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tequilamcknbrd's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was such a cute and funny story about what happens when things fall apart, the (sometimes dangerous) lies we tell ourselves and second chances.
While not in my usual wheelhouse of what I typically read, I did enjoy this book and am glad it found its way to me courtesy of our traveling book club.
Much like life, some chapters were hits, some were misses and some were comedy acts of pure gold. All I can say is that I hope I love sex and toys as much as Karen Henderson does when I’m in my 50s. That woman seems to have her shit together (see ch 12).
rebroxannape's review against another edition
4.0
I could tell from the git-go that Kristan Higgins’ new book, in some ways, was a return to her lighter fare of yesteryear after her recent forays into more serious women’s fiction. As much as I love and even esteem most of her more recent books, (4 out of 7 were 5-star reads for me)I welcomed her return to her days of yore. It was great to see that a beloved author can, in a sense, “go home again” no matter what Thomas Wolfe says. I say, in some ways. Her first books were definitely romantic comedies while incorporating emotional serious issues along with the fun. And this one has that lighthearted tone. But this one is not a romance. Not at all. The book concludes with our heroine in a satisfying hopeful relationship with a great guy. But the journey to that end is a very minor aspect of Lillie’s personal journey.
The book begins as our heroine, a happily married mother of a son about to leave for college in far away Montana learns that her husband, Brad, “out of the clear blue sky”, tells her he is leaving her for a beautiful, younger, and wealthy woman, Melissa. The story is told in first person by Lillie with occasional contributions from "the whore" who has a substantial journey of her own. Actually more substantial than Lillie's, truth be told. Lillie is a 41-year-old nurse-midwife on Cape cod who loves her family, her home, and her community in which she is a popular fixture. Everyone knows and loves her. At first, all she wants is revenge, and her brilliantly successful efforts are very funny. Yes, we know her stunts are petty, childish, and even mean. And she knows it too, but darn it, she just can’t help it. Brad deserves it all and more. But even as we laugh at Lillie’s antics, we start to get to know Melissa, her other victim. Yes, she is shallow (she almost makes it an art form), materialistic, a user, and a husband stealer. But such is Kristan’s imagination and craft, that as we learn her story and get to know her, you (by which I mean I) got to kinda like her and actually admire her. There was a lot to “Missy Jo” that was quite endearing (word of the day!). I didn’t always like and admire Lillie. Lillie has a lot of growing to do and challenges to overcome. In addition to losing her son (in a way) and her husband and his family, she tackles a problematic mother (a Kristan Higgins fixture) a fractured relationship with a once-beloved sister, financial difficulties, a childhood trauma that continues to impact her life, a terrible tragedy in her past, and even a professional nemesis who must be vanquished. It’s kind of amazing all of the issues that are explored in this book, without the tone turning dark. As in all of Kristan’s books, there are some epic scenes, both hilarious ones and triumphant ones. And, as always, some great lines:
*He studied the wine list like it was a lost gospel
*"What’s your daughter’s name?” “Ophelia.” I winced. Who names their kid after the doomed innocent who commits suicide in Hamlet?
*...my own mother, who had the same maternal instincts as a lizard that eats her own eggs.
*“Calm down,” he said, because women love hearing that.
*“Name’s Harminee. Spellin’ it different to be special. Harminee Fawn.” Well, that would just about guarantee the baby would become a stripper, Melissa thought. Harmony was a beautiful name. Harminee though? Gosh.
*I turned on the outdoor lights and peered out. It was a woman dressed in high boots, a fur coat, fur hat and fur gloves. It was either Lara from Doctor Zhivago or Melissa. Sadly, it was not Lara.
*“Thanks for buying me,” Ophelia whispered. She took a shaky breath, and Melissa knew she was crying, and hugged her close.
And as always, we are blessed with another Kristan Higgins trademark, an adorable dog with personality plus.
So what kept this from being one the best of the best Kristan Higgins novels ever? Two things. First of all, I found that Lillie was a little too hung up on her son. The time between the marriage breaking up, keeping that from him so as not to ruin his last weeks at home, and him leaving for college really dragged for me. I honestly couldn’t wait for him to go. Thank goodness Dylan was an independent, well-adjusted kid (yes, thanks to Lillie being a perfect mother). No woman ever loved a son more than Lillie loves hers. And she does go on about it. And no son is more perfect. I couldn't really blame her.
