Oh, my heart. This book tore me apart and then put me back together (somewhat). I think this was the first time that I have ever sobbed while listening to an audio book. Whew.

Lark is a resident that thought her passions for medicine were in Oncology, until she realized that she was too emotionally invested. Her mother, Ellie, has lived a life of marital bliss, only to find that her husband has been hiding something. Joy, Lark’s landlady, has lived a life with a true lack of purpose and direction.

This story follows all three of these characters and the paths that they choose to better their own lives. It was beautiful to watch these women overcome such grief, all in their own ways.

Thank you so much @netgalley , @kristan.Higgins and @berkleypub for the opportunity to listen to this beautiful book!

The synopsis of this book drew me in and held me as a willing captive: “a deeply moving novel about the unexpected rewards that come from life’s detours.” Three women-Lark, her mother, and Lark’s landlord, find themselves each at a crossroad in life and we are brought on their journey of self-discovery. The author’s ability to consistently write characters that experience some kind of emotional trauma-and how they work through it and who they lean on to get them through it-while still being a comfort read, is remarkable. (And…the main female character in this book is an identical twin, so automatic props for me for that sub-plot line!)
I listened to this on audio-the three narrators did a fantastic job with each of their characters.

Really enjoyed this one. While it was predictable, it was so well done with characters that just sucked you in that I just kept going. You feel so many emotions with this one sadness, grief, frustration, joy, love, just life. So many side stories occurring all intertwined nicely. This book comes out May 28, 2024! Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced copy of this audio book. Narrator kept you engaged but I had to speed up the rate as 1 and 1.25 would have been too slow. 1.5 was a good speed for the right feeling.

Listening to this audiobook was a complex experience for me. The story dives deeply into profound themes of life, death, and grief, capturing the emotional turbulence that comes with these experiences. The narration brought the intricate relationships and the secrets shared among the characters to life, adding layers of intrigue and depth. The narrator's delivery made it easy to become engrossed in the characters' personal struggles and conversations.

However, I struggled with certain aspects of the plot, particularly the portrayal of infidelity. Cheating is something I personally detest, and it overshadowed my ability to enjoy other elements of the story. It's difficult for me to connect with characters who think it's acceptable to explore relationships outside of their commitments. This aspect made it challenging to fully appreciate the audiobook, as it constantly pulled my focus away from the other, more profound themes being explored.

Despite my discomfort with the infidelity, I cannot deny that the audiobook is deeply moving and thought-provoking. It captures the complexities of human emotions and relationships in a way that is both raw and real. The narrator’s performance added another layer to the storytelling, making the characters and their emotions feel even more vivid. While I may not have loved every part of the audiobook, I acknowledge its depth and the skill with which it tackles difficult topics. The experience evoked strong reactions and provoked thoughtful reflections on life and the choices we make.

Higgins takes a pocketful of sunshine through the storms of life, and brings along a few friends for the ride. Look on the Bright Side is a love sonnet for the soul. From the heartbreaking to the inspirational, this journey of self discovery is not one to be missed. An emotional stunner that puts the feels on full display.

What a beautiful story! While I was expecting the typical "fake date" plot, "Look on the Bright Side" was far from the fluffy romance. It was heartfelt and the author painted a perfect picture of the life of Lark and the Santini family. I felt as if I was a fly on the wall, laughing and crying along the way. While I do like character development, I do feel like it was a little slow at first because of the large number of characters that needed to be introduced. I ended up adoring Lark and found myself rooting for her love interest, especially as the story unfolded.

I listened to this in an audiobook form. I found the main narrator's voice very soothing, but it didn't feel like it belonged to the 30s main character.

Best Kristen Higgins novel so far! This one was great from the very first page, to the very last. Really enjoyed!

This book delves into themes of forgiveness, grief, and second chances, making it a perfect choice for those looking for a heartfelt story. Lark, a doctor who finds herself transferred out of the oncology department because she's "too emotional". When Dr. Santini (yes she calls him this to his face lol) offers her a chance to return, she agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend for his sister's wedding. As Lark gets to know his loving family, she also finds herself falling for his brother. Alongside Lark's journey, you'll also discover the new friendship her mother forms with her new landlady. With its beachy vibes, this book is a must-have for your summer reading list!

