Buckle up and strap in for a beautiful but emotional ride. Higgins creates a story made for all of us whose lives haven't gone exactly
... or at all ... like planned/predicted. While emotional, the book is real in a way that includes emotions of joy and hope and happiness. Much like life's plans.... don't get too comfortable with what you think is coming. Higgins is a master at getting you comfortable with what you think is the obvious predicted future and then throwing in a few more unexpected surprises. Definitely recommend!

#netgalley #arc #kristinhiggins #lookatthebrightside

The audiobook "Look on the Bright Side" by Kristan Higgins, narrated by Susan Bennett, Xe Sands, and Christina Moore, presents a compelling blend of women’s fiction with a touch of romance. The story delves into the lives of three women - Lark, her mother Ellie, and her landlady Joy - and includes poignant flashbacks from Lark's past. While the initial focus is on Lark, the narrative seamlessly weaves in the perspectives of the other two women, offering a multi-layered exploration of their experiences.

This contemporary women’s fiction encompasses themes of cancer, loss, and recovery, navigating these emotional landscapes through various perspectives and timelines. Set against the backdrop of summer, the story beautifully unfolds the growth and development of these three women, offering an emotional and heartwarming tale of love and the journey towards learning to live again.

This emotionally filled complex tale is told in three character voices: Lark, Ellie, and Joy. Lark is the primary character, who has weathered many storms in her short adult life, including the loss of her high school sweetheart and fiance. She is training to become a doctor, but is also pretending to date a real doctor, and then falls in love with the doctor’s brother. Ellie, who happens to be Lark’s mom, has had a picture perfect life on the outside, until she finds out that her husband has been cheating on her. Joy, who is Lark’s landlord, is on a mission to find herself after three divorces and the death of her brother.
Personally, this story was slow to get into, and I didn’t care for the author’s writing style in which she tells each character’s background rather than letting it play out in the story. I didn’t become attached to the characters until at least halfway through, and I almost didn’t finish it. However, I kept going and I’m glad I did. Yes, there were tears being shed multiple times throughout the last parts of the book, so if you need a light read, this is not it. It is highly recommended for those who love a good tear jerker.

Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.

Things aren’t going so well.

Lark wants to be an oncologist, but gets too emotional around patients, and is moved to work in the ER. She finds herself making a deal with Dr. Santani who is in need of a fake girlfriend. It gets pretty hard to fake date “Dr. Satan” after she meets his firefighter brother. This story is more women’s fiction, with some romance added in.

Lark is the dominate MC, but also get to read the POV from Ellie (Lark’s mother) and Joy (Lark’s landlord). Both characters are facing their own struggles. Lark seemed to be the dominate MC, but loved how all three women fit together. Sweet back porch read!

I read on my kindle as well as audio! One voice I had a hard time understanding, but not sure if it was the reader or the technology side.

What a wonderful summer read. I have always liked how Kristan Higgins gives you more that romance. This book was also about grief, family, and the power of all of them. I look forward to the the next book from this author. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the pleasure of reading it.

OK wow, this is listed as a romance, but that is the least of what it is. It balances a slow unraveling of a very heartfelt story with a little humor and a finding your place in the world. Lark has had a lot to live through but that remains a little bit of mystery as her past isn't evident from the start. The book intertwines Lark's past and present along with the present of her mother, Ellie, and her landlord, Joy. Three women living through life changing times and working on coming out stronger.

While there are three ladies at the center of this one, Lark's story takes center stage more so than the other two. Having completed her medical degree, she is working towards her dream of becoming an oncologist when life throws her a curve ball. It took me a little while to connect with Lark, but as her backstory was revealed, I realized how strong and courageous she really was. I was surprised at how heavy the story was at times. I even cried at one point, but was rooting for Lark and her overcoming her demons.

I won't spoil any of the surprises of the story, but this reminded me a little of one of my favorite 80s/90s rom coms.

Susan Bennett, Xe Sands, and Christina Moore bring the joy and the sorrows of Lark, Ellie and Joy to life. Each narrator fit with their character and successfully brought emotion and depth to the story.

The MMC in this book was a class A jerk for a good majority of it. He made himself so non-loveable that it was hard for me to get on board with the FMC too. How/why would she even put up with him. Yes, I realize there is a benefit in it for her but it still didn’t seem worth it. His family seemed wonderful but that’s hardly a reason to fall for the guy. This one had some major holes for me. However, I did like the personal growth that the FMC experienced and how she had to navigate some big challenges.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced audio copy of Look On the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins.

Lark Smith is an aspiring oncologist who is struggling to put her feelings for her patients aside. When she becomes extremely emotional following one of their deaths, the head of oncology sends her for a stint in the Emergency Department in order to "get herself together." All of her life, Lark has dreamed of fighting cancer, and since losing two of her loved ones to the tragic disease, she has become even more determined; so being moved is definitely a major setback. While trying to cope with her disappointment, Lark is approached by the most formidable surgeon at the hospital with a proposition that could change her fate and get her back into the oncology department sooner than later. But, is the task worth it? Meanwhile, Lark's tight-knit family is facing struggles of its own when her parents unshakeable marriage is suddenly tested causing her mom to move in with Lark's landlady, Joy, who is still grieving the loss of her brother. During the course of the summer, all three women must come to terms with the grief of changed plans and discover that sometimes the unplanned events in life can bring unimaginable happiness as well.