Of course, no husband who cheats on his wife will ever be a hero. But Brad “Bridiot” Fairchild has got to be the most contemptible human being on Cape Cod or in any Kristan Higgins book ever. Not the evilest Kristan Higgins creation, I hasten to clarify, because she has created some doozies. Even Melissa started to see his true colors before the ink was barely dry on the marriage license. And Lillie was married to this pompous pretentious dickhead for 20 years? Happily? And mourned his loss (or the loss of who she thought he was) so dramatically and sincerely? As she looks back on him and their life together, she sees him clearly. Getting shot of him should have been #bestdayever, #Thank-youGod, #IoweMelissabigtime, #GoodRiddance. I have to admit I got very impatient with our heroine. Maybe even a little disdainful? To be fair, late in the book she does explain why the strong Lillie was happy with the weakling husband, but not until the 96% mark! I think Kristan kind of piled on a little too much when it came to Mr. Brad Fairchild (that’s Dr. Fairchild, huh, huh, huh.), as entertaining as his weaknesses and assholery were.
As I finished the book (kept trying to stretch it out!) I felt like that this must be one of her shorter books. But it turns out that it was actually one of her longer ones. I think that is a high compliment. I can’t wait to see what her next one is like.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
The book begins as our heroine, a happily married mother of a son about to leave for college in far away Montana learns that her husband, Brad, “out of the clear blue sky”, tells her he is leaving her for a beautiful, younger, and wealthy woman, Melissa. The story is told in first person by Lillie with occasional contributions from "the whore" who has a substantial journey of her own. Actually more substantial than Lillie's, truth be told. Lillie is a 41-year-old nurse-midwife on Cape cod who loves her family, her home, and her community in which she is a popular fixture. Everyone knows and loves her. At first, all she wants is revenge, and her brilliantly successful efforts are very funny. Yes, we know her stunts are petty, childish, and even mean. And she knows it too, but darn it, she just can’t help it. Brad deserves it all and more. But even as we laugh at Lillie’s antics, we start to get to know Melissa, her other victim. Yes, she is shallow (she almost makes it an art form), materialistic, a user, and a husband stealer. But such is Kristan’s imagination and craft, that as we learn her story and get to know her, you (by which I mean I) got to kinda like her and actually admire her. There was a lot to “Missy Jo” that was quite endearing (word of the day!). I didn’t always like and admire Lillie. Lillie has a lot of growing to do and challenges to overcome. In addition to losing her son (in a way) and her husband and his family, she tackles a problematic mother (a Kristan Higgins fixture) a fractured relationship with a once-beloved sister, financial difficulties, a childhood trauma that continues to impact her life, a terrible tragedy in her past, and even a professional nemesis who must be vanquished. It’s kind of amazing all of the issues that are explored in this book, without the tone turning dark. As in all of Kristan’s books, there are some epic scenes, both hilarious ones and triumphant ones. And, as always, some great lines:
*He studied the wine list like it was a lost gospel
*"What’s your daughter’s name?” “Ophelia.” I winced. Who names their kid after the doomed innocent who commits suicide in Hamlet?
*...my own mother, who had the same maternal instincts as a lizard that eats her own eggs.
*“Calm down,” he said, because women love hearing that.
*“Name’s Harminee. Spellin’ it different to be special. Harminee Fawn.” Well, that would just about guarantee the baby would become a stripper, Melissa thought. Harmony was a beautiful name. Harminee though? Gosh.
*I turned on the outdoor lights and peered out. It was a woman dressed in high boots, a fur coat, fur hat and fur gloves. It was either Lara from Doctor Zhivago or Melissa. Sadly, it was not Lara.
*“Thanks for buying me,” Ophelia whispered. She took a shaky breath, and Melissa knew she was crying, and hugged her close.
And as always, we are blessed with another Kristan Higgins trademark, an adorable dog with personality plus.
So what kept this from being one the best of the best Kristan Higgins novels ever? Two things. First of all, I found that Lillie was a little too hung up on her son. The time between the marriage breaking up, keeping that from him so as not to ruin his last weeks at home, and him leaving for college really dragged for me. I honestly couldn’t wait for him to go. Thank goodness Dylan was an independent, well-adjusted kid (yes, thanks to Lillie being a perfect mother). No woman ever loved a son more than Lillie loves hers. And she does go on about it. And no son is more perfect. I couldn't really blame her.
