Review of Once in a Blue Moon by Kristan Higgins — A Second-Chance Romance That Completely Won Me Over

Once in a Blue Moon follows a disgraced event planner and a demanding surgeon whose unlikely partnership turns into healing and love.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Recorded Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this audiobook. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

Summary:

After a disastrous relationship leaves Winnie Smith unfairly labeled the “other woman” and ostracized by Cape Cod’s judgmental Mommy Mafia, the responsible, drama-averse event planner finds her quiet life suddenly in ruins. Desperate for a fresh start, she takes a job as the personal assistant to Lorenzo Santini, a brilliant but notoriously intimidating surgeon known to hospital staff as “Dr. Satan.” While managing his chaotic schedule and tightly controlled world, Winnie begins to see the vulnerable man behind Lorenzo’s formidable reputation, and he, in turn, realizes that the seemingly invisible Winnie is far more extraordinary than he expected. As their professional arrangement grows increasingly personal, the two discover that sometimes the most unlikely pairings can lead to the perfect match.

My Thoughts:

I can always count on Kristan Higgins to deliver an engaging, character-driven story, and Once in a Blue Moon absolutely lives up to that expectation. This novel features slightly older protagonists who feel refreshingly real—two people who, at first glance, seem unlikely to ever cross paths in a meaningful way, yet whose journeys toward connection feel authentic and deeply earned.

Winnie Smith is the responsible sister and drama-avoiding event planner whose life implodes when she discovers the man she loves is married, leaving her publicly branded as “the other woman” by Cape Cod’s judgmental Mommy Mafia. Humiliated and needing a fresh start, Winnie accepts a position as personal assistant to the brilliant but notoriously demanding surgeon Lorenzo Santini—known around the hospital as Dr. Satan. Their professional relationship begins strictly as business, but as Winnie proves herself indispensable, she gradually softens Lorenzo’s intimidating exterior. Watching their friendship evolve into romance, grounded in mutual respect, understanding, and genuinely entertaining banter, was one of the book’s greatest joys.

Higgins excels at crafting believable backstories, and both Winnie and Lorenzo felt layered and relatable. Winnie, in particular, is easy to root for as she rebuilds her confidence and redefines herself after public heartbreak. The emotional growth of both characters unfolds naturally, making their eventual connection feel heartfelt rather than rushed.

The Narration:

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Xe Sands, whose distinct narration style worked beautifully for this story. She convincingly portrayed both female and male voices and used pacing effectively—sometimes quick and energetic, other times slower and more reflective—which matched the emotional rhythm of the novel perfectly.

Final Thoughts:

Warm, funny, and quietly emotional, Once in a Blue Moon is a reminder that sometimes the most unexpected relationships arrive exactly when we need them—and that second chances can appear when we least expect them.