Out of the Clear Blue Sky

Kristan Higgins

Contemporary Fiction

From New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins comes a funny and surprising new novel about second chances–and why the lies we tell ourselves are the most dangerous.

Lillie Silva knew life as an empty nester would be hard after her only child left for college, but when her husband abruptly dumps her for another woman just as her son leaves, her world comes crashing down. Besides the fact that this announcement is a complete surprise (to say the least), what shocks Lillie most is that she isn’t…heartbroken. She’s furious.

Lillie has loved her life on Cape Cod, but as a mother, wife and nurse-midwife, she’s used to caring for other people…not taking care of herself. Now, alone for the first time in her life, she finds herself going a little rogue. Is it over the top to crash her ex-husband’s wedding, dressed like the angel of death? Sure! Should she release a skunk into his perfect new home? Probably not! But it beats staying home and moping.

She finds an unexpected ally in her glamorous sister, with whom she’s had a tense relationship all these years. And an unexpected babysitter in of all people Ben Hallowell, the driver in a car accident that nearly killed Lillie 20 years ago. And then there’s Ophelia, her ex-husband’s oddly lost niece, who could really use a friend.

It’s the end of Lillie’s life as she knew it. But sometimes the perfect next chapter surprises you…out of the clear blue sky.

-Excerpt taken from Goodreads.

Check Goodreads to see the book’s ratings.

My Opinion

“Sometimes, your life shatters when you least expect it. Car accidents, lost pregnancies, divorce, loneliness. People you loved could disappoint you, and other people came through when you never expected it. And sometimes, happiness just rains down on you out of the clear blue sky.”

4.5 out of 5 stars (4.5 / 5) This is not my typical read. However, I oddly loved it. This book kept me company on a day I needed a great distraction. I’ll always be grateful for that.

Lillie’s husband completely blindsided her with a divorce. Not only is he leaving, he will be marrying someone new. Someone who brings him “joy,” something Lillie all of a sudden does not give him. After 20 years of marriage and sending a son off to college, they divorce.

“In the space of a few weeks, she and Brad were sleeping together, he decided he no longer loved me and that it was imperative for him to discover joy. I think you can see why I kidnapped the skunk.”

Not only do we hear from Lillie’s POV, but we deliciously get to hear from “the other woman” Melissa too. Oh the details are juicy! Lillie had me laughing multiple times. You know there are always things you’d love to do to get back at someone, but you’re too afraid of the consequences or how you’ll look because of it? Well Lillie doesn’t care and oh my wow, I adored this woman and her antics! They were petty and hilarious and my very favorite parts!

I never thought a book about such a depressing subject would entertain me so much. Higgins did a great job of touching my emotions and stringing me along for more details. While there are many heavy subjects (refer to the content summary below), Higgins did it respectfully and with care. The characters were so well laid out that I cared for each one. I’ll be looking into the author’s other works!

General content summary: F words: 15, infidelity, divorce, f/f marriage, OB/GYN visits and exams (no details), talk of infertility, miscarriage and loss, underage (and adult) drinking and drugs, intimacy (no details), details of birth (multiple times), foster care/adoption, attempted rape (some details), emergency hysterectomy, abortion considerations, detailed car accident with serious injuries. 

Thank you to Berkley for the gifted copy!

The book releases June 7, 2022.

**As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

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