Book Review: On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins

Title: On Second Thought
Author: Kristan Higgins
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Summary:

Ainsley O’Leary is so ready to get married—she’s even found the engagement ring her boyfriend has stashed away. What she doesn’t anticipate is being blindsided by a breakup he chronicles in a blog…which (of course) goes viral. Devastated and humiliated, Ainsley turns to her older half sister, Kate, who’s struggling with a sudden loss of her own.

Kate’s always been the poised, self-assured sister, but becoming a newlywed—and a widow—in the space of four months overwhelms her. Though the sisters were never close, she starts to confide in Ainsley, especially when she learns her late husband was keeping a secret from her.

Despite the murky blended-family dynamic that’s always separated them, Ainsley's and Kate’s heartaches bind their summer together when they come to terms with the inevitable imperfection of relationships and family—and the possibility of one day finding love again.

My thoughts:

I was so excited to receive this book from the publisher, as I loved her previous book If You Only Knew. This book is not really a sequel, although the characters are mentioned in passing, and know each other. I always love that.

This book was delightful, yet also very poignant. Sisters Ainsley and Kate were not particularly close, until life intervenes, and they begin to realize they need each other more than they knew. Ainsley's fiancee is real putz. She stood by him when he needed her, and then, he throws her away when he feels he no longer does - in a very public way. Kate is a newlywed, only four months married after a whirlwind romance, and is dealing with her grief on top of learning that her husband had been harboring a secret.

This book has its heavier themes - cancer, death, guilt, grief. How should people deal with these things that happen, these unexpected major blows, who do we turn to? We have all been knocked for a loop at least once in our lives;  what do we do? Kate and Ainsley turn to each other, overcoming a few other hurdles left from their past. I shed a few tears for these gals. But it's not all sadness. Ainsley is a delight, full of fun and sparkles and unexpectedness. I loved her positivity and upbeat nature. I also adored her boss Jonathan..and of course Daniel the Hot Firefighter.

This book was both complex, exploring deeper themes, yet tempered with good times and humor. Much like life. How many times have you smiled through tears? It's a book that believes that although things are bad now, there is always hope.

I can't wait to read Higgins' next book!