The review will post tomorrow.

She fled Maine as a teenager. With a full ride to Tufts University in hand, Nora Stuart achieved a lot. she's a specialist in a leading Boston hospital. She has a loving boyfriend who's an ER doctor in the same hospital. Her world crumbles when she's hit by a car and overhears her boyfriend hitting on another doctor while she slips in and out of consciousness.

It's been more than a decade. Nora decides to head back to the small island community she fled and stay with her mom while she recovers. There, she hopes to unite with her niece and start anew. The problem is her niece seems to want nothing to do with her, Nora's mom is just as flighty as ever, and some people within the community still seems to resent her for actually making something of herself.

Nora refuses to give up. She's going to stay and become the aunt she feels her niece needs. It's not going to be easy.

Strengths and Weaknesses


Kristan Higgins has been a favorite of mine for years. She does a solid job creating characters you love. Nora is no different. My heart broke when her past started getting revealed. I still think there's more to her sister's story, and I hope she addresses it in a future book.

I enjoyed the setting. Portland is one of my preferred haunts. And, I have to agree with the characters who felt that Speckled Ax is the best coffee in the city. Love it there!

RTR's Bottom Line


I love the setting. I love any Maine setting, but I've spent plenty of time in Portland and on some of the islands north of Portland. The communities are always tight-knit but so inviting. The setting drew me in and kept me reading.

I really enjoyed the humor and romance found in Now That You Mention It. I would like to return to Scupper Island. It felt like a home away from home.

Okay...this was a fun book.  I've been reading heavier stuff lately and this was a nice change of pace.  This had a much deeper storyline than I thought it was going to have, which was delightful.  
I got a little frustrated at first with the reference to the "Big Bad Event" - I thought maybe this was a sequel and I missed the first book in the series.  BUT, it was explained after a while.  
This book is a good reminder that running away never really solves anything.  People aren't always what they seem, but others are exactly what they seem.  Fun, light read that I will surely recommend to readers.

Sometimes, there is a point in a novel where you just know this is not going to end well. 

NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT by Kristan Higgins definitely had one. And I was uber disappointed. 

RELEASE DATE: January 2018

PUBLISHER: Graydon House 

DISCLAIMER: Novel sent via NetGallery in exchange for a honest review. 

SYNOPSIS: One step forward. Two steps back. The Tufts scholarship that put Nora Stuart on the path to becoming a Boston medical specialist was a step forward. Being hit by a car and then overhearing her boyfriend hit on another doctor when she thought she was dying? Two major steps back.

Injured in more ways than one, Nora feels her carefully built life cracking at the edges. There's only one place to land: home. But the tiny Maine community she left fifteen years ago doesn't necessarily want her. At every turn, someone holds the prodigal daughter of Scupper Island responsible for small-town drama and big-time disappointments.

With a tough islander mother who's always been distant and a wild-child sister in jail, unable to raise her daughter--a withdrawn teen as eager to ditch the island as Nora once was--Nora has her work cut out for her if she's going to take what might be her last chance to mend the family.

But as some relationships crumble around her, others unexpectedly strengthen. Balancing loss and opportunity, a dark event from her past with hope for the future, Nora will discover that tackling old pain makes room for promise...and the chance to begin again. 

REVIEW: Here's my problem - I really enjoy Kristan Higgins novels. I've read a couple and they've always been an enjoyable fluffy ride. This one, however, jumped the shark about half way through and made me feel like I was reading a different novel. 

Nora has just been in an accident outside of her workplace. As she is coming to in the hospital ER, she overhears her boyfriend hitting on the nurse. Deciding to take some time to heal and reevaluate her life, she heads back to her hometown - a tiny little island in Maine, where she left in not the greatest of circumstances. Coming home to a mother who was never really lovingly there, to a niece she barely knows, to a former crush who has flourished in her absence, and a former rival who has crashed and burned - Nora has it cut out for her. Nora decides to take the time to really connect with those around her and heal riffs that have been long-time forming, before it's too late....

First and foremost, I adored the main character of Nora. What a spunky wonderful woman. Smart, skilled, intuitative, compassionate - she's an amazing character to not only read but to take this journey with. Her character arc was perhaps my favourite, and I enjoyed coming all on her journey from big-city girl back to small-town 'loser'. 

My problem came with some of the 'plot' devices - for instance, I lost ALL incentive in this book around the time of a dinnerparty. I won't give anything away for fear of spoilers, but I remember thinking that this was the books official 'jump the shark' moment. I remember thinking it was so otocious that it didn't really seem to fit into the ebbs and flows of the novel. But to each their own. 

One thing I wish was investigated further was Nora's relationship with her incarcerated sister. While it plays centrepoint in the novel, it almost seems like the sister, as a character, is glossed over. I remember wanting to read more about her - more about what caused fissures in their former sisterly bond. 

