From the author of Pack Up the Moon comes a funny, romantic, and deeply moving novel about the unexpected rewards that come from life’s detours.
Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.
Things aren’t going so well.
For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happened. Two, she’s just been transferred out of oncology for being too emotional. (Is it her fault she’s a weeper?) Three, her parents just split up.
Deviating from the plan was…well, not in the plan. A potential solution comes from the foul-tempered and renowned surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan). He needs a date this summer for his sister’s wedding. His ancient Noni wants to see him settled. In exchange, he could make a few introductions and maybe get Lark back into the field of her choice.
As a sucker for old people and fake relationships, Lark agrees. Teeny problem—she instantly falls for his big, warm family. Especially his estranged brother.
Meanwhile, Lark’s mom has moved in with Lark’s colorful landlady, Joy, and an unlikely friendship blossoms. The three women have a long summer and a big beautiful house on the ocean to figure out what’s next…and quite possibly learn that the best things in life aren’t planned at all.
Heavier Than It Appears
"The main reason I bought this book was because it was related to A Little Ray of Sunshine, which I absolutely adored. Lark, the MFC in Look on the Bright Side, is the sister of Harlow, the MFC in A Little Ray of Sunshine. This too was a phenomenal read. My only criticism is that the blurb is very misleading. The blub makes it look like a typical lighthearted enemies to lovers/Grumpy Sunshine read, and that is exactly how it starts. But then it takes a completely different turn and goes in an entirely different direction. There are some laugh out loud hilarious moments, and the grump definitely takes the prize for the grumpiest grump I've ever read, but there are some devastating moments in there as well. I found myself laughing hysterically in one chapter and then ugly crying in the next. Had I known that there was so much about sickness, death and dying, I might not have read it in the first place, but then I would have missed out on a truly amazing story. I just want the reader to be aware that there are a lot of heavy moments in this book, along with the hilarity."
