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The Bright Side of Disaster: A Novel

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Fulfilled by Random House LLC
Arrives Friday, Oct 17
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"A charming debut . . . Cleverly told and uncommonly appealing."--PEOPLE Sometimes the worst thing that can happen is exactly what you've been waiting for. 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 anticipated: 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 up: 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. "The Bright Side of Disaster is a treat of a book. It is so warm, so smart, so touching, so wise-and, despite its poignancy, you read the whole thing with a laugh in your throat." -Anna Maxted, author of A Tale of Two Sisters "A funny and poignant novel about love, motherhood and men . . . elevates the subject matter beyond the realm of 'mommy lit.' " -Houston Chronicle"A compulsively great read with a truly likable leading lady."--MetroCanada"Charming, quite sweet, and deliciously hopeful." --Stephanie Klein, author of Straight Up and Dirty Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ballantine Books


Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more


Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 26, 2007


Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Left me with a smile on my face
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. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2022 by Sam K
    • Beautiful debut novel!
I've read a lot of Katherine Center's newest books and a happen to grab her debut novel. Very impressed with it given that it was her first. You can tell it's her voice that has only gotten stronger with more books. Really detailed a realistic picture of a struggling couple who end up facing their challenges very differently. Dean, the bastard fiance MMC who left, totally made sense why he did given his maturity level and how he was raised. Jenny, the new single mom, I really felt for her and could see the struggle of trying to do it all, while also being super paranoid about your first born. I was so like her with my first. I loved Gardner and Jenny's parents. Great characters. I only wish we got to see more of Gardner and Jenny in their HEA. Audiobook was excellent too! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2025 by Denice L
    • Even Great Authors Have to Start Somewhere
Katherine Center is one of my fave authors, but I this is an earlier work, and it's not as good as the others. On the plus side, the main character, Jenny, is root-worthy and relatable. My first marriage was to a guy pretty much like Dean. I get it. I understand how being young and overwhelmed can lead to bad choices. Also, Jenny's mom was a normal, good person and the subplot worked to support the main story line. Her depiction of her dad was so poignant. He was a rich, successful, charismatic loser whom she loved without qualification. On the negative: structurally, I thought this book felt "off." The crisis and Jenny's bad decision-making came pretty late. Also, too many of her solutions were in the form of other people stepping in to help her/save her. (The Meredith reappearance just at the right time was weak, IMO.) Her character arc was completed by virtue of her having a thought bubble at the end of the story, rather than taking action. The love interest was 2-dimensional. Why did he want her so badly? What was his issue, that required Jenny to be complete? But I'm picky. It was a decent story that I enjoyed reading to the end (which was too abrupt). ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2019 by Lynne M. Spreen
    • Very good story
I liked this book. It kept my interest. I didn't like that she took dean back but was glad she got rid of him. It was humerous and easy to read. Good author
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2025 by Barbara
    • Earlier Work…Workin Progress
Center’s writing is much stronger in current books; nevertheless, the story’ characters, plot, and dialogue are strong* enough to move readers. Entertaining.
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2025 by sharon f. leff
    • Did not disappoint!
I really love Katharine Center books and this one did not disappoint. It was charming and a really comforting read. The author has such a knack for keeping my attention and making me want to breeze through her books in a few days!
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2025 by MF
    • One not to be missed.
I have been a fan of this Texas author for years and I have a couple of her older books to read. 🍼 Jenny Harris is pregnant with her fiancé has left her right before the delivery. Thankful she has her mother to guide her during this challenging time. 🍼 She has all the challenges a new parent has, but now is facing g a very different life than she envisioned. After months of by and she adjust she befriends a cute neighbor, but her fiancé shows back up in her life. 🍼 Now she has to decide what is next for her. One not to be missed. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2024 by Christine
    • This was a book I couldn't put down
I will always say that it's the first sentence of every book I read that makes me want to read more. "The end began with a plane crash..." Hook, line and sinker. It was an easy read, but one that took me so far away from where I am. The author has created her characters beautifully, each their own distinct person. The way she has strung words along, to carry you through with enough curiosity to keep the pages turning. I'm a chick lit fan to the core. A lot of chick lit places their characters as the center of a pity party, where they scramble to find the surface. Jenny isn't that type of character, but in the same sense she is. She loses everything that she thought she wanted, but at the same time she never had it at all. Pregnant, with a deadbeat husband who leaves her. She gives birth as a single mom and finds kindness in strangers along the way. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2011 by JB0906

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