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.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
May 28, 2024 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9781705065099
- File size: 362091 KB
- Duration: 12:34:20
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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Publisher's Weekly
Starred review from March 18, 2024
Bestseller Higgins (Pack Up the Moon) proves her mastery of the romance genre in this emotional tour de force. Lark Smith fell in love with her late fiancé, Justin, in kindergarten. Now, seven years after his death, she doesn’t believe she’ll ever love again and pours all her passion into her work as an oncology resident. That’s why she’s so disappointed when she’s demoted to the ER due to her overly emotional reaction to the death of her favorite patient. So when universally despised surgeon Lorenzo Santini (aka Dr. Satan) asks her to pose as his girlfriend at a family wedding to placate his grandmother, Lark reluctantly agrees in exchange for 25 grand and Santini’s promise that he can get her back in oncology. While Dr. Satan lives up to his nickname, Lark falls in love with his welcoming Italian family—especially his brother Dante, who has a surprising tie to her past. Braided into this central romance plot are the stories of Lark’s mother, Elsbeth, and her landlady, Joy. When Elsbeth discovers that her husband has had an emotional affair, Joy, who’s spent a lifetime recovering from her father’s psychological abuse, offers her a place to stay and the women heal together. Higgins balances tear-jerking moments with happiness and hope, and crafts strong female characters worth cheering for. Readers should have tissues at the ready. -
AudioFile Magazine
Three narrators, Susan Bennett, Christina Moore, and Xe Sands, combine their talents to tell the story of Dr. Lark Smith. Lark has been moved from oncology to the ER because she is deemed to be too emotional. Dr. Lorenzo Santini has offered to help her get back to oncology if she will pretend to be his girlfriend to please his grandmother. Sands gives Lark vulnerability as her past is revealed. Bennett portrays Joy, Lark's landlady. She brings vibrancy to Joy, matching her personality. Moore provides the narration for Ellie, Lark's mother, who is dealing with complications in her marriage. Moore voices Ellie's frustrations, along with her pain. The three narrators add dimension to a story that brings both laughter and tears. S.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
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Formats
- OverDrive Listen audiobook
subjects
Languages
- English
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