⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Look on the Bright Side
By: Kristan Higgins
Narrated by: Susan Bennett, Christina Moore and XE Sands
Publisher: Recorded Books
Pub Date: 6/4/24

This was gut wrenching at times and delightfully funny at others. A novel that tells the story of childhood sweethearts and the ache and pain of loss and life after.
From the time they were just five Lark and Justin were best friends that naturally grew into more. Justin was diagnosed with cancer as a child, so Lark naturally wants growns up to be an Oncologist. As they graduate high school and start college still together with their lives before them, they start making plans. With med school and a wedding in their future until the cancer returns and takes Justin in just a short time. Lark is tasked with moving on without him. Another blow comes when she’s transferred out of Oncology, she’s too weepy with the patients and families and it’s taking a toll on Lark too. She’s asked to meet Dr. Lorenzo Santani in a expensive restaurant and what he wants is a shock to her. He proposes that she play his girlfriend for the summer so that his grandmother thinks he’s settled before she passes. Lark sees this as her way back on to Oncology. Only he’s obnoxious and rude but she also sees his love for his grandmother but can she really pull this off? With their scheme a go, it’s going to get a lot more complicated before it’s done.
The narrators were delightful. I always enjoy multiple narrators!
Thanks to Recorded Books, NetGalley and Kristan Higgins for this ARC!

I have enjoyed this author’s previous works but this one did not work well for foe a number of reasons. The subject matter was very heavy and depressing- also as a physician - some of the inaccuracies regarding residency were very grating. I thought the Lark and Justin love story was beautiful but I felt very little chemistry with Dante. Lorenzo was an ass bit was supposed to be I suppose. I enjoyed allis’s arc but Joy’s transformation seemed a bit too good to be true. I have previously the humor and sometimes slapstick comedy with the author’s previous works. I have actually lol’d at previous books- ie ironing with urine infused water! 🤣 This book had none of that and was too melodramatic. The audio was also rather grating.
Thanks to NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review

4-4.5⭐️ After being transferred out of Oncology for crying too much, Lark Smith is faced with a choice - pretend to be the girlfriend of Dr. “Satan” (an ER attending) for his sister’s wedding to alleviate his dying grandmother’s worries in exchange for an oncology recommendation at a different hospital, or be permanently remanded to the ER. However, things quickly become complicated when she develops an instant attraction to his brother.

This was just the book I needed at the time I needed it. The universe has been sending me book after book about the importance of human connections, and I found this book offers the same. At its core, this story is about how pivotal those connections are to the human experience. Told from three view points, each character is facing their own lack of connections, whether it’s friendships, love, or losing the connection or a spouse. And as we progress through the story, we see those connections begin to blossom.

Kristan Higgins writes these gorgeous, complex emotional stories with strong, but realistically flawed characters who you end up feeling as though you know. In this story, we get not just one dynamic MC, but three - each with a very distinct voice and set of experiences that make them wholly unique. As someone who loves the theme of found family and the power of friendship, I was emotionally invested in both Lorenzo’s family and Lark’s, and in the friendship that develops between the two other MCs.

🎧 I read this via audio, in addition to the physical book. 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.

Read if you like:
•women’s fiction
•multi-generational stories
•marriage in crisis
•found family
•female friendships
•emotional reads
•multiple POVs

Thank you Berkley Pub and Recorded Books for the gifted copies.

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
Look On The Bright Side was a story about working through and recovering from grief. It follows Lark, a young doctor recovering from losing her fiance to cancer, Ellie, Lark’s mother who finds out her husband had an emotional affair, and Joy, an older woman who’s recovering from the loss of her brother.
This book was sweet and a little sad and I really enjoyed it. The characters were well written and easy to love and root for. I loved the way all three of the stories were intertwined while still individual. This made me feel things, man! If you’re expecting a romance, I really wouldn’t put it in that category. There is a romantic subplot but it’s really not a romance.
3.75⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I usually love books by Kristan Higgins, they are usually such feel good, light hearted books that break up my normal genre of reading choices. This one, while it wasn’t bad, just didn’t catch me as much as I expected. The storyline was good - a Resident doing a rotation in the ER because she was too emotional for hospice and being offered an enticing way to get back into hospice from a grouchy, high ranking doctor just by acting like his girlfriend with his family. Overall, it was ok, and had a lot of potential, but for some reason this didn’t end up being a hit for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley and Recorded Books Media for gifting me an audio ARC of the latest book by the wonderful Kristan Higgins, with the audio perfectly narrated by the cast of Susan Bennett, Xe Sands, and Christina Moore. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

