If You Only Knew

Publisher's Summary

Sisterhood in all its drama, hilarity, and tears is at the heart of New York Times best-selling author Kristan Higgins' thoroughly captivating new novel, featuring the wit and romance that listeners have come to expect from the much-loved creator of the Blue Heron series.

Wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate understands the happily ever after business, yet somehow she's still involved in her ex-husband's life. In fact Owen's new wife may - inexplicably - be Jenny's new best friend. Sensing this, well, relationship isn't helping her move on, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she'll be able to bask in her sister Rachel's picture-perfect family life...and hopefully make one of her own.

Her timing couldn't be more perfect, since Rachel will need her younger sister. Her idyllic marriage has just fallen to pieces in spectacular fashion after she discovers her husband sexting with one of his colleagues. Second chances aren't in Rachel's nature, but the desire for an intact family has her rethinking her stance on adultery, much to Jenny's surprise. Rachel points to their parents' "perfect" marriage as a shining example. But to protect her sister, Jenny may have to tarnish that memory - and their relationship - and reveal a secret about their family she's been keeping since childhood.

During this summer of secrets and lies, temptation and revelation, Jenny and Rachel will rely on each other to find the humor in their personal catastrophes, the joy in their triumphs...and the strength to keep hanging on.

©2015 Kristan Higgins (P)2015 Recorded Books

Great story and amazing performance!

Funny yet touching. I love the ending and made me thought about life, love, family and marriage..Such a wonderful book. And I really like Xe Sands' performance!! I felt I could see her! her laughing, crying or smiling... Great great performance!!!

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

EXCELLENCE made EXCELLENT thru the NARRATION.

What did you love best about If You Only Knew?

How the depth of each character progressed.

What did you like best about this story?

The humor and the narrators

Have you listened to any of Xe Sands and Amy Rubinate ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never have but I will search them out now.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many to pick just one

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Good story - great characters

Any additional comments?

Loved it. The two female leads, sisters, were both wonderful characters. They were very different but very close. Their mother was a pill. Their father was deceased. One female, Rachael, was married with triplet girls. Her husband was a jerk. The other sister was divorced (dumped). In this book the two sisters are working through hard times and life in general. May sound boring, but it definitely was not. The story was interesting and I ran through every emotion - laughter, tears, anger, hatred, jealousy, etc. I am so glad I chose this book.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Perfect

Laugh and cry Kristen Higgins is just so talented! I read anything she puts out there and I'm NEVER disappointed.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Mediocre at Best

I bought this book based on the great reviews. I can't give it an excellent or even a good. Gosh, the characters are so infantile, narcissistic behavior from both main female characters, and bottom line communicated in this book is boys will be boys. The old cliche, boys can do whatever, females have to struggle. Writing is ok, nothing special, the story line is very repetitive. This book got me all depressed and it did not deal with the problems that were presented in a good way. I would not even read this at the beach. The performance was very nasal and just ok, sometimes the narrator(s) almost sounded bored. I finished the book, but if you can get it for free or for $3.95 and you like the positive reviews, then get it, otherwise, you can skip it.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

One Good Book!

What did you love best about If You Only Knew?

I loved the story line, as predictable as it was, the characters were interesting and felt myself not wanting the book to end because now I won't know what is going on in their lives!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of If You Only Knew?

I was a big fan of the Leo, Jenny and Owen story line. I cried over Leo's situation (without giving anything away). And I loved how Jenny took care of business at the end with Owen.

Have you listened to any of Xe Sands and Amy Rubinate ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've heard Xe Sands before and this was one of the main reason's I got the book. Her performance is always outstanding; she seems like she is talking to me, not reading a book.

If you could rename If You Only Knew, what would you call it?

Sisters Starting Over?

Any additional comments?

Read or listen to this book!!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Highly recommend this book!

Would you consider the audio edition of If You Only Knew to be better than the print version?

Since I only do audio I can't really compare it to an actual book. The performance of the two main characters was amazing though. I especially enjoyed the quick wit read of Jenny's voice. The actresses did a outstanding job! And I do consider them actresses and not just readers of a story. :-)

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed when Kimbers mom defended her daughter to the soon to be new horrible mother in law. I also enjoyed the sweet interaction between Jenny and Evander, the piano student.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did laugh OUT LOUD as well as shed a few tears with this book. The story lines felt very real. And I found myself thinking it was going to go in a different direction and then it would surprise me.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

This is a fabulous read!

I have new favorites! This is my first Kristan Higgins book. What a talent! How did she know Jenny & I think alike, in our thoughts. Wow!
The narrators were amazing and I could barely wait to get back to this story! I read the ending so slowly, because I could not stand for it to be over. The irony is I’m so grateful this was a great story, because I was unfamiliar with the author and the narrators. I simply chose this book because I loved the cover!! You will not be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Love

Love the author, the book, the characters and the readers! Always excited to see a book from Kristan Higgins!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Listened straight through

Initially I found the narration annoying but once the story took off I really enjoyed the ride - although the twists & turns were predictable there were a few laugh out loud moments & truly sad parts - though I did scream 'what???' at the ending that was too fast and left me feeling a tad duped!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful