Review: All I Ever Wanted

All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins

Publication Date: July 2010
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: Paperback, 409 pp
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN-13: 9780373774586
ISBN: 0373774583

(Received for review from Net Galley)

Synopsis (Courtesy of Barnes & Noble):

One Happily-Ever-After Rocking Chair...

and no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol' Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company's new Miss Perfect. If that isn't bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a three-oh birthday bash in the family funeral home.

Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a crazy relationship with the town's not so warm and fuzzy veterinarian, Ian MacFarland, in order to flag Mark's attention. So Ian is more comfortable with animals... So he's formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it's time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But dang, if he doesn't shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont's unlikeliest eligible bachelor...

Thoughts:

This is a lighthearted book about love. Author Kristan Higgins brings the reader into a typical office romance. Callie is having a relationship with her boss, Mark when he announces to company on Callie's 30th birthday that he's marrying someone else. She is convinced that Mark really does love her, he just doesn't know it yet, so enlists the help of the local vet to make him jealous. Ian MacFarland is far from a romantic at heart. He's not the warm and fuzzy type and finds animals easier to talk to than people, but underneath all the gruff and roughness he is a genuinely good guy. Once Callie figures out she's falling for him it might take the help of a canine to make her dreams come true.

This is a great contemporary romance. I liked the fact the Callie, the main character is a very positive person who has a lot going for her. She just doesn't realize her boss, isn't such a great guy. She has a quirky family which she loves and isn't surprised by their antics, even the birthday party at the funeral home. LOL! Not sure I'd like to have a party there if I were her. She tries to help Ian change his personality to be more outgoing, but she comes up against a hard wall with this one.

Ian is a typical shy man. He doesn't know how to deal with situations where he has to talk to people. So he decides on a profession where he won't have to that often. He is fine around dogs and cats, it's people he has trouble with. He seems like a nerd of sorts, organized and very Yes, Sir, No, Sir! But underneath he really does have a sweet and tender side.

I liked this romance a lot and thought the author did an excellent job of drawing the reader in and holding their attention. It's a fast paced read, that might make you rethink dating that guy in the next cubicle...

All I Ever Wanted is available Now from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!




Here is some additional information about Kristin Higgins.

Kristan Higgins is the RITA Award-winning author of Catch of the Day and three other romantic comedies. Previously a copywriter, Kristan began writing fiction when her children graced her life with simultaneous naps... so much more satisfying that folding laundry. She holds a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross, which enables her to identify dangling participles and quote many great novels. Kristan lives with her family in Connecticut.