Sometimes you have to break a family to fix it.From New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins, a new novel examining a family at the breaking point—in all its messy, difficult, wonderful complexity.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 … 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.
From the author of Good Luck with That and Life and Other Inconveniences comes a new novel of heartbreaking truths and hilarious honesty about what family really means.
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Always the Last to Know by Kristan Higgins is the last five star book I’ve read that I can’t get out of my mind. Ms. Higgin’s character development is always so perfectly done and in this case makes the story about a dysfunctional family ring true. I particularly felt it in my gut as some of the story-lines hit a little too close to home at times. I am certain the many aspects of the family dynamics in this story will touch everyone who reads it in some way. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a great book about a modern day family finding their way back together in a way that works.
Always the Last to Know is the story of the evolution of a family. The family members have arrived at a crossroads. The status quo can no longer be maintained. As the story opens, John has just sustained a catastrophic injury. He suffered a stroke while riding his bicycle, struck his head when he fell, lost consciousness, and some time elapsed before he was discovered by a passerby. If not for that fact, his prognosis might be better. But at first, the physicians are not sure John will even survive. His family gathers around him, awaiting the outcome and pondering how it will impact their own lives.
Higgins employs both first and third-person narratives to reveal her characters’ histories and emotions. Now 70 years old, Barb stays busy as the first selectman of Stoningham, Connecticut, a picturesque little town. Barb was a thrifty, stalwart Norwegian girl from Minnesota when she married into the wealthy, influential Frost family. She shares her perspective on her marriage to John, including their fertility struggles, the joy of finally having Juliet, and how she managed their home so that John could enjoy a successful career as a lawyer. She unabashedly acknowledges that Juliet has always been her favorite child, and the two of them remain extremely close, especially with Sadie off in New York still attempting to forge a career as an artist. After so many years, so many disappointments, and much consideration, Barb had decided to tell John, on their fiftieth wedding anniversary, that she planned to divorce him. They stopped doing things as a couple long ago and, Barb observes, John “didn’t seem to care. We stopped talking almost completely. It was better than forcing a meaningless conversation.” Now she finds herself at his bedside, shocked by the depth of her own grief, and struck for the first time by the fact that he has “old man hands” but on his finger remains “the ring I’d put on it fifty years ago.” Barb doesn’t know how long John’s hands have looked old because she can’t “remember the last time I’d noticed. We weren’t the hand-holding type of couple.” As she grips the bag she was handed containing John’s belongings, including his telephone, a series of texts reveal the secret John has been keeping from her.
Juliet’s story is presented in the third person. She has been experiencing panic attacks in recent weeks, brought on largely because of Arwen, the young architect she hired who is now attempting to usurp both her authority and acclaim. Juliet had never questioned her life choices, but now she’s no longer sure she’s on the right path and has an overwhelming urge to run away. Her knowledge of her parents’ strained relationship adds to her consternation.
Sadie has been dating Alexander, a yacht salesman, for a couple of years and at the age of thirty-two is ready to take what seems to be the next logical step to formalize their relationship. Alexander is not as enthusiastic. Sadie has been supplementing her teaching income by creating couch paintings commissioned by an interior designer to complement the furnishing selections. Sadie knows that the paintings do not reflect her passion for art and are not representative of her true style, but they will generate income while Sadie puts her life on hold to return to Stoningham and care for the man who “had been my idol growing up — always encouraging, upbeat and fun . . . not to mention the parent who actually liked me.” Sadie has always known that her mother viewed her as “the lesser child in just about every measurable aspect except artistic ability . . .” While Juliet was her mother’s child, Sadie has always been her dad’s. And she is determined to help him recover, even when the doctors declare that various therapies have yielded as much improvement as can reasonably be anticipated. Her father can dress and feed himself, and ambulate, but he does not speak. Higgins includes glimpses into John’s inner dialogue in his compromised condition — his confusion, dismay, and urgent need to communicate important information to his family members are palpable and heart-breakingly effective.
Barb receives support and encouragement from her neighbor and true friend, Caro, a woman who has been “privy to just about all the issues and troubles and joys” Barb has ever experienced. Sadie’s return to Stoningham means an inevitable reunion with Noah, the one great love of her life. But they never wanted the same things — Sadie needed to leave home and seek to establish herself as an artist, while Noah was happy remaining in Stoningham, working as a carpenter. But she is not prepared for the myriad emotions she experiences not just at seeing Noah again, but learning that he has an adorable infant son that he co-parents with Mickey Watkins, their lesbian former classmate.
