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The Bright Side of Disaster
Very pregnant and not quite married, Jenny Harris doesn't mind that she and her live-in fiancé, Dean, accidentally started their family a little earlier than planned. But Dean is acting distant, and the night he runs out for cigarettes and doesn't come back, he demotes himself from future husband to sperm donor. And the very next day, Jenny goes into labor.
In the months that follow, Jenny plunges into a life she never single motherhood. At least with the sleep deprivation, sore boobs, and fits of crying (both hers and the baby's), there's not much time to dwell on her broken heart. And things are looking Jenny learns how to do everything one-handed, makes friends in a mommy group, and even gets to know a handsome, helpful neighbor. But Dean is never far from Jenny's thoughts or, it turns out, her doorstep, and in the end she must choose between the old life she thought she wanted and the new life she's been lucky to find.
In the months that follow, Jenny plunges into a life she never single motherhood. At least with the sleep deprivation, sore boobs, and fits of crying (both hers and the baby's), there's not much time to dwell on her broken heart. And things are looking Jenny learns how to do everything one-handed, makes friends in a mommy group, and even gets to know a handsome, helpful neighbor. But Dean is never far from Jenny's thoughts or, it turns out, her doorstep, and in the end she must choose between the old life she thought she wanted and the new life she's been lucky to find.
249 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 2006
666 people are currently reading
15829 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Center
22 books30.8k followershttps://katherinecenter.com/about/
https://www.instagram.com/katherinece...
BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels, including The Bodyguard, Hello Stranger, Things You Save in a Fire, and her summer 2024 book, The Rom-Commers. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books: bittersweet romantic comedies about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” The Netflix movie adaptation of her novel Happiness for Beginners—starring Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes—just hit the Global Top Ten in 81 countries, and the movie of her novel The Lost Husband was a surprise Netflix sensation in 2020, hitting number one and landing in their top 25 movies for the year. Her books have made countless Best-Of lists—at Audible, BookBub, and Book of the Month, as well as Goodreads' Best Books of the Year, and Amazon's yearly Top 100 books. Emily Henry calls The Bodyguard “my perfect 10 of a book,” and Jodi Picoult says of Things You Save in a Fire, “Just read it, and thank me later.” Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two almost-grown teenagers, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.
https://www.instagram.com/katherinece...
BookPage calls Katherine Center “the reigning queen of comfort reads.” She’s the New York Times bestselling author of eleven novels, including The Bodyguard, Hello Stranger, Things You Save in a Fire, and her summer 2024 book, The Rom-Commers. Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books: bittersweet romantic comedies about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and the Dallas Morning News calls her stories, “satisfying in the most soul-nourishing way.” The Netflix movie adaptation of her novel Happiness for Beginners—starring Ellie Kemper and Luke Grimes—just hit the Global Top Ten in 81 countries, and the movie of her novel The Lost Husband was a surprise Netflix sensation in 2020, hitting number one and landing in their top 25 movies for the year. Her books have made countless Best-Of lists—at Audible, BookBub, and Book of the Month, as well as Goodreads' Best Books of the Year, and Amazon's yearly Top 100 books. Emily Henry calls The Bodyguard “my perfect 10 of a book,” and Jodi Picoult says of Things You Save in a Fire, “Just read it, and thank me later.” Katherine lives in her hometown of Houston, Texas, with her husband, two almost-grown teenagers, and their fluffy-but-fierce dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,270 reviews
September 26, 2022
This was quite simply, a feel good easy to read audiobook. I LOVE this narrator’s everything, I think she has the knack of translating Katherine Center's wit into completely hilarious, without trying to. So again, thank you Thérèse Plummer. She is a pro in every single one I have listened to. In fact, I have just started Everyone is Beautiful which is narrated by someone else, and I knew in the first para that it’s not going to be as good.
This is the author’s debut, and I believe it’s a solid start, and am so pleased she’s kept going.
Jenny has chosen a douche bag of a partner, he’s bad in every way, and has discarded her, just like everything else he’s tried in life. RIGHT before labour day – yes you’ve read correct. The day before she is due to give birth. He is the kind of bloke that goes to band practice every day, and the band pretty much sucks. They are engaged, and clearly she’s not really making good choices. But she’s the type of lay it out there gal that you want to root for.
There are many cliches here, but I read so much heavy fiction that this type of read is perfect for me, and I rate on a as I go scale, and this one fits the bill for me completely. Bad choice, back and forth, a single mum pushing on. Second chances at love and good friendships.