Overall, I would probably recommend some of Kristan Higgin's other works before I recommend this one. Also, I'm not entiely sure where the title of this novel came from, which made me connect a little less with it as well.

Due to an accident (getting hit by van) and her boyfriend hitting on a nurse in the ER Dr. Nora takes a medical leave to go home to recuperate. This small town in Maine holds a lot of emotion for Nora. She not only faces her present, but her past as well in this page turning story. Nora has a few secrets and with them come some fears that she bravely conquers. Quite a few laughs helps make the hard parts of the story not so painful. Another winner from this author.

I'm a huge, HUGE Kristan Higgins fan, and I think she does that middle ground between women's fiction and romance like no other. Now That You Mention It was another wonderful, nuanced, lovely book in that style, and a great offering for long-time Higgins devotees and newcomers alike. 

I connected with Now That You Mention It immediately. First of all, it gives MAJOR props to my alma mater, Tufts University (what, what!) and takes place in a little island off the coast of Maine, where I spent all of my childhood summers. Also, the MC in the book is a doctor, and although I'm a dentist and not a physician, the hospital setting and the medical terminology made me feel right at home. 

The book was exactly what I'd expect from this author: we get unique, complex family dynamics, which change and grow over time; and we also get a slow-burning, low-key romance that is important to the story but not the main focus. 

Like all Higgins MCs, the main character here was easy to relate to. I adored her and her complexity, even though I thought she was too forgiving and lenient with her family. 

My only issue with the story was that it was a little more depressing than I was expecting. Especially in the first half, I had to push myself to keep reading at times because people kept treating our MC like crap, and I wanted her to extricate herself from her messed up situation. There was more pain more quickly than I was expecting, and that took me awhile to work through. However, once things starting coming alone, I found myself completely enthralled. 

If you love Higgins' style, don't hesitate to pick this book up. It isn't all sunshine and roses, but it is a very satisfying story that shows the complexity of family dynamics and how you can, sometimes, go home again. 

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Kristan Higgins in my favorite author. I love her style: the humor, strong women characters, hunky good guys, and the dogs. The absolutely satisfying endings. Now that You Mention It is slightly different: this time there are some bad guys. That was new for this author and it was a good addition. 

Boston Dr. Nora Stuart decides to go back home to the island in Maine to recuperate after an accident and to reconnect with her mother and niece. The residents of Scupper Island aren't that happy to see Nora and she wonders if coming home is a mistake.

Like any Kristan Higgins book, there is humor and tension. This isn't a romance, but there are romantic elements to the book. I can't imagine a better novel and Kristan outdoes herself again. I was all-in after the first page. Highly recommended.

I haven't taken the time to read a book in.....well, I can't honestly remember how long. And the last time I read a book in 24 hours or less? Even longer. Until this weekend. I downloaded my copy of "Now that you mention it", and it caught my attention from page one. I only put it down to go to sleep, but picked it right back up this morning. 

My life could not be more different from Nora's, but I immediately wanted to be in her little circle of friends. She is the type of strong woman you want on your side. I hope to do a more in depth review soon, but I HAD to get on and rave about how amazing this is. Not surprisingly, though. Kristin never disappoints!

I gave up on Kristan Higgins’ contemporary romances because they were full of desperate heroines whose lives were unfulfilled without their one true love. But then Higgins wrote two very intelligent, thoughtful women’s fiction novels, If Only You Knew and One Second Thought, and I crept back into her orbit somewhat warily. Now That You Mention It is a kind of hybrid Higgins – half throwback to her romance days and half more mature women’s fiction – and for the most part it succeeds.

Nora Stuart returns to her small Maine island hometown to recover from a serious accident, although there is an even more serious Big Bad Event that took place several months earlier that she remains traumatized by. Back at home she deals with her taciturn, self-sufficient mother and her troubled niece Poe, who is living in Maine while Nora’s sister Lily serves a jail sentence in Oregon. Nora also encounters her former classmates who remember her as a fat, awkward nerd who escaped the island on a scholarship to become a successful doctor. Although she only plans to stay for a few months, she hopes to find out the mystery behind her father’s disappearance many years ago, and to form closer relationships with her mother and Poe. 

The parts that feel like “old Higgins”- 
* Boyfriend who is a heel 
* Loyal dog Boomer 
* Small island town setting
* Taciturn (but not grumpy) potential love interest
* Lots of slapstick and bathroom humor (she’s a gastroenterologist, so there’s plenty of potential for fart and poop jokes)

The parts that feel like “new and improved (IMO) Higgins” – 
* Better developed and nuanced family dynamics
* Flashback chapters that help the reader understand said dynamics
* Lots of competence porn (Nora is really good at her job, and people acknowledge her skills)
* Nora isn’t desperate to find love and get married, and in fact she gets rid of asshole boyfriend pretty quickly
* A truly horrifying flashback scene (trigger warnings for assault and attempted rape) to the Big Bad Event 
* Love scenes that aren’t perfect! 