Higgins charts the developments in the Frost family as the months pass, with each of them striving to find equilibrium and balance both in their own life, as well as within their deeply dysfunctional family unit. With Caro’s unwavering support, Barb reconciles the past with her current circumstances, and boldly confronts the secret John was keeping from her. Juliet strives to understand her own self-worth and strength, and Sadie is confronted with choices that will determine the course of her future. At long last, she must assess her values and desires, and determine what matters most to her, even as she has no choice but to accept John’s circumstances. In order to move forward, both Sadie and Juliet must establish themselves as independent, empowered women who are comfortable in their own skin. And Barb must forgive herself, as well as John.
Higgins deftly and believably conveys her characters’ circumstances and struggles. Each is flawed, all are relatable, and readers will no doubt glimpse themselves and their own family dynamics in their emotionally-charged interactions. Higgins’ dialogue is snappy, authentic, and sometimes hilarious, especially where Barb’s Minnesota upbringing informs her viewpoint and values, and as Sadie attempts to establish her own home in Stoningham rather than continue living in her childhood home with her parents.
Always the Last to Know provides a glimpse into one family’s challenges in their relationships and dissatisfaction with the state of their individual lives. Higgins’ convincingly demonstrates that families sometimes fall apart, especially in the aftermath of a serious injury or illness that forces a recalibration of each members’ role and responsibilities. But families can be resilient, and with enough love, empathy, and forgiveness, can withstand unbelievably difficult times, emerging stronger and with the members more devoted to each other than ever before. Always the Last to Know is ultimately an uplifting exploration of that process — a story fueled by hope, revelations, forgiveness, and empowerment.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.
Really likeable, realistic characters. The story was very well-written and just enjoyable to read. My only complaint is that the chapters from two of the character’s perspectives were in first person and the other two were in third person, which was slightly disorienting.
I had hoped with everything I have that I would win this book and I did! I love Kristan Higgins books!!! It’s just been in the last couple years I “discovered” her and added to my favorite authors. This book will grab you and not let go until the very last page. The love, the sorrow, the anger, the happiness, the trauma, the rejoicing are all portrayed so artistically in words that will never leave your soul. This book is a definite must read. Enjoy!
Another 5 star book from Kristan Higgins,I patiently wait for every new release then read it in one day and get mad at myself..lol. Her books always have a bit of humor which is her personality , family life and its drama, great characters and storylines. I really enjoyed this emotionally charged story from the beginning to the ending which I thought was perfect and not what I expected .I highly recommend this and all pf her books.
‘Always the Last To Know’ is a powerful story about relationships, family and love. As I read there were equal moments of laugh out loud of humor and grab a tissue to dab my eye emotions.
The story is alternately told from the perspectives of the Frost family: Barb, John and their daughters Juliet and Sadie. As each perspective is shared, we examine this family from the inside out and the insight is fascinating. The Frost women each must come to terms with her own path in life. I love how Kristan Higgins examines the fact that family comes in so many varieties. I have enjoyed Higgins’ writing for many years and I love how her writing style has evolved with each novel. I could say so much more about this wonderful story, but my words wouldn’t do it justice. If you love Women’s Fiction with complex characters- do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
I have followed Kristen Higgins for years. I think this is her best yet.
I thoroughly enjoyed this audio version. Barb, the mother of the family, had me laughing out loud. I’ve heard some of these things from my own mom, so it was hitting home for me. The story was real and so true to life with feelings so many experience. Another winner by the author.
read this book for a few hours and then had to put it down to think about what I had read. It is a book with a message, actually, to be accurate, with a lot of messages that made me reflect on my own choices and relationships. It is the story of Barb and John who have been married almost fifty years when John has a debilitating stroke. Their marriage was already broken, but Barb went though the motions until she was ready to just end it. They have two daughters, Juliet and Sadie. Juliet is Barb’s favorite and Sadie was John’s fave. Juliet is a successful architect, married to a Brit and with two daughters. Sadie is an artistic free spirit who rushes home to help take care of her father, leaving her life in NYC behind. This is the story of a fractured family that does not communicate or easily forgive. With the themes of sibling rivalry, infertility, lack of forgiveness and lack of communication, Higgins did a stellar job of drawing me into the lives of these four broken people. They all have wounds from the past and an uncertain future, much like everyone else I know and myself. Thus, I related to the story and really enjoyed it, as their poor choices in the past were revealed as well as their current dilemmas. To me, John, with his stroke and inability to communicate clearly, represented the whole problem with the family. They were all lost in the condition of being too paralyzed by the past to grab hold of the future, until finally they realize their paralysis and start to do something about it. There was no fluff in this book; it was all meaningful, and deeply thought-provoking. It is contemporary fiction and domestic drama with Higgins’s humor thrown in to lighten the somber mood. I loved this book and highly recommend it as a novel of reflection and hope for the future.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkeley Publishing via a Goodreads contest. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
I can’t say enough about this book, so I won’t even try. The truth is I would pay to read Kristan Higgins’ grocery list if it was published, and this is 1000 times better than that. It is, in fact, my new favorite of hers since she made the gentle transition to women’s fiction. The romance is still there, of course–and the cast of characters is full and glorious.