The old saying, Life is what happens while you're making other plans definitely applies here. Lark Smith had a plan - get married to the right guy so she could have a marriage as perfect as her parents and meanwhile have a career as an oncologist. Things aren't working out according to her plans. When the renowned surgeon Dr Sartini (aka Dr Satan) approaches her with a proposition - she thinks maybe he can help her out too. He just wants her to pretend date him to attend some family functions. She agrees and then has an instant connection to his brother. Things aren't all rosy with her parents either.

I adored this book! Told from the POV of three women each dealing with grief and loss - Lark, her mom Ellie, and her landlady, Joy. I fell into this book and didn't want to escape the Cape Cod world they inhabited. There's a lot of humor, life lessons, and a bit of romance - just the perfect summer read. I loved Lark's personality. Even though she was dealing with a lot and had a tendency to get too emotionally involved with her patients, she was able to stand up to Dr Sartini and her comments were so perfect. Ellie and Joy give an older perspective to second chances and new beginnings. Highly recommended!

This was such a great, emotional story. It rang so true to my heart and kept me wanting to finish within the day. I already love Kristan Higgins’ writing, but this was above and beyond. Thank you for sharing this with the world.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I have enjoyed the new style this author has written for the past years, probably a decade. They are not romances but Life Fiction. The characters are more realistic and well developed along with all those around them, their families and friends. The settings and emotional situations are also well built for a deep connection.

The main character in Look on the Bright Side is Lark. At present, she is a medical resident. She has wanted to be an oncologist for a long time and was moved from that program to ER. She is a twin and has 3 sisters and a brother. She is close to her family. Lark has not taken the time for very many friends or dating, focusing on her medical education.

The other characters, where the other narrators come in for their point of view, are Lark's mother, Ellie, and her landlady, Joy. All three women have growth and development in this story, but primarily Lark.

Lark is asked by Dr. Satan to be his fake girlfriend since his grandmother wants to see him settled for the events around his sister's wedding this summer. Lark was close to her grandmother and has a soft spot for older people so she ends up agreeing. She loves his family but hates not telling them the truth.

Lark has a summer of personal growth with more social events, trying out an ER doctor position, and volunteering at hospice. For us, this is interspersed with flashbacks to her history of her life starting when she was 5, and how she got interested in oncology. It's as real as it gets, no wonder she is a weeper.

I loved Lark's strength and kindness, her love of others. I appreciated her practicality and no nonsense intelligence. It's a joy to go on this life journey with her.

Her mother and landlady's stories are equally touching and realistic. There is everything to love in Look on the Bright Side.

Narration:
OK I am a big fan of Xe Sands so I was happy most of the narration was hers. Honestly I barely noticed anyone else. Sorry! oh wait! They were the voices of Ellie and Joy. Certainly, I was engaged and connected to the performance with all the character voices feeling appropriate. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

Look on the Brightside by Kristan Higgins
Narrated by Susan Bennett, Xe Sands, Christina Moore

This audiobook was produced by Recorded Books Media, however the book was published by Berkley Publishing Group which is connected to PRH Audio

I have been meaning to read a Kristan Higgins book for several years now, and I am glad that this book was my first book of hers, and I don't think it will be my last. This book was a cozy and fun beach read. However, since I am 25, I am probably not the main demographic of people who will be reading this book, I imagine women older than I will be reading it. However, I am an old soul. I thought this book was fun and entertaining and it will definitely make a good beach read. I thought some of the narrators voices sounded too much alike so that was a little confusing. Still, I didn't dislike any of the narrators voices! I will also say that this book has some very long chapters, so if you prefer books with shorter chapters, this might not be the book for you.

