4.5 stars

Kristan Higgins chooses unexpected family relationships as her focus for this book, and she captivates you in the process.

Emma London, the daughter of a feckless man and an emotionally ill mother who took her life, is the single mother of sixteen-year-old Riley, a precocious child currently being bullied by her so-called friends. Emma and Riley live with Emma’s maternal grandfather, a crusty widower whose love for his girls is deep and unquestioning.

After her paternal grandmother, renowned handbag designer Genevieve London, kicked her out upon her announcement at eighteen of her pregnancy, Emma has done whatever needed to provide for Riley. She had to live with her grandmother because her feckless father didn’t want the burden of caring for her. What Genevieve fails to see is that Emma may have been smart enough to know that getting pregnant in high school may not be the best move, but she’s also a girl desperate to love and be loved. She falls for a rather feckless boy, and she falls harder for her daughter.

Genevieve herself is far more complex than Emma wants to give her credit for being. Her oldest son went missing when he was eight, and for the ensuing fifty-five years, Genevieve has not known whether he is dead or alive. She refers to him as The Missing. Kristan Higgins makes you feel Genevieve’s pain, loss, and horror. Grab some tissues because despite her frostiness, Genevieve will bring you to tears.

Another family featured in this book is that of Miller Finlay, whose construction company has made updates to Genevieve’s sprawling Connecticut mansion. Miller happens to be the cousin of Emma’s feckless baby daddy, and he, too, has suffered great loss. His beloved wife died during childbirth, and their baby Tess, now three, is a terror. For real. She’s the kind of child teenagers ought to have to babysit because she is perfect birth control.

These three people–Genevieve, Emma, and Miller–have heartache in common, yet Genevieve refuses to allow it to bring her closer to Emma. (She kind of does with Miller, as much as Genevieve can let anyone in.) There is one moment in this book when Emma quite plainly tells her grandmother that all she ever wanted was to be loved, and it will crack you wide open.

Emma and Riley, along with Emma’s grandfather, come back to Connecticut when Genevieve beckons them. I loved that Emma not only was open to Genevieve having a relationship with Riley, she supported and encouraged it. Seeing her daughter with her grandmother brings Emma joy, which makes you like her all the more. You won’t always like Genevieve, even as you sympathize with her. She’s so determined to stiff-upper-lip everything that she blinds herself to the gift of family she’s been given–for a third time, in fact.

This book feels different from other Kristan Higgins books. Yes, it has her warmth and humor, but there is a sadness in Genevieve, Emma, and Miller that pervades nearly every page. Even Emma’s grandfather has a sadness about him. These people need to heal, and you aren’t always certain that Genevieve’s mansion is where that can happen. Yet this home, so large and stuffed with more rooms than necessary, also proves to have an intimacy that provokes emotional connection.

Dear reader, I cried. Several times, in fact. I always cry in Kristan Higgins’s books, but this one packed a stronger wallop. I absolutely loved it. The only reason I can’t give it five stars is that one plot point is tied up a little too neatly and conveniently at the end of the book, and it feels somewhat false. It feels like a minor quibble in the face of such a tremendous book. And make no mistake, this is a tremendous book.

There are many great aspects of the book-the characters are so vividly painted and have authentic dialogue that they seem real, the setting is described in lush details. I enjoyed the multi-person narration of the story. All that said, I find that what I really enjoy about Kristan Higgins books is their believabilty-like I could imagine myself there or having coffee with a character. This book was a bit too unbelievable to me-the story seemed convoluted, the characters were all a bit too quirky (if my teenage daughter was even 1/10 as self-aware as Riley, I would be the happiest mom on earth). Things just didn't add up for me with regards to the plot, but as always, I remain impressed with Kristan Higgin's ability to develop strong characters.

Kristan Higgins is my favorite author. I own all of her books in digital, paperback and hardcover forms. I think she's an amazing writer and she seems to be an awesome human being too.

