Helpful Score: 4
My new favorite Kristan Higgins book. A story about a girl who has avoided love afer an intense break up and divorce. At first I didn't understand her apprehension towards love and commitment but as the story slowly unfolded - which I loved, I was able to completely understand her story and why she was the way she was.
I loved the unfolding love triangle and really wasn't sure where our main character would end up - which I love. Sometimes my favorite part of a book is when I guess wrong! I flipped and flopped back and forth as to which guy I thought may work better for her. I am still not sure if I like the road she chose, but I was glad that I didn't know too far ahead of time.
The ease of reading made me rate it as a perfect beach read - I was on my way to Vegas for a work trip and it was the perfect companion while travelling. Definitely a read for an audience of ladies!
I loved the unfolding love triangle and really wasn't sure where our main character would end up - which I love. Sometimes my favorite part of a book is when I guess wrong! I flipped and flopped back and forth as to which guy I thought may work better for her. I am still not sure if I like the road she chose, but I was glad that I didn't know too far ahead of time.
The ease of reading made me rate it as a perfect beach read - I was on my way to Vegas for a work trip and it was the perfect companion while travelling. Definitely a read for an audience of ladies!
Helpful Score: 3
This is a really good book! It made me laugh, cry, sigh, worry... I loved it and read it almost non-stop from cover to cover. The road trip the couple takes together is great- to me it's the best part of the book.
The heroine Harper is deliciously snarky, almost too much in the beginning, causing me to dislike her for about the first 50 pages or so. Then suddenly, her heart starts spilling out over the pages, and you can't help but love her. There are a few "head-slap" moments where she makes choices I definitely wouldn't have, but as is typical with a Kristan Higgins book, the happy ending came along, tied up the loose ends, and left me smiling. I definitely enjoyed it.
The heroine Harper is deliciously snarky, almost too much in the beginning, causing me to dislike her for about the first 50 pages or so. Then suddenly, her heart starts spilling out over the pages, and you can't help but love her. There are a few "head-slap" moments where she makes choices I definitely wouldn't have, but as is typical with a Kristan Higgins book, the happy ending came along, tied up the loose ends, and left me smiling. I definitely enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 2
Kristan Higgins continues to improve as an author with her latest. I like her books more and more each year. This one is a bit different from her previous ones. It features a couple of exes on a road trip for most of the book. While I found the beginning a little slow, it really picked up when Nick and Harper met up again. They have a great chemistry between them that is seen in their great banter. While we never get to read Nick's thoughts or point of view, it really came across that he still cared about her. Throughout the book, the reader sees the development of their relationship in college, their marriage at a young age, their divorce, and their reconcilation. The reconcilation takes most of the book, but they both must deal with their own issues (her abandonment issues and his work-a-holic and control issues)but they both emerge better people, willing to make changes in their lives in order to be with the one person they each realize is their true love. My only tiny complaint is about the cover. I was born and raised in New York state, and I can assure you that the license plate featured on the car hasn't been used in a good 15 years or more. To conclude, a great read and the best of the author so far.
love Higgins but i couldn't get into this book for some reason
This book has great descriptions of Martha's Vineyard, NYC, and Big Sky country. It's a little darker than her other contemporary romances, but still made me laugh out loud (and cry). Harper is a successful divorce attorney who left her husband before he could leave her after only a few months of marriage. Nick is the ex who has never stopped loving her. The story of how they reconnect on a forced cross country road trip makes a great beach read. However, Catch of the Day remains my favorite by this author.
Another winner from Kristan. I have read enough of her books that now I feel like I am on a first name basis with her! Harper is a divorce attorney thrown into an uncomfortable situation with her ex-husband Nick when her younger sister becomes engaged to Nick's brother. The wedding in Montana leaves Harper stranded and Nick offers to drive her to the next airport. Lots of shared memories start to shatter Harper's icy exterior. A side trip to meet the mother she hasn't seen since she was a teen is heart wrenching. The scene when Harper decides to throw her cautions to the wind is wonderful! 4 stars!
Yes this was the first book I've read by this author. I really enjoyed the story. It was cute how the dog was included. But did get alittle tired of Harper saying "crotch" alot. Otherwise look forward to reading more of her books.