No one does grief and loss quite like Kristan Higgins. Everything about her characters is so extremely real and believable that you can imagine being friends with them! This is definitely an ugly-cry book that will give readers fresh perspective of making the most out of each day for themselves and the people they love.

Lark Smith had a plan, marriage, kids and to become an oncologist. But life had other plans She lost the love of her life, and her residency in oncology because she was too emotional. Then came Dr. Satan (Lorenzo Santini.) After he offers her a solution by giving her a reference in exchange for her to being his date for the summer she decides to go for it. What she didn’t expect was to fall for his lovable family.

Kristan Higgins did it again. This book was so beautifully written. She had me in tears multiple times and I couldn’t put it down. It was definitely emotional and I loved all of the characters.

I cried the whole way through this book. I loved every word - the story, the connections, the grief and the moving on. It was beautifully written, without pulling any punches. I can't wait to read more by this author!

Higgins is an auto-read author for me as I love her lighthearted Rom-Coms. This book had its light moments but was also packed with grief, heartbreak, and love. It was beautiful!!

This book was told from the perspectives of three women, Lark, Ellie and Joy, who were each trying to find their next step in life. This book was a journey and took me through all the emotions while reading it which Higgins’ books are known for. I SO enjoyed it!!

Thank you so much Netgalley & RB Media for the opportunity to listen to this ARC. I love Kristan Higgins and was so excited to listen! (Even if I’m first getting to it a month after its release)

This was my first Kristin Higgins book. I was not prepared for the intense emotional rollercoaster that this book took me on. I would not recommend it for anyone dealing with intense grief/loss of a loved one, as that is a large theme of the book. This is not a beach read, but is worth it if you’re looking for something on the serious side.

🎁🎧 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓐𝓾𝓭𝓲𝓸 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀 🎁🎧
3.75/5 🌟

This is the first advanced readers
copy of an audio book I’ve received! While the title of this satisfying beach read didn’t grab me, the novel did exceed my expectations.

It’s the story of three women - Lark, an aspiring oncologist whose emotional reactions get her placed in the ER and who is recovering from a excruciating heartbreak; her mother Ellie who’s facing her own mid-life and marriage issues; and 60-something year old Joy who befriends both women and is searching for her purpose after a great loss.

The book is primarily about Lark, and honestly it’s the only story line I really needed. The novel starts out like the plot of a Sandra Bullock rom/com (am I dating myself? Maybe Sydney Sweeney then.) when the most arrogant physician in the hospital where Lark works asks her to pose as his girlfriend to assure his dying Nonna that he’s happily dating.

The story that transpires is richer and deeper than a rom/com. Lark is relatable and enchanting and I was engaged in learning about her past, piece by piece, and witnessing her growth. I loved many of the characters, their depth and backstories, and Higgans steers the story along skillfully. Still, I didn’t need the whole Joy or Ellie storylines; Lark’s life was more than enough.

Xe Sands narrates Lark’s part and while I loved Lark’s story just couldn’t get past Sands’ narration. She seems older than Lark’s 33 years and her voice was at times mumbly, sometimes gravelly, and dragged at the end of words. I know that Sands is a prolific audiobook narrator, and infact I enjoyed her work on Dara Horn’s 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐞𝐰𝐬, but for this particular character and novel, her voice was nails on a chalkboard to me! Had I read this
one instead of listened, it likely would’ve been a full four stars, so grab yourself the book or Kindle version.

Many thanks to @netgalley and @berkleypub for the gifted audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

#bibliophile #stephsalwaysreading #bookstagrammer #bookstagrammer #tbrlist#audiobookreview#whatshouldireadnext #beachread #lookonthebrightside#kristanhiggansbooks

LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE by Kristan Higgins follows three women at points of transition.

Lark Smith is grieving her fiance's death; she is a tenderhearted resident who finds herself in a fake-dating situation to further her career. Her landlord Joy has a backstory of grief and lacks confidence in who she is as an individual, in spite of material worth. Lark's mother Ellie has struggled with doing it all and finds herself experiencing the tension of the sandwich generation. Ellie pursued art and opened a studio to help her family out financially but hits bottom when she must revisit what she thought was an ideal marriage.

All three women must reflect on what is next, especially when the future may be different from what was envisioned. But each one comes into their own.

A trio of narrators -- Susan Bennett, Xe Sands, and Christina Moore -- narrate the respective characters, which will help listeners keep the storylines straight.

(I received a digital ALC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

This book captured me from the start. It was very similar to a book I read recently - so much so t thought I had already read it but the plot shifted some and ended up being quite enjoyable.

I listened to this as an audiobook and I enjoyed the readers voice.