When I received a copy of Life and Other Inconveniences, I was ecstatic! As a book lover, nothing feels as great as getting a book by your favorite author. Then, something happened. I didn't want to read it. Why? because she writes a book a year and if I started it too soon, I was going to have to wait a long time for her next one. Finally, this weekend, I couldn't postpone it any longer. So I prepared for my weekend. I asked my husband to take care of the puppies, breakfast and household chores while I took the morning off to read. No interruptions, no breaks.

Life and Other Inconveniences is narrated in multiple points of views. The main three characters are:

Emma, a single mother who has abandonment issues. When she was very little, her mother committed suicide and her father Clark, left her with her grandmother and never looked back. When Emma meets the first boy/man who shows her some love, she dates him for three years and just before she graduates high school, she learns she's pregnant. Her grandmother, Genevieve is not happy and pretty much kicks her out. Emma goes to live with her maternal grandfather. Years later, she's starting her career as a psychologist and her daughter, Riley is a teenager.

Genevieve London had a perfect marriage. She loved her husband, Garrison with all of her heart. She also had two boys, Sheppard and Clark. She loved Sheppard, her oldest and when he goes missing at a very young age, she loses part of her heart. Then, Garrison dies too and when he dies, Genevieve loses the ability to love. She's never the mother that she should be to Clark (her youngest son) and when years later, he delivers his daughter, Emma to her doorstep, she thinks this is her chance to make amends. Yet, When Emma gets pregnant, she can't be flexible.

Last, we have Riley. Emma's daughter and Genevieve's granddaughter. A smart young woman with a good heart. Riley's having problems at school and when Genevieve's invitation to spend the summer with her is given, Emma and Riley agree it could be a good time to leave town.

Life and Other Inconveniences felt different than her prior novels. I had a hard time concentrating on the story. I felt there was too much inner dialogue by Emma and Genevieve. I missed the humor I've come to expect from KH. I missed the embarrassing moments, I've come to feel for the characters. I missed the romance, I've come to adore.

I like to clarify that ANY time there was a dialogue, I was 100% immersed in it. Even though, the dialogue was so scattered, when it was there, I craved it.

These are my opinions but I hope this doesn't deter you from reading this book.

Cliffhanger: No

3.5/5Fangs

A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing and I couldn't put it down (I stayed up until 3am finishing it). Somehow Higgins was able to make me feel sympathetic towards even the most unlikable characters in the novel, which is one of the reasons she's such an amazing author.

The reasons I loved this book:

~ I absolutely loved the mother/daughter relationship between Emma and Riley. While their relationship wasn't without complications or struggles, I found it very real and complex. These two were both great characters that were easy to connect with.

~ This book also has a character with the difficult mental illness of severe depression. I felt this part of the book was extremely well written and I found myself tearing up as her struggles were described.

~ Miller is one of those genuinely great characters that make you wish they were real so you could meet them in real life. His story was heartbreaking, but the ending brought closure and you'll find yourself crushing hard on him.

~I couldn't possibly talk about everything I enjoyed about this book without mentioning Higgins writing style. The alternating narratives help you understand the different character's POVs and her way with words will have you feel what the characters are feeling. I laughed along with the characters, cried when they felt pain, and really wanted to give a few a big hug and tell them it will be ok. Higgins ability to bring her characters to life always seems to surprise me and is part of the reason I keep reading her books.

What kept me from giving this book 5⭐?

~I felt some aspects of this book were a bit to predictable and others a bit unrealistic. While neither of these are huge issues, they did keep me from giving the book 5⭐. Regardless I found the book enjoyable and would still recommend it to friends.

Review featured at www.books-n-kisses.com

Higgins is easily one of my favorite authors and I gladly grab any books that are available from her.

I enjoyed this story very much. It was simply about life. Emma was not one of my favorite characters but after a while I began to understand her a bit more. I enjoyed the background characters very much. Especially the grandmother. Feisty thing that she was.