Publication date is May 28, 2024

Thoughts: This is the perfect book to throw in your beach bag this summer! Any book set on Cape Cod screams summer to me. This was my first book by this author, and I found that I really loved her writing. It was well-paced, the characters were relatable, and the relationships felt authentic. The main character, Lark, is a medical resident recovering from some major trauma in her life and trying to find herself and what she really wants to do with her life. This is a first and foremost a heartwarming story of healing and family with a dash of romance thrown in. If you like your beach reads with a side of crying, I can't recommend this one enough!
Toss it into your beach bag, and don't forget some tissues!
Read this if you like:
O women's fiction
• New England setting
• heartwarming stories dealing with grief
• family and found family
¿ fake dating
• Grey's Anatomy

I loved this book. The way all of the characters were woven together was perfect. Nothing like KH novel to give you a cry ball for hours but also make you not want to put the book down. Will be recommending!

I loved this book so much. If you’re looking for the perfect beach read this summer, look no further! Higgins hit it out the park with her new book. It truly had it all and brought me tears, swoons, and smiles. I had big, fat, ugly tears during those flashback chapters.

We follow three POVs: Lark, an Oncology resident who lost her childhood sweetheart 7 years prior; Ellie, Lark’s mother who sees cracks in what she believed to be a perfect marriage; and Joy, Lark’s eccentric wealthy landlady. The book is primarily in Lark’s viewpoint and she’s definitely the main character, but Ellie and Joy were delightful to read about and I enjoyed each woman’s story. Very smart choice for the audiobook to have a different narrator for each POV! Made all the difference and made it so easy to keep track of who was narrating. Definitely recommend the audio if that’s a format you like.

If you enjoy books that make you sob, heartwarming stories about navigating tough situations, and resilient characters then I highly recommend this one. Lark is one of those one-in-a-million characters that you find yourself rooting for every step of the way. I personally liked it more than Higgin’s popular read, Pack Up the Moon.

Kristan Higgins is widely regarded as one of the most talented authors of our time, known for her exceptional storytelling and her ability to create authentic, flawed, and relatable characters.

"Look on the Bright Side" delves into the themes of friendship, loss, and transformation.

The novel follows the lives of three women who find themselves at pivotal moments, grappling with significant and often distressing changes. While two of the characters are connected to Harlow Smith from "A Little Ray of Sunshine," prior knowledge of the latter is not necessary to fully appreciate this story. In fact, I personally found "A Little Ray of Sunshine" somewhat hazy in my memory, yet I still thoroughly enjoyed and comprehended this book, proving its standalone appeal.

Despite the initial impression of a romantic comedy, "Look on the Bright Side" is not solely a romance, although romantic elements are interwoven. Instead, it offers a compelling exploration of women's fiction.

The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of the three women, with a significant portion dedicated to Lark's past through flashbacks. While the focus initially centers on Lark, the introduction of the other women's viewpoints adds depth and complexity to the story without diminishing its overall impact

Look on the Bright Side by Kristan Higgins is an endearing story of love, loss, friendship, and new beginnings. The book follows Lark Smith, an oncology resident that ends up being moved to the ER for being too emotional with her patients. Oncology has been her dream and goal for quite some time, so when she is approached with a deal to possibly go back, she's all in, even if the deal is a bit unsavory. She also has other problems, her parents have split up, and her own relationship she thought would go the distance didn't work out that way. This story kept my attention, the characters were well-fleshed out, and it was a nice weekend read that hit a lot of emotions.

I love Kristan Higgins books. This book did not disappoint 👏 Kristan has such a wonderful, sweet, fresh, and new flow to her writing. I can't wait for my physical copy!

This audio book was told in 3 POV, Lark, Ellie and Joy. Lark is a doctor that is emotional and was moved from to ER which is not what she wants. She gets an interesting proposal from "Dr. Satan" aka Lorenzo. The story centers on their agreement and the entanglements of family. Both family adds a fun element to the story and I enjoyed seeing Lark's past to learn about her. There's lots of funny moments to balance out the moments that makes me cry. The narration was great and distinct between the characters.

