Higgins (Good Luck with That) delivers an appealing tale of mid-life crises, divorce, and hopes of living happily ever after on Cape Cod, Mass. Lillie Silva, a nurse and midwife, is blindsided when her husband of 20 years, Brad Fairchild, announces he wants a divorce just as their only child is headed to college. Melissa Finch seems to have it all: beauty, brains, immense wealth, and a beautiful daughter in 12-year-old Ophelia. But what few know is that she began her life in poverty as Missy-Jo Cumbo in tiny Wakefield, Ohio; Ophelia is actually her niece whom Melissa got custody of after Ophelia's mother was sentenced to prison for drug offenses; and Melissa's series of marriages have been carefully calculated so that she'll never be poor again. Next in her sights: Brad. Higgins alternates points of view from wholesome Lillie and scheming Melissa, ratcheting up the tension as the latter's house of cards begins to fall. Higgins's tight plotting keeps the narrative moving along, and her well-drawn characters feel alive on the page. This is another winner for Higgins. (June)

Lillie Silva has built a wonderful life. She loves her job as a midwife, her son is about to graduate from high school, and she has a great relationship with her in-laws. She's planned a romantic European getaway for her husband, Brad, but the evening she reveals the surprise, he announces that he wants a divorce. Lillie is shocked, but she quickly learns the reason for the divorce: wealthy newcomer Melissa Finch. Lillie's hurt quickly transforms into a thirst for petty revenge, and her antics expose Brad's shallowness and demonstrate that life without him could be an improvement. Melissa's story is cleverly interspersed into the main narrative, showing readers how Missy-Jo Cumbo, a poor kid from small-town Ohio, transformed into glamorous multimillionare philanthropist Melissa Finch, Cape Cod--based husband stealer. Higgins is known for her emotionally potent novels about characters whose lives are in transition, and Lillie's story includes thoughtful reflections about parenting, marriage, and the surprises that life brings when our path suddenly changes. A big-hearted treat for relationship-fiction readers; suggested for fans of Susan Mallery.

A woman gets revenge--and a whole new life--when her husband announces he's leaving her the day before their son graduates from high school. Lillie Silva is heartbroken that her only son, Dylan, is about to graduate from high school and leave their home in Cape Cod to attend college all the way in Montana. But she knows she'll still be plenty busy--she has a wonderful job as a nurse midwife, family nearby (even if they have their problems), and, best of all, she's about to surprise her husband, Brad, with a trip to Europe. But when Brad takes her out to dinner the night before Dylan's graduation, it's not to celebrate raising their wonderful son--it's to tell her he wants a divorce because he's in love with Melissa Finch, a much younger woman who recently moved to town. Lillie had dreamed of handling her son's departure by commiserating with the only other person who really understood--but now she'll be spending all her time alone. With a lot of free time on her hands, Lillie starts playing small pranks on Brad--like, for example, unleashing a skunk in his new home. It's not all laughs, though--Lillie feels a deep grief over the loss of the life she had, one with a devoted husband, family holidays, and all the little routines she thought would last forever. She also mourns the daughter she delivered stillborn years ago and imagines how much less lonely her life would be if that daughter had lived. As she adjusts to being on her own, Lillie starts to reconnect with people from her past--including her former classmate Ben Hallowell, who was behind the wheel in a car accident that nearly ended Lillie's life. And when she befriends Ophelia, Melissa's niece (who lives with her), Lillie realizes that life still has plenty of surprises in store. Higgins manages to address a plethora of tough topics, including infertility and sexual assault, and give them the respect they deserve while also crafting a story that's full of hope. With a blend of humor and poignancy reminiscent of Nora Ephron's Heartburn, Lillie's witty narration never obscures the very real devastation that she feels as the family she loved breaks apart. A beautifully told blend of grief, hope, and humor that showcases Higgins at her best. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Lillie Silva, beloved mother, excellent homemaker, and successful nurse-midwife, is utterly baffled when her husband makes a rash decision to leave her for a rich, young widow, telling her he needs to go on a journey to "find his joy." Her surprise turns to anger when she learns he and his new wife have set up house right in Lillie's hometown on Cape Cod. At first Lillie finds satisfaction in carrying out harmless acts of revenge (which will be entertaining to readers), but soon she finds opportunities for strength and grace, being the bigger person as she takes the opportunity to help her ex-husband's new wife in an unexpected situation. The POV mainly stays with Lillie but is shared with Melissa, the new wife, whose selfish outlook eventually changes and matures. Higgins (Now That You Mention It) has created an accomplished protagonist with strong values, a good heart, and an enviable network of friends. Everyone in the community is on her side; take that, ex-husband! VERDICT This will be satisfying for readers who like to see a strong woman thrive during times of trial.--Sonia Reppe