachiever and Mom’s favorite, is a successful architect. Sadie is devastated when she learns that her father has had a stroke and a resulting brain injury, so she returns home to help her mom with his care. Mom, Barb, learns that her husband had been having an affair, and the scene where she and her best friend, Caro, confront the woman is hilarious. Sadie also has a great scene confronting and ditching a cheating boyfriend. Higgins creates characters you care about, and skillfully weaves their disparate personalities and lives into an enjoyable story. Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my digital download in exchange for an honest opinion.

I requested this book because I knew I had read other works by the author and I knew I really liked them. This book was no exception. I was immediately drawn into the story and the characters. This is a story about a family and it is told by their point of view...ALL of them. Normally, I am not a fan of too many narrators but I was able to hang for this one and I really enjoyed hearing about what was happening from their perspective. This is a family drama that includes true love, betrayal, feelings of insecurity, sadness, and reaching your dreams. I loved everything about it and the only reason it did not get five stars was because it did not make me laugh out loud or cry.

Sadie and Juliet are two sisters who really could not be more different. Juliet is a successful architect and Sadie is a schoolteacher who does art on the side. Juliet is her Mother's favorite and Sadie is a Daddy's Girl all the way. Juliet stayed where they grew up and Sadie had a dream about living in New York, which she did for awhile. She even gave up her one true love for this dream. Sadly, John, the father had a stroke and Sadie comes home to help take care of him. I was going to go on but have since decided that I don't want to say anymore. No spoilers from me because I want you to feel what I felt and learn as you go. Maybe you will feel different, maybe you won't even like this book. But I loved it.
@Netgalley @penguinrandom #bookreview #penguinrandom #Netgalley #alwaysthelasttoknow

Higgins is just one of those authors that you want to read. There is no forethought when deciding whether to read a book by Higgins - there just IS. You really can't stay away. Reading Higgins is like diving into a pool of warm chocolate syrup.. if you can visualize that. I just love her books.

This is about a marriage in trouble and how not all is as it seems. It's about love, loss, and struggle.

I love books about family issues. They are so real. There is no facade. No fakeness. Higgins has a way of writing where she does not sugarcoat. She is an amazing author and I always look forward to reading her books.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Married for nearly 50 years with two grown daughters, it seemed Barbara Frost had been just going through the motions of being married for as long as she could remember. She was actually thinking of asking her husband John for a divorce on their anniversary. But when John has a stroke the day before it, she learns while waiting in the ER that he’d been having an affair. Has her whole like been a sham, or did they ever really care about each other?

Told from each family member’s point of view, the story isn’t always pretty but gives insight into how seemingly small events shaped each of their lives.

“Love isn’t always the thing that fills up the room, or your heart. Sometimes, it’s what sneaks into the in between spaces. “

Always the Last to Know is a complex story of relationships, family and the secrets they keep. A Father's injury brings two sisters together and explores why the family is fractured. Kristan Higgins always delivers great reads with diverse characters.

Kristen Higgins weaves a beautiful novel involving family life and love with all its secrets and deceptions. As you read, every member of the family is included and perhaps realizes who is always the last to know. Mom, Dad who has suffered a severe stroke, and the three daughters' lives are exposed and then interwoven as only Kristen can do..It is a super read.

3 for neutral, I tried on a few occasions but could not get into this book. If able to get past slow start and enjoy will update my review.