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papalbina's review against another edition
4.0
Emma is one of my favourite female characters and my favourite Austen character. I don't like matchmaking very much, but I think it's funny to read the tales and anecdotes of someone doing it... and well, Colleen is like a 21st-century Emma, just more appealing and easier to relate to her than Austen heroine.
I was not very happy with the idea of a book about Colleen because in the other two books i didn't like her too much. I sensed her as bossy and know-it-all, which she is in the end, but with so much charm that it is impossible not to like her. This, of course, I realized in this book and made the reading experience more interesting and spectacular. I mean, I was surprised by a romance book, that doesn't usually happen and it's so refreshing when it does :) Colleen was funny, sassy, self-confident, adorable and lovely.
About the plot, I liked the idea of recovering your first (intense) love. I think it was very good handled in this book (much better and more realistic than for example in Until There Was You). I liked the tragic hero aura Higgins gave to Lucas, but without being too melodramatic. He was well enough portrayed to make me swoon for him the same way Colleen does.
Colleen's attempts to bring together Pauline and Bryce were hilarious. Her attempts to cook were hilarious, although it annoyed me that her confidence was thrown over board in her effort to impress Lucas (as she needed something like that), when she already knew she couldn't cook an egg.
That theme that always annoys me in Higgins books (being successful is not enough to be a happy woman, you need kids and a husband) was there, but it wasn't as present and exasperating as said for example in The Perfect Match, where my idea of Honor didn't go very well with that philosophy.
In the end, summarizing all this, Waiting On You is my favourite book in the Blue Heron series tied with The Best Man in the first position, and Colleen is my favourite Higgins female character from all the books by her I read until now. I cannot wait til September to get back to the Holland family and read about Jack :)
Totally recommended for Higgins fans, Blue Heron fans and contemporary romance fiction fans.
Thank you to Harlequin and netGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
I was not very happy with the idea of a book about Colleen because in the other two books i didn't like her too much. I sensed her as bossy and know-it-all, which she is in the end, but with so much charm that it is impossible not to like her. This, of course, I realized in this book and made the reading experience more interesting and spectacular. I mean, I was surprised by a romance book, that doesn't usually happen and it's so refreshing when it does :) Colleen was funny, sassy, self-confident, adorable and lovely.
About the plot, I liked the idea of recovering your first (intense) love. I think it was very good handled in this book (much better and more realistic than for example in Until There Was You). I liked the tragic hero aura Higgins gave to Lucas, but without being too melodramatic. He was well enough portrayed to make me swoon for him the same way Colleen does.
Colleen's attempts to bring together Pauline and Bryce were hilarious. Her attempts to cook were hilarious, although it annoyed me that her confidence was thrown over board in her effort to impress Lucas (as she needed something like that), when she already knew she couldn't cook an egg.
That theme that always annoys me in Higgins books (being successful is not enough to be a happy woman, you need kids and a husband) was there, but it wasn't as present and exasperating as said for example in The Perfect Match, where my idea of Honor didn't go very well with that philosophy.
In the end, summarizing all this, Waiting On You is my favourite book in the Blue Heron series tied with The Best Man in the first position, and Colleen is my favourite Higgins female character from all the books by her I read until now. I cannot wait til September to get back to the Holland family and read about Jack :)
Totally recommended for Higgins fans, Blue Heron fans and contemporary romance fiction fans.
Thank you to Harlequin and netGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
hollynichole88's review against another edition
4.0
This was another win for Kristan Higgins. I love her storylines and the way she can write a similar story over and over and make it so different. I loved the multiple storylines going on in this book. It gave the plot a little more than the normal romances and it was a great call.
sammishgirl's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a solid five stars for me right up until the last ~15%. I love love loved Lucas, and adored the romance between him and Colleen. I found their original breakup believable - I saw both sides of the fight, and understood where they were both coming from. (It was still a tragedy, but believable.)
But I found their final "we have to break up one more time so we can get back together and live happily ever after" fight (which is apparently required by law) to be just annoying. The cause felt like it was thrown in at the last minute, just to give them something to fight about. Which was silly, because they already had a ready-made fight that had been built up during the story - the question of where to live.
Other minor annoyances: Colleen's insistence on the tired "act helpless to catch a man" shtick, and her million references to her "special places."