In short, I guess I’m hooked again. Good job, Ms. Higgins. Maybe scale back on the diarrhea jokes next time though? 

ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

THIS BOOK!  I have read other work by Kristan Higgins, but this one was different...it deserves ALL of the stars!  I loved it.  

Now That You Mention It is a very satisfying read.  I couldn't put it down.  I love Nora, her humor and strength when faced with adversity - this book made you feel all of the emotions.  I laughed and cried and was angry and mortified, but I came away loving the characters in this story.  Bravo Kristan Higgins and thank you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this work in exchange for my honest review.

This is one of the best non-mystery novels I’ve read this year. The characters were well formed, each with a specific voice. The plot is really about relationships, hope and perseverance without being sappy or elementary and that is due to this autbor’s writing talent

I was granted an early copy of Now That You Mention It thanks to the lovely people at Harlequin and Netgalley.

Nora Stuart has it all, a handsome boyfriend, exciting career (okay, maybe not exciting, but it is rewarding), a lovely apartment, and plenty of friends.

So why is she waiting for the other shoe to drop?

When Nora is hit by a passing motorist and then awakens to her beloved flirting with a nurse over her seriously injured body, she is understandably upset.

Needing space to think, Nora hops a ferry back to Cupper Island and the not so warm arms of her family. It's also the scene of her happiest and most heartbreaking moments in life.

As she tries to find her feet, readers are guided through a sentimental, emotional journey of her youth blended with the present day as she grapples with family connections and a new love interest.



This story is done in classic Kristan Higgans style; plenty of snarky humor, and characters who leap off the page and into your heart.

I loved every second of this book and will definitely be saving it to my keeper shelf!

I give Now That You Mention It 5 + lovely kisses- A Must Read!
First posted on It's All About the Romance

An enjoyable and satisfying read. This was my first Kristan Higgins book, and it won't be my last. *Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review!

Now That You Mention It is another great story by Kristan Higgins.  Her characters are always so interesting.  Nora did not let me down.

This book is all about relationships - family, friendly, and romantic.  Nora's relationship to her family was quite strained.  Her mother was somewhat of an absent parent after her father left.  Her father was absent because he left.  Her sister was in prison and didn't want to talk to her, and her niece was a sullen teenager who didn't want to talk to anyone.  It was interesting how Nora worked so hart to stay upbeat and try to form some type of relationship and bond with her family members.  Some people would have probably given up but not Nora.

The friendships were quite entertaining to me.  I loved Xiaowen.  She was absolutely hilarious.  Rosaline wasn't in the book much but she was very loyal to Nora.  The most interesting friendship was the one between Nora and Gloria.  It's amazing how women can turn on each other when a man is involved.  I also loved Sully's daughter and how she got Poe to open up.

As far as romance goes, Bobby was awful.  I don't know what Nora ever saw in that man.  I was so glad she got rid of him.  Sully seemed like a laid back, honest, and hardworking father.  He was a great boyfriend, father, and even a good ex-husband.  He was strong and steady.  I loved him and Nora.  I had a feeling about Nora's mom, so I wasn't surprised by the reveal.  I just wish she had been honest with Nora from the start.  

The only things I did not like in the book were how Nora's attack was handled and not knowing who Poe's father is.  I wish more had been said about the attack, and I wish the guy had been caught.  I felt like there was no closure as far as that was concerned.  I know that life goes on, and Nora did not want to allow it to hold her back or control her life; but, I just feel that more should have been said.  

I really wanted to know who Poe's father is, and it really bothered me that it was never revealed.  I kept expecting Nora's nemesis to be him.  As much as Nora wanted to find out about her father, I would think that Poe really wanted to find out about hers.  It was a bit of a letdown that that was not explored.

Overall, Now That You Mention It is an interesting story with quite interesting characters.  Scupper Island did not disappoint, and I hope that we get to visit it again. Xiaown definitely needs her own story.

I love love love this book. Kristan Higgins has been one of my go-to authors for quite a while and her new title definitely didn't disappoint! In a story filled with finding yourself, second chances in a small town, and crazy family dramatics....this book has a little bit of everything. I loved Nora's voice and seeing her memories of growing up in a small town when you feel like you just don't always fit in there. I would definitely recommend to fans of women's fiction and romance. This is a must read!

I received an ARC of this book for an honest review from NetGalley and I am so glad I did. I love the great way the author uses love, compassion and unconditional love as well as forgiveness, humor we  see in her character Nora, the main character.

