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mghill40's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jackiehorne's review
3.0
Honor Holland has been pining after her high school friend Brogan for years. The two slipped into a friends-with-benefits relationship soon after graduation, one that Honor has hopes will transform into the real thing—marriage & kids & love. But when she finally gets up the gumption to suggest the possibility (egged on by the humorous Greek chorus of her aging ovarian eggs), Brogan treats the idea as if it must be a joke. And then he goes and gets engaged to Honor's good friend.
British professor Tom Barlow is having his own share of problems. His visa is about to expire, and the college won't rehire him unless he can get it renewed. He needs to stay in the states to be there for Charlie, the son of his (now dead) fiancee, who has been sent to live with stuffy, un-with-it grandparents who only know how to preach at him, not relate to him.
Of course Honor and Tom end up in a marriage (or engagement) of convenience, so that Tom can gain his visa and Honor can make Brogan jealous. And of course love ensues.
Interesting not for the ovarian chorus, but for Higgins' construction of Tom. On the outside, he appears a to be a guy's guy: he boxes, he teaches mechanical engineering, he drinks a lot. But like Honor, who appears amazingly tough on the outside, he's really someone who is just too nice, someone who doesn't speak up for his own needs and lets others push him around. I wasn't quite convinced that two people with the same character flaw could actually help each other to change, or even serve as catalysts for change, and so I couldn't entirely buy into Tom and Honor's character arcs, although their romance was sweet.
British professor Tom Barlow is having his own share of problems. His visa is about to expire, and the college won't rehire him unless he can get it renewed. He needs to stay in the states to be there for Charlie, the son of his (now dead) fiancee, who has been sent to live with stuffy, un-with-it grandparents who only know how to preach at him, not relate to him.
Of course Honor and Tom end up in a marriage (or engagement) of convenience, so that Tom can gain his visa and Honor can make Brogan jealous. And of course love ensues.
Interesting not for the ovarian chorus, but for Higgins' construction of Tom. On the outside, he appears a to be a guy's guy: he boxes, he teaches mechanical engineering, he drinks a lot. But like Honor, who appears amazingly tough on the outside, he's really someone who is just too nice, someone who doesn't speak up for his own needs and lets others push him around. I wasn't quite convinced that two people with the same character flaw could actually help each other to change, or even serve as catalysts for change, and so I couldn't entirely buy into Tom and Honor's character arcs, although their romance was sweet.
alwaysbooking's review
5.0
This book was wonderfully written. I instantly fell in love with both characters especially Tom. Such a nice read should be on every book club list ;)
rebroxannape's review against another edition
4.0
A very strong finish saved this book from being 3 stars. I did not like Charlie, Tom's "stepson". There was just no excuse for his behavior. He was just stupid. Even at almost the end he was sullen and ungrateful. I would have liked to see him redeem himself much more sufficiently. Maybe in the next book, we'll hear tell of an epiphany. Did not buy him at all. Or Tom's devotion to him, for that matter. Talk about a glutton for punishment. The english accent was slightly too much. This book has the usual Kristan tropes, for example using a substitute cutsie pie word for a genuine curse word. That got old 7 books ago. But still, she is a very talented and funny writer who can bring the tears as well as the guffaws. She can add suspense to a relationship even when you know you won't be betrayed by the end. The highest praise for a romantic comedy is that she keeps you turning the pages in delight. Those authors are few and far between. (SEP is another one.) I already have #3 on pre-order.
***revised 05/02/2017****This time, I was much more OK with Charlie's reformation. He did turn it around at the end and realized that Tom was his real father, not his bio-Dad. I still think Tom was too much of a saint to put up with him, though. The end still saved this book for me. I was on the edge of my seat and greatly moved at the same time through the climactic scene. One more note, brought up by a few other reviewers, is Honor's constant dialogue with her ovaries. It was very tiresome. Very.
***revised 05/02/2017****This time, I was much more OK with Charlie's reformation. He did turn it around at the end and realized that Tom was his real father, not his bio-Dad. I still think Tom was too much of a saint to put up with him, though. The end still saved this book for me. I was on the edge of my seat and greatly moved at the same time through the climactic scene. One more note, brought up by a few other reviewers, is Honor's constant dialogue with her ovaries. It was very tiresome. Very.
amym84's review
3.0
Honor Holland was presented as the practical sister in [b:The Best Man|15803757|The Best Man (Blue Heron #1)|Kristan Higgins|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1354847301s/15803757.jpg|21365435]. She was the one that ran the business side of Blue Heron Winery. It's her 35th birthday and she's just been informed that the biological clock is ticking. She's always wanted a family so she decides to propose to her on-again, off-again friend with benefits Brogan. She and Brogan have been friends since childhood and have been sleeping together for years. Plus, she's in love with him. Unfortunately, he doesn't feel the same way (I believe a comparison to that of a baseball glove sums up the total of his affections). So Honor does what most women would do in this situation, and that is go to their best friend's house, eat Ben & Jerry's, and watch Shark Week. A few weeks go by and Honor is determined to find love. She signs up on the websites, the whole nine yards. When she gets a call from Brogan wanting to meet up for drinks she knows that he must be rethinking their relationship. So she gets dressed up only to find out that said best friend is now engaged to Brogan. Obviously this scenario doesn't end well.
