Always the Last to Know

By: Kristan Higgins

Narrated by: Laural Merlington, Amy Rubinate, Xe Sands, Graham Winton

Length: 12 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times best-selling author Kristan Higgins, a new novel examining a family at the breaking point in all its messy, difficult, wonderful complexity.

The Frosts are a typical American family. Barb and John, married almost 50 years, are testy and bored with each other...who could blame them after all this time? At least they have their daughters - Barb's favorite, the perfect, brilliant Juliet; and John's darling, the free-spirited Sadie. The girls themselves couldn't be more different, but at least they got along, more or less. It was fine. It was enough. 

Until the day John had a stroke, and their house of cards came tumbling down. 

Now Sadie has to put her career as a teacher and struggling artist in New York on hold to come back and care for her beloved dad - and face the love of her life, whose heart she broke, and who broke hers. Now Juliet has to wonder if people will notice that despite her perfect career as a successful architect, her perfect marriage to a charming Brit, and her two perfect daughters, she's spending an increasing amount of time in the closet having panic attacks. 

And now Barb and John will finally have to face what's been going on in their marriage all along. 

From the author of Good Luck with That and Life and Other Inconveniences comes a new novel of heartbreaking truths and hilarious honesty about what family really means.

©2020 Kristan Higgins (P)2020 Recorded Books

Life is messy

I enjoyed this book for a variety of reasons. Characters are well developed. Friendships in book are sincere, flawed & often funny.
Many authors stop including characters over the age of 30 - 40 years. Ms. Higgins thoughtfully developed a couple as they approached their older years. Sadness, joy, pride and room to change seem to continue despite age.
I enjoyed the book. I saw glimpses of myself in different characters.
I’m glad I took the time to read “Always the Last to Know.”

Bitch, bitch, bitch

I usually enjoy this author. But this book is 12 hours and 58 minutes of some old hag bitching about her boring life that in my opinion is her own darn fault. Take responsibility for your choices and stop whining. Ugh.

Disappointed

I enjoy the witty banter and sarcasm and general stories of growth presented in Kristan Higgins books and typically watch for new releases.

I struggled to really like the women in the book. They definitely improved, but I found them difficult to relate. The mother was the worst and I couldn’t like that she couldn’t really take responsibility for the damage she created to the family dynamic. I understand she was hurt, angry and disillusioned but she helped create the mess. There were glimpses of acknowledgement, but I ended the book never really feeling like she did the work but just expected everyone to adjust to her skewed expectations of the world. Just because she tried hard, made a nice home and was best friends with one of her children, that should be plenty.

I made myself finish the story, but had I understood this, I likely would have skipped it in the first place.

Oops-I Fell For It Again

I managed to forget that this author has written the same book for the last two years. The dynamics are the same. The victimhood follows the same pattern. The one exception is there were Three victims in this one. The worst part was the mother. She literally whines her way to the end. Even when she seems happy, she sounded like she was whining. Definitely returning this. Never again.

Not my favorite

I usually enjoy this selection of books from Kristan Higgins, but for some reason this one didn't hit the same as the previous books.
It could be because I need someone other than Xe Sands to narrate her books. I wish she would consider a different narrator once in awhile. Xe Sands is best in small doses & her voice makes me hate every character she voices. Maybe best to just pick the book up at the library next time. I enjoy being able to listen to audible while doing other things but I cannot take the narration anymore.

I miss the characters now that I'm done!

I've read all of Kristan Higgins' books that aren't specifically categorized as "romance" now, and this might be my favorite. Yes, it's predictable, but that's what we come here for... I loved the characters in this one, and their relationships with each other. The ending was satisfying. I find myself missing the characters days after I'm done reading the book. This is all of the stuff that we turn to chick lit for. The narration is fantastic--so good that I'll probably eventually forgive Xe Sands for what is really unforgivable: calling Lin Manuel (Miranda) "Lin Manual." I mean, even if you've never heard of Lin Manuel, certainly you've at some point in your life been exposed to someone named Manuel? I just about DIED every time she said "Lin Manual!" BUT, the rest of the narration is fantastic so, dear listener, just brace yourself for that truly horrific part and enjoy the rest!

Heartwarming to everyone who needs closure

I really like the plot! The characters are very engaging and realistic. All the family members have their flaws but they all come through at the end. Beautifully executed book about compassion and accountability. The regular voice actors did great as always!

Wish I could give it my usual 5, but a solid 4.

Very enjoyable book with great charaters and love the multiple narrators. KH is a top favorite of mine and every book before this has been a 5(or more if I could), however, this one fell a little short for me. KH books seem to be getting heavier and I miss the awkward funny happy moments. Felt a little more like the four main charaters were in therapy.

Her Best Novel (so far) And That's Saying a Lot

Each novel Kristan Higgins has written has been more full of heart, compelling characters, laughs and tears, charm, and complex life situations than the previous one. This is her best yet. I listened to it over the course of a single day and evening. Each narrator was simply wonderful.

Incredible

I'm a huge Kristan Higgins fan, and have read everything she's written. This is her best work. The complexity of the characters and their growth is beautiful. I love her style, and the choice of narrators here is perfection. I wish more authors had multiple narrators like this. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.