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Published May 2024
432 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Paperback Original.
Publication Information
From the author of Pack Up the Moon comes a funny, romantic, and deeply moving novel about the unexpected rewards that come from life's detours.
Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents', pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.
Things aren't going so well.
For one, the guy didn't work out. Theoretically, she'd love to find someone else, but it hasn't happened. Two, she's just been transferred out of oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she's a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up.
Deviating from the plan was…well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered and renowned surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan). He needs a date this summer for his sister's wedding. His ancient Noni wants to see him settled. In exchange, he could make a few introductions and maybe get Lark back into the field of her choice.
As a sucker for old people and fake relationships, Lark agrees. Teeny problem—she instantly falls for his big, warm family. Especially his estranged brother.
Meanwhile, Lark's mom has moved in with Lark's colorful landlady, Joy, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The three women have a long summer and a big beautiful house on the ocean to figure out what's next…and quite possibly learn that the best things in life aren't planned at all.
You can see the full discussion here. This discussion will contain spoilers!
Some of the recent comments posted about Look on the Bright Side:
After seven years, Lark finally feels attracted to someone again. Why Dante? What qualities does he have that affect Lark? Did you suspect that Dante had met Lark before?
I did not think Dante and Lark met previously. I did think the ending was a little too sweet! But after Dr. Satan, any other relationship would be more real. - edithk
Do you relate to Joy’s obsession with beauty? Why do you think her brother supported her in changing her exterior self? Do you judge her for placing so much importance on her physical appearance?
Dermatologists are increasingly treating the beauty aspects of skin, so there must be more folks who aspire to flawless beauty. Fillers for wrinkles, Juvederm, chemical peels, and laser treatments are common advertisements within the field of ... - BJHB
Do you think Gerald and Ellie have a "perfect" marriage? What’s good and what’s bad about it? What kind of pressure might come from being seen this way by their kids, friends, and acquaintances?
A perfect marriage is a misnomer, and the word perfect should not be attached to any marriage. Unions of two people are unique, and both members of the union should constantly try to improve themselves within the marriage, but being perfect is not ... - BJHB
Do you think Gerald’s emotional affair is forgivable? Is Ellie justified in her anger and sense of betrayal? How would you react if you found your partner had been having a similar interaction with someone?
I understand how she must have felt when she learned her husband betrayed her. However I also understand how easily it could happen. And let's not forget he ended it way before she discovered the affair. If a couple is able to work through it ... - sylviaann
Do you think Lark's emotions infringe on her ability to treat her patients? How would you feel if your doctor got teary-eyed or cried with you? How do her emotions make her a better or worse doctor?
I prefer a doctor who seems to care, one who can show emotion to some extent. It’s called excellent bedside manners. Part of a doctor’s job is to keep encouraging the patient, so crying is not appropriate bedside behavior. - BJHB
"Bestseller Higgins proves her mastery of the romance genre in this emotional tour de force... Higgins balances tear-jerking moments with happiness and hope, and crafts strong female characters worth cheering for. Readers should have tissues at the ready. " —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
This information about Look on the Bright Side was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Kristan Higgins is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than twenty novels, which have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. The happy mother of two snarky and well-adjusted adults lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband, cuddly dog, and indifferent cat.
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