Even a dodgy attempt of the in-laws to be offering to support her little family isn’t enough for her to accept the status quo. The mother-in-law to be is tragic!
Jenny and her frazzled nature did show the difficulties of single parenting. She mentioned how much she couldn’t cook given her lack of time, that she could only get by on nuts and dry cereal. I know it’s not important, it doesn’t matter, but I’m not sure if that would be the case. Cooking a teenie bit of food could be doable. But I am being nit-picky here.
Her best friend disappeared for a while and I found this was side stepped a tiny bit and could have done with a little more attention - they were a force to be reckoned with and they fizzled out for a quick minute. But that didn't detract from my high rating.
I loved it for the escapism and the wit and a bit of happy ever after. I love this author, this narrator, and the fact that I’ve found myself another reliable go to. Yay!
This is the author’s debut, and I believe it’s a solid start, and am so pleased she’s kept going.
Jenny has chosen a douche bag of a partner, he’s bad in every way, and has discarded her, just like everything else he’s tried in life. RIGHT before labour day – yes you’ve read correct. The day before she is due to give birth. He is the kind of bloke that goes to band practice every day, and the band pretty much sucks. They are engaged, and clearly she’s not really making good choices. But she’s the type of lay it out there gal that you want to root for.
There are many cliches here, but I read so much heavy fiction that this type of read is perfect for me, and I rate on a as I go scale, and this one fits the bill for me completely. Bad choice, back and forth, a single mum pushing on. Second chances at love and good friendships.
Even a dodgy attempt of the in-laws to be offering to support her little family isn’t enough for her to accept the status quo. The mother-in-law to be is tragic!
Jenny and her frazzled nature did show the difficulties of single parenting. She mentioned how much she couldn’t cook given her lack of time, that she could only get by on nuts and dry cereal. I know it’s not important, it doesn’t matter, but I’m not sure if that would be the case. Cooking a teenie bit of food could be doable. But I am being nit-picky here.
Her best friend disappeared for a while and I found this was side stepped a tiny bit and could have done with a little more attention - they were a force to be reckoned with and they fizzled out for a quick minute. But that didn't detract from my high rating.
I loved it for the escapism and the wit and a bit of happy ever after. I love this author, this narrator, and the fact that I’ve found myself another reliable go to. Yay!
November 30, 2019
3 Sweet Stars!
Pregnancy wasn’t exactly in Jenny’s plan but it happened and she embraces it. Jenny thinks her boyfriend Dean does too. After all, he proposed to her. Unfortunately for Jenny, she thought wrong. It becomes crystal clear when he abandons her mere hours before she is due to give birth and yet, she still hopes he’ll come back.. someday. Perhaps those are pregnancy hormones talking?
Jenny however, is one tough gal and except for a few blips in the beginning, she is a natural when it comes to motherhood.
Mommy groups and bargaining with neighbors for help in exchange for home cooked meals, Jenny has got life down pat. Life is going well, until her cute (ok, gorgeous) neighbor Gardner asks her out. That is something she didn’t bargain for. To make matters worse, her MIA Boyfriend Dean shows up right when things start getting good, ruining everything. What’s a girl to do?
“The Bright Side of Disaster” was Katherine Center’s debut novel which I found to be sweet, quirky and adorable. My favorite character here is Gardner.. can I just say: Hubba hubba? I am loving going back and listening to and/or reading Katherine Center’s backlist and this was no exception.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me this audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 11.30.19.
Pregnancy wasn’t exactly in Jenny’s plan but it happened and she embraces it. Jenny thinks her boyfriend Dean does too. After all, he proposed to her. Unfortunately for Jenny, she thought wrong. It becomes crystal clear when he abandons her mere hours before she is due to give birth and yet, she still hopes he’ll come back.. someday. Perhaps those are pregnancy hormones talking?
Jenny however, is one tough gal and except for a few blips in the beginning, she is a natural when it comes to motherhood.
Mommy groups and bargaining with neighbors for help in exchange for home cooked meals, Jenny has got life down pat. Life is going well, until her cute (ok, gorgeous) neighbor Gardner asks her out. That is something she didn’t bargain for. To make matters worse, her MIA Boyfriend Dean shows up right when things start getting good, ruining everything. What’s a girl to do?
“The Bright Side of Disaster” was Katherine Center’s debut novel which I found to be sweet, quirky and adorable. My favorite character here is Gardner.. can I just say: Hubba hubba? I am loving going back and listening to and/or reading Katherine Center’s backlist and this was no exception.
Thank you to my local library for loaning me this audiobook.
Published on Goodreads on 11.30.19.