As a fan of women’s lit this is a great story to read. Wonderful beach read. With a lot of angst and family love this is worth the read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I am SO excited that it’s finally time for me to fangirl over one of my all time favorite authors latest book! She’s one of those rare gems that gets better with each book, I always say her newest is my most favorite and I’m saying it again here. This had all the elements that I’ve come to expect and love from KH and much more.

This flips back and forth between Genevieve, Riley and Emma with some chapters from other secondary characters as well giving you a true birds eye point of view of all the action. While KH books always have an engaging storyline full of humor and heart, what truly makes her books shine is her phenomenal characterization. Every single character here was portrayed in a way that made them feel larger than life and like you could easily imagine yourself chatting to them in real life. This amazing writing style allows you to get so fully invested in these people that they feel like real friends by the time you get done. This tactic also always makes me feel something, I could relate to Emma’s struggles as a mother, I felt sympathetic to Genevieve’s loss of her son, I wanted to help keep Riley safe from the mean girls at school, my point here is that it was an emotional read and I experienced way too many emotions to name, both highs and lows.

If you’re already a fan of KH you’ll be ecstatic about this one and if she’s a new to you author grab this and then be so excited she has an extensive backlist to devour because you’ll definitely want more!

Life and Other Inconveniences in three words: Heartfelt, Emotional and Moving

When I pick up a Kristan Higgins book, I know that I'm in for a great read. In the last year or so, her novels have developed from light, fun romances into women's fiction with more depth. Life and Other Inconveniences tells the story of Emma London, her daughter Riley, and her grandmother, Genevieve. Emma was raised by her grandmother from the age of 8 until she became pregnant at 18, when Genevieve kicked her out of the family mansion. 16 years later, Genevieve re-enters Emma's life. The story of these women and the tragedies they've endured is powerful. Told from multiple points of view, their lives intertwine in a mesmerizing story that is difficult to put down. By far, this is my favorite Higgins book that she's written (and I've loved them all). This is one that I'll have to reread a few times for sure!

When I decided to read this book I thought it would be in the same style of her previous books On Second Thought and Now That You Mention It that I loved so much. It wasn't. At least for me, this seemed like Higgins is trying to branch off into serious family drama and it didn't work for me. We have alternating perspectives of Emma, the estranged granddaughter of the famous Genevieve, Genevieve herself who's dying and wants to reconnect, and Riley Emma's daughter. Interspersed is also a couple chapters of sub characters who play small parts in the story. Often the structure went from flashback to present and the entire first half before I started skimming felt like info dump backstory. Where was the witty dialogue from books' past? Also, while Genevieve was probably the most well developed character, she wasn't likable and Emma and Riley were too perfect. A teenager that never has mood swings, gets mouthy and is always considerate of her mom? Not sure that's realistic. I skimmed the second half and the entire story was as I predicted minus one part that I ended up not really caring about. I wish I would've liked this better

With a full cast of characters, this book has lots of stories to tell about life, how you choose to live it, how inconvenient it can sometimes be and how hard work and determination can lift you up into something good. Told from alternating perspectives we get the history of the characters, events that include the tragedy of a lost child, the inability to cope, the determination to make something of oneself. It was moving, at times funny, always thought-provoking. No room for what-ifs, this is life, and Emma, Riley, Genevieve and Miller find peace at the end, for they have each other.

Kristan Higgins has always been a favorite author of mine. With her ability to deliver strong fleshed out characters that you truly want to know and her emotional and yet charming heroines and witty dialogue, her books are just so much fun to devour and are always so much more than a fluff read.

This time told in multiple point of views, I love Higgins ability to both make us hate some of the characters and later, not only care for them, but even like them. Most of all, she makes us feel for them in some many different ways. I love authors that can not only bring out the emotions in me, but make me truly think and truly feel, so much so that sometimes I want to both put the book down to catch my breathe and keep on reading it because I just can't get enough and have to know what happens next.