There is a lot of angst in this book between characters and there are some shocking moments as we see Nora's life unfold in her thoughts from her life. The scene goes from Boston back to Scupper Island to her family-mother, sister and niece, which is its own story! 

What I took away from this book is that Nora was an incredible character and the author told this story in a way that when it is over you have gotten to know Nora and love her, admire her strength as well as her dignity.

I gave this book 5*****stars and I highly suggest you read it! Just be prepared to sit until you are done, I read this book voraciously until the last page.

I finished this book a few day ago and I’m still in a book hangover after reading it. It was my first Kristan Higgins book *gasp!* and now I’m so hooked. 

I was in a book rut, book funk, reading hiatus.. call it what you will.. and it took me forever to start this because I wanted to give it the best chance I could.

Well it pulled me out of my funk and I fell in love with the characters, the story and everything in between. It was like Kristan knew I was in a funk and needed a pick me up. 

Great read! Thank you for the opportunity to read.

Imagine knowing that your dying or maybe even already dead.  You see your life flash in front of your eyes.  And you hear your loved one......asking someone else out...while on your death bed?! Really! Just when Nora thought her life was on track, everything flips around and she finds herself back where she started trying to do right by her,mother, sister and her niece.
I love how we learn about Nora’s past while focusing on her future.  I laughed a lot and enjoyed the humor Ms. Higgins bring to her characters.  A small town fun love story.  I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I’ve really been struggling lately with the beginning of books, I don’t know if it’s just that they’re unable to keep my attention, or they’re just lacking that big event to reel me in from the beginning. Thank goodness this was not the case with Now That You Mention It, it was refreshingly unique as I found myself flying through the pages from the very beginning, Higgins was really able to capture my attention with Nora’s life and weave such a beautiful story. With the turn of events, I was totally for Nora going back home and spending time with her family, however, as we don’t really know Nora’s back story or of why she left Scupper Island in the first place, I was really overwhelmed with the turn of events. I wanted Nora to rush back to Boston and be with Bobby, I know he was a complete and utter douche face, but you know with certain characters you want to give them a second chance and honestly with the way things were going I honestly thought Bobby was redeeming himself. And with the stuff Nora had to deal with back home, with a mother who wouldn’t really open up, and a niece who didn’t want to know her, wasn’t Nora just better off in Boston?

The revelations came kept coming in Now That You Mention It and I was so glad that I was reading this book with Rachel as I constantly wanted to discuss what the hell was going on! The revelations bought on so many different feelings; my heart just broke with had happened, but I appreciated the way Higgins gave the story to us, as I so wasn’t expecting it, so I was completely left reeling. Nora’s story was captured so well in this book, I felt as if I’d really got to know her as a character and I loved how strong she was and just how far she came over the course of the story. Nora never had an easy time, she had experienced a tough life, been pushed to her limits, but I admired her ability not to give up, and the way things ended up in the end. I liked how friends cropped up when she was least expecting them, and she was willing to try and try again until she made some breakthroughs with people she cared about. Although overall, I really enjoyed this book, as all I wanted to do was devour all the beautiful pages, I felt as towards the end of the book, it was a little anti-climactic, the big reveal, wasn’t that big to me, may be because I was left in shock whilst experiencing Nora’s journey. But this aside, Now That You Mention It was truly a wonderful read, I loved all the shocks and surprises along the way, how Higgins was able to take me through feelings of anger, hurt and love in one incredible journey. Also, just a heads up, don’t assume that you know anyone, I thought I was a good judge of character, but Higgins completely had me fooled! Now That You Mention It was my first book by Higgins, but it certainly won’t be my last!

5/5: What do I love about Kristan Higgins? Everything! Every single title she has written has me laughing with tears running down my face. Two seconds later I'm bawling my eyes out. Always a strong sense of family, mostly eccentric family. Oh and the furry friends! She is one of my most treasured authors! Oh and Tweety.... just ... lol... oh my! Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC

Another great Kristan Higgins novel! A completely new setting and set of characters. Tiny Scupper Island off the coast of Maine serves as the beautiful locale for a story with all of the traditional Higgins humor, emotions, and complex relationships.  I fell in love with most of the characters - Nora, the "good" daughter, who won the town's all expenses paid scholarship to Tufts; her sister Lily, beautiful and doomed, and Lily's daughter Poe, tattooed, angry, living with the grandmother on Scupper Island while her mother is in jail.  Plus, of course, the men! A whole array of attractive, but sometimes flawed men, for our array of women to choose from!  As a side note, I was very impressed with the diversity of Higgins' characters in this book - without her focussing on the diversity as the main purpose of the novel.  Everyone was treated as simply another person with individual characteristics some of which mapped to identified categories of diversity.  I'd like to see more novels take this approach.