This is actually my first Kristan Higgins book and I don’t know why I waited so long. I don’t know what I was expecting but I will admit my expectations were a bit low. I didn’t think I would enjoy it this much, I thought it would be more of a pass the time just fine book, but I actually really, really liked it. I do wish certain things were developed a bit more (like the relationship with the mother) but overall it worked really well. The big bad event made me sick to my stomach. I could have done without the mediocre sex part, but I’m glad they ended up together in the end. I really liked Poe and Audrey, and the other characters – though Gloria deserves to have her woman-card revoked. What a jerk. Boomer sounds delightful and I obviously adored Sully. I loved the Harry Potter references, this book made me laugh several times. Sometimes when things keep going wrong in a book (like at the dinner party) you kind of roll your eyes and some of it seems just a bit much, like trying too hard, but instead it was hilarious. Nora was such a fun character, strong and funny – I loved her inner dialogue. There was a lot going on in this book, maybe a bit much, but it all worked pretty well except for some things being a bit underdeveloped because of it. I do wish the romance was bit more of focal point, but I’m not complaining.

Nora Stuart’s day has gone from bad to worse. First, she’s hit by an exterminator’s van then she overhears her boyfriend hitting on the ER doctor. That’s particularly awkward as they are all doctors in the same hospital. Now Nora finds herself recuperating back at her childhood home on Scupper Island with the mother who she has never understood, and the angst filled teenage daughter of her incarcerated sister. However, there may be an upside to her self-imposed exile and his name is Sully. But even as they grow closer, Nora still has many personal things to deal with. Sully’s family hates her because she won a college scholarship they consider should have gone to Sully’s twin brother Luke, her niece has a chip on her shoulder the size of Scupper Island and her ex-boyfriend is not so sure he wants to be an ex (and a small problem with lying).



Now That You Mention It was just plain fun. I fell in love with Sully from the moment he appeared and although it took a bit for me to warm up to Nora by half way through their story, I fell in love with her too. They both had family issues that needed to be worked through and neither were looking for a relationship. Nora’s friends were a welcome addition that brought smiles to my face, especially Xiaowen, who I hope to see again in another Kristan Higgins book. Readers can’t go wrong with this feel good story! On a side note, I have to admit the bird and oven scene had me practically in tears with laughter!
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I loved this book. Nora Stuart has had a difficult childhood. She was bullied in high school because she was overweight. She decided early in life to study hard and win a local scholarship to get away from the small island community. She succeeded and became a doctor in Boston. Shortly after becoming a doctor her home was invaded by an addict and she barely escaped with her life. Still surviving she gets hit by a car and decides to recover back home with her mother and niece. This story is about women being strong and making good friends who stand by you. This book covers all the emotions from humor, sadness, fear and happiness. Touches on many issues in the life of teens and women today. Great read for all from teens to grandmothers.

Wow just...wow! Kudos to Kristan Higgins -this is a book I highly recommend and will be put on my comfort bookshelf to be read and re-read.

I am so sorry that I waited so long to read this book. Sometimes Ms. Higgins books are hit or miss -this book hit it out of the ballpark for me.

This had everything that an avid chick lit reader could want, sans the ultra-descriptive sex scenes.

What our protagonist, Nora went through in her life would have sent most people off the deep end, but Nora is a Downeaster. Stolid and solid to the core. This book gives us a look back at Nora's growing up years (and they were not especially pretty) right through many...well we could call them tragedies but I won't. I'll call them for lack of a better term, learning experiences -because that is what Nora treats them as.

This book is written with younger characters, and most likely a younger audience in mind. However, the characters are also written with a thought to maturity that keeps a reader like me very intrigued and interested.

This book has tragedy, mystery redemption and love going for it. There seems to be something for everyone in here. Sometimes Nora can seem to be a 'goody-two-shoes' type, but she really isn't she is just hasn't let the New England stolidness over-ride her sense of hope and her efforts to make things better and to help people.

*ARC supplied by the publisher.

Fantastic story, I read it so fast.It's a shame I haven't read this author.I loved the story and her characters felt real, smart, quirky and at times funny.From the witty writing to the brilliant descriptions of the Maine island this book takes you inside and you feel like you are with the characters.

NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT – Kristan Higgins
HQN
ISBN: 978-1-335-90335-8
January 2018
Contemporary Fiction

Boston, Massachusetts and Scupper Island, Maine -- Present Day

Dr. Nora Stuart thought her life was all set…she had a medical career she enjoyed and a boyfriend she loved. But one day she ends up getting hit by a bug company van, and while everyone thinks she's unconscious, she overhears her boyfriend hitting on another woman. Nora breaks up with him, but she needs time to recover, so she returns to her childhood home, a place where she doesn't have a lot of pleasant memories. Her mother, Sharon, still works and lives there on Scupper Island, along with a temporary houseguest: Nora's niece, Poe, who is there because the teenager's mother is in prison. Then there are the people that Nora will likely have to face again, the ones who mocked her for being overweight, including Luke Fletcher, who hated her because she bested him to win a prestigious scholarship.

