“A heart-wrenching page-turner told with warmth and humor.”—People Magazine (Pick of the Week) “A rich testament to the power of second chances.”—Women’s WorldA Publishers Weekly and USA Today Bestseller!From the New York Times bestselling author of Good Luck with That comes a new novel about a blue-blood grandmother and her black-sheep granddaughter who discover they are truly two sides of … black-sheep granddaughter who discover they are truly two sides of the same coin.
Emma London never thought she had anything in common with her grandmother Genevieve London. The regal old woman came from wealthy and bluest-blood New England stock, but that didn’t protect her from life’s cruelest blows: the disappearance of Genevieve’s young son, followed by the premature death of her husband. But Genevieve rose from those ashes of grief and built a fashion empire that was respected the world over, even when it meant neglecting her other son.
When Emma’s own mother died, her father abandoned her on his mother’s doorstep. Genevieve took Emma in and reluctantly raised her–until Emma got pregnant her senior year of high school. Genevieve kicked her out with nothing but the clothes on her back…but Emma took with her the most important London possession: the strength not just to survive but to thrive. And indeed, Emma has built a wonderful life for herself and her teenage daughter, Riley.
So what is Emma to do when Genevieve does the one thing Emma never expected of her and, after not speaking to her for nearly two decades, calls and asks for help?
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Kristan Higgins’ book Life and Other Inconveniences was a good read about family dynamics and relationships. Genevive London retired from her own fashion design company where she was a superstar. But in life, her relationships with her family are not as successful. She has only herself to blame. Those that cared about her she held at arm’s length. She controlled all aspects of her life until her health starts to decline. Is it too let to make amends? Will her granddaughter, teen-aged great-granddaughter (who she has never met) and her son allow her to mend their relationships. Great characters, loved the settings and enjoyed the book.
How do I even begin to review my favorite book of 2019 thus far, and do it justice? The answer is: I can’t. But here is my paltry attempt.
This is such a wonderful, beautifully written book, layered with dysfunctional multi-generational familial relationships, all centered around a heartbreaking decades old secret.
An extra bonus is that the reader is allowed a vicarious glimpse into the everyday life of the wealthy – its glamorous and not so glamorous aspects.
Believe me when I say that this book serves up all the feels with a cherry on top. Indulge yourself with this literary treat. I didn’t want it to end, and neither will you.
Had to finish reading it in one day after I started it. Love the people and didn’t want it to end. Cried
WOW. How do you write a review about such a profound book? Emma, Genevieve, and Riley are all strong women who center a totally dysfunctional family, a cast of supporting characters that explain why these women are as strong as they are. This book explained to me why, at the end of my mother’s life, I loved her more and cared for her as she hadn’t cared for me all those years. It seems that in every book she writes, Kristan Higgins includes a life lesson that all of us can take to heart. And Kristan Higgins heart must be huge since I’m sure she gives up a little piece of it when she writes such an epic book. I was bored in the beginning of this book but as I read more I learned more and in the end totally fell in love with the storytelling. Thank you Kristan Higgins.
This is a novel about a blue-blood grandmother and her black-sheep granddaughter.
Emma London is the granddaughter. Genevieve London is the grandmother.
Genevieve has suffered greatly even though she is one of the wealthiest in her area. First her young son disappears, and her husband dies suddenly. Genevieve rises from her grief and builds a fashion empire. She is respected everywhere.
Emma’s mother takes her own life, and she ends up on her grandmother’s doorstep. Her father has been neglected for most of his life from his own mother, the prestigious Genevieve, and abandons his own flesh and blood. Genevieve took Emma in, and raised her until she got pregnant her senior year in high school. Kicked out with nothing but her clothes, Emma has to learn to survive. Emma has striven and built a model life for herself and her daughter, Riley.
When Riley becomes a teenager, Genevieve calls Emma and asks her for help. Emma is not sure what to do, but her London blood kicks in and she goes to help her grandmother.
I enjoyed this story. For some reason, the beginning chapters didn’t capture my attention or hold my interest. Once i got past the few early chapters, it got better, and the story flowed.
