Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Always the Last to Know by Kristan Higgins Narrator: Xe Sands, Laural Merlington, Amy Rubinate, Graham Winton
Published by Berkley, Recorded Books on June 9, 2020
Genres: Life Fiction
Pages: 400
Length: 12 hours, 58 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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.
A new novel of heartbreaking truths and hilarious honesty about what family really means.
I really enjoy the Life Fiction stories this author is writing. They are more authentic with more details and development of multiple characters than one finds in regular romance titles. But there is often romance in the story also.
Always the Last to Know features a family with two daughters. They are authentic and flawed so they are understandable. I found it easier to like Juliet as she is a hard worker, trying to please everyone. I relate to her insecurities. Barb is also highly competent and takes on a lot. I feel for her situation but she wasn’t as likable. Sadie is likable but she also wants her own way without compromise. I felt for their troubles. John I didn’t like but he found a way to help himself, too.
We see each of them deal with emotional blows and changes in circumstances. Each women grows and learns through her choices. I love how they grew and found ways to be happy with their lives.
Narration:
I really enjoy getting Kristan Higgins books on audio because often one of the narrators is Xe Sands and I am a big fan of hers. I loved her in this performance. The other narrators were new to me but it was wonderful to have more of a cast. There were four narrators, one for each family member – John, Barb, Juliet and Sadie. Each chapter was told from one of the four points of view, but it felt like Sadie told the largest portion of the story. I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:
Giveaway:
A new print ARC copy of Always the Last to Know.
About Xe Sands
Award-winning narrator known for credible characterizations and an intimate delivery with more than a decade of experience bringing stories to life through narration, performance, and visual art. I believe an authentic performance demands authentic connection to the text and subtext.
About Kristan Higgins
Kristan fell in love with romance at the age of 13, when she stole her grandmother’s copy of Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Much of her adolescence was spent mentally rewriting the end of Gone With the Wind. After a career in public relations and advertising, she started writing fiction when her children graced her life with simultaneous afternoon naps. She is the author of seven romantic comedies and absolutely loves her job. Mom of two great kids, wife of a heroic firefighter and owner of a very cute mutt, Kristan lives in Connecticut.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER-20
I’m so jealous that I couldn’t fit this in right away. Hopefully, I can start listening next week. Wonderful review, Anne?
Thank you. I feel your pain. There are at least 3 audios I want to listen to RIGHT NOW. But I can only listen to one at a time.
I’ve read quite a few positive reviews for this book, so I’m glad to hear you liked it too. The characters sound like they have some interesting, complex problems to deal with.
They do. The pace is a little slow but it takes time for people to deal with changes.
Happy you enjoyed this, too, Anne! Such a good one!
I really like all her books. She has really moved in to the stand-alone Life fiction books.
I’ve seen her books around and Lorna loves them. I must try her stuff soon.
Her older contemporary romances were in a series. But all her newer stuff is life fiction and can be read standalone. I have reviewed a few of her books so take a look at the review index. There are definitely some 5 heart reads. I do recommend the audio if it is available to you
I do love character driven stories, especially ones about family and secrets.
There are certainly secrets here. I do like how normally flawed the characters are.
This sounds delightful. I’ve enjoyed this author and the audio sounds amazing.
Yes I always enjoy this author and often on audio. Some of these characters are quite as likable but they are understandable and real.
I’ve really enjoyed KHs newer books. I have this on my review pile, and I need to get to it asap. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I hope you enjoy this one too!
I’m really excited about this one, so I’m happy to see you enjoyed it! It’s always nice when the characters feel authentic, and not like they were forced into some mold.
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? ?
Yes this feels more realistic and not like they followed some trope or cliche. I like the progression of the characters – good and bad.
I have not read/listened to or heard about this book before but am looking forward to listening soon. It sound like the type of story that is going to hook me and not let me go until the very end. I love these type of stories.
It’s an interesting story – I hope you do get a chance to enjoy it.
I’ve heard about the book. Thanks for the chance.
It’s a great character-driven story.
Great review, Anne. I really enjoyed this one too.
It’s a well written character story.