IF YOU ONLY KNEW by Kristan Higgins is a fantastic story filled with memorable characters told with compassion and just the right amount of humor. The characters and their stories resonated with me and drew me into the novel. The book has Ms. Higgin's trademark quirky characters and fabulous, fun dialogue. IF YOU ONLY KNEW depicts the complex relationship between two sisters, their respective (ex-) husbands, family, and friends. The dual narrative technique that the author used in the novel works perfectly as each sister has a unique voice. By using this narrative method, insight to the two main characters lives is provided and each sisters' strengths and weaknesses are highlighted.

The two sisters are the newly divorced wedding dress designer Jenny Tate and her sister Rachel Carver. Jenny has left New York City to open a bridal shop in her hometown. She needs to make a clean break from her ex-husband Owen, his wife Ana-Sofia and their infant daughter. The scenes showing Jenny as being "uber friendly" with her perfect ex-husband, his new family and friends, were well- written and hilarious. Kristan Higgins is spot on with her dialogue and characters.

Jenny's sister Rachel Carver is married to an attorney and the mother of three-year-old triplets. A stay-at-home mom, Rachel is living the Martha Stewart life until she looks at a text on her husband's cellphone. Rachel is stunned by the text. Is her husband having an affair?

Both the primary and secondary characters are well-developed and play an important role in the plot. Rachel's husband, Adam Carver, is fabulous. The scenes with the marriage counselor are full of emotion and heartbreak and are superbly written. My favorite character is piano teacher Leo Killian. He is Jenny's landlord and not exactly what he appears to be. I enjoyed how his character developed during the story. Leo made me laugh out loud, cry and smile. Loved Jenny and Rachel's mother Lenore Tate. Her story played an important role in her daughter's lives. Jenny is aware of a big secret that, if revealed, would negatively impact her mother and sister.

Sisters and their secrets, sexting coworkers, divorces, and death are not common themes in the romance genre. Kristan Higgins uses emotion and humor to tell the Tate sisters' story. Both sisters need to face the truths in their relationships and it was that journey that kept me reading. The sisters love and respect for each other is tested many times and there are several surprises as the novel reaches its ending.

If you love a well-written sister story, pick up IF YOU ONLY KNEW -- you'll love it!