I’m sitting here at 3:57 am with tears running down my face trying to figure out what to put in my review to convey my feelings. For me, if a writer can bring me to true tears, it’s a sign of a fantastic book. I loved this book! It takes the reader through every gamut of emotion. I felt sympathy for the young girl (Emma) who lost her mother & then was dumped on a stern grandmother by her immature father. I admired the mother Emma became for for sticking to her principles instead of doing the “easy” thing. Genevieve is the one I couldn’t put a lock on. I admired her courage in going on after losing one son & her husband. I sympathized with her grief but yet was appalled by her treatment of Clark & Emma. These characters were all so well developed, it felt like I was living their story along with them. The descriptions & dialogue bring you right into the scenes with them. I had planned to start reading this book as soon as I received it but decided to hold off until the weekend. I wanted to be able to lose myself in it. Once I opened the cover, I didn’t put the book down until I was finished. I’ve read everything Ms. Higgins has published & this isn’t one of her typical romances but it’s so much more! I don’t feel that I’ve done this book justice but suffice it to say, I loved it & in a week or two will be rereading it to capture anything I missed the first time.
It is a very touching novel. Kristin writing was fantastic on each character. It was about a family who was rich and they had dealt with a lot of ups and down. When I started I felt sorry for Gigi the grandmother and the as it went on I was sad for Emma. The is a couple who keep trying to have a baby and when the time come to deliver the baby there is compilation and he loses his wife. But the baby is one of a kind. It is a written in a very real life situations. There is a lot of emotion and very true values of today’s life. There is tragic events there are hateful people in some parts. Kristin you did a very fabulous work on this novel as I read it I could see myself in the book.
I won an early copy through a Goodreads giveaway.
Emma has not had an easy life, to say the least. Her mother committed suicide when she was eight, was subsequently abandoned by her father, raised by her grandmother, got pregnant at 18, and kicked out of the house. Despite everything, she raised her daughter with the help of her dad and supported herself through school, not once asking a dime from the grandmother who kicked her out and has wanted nothing to do with her or her daughter Riley. Fast forward to the present day. Genieve is dying and has asked Emma to bring Riley and stay the summer with her in Connecticut. Emma wants nothing to do with Genieve but a series of events leads Emma to think a summer away might be good for Riley. So she, her dad, and Riley pack up and head to Connecticut.
There are multiple perspectives and you learn more about the three generations of London women, Emma, Riley, and Genieve, as well as Emma’s father Clark and Miller, a widowed single dad, through a combination of past and present. All have experienced tragedies that have shaped their lives. If you enjoy complex characters, family dramas, and a slice of romance, this one is for you.
This story has the best parts of life and family. Genevieve London is dying and she hasn’t seen her estranged granddaughter Emma in years nor has ever met her granddaughter Riley but she contacted Emma to come for the summer with Riley and she would make Riley inherit everything.
Emma has been on her own raising Riley with only her grandfather Joe for help and she has done okay for herself but if her great grandmother left her something maybe Riley wouldn’t have to struggle. But Emma Riley and Genevieve learn a lot this summer about life and each other.
This book was just heartwarming and some bits were really funny. I was fortunate to win a copy from the author and publisher and very grateful to read such a wonderful story.
I totally enjoyed this fast read about Family and what we do to make it work. Flawed characters, drama in abundance, most situations are relatable. There is a lot going on in this book, but that is what makes it so fast paced! Friend drama, unplanned pregnancy, a missing child, an grandmother is faced with a heartbreaking diagnosis, loss of a partner, plus more …but somehow, it all works and comes together. Ending is fairly predictable.
The title of this book is perfect for the storyline!
Thanks to Library Thing for this ARC. Opinion is my own.
Love this author
Emma London was raised by her grandmother from the age of 8, after her mother committed suicide, to 18, when she discovered she was pregnant and wouldn’t get an abortion so she was kicked out. Emma always thought her grandmother, Genevieve London, never loved her. The old woman came from wealth and was blue-blood New England stock and she never let you forget it, but that didn’t stop life from dealing her the cruelest of blows! Her young son, Sheppard, disappeared on a camping trip with his father and brother, then her heartbroken husband died shortly thereafter. But Genevieve persevered from her grief, built a fashion empire that was known world wide. Even though she had another son, Clark, to raise she chose to neglect him.
Emma’s mother died, her father abandoned her, her grandmother reluctantly raised her with no emotions. Then Emma got pregnant her senior year of high school, Genevieve kicked her out, Emma left with nothing and went to her grandfather’s house, had her baby, went to college and became a therapist all while working part time in a grocery store. Emma had the most important London trait; the power and strength to pull herself together and survive. Emma has created and built a wonderful life for herself and her daughter, Riley, it may not be perfect but she did all on her own.
What is Emma to do when Genevieve calls after not speaking to her for 17 years and demands that she come and take care of her because she is dying? And offers a bribe of Riley being the heir?
Well written, but depressing. Not one happy person in the story.