Author: Kristan Higgins
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Harlequin(December 26, 2017)
Source: ARC Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Contemporary
My Rating: 4 Stars
Book Description:
One step forward. Two steps back. The Tufts scholarship that put Nora Stuart on the path to becoming a Boston medical specialist was a step forward. Being hit by a car and then overhearing her boyfriend hit on another doctor when she thought she was dying? Two major steps back.
Injured in more ways than one, Nora feels her carefully built life cracking at the edges. There's only one place to land: home. But the tiny Maine community she left fifteen years ago doesn't necessarily want her. At every turn, someone holds the prodigal daughter of Scupper Island responsible for small-town drama and big-time disappointments.
With a tough islander mother who's always been distant and a wild-child sister in jail, unable to raise her daughter--a withdrawn teen as eager to ditch the island as Nora once was--Nora has her work cut out for her if she's going to take what might be her last chance to mend the family.
But as some relationships crumble around her, others unexpectedly strengthen. Balancing loss and opportunity, a dark event from her past with hope for the future, Nora will discover that tackling old pain makes room for promise...and the chance to begin again.
Kristin Higgins always delivers a sweet romance filled with lots of snarky banter, witty one liners and humor left and right. And even though her books are filled with all things that make me smile, they still manage to convey a deep meaning of family, love, and other goodness.
Her latest isn't an exception to the rule, however it does have a slightly different almost more solemn and darker feel to it. Not in the “someone is murdered and had to stash the body somewhere” darkness but more of a serious note that isn't necessarily felt in her other novels. And why that may seem unappealing or even foreboding, it isn’t. Instead Higgins handles it like a champ and puts a lighter tone to the intense subject matters and just the right moments and of course delivers with her heroines ability to out wit anyone that she crosses and although there are some very intense moments in this book, there are also the lighter fluffier ones we, her fans, have all come to know and love.
Overall this was a different sort of Higgins book and I for one loved every minute of its uniqueness. It was fun, and outgoing, and serious and heartfelt. Higgins handled it all very well and came through shinning like she always does.
*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*
This is one of my favorites from this year. I am such a Higgins fan now. Glad you enjoyed it. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely read some of her earlier work as well, so good! One of my favorites is Just One of the Guys (or something like that).
DeleteI have never read any of her books. This sounds like an interesting story. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteShes's a great author, definitely one of my favorites. :D
DeleteSounds like a well done read! I like that the author does humor well, and that this one was still enjoyable even though it dealt with some darker topics.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
I agree. It seems like she can handle just about anything. ;)
DeleteI might be able to read this. Usually her books make me ugly cry.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they do me as well but I love it.
DeleteI've seen her books around a lot, but I don't think I ever read any of her books. I have to say that the first line of the book description perfectly captures my school year this year.
ReplyDeleteGotta love those years right? I think you would like this author, her humor alone makes it worth it. ;)
DeleteI love when an author tries something different and still entertains me. Thanks for sharing a new to me author.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thanks for stopping by and checking it out Sherry, it is fun when authors try something different and it works.
DeleteI haven't heard of this author before, definitely need to check this book out!
ReplyDeleteIf you love this genre, definitely try her, she is one of my favorites.
DeleteWow Kindlemom I'm intrigued and have this on my pile. Great review
ReplyDeleteGlad you have it in your pile!
Deletegah I have this, I need to read this, i LOVED the last two so super excited you enjoyed it
ReplyDeleteI bet you are doing to love it too!
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ReplyDeleteI hope you do too Heidi.
ReplyDeleteI keep hearing lovely things about her novels but I still need to try them!
ReplyDeleteI really hope you do try at least one, they really are so much fun.
DeleteI haven't tried her books yet. I do like how you describe her books as having a lighter side that is also balanced with some depth. The element of returning home and dealing with family does sound great.
ReplyDeleteAll her books are like that, which make them fun I think. I hope if you decide to try her you like her work as well.
DeleteI've read a few of her books and have enjoyed them. I am glad that you enjoyed this one. You do have me curious about the dark subject matter!
ReplyDeleteDark might not have been the best word, maybe heavier would have been better. Just definitely not as light feeling as her other books I've read.
DeleteI've only read one of her books but I liked it. This sounds like another I would like.
ReplyDeleteI bet you would. ;)
DeleteHaven't read anything from this author but dang! This one really got me curious
ReplyDeleteWoot! Glad I could introduce you to her!
DeleteSounds like a really good story & I love that the story also has some fluffy moments in it. :) I always love those.
ReplyDeleteI really do too. :D
DeleteAwesome review. Yay, glad that you enjoyed it even though it was kinda different the author’s other books. Thanks for sharing your very compelling review. You make me curious about this book. 😁❤️
ReplyDeleteI hope if you give it a chance you enjoy it as well.
DeleteOh that doesn't sound unappealing to me at all. I tend to like the darker stuff you don't usually expect from some authors. Brilly review!
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa!
DeleteI loved this one, too! Definitely had some dark parts and my heart went out to Nora, but I was captivated by the whole story. This is only the 3rd book I've read by KH, but I'd like to check out some of her backlist.
ReplyDeleteYes! And all her books are great but I did love how different this one felt.
DeleteI think it really shows an author's talents when they can take a book and go in a completely different direction from previous works. I like books that are dark. Sounds good.
ReplyDeleteMelanie @ Hot Listens & Rabid Reads
Me too on both counts. ;)
DeleteThis book had it all. I laughed. I cried. I alternately hated and loved Norah’s mother. Ms. Higgins never disappoints. This time she has outdone herself.
ReplyDeleteZia
You won't believe this San Antonio Movers
Glad you enjoy her work too!
DeleteThis book had it all. I laughed. I cried. I alternately hated and loved Norah’s mother. Ms. Higgins never disappoints. This time she has outdone herself.
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