landragraf's review against another edition
3.0
Great little escape book. For those readers who enjoy less graphic bedroom scenes, on a scale of 1-5 this book rates on a 2 heat level.
Excellent character development and a great way to display the small town. There's plenty of humor and angst in Higgins writing. I just