But I did love the banter between Colleen and Lucas, and also Colleen's prayers. "Hail Mary, full of grace, please make my mom stop talking." "Blessed art thou who can change the subject." "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, now and as we contemplate matricide."
But I found their final "we have to break up one more time so we can get back together and live happily ever after" fight (which is apparently required by law) to be just annoying. The cause felt like it was thrown in at the last minute, just to give them something to fight about. Which was silly, because they already had a ready-made fight that had been built up during the story - the question of where to live.
Other minor annoyances: Colleen's insistence on the tired "act helpless to catch a man" shtick, and her million references to her "special places."
But I did love the banter between Colleen and Lucas, and also Colleen's prayers. "Hail Mary, full of grace, please make my mom stop talking." "Blessed art thou who can change the subject." "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, now and as we contemplate matricide."
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third in the Blue Heron series of loosely connected books can be read stand-alone. This is what Kristan Higgins does best sweet and funny romance. This is a second chance romance that will have you laughing and crying and jumping up and down. Great characters in a fabulous setting with a heartwarming story.
itsallaboutbooksandmacarons's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
4.25
I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional journey depicted in this story, where the characters grapple with the complexity of love and the undeniable allure of second chances. The resistance and longing between the protagonists created a palpable tension, making each page a captivating experience. The gradual build-up of emotions, from fear to the desire for a kiss, kept me eagerly turning the pages.
The narrative skillfully navigates the intricacies of relationships, highlighting the strength found in vulnerability and the rewarding nature of perseverance. The patience displayed by the characters during the long wait for reconciliation added depth to the storyline, making the eventual reunion all the more satisfying.
Overall, the story beautifully captures the essence of love's challenges and the power of embracing second chances. It's a poignant and well-crafted tale that resonates with those who appreciate the delicate dance of emotions in romantic narratives.
The narrative skillfully navigates the intricacies of relationships, highlighting the strength found in vulnerability and the rewarding nature of perseverance. The patience displayed by the characters during the long wait for reconciliation added depth to the storyline, making the eventual reunion all the more satisfying.
Overall, the story beautifully captures the essence of love's challenges and the power of embracing second chances. It's a poignant and well-crafted tale that resonates with those who appreciate the delicate dance of emotions in romantic narratives.
mmqin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jazzrizz's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. While there were times I wanted to strangle both Colleen & Lucas at times, their story was pretty awesome.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good second chance story. Colleen and Lucas had been in love ten years earlier but parted ways due to misunderstandings and different expectations. Since then, Colleen has been the bartender at the bar she and her brother own. She has a talent for matching people into successful relationships, even though she hasn't had one of her own since Lucas. Now Lucas in back in town because his uncle is dying and she's forced to see him over and over. Colleen realizes her feelings for him never went away, but she's not too sure she's ready to risk her heart all over again.
Lucas had lived in Manningsport a short time, but had truly connected with Colleen. He was in love with her, but determined to make something of himself before committing to marriage. He panicked when she started talking about getting married, causing her to doubt his love. Then he didn't tell her about her father's infidelity, making her doubt it even more. Add it a really stupid move that got him marrying someone else and it looks like he's lost Colleen forever. Ten years later he's divorced and back in Manningsport to take care of his dying uncle. Seeing Colleen again reinforces just how much he has missed her, but getting her to spend any time with him is an uphill battle.
The chemistry between them is still strong, but both have trouble overcoming their pride to see that they belong together. Each of them blamed the other for their breakup, and it wasn't until Lucas came back to town that they started looking at that time differently. Both started to see that their own stubbornness also played a part in their problems. Lucas, thanks to being raised partly by his uncle and snobby wife, had always felt like he didn't quite measure up. That insecurity led to his need to prove himself to Colleen, even though she loved him as he was. Colleen had security issues of her own, thanks to a selfish father and his philandering, that left her craving proof of Lucas's love. By the time Lucas came back, Colleen was a little more confident in herself, but unwilling to risk her heart. Lucas knew that he wanted Colleen back in his life, but was still planning to leave in a few weeks. I loved watching him get sucked into life in Manningsport without him realizing that it was happening or that he actually liked being there. He and Colleen start spending time together and the love they had starts growing again. Things were really looking good for them until something from Colleen's past comes up and Lucas gets really judgmental about it. I thought he was pretty much of a jerk at that point. I loved that it was his flaky cousin Bryce who straightened him out. I enjoyed the ending, but I would have liked to see a bit more groveling on his part.
