Once in a Blue Moon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Once in a Blue Moon by Kristan Higgins

If I was asked to critique the cover, which I wasn't, 
I'd say she needs a ponytail. Several mentions of her
hair and it was always in a slicked back ponytail.

NetGalley

Winnie Smith was never supposed to be that woman. She’s the responsible sister, the behind-the-scenes event planner, the one who avoids drama at all costs. So how did she end up publicly branded as the other woman—and promptly canceled by the Mommy Mafia of Cape Cod? One disastrous relationship, a missing background detail, and suddenly Winnie’s quiet life is in shambles.

Enter Lorenzo Santini, the world-renowned surgeon, feared and revered by colleagues, with zero patience for incompetence and life’s ordinary tasks. Known to hospital staff as Dr. Satan, Lorenzo needs a personal assistant—and Winnie needs a fresh start. It’s strictly business … until it isn’t.

As Winnie manages Lorenzo’s demanding schedule and carefully guarded life, she discovers there’s more beneath his intimidating exterior than arrogance and ambition. And Lorenzo begins to see that Winnie is anything but invisible.

Once in a blue moon, two people who seem to have nothing in common could turn out to be perfect for each other after all.

Genre: Fiction, Rom Com, Contemporary Romance

The How/Why: A few of my bookish friends on Goodreads received ALCs and recommended this one with 4 and 5 star ratings. It was still listed on NetGalley so I put in my request. Approved. 🥳

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

🎉 Overall Enjoyment? 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎊*

🎣 Did it grab and keep my attention? 🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

🗣️Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes ➕

🕮 Would I want a sequel? Maybe 🤷 I'm not big in sequels but wouldn't mind following their story.

📚 Would I want to read more books by this author? Yes ➕

💣💥 📢 Content Warnings? InꞘidɇlitɎ (she's branded and ousted as the Other Woman) Is that really a TW?

🌶 Spice? No

🌪 Plot Twist? No

👟 Pace? Good

💻 Tidbits ~ Ahhhh, this is a good one. If RomCom isn't your thing this one might change your mind. There was a Once in a Blue Moon chance that these two would end up in a love connection. 

Winnie has always been in the background keeping things organized. Lorenzo, nicknamed Dr. Sǟtǟn, is a world-renowned surgeon used to being the center of attention for his expertise and holding medical staff accountable, even though he'd rather fade into the background in his off time. 

Winnie has just had a bad breakup when she's accused of being a homewrecker for having an affair with a married man. Said man used a different name and never told her he was married with children. Due to the public scandal her reputation is ruined forcing her to close her event planning business.

Dr. Sǟtǟn is in need of a personal assistant because he's way to busy to make his own travel arrangements, keep his schedule organized, hire a landscaper, order groceries, etc. Enter his sister-in-law's sister in need of a job.

Dr. StuffyMcBlunt meet Little Miss GoWithTheFlow. "Your car is ugly, park it in the garage". Okey Dokey then. She's super organized and always one step ahead of him. She ends up being everything the doctor ordered and then some.

This relationship isn't insta-love nor a slow burn. It lands in the middle with a medium flame ignited through gentle nudges of kindness and respect.
Dr. Sǟtǟn earned his :swoon:worthy: award at the airport when Winnie ran smack into Mr. Lying Cheating Married With Children. Lorenzo dropped his dɇviĽ horns when he recognized her distress and stepped into the leading man role. IYKYK.

*I thought I was going to have to deduct a half a star because Winnie was dwelling on her lost love a little too much but she made up for it by discovering her own worth along the way.

🎧 Narrator: Xe Sands - very good. I actually preferred her Lorenzo voice over her Winne voice which was a little too breathy for me.

🎧Says 3.20 hours but starts off with '6.04 left to go' on my app so somewhere between 3 and 6 hours!🤷 Google "says these variations often occur before a book's official release when final production times are still being confirmed." Not that it really matters to me, just sayin'. 
🕮 241 pages

Not yet published. Expected 4-06-2026

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review.

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13 and counting

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