Of course, no husband who cheats on his wife will ever be a hero. But Brad “Bridiot” Fairchild has got to be the most contemptible human being on Cape Cod or in any Kristan Higgins book ever. Not the evilest Kristan Higgins creation, I hasten to clarify, because she has created some doozies. Even Melissa started to see his true colors before the ink was barely dry on the marriage license. And Lillie was married to this pompous pretentious dickhead for 20 years? Happily? And mourned his loss (or the loss of who she thought he was) so dramatically and sincerely? As she looks back on him and their life together, she sees him clearly. Getting shot of him should have been #bestdayever, #Thank-youGod, #IoweMelissabigtime, #GoodRiddance. I have to admit I got very impatient with our heroine. Maybe even a little disdainful? To be fair, late in the book she does explain why the strong Lillie was happy with the weakling husband, but not until the 96% mark! I think Kristan kind of piled on a little too much when it came to Mr. Brad Fairchild (that’s Dr. Fairchild, huh, huh, huh.), as entertaining as his weaknesses and assholery were.
As I finished the book (kept trying to stretch it out!) I felt like that this must be one of her shorter books. But it turns out that it was actually one of her longer ones. I think that is a high compliment. I can’t wait to see what her next one is like.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
tbabiarz's review
5.0
Loved this book for so many reasons. It was funny, it was scandalous, it was tender, it was relatable. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a feel good novel!
amym84's review
4.0
Lillie Silvia has what she considers a pretty idyllic life. She lives in her childhood home on Cape Cod, has a fulfilling career as a nurse-midwife, and has a wonderful son and husband. Yes, her son is about ready to leave for college in Montana, but Lillie knows she and her husband, Brad, will be fine. She's even booked them a European vacation!
Then, Brad tells Lillie that he's leaving her for another woman, that he's not been happy for a long time (despite Lillie swearing their life together was very much full of happiness), and he needs to find "joy".
Now, Lillie is being left questioning how she's always perceived her life as well as those she loves. So what if she decides to crash her ex's wedding ceremony, or let a skunk loose in their new mansion? As someone who tends to take care of others, Lillie is finally putting herself first.
To be honest, I haven't read the last couple of Kristan Higgins books. For whatever reason, to me, they just took a bit more of a somber turn and weren't something I was connecting with as a reader. But this is a good example of how you may not always like every book your most beloved authors write. And that is OK.
I was hooked on this story right from the start. I was drawn into Lillie's somewhat crazy antics, and admittedly was rooting for them the entire time. Kristan Higgins has such a way of getting emotions across the page. Despite feeling like I've read this scenario before - a wife thrust into a new life trajectory after her husband leaves her for another woman - Kristan Higgins has a way of imbuing the story with such great characters and heart.
I really enjoyed the way the book kind of deals with perceptions. How you remember things one way but someone else will remember it a different way. Or looking back on certain situations as an adult rather than as a young person has the ability to change how you feel about something or another.
Lillie's perceptions are called into question the moment her husband tells her he hasn't been happy for months, years even. Lillie is thrown. Was she really so blind to the dissolution of their marriage? Either way, it causes Lillie to look back on her own life and the marriage between her mother and father which also ended in divorce after one of them cheated. It had the consequence of splitting up the close relationship Lillie had with her older sister Hannah.
I think it's ok to look back on our lives with new eyes, so to speak. I think it's ok to change our views and perceptions of certain situations as we gain better life understanding. Lillie grows a lot over the course of the book and it was wonderful to see.
Something that I think Kristan Higgins does really great in this book is that she gives the "other woman" her own perspective as well. Melissa could be seen as the villain of the piece. She essentially steals Lillie's husband from her and while I don't condone the action and possibly don't even really like her character overall, I do admit to feeling sympathy towards her. She's a woman who came from nothing and had to fight the entire way to get where she is. It's at the detriment of any real relationship and she certainly walks over people while she's trying to get to the top, but while caring for her niece, she does come to understand what love is. She's not disillusioned about the things that she's done, and while life certainly throws some twists at her throughout, it was a satisfying comeuppance as well as a good journey of growth.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I sped through it and could have easily read more. This book is the definition of a summer beach read. Do not pass it up!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Then, Brad tells Lillie that he's leaving her for another woman, that he's not been happy for a long time (despite Lillie swearing their life together was very much full of happiness), and he needs to find "joy".
Now, Lillie is being left questioning how she's always perceived her life as well as those she loves. So what if she decides to crash her ex's wedding ceremony, or let a skunk loose in their new mansion? As someone who tends to take care of others, Lillie is finally putting herself first.
To be honest, I haven't read the last couple of Kristan Higgins books. For whatever reason, to me, they just took a bit more of a somber turn and weren't something I was connecting with as a reader. But this is a good example of how you may not always like every book your most beloved authors write. And that is OK.