Another great book by Kristan Higgins
Family dynamics and upheaval
Wow! This was a much deeper book than I was expecting. Maybe it’s the chaotic times we’re living in right now, with the political shenanigans and the COVID-19 appearance, but the last couple of books I’ve read have explored a different, bit darker side of relationships than I expected.
Not to say this is a depressing book. It has sad moments but, overall, it brings a message of overcoming obstacles put in our way during life’s journey.
Barb and John Frost have been married almost fifty years and, yes that’s an accomplishment, but they haven’t all been happy years. Barb is getting ready to file for divorce when their world comes crashing down on them. John has a stroke and gets a traumatic brain injury on top of that and Barb is put in the position of caring for a man she no longer loves – and who she finds no longer loves her.
Juliet is their oldest daughter, her mother’s favorite, a successful architect and having panic attacks she tries to hide from everyone around her.
Sadie, the youngest daughter, is her father’s favorite and is devastated by his condition. She was always a wild child and left her hometown in Connecticut to move to New York City and aspire to be the artist she has always wanted to be.
There was so much going on in this book and, as with so many of author Higgins’ books, I could relate to so much of it. The family relationships between all the different members of the Frost family and also the people closest to them are complex. But it was also comforting to see that another family could be as complicated as mine.
A lot happens in this story to each of these characters and it makes for a very satisfying read to see how each person perseveres and comes out better in the end. And, actually, this story has one of my favorite endings of any book I’ve read for a long time.
I highly recommend this book. It has romantic aspects but I would say this fits better in the Women’s Fiction genre.
I received this book from Berkley Publishing through Net Galley and Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
Kristan Higgins is at her best writing family dramas. While the family has drama, the characters learn a lot about themselves, their dreams, and how what they perceive to be is not always the whole truth. The two daughters, Sadie and Juliet, are as different as can be. Sadie is the youngest, free-spirited, and a daddy’s girl. Juliet is the oldest, always perfect, and mommy’s girl. As they both come home after their father has a stroke, they start to see that all is not what they thought. Their parent’s perfect marriage is not so perfect, their own lives are not quite as wonderful as they let the other think, and that as different as they are families stick together.
Noah and Sadie are wonderful. I love second-chance romances and they so deserve their second chance. They’ve both grown up, they’ve both had life experiences, yet from the minute they see each other again there is no denying that the love that was between them when they were younger is still there and just as strong. Juliet’s husband Oliver is so patient, so kind, and so loving to Juliet that I never questioned his love for her. I enjoyed getting to know both couples and seeing how their relationships played into their family dynamics.
I read this book as the pandemic and social justice riots raged, and it was the perfect balm for my troubled soul.
Not that it is without its own poignancy. Higgins addresses infidelity and debilitating illness, two topics that hurt the heart. She also makes you ask yourself about your idea of family. Is it blood? Is it choice? Is it something you can fix? Is it something you need to let go of?
The younger Frost daughter, Sophie, must come home to take care of her ailing father. This means living with her mother, the appropriately named Barb, and spending time with her distant sister Juliet, aka “Perfection from Conception.” It’s difficult when you are the sibling found wanting, and I liked how Higgans shows this through Sophie. However much she has managed to let go of not being as good as Juliet, the sense of not being good enough is very much a part of her. You see this in her professional experiences as well as her love life.
As for the perfect Juliet, Higgans shows us that, of course, appearances do not necessarily belie reality. Juliet works–hard–for what she has, so when all that determination doesn’t get her where she wants and needs to be, her response is to try and push it away. Until she can’t.
The girls’ matriarch may be steel-spined and unamused by anything relating to Sophie, but that doesn’t mean she escapes pain. Her marriage is deeply drawn, with Higgans letting you experience what happens when you stop connecting with your partner.
This is the story of relationships, whether between parents and children, spouses, friends, lovers, or ex-lovers. Noah, Sophie’s love interest, reminds me quite a bit of Malone from Catch of the Day. He’s someone whose love language is all about what he can do for Sophie rather than words. The two marriages we see–Juliet’s and Barb’s–are quite different, revealing the importance of communication and showing weakness.