September 9, 2023
Jenny is forced to wade into motherhood alone when her boyfriend Dean abandons her just before her due date. This had delightfully colorful characters and was quite unlike the other Katherine Center book I’d read, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Absolutely loved the hilariously snarky descriptions of the very real moments of motherhood. That birth plan that so did not go as planned. Nursing. I couldn’t stop laughing at poor Jenny’s experience with the almonds. She was such an everyday character and you could so relate to her problems. And ugh. Dean!! Such a man-child with the band always coming first even when he has a baby and crashing on the couch. I loved Jenny finally earning her way to her happy ending.
April 28, 2019
Continuing with my desire to read everything written by Katherine Center, I had to go back to her beginnings. The Bright Side of Disaster was her first published novel. Although, I do wonder about her Duran Duran fanfic :)
The Bright Side of Disaster is about a young pregnant woman, Jenny Harris. When the story begins, Jenny is staying home waiting for the arrival of her first child. Jenny is sure it's a boy. She's enjoying her pregnancy and she's happy and in love with her fiance, Dean. But her happiness won't last. Dean becomes distant and suddenly one day, he just leaves and never comes back. The day after, Jenny is in labor and all her careful birth planning goes out the window. Being a single mother is not easy. The painful birth, the lack of sleep, the battered nipples, the constant worry about this new life you have created are all things carefully brought in by the author.
There were many things I enjoyed about The Bright Side of Disaster. Katherine Center has a knack for making me smile and sometimes laugh out loud. Her characters can make me quite angry and some I wish I could hurt them physically. Dean was a perfect example. He was simply a bad man. A man who was not happy with his life and who was not mature at all. He thought Jenny was beneath him. He used her and left her high and dry when she was counting on him the most. A despicable man.
Other than Dean's parts at the end of the novel, the rest was quite enjoyable. I wished I had seen more of Jenny and Gardner together. Maybe after a year has passed.
Cliffhanger: No
3.5/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
July 30, 2020
I love Katherine Center. Every book I've read from her is wonderful. I might not have loved this one, like I have all her other ones, but it was still good and I'm glad I checked it out. I just wish Jenny would have had a backbone. I don't like weak female leads and she didn't do much for me in that regard, but the story itself was worth the read. I'm still a fan of Mrs. Center and will continue reading her work.
August 8, 2019
3 ⭐️ Stars
May 10, 2022
Review originally published September 2007
Life is just not fair! Have you heard that lately? How about, if it weren’t for bad luck, you’d have no luck at all?
I hope this is not sounding all too familiar or like the story of your life. Unfortunately, this is exactly the life of Jenny Harris in a debut novel by Katherine Center. The book is very appropriately titled The Bright Side of Disaster. The storyline has a whole lot of heart and a super sense of humor.
Jenny is a very pregnant, unemployed mother-to-be who lives with her not-so-charming fiancé, Dean. He also happens to have some very annoying habits, like smoking, sleeping late, drinking too much, and staying out late with the guys.
Dean is not at all dependable and constantly lets Jenny down by making promises he can not remember to keep. He is also not so keen about this marriage idea, let alone fatherhood! Dean needs a babysitter for himself, so how will Jenny ever trust him with his own baby?
One night, Dean goes out for cigarettes and just does not come back, leaving Jenny without her labor coach. Of course she goes into labor the very next day and nothing goes as planned at the hospital either.
It’s just one disaster after another for Jenny in the months that follow; including sleepless nights, diaper diagnosis, teething, crying jags (both Jenny and baby), dating, not dating, and ultimately the return of Dean, with his mother no less!
Needless to say, sweet young Jenny has this uncanny ability to spring back to the bright side from each disaster while she does everything with one hand tied behind her back, or so it would seem. Author Katherine Center is not very subtle and quite spirited in reminding us that disasters can be surmountable.
Jenny is not able to change all that happens to her, but she does change her thoughts and reactions to each disaster. Each unfortunate event keeps you reading to see if things can possibly turn around for Jenny.
Just when you think it is really over this time, think again.
So when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. And hey, take a lesson from Jenny Harris and look on the bright side!
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
Life is just not fair! Have you heard that lately? How about, if it weren’t for bad luck, you’d have no luck at all?
I hope this is not sounding all too familiar or like the story of your life. Unfortunately, this is exactly the life of Jenny Harris in a debut novel by Katherine Center. The book is very appropriately titled The Bright Side of Disaster. The storyline has a whole lot of heart and a super sense of humor.
