A Novel by Kristan Higgins, Berkley Books, June 2020.
* An ARC was provided by Berkley Books and Edelweiss for an honest review.
Always the Last to Know by Kristan Higgins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Kristin Higgins' books are always thought provoking, and ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW is no exception. It's the story of a family falling apart from miscommunication, unrealized expectations, and various levels of guilt and how they begin to heal after the patriarch has a stroke. Told from several points of view, the story includes free-spirited Sadie, perfect Juliet, poised Barb, and muddled John.
Higgins is very good at creating complex characters, interweaving their stories to a satisfactory end, and she has done so here. Barb has tried to be the envied wife, mother and homemaker for John, who's slowly drifted away from their marriage, both emotionally and physically. Barb and Juliet created a bond that left little room for John, and he developed a close connection with Sadie when she was born. All the main characters are richly complicated and feel as if they have been friends of yours for years.
John's stroke brings the women in the family back together, raising old issues of how they feel about each other. Barb is seen as the cold mother saving all her love for her older child. Juliet is the perfect wife and Barb's favorite. Sadie is seen as selfish and irresponsible. But little by little they start making small concessions with each other and finally realize how they missed important times together because of long-held beliefs. They start taking small steps to understand and help each other, and they reconnect with the special people who they've cherished along the way, with an HEA for each of them.
THEMES: How long-held beliefs may be wrong, self doubt, letting go, betrayal, second chances, being true to yourself, accepting friends and family for who they really are.
SUMMARY: ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW is another well-written book by Higgins. It has all the gamut of emotions, making you laugh, cry, smile and sigh. I thoroughly recommend this story for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories and other books by this author.
IF YOU LIKE THIS, YOU MAY LIKE: Recent books like LIFE AND OTHER INCONVENIENCES and GOOD LUCK WITH THAT and other stories from Kristan Higgins, THE FRIENDSHIP LIST and SISTERS BY CHOICE by Susan Mallery, RETURN TO VIRGIN RIVER and THE COUNTRY GUESTHOUSE by Robyn Carr, DUNE DRIVE and THE GOODBYE CAFE by Mariah Stewart, FEELS LIKE FALLING and THE SOUTHERN SIDE OF PARADISE by Kristy Woodson Harvey
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