Nora's homecoming to Scupper Island is rough. Sharon acts like she's an indisposition, while Poe barely acknowledges her. Meanwhile, she learns Luke, who was a top scholar like her in high school, is now a druggie and alcoholic who can't hold a job. When she runs into him, he makes threatening noises. Luke's twin brother, Sullivan (aka Sully), is nice and warns his brother to stay away from Nora. Sully has a daughter, and Nora tries to bring her and Poe together. Of course, this brings her into more contact with Sully, but Nora isn't looking for love…or is she?

Nora proves it's hard to come home in NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT, but she manages to make it work. She was overweight as a child and endlessly mocked. Her one good thing was being super smart, and since her family had no money, she wanted to win a scholarship that totally paid for her college. Her competitor for the scholarship was Luke, and when he lost out, he went on a rampage in his car that ended with his only passenger, Sully, injured. Nora felt guilt over the accident (though it wasn't her fault) and left the island soon after by enrolling early into college. Nora does have fond memories of her father, but he left with no explanation when she was eleven, and that was the last she heard from him.

The reception of Nora on Scupper Island is mixed. Those who remember her still think of her as the fat kid, while those who support Luke thinks she should go away. But Nora brushes aside the snide remarks and decides to stay for the summer, mainly to be there for Poe. Nora gets a job at a clinic and moves to a houseboat, where she begins a new life on the island. Meanwhile, because she shares a dog with her ex, she returns at times to Boston. He wants to reconcile with Nora, but she hasn't forgiven him.

NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT is told in the first person by Nora and sometimes bounces back to recall the past, from her good times with her father, and to the bad times being heckled by schoolmates. Nora has had a lot of angst in her life, but she has picked herself up and moved forward. A year ago, she was beaten and nearly raped, and the culprit is still out there, but the experience is still deeply embedded in her psyche. Having Luke around and threatening her doesn't help. Will he do something to hurt her, or will Sully rescue her? Nora's plans are to stay until August, but will she decide to return to Boston? Can her relationship with her mother (and even Poe) be fixed?

An emotional read that'll pull you in, NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT will at the same time have you laughing at some scenes. Let's just say that Kristan Higgins is one of those writers who can combine suspense with comedy and she does it again in NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT. Grab a copy and be prepared to laugh, cry, and feel a need to hug someone like Nora.

Patti Fischer

Kristan Higgins is one of those authors whose books should be on every library shelf. She is a steady favorite for many library patrons!

Kristan Higgins has written an engaging book with warm, smart characters and lots of humor and heart.
Entertaining read about relationships and their pitfalls
Definitely want to read more of this author's works.

Known for crafting a delightful blend of romance and women’s fiction, Higgins presents Now That You Mention It, an emotional roller-coaster ride that won’t disappoint. Gastroenterologist Nora Stuart learns the hard way that her steady man is done with their relationship. Lacking other options, Nora returns home to recuperate her broken body and injured heart. And, perhaps, she’ll work on splintered family relationships while she’s at it.

Getting run over by the Beantown Bug Killers knocks Nora down. Not one to quit easily, Nora digs in her heels and steadies herself for a long look at a family she never really understood. Like real life, some characters evolve while others continue to stand in their own way while looking for easy buttons. Nora uncovers truths as she examines her relationships from new angles. By doing so, she gives and receives second chances. A fast-moving plot and witty characters make this a winner!



DISCLAIMER: Now That You Mention It is not the first Kristan Higgins’ book that I have read. It is the first I have reviewed and here’s why: I love every one of Kristan Higgins’ books. I knew that any commentary I offered would pale in comparison to their value. Higgins writes about women who strive for the sorts of things all women want including, but not limited to: acceptance, forgiveness, true love, self-actualization, family, and a rocking soundtrack. Her characters are complicated and funny. They suffer agonizing break-ups and tragic losses. They’re people you’ll wish you could meet for a glass of wine on Friday night to talk about real life. And, whether they drag their painful high school experiences into adulthood or they become victims of an out-of-control pestmobile, they provide satisfying reads that you’ll mourn at THE END.

Check out Kristan’s other books here.

Laughed so hard that I scared my dogs. She is just such a brilliant author. The characters are just so well done, the plot filled with humor and heart. Deserves the un-put-downable sticker!

Another wonderful tale about love, community and friendship from Higgins.

Kristan Higgins should write in her acknowledgements: You’re welcome, Hope. Seriously, it’s like she is my spirit animal…or spirit author. Scandal reviewed NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT on the blog as her slump buster. I completely agree with everything she said. Go read her review, and then go buy the book or hit up the library. Dare I admit that maybe this is a slump starter for me? Yes, I liked it that much and now I need to mull over it for a bit.