Once again the secondary characters are a fantastic part of the book. I loved the "Menopause" crowd and their antics when Lucas and Bryce were working on the house. They were hysterical with their comments. Colleen's efforts to get Paulie and Bryce together were great, and had some great scenes as awkward Paulie tried to come on to clueless Bryce. The story with Colleen's parents and stepmother went a long way to showing why Colleen had the issues she did. Her mother really drove me nuts through most of the book, but really came into her own near the end of the book. I loved her there. Colleen's half sister Savannah was a sweetheart, and I really loved seeing how much Colleen and Connor loved her and supported her. Bryce was a character I both loved and hated. He was so darn nice, but he was also spoiled, I couldn't figure out if he was ever going to grow up at all. I liked seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. His mother Didi was the one that everyone loved to hate. She was just a real pain all around with her snobbery, selfishness, and control issues. She deserved everything she got.
Lucas had lived in Manningsport a short time, but had truly connected with Colleen. He was in love with her, but determined to make something of himself before committing to marriage. He panicked when she started talking about getting married, causing her to doubt his love. Then he didn't tell her about her father's infidelity, making her doubt it even more. Add it a really stupid move that got him marrying someone else and it looks like he's lost Colleen forever. Ten years later he's divorced and back in Manningsport to take care of his dying uncle. Seeing Colleen again reinforces just how much he has missed her, but getting her to spend any time with him is an uphill battle.
The chemistry between them is still strong, but both have trouble overcoming their pride to see that they belong together. Each of them blamed the other for their breakup, and it wasn't until Lucas came back to town that they started looking at that time differently. Both started to see that their own stubbornness also played a part in their problems. Lucas, thanks to being raised partly by his uncle and snobby wife, had always felt like he didn't quite measure up. That insecurity led to his need to prove himself to Colleen, even though she loved him as he was. Colleen had security issues of her own, thanks to a selfish father and his philandering, that left her craving proof of Lucas's love. By the time Lucas came back, Colleen was a little more confident in herself, but unwilling to risk her heart. Lucas knew that he wanted Colleen back in his life, but was still planning to leave in a few weeks. I loved watching him get sucked into life in Manningsport without him realizing that it was happening or that he actually liked being there. He and Colleen start spending time together and the love they had starts growing again. Things were really looking good for them until something from Colleen's past comes up and Lucas gets really judgmental about it. I thought he was pretty much of a jerk at that point. I loved that it was his flaky cousin Bryce who straightened him out. I enjoyed the ending, but I would have liked to see a bit more groveling on his part.
Once again the secondary characters are a fantastic part of the book. I loved the "Menopause" crowd and their antics when Lucas and Bryce were working on the house. They were hysterical with their comments. Colleen's efforts to get Paulie and Bryce together were great, and had some great scenes as awkward Paulie tried to come on to clueless Bryce. The story with Colleen's parents and stepmother went a long way to showing why Colleen had the issues she did. Her mother really drove me nuts through most of the book, but really came into her own near the end of the book. I loved her there. Colleen's half sister Savannah was a sweetheart, and I really loved seeing how much Colleen and Connor loved her and supported her. Bryce was a character I both loved and hated. He was so darn nice, but he was also spoiled, I couldn't figure out if he was ever going to grow up at all. I liked seeing the light at the end of that tunnel. His mother Didi was the one that everyone loved to hate. She was just a real pain all around with her snobbery, selfishness, and control issues. She deserved everything she got.
maggiemaggio's review against another edition
4.0
4.25
I'm just going to come out and say it: this is my favorite Kristan Higgins's book. I've ultimately enjoyed all of her books, but I do think they're a bit formulaic and sometimes the wackiness of the characters and all of the secondary characters take away from stories I really enjoy. But that was certainly not the case here. I loved pretty much every moment of Waiting on You and I tore through all 464 pages in just under two days.