5 STARS!!!

This book was absolutely amazing!! I felt all the emotions. the way the author took me on a journey with this book was like nothing I have read in a while. It was refreshing to read a book that felt so real. This is for sure in my top 5 reads of the year so far. In this book our main character Lark is a oncology resident turned ER resident that fake dates a surgeon that they call Dr. Satan. Sounds like it will be a nice little rom-com right? No this book had so much depth and side characters that you fall in love with. I don't want to give any spoilers but trust me... you want to read this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

‘Look on the bright side’ is a drama focusing on three different women that are all at very different points in their lives facing all kinds of difficulties and coming together as a sort of family to face their hardships together.

I feel like the blurb is a bit misleading a lot of things that only happen at the end of the story are being spoiled already and some things like Lark’s parents splitting up and Lark being on the lookout for a significant other actually don’t happen in the book, if you want to be precise. The overall tone of the blurb does not fit the writing within the book either – the blurb makes this book sound way quirkier and more lighthearted than it actually is. I also got the impression that the house at the beach and the three women spending time together would take up way more space than it actually did. Don’t get me wrong, this book was a great read, but if you expect a lighthearted summer read like it is advertised as, be advised that this book is a bit heavier and more focused on drama than romance than I would like a “summer romance” to be.

I took me some time to realize that Lark and Ellie’s daughter Lark is the same person. Their relationship was somehow lost in the plot for me. I felt more like I am reading about Ellie and Joy and their storylines and their blossoming friendship, and then Lark and her storyline with her family was somehow a separate story.

Ellie, Lark’s mum’s, perspective was my favorite. She makes a discovery that makes her see her marriage in a different light. I was glad that Ellie stood her ground and took her time to evaluate how her discovery makes her feel and what that means for her and her marriage moving forward. <spoiler> I was glad that Ellie identified the emotional cheating as such and really stood in for herself. </spoiler>

Lark takes up the majority of the book and although the blurb makes it seem like this could be a fake dating romance, her story really goes a lot deeper than that. <spoiler> I could really feel Lark's pain concerning her former fiancée and the tragedy of a young person dying was so palpable, I got really sad there for a bit. </spoiler>

Because we focus on three different characters and deal with some very deep and sad themes, the book feels quite fast-paced and there are sections in which the reader is ‘told not shown’ a lot of things, especially when it comes to the characters’ pasts. While there could be some more potential to build suspense and play around with showing the reader things more actively, I did not mind the lack of complexity in this case, because I feel like it made the book more digestible this way.

I listened to the audiobook, and Lark's voice actor was unfortunately not my favorite. I have listened to or at least tried to listen to a couple of audiobooks with this narrator before, and had to DNF some audiobooks because of it. My main issue is that her voice is sort of mumbled, which means that it's hard to listen at higher speeds, and it's a greater strain to listen to an audiobook than it is supposed to be. On the upside, she does a great job when it comes to impersonating men. For this reason, I was always very happy when the narration switched to one of the other characters. The other voice actors did a great job with their narration, and the voices were adequately matched with the characters age-wise.

This was a 3,5 stars read for me

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review. All opinions are my own. I was not paid to leave this review.

Enjoyed this story, but had to push past the medical scene setup that seemed a little clunky. Lots of raw emotions!

One thing you can guarantee, if Kristin Higgins writes it, you will be taken on an emotional ride reading it! It’s one of the things I love about her as an author, and Look on the Bright Side was no exception.

Lark Smith is in an oncology rotation when she is sent to rotate through the ER instead because she gets too emotional with her patients. All Lark wants is to become an oncologist, so when Dr. Lorenzo "Satan" Santini offers her an exchange she decides to accept it. Dr. Satan needs a date for the next three months to convince his dying grandmother that he is not alone. If Lark says yes, he will call his connections to get her closer to another oncology position. The last thing Lark was expecting was to fall for his adorable family and for his fire-fighter brother, Dante.

At the same time, Lark’s mother, Ellie, is going through a rough patch in life and in her marriage to Lark’s father. She moves into the large house of Lark’s landlord, Joy, to get some perspective and space from her husband. Joy, who has suffered her own devastating loss, is grateful to have some company in her lonely life. As the three women navigate through the various stages in their lives, there are tears, laughter and learning for them all.

This story is told from three POVs (Lark, Ellie and Joy), each character is facing their own hardships or loss, and are all on a journey to find joy and peace.

This is not your typical, light-hearted, fake-dating trope romance. This story has such emotional depth. Look on the Bright Side is beautiful and gut wrenching and hilarious all in one. If you love a story that envelopes you and characters that leave a lasting impression, then I can’t recommend it enough!

I read this via audiobook. The full cast narration made it easy to follow along with the changing points of view, and each of the narrators added that extra bit of emotion Higgins books are so well known for. Thank you NetGalley, Kristan Higgins, and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC of Look on the Bright Side in exchange for an honest review!

My Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it. The female main character was so awesome you couldn’t help but fall in love with her. The story was so sweet. I even cried a couple times. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the different narrators.