Jenny is a very pregnant, unemployed mother-to-be who lives with her not-so-charming fiancé, Dean. He also happens to have some very annoying habits, like smoking, sleeping late, drinking too much, and staying out late with the guys.
Dean is not at all dependable and constantly lets Jenny down by making promises he can not remember to keep. He is also not so keen about this marriage idea, let alone fatherhood! Dean needs a babysitter for himself, so how will Jenny ever trust him with his own baby?
One night, Dean goes out for cigarettes and just does not come back, leaving Jenny without her labor coach. Of course she goes into labor the very next day and nothing goes as planned at the hospital either.
It’s just one disaster after another for Jenny in the months that follow; including sleepless nights, diaper diagnosis, teething, crying jags (both Jenny and baby), dating, not dating, and ultimately the return of Dean, with his mother no less!
Needless to say, sweet young Jenny has this uncanny ability to spring back to the bright side from each disaster while she does everything with one hand tied behind her back, or so it would seem. Author Katherine Center is not very subtle and quite spirited in reminding us that disasters can be surmountable.
Jenny is not able to change all that happens to her, but she does change her thoughts and reactions to each disaster. Each unfortunate event keeps you reading to see if things can possibly turn around for Jenny.
Just when you think it is really over this time, think again.
So when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. And hey, take a lesson from Jenny Harris and look on the bright side!
Find this book and other titles within our catalog.
May 24, 2011
Really, really enjoyed. "The Bright Side of Disaster" was, for me, like going to someone's house for dinner. It's exciting. You don't have to do any of the hard work. You eat a fantastic meal. Granted, it's food that you've had before. But it's still really good. You might get a piece of meat in your teeth. Or maybe a corn kernel. It's a little irritating in some parts, but not nearly enough to ruin the whole meal. And you are thoroughly satisfied afterward. Especially later, on the drive home, when you think that you have no mess to clean. It was good to the core- now if only you can find some floss...
SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW!!!
Dean was that corn in my teeth. He was truly irritating to every part of me. Then he was gone, and it was fantastic. Then he came back, and there it was again, bothering me with every chew. Then he was gone again. And I was happy. And now that the meal is over and I am at home relaxing, I can barely remember what was aggravating me as I ate. Because the food itself was just that darn good.
SLIGHT SPOILERS BELOW!!!
Dean was that corn in my teeth. He was truly irritating to every part of me. Then he was gone, and it was fantastic. Then he came back, and there it was again, bothering me with every chew. Then he was gone again. And I was happy. And now that the meal is over and I am at home relaxing, I can barely remember what was aggravating me as I ate. Because the food itself was just that darn good.
August 16, 2007
I read this in one sitting...couldn't put it down. While the story isn't new to the world of literature (girl's world falls apart, girl picks herself up, girl finds love again), Center does it justice. Her writing made me care for the main character enough that I didn't care if the laundry got done or if I even left my chair.
March 8, 2021
Another review that has gone missing!
I agree with another Goodreads reviewer (Chloe: Always Booked) that Jenny's Post-delivery behaviour (no spoilers here) with Dean was not rational. I blamed it on hormones or post-partum depression. Dean was pond scum and did not deserve a second chance - at all!!!
Jenny had to cope with raising her child on her own, with no financial help from him. Her baby, Maxie was was a crier
and a handful, and thank goodness for the hot neighbour, John Gardner, who always lent a helping hand or two! And which of us hasn't rushed to dress a baby, and ourselves, in our Sunday best, only to have THIS happen?!!!
This was a great read, and reminded me of all my babysitting days, and all those feedings and diaper changes! Imagine doing that full time, I thought to myself. Instead, I decided to apply myself to my studies!
I agree with another Goodreads reviewer (Chloe: Always Booked) that Jenny's Post-delivery behaviour (no spoilers here) with Dean was not rational. I blamed it on hormones or post-partum depression. Dean was pond scum and did not deserve a second chance - at all!!!
Jenny had to cope with raising her child on her own, with no financial help from him. Her baby, Maxie was was a crier
and a handful, and thank goodness for the hot neighbour, John Gardner, who always lent a helping hand or two! And which of us hasn't rushed to dress a baby, and ourselves, in our Sunday best, only to have THIS happen?!!!
This was a great read, and reminded me of all my babysitting days, and all those feedings and diaper changes! Imagine doing that full time, I thought to myself. Instead, I decided to apply myself to my studies!
October 18, 2021
Why..Why...Oh, Why! At 78% percent, this author ruined this story line for me. What a shame! I enjoy her writing style and was truly invested, wrapped up into wanting this heroine to find happiness and a certain someone else to suffer and grovel for their selfish, callous past and present behavior.