I was hooked on this story right from the start. I was drawn into Lillie's somewhat crazy antics, and admittedly was rooting for them the entire time. Kristan Higgins has such a way of getting emotions across the page. Despite feeling like I've read this scenario before - a wife thrust into a new life trajectory after her husband leaves her for another woman - Kristan Higgins has a way of imbuing the story with such great characters and heart.
I really enjoyed the way the book kind of deals with perceptions. How you remember things one way but someone else will remember it a different way. Or looking back on certain situations as an adult rather than as a young person has the ability to change how you feel about something or another.
Lillie's perceptions are called into question the moment her husband tells her he hasn't been happy for months, years even. Lillie is thrown. Was she really so blind to the dissolution of their marriage? Either way, it causes Lillie to look back on her own life and the marriage between her mother and father which also ended in divorce after one of them cheated. It had the consequence of splitting up the close relationship Lillie had with her older sister Hannah.
I think it's ok to look back on our lives with new eyes, so to speak. I think it's ok to change our views and perceptions of certain situations as we gain better life understanding. Lillie grows a lot over the course of the book and it was wonderful to see.
Something that I think Kristan Higgins does really great in this book is that she gives the "other woman" her own perspective as well. Melissa could be seen as the villain of the piece. She essentially steals Lillie's husband from her and while I don't condone the action and possibly don't even really like her character overall, I do admit to feeling sympathy towards her. She's a woman who came from nothing and had to fight the entire way to get where she is. It's at the detriment of any real relationship and she certainly walks over people while she's trying to get to the top, but while caring for her niece, she does come to understand what love is. She's not disillusioned about the things that she's done, and while life certainly throws some twists at her throughout, it was a satisfying comeuppance as well as a good journey of growth.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I sped through it and could have easily read more. This book is the definition of a summer beach read. Do not pass it up!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
dawnmoyer5's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. Definitely long … but that really gets you deep into the story with the characters. It’s funny & tear-jerking. Didn’t want to be angry at the jilted wife, her pettiness at the beginning made me eye-roll. But I still laughed out loud and secretly cheered her on. Didn’t want to like the husband stealer but her change of heart made me grow a lot bit fond of her. The complex relationships of family and especially women were beautifully written about in this book.
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
When Lillie shows wealthy widow, Melissa, a new home, she doesn't realize this will change her life. A few short months after the sale, Brad tells Lillie he wants a divorce, and he is marrying Melissa. Lillie is utterly shocked and attempts to move on with her life. Her son, Dylan, has gone off to college, her parents' marriage broke up years ago, and her relationship with her sister, Hannah, is only recently being rekindled. Lillie is a midwife in town, and enjoys bringing new life into the world. Lillie is also remembering a traumatic event that happened to her when she was just a teen and has never gotten resolution. Her friend Ben helps her face it.
This is a novel of taking back your life and finding your strength in yourself. There were several laugh out loud moments, but overall, a good women's contemporary fiction novel.
This is a novel of taking back your life and finding your strength in yourself. There were several laugh out loud moments, but overall, a good women's contemporary fiction novel.
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for an ARC of Out of the Clear Blue Sky in exchange for my honest opinion.
Out of the Clear Blue Sky is well written and emotional with themes that many families are going through. Elements of infidelity run through the book as well as revenge and personal growth.
There are definitely humorous moments to break up the heavy subject. I found this to be a gut-wrenching book to read because infidelity cut close to some of my family members. But I want to be clear it was a satisfying read. I just wanted Lillie to have something go right in her life. You'll have to read the book to find out if she finds what she wanted.
Out of the Clear Blue Sky is well written and emotional with themes that many families are going through. Elements of infidelity run through the book as well as revenge and personal growth.
There are definitely humorous moments to break up the heavy subject. I found this to be a gut-wrenching book to read because infidelity cut close to some of my family members. But I want to be clear it was a satisfying read. I just wanted Lillie to have something go right in her life. You'll have to read the book to find out if she finds what she wanted.
bkezele's review
4.0
A midwife in Cape Cod (of course) finds out that her husband is leaving her for a much younger woman right before their son graduates and heads to college. We follow a humorous depiction of “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” as we get to enjoy Cape Cod in the summer.
This is a simple, enjoyable beach read that won’t be winning any awards but will make you smile and laugh often.
This is a simple, enjoyable beach read that won’t be winning any awards but will make you smile and laugh often.
andreah13's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jkdanielsen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25