Truly an amazing book about people in all stages of life, each with their own personal demons, regrets, and ability to live, love, grow, and most of all, let go and forgive.

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley. It does not impact my review.

Kristan Higgins has been one of my favorite authors for a long time. I’ve read all of her Romance books multiple times and they never fail to lift my mood. Higgins’ writing has evolved over the last few years, though, as she’s moved into the Women’s Fiction market. She is still an excellent writer, perhaps even more popular now than ever, but I have to admit I don’t love the books of her newer genre as much as her backlist.

Life and Other Inconveniences is a multi-generational story focusing on the lives of Emma, her estranged grandmother Genevieve, and her daughter Riley. In addition to their POVs, there are a couple chapters from Genevieve’s son and Emma’s father, Clarke, and Miller, a widower/single father and Emma’s new love interest. I felt like there was kind of a lot to keep track of, even though there wasn’t a lot actually happening. The story is heavily character-driven and the first half was almost nothing but character history. One of the things that makes Higgins’ writing so distinctive is her use of flashback chapters and I usually love them, but they just didn’t work as well for me here. At one point there were three flashback chapters in a row from different POVs and it felt like too much. They are usually so effectively placed and I was a little disappointed how they were used here. I think the story could have benefited from sticking with fewer POVs.

I often say that such a character-driven story either has to have characters I love or love to hate, but I felt a little ambivalent to the characters here. I did like Emma (for the most part), Riley, Miller, and a few of the side-characters, but I never really loved them. Emma would be completely wonderful and level-headed one moment and then petty and insulting when someone made her mad. It made me a little sad that it was every time she was standing up for herself – or someone else – that she devolved to name-calling and this was supposed to be applauded. I also thought Genevieve was a pretty awful person. I never felt sorry for her, despite the things she went through. I just didn’t really care about her and it made it hard to get through her chapters.

One part of the story that I loved, though, was the romance between Emma and Miller. It played just a small part of the book, but it was cute and sweet and I liked how they helped each other. I honestly would’ve loved it if their relationship was the focus of the book instead. I don’t tend to read a ton of straight up Romance books (unless I’m in the midst of a Kindle Unlimited binge), but I will never stop hoping Higgins will return to her roots and give us another one.

Overall, Life and Other Inconveniences was enjoyable, but also a little disappointing to me. I feel like I need to say that it very well might be that I just wasn’t in the mood for this type of book when I read it and I’m sure there will be many people that absolutely love it. When I think of a Kristan Higgins book, though, I think of those sweet and funny Romances that I love and this book just didn’t fall into that category.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 3 Stars

My second Kristan Higgins read and I’m happy to say that I’m ready for more.

A deep look into four generations of family, Life and Other Inconveniences schools the reader about the path you chose in life and how it affects yourself and the others around you. Kristan blends multiple character points of view, each with an independent voice that didn’t feel overly complicated, while giving a detailed storyline.

This isn’t a normal read for me. I fell in love with Kristan’s Good Luck With That and since then I’m try to step outside my reading box. I’m glad I did. This isn’t your normal happily ever after and yet I was thoroughly entertained. I will continue my journey with Kristan’s books.

This book ended up being a lot more serious than I expected, and definitely more serious than the charming pooch in the cover art implied. Emma is a therapist living with her maternal grandfather and her teenage daughter outside Chicago, She put herself through college and grad school as a single mother, after her uber-wealthy paternal grandmother kicked her out of the house when she got pregnant at the age of 18. Now her daughter Riley is dealing with bullying classmates and they are both worrying about how they will pay for Riley's impending college expenses. At this vulnerable moment, grandmother Genevieve reaches out: she is dying, and she promises to leave her money to young Riley if they agree to stay with her for the summer.

