KRISTAN HIGGINS
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
If You Only Knew
"Higgins is the queen of the summertime read with a little something more."- Library Journal
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Sisterhood in all its drama, hilarity and tears is at the heart of New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins's thoroughly captivating new novel, featuring the wit and romance that readers have come to expect from the much-loved creator of the Blue Heron series.
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Letting go of her ex-husband is harder than wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate expected…especially since his new wife seems to want to be Jenny’s new best friend. Sensing this isn’t helping her move on, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she’ll start her own business and bask in her sister Rachel’s picture-perfect family life…and maybe even find a little romance of her own with Leo, her downstairs neighbor, a guy who’s utterly irresistible and completely distant at the same time.
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Unfortunately, Rachel’s idyllic marriage is imploding after she discovers her husband sexting with a colleague. She always thought she’d walk away in this kind of situation, but her three daughters have her reconsidering, much to Jenny’s surprise. Rachel points to their parents’ perfect marriage as a shining example; to protect her sister, Jenny may have to tarnish that memory—and their relationship—and reveal a family secret she’s been keeping since childhood.
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Both Rachel and Jenny will have to come to terms with the past and the present, and find a way to get what they want most of all.
Fun fact: My sainted mother came up with the title of this book after about 35 of my own attempts.
Thanks, Mommy!
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The Unofficial If You Only Knew Soundtrack
When Jenny meets Leo in If You Only Knew, she’s surprised to learn that Billy Joel and Elton John songs don’t count as classical piano. They do in her mind, that’s for sure! The musical banter between Jenny and Leo makes for some great reading, and for great listening too. If Jenny’s life were a soundtrack, these would be some of the major songs.
So, enjoy the following playlist almost any time—whether you’re spending a night of reading with a glass of wine in hand, hosting a dinner party with friends, riding the subway to work, or driving to see your sister and her kids.
Piano Man by Billy Joel
A classical piano tune, according to Jenny. To Leo, not so much.
Tiny Dancer by Elton John
Another song that Jenny tells Leo should count as “classical.”
You Belong with Me by Taylor Swift
Jenny is listening to Taylor Swift when Leo comes up to her apartment. In Jenny’s mind, Taylor is a musical genius.
Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder
Leo says Stevie is a musical genius; Taylor Swift is a girl who never got over high school. This is also the song Kristan and her husband danced to at their wedding! A little behind-the-scenes author tidbit.
New York, New York by Frank Sinatra
Before moving out of Manhattan, Jenny thinks of this song…“To paraphrase the song, if you make it here, the rest of the world is a cake walk.” Manhattan figures prominently for both sisters in the this story, though most scenes take place in the fictional town of Cambry-on-Hudson.
Sonata Pathetique by Ludwig van Beethoven
A song played by Leo’s star student, Evander. Jenny is so blown away by his playing that she eavesdrops from the stoop.
Clocks by Coldplay
A popular song with Leo’s piano students. Jenny likes to think she wasn’t too far off with Billy Joel and Elton John when she hears this song coming from his apartment.
Son of a Preacher Man by Dusty Springfield
A great karaoke song, as you’ll discover from one character.
Let it Go from the Disney movie “Frozen”
Leo’s young piano students play a ton of Disney songs (and Jenny really just needs to let Owen go!) You can bet Rachel hears the song a lot with three toddler daughters, too.
Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven
One of the few songs the author can still play after 8 years of piano lessons. Her daughter is much better at it.
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Franz Listz
This song plays an important role in a big scene at the end of the book.
Fix You by Coldplay
This one isn’t in the book specifically, but it’s such a sad, sweet song, and Kristan played it a lot while writing the book. She imagines it to be sort of the theme song for Jenny and Leo.