Review: If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins

If You Only Knew

by Kristan Higgins

Publisher: HQN Books

Pages: 416

Format: ARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  Wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate understands the happily-ever-after business, yet somehow she's still involved in her ex-husband's life. In fact, Owen's new wife may—inexplicably—be Jenny's new best friend. Sensing this, well, relationship isn't helping her move on, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she'll be able to bask in her sister Rachel's picture-perfect family life…and hopefully make one of her own. 

Her timing couldn't be more perfect, since Rachel will need her younger sister. Her idyllic marriage has just fallen to pieces in spectacular fashion after she discovers her husband sexting with one of his colleagues. Second chances aren't in Rachel's nature, but the desire for an intact family has her rethinking her stance on adultery, much to Jenny's surprise. Rachel points to their parents' "perfect" marriage as a shining example, but to protect her sister Jenny may have to tarnish that memory—and their relationship­—and reveal a secret about their family she's been keeping since childhood.

During this summer of secrets and lies, temptation and revelation, Jenny and Rachel will rely on each other to find the humor in their personal catastrophes, the joy in their triumphs…and the strength to keep hanging on. 


Kritters Thoughts:  Two sisters who are in two very different moments in their life end up living in the same city and helping each other through these transitional times in their lives.  One sister, Jenny is leaving New York City because her ex-husband and his current wife have had a child and she needs to make a change in her life.  The other sister Rachel, has a major tragedy strike her marriage and she must make some major life decisions.

First, I loved that both sisters took turns narrating the book.  I love a dual narrative!  I also loved that they were both at crossroads and that each sister could help the other through the rough patches.  It automatically made me think of my sister who is a work from home mom of two girls and has gone down a different life path than I have and neither is right or wrong, it is just left and right, yet we can still give each other advice or just a listening ear.  

Although she bugged the heck out of me, their mother was quite the character.  There were quite a few times where I wanted to kick her into being a better mother to adult children and I never grew fond of her even when she was supposed to redeem herself at the end I couldn't handle her.  

Kristan Higgins is always an author I will read and I especially love these one off books that aren't part of a long long series.


Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Little Bird Publicity.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.