I patiently waited for the first appearance of this perfect for the heroine, neighbor next door love interest only to have to wait much longer before this amazing, obviously smitten at first sight, magic with kids, good guy finally got a chance to make his move. I loved each and every time he appeared. Then with only about 20% to go, the heroine did the dumbest, WTH?, spineless thing possible. The rationale and excuse was beyond flimsy, folks.
Then we are thrown a rather unoriginal life line, but at least it got the job done in the wrap up conclusion. I guess the bright side of this disasterous turn was at least the right people did wind up together.
It was a 4 star read up until that point. But the true hero here and I both deserved a better 20% ending to this tale. Despite the at times overly drawn out inner monologues and maybe way too many details for some regarding child birth and nursing, I still would have rated it much higher until the unwelcome twist I just referenced.
I have to agree very strongly with the best friend who felt the circumstances the heroine originally started dating then living with her now baby daddy in the first place was beyond messed up.
Romance Safety Gang:
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a library edition of this books. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not rewarded or compensated in any form for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, or any PR firm.)
I patiently waited for the first appearance of this perfect for the heroine, neighbor next door love interest only to have to wait much longer before this amazing, obviously smitten at first sight, magic with kids, good guy finally got a chance to make his move. I loved each and every time he appeared. Then with only about 20% to go, the heroine did the dumbest, WTH?, spineless thing possible. The rationale and excuse was beyond flimsy, folks.
Then we are thrown a rather unoriginal life line, but at least it got the job done in the wrap up conclusion. I guess the bright side of this disasterous turn was at least the right people did wind up together.
It was a 4 star read up until that point. But the true hero here and I both deserved a better 20% ending to this tale. Despite the at times overly drawn out inner monologues and maybe way too many details for some regarding child birth and nursing, I still would have rated it much higher until the unwelcome twist I just referenced.
I have to agree very strongly with the best friend who felt the circumstances the heroine originally started dating then living with her now baby daddy in the first place was beyond messed up.
Romance Safety Gang:
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a library edition of this books. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not rewarded or compensated in any form for this review. There is no relationship or affiliation between this reviewer and the author, publisher, or any PR firm.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2021
This was a nice, easy read to spend a few days with. The simplicity of the story was exactly what I was needing to distract me during mundane parts of my day. Though this book centered around misfortune and crappy circumstances, it was still a cheerful and uplifting read.
I wish the ending hadn’t felt quite so rushed, but otherwise I really enjoyed this story.
I wish the ending hadn’t felt quite so rushed, but otherwise I really enjoyed this story.
December 3, 2018
I like Center's stuff. She's got a great off beat sense of humor. This book was a romp, filled with unique characters and a cute story line. New mom gets dumped the day before she gives birth. The baby's daddy is a moron. I especially loved Jenny's parents and the way they all interacted. However...I wasn't completely taken with. ..... .Jenny. Sure, she was funny and impulsive. She really made me laugh in spots. But she was also really really stupid with choices and decisions we readers knew were just not right! I found myself shaking my head and rolling my eyes a lot. And while I realize the MIL's monthly checks would help out, I couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't stressing over money as much as she did about that baby! Who can't sit for a meal? Taking turns eating dinner so the baby could be held? "No, I haven't showered in a week because the baby cries when I put her down" "OMG the baby is CRYING!!!! " Yeesh, let the baby cry once in a while. It was just a little much for me. Aside from those little issues, I did enjoy the book. Easy to read, very predictable, but still a good time.
March 24, 2021
2.5 STARS
I am a huge fan of Center and have enjoyed every book of hers I have read...until now. Jenny was one of the most frustrating heroines I have come across in recent memory. Also, everything felt rushed, especially the ending. I adored Jenny's mom and all the sweet daughter/mom moments. I think this was Center's debut, and her writing skills have definitely improved over time.
I am a huge fan of Center and have enjoyed every book of hers I have read...until now. Jenny was one of the most frustrating heroines I have come across in recent memory. Also, everything felt rushed, especially the ending. I adored Jenny's mom and all the sweet daughter/mom moments. I think this was Center's debut, and her writing skills have definitely improved over time.
May 30, 2021
This was a cute little novel about dealing with unexpected happenings, new motherhood, relationships, etc. I like that the tone seemed to be upbeat throughout. Good read for a weekend!
January 16, 2022
Debut for sure, but reminded me why I love KC.
August 14, 2024
3.75 *
A little feel good book! This was great for a short read to dip in and out of. I really enjoyed the story and the main character who had been dealt a bad hand!