There are an extremely limited amount of authors I fangirl over, I mean truly go crazy for and Kristan Higgins is one of them. I’m not kidding when I say I don’t even read the blurb for her novels before I’m desperate to read them, I think they’re THAT good. This is such a cliché thing to say, but her books get better and better and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite, but I can highly recommend every single one, and yes I’ve read them all. You know how you get people asking for book recommendations and oftentimes you have to think for a minute? When someone says they like Women’s Fiction/Romance I just blurt out, Kristan Higgins, any book you can get your hands on, I’m THAT confident.

Nora was an amazing character, she’s a quirky doctor with a Harry Potter obsession, what’s not to love?! I connected with her on page one about two lines in and that never wavered for one second. Higgins has a knack for writing about messy, flawed women with humor, realism and grace and this was no exception, the characterization was superb. Her lead characters aren’t the only ones that are so well crafted they practically leap from the pages, the secondary ones are just as bright, sparkly and charming. This is set in Maine where my husbands family is from and she nailed their accents, work ethic and mannerisms wickedly perfectly, Mainers are larger than life!

I could gush about this book all of the live long day but I’ll spare you and wrap it up now. I normally only use phrases like unputdownable and page turner when I talking about a thriller, but it’s oddly fitting here as well. Higgins is at the top of her game and if you get through the dinner party scene without laughing hysterically then we’ll never be friends 😜

A beautifully written story, filled with drama, life lessons, and deep emotions. It has such a naturally continuing flow that it pulled me right into Nora Stuart's mind and life and held me there until the end. This story is one of those all-nighters, unputdownable until the very end.
I loved Nora and admired her. I looked up to her, though she was inspirational, such a beautiful person, tough, resilient, capable and fierce. But it was a long journey she had to go through to get to this point in her life.
All the adversity Nora has faced during her 35 years of life, and especially in the past year, left me gasping for air. How could one person attract that much drama and trouble? Why did all the people surrounding her turn out to be nasty? Why her own family turned their backs on her?
The story touches different social, criminal, and medical issues abundantly. From eating disorders to mental disabilities to physical attacks against women to attempted rape, murder, stalker, serious life-altering car accidents, bullying, repressing a young girl by the actions of the whole town, including her family, and so forth.
I felt for Nora, there were several times when I was in tears, cheering her on, wishing I could stand up for her and protect her during those brutal high school days.
Her journey to find her true self, to be comfortable with the person she is, to accept herself, and to be proud of the person she is deep inside without any pretention or pleasing anyone else is filled with challenges and diversity, tragedy and disloyalty.
I'm little uncomfortable with the solution to happiness, success, and finding meaningful relationships equaling to losing weight, this is brought up with two characters in the tale. That's one of the points in the story that I am still processing, trying to balance its importance to the characters and their lives.
Reading this book was a very personal experience to me. There are several matters in the story that I noticed I had a very private reaction to, things that Nora went through that echoed in my mind and heart. For me, this book is one of those that after reading it you have that famous book hangover because the events and issues of the story keep playing in your mind. I loved the story yet I struggled with some events in the tale. I connected with the strong heroine on an emotional level. I adored the relationship Nora developed with Sullivan over time, and the honesty, tenderness, and sincerity that was in that relationship that had been missing in the other interactions Nora had with the people surrounding her.
While showing the beauty that is found in the world, from the joy of love, loyalty, peace of mind, and feeling secure with true friends and people who love you, the author shows the other side of the coin as well with the ugliness of jealousy, mobbing, threats, and feeling superior, putting others down to make yourself feel assured. The honest look of the human condition in today's world might not have been what I expected from the novel, but it was clearly drawn with definite lines, both the light and the shadows evident in the tale.
Some books are entertainment, some books are a pure escape. Then there are the ones, like this one, that touch your heart, makes you ponder, and stop for a minute and think a little deeper. Books that give you an a-ha moment, that encourage and inspire you. Reading that kind of book is more of an experience than escape, they can be entertaining yet they leave a mark on your mind. 'If you can be anything, be kind' is echoing in my mind as I think about Now That You Mention It
~ Five Spoons

Brilliant brilliant book from Kristan Higgins. I have loved all her previous books and was secretly wondering if she could do it again. I loved Dr. Nora Stuart. She made me laugh, she made me cry. "Oh fuckety fucking McFuckster" is a phrase that will remain with me for a long time and I shall be weary of people with birds as pets, wouldn't want them anywhere near my kitchen, just in case. If I ever have a pet dog, his name will be Boomerang!

This is my first Kristan Higgins read and I absolutely loved it! It's funny and heart-warming. I connected with the main character immediately. She was determined to heal herself both physically and emotionally. I'm always pleased when I find an author who is new to me that I enjoyed this much.