All the characters in this book have some major problems, and, let me tell you, it was hard to keep everyone and every issue straight at times. That being said, the author does a nice job creating characters that feel like real people and have their own voices. Most of the chapters are told from the first-person points of view of Emma and Genevieve, but there are a few chapters when we get to see the action from other perspectives. To be honest, this did not always work well for me, and there were a few chapters where the style was jarringly different. But overall, I felt that the novel was extremely well-done and I look forward to hearing what our library's patron's think.

Lindas Book Obsession Reviews "Life and Other Inconveniences" by Kristan Higgins, Berkley, August 2019

WOW! Kristan Higgins, Author of "Life and Other Inconveniences" has written an intriguing, riveting, emotional, dramatic, entertaining and thought-provoking novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, and  Women's Fiction. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in this story. The author describes her colorful and dramatic cast of characters as quirky, dysfunctional, complex, and complicated. I love that there are some dogs in this story as well.

Emma London is a single Mom and has done a great job raising her 16-year-old  daughter Riley while working jobs and going to school. Emma has had a hard life with abandonment issues from several family members. Emma's grandmother did take her in for years, when she was a child but when Emma got pregnant, threw her out to fend for herself.  It certainly is quite surprising that Emma gets a call now from her Grandmother, Genevieve London, requesting that Emma return to her home, Sheerwater. This is the uber-wealthy Genevieve London, responsible for the top designer handbag line.

Emma is ambivalent of what she should do, but Riley would really like to meet her Grandmother. Emma's Pop who has always been in her life is ready to go with them. It would bring them closer to Riley's father, who leaves nearby. 

I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, decent moral values, understanding, compassion, communication, forgiveness, love and hope. Sometimes situations are not what they seem to be, and sometimes even mean spirited people can surprise you. What is the motivation for making people do the things that they do?  This is also a coming of age novel. I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel and emotional novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from NetGalley. All opinions are given freely and are completely my own.

Emma and her wealthy grandmother Genevieve have been estranged since the birth of Emma’s teenaged daughter Riley. For Genevieve, Emma’s pregnancy was a betrayal, especially after she had raised Emma for much of Emma’s life. Yet, when Genevieve calls after nearly 2 decades and asks Emma to come with Riley, Emma has little choice.

I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. Higgins developed the characters nicely even if they all weren’t the most likeable –much like life, not everyone is likeable. I also really enjoyed the multiple narrator approach. This was my first read by Kristin Higgins, but certainly not my last!

4.5/5 stars

Emma London had some early major bumps in life including the loss of her mother and essentially abandonment by her father at age eight. Sent to live with her patrician grandmother, Genevieve London, doyenne of a small Connecticut town, Emma had to adjust a completely new paradigm. Genevieve’s own sorrows of losing a young son and then a few years later, her husband have wounded her deeply. After the devastating events, she started a fashion house becoming very successful. Emma grows up in the beautiful but cold mansion as her grandmother’s hardened heart withheld love demanding only perfection. When Emma gets pregnant just before graduation high school, Genevieve throws her out.

Seventeen years later, Emma, who has made her own way very successfully with a PhD in Psychology, receives a call for help from the woman who abandoned her all those years ago. Emma and her daughter, Riley, decide to spend the summer in Connecticut helping a woman who has done little to deserve it. Not surprisingly, this story contains quite a bit of angst, painful emotions, and a lot time spent visiting old hurts and heartbreaks interspersed with some happy times as well.

Emma has given up many things to provide for Riley since her daughter’s father has proved to be less than responsible though Jason is in Riley’s life. The narrative is told from multiple POV’s which in some aspects interrupts the story’s flow; however, it does provide differing views from the several main characters.

Ms. Higgins's skills as a writer are definitely on display in this book. Readers will have to decide if this type of Women’s Fiction which cuts deeply and will take them on a real life emotional roller coaster wild ride is their cup of tea. Those who prefer Ms. Higgins’s straight romances may not be the best audience. This story contains complex health problems, tragic circumstances, and complicated relationships giving it an emotional wallop that packs a punch, but as always with Ms. Higgins's writing some humor softens the blows.