I enjoyed the info regarding her pregnancy and birth. It didn't hold back on any details regarding these issues and the struggles of being a single first time mum.
I wasn't overly impressed at the main characters attitude at times as it really made women sound a little weak. It was a kind of "need a man" type book but I get where the author was going with this. I think it could have been more girl power 😀.
Other than that! I would recommend it and the story itself was fab, characters great and it had a good learning opportunity or relatability for anyone going through/been through similar.
A little feel good book! This was great for a short read to dip in and out of. I really enjoyed the story and the main character who had been dealt a bad hand!
I enjoyed the info regarding her pregnancy and birth. It didn't hold back on any details regarding these issues and the struggles of being a single first time mum.
I wasn't overly impressed at the main characters attitude at times as it really made women sound a little weak. It was a kind of "need a man" type book but I get where the author was going with this. I think it could have been more girl power 😀.
Other than that! I would recommend it and the story itself was fab, characters great and it had a good learning opportunity or relatability for anyone going through/been through similar.
August 25, 2024
This was fine, but I wanted more!
July 20, 2009
Entertaining and easy read, albeit frustrating at times due to the heroine's dumbo decision making. Light, easy summer book, not gaining any brain cells here.
October 30, 2023
Jenny is big on plans: a wedding, a perfect family, and a loving husband. But an early pregnancy changed all of that. One night, fiancé Dean runs to the store for some smokes and doesn’t come back. The next day, Jenny goes into labor. The new mother arrives home sure that Daddy will show up any time. All alone with a newborn, Jenny jumps into motherhood, and the reader shares in all the details from breast feeding to diaper changes to struggling to eat a meal with one hand and hold a baby in the other. It was tough, but Jenny was tougher.
There are characters to love and others to hate. Dean is first on the poop list, for sure. Jenny’s mother, unlikeable at first, evolves throughout the story. Her dad makes some key cameo appearances. And I loved every scene with the “new mom groups.” But best of all is the handsome and oh-so-handy neighbor Gardner. Just when all is just about right in Jenny’s life, guess who shows up again? The ever-despicable daddy, Dean.
“The Bright Side of Disaster” was Katherine Center’s debut novel and is as wonderful and hopeful as her other books. Her books always carry golden threads of truth: Within every difficulty there is a solution. Broken hearts do mend. Each woman has an inner strength that she only finds when she needs it most.
There are characters to love and others to hate. Dean is first on the poop list, for sure. Jenny’s mother, unlikeable at first, evolves throughout the story. Her dad makes some key cameo appearances. And I loved every scene with the “new mom groups.” But best of all is the handsome and oh-so-handy neighbor Gardner. Just when all is just about right in Jenny’s life, guess who shows up again? The ever-despicable daddy, Dean.
“The Bright Side of Disaster” was Katherine Center’s debut novel and is as wonderful and hopeful as her other books. Her books always carry golden threads of truth: Within every difficulty there is a solution. Broken hearts do mend. Each woman has an inner strength that she only finds when she needs it most.
February 17, 2023
Really enjoyed it! This is KC’s debut novel and it’s amazing how consistent her voice has been in every book I’ve read by her. She is the queen of a feel-good read. It’s short, sweet, has a strong female MC, a swoony love interest, and an awful situation that tests the spirit of an otherwise upbeat character. I really sympathized for Jenny and loved watching her character grow throughout the book. Served as a great reminder that for every shitty person that doesn’t love or deserve you, there’s someone better out there that does. I’m a greedy little reader and would’ve loved to see more of the HEA at the end, but it wrapped up in a nice way. If you like her books, this is absolutely worth reading.
Happiness for Beginners is still my favorite and The Bodyguard is still my least.
Favorite Quote:
”And I was grateful. For all the things that had brought me to this moment, and for every single thing that would follow.”
Happiness for Beginners is still my favorite and The Bodyguard is still my least.
Favorite Quote:
”And I was grateful. For all the things that had brought me to this moment, and for every single thing that would follow.”
June 21, 2021
I had a hard time picking out a book to read, nothing sounded good, so I went to my go to author Katherine Center The Bright Side of Disaster. Jenny is due to marry her finance after having her baby. So the days to her birth her finance moves out telling her he doesn't love her anymore. So want does Jenny do, so goes on with her life and makes one of her own. Single motherhood is a challenge but with her new mommy friend and her attractive neighbor Jenny starts to move on with her life, but what will happen when her finance comes back home? I love Jenny, no matter what she faces she does so with strength and dignity. You see Jenny suffering but in the end she stands for herself, even when faced with Dean. I don't think I could have been so strong if my husband left me when I was about to give birth and she does, scared but strong. Her finance Dean is an utter ass. Trust me you will feel this way when you read about him, no spoilers there. You route for her and her neighbor until the end. Like with any Katherine Center books you will love it. True life even when its hard to face. Highly recommend and hope you can read it soon!!