This was another good story by Ms Higgins. I really didn't like the heroine much at all until the end. Then I understood why she was like that and it all made sense to me. The romance was nice, the fun parts were good, and the characters were believable, but I felt it needed more from the supporting characters. (However, I did love BeverLee!) I recommend this book for some summer reading.
I liked it but I don't think it was as good as some of her previous ones.
First, Kristan Higgins has some of the best covers on her books. She's also one of my favorite authors. My One and Only is a story of second chances. When Harper and Nick married they were both in love, but so very young; both products of bitter divorces. They didn't have the skills to nurture a budding marriage. They divorce due to their wretched communication skills and misunderstanding. They meet again over a decade later when both attend a wedding of a relative.
I loved the heroine of My One and Only. She's snarky, quick, well-educated. She can come off as too much of a smart-ass, but it's so clear the hardshell of cynicism is a shield against the awful losses she's experienced. When you understand her background and upbringing, you don't see her the way she tries to make you see her. The hero was a little too good to be true, but I suspended disbelief as one must when you read these books.
Kristan Higgins has a way of making the town one of the secondary characters. She has a cute, lovable dog and zany relatives in this story as in so many of her stories. I found My One and Only heartwarming and touching.
I loved the heroine of My One and Only. She's snarky, quick, well-educated. She can come off as too much of a smart-ass, but it's so clear the hardshell of cynicism is a shield against the awful losses she's experienced. When you understand her background and upbringing, you don't see her the way she tries to make you see her. The hero was a little too good to be true, but I suspended disbelief as one must when you read these books.
Kristan Higgins has a way of making the town one of the secondary characters. She has a cute, lovable dog and zany relatives in this story as in so many of her stories. I found My One and Only heartwarming and touching.
Meet Harper she is a divorce lawyer on the Vineyard and seems to have it all. Her gorgeous boyfriend meets all her needs and she has a check list for him to correct what is wrong. Then her step sister needs her, she goes to help and ends up taking a journey back through her past. Can she stop being in control and let someone take care of her?
This was not one of my favorites from the author. I think some of her earlier books were better. I did enjoy the story and I wondered how it would work out in the end.
This was not one of my favorites from the author. I think some of her earlier books were better. I did enjoy the story and I wondered how it would work out in the end.
Not as easy a read as Ms. Higgins work in the past. I spent the first part of the book trying to understand/empathize with the lead character and then, when deeper insight was provided, found I was disturbed and had to put the book down for awhile. It's a good book with a lot of character development and you get to see someone really grow. Kristan Higgins is a remarkable author and she's written a strong book here.
My One and Only by Kristan Higgins
Release Date: March 29th, 2011
Publisher: HQN (Harlequin)
Page Count: 382
Source: From Little Bird Publicity for review
Just when she thought she had life and love figured out...
Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.
Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting -- just around the bend.
What Stephanie Thinks: To be as straightforward as possible, I loved this book. I don't think I've read a contemporary romance that's all of heartbreaking, tearjerking, humorous, and connecting in a very long time. Higgins's voice is relatable and realistic, and her characters are lovable. So lovable, I find myself getting attached to them on a personal level. Don't you just hate it when you crush on fictional characters?
There are a few different conflicts within the story, the main one being Harper's unquenched feelings towards her ex, Nick. Nick... oh Nick. Be still my beating heart. Nick is probably the ideal flawed hero, who's intense, gorgeous, smart, sexy, sex... uh. Where was I? Oh yeah. One look at him -- the first time in twelve years -- and Harper knows she's putty in his hands. Another issue branches off of this one -- her relationship with her now-boyfriend, Dennis. Dennis may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but he's sweet -- boyishly, adorably sweet -- and yes, I've gone and fallen in love with him too. Sigh. What is it with me and Higgins's male protagonists? Anyway, Harper and Dennis have been together for three years now, and he still hasn't popped the question. Pushing her mid-thirties, Harper's clock is ticking. Dennis needs to propose, and he needs to propose now.
And eventually, he does. At the exact wrong moment, that is. The plot has so many clever twists that have me both wincing and laughing at the same time. There's a more desolate story in this novel too. It involves a sad but poignant understanding of Harper's mother, who left when she was only thirteen, and that sometimes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. But that doesn't mean the absence is damaging.
