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.
Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Kristan Higgins’s Look on the Bright Side, which is out May 28th 2024.
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.
The Smith family fell on their food like hyenas on a limping baby zebra. Lark figured it was time to seize the moment. “I have some interesting news,” she said.
“Heard you got kicked out of Oncology,” Robbie said. “Probably for the best, don’t you think?”
“No, Robbie, she doesn’t think,” Addie snapped. “She wants to cure cancer. Or at least, treat it. Because she’s an angel, not like you, loser.”
“Or you, you snobby, materialistic Instagrammer,” Robbie answered.
“Shit! I forgot to take a picture of the lasagna,” Addie said.
“Anyway,” Lark said, “that is true, Robbie. I’m now working in the ER, but it’s temporary. Um, but that’s not the news. It’s a little complicated.”
“I love complicated!” Grandpop said. “Complicated makes life interesting.”
“What is it, honey?” Dad asked.
“Um…well, it’s kind of sweet, actually. This doctor who works at the hospital wants me to be his sort of date for the summer. His sister’s getting married, and he doesn’t want to be the bachelor brother, so he asked me to…hang out.”
Robbie gasped dramatically. “Oh, my God, I love that. Fake boyfriend turns real. The Proposal. The Wedding Date. Single All the Way. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Pretty Woman. I’m here for it.”
“How charming this is!” Grandpop exclaimed. “Maybe Robbie’s right and it will blossom into something real! I think this family is due for a wedding.”
“What aren’t you telling us?” Addie demanded. This was the punishment for not telling her first.
“Um…nothing! He’s a surgeon. Uh…successful. Handsome.”
“I hate supper, Mommy,” three-year-old Imogen said. “Can I have macaroni?”
“Is he paying you,” Robbie said. “Tell me he’s paying you. The Wedding Date and Pretty Woman have set a strong precedent in the love-for-money arena.”
“Of course he’s not paying her, Robbie,” Mom snapped. “She’s not a sex worker.”
“He’s not paying me, Mom. Well. Not in money.”
“She is a sex worker!” Robbie crowed. “I knew you were too good to be true, Lark!”
“Can you not say sex worker in front of the girls?” Nicole asked.
“What’s a sex worker?” Imogen asked. “I want a sex worker!”
With a sharp sigh, Nicole rose from the table and took the girls by the hand into the kitchen.
“Obviously, I’m not a sex worker,” Lark said. “It’s just…he…well, he’s going to maybe help me with some introductions at Dana Farber, that’s all. As a favor.”
“Why does he need you to pretend to be his girlfriend?” Mom asked. “That sounds unethical.”
“Not exactly his girlfriend,” Lark said. Crap. Mom was bringing up things she should’ve considered before, possibly. “More like someone he might be dating.”
“Why does he need anyone at all?” Winnie asked. “Being single isn’t the worst thing in the world.”
“Agreed,” Lark said. “But his grandmother is really old, and he wants her to think he’s…settling down. For her peace of mind, before she dies.”
“Rom-com city!” Robbie said. He raised his hand for a high-five, and Grandpop obliged.
“I seriously doubt we’ll fall in love,” Lark said, “because he’s—” horrible— “not my type.”
“Someone has to be your type again, honey,” Dad said. “You never know.”
“I do know. Thanks, Dad. I think.”
“No one could take Justin’s place, Lark,” Dad said. “We know that. Doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love again.”
There was a moment of silence at the mention of Justin’s name. Winnie reached past Grandpop and patted her shoulder awkwardly.
Dad had a point. One that might even be true.
Excerpted from LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE by Kristan Higgins, published by Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. Copyright © 2024