This book is perfect for anyone looking for a fun beach read and I especially recommend it to fans of Nancy Thayer, Mary Kay Andrews, Elin Hildebrand and Debbie Macomber!

—


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


If you are interested in seeing more of my reviews and other content feel free to connect with me here <3:
https://linktr.ee/bookreviewsbyjules (links to my Instagram, Goodreads, TikTok, Storygraph, My blog and Substack newsletter, etc)

If you are a publisher or author who has questions about my reviews (as well as questions about my stats, reach or engagement), please free to email me. I am also open to requests for book reviews from authors or publishers. Thank you again for taking time to read my review, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

Kristin Higgins knows how to bring on tears, laughter and joy. This latest book centers around three women who are faced with some tough challenges. Those challenges include grief, anger, change and acceptance. This definitely is more of a work of women's fiction than romance as it is packaged. There is a lot of drama but also a lot of humor. I laughed out loud several times. Let’s just say I will never look at a renaissance faire the same again! There are also some heavier topics that include death and cancer that are emotional and heart breaking.

The narration as always for the audiobook includes Xe Sands. She is excellent as always, the other women were good too but Xe is one of my favorites!! Higgins uses her in almost all of her books and I am so glad that she does.

Standard Higgins book that I have grown to love over the years and look forward to them. Always a comfort read for me.

4 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to the book (After the cover of course) by the fake dating set up between Lark and the famous oncologist doctor who might be able to get her back the position she was relieved from because she was becoming to emotionally attached to her patients.

He has "employed" Lark to be his date until his grandmother passes away (Yes totally would be violating some ethics here, but man does it make for a great story). As you can imagine it is not as simple as just being his "fake date". Higgins starts laying on some heavy emotions like Lark's back story, why she is so emotional around cancer.

Suddenly Higgins takes you in a different direction and we get involved in two more women's story. Lark's mother and an eclectic woman Joy.

Lark's parents are the golden couple and are the foundation of the family, but after a left behind iPad, her mother soon realizes her marriage is on shaky ground


Then there is Joy
who appears to have no purpose left in life after 3 and 1/2 failed marriages

I will have to say each of the women's stories caught me by surprise. I thought I knew exactly how Lark's "forced dating" situation would end up, but what happened was completely and perfectly unexpected. With Lark's mom I felt the betrayal and struggled with her as she navigated the best path for her and her family.
And Joy, oh I loved her "coming of age" even if it came during menopause instead of puberty like most stories.

This book was not all candy canes and unicorns on my scale due to the amount of liberal woeness sprinkled in. Can author's please stop doing this?

This is my second Higgins book, I will continue to follow this author as she covers difficult topics and creates very deep unique characters.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy of Look on the Bright Side. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for this honest review.

“It was frustrating, how the worst times seemed to have so much more power than the good times.”

Ok I need a minute here. I am not sure I even have the words to do this book justice. It feels like it was written FOR me. Look On The Bright Side had me falling in love with my native New England through someone else’s eyes.

Full of both genetic and found family, this story is what I look for every time I open a new book. That can’t put it down and get utterly lost in it feeling. All of the stars, man. All of them.

With multiple narrators this audiobook is absolutely fantastic!! They really bring the heart and angst of the story to life. I highly recommend this book on audio as a beachy, yet emotional, summer read. It is the perfect story to get lost in with your toes in the sand.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing, RB Media, and the author for the ARC & ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thank you RB Media & Netgalley for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

I cried reading this. Twice. I took a picture of it for proof and.... Let's just say I'm not a pretty crier and it was promptly deleted. 😂 I've read - and oftentimes reread - her whole backlist so you better believe a new one is always an auto-read.
Lark is kicked out of the oncology program because she cries. A lot. Meeting with Dr. Satan... Er... Santini... gives Lark hope that getting back in maybe won't be impossible. She just has to pretend to date him for the sake of his crotchety grandmother. It's not what you know but who, after all.
Once I cried, I couldn't stop listening. Sounds like I'm an emotional basket case, but fair! I loved going back to some of these characters so much and seeing them from Lark's point of view. And the way things circle back? It's perfection. I already added this to my re-read pile.