April 24, 2017
Katherine writes feel good books. There may be difficult times involved but she deals with them lightly, never letting her reader get too overwhelmed by sadness for her characters.
Always guaranteed to be a page turner.
Her heroine was human, real and easy to identify with - you can't help but root for her and hope for the happy ending you know she deserves. If you want a quick read that isn't too heavy but is well written, nicely characterised and just manages to take you out of yourself for the duration, I highly recommend this to you!
Always guaranteed to be a page turner.
Her heroine was human, real and easy to identify with - you can't help but root for her and hope for the happy ending you know she deserves. If you want a quick read that isn't too heavy but is well written, nicely characterised and just manages to take you out of yourself for the duration, I highly recommend this to you!
July 8, 2014
Center is one of my new favorite authors. I really liked this book also. Her characters are so likeable. After reading about what a hard time Jenny had with the baby in the beginning I thought, "If that's really how hard it is, why on earth do people have more than one baby?" And I loved Gardner. When Jenny saw what he had done to his house, I gasped a little bit...so sweet! Center writes such charismatic, charming heroes. I'd like to invite Ms. Center to please write a hero like Gardner or the "hot farmer" into my life story!
December 2, 2022
2.5. I like Catherine Center’s books, but this one grated on me a bit. It paints an awful picture of childbirth, breast-feeding and mothering an infant. I’m not saying it’s wholly inaccurate, but it really made the whole thing seem very unpalatable.
Additionally, Jenny, the main character, was was a whiny drama queen. Her fiancée was awful. But pathetically, she lets him walk all over her.
There were bits and pieces I liked but honestly, about 3/4 of way through, I was ready to abandon ship. I believe this was Center’s first book. She’s gotten better.
Additionally, Jenny, the main character, was was a whiny drama queen. Her fiancée was awful. But pathetically, she lets him walk all over her.
There were bits and pieces I liked but honestly, about 3/4 of way through, I was ready to abandon ship. I believe this was Center’s first book. She’s gotten better.
May 23, 2019
I love Center's writing style. This is a great book about a pregnant woman who is left by her boyfriend and has to learn how to do life as a single parent. Excellent.
March 18, 2009
My rating: R. Too many "F" words. Needless to say, I didn't finish this book. It makes me kind of sad because the author has a unique writing style and she's very witty.
June 23, 2022
Rating 4.5 Stars
This was the final Katherine Center backlist book I had to read, and as expected, it was a delight.
This was the final Katherine Center backlist book I had to read, and as expected, it was a delight. Dumped by her fiance, Jenny finds herself facing new motherhood on her own. Reading about Jenny’s first few months brought me back to my own time as a single mom, and Center did a beautiful job portraying all that difficult and lovely time in a new mother’s life.
It was a challenging time for Jenny, but not to fear! She was lucky enough to find support in many places. I think that was one of my favorite parts of this story. I loved this wonderful group of women who rallied for Jenny. They was critical in helping her make that transition to motherhood, and strong female friendships are always great to read about.
There was also her neighbor, John. I really liked John. He seemed to pop up at all the right moments, and he always seemed to say or do the exact right things. At first, I thought he was some sort of unicorn man, but there was more to that story. Learning about his past did nothing to sour me on him, and I was ecstatic about his growing friendship with Jenny.
Though it’s been a very long time since I gave birth, it was fun revisiting that time in my life via Jenny’s experiences. The mix of fear, frustration, and joy is something I think many moms may find relatable. I do wish I got a bit more at the ending, but overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. Packed with humor and heart, it put a smile on my face and warmed my heart.
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This was the final Katherine Center backlist book I had to read, and as expected, it was a delight.
This was the final Katherine Center backlist book I had to read, and as expected, it was a delight. Dumped by her fiance, Jenny finds herself facing new motherhood on her own. Reading about Jenny’s first few months brought me back to my own time as a single mom, and Center did a beautiful job portraying all that difficult and lovely time in a new mother’s life.
It was a challenging time for Jenny, but not to fear! She was lucky enough to find support in many places. I think that was one of my favorite parts of this story. I loved this wonderful group of women who rallied for Jenny. They was critical in helping her make that transition to motherhood, and strong female friendships are always great to read about.
