I always enjoy books by Kristan Higgins and while I did enjoy Look on the Bright Side, I found it different than her last few. There are still some of her signature laugh-out-loud hilarious moments but there are also some very sad and raw moments that I was was not expecting. This is not an overly heavy read, but it is also not a light read. It’s the story of three women facing turning points in their lives. As the story unfolds, each must decide how she will proceed and if she really is ready to start over or if she will continue with the familiar path. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

Kristan Higgins writes from a place of deep feelings. She explores first love, death, sibling relationships, parental problems and
career choices. I enjoyed listening to the thought and feelings of different characters.

Lark is still processing the emotions that come with losing the only man she has loved since she was 5 years old. Her fiancé had cancer as a child that came back as an adult when they were engaged. Now, Lark is a doctor and has been in Oncology for years which was inspired by her late fiancé when she is told that she is too emotional for it and gets moved to Emergency Medicine. She is hopeful to get back to oncology when Dr. Lorenzo Santini. or Dr. Satan as everyone calls him, propositions her to be his fake girlfriend for the events leading up to his sisters wedding. She agrees and begins meeting all his family, including his brother Dante who she has an instant connection with but she can't figure out why.

This story has a few POV's and flashbacks and with the chapters being so long, it was hard to follow or connect them all together at times. There was a random storyline of Lark's parents having marital problems that I do feel like contributed to the story. I loved Lorenzo's family and how they took Lark in and loved her. The storyline about her late fiancé had me crying at some points and the wreck towards the end of the book pulled on my heart strings as well.

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!