Two for two of new authors for me this week and I am definitely not complaining. I have heard of Kristan Higgins for years. Hell, I have a couple of her paperbacks on my bookshelf at home (what can I say, my TBR is massive). Yet, I hadn’t read anything of hers until this week. And damnit, I am so glad I did.

This book was a 5 star for me. I was completely hooked and engaged with the characters the entire time. They were written well. They were written like real people, with real problems, and a lot of freaking drama. To be biased, Miller and Tess were probably my favorites. Riley, I can only hope, is who my daughters might be like when they are older. And Emma – her strength like steel is admirable.

In short, some characters were likable, some were not. Some had money, others did not. You honestly get a glimpse of what privilege can provide you, and realize even that isn’t everything. Parenting is hard, single parenting and co-parenting is even harder. Losing a child is the absolute hardest.

Life and Other Inconveniences will make you laugh in solidarity, shed a tear with sadness, and fill your soul til its brimming. Higgins is now a staple in my favorites. Now, off to find those other books on my shelf…

I received an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Kristan Higgins is a must read for me every. Single. Time. I don't even need to read the synopsis to know that I will preorder her books without question. And I am never disappointed! Not only that, but she always makes me cry, even when I swear it won't happen this time. I'm a blubbering mess by the end of each of books, Life and Other Inconveniences included. I love that she always includes dogs, my favorite animal, and the way she weaves them into the story makes them part of the characters and storyline seamlessly. It's a gift she's had since her first novel. I loved the connection between Emma and Genevieve, their differences and similarities were so interesting to read about. This is a MUST read for anyone who loves contemporary women's fiction.

I have sent this review to New York Journal of Books where it will be released on the evening before the publishing date.



"Life and Other Inconveniences" by Kristan Higgins
Berkley
August 5, 2019
10-045148942X
448 Pages
Contemporary Women's Fiction

When Emma London was ten, her mother committed suicide. Her paternal grandmother, Genevieve, took her in to raise her. Aristocratic, wealthy, and snotty, she was hardly the right person to care for a young girl, but her son, Clarke, Emma's father was no better either. Genevieve believed she was better off living in her fitting atmosphere for one with the London name.

Emma barely saw her ne'er-do-well father, and looked for love from her grandmother, but it was never forthcoming. Emma became pregnant prior to her high school graduation and refused to either abort or give the child up for adoption. Genevieve threw her out like last week's garbage and fortunately, for Emma, Pop, her mother's father welcomed her.

Emma named her baby Riley, her mother's maiden name. To support them, she worked in a grocery store and took college classes at night and now, she and sixteen-year-old Riley still live with Pop in the Chicago suburbs.

When Riley's three closest friends shun her, she is bewildered and hurt, drawing into a shell. This happens right before summer vacation and Emma wonders how she can help her. Then she receives a call from Genevieve reporting she is dying. She asks Emma and Riley, the great-grandchild she never met, to come to her home in Connecticut and be with her before she dies. Emma wants no part of her but considers this as a way to get Riley away from her tormenting ex-friends, and because Emma consults with some clients via the Internet, she can work while away.

She has doubts about going, not having seen Genevieve since she disowned her:

"The night of the fateful phone call, I told Pop about Genevieve's offer when Riley was safely in her room, music playing.

"'Don't trust that ancient windbag further than you can throw her,' he said, his impressively bushy eyebrows lower in a scowl.

"'I know.'

"'Did she try to bribe you?'

"'Yep. She said she'd put Riley in the will.'"

Genevieve's "bribe" of leaving her wealth to Riley makes Emma reconsider. Finances are tight, and she worries about Riley's college education, so she unwillingly accepts the invitation with the stipulation Riley does not know about the offer.

Pop joins them, though he refuses to stay in Genevieve's mansion and instead rents a small apartment in town. Riley is flabbergasted when she sees the wealth she walks into and cannot contain her excitement. (How easy it is to sway impressionable young girls!) Emma is not happy but understands this is for Riley.