There was also her neighbor, John. I really liked John. He seemed to pop up at all the right moments, and he always seemed to say or do the exact right things. At first, I thought he was some sort of unicorn man, but there was more to that story. Learning about his past did nothing to sour me on him, and I was ecstatic about his growing friendship with Jenny.
Though it’s been a very long time since I gave birth, it was fun revisiting that time in my life via Jenny’s experiences. The mix of fear, frustration, and joy is something I think many moms may find relatable. I do wish I got a bit more at the ending, but overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. Packed with humor and heart, it put a smile on my face and warmed my heart.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
October 31, 2025
I really like Katherine Center’s style, her characters and stories. This was her first novel and it was a sweet, quick listen on audiobook. 3.5
January 10, 2021
4.5 stars. I loved this book. It was the perfect book at the perfect time for me so that may be why, but I thought the characters were great, writing was wonderful, and the pacing was perfect. I LOVED Gardner. My only complaint is that Jenny makes a choice with Dean later in the book that was REALLY frustrating and annoying. I could sort of understand why she did, but she had such a good thing going it was aggravating to see her blow it. Combined with his wretched parents, I don't see the appeal of Dean at all. Overall I would highly recommend this book. It's my 2nd Katherine Center and I think she may be one of my auto buy authors.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Jenny is engaged to Dean, a businessman/ musician that has very little ambition. He's a huge dud and she's not even sure their wedding will happen. Sure enough, the day before she goes into labor with their daughter, he leaves her with a note saying he's sorry but he can't do it. She becomes friends with her neighbor-- a man named Gardner-- and he is super helpful and wonderful. Their romance is super slow burn and awesome and I shipped it very hard. After Jenny has the baby, her mom stays with her for a few weeks and helps her, but then she has to leave because she is very allergic to Jenny's cat. Jenny loses touch with her best friend Meredith, but then they come back together. I thought this was so realistic as to when one of you has a kid and the other is in a different stage of life. New motherhood is so all encompassing, you have to be very intentional about friendships. She also goes to a pregnancy class and then the ladies stay in touch afterwards. One lady named Caroline becomes a friend. Jenny even talks herself into a corner with Gardner and then says she was asking for a friend so she tries to hook up Gardner and Caroline, despite her feelings. When the baby (Maxie) is 7 months old, Dean comes back and Jenny lets him sleep on the couch, then in her bed, then they start having sex. They're pretty much back together, despite her and Gardner having a "thing". The only thing that finally stops it (not common sense, not her friends and family advising otherwise, etc.) is when Dean's parents come to visit and they basically offer her money to get engaged to him again. He proposes and she finds out its basically so he'll get funded by his parents. She says no and makes him leave for good, but by that time Gardner has moved to Dallas (the book is set in Houston) and she has no way to get ahold of him. She writes him a letter, hoping he has mail forwarding. Weeks go by and then he finally shows up and they end up happily ever after.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Jenny is engaged to Dean, a businessman/ musician that has very little ambition. He's a huge dud and she's not even sure their wedding will happen. Sure enough, the day before she goes into labor with their daughter, he leaves her with a note saying he's sorry but he can't do it. She becomes friends with her neighbor-- a man named Gardner-- and he is super helpful and wonderful. Their romance is super slow burn and awesome and I shipped it very hard. After Jenny has the baby, her mom stays with her for a few weeks and helps her, but then she has to leave because she is very allergic to Jenny's cat. Jenny loses touch with her best friend Meredith, but then they come back together. I thought this was so realistic as to when one of you has a kid and the other is in a different stage of life. New motherhood is so all encompassing, you have to be very intentional about friendships. She also goes to a pregnancy class and then the ladies stay in touch afterwards. One lady named Caroline becomes a friend. Jenny even talks herself into a corner with Gardner and then says she was asking for a friend so she tries to hook up Gardner and Caroline, despite her feelings. When the baby (Maxie) is 7 months old, Dean comes back and Jenny lets him sleep on the couch, then in her bed, then they start having sex. They're pretty much back together, despite her and Gardner having a "thing". The only thing that finally stops it (not common sense, not her friends and family advising otherwise, etc.) is when Dean's parents come to visit and they basically offer her money to get engaged to him again. He proposes and she finds out its basically so he'll get funded by his parents. She says no and makes him leave for good, but by that time Gardner has moved to Dallas (the book is set in Houston) and she has no way to get ahold of him. She writes him a letter, hoping he has mail forwarding. Weeks go by and then he finally shows up and they end up happily ever after.
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