Tom Barlow is a mechanical engineer teacher at a local college. He's British and good-looking, thereforethe majority of his students are females who just want to stare at him. It's not the most glamorous job, but he stays because of Charlie, his "unofficial stepson". He was engaged to Charlie's mother and she died in an accident three years ago. Since meeting Charlie, Tom has loved the boy so he tries to stay in his life as much as possible, which is more than Charlie's real father can say. When his work visa doesn't look like it's going to get renewed Tom has to figure out a way to stay in the US for Charlie. Enter Honor who's just ready to have a family even if that means that love isn't necessarily in the equation.
I can always count on Kristan Higgins to deliver a sweet heartening story and The Perfect Match doesn't disappoint. It basically followed the same formula adopted in much of Higgins' work, but I'm ok with that. I liked the addition of the "marriage of convenience". It was an interesting twist on the relationship wondering if two people who genuinly feel no love for each other can form a relationship that will eventually grow into love.
Tom's issues with women go back a long way so you can begin to understand why he would be hesitant to open himself up to someone who admittedly loved another man just maybe a month ago. You can see Honor's hesitancy as well when she's been in love with a man for at least half of her life only to find out he doesn't return that affection.
Both feel an attraction to one another but neither wants to make the first move and put themselves out there when they've both been hurt before. Regardless of this, I did find Tom to be a little cold towards Honor. I understand he's in a situation he doesn't want to be in, but I honestly really liked Honor and didn't think she deserved to be treated with such irritation and disdain. True, he wasn't always like that, and when he would show a vulnerability or do something sweet you couldn't help but like him. And his devotion to Charlie, even with Charlie's teenage reluctance, often brought tears to my eyes. Honor would also find herself softening towards Tom in instances like that.
I felt like the ending seemed a bit rushed. Things took awhile to heat up between our characters. By that point we were already half way through the book, but of course Higging has to throw in a final conflict between our characters that only makes them realize their true feelings for one another. In this case I just didn't think the revelation was that spectacular.
Still a good read and I can't wait to see who's next in line for a story of their own, possibly Jack? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Tom Barlow is a mechanical engineer teacher at a local college. He's British and good-looking, thereforethe majority of his students are females who just want to stare at him. It's not the most glamorous job, but he stays because of Charlie, his "unofficial stepson". He was engaged to Charlie's mother and she died in an accident three years ago. Since meeting Charlie, Tom has loved the boy so he tries to stay in his life as much as possible, which is more than Charlie's real father can say. When his work visa doesn't look like it's going to get renewed Tom has to figure out a way to stay in the US for Charlie. Enter Honor who's just ready to have a family even if that means that love isn't necessarily in the equation.
I can always count on Kristan Higgins to deliver a sweet heartening story and The Perfect Match doesn't disappoint. It basically followed the same formula adopted in much of Higgins' work, but I'm ok with that. I liked the addition of the "marriage of convenience". It was an interesting twist on the relationship wondering if two people who genuinly feel no love for each other can form a relationship that will eventually grow into love.
Tom's issues with women go back a long way so you can begin to understand why he would be hesitant to open himself up to someone who admittedly loved another man just maybe a month ago. You can see Honor's hesitancy as well when she's been in love with a man for at least half of her life only to find out he doesn't return that affection.
Both feel an attraction to one another but neither wants to make the first move and put themselves out there when they've both been hurt before. Regardless of this, I did find Tom to be a little cold towards Honor. I understand he's in a situation he doesn't want to be in, but I honestly really liked Honor and didn't think she deserved to be treated with such irritation and disdain. True, he wasn't always like that, and when he would show a vulnerability or do something sweet you couldn't help but like him. And his devotion to Charlie, even with Charlie's teenage reluctance, often brought tears to my eyes. Honor would also find herself softening towards Tom in instances like that.
I felt like the ending seemed a bit rushed. Things took awhile to heat up between our characters. By that point we were already half way through the book, but of course Higging has to throw in a final conflict between our characters that only makes them realize their true feelings for one another. In this case I just didn't think the revelation was that spectacular.
Still a good read and I can't wait to see who's next in line for a story of their own, possibly Jack? I guess we'll have to wait and see.
mandikaye's review
4.0
I didn’t know that this book was part of a series until after I’d requested it from Netgalley. But looking at the blurb for this one and the one that came before, it looked as if I could read it as a stand-alone – and I was right. This is one of those series where each book focuses on a different set of people – but the people are all intertwined in each other’s lives. This book was about Honor Holland, and the first book was about her sister Faith.
Based on what I read in this book, I’m pretty sure I prefer Honor to Faith anyway (though when I do finally get around to reading the first one, I’ll fall in love with Faith’s story too).
Honor hasn’t had much luck when it comes to love. My heart absolutely broke for her when the love of her life compared her to a broken in baseball glove:
Yeah, that happened. Douchebag.