If you've read the two other Blue Heron novels you should certainly remember Colleen, the feisty, flirty co-owner (with her twin, Connor) of O'Rourke's the friendly neighborhood bar. Colleen is best friends with Faith, from The Best Man and she helped Tom deal with dating Honor in The Perfect Match. But Colleen, who's great at setting other people up, has never gotten over her first love, a guy named Lucas Campbell who ends up back in town when his uncle's health takes a turn for the worse.
The passion between Colleen and Lucas is red-hot, it seriously made me wish I had a first love from high school I wanted to reconnect with. Higgins does her normal thing with the lengthy scenes rehashing the past, but unlike in some of her other books I never felt like it took up too much time or broke up the flow of the narrative. Plus, I loved Colleen and Lucas so much that I really wanted to know about how they got together in high school and how they broke up and how Lucas came to live in Chicago and be divorced.
It was also nice to get to know Colleen better. I read The Perfect Match before I read The Best Man and I never really got a good feel for Colleen from Honor's story; I remember thinking she was gay or older or just not at all the flirty, fun early-thirty-something she ends up being.
The secondary characters in Waiting On You only added to the story. Colleen is a master matchmaker and her attempts to try to fix her hopeless friend Paulie up with Lucas's cousin Bryce were not only hilarious, they also were a nice way to get Colleen and Lucas interacting when Lucas first comes back to town. Colleen's closeness to her twin Connor was very sweet and not at all creepy and I loved how the two of them looked out for their younger half-sister, Savannah. And I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between Colleen pining for Lucas and her mother pining for her cheating father who had left ten years before.
Bottom Line: I absolutely loved this book. I had all of the things I love about Kristan Higgins's books: interesting, unique characters, a steamy romance, strong secondary characters, but also toned down some of the things that have bothered me about her previous books: too much time spent on the past and the secondary characters. Even if you haven't read the other books in The Blue Heron series I think this would be a winner and if you're revisiting Manningsport you'll be happy to see familiar faces.
I received an electron review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!). All opinions are my own.
I'm just going to come out and say it: this is my favorite Kristan Higgins's book. I've ultimately enjoyed all of her books, but I do think they're a bit formulaic and sometimes the wackiness of the characters and all of the secondary characters take away from stories I really enjoy. But that was certainly not the case here. I loved pretty much every moment of Waiting on You and I tore through all 464 pages in just under two days.
If you've read the two other Blue Heron novels you should certainly remember Colleen, the feisty, flirty co-owner (with her twin, Connor) of O'Rourke's the friendly neighborhood bar. Colleen is best friends with Faith, from The Best Man and she helped Tom deal with dating Honor in The Perfect Match. But Colleen, who's great at setting other people up, has never gotten over her first love, a guy named Lucas Campbell who ends up back in town when his uncle's health takes a turn for the worse.
The passion between Colleen and Lucas is red-hot, it seriously made me wish I had a first love from high school I wanted to reconnect with. Higgins does her normal thing with the lengthy scenes rehashing the past, but unlike in some of her other books I never felt like it took up too much time or broke up the flow of the narrative. Plus, I loved Colleen and Lucas so much that I really wanted to know about how they got together in high school and how they broke up and how Lucas came to live in Chicago and be divorced.
It was also nice to get to know Colleen better. I read The Perfect Match before I read The Best Man and I never really got a good feel for Colleen from Honor's story; I remember thinking she was gay or older or just not at all the flirty, fun early-thirty-something she ends up being.
The secondary characters in Waiting On You only added to the story. Colleen is a master matchmaker and her attempts to try to fix her hopeless friend Paulie up with Lucas's cousin Bryce were not only hilarious, they also were a nice way to get Colleen and Lucas interacting when Lucas first comes back to town. Colleen's closeness to her twin Connor was very sweet and not at all creepy and I loved how the two of them looked out for their younger half-sister, Savannah. And I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between Colleen pining for Lucas and her mother pining for her cheating father who had left ten years before.
Bottom Line: I absolutely loved this book. I had all of the things I love about Kristan Higgins's books: interesting, unique characters, a steamy romance, strong secondary characters, but also toned down some of the things that have bothered me about her previous books: too much time spent on the past and the secondary characters. Even if you haven't read the other books in The Blue Heron series I think this would be a winner and if you're revisiting Manningsport you'll be happy to see familiar faces.
I received an electron review copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley (thank you!). All opinions are my own.