Some of the resolutions come a little too tidily, but I can forgive that. Kristan Higgins spends much of this book putting the messiness of life on blast, so who can resent some ease every now and then.
I’m already anticipating Kristan Higgins’ next book. I love the characters and worlds she creates.
I have been a Higgins fan from book one and her latest does not disappoint. Family is what we make of it and Higgins demonstrates that in a variety of ways. Though I had trouble with a main character at the start the character arc was believable and layered so that I no longer actively disliked her by the end. Higgins is a character rock star.
Whenever I want to experience one of my favorite emotions, laughter through tears, I pick up a Kristan Higgins book, and buckle up for the emotional roller coaster ride. Loved her latest entry and I’m sure you will too!
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Always the Last to Know” by Kristan Higgins, Berkley Publishing, June 9, 2020
Kristan Higgins, author of “Always the Last to Know”, has written an entertaining, witty, and memorable book. The genres for this story are Contemporary Fiction, Woman’s Fiction, Domestic Fiction, and Humor. The story takes place in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her colorful and dramatic cast of characters as complex, complicated, quirky, dysfunctional, and flawed. The characters have their own set of problems.
The Frosts are a family that seems like they have everything together until they realize that they really don’t. Barb and John Frost will be married 50 years, but more often than not, Barb thinks of divorce. Their two daughters manage to sometimes get along. Juliet works many hours and is very successful, is an architect has a husband and two daughters. Sadie is very easy going. artistic, and seems to be more free-loving.
When John has a stroke, life will certainly change for the Frosts, in some ways they that never would expect. I appreciate that Kristan Higgins discusses the importance of communication, honesty, family, friends, love, and hope. The author also talks about understanding, listening, forgiving, accepting, and learning from mistakes. I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel.
Always the last to know was a very emotional story about a married couple who moved from a small house when they first got married to the husbands grandfathers house. Barbara was married at a young age and wanted to be make there marriage stronger so they started to make a family when she finally did get pregnant she lost it at 10 weeks very depressed and one night went to the bathroom and turned on the water and cried she didn’t want John to know. But he woke up and she wasn’t in bed and her crying. He was going to go in but changed his mind. After that things had changed she got pregnant with Juliet 2 yrs later and she paid more attention to her then her husband and he really didn’t pay attention to them. Then she got pregnant with Sadie and John was more there for Sadie than for Barbara and Juliet. That is where there marriage fell more apart because Barbara didn’t really pay a lot attention to Sadie like a mother should have. She favored Juliet more than Sadie and John was more favored to Sadie than Juliet. Juliet became an Architect one of the best at DJK and Sadie was a painter and teacher at St. Catherine’s in New York and dated her high school sweetheart from the age 15. He asked her to marry him and she turned him down twice. Barbara got a phone call saying John had been in an accident and was taken to the hospital that he has a stroke and has brain injury. Barbara found out the most worst news about her husband at this time. John need care so Sadie moved back home and when she did the first person she ran into was Noah and his son. He explained he was not with anyone that he was co-parenting with a lesbian. Things changed for Sadie when she moved back home for the best. She was with Alexander who was a yacht salesman and dated him for a while and then found out he was cheating on her. From a girl that was doing a dinner party for her mom. The next day she went and told Sadie what Alexander had done to her and gave her the key to his room and said to her that he would rock her world if she came to his room. That is when he was texting Sadie and asked her to go to New York for dinner. Barb, Sadie had really had the same thing happen to them. Juliet had a career position change for the best. I am going to stop because I think that it was a very emotional, and characters that are easy to fall in love with. It has twist and turns and an it is a very awesome story and The Frost Women I loved them.
Barb and John Frost have been married for fifty years, but something is not right. The day John has a stroke everything falls apart. Barb finds out that John is having an affair and, even though she was planning to divorce him, she is crushed. Their daughters rush home to help deal with the crisis – Juliet who is Barb’s favorite and Sadie who is John’s favorite. The two women could not be more different. Juliet is a successful architect, wife, and mother and yet she is spending an increasing amount of time in her closet with full blown panic attacks. Sadie is an unsuccessful artist living in New York City supporting herself by teaching art in a Catholic elementary school and creating couch paintings for interior designers. Now that she is home, she has to face the man she has never stopped loving. Barb has finally come into her own and feels respected and needed by the townspeople who have elected her as a Selectman. These family members will finally have to come together to support and appreciate each other to make the changes they need in their lives to find true happiness.
I have loved Kristan Higgins and read all of her books. My only complaint is that her latest books have been filled with foul language. I thought the first one was a one off, but they are continuing to get worse. I don’t enjoy reading these and may quit buying her books.