Cover Image: Life and Other Inconveniences

Life and Other Inconveniences

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Member Reviews

Another heartwarming, life-affirming story from one of my all-time favs, Kristan Higgins.

In a Gilmore Girls kind of setting, single mom Emma and teenage daughter Riley live with Emma’s maternal grandfather in small-town Downers Grove, IL. A surprising phone call from Emma’s estranged paternal grandmother (the renowned fashion designer Genevieve London) is met with initial contempt. However, when Riley is subjected to intense bullying at school, Emma agrees to move to Connecticut to nurse Genevieve through her final days.

Nobody writes relationships like Ms Higgins. She tackles all kinds — romantic, family, and friendships — and portrays the process by which they can develop, heal, or detach when necessary. Her later books have taken on more difficult subjects — moving on from earlier, more hilarious, novels such as Just One of the Guys (my personal favorite). These new characters have more difficult pasts featuring tragedy, bad luck, or ignorant child-rearing, and are struggling to move forward in a positive way. Joining the characters as they heal by becoming more aware, more open, and more comprehending of the nature of their connections, is an educational and encouraging journey.

There is always a key romance at the heart of any Higgins novel and this one is no different. I love the way she focuses not just on the hot sex, but the deep emphasis on underlying feelings of connection and acceptance that fuels it. As an extra bonus, scattered throughout are great scenes where Emma lets awful people have it in an articulate, fury-driven, good-guys-win way. Very, very, satisfying for reader!

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I've been a big fan of Kristan Higgans, but this book seemed a little more along the lines of Kristin Hannah and Emily Griffin than her usual stories. Yes, her characters were funny and charming, but it had a lot of family drama complete with tear jerking moments. Maybe I was in the wrong mood when I read it, but I didn't hate it. It just wasn't for me.

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Emma London has made a life for herself that she is proud of and suits her. From the time her grandmother kicked her out of her home, she needed to find a way to support herself and her unborn child. Turning to her grandfather on her mother's side, she is given a place to live and moral support, if not financial assistance. Years later, her grandmother calls her, claiming to be dying of cancer and wanting to meet her great granddaughter, Riley. Should Emma give in and allow her grandmother and daughter to meet? How does Riley's father and his new family fight into the scenario? This was a fun book to read, but at the same time, makes you think about forgiveness and how families never really lose the ties.

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Kristan just keeps getting better and better. Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Very fast moving and not dull at all. Could not put this book down.

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Emma reunites with her grandmother, Genevieve, when she is summoned after many years of separation. A totally addictive story told in a straight forward manner that has humor as well as serious moments. Not to be missed.

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Family. It's wonderful, but it's also complicated.
This story is completely engrossing.
It's an emotional rollercoaster ride.
Beautiful and gut wrenching. A long multi generational tale that sucked me in and held me entranced until the final page. I highly recommend it. I loved it.

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Kristan Higgins penned a wonderfully descriptive and definitely nostalgic book for those of us of a certain age. I loved Genevieve's heartfelt renditions of getting older and all its consequences. This novel reaches all age groups and the mysteries keep you reading until the very end.

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Another great read from Kristan Higgins. I was engaged right from the beginning, thanks to the fully-developed cast of characters. The story is told from multiple points of view, and from different generations, which adds to the interest. A mystery involving a long-missing child adds some suspense, and while there is some romance, this book is not heavy on the love story. It is more about characters coming of age and dealing with difficult life situations. Humorous secondary characters provide a little comic relief. Really liked this book, and would particularly recommend it to readers who enjoy books by Sarah Morgan, Mary Kay Andrews, Susan Mallory, and Emily Giffin.

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Another great book by this author. It made me laugh and cry. I liked the different chapters where the different characters talked. It's a great story with some valuable lessons. I loved all the main characters but Tess was a riot of laughs.

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I think this is an incredible book, the best Kristan Higgins has written. It is a beautifully written story of love, family, second changes, and strong women.
After 17:years, Emma has heard from her grandmother,the woman who raised her, but then kicked Emma out when she became pregnant. Strong willed, wealthy, Genevieve claims she’s dying and wants Emma, and her great granddaughter, Riley, whom she’s never met, to spend the summer with her in CT. Emma has no intention of doing so, until she decides it would be better for Riley. It’s not easy in the beginning for any of them, but the bonds of family and forgiveness make everything possible.

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When I see a book by Kristin Higgins, I know immediately that I want to read it. I don’t need to read a synopsis, I just know I will love whatever she’s written. Her newest book centers around the relationship between Emma London and her oh so proper blue blooded New England grandmother, Genevieve. Dumped on her grandmother’s doorstep after the death of her mother, the two had an uneasy peace until Emma got pregnant in high school. Emma found herself on the street with nothing, no money, no place to live, nothing. Emma pulled herself together and built a life for herself and her daughter Riley. Now years later, the woman Emma cannot even bear to think about is back and asking for her help. Of course, you know Emma will help, otherwise there wouldn’t be much of a story, but how she makes the decision to reenter her grandmother’s life and what happens as a result is what makes Higgins such a star. Every book she writes has a place in my heart and this is no different. Read it and weep

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