On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Borrowed, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Read the book that has book clubs everywhere falling in love! From the New York Times bestselling author of If You Only Knew comes an irresistible, heartbreaking novel.

Praise for On Second Thought:

“Higgins has perfect pitch when it comes to her upstate New York protagonists and their expanded worlds that even extend to Brooklyn. Emotional depth is seared into every page along with wry banter, bringing readers to tears and smiles. Another hit for Higgins.”—Library Journal, starred review

“A captivating read about two sisters dealing with love, loss and new beginnings. What sets this book apart is how one event changes both women's lives. Kate is refreshingly frank in her inner monologue, and Ainsley is charmingly self-aware and wry.”—RT Book Reviews, *5 STARS* Top Pick!

“Higgins' complex, witty characters will seem like close friends, and readers will savor each and every page as they find that love comes in many different flavors and forms. Demand will be high for the latest from this women's-fiction star.”—Booklist, starred review

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.

Why Did I Listen To On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins?

On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins is one of those books that I instantly wanted to read, but you know, I am terrible at reading things on time. Initially, I was kind of nervous about listening to this book because I’ve just physically read all of Higgins’s books instead. Well, most of her books. There’s still a few on my TBR. Anyways, I got over it. You see, I actually completely gel now with adult contemporary fiction via audio. I don’t know why but I cannot get enough of it. When it came to picking the next book to listen to, On Second Thought was a bit of a no brainer.

What’s The Story Here?

Kristan Higgins’ On Second Thought follows two sisters – Kate and Ainsley. Kate is the older sister. She’s a photographer who lives with her architect husband Nathan, in a beautiful house in Hudson on Cambria. Kate’s 39 and she never really expected to get married after spending so many years single. Now she’s trying super hard to have a baby. Only, well, her husband Nathan dies suddenly and Kate is a widow. Granted, her entire time with Nathan was nine months from beginning to end. That does not diminish her grief. So, Kate has to figure out a way forward and find a new normal.

Meanwhile, there’s her younger sister, Ainsley. She lives with her boyfriend of eleven years, Eric, who she has been with since college. Eric works on Wall Street, if I remember correctly. Ainsley writes articles for a lifestyle magazine in Hudson. Anyways, Eric is having a celebration of life party and well, Ainsley is pretty sure he’s going to propose. He doesn’t. In fact, Eric ends up breaking it off with Ainsley after the party and goes to Alaska to find himself.

Sooo, Ainsley moves in with Kate and well, it all is up from there. The two form this new bond — that they didn’t entirely have growing up. And Ainsley tries to figure out what will make her happy in life. There’s new romances. There’s an adorable, sassy elderly person. AND A DOG.

How Did I Like On Second Thought?

OF COURSE I LOVED IT. I mean, it was exactly the kind of audiobook I wanted to listen to. I was really invested in the relationship between Ainsley and Kate. These are two characters that I wanted ultimate happiness for after each experienced awful things. Plus, Ainsley was not how I expected. It seemed like she would be spoiled or stuck up, but she was such a great support for Kate and just a genuinely sweet person. Ainsley ended up being my favorite of the two. That isn’t to say I did not like Kate, she’s pretty wonderful. Both stories are compelling. I am so glad I listened to this book, on the whole.

How’s The Narration?

On Second Thought is narrated by both Amy Rubinate and Xe Sands. Amy Rubinate narrates the chapters with Ainsley’s perspective. Xe Sands narrates the chapters with Kate’s perspective. This was exactly the kind of audiobook I needed right at the time I listened to it. It was easy to follow. The story was SUPERB. Also, I liked Amy Rubinate’s narrator much better than Xe Sands. So maybe that was why I liked Ainsley so much. Well, I would have liked Sands’s narration better if it was LOUDER. It was so quiet, I had to like turn my car radio all the way up during her parts. Anyways, this audiobook was SO GOOD.

Other reviews of On Second Thought by Kristan Higgins:

• Harlequin Junkie – “every emotion imaginable woven in“
• Novel Gossip – “like eating my ultimate comfort food for me“
• Night Owl Book Cafe – “I strongly recommend this book“

Purchase or preview On Second Thought:

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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