Could it get any worse than that? Why yes, yes it could.
Then he turns up engaged to Honor’s best friend. Or, “friend.”
So when her grandmother wants to introduce her to Tom Barlow, a British professor who is in need of a green card, Honor decides to go.
Because she’s just turned 35 and her doctor has informed her that after 35 her eggs start to become less viable. And Honor wants a family.
And that right there spawned the only part of the book that made me cringe. There were several instances of Honor talking to her eggs. And the eggs talking back (in her head, of course). If it weren’t for that, I probably would have given it 5 stars. But I just downright cringed every time it happened.
But the romance. Oh the romance! Honor and Tom really were the perfect match. They fought it hard because of how they got together, but it was inevitable. But one of the best things about this book was that it wasn’t JUST about the romance. Tom wanted to stay in the US because of Charlie – the son of his late fiance. He loved Charlie like a son and couldn’t leave him. Charlie’s story made the book – and the epilogue was all about Charlie rather than a wedding or a baby.
It was perfect (except for the eggs).
Based on what I read in this book, I’m pretty sure I prefer Honor to Faith anyway (though when I do finally get around to reading the first one, I’ll fall in love with Faith’s story too).
Honor hasn’t had much luck when it comes to love. My heart absolutely broke for her when the love of her life compared her to a broken in baseball glove:
“When he puts it on, it’s like an old friend, and he knows he’ll have a better day because of it. But you don’t need that glove every day.”
Yeah, that happened. Douchebag.
Could it get any worse than that? Why yes, yes it could.
Then he turns up engaged to Honor’s best friend. Or, “friend.”
So when her grandmother wants to introduce her to Tom Barlow, a British professor who is in need of a green card, Honor decides to go.
Because she’s just turned 35 and her doctor has informed her that after 35 her eggs start to become less viable. And Honor wants a family.
And that right there spawned the only part of the book that made me cringe. There were several instances of Honor talking to her eggs. And the eggs talking back (in her head, of course). If it weren’t for that, I probably would have given it 5 stars. But I just downright cringed every time it happened.
But the romance. Oh the romance! Honor and Tom really were the perfect match. They fought it hard because of how they got together, but it was inevitable. But one of the best things about this book was that it wasn’t JUST about the romance. Tom wanted to stay in the US because of Charlie – the son of his late fiance. He loved Charlie like a son and couldn’t leave him. Charlie’s story made the book – and the epilogue was all about Charlie rather than a wedding or a baby.
It was perfect (except for the eggs).
kellnbell's review
3.0
Again…found myself simultaneously annoyed and interested.
It was the same narrator as book 1, but she was a lot better than the previous performance.
On to book 3!
It was the same narrator as book 1, but she was a lot better than the previous performance.
On to book 3!
nina_rod's review
5.0
The only book I ever pre-ordered for automatic download to my Kindle app. I love this author! This book made me laugh out loud and tear up in secret.
jbarr5's review
4.0
The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins
This book in the series is dedicated to Honor with appearances from her sisters: Faith and Patience and Hope.
Her father is seeing Mrs. J and the girls think she's too young for him. She had gotten into a bar fight with Brogan's new girl and now she knows they are getting married and Dana is pregnant.
Her sisters set up an account online for her with the dating sites and she's met a few men, been out for drinks with them and they didn't click. When she's in a jam Tom helps her out with a kiss at the bar so Brogan thinks she's on a date.
It doesn't stop there though and the book describes a hot steamy sex scene.
The book also is following Charlie and others in town. Tom also explains about how he has a stepson that isn't really a stepson at all.... He's very English and I like the translation of some words used.
Tom has now lost his teaching job at the college and the only way he could keep Charlie would be to get a green card by getting married. Honor needs to have a baby as her eggs are not going to be very futile soon because of her age.
Love the tour of the facilities and the process of how to make the wine and talk of the fruit.
Situations occur that lead to everybody doing a turn about...
More tragedy occurs bringing people together...
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin HQN in exchange for my honest review.
This book in the series is dedicated to Honor with appearances from her sisters: Faith and Patience and Hope.
Her father is seeing Mrs. J and the girls think she's too young for him. She had gotten into a bar fight with Brogan's new girl and now she knows they are getting married and Dana is pregnant.
Her sisters set up an account online for her with the dating sites and she's met a few men, been out for drinks with them and they didn't click. When she's in a jam Tom helps her out with a kiss at the bar so Brogan thinks she's on a date.
It doesn't stop there though and the book describes a hot steamy sex scene.
The book also is following Charlie and others in town. Tom also explains about how he has a stepson that isn't really a stepson at all.... He's very English and I like the translation of some words used.
Tom has now lost his teaching job at the college and the only way he could keep Charlie would be to get a green card by getting married. Honor needs to have a baby as her eggs are not going to be very futile soon because of her age.
Love the tour of the facilities and the process of how to make the wine and talk of the fruit.
Situations occur that lead to everybody doing a turn about...
More tragedy occurs bringing people together...
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin HQN in exchange for my honest review.