ARC from Harlequin via Netgalley

Nora Stuart grew up on Scupper Island, Maine, a small island three miles from the state’s coast and was shaped by two major events in her life: her father’s departure when she was 12-years old and pretty awful high school years. Her salvation was winning a competitive scholarship only available to islanders that took her away from her hometown for the next 15 years, even though that came at a price. When she’s injured in an accident, Nora returns to Scupper to recuperate, facing a community who’s not necessarily receptive, a seemingly detached mother and her niece whose mother hasn’t wanted a relationship with her since their father left.

There’s so much I loved about this story. On the surface, Nora seems so well put together. She’s a successful doctor, has a loving boyfriend and has a sunny disposition. When a traumatic event robs her of that optimism about life, she’s forced to deal with her past and the people who actually shaped her. At first, I was leery about this character but the more I learned about her, the more I respected her bootstrapping approach to life. She has every reason to be vindictive but it never even occurs to her to take that path. There are some very strong themes that resonate loudly in this story that gave me pause, especially those about family loyalty. Nora certainly hung in there longer than I would have but her payoff for doing so was significant.

Higgins is an auto read author for me and I really am liking her shift to contemporary fiction. There are strong romantic elements here but that’s not the central theme. Nora’s resilience was inspiring and her commitment to the people in her life, even when they gave her every reason to bolt, provided me with teachable moments. Loved this story and couldn’t put it down.

A witty journey of self-discovery! With recovery in mind, a broken woman makes the decision to fight her demons and return home to the place where sunshine once lived before turning into darkness and despair. She sets out to follow her memories of the times when she felt like life was rosy and fun and puts forth a huge effort to reconnect with her family and the community. Meeting glares and resistance at every turn, she has to dig deep and find answers within herself that leave her pushing forward and overcoming the adversity she faces to find answers and a brighter future around the bend. The characters are well-developed, the turmoil is strife with tears and a smidgen of laughter as Kristan Higgins throws in her signature snark and sass to bring a laugh to life in the most awkward of times … and overall, it’s a very entertaining read!

When Dr. Nora Stuart woke up from being hit by a car to find her live-in boyfriend flirting with another woman at her bedside, she realizes it’s time for some time apart! After having her life flash before her eyes during her unconsciousness, she’s not sure what to make of the fact that she envisioned so little affected by her “death”. She decides to stop avoiding the little island she was anxious to flee all those years ago and go home again.

It’s not all puppies and rainbows when she arrives. Her cantankerous mother seems to care less that she was injured, her sister is in prison leaving her surly teenage daughter in their mother’s care and desperately seeking a way out of this one-horse town, the community still blames her for the demise of the town golden boy simply because she was smarter than him, and her ex continues to try to woo her back home … just another day in paradise I guess!

Finally learning the answers to why her family fell apart all those years ago is enlightening and brings with it a peace at finally knowing that it wasn’t anything she had done wrong. Hard work and dedication leads to rediscovery of memories that squeeze her heart and make her more forgiving of times she was wronged, and finding a special guy on the Island with an equally special daughter who both think she’s got potential, makes for an interesting trip!

Few things brighten my day like a new Kristan Higgins book :)

Nora's story, like just about everything else Kristan writes, is at times laugh-out-loud funny. Seriously. I don't know how she comes up with some of the situations she puts her characters in (some of them I probably don't want to know...) but ohmygoodness, they are hysterical. She also hits the nail right on the head with regards to relationships--whether it's family or friends, Kristan's writing always rings true.

And then you throw in the romantic elements...swoon...

I do have to say, though, that though she's been drifting more in the direction of women's fiction with her last few books, that this is the first one where the romance really felt like it took a back seat to the rest of the story. Nora and Sully's relationship moves really sloooowly...and at one point looks like it's going to be a non-starter...until it isn't. Almost at once they go from "we'll be just friends, because this isn't going to work" to wallbanging good times, which had me wondering if I'd missed something there...still, I wanted them to get together so it's hard to be terribly upset. More relationship page time, though, would have been awesome.

Ultimately, though, it's a Kristan Higgins book--and still one heck of a good read! Xe Sands did her usual fabulous job of narration, capturing Nora's voice perfectly and ayah, doing a wicked good Mainah accent along the way. :)

Rating: 4 stars / A-

This is the first book I've read by Kristan Higgins, but it definitely won't be the last. It's chick-lit with substance, and immediately drew me in and held me captive till the very end. It made me laugh and cry in turns (happy tears!) which automatically makes this a 5 star read. I was thoroughly invested in the story.

My heart broke for Nora's childhood / teenagehood, and I loved seeing her return to her island and get the form of closure she would never have gotten otherwise. Audrey was just lovely, and Poe's growth so, so touching.

I wish we had gotten full closure on the Big Bad Event, but the way it ended was realistic, so I can live with it.