I began this Throwback Thursday meme as a way to share some of my old favorites as well as sharing books that I’m FINALLY getting around to reading that were published months or years ago. You know, the ones waiting patiently on my TBR list while I continue to pile more titles on top of them:)! I like that these older books are usually much easier than new releases to get a hold of at libraries and elsewhere.
Published Jan 2017 by HQN books
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is being blindsided by a breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her older half sister, Kate, who’s struggling with a sudden loss of her own.
*****
You know what’s so fun for me? Finding a new to me author, reading her just released book (Now That You Mention It) , loving it, and then starting on her backlist and loving that even more! Seriously, I’m kicking myself across the room for not reading Kristan Higgins sooner. She writes such realistic characters that I feel I know (and love and/or love to hate) and she writes them in such a way that causes me to think about them when I’m not reading. I couldn’t wait to get back to the story when I was away from it and I even had a couple past-my-bedtime nights of reading!
The story revolves around half sisters Ainsley and Kate and the fact that both their lives get turned upside down in very different ways. Of course there’s family drama, boyfriend drama, in-law drama, work drama…a veritable smorgasbord of you guessed it…drama! There was emotional highs and lows, humor, and even an unexpected twist or two which I really enjoyed. Higgins was able to (magically it seems) keep all these dramatic balls in the air with fresh writing, spot on dialogue, and a fast pace. One thing I especially loved was the fact that Kate and Ainsley were strong women and didn’t let anyone walk all over them. I loved that! I have to say, the ending made me tear up and when I turned the last page I was happy that I loved the story but sad to see these characters go…and for me THAT’s the sign of a story well told. My 2018 reads may have to wait a little longer while I dive into more of Kristin Higgin’s backlist. Seriously, if you enjoy a great story with engaging, well developed characters in a fast paced read you’ve got to give On Second Thought a try!
HAPPY READING!
More Throwback Thursday Picks Around the Blogosphere…
Jill at Jill’s Book Cafe
Deanna at DeesRadReads and Reviews
Amanda at Literary Weaponry
Susan at Susan Loves Books
Cathy at What Cathy Read Next
Lynne at Fictionophile
Annie at The Misstery
Amy at Novel Gossip
Mischenko at Read Rant Rock and Roll
Laurie at Cozy Nook Books
Ann Marie at LItWitWineDine
Laura at Snazzy Books
Thank you for reviewing this. My experience with Kristan Higgins is EXACTLY the same as yours!! Just finished Now That You Mention It, thanks to Netgalley, and I was kicking myself for not reading Higgins’s books sooner. I have If You Only Knew and a few others of hers but had never read any of them. Now I can’t wait to sink my teeth into more of her books once my other commitments are finished.
I’m currently listening to The Best Man, a first in one of her series, and it’s a good one too. ( :
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I’m so glad we’re on the same page with her writing and stories! She’s fantastic and I’ve also downloaded If You Only Knew. Thanks for the recommendation of The Best Man, I’m adding it to my tbr.
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I meant to say thanks for HIGHLIGHTING this.
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Hmmm…another author I’ve never read. You’re always doing that to me! I’ll need to take a serious look at Kristan Higgins.
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I’m thrilled i can increase your TBR Susie:) I think you’d enjoy her writing for sure, especially when you’re in the mood for lighter but with substance
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Yes!! I absolutely loved this book, too! So glad you read it. 🙂
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Me too Brandie, your Christmas shoutout for her new book sparked my interest. Another fav author I’ve discovered through my blogging friends! No the bad part is that her other books are calling me but I have 2018s to read!! #Booknerd problems:)
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I have been meaning to read one of her books for so long. I have no idea why I’ve waited either. I think I might start with this one as it sounds great. In one way it’s good because we have a whole bunch of her previous books to read… Not like we don’t have a huge TBR already haha 😂. But yes I really do need to check this out. Great choice!
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Thanks Deanna, this would make a great starting point and I’d also highly recommend her new one Now that You Mention It.
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Thanks! I’m adding both to my tbr 🙂
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Whoa! This sounds like such a fun read! I am always looking for new titles like this, for when I need a “break” from more serious fare; thanks so much for sharing this one!
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You’re welcome and I think her books are perfect for those of us looking for a break from crime and/or literary fiction but still want awesome characters and excellent writing!
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I love Kristan Higgins’ books, but I haven’t read this one! Now That You Mention It was terrific, and I’m so glad it led you to reading her other books. Her sense of humor is one of my favorite things about her writing. I still need to read all of her books, but I really enjoyed If Only You Knew (which I saw you’d already downloaded) and Too Good to Be True (very funny but more “romance” then her newer works which I think are evolving into more contemporary imo). She has a new one coming out this year, and I’m going to have to see if NetGalley has it soon!
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Net galley does have it! It’s called Good Luck with That…me request is still pending for it
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Great! I hadn’t looked yet, but I will now and ask for it! I hope you get it! I read the synopsis on Goodreads, and it sounds really good!
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Great pick! I’ve never tried her work before, but I like the sound of this one.
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Thanks Yvo, it was really good!
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I need to read more of this kind of stories every now and then, you’ll need to tell me where should I start!!
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On Second Thought would be a good place to start with this author and I think you’d like it, the writing is better than a lot of the mysteries I’ve tried lately!!
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Great review Renee. Your feelings about the book and the character have definitely sparked my interest in this one and the author in general. Thanks for sharing.
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I’m so glad Diana! This might be just the author for you if you’re in the mood for a change from mysteries and thrillers sometime:)
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[…] pattern on the blog but as I said in December (review here) and again a couple of weeks ago on TBT …I LOVE her books and I can’t get enough of her relatable, well-written, snappy reads. […]
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