Kristan Higgins is an auto read author for me. Her books are like a hug, and guaranteed to make even the darkest souls cry! I was so excited when Berkley sent me a gifted copy, I could wait to read it, summer time seems like the perfect time to read her books! I tried audio, but definitely preferred physical copy, the narrator was a little soft spoken for me. This book, while not as good as my favorite Higgins, Pack Up the Moon, it is up there! And with a Goodreads rating of 4.36 stars, it’s safe to say a lot of others have enjoyed it as well! I really liked that the main characters were physicians and while there was some medical jargon, there wasn’t so much that it bogged it down! The fake dating was perfection, especially because it’s not so predictable! The book focuses on love, loss of love and what it takes to keep love together. I also loved how Higgins shows the importance of friends and families in trying times. Highly recommend this one!

I haven’t read a Kristan Higgins book in a number of years so I was excited to give this one a try. Lark’s story is so heart wrenchingly beautiful - it was nice to read that second chance at happiness story that everyone who loses love deserves to have. I think that without the addition of the fake dating trope, this would have been a bit too depressing for me.

I listened to the audio book for this. I enjoyed the story. The narrator was good, but sounded a little snobby, which was good for this story. The surgeon fit the stereotype of a surgeon. Fun characters. I especially liked Joy.

I really enjoyed "look on the bright side". I always love a multiple POV and this one did not disappoint. I thought that Lark's narrator was difficult to hear while driving in my car. But loved the story and characters. I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. I’ve read every book by Kristan Higgins, while this book was a bit heavier than I expected, I enjoyed seeing the character development and depth of the characters.

Initially the narrator for Lark was a little hard to understand.

📕Look On The Bright Side by Kristan Higgins
RB media
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book follows three women (a doctor, her mom, and her landlady) as they navigate changes in their lives and end up finding themselves so that they can move forward. They are all so different, so there was never a dull moment as we learned about each of their lives - both past and present. I really enjoyed where the book took place - I love a story set on the Cape. There were some sad moments and some happy ones , and I really enjoyed this book overall.

Thank you Netgalley and RB media for this ALC!

the setup…
Larkby (Lark) Smith is a 33-year old resident in Oncology at Hyannis Hospital, her long-time dream. But she’s just blown it, her tendency to get too emotionally connected to her patients erupting for the umpteenth time and now she’s being moved to Emergency. Then she gets a summons from Dr. Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan) to meet her for dinner. Lark has her own miserable experience with the man who’s aptly earned his hospital nickname and can’t imagine why he wants to see her. See, Lorenzo’s 99-year old grandmother (Noni) is dying and he wants her to rest in peace knowing that he’s in a relationship with someone other than her to care for him. In return for her being his fake girlfriend for the summer, Lorenzo will facilitate Lark’s transfer back to Oncology. What could go wrong?

the heart of the story…
Lorenzo isn’t known as Dr. Satan for nothing and Lark has the daunting task of getting people to understand what she sees in the foul behaving man, genius and brilliance notwithstanding. When she meets his family, it’s so much easier but you can tell Lorenzo learned everything from his Noni (she’s just awful). Trouble is, Lark’s also immediately drawn to his firefighter brother Dante and the family is not in on the ruse. As things progress, Lark’s history slowly emerges and it’s heartbreaking. Meanwhile, there’s trouble brewing with Lark’s parents as Ellie discovers a betrayal and moves in with Lark’s landlady Joy.

the narration…
Lark, Ellie and Joy provide the points of view for the story and I’m so grateful there were separate performers for each of these characters. All seemed to inhabit and “get” them, making me believe in their distinctions and storytelling. They elevated an already great story.

the bottom line…
There are lots of hilarious moments to balance the deeply emotional aspects but have the tissues at the ready. One particular scene had me almost sobbing in its grace, sadness and beauty. It’s a fine piece of writing. I’m always guaranteed exceptionally layered characters and stories from Higgins and the payoff here was enormous. These are characters you become invested in quickly and have a stake in what happens. I loved every single thing about it, tears and all.