Their reunion is chilly, and Genevieve is dismayed upon meeting Riley for the first time—a typical teenager. With lustrous red hair and bold and beautiful eyes—the same eyes of her long-lost son, Sheppard—she knows she has her work cut out for her. She ponders:

"Here are some facts about getting older.

"You hate young people because their manners, clothes, and speech, as well as their taste in books, music, film, and television, are all inferior."

Genevieve, the maven of the huge fashion empire, London Designs, which has made her famous and extremely wealthy, is determined to initiate class and poise into her great-granddaughter.
Many characters round out this stirring novel with their own "tales" in separate chapters.

Genevieve comes off as a haughty, spoiled, and unforgiving woman, always turning her nose up at those she feels beneath her and expecting adoration from them. Maybe this is because her life has been anything but happy. Her oldest and most beloved son, Sheppard went missing as a young child, and after decades, there is no trace of him. Not long after this, her husband and love of her life died of a heart attack leaving her alone with Clarke, her youngest, and a boy she disdains. All she wants before she dies is closure and learning what happened to Sheppard.

Emma also dealt with difficulties as a single parent. Though she hoped her adored boyfriend, Jason would marry her, this did not happen. Now, settled in her career as a therapist, she dreads the thought of losing Riley to college and the closeness they share.

Genevieve is close to a young man, Miller Finlay who lost his wife three years before in childbirth and is saddled with a troublesome daughter who constantly has temper tantrums and cannot warm up to anyone. Miller is at his wit's end as to how to care for his little girl and the stress is taking a toll on him:

"Miller Finlay hated being a single father. He hated being a father, period. He was fairly sure he hated his daughter 95-percent of the time. She was three, but it wasn't her age. He'd pretty much hated her since the moment of her birth. Six minutes before, to be precise.

"Tess was not adorably naughty or energetic of challenging. She was horrible. Malevolent. Not the usual word used to describe a toddler, but Miller could think of nothing else to describe her screaming in the supermarket, a grating edge in her voice as she announces she was hungry (because she'd thrown her breakfast plate to the floor and demanded sugar in place of eggs.)"

The mixture of generations with differing problems, consequences, and thoughts blend to make this an interesting read. Will Genevieve ever accept Emma and Riley or will her cool and aloof demeanor go with her to the grave? Will Emma forgive her for throwing her out and not offering the love she so needed? Will she forgive her father and Riley’s father for abandoning her? Also, how does Miller fit into this scenario? A moving tale of despair, heartache, and trying to mend fences offers mystery, surprise, and an unexpected togetherness among an unlikely group.

Single mother Emma London has made a good life for herself and her daughter Riley, living in a Chicago suburb, when she gets a telephone call from her cold but fabulously wealthy great-grandmother. Genevieve has just learned that she is dying of brain cancer, and she wants Emma and Riley to come and stay with her in Connecticut for the summer. The problem is that Emma hasn’t heard from Genevieve in almost 17 years, since she kicked Emma out when she found out she was pregnant.

Most of Emma’s childhood memories are about Genevieve's negative comments: Emma didn’t care about her appearance, she didn’t stand up for herself, she squandered her opportunities, she was never good enough overall. With plenty of misgivings, Emma decides that a change at this time would be good for herself and her daughter. She decides to return to Connecticut to find out why Genevieve has reached out to her.

This is a warm, fuzzy, feel-good read, with a number of strong women characters. The story is told from the perspective of several different characters. My only issue is that things work out a little too neatly and predictably. There are a few characters who are dead at the beginning of the novel, and they are all practically canonized in the course of the novel, with nary a negative memory about any of them (it’s hard to compete with the dead – living people are complicated and messy). But readers who enjoy women’s fiction or are looking for a great vacation read, as well as fans of Higgins' writing, will fall right into this story.

I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in return for a review.