Always The Last To Know by Kristan Higgins
Published: June 9, 2020 – Berkley
E-galley courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley
Description:
The Frosts are a typical American family. Barb and John, married almost fifty years, are testy and bored with each other…who could blame them after all this time? At least they have their daughters– Barb’s favorite, the perfect, brilliant Juliet; and John’s darling, the free-spirited Sadie. The girls themselves couldn’t be more different, but at least they got along, more or less. It was fine. It was enough.
Until the day John had a stroke, and their house of cards came tumbling down.
Now Sadie has to put her career as a teacher and struggling artist in New York on hold to come back and care for her beloved dad–and face the love of her life, whose heart she broke, and who broke hers. Now Juliet has to wonder if people will notice that despite her perfect career as a successful architect, her perfect marriage to a charming Brit, and her two perfect daughters, she’s spending an increasing amount of time in the closet having panic attacks.
And now Barb and John will finally have to face what’s been going on in their marriage all along. (publisher)
My take: Always the Last to Know is the story of the Frost family. Parents Barb and John are unhappy and not thinking about celebrating their upcoming 50th anniversary. Older daughter Juliet lives what most would consider a perfect life so what’s with the frequent panic attacks? Younger daughter Sadie chases her dream of being an artist but pays the bills by teaching art at a grade school and taking orders for sofa paintings. She’s committed to living in New York for her art and that has impacted her personal life more than once. When John suffers a stroke the family is forced to decide what is truly important in their lives. I didn’t think this family seemed typical at all. Most of the time I was annoyed and frustrated by the Frosts and the other characters. It could be where I am in my life – who knows. I’ve enjoyed many of Higgins’ books but something seemed missing in this one.
Oh no, you are scaring me. I have pre-ordered this, so I will make sure I am in a good space when I read this. Actually I think I struggled a little with her last one so my fingers are crossed.
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I’m in the minority on Goodreads so you might love it, Kathryn.
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Hope so. We shall see!
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Thanks for your thoughts. I am a some times reader of Higgins – some times I like her and some times I don’t. Sounds like I should skip this one.
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I think I’ve enjoyed her Rom/Coms more than women’s fiction.
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Sorry you didn’t enjoy the book more. I have never read a book by her.
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Thanks for stopping by, Vicki!
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I just downloaded this one, so I’ll make sure I’m in the right mood to read it! Thanks for sharing.
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I hope you enjoy it, Laurel!
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I am waiting for my turn at a copy from the library.. Thanks for your honest review.
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I hope you enjoy it, Kathleen.
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Thanks for an honest review. The story seems mainly about how life turns out to be – the boring and routine with the good!
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In your words that pertains to us all but I just couldn’t warm to this family. I wanted to relate to the matriarch especially but it never happened.
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[…] Review: Always the Last to Know […]
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I’m a big fan of Kristan Higgins and I really enjoyed this one!
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I’m so glad you liked it, Leslie!
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