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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
This was absolutely adorable (and funny!). I will definitely be checking out more of this author's work!
All I Ever Wanted is the first book I read by Kristan Higgins and I really enjoyed it.
I do have to say I'm glad I didn't read the back cover since it gives way too much of the plot.
I do have to say I'm glad I didn't read the back cover since it gives way too much of the plot.
While this is technically a romance, what higgins writes has more to do with her quirky secondary characters and family as a theme than romance. Yes, there are romances in them, but they are really part of the journey you take with the main character. Our heroine (Callie) has a family the likes of which I haven't seen since Moonstruck, and they are so interesting I am positively envious! Throw in the fact that her stories take place in New England (Vermont, this time, and they should hire her to do their marketing, I want to hop on a plane right now!) and the terrific animals her characters always have and you have a terrific piece of fiction. This one is a keeper.
Kristan Higgins is so good at what she does! This one was cute, pleasantly predictable and exactly what I needed - although if I don't hear "girl parts" ever again, that will be too soon!
I loved this book! This author always makes me laugh and this was her best book ever. Notwithstanding the humor, the heroine is dealing with the long lasting effects of her parents divorce on her siblings and her, plus unrequited love. The book has hilarious scenes, and very intense emotional scenes that made me cry. The path to her HEA was rocky but it was sweet. Highly recommend this book.
one of her better ones that has everyone getting a happy ending without drama or anything like that. I knew the man would opened up when he got together with the main girl. it reminded me of 27 dresses for some odd reason.
The problem with reading my first two Kristan Higgins novels back to back is that, the second time around, the formula becomes glaringly, embarrassingly obvious. In one breath, here are the characteristics that, after reading just two of her books, I suspect hold throughout all her novels: a theoretically smart female MC (often a middle child with an unusual interest or hobby) with a bad history in men and who turns into idiots around men, a quirky family, a cantankerous grandparent, an over-hyper and disobedient canine pet who gets talked to in frighteningly embarrassing babytalk, eCommitment and horrible blind online dates, a gay best friend… I guess I’ll stop here for now (although I’ll just say: seriously, a requisite gay best friend? Isn’t that so 1990s?).
Furthermore, the plot progresses at pretty much the same “ratio”: for example, the requisite lovers’ misunderstanding occurs at around 85% of the way through the novel. GAH. I don’t know whether I should laugh at the unapologetic adherence to a formula, or cry a little.
Now, I understand that this is romance and that bestselling romance often follows a formula that everyone knows yet still loves. And yep, that’s pretty much the case here. This is classic Higgins (if one who has only read two of her books is allowed to reach such a conclusion after having just dissected her formula in a disconcertingly easy way). Callie is likable (and has the requisite quirky hobby!), and her awkwardness/stupidity around men is still infuriating yet relatable. Zany humor abounds in conversations. The dog is still annoying.
But Ian. Oh, Ian. He totally makes this book. Think a blond, Slavic version of Mr. Darcy, with a reticence slightly reminiscent of Asperger’s but with puppy-like loyalty that is hard to earn but oh so worth it. Shy guys! Stories these days are overflowing with guys who know they’re good-looking and know how to say just the right thing to get what they want. Ian, however, has NO CLUE what he’s doing most of the time, as far as relationships go, which makes his rare right actions all the more genuine and truly endearing. We need more Ians in stories, that’s for sure.
It’s probably going to be hard for me to pick a favorite Higgins romance, because they all follow pretty much the same formula, and yet are all so much fun to read. Hopefully this review will push you in the right direction and encourage you to pick up a book by Kristin Higgins! And if you already have, well, let’s just giggle and gaggle and gossip together over which Higgins man we’d like to have for ourselves…
Furthermore, the plot progresses at pretty much the same “ratio”: for example, the requisite lovers’ misunderstanding occurs at around 85% of the way through the novel. GAH. I don’t know whether I should laugh at the unapologetic adherence to a formula, or cry a little.
Now, I understand that this is romance and that bestselling romance often follows a formula that everyone knows yet still loves. And yep, that’s pretty much the case here. This is classic Higgins (if one who has only read two of her books is allowed to reach such a conclusion after having just dissected her formula in a disconcertingly easy way). Callie is likable (and has the requisite quirky hobby!), and her awkwardness/stupidity around men is still infuriating yet relatable. Zany humor abounds in conversations. The dog is still annoying.
But Ian. Oh, Ian. He totally makes this book. Think a blond, Slavic version of Mr. Darcy, with a reticence slightly reminiscent of Asperger’s but with puppy-like loyalty that is hard to earn but oh so worth it. Shy guys! Stories these days are overflowing with guys who know they’re good-looking and know how to say just the right thing to get what they want. Ian, however, has NO CLUE what he’s doing most of the time, as far as relationships go, which makes his rare right actions all the more genuine and truly endearing. We need more Ians in stories, that’s for sure.
It’s probably going to be hard for me to pick a favorite Higgins romance, because they all follow pretty much the same formula, and yet are all so much fun to read. Hopefully this review will push you in the right direction and encourage you to pick up a book by Kristin Higgins! And if you already have, well, let’s just giggle and gaggle and gossip together over which Higgins man we’d like to have for ourselves…
A nice sweet romance. It was very clean and had a lot of family involved in the story. The main character is realistic and not helpless (although she may be prone to telling strangers her problems at the DMV). She is the daughter of divorced parents who own a funeral home. There was plenty of tension to keep the story going and the romance itself was very sweet and believable. A great summer read!
The mix of characters, the uncharacteristic family business, and the hot boss were funny, quirky, and entertaining.
The cold as ice vet, sounded very good, in a quiet sort of way. I love the male mystery.
This book made me laugh, more than once, and cry.
I recommend this story to anyone that just needs to feel good.
The cold as ice vet, sounded very good, in a quiet sort of way. I love the male mystery.
This book made me laugh, more than once, and cry.
I recommend this story to anyone that just needs to feel good.