Thank you @berkleyromance @recordedbooks @netgalley for a copy of the audiobook.

This book is very real. I felt like I was friends with the main character and just getting information from her. The characters were relatable and the plot was emotional.

Wow, Kristan Higgins consistently writes emotionally epic novels! Her latest book, "Look on the Bright Side," is a complete 5-star masterpiece! I listened to the audiobook and immediately loved the three narrators; they were perfect for the three main characters. The storyline was extremely original and definitely relatable! Centering around grief, new beginnings, betrayal, and forgiveness, this novel explores the lives of three women and how they navigate their journeys. I thoroughly enjoyed their personal narratives as well as their camaraderie with each other. Kristan Higgins is a favorite of mine, and I am truly amazed at her brilliance with every novel she writes!

Title: Look on the Bright Side
Author: Kristan Higgins
Format: 🎧
Audiobook Narrators: Xe Sands, Susan Bennett, and Christina Moore
Publisher: RB Media/ Recorded Books- Berkley Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance
Audiobook Release Date: June 4, 2024
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages 433

This story is set is Cape Cod and told from the POV of Lark, Ellie, and Joy.
Lark is a Medical Student and the main character.
Ellie is Lark’s mother and is dealing with her husband’s secret.
Joy is trying to deal with the grief of losing her brother.
These three women are at a crossroads in fact they also cross paths in experiencing changes in their lives.

Lark, a medical resident in Oncology, recently sent to work in the ER after being called out for getting too emotionally attached to her patients. Her advisor believes it is best for her as well as her patients. She wants to stay with Oncology. We follow her path in finding what is best.
I loved Kristin Harmel’s stories. Her Historical Fiction novels are wonderful.
Wait a minute this is Kristan Higgins! Oops. However I have read several of this KH stories as well.

I read a lot of thrillers and like to switch genres every once in a while - but I did find this a bit long and more expletives than I thought necessary. Looking on the bright more positive side - the three narrators were great.

I want to Thank NetGalley, RB Media and Berkley Books for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled: June 4, 2024.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(4.25)

Thank you @berkleypub @recordedbooks @NetGalley for the free books #BerkleyPartner #netgalley

Lark Smith's dream of becoming an oncologist is derailed when she's transferred to the ER for being too emotional with patients. Renowned surgeon Dr. Lorenzo "Satan" Santini offers her a deal: be his fake girlfriend for three months to reassure his dying grandmother, and he'll help her career. Unexpectedly, Lark falls for his family and brother. The story also explores the lives of Lark's mother Ellie and her landlady Joy, as they all navigate personal crossroads.

Every now and again women’s fiction catches my eye and this one did not disappoint! Though I usually hate the undertone of grief, this story pulled at my heartstrings in a way that both kept me on the edge of my seat and gave me empathy for the characters. Lark’s crushing sad memories are mixed with snarky comments and a distinct determination to fulfill her dream of being an oncologist despite her unruly emotions. Though I don’t think the POVs from Ellie and Joy were necessary, their struggles added to the heartfelt sentiment Kristan Higgins was clearly after. By the ending you’ll understand why Lark can’t help but shed a few tears.

I primarily read the physical book because after a few chapters of the audiobook I realized the primary narrator (Lark’s perspective) wasn’t for me.

Perfect for you if you like:
Dealing with grief
Multi-generation family POV
Women’s fiction with a mix of romance
Unexpected second chances

Similar to:
Summer of ’69 by Elin Hilderbrand
How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
The Switch by Beth O’Leary

⛔️vague cracked door romantic intimacy
⚠️explicit languarge, grief, death of a loved one, mentions domestic abuse, fatphobia, car accident, chronic illness

I really enjoy the novels of Kristan Higgins and especially those set on Cape Cod. I was able to listen to audio edition of the novel thru NetGalley and it is another winner for this author. The story includes the main character Lark but the other timelines regarding her mother and a friend are well told also. The growth by all these women is well told.