The only teensy fault in My One and Only is that Harper is a bit full of herself. She's beautiful, smart, successful -- but something is a little off when she's the one telling me that. I understand complacency is her tragic flaw (thankfully she admits and resolves it in the end), but for the most part, I find her very annoying. To be honest, she is one of my least favorite characters. Well, she was one of my least favorite characters, until I heard her complete story. Which, by the way, is unravels slowly throughout the novel, revealing her past with her family, and with Nick, that has shaped her to be the woman she is today. By the end of the book, I was nearly bawling -- for two reasons. One, because the book was over. Two, because Harper's story was over. I initially didn't like Harper, but after discovering her story -- her entire story -- I sympathized with her like she was a real friend, not a storybook character. And this is what makes Higgins's masterpiece of a novel perfect, perfect, and more perfect. With a fresh, sentimental voice, she creates a reality which I fantasize about -- and that, as a writer, is her biggest, and most brilliant accomplishment.
Stephanie Loves: "I knew we were too young. I knew I wasn't ready. I wanted to wait. Years, preferably. But once we were engaged, Nick put on a full-court press to marry quickly, and I lost the battle on that one.
Eleven months after his marriage proposal, and six months after our wedding, we both lost the war."
Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites!
Release Date: March 29th, 2011
Publisher: HQN (Harlequin)
Page Count: 382
Source: From Little Bird Publicity for review
Just when she thought she had life and love figured out...
Divorce attorney Harper James can't catch a break. Bad enough that she runs into her ex-hubby, Nick, at her sister's destination wedding, but now, by a cruel twist of fate, she's being forced to make a cross-country road trip with him. And her almost-fiancé back at home is not likely to be sympathetic.
Harper can't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting -- just around the bend.
What Stephanie Thinks: To be as straightforward as possible, I loved this book. I don't think I've read a contemporary romance that's all of heartbreaking, tearjerking, humorous, and connecting in a very long time. Higgins's voice is relatable and realistic, and her characters are lovable. So lovable, I find myself getting attached to them on a personal level. Don't you just hate it when you crush on fictional characters?
There are a few different conflicts within the story, the main one being Harper's unquenched feelings towards her ex, Nick. Nick... oh Nick. Be still my beating heart. Nick is probably the ideal flawed hero, who's intense, gorgeous, smart, sexy, sex... uh. Where was I? Oh yeah. One look at him -- the first time in twelve years -- and Harper knows she's putty in his hands. Another issue branches off of this one -- her relationship with her now-boyfriend, Dennis. Dennis may not be the brightest crayon in the box, but he's sweet -- boyishly, adorably sweet -- and yes, I've gone and fallen in love with him too. Sigh. What is it with me and Higgins's male protagonists? Anyway, Harper and Dennis have been together for three years now, and he still hasn't popped the question. Pushing her mid-thirties, Harper's clock is ticking. Dennis needs to propose, and he needs to propose now.
And eventually, he does. At the exact wrong moment, that is. The plot has so many clever twists that have me both wincing and laughing at the same time. There's a more desolate story in this novel too. It involves a sad but poignant understanding of Harper's mother, who left when she was only thirteen, and that sometimes, absence does make the heart grow fonder. But that doesn't mean the absence is damaging.
The only teensy fault in My One and Only is that Harper is a bit full of herself. She's beautiful, smart, successful -- but something is a little off when she's the one telling me that. I understand complacency is her tragic flaw (thankfully she admits and resolves it in the end), but for the most part, I find her very annoying. To be honest, she is one of my least favorite characters. Well, she was one of my least favorite characters, until I heard her complete story. Which, by the way, is unravels slowly throughout the novel, revealing her past with her family, and with Nick, that has shaped her to be the woman she is today. By the end of the book, I was nearly bawling -- for two reasons. One, because the book was over. Two, because Harper's story was over. I initially didn't like Harper, but after discovering her story -- her entire story -- I sympathized with her like she was a real friend, not a storybook character. And this is what makes Higgins's masterpiece of a novel perfect, perfect, and more perfect. With a fresh, sentimental voice, she creates a reality which I fantasize about -- and that, as a writer, is her biggest, and most brilliant accomplishment.
Stephanie Loves: "I knew we were too young. I knew I wasn't ready. I wanted to wait. Years, preferably. But once we were engaged, Nick put on a full-court press to marry quickly, and I lost the battle on that one.
Eleven months after his marriage proposal, and six months after our wedding, we both lost the war."
Radical Rating: 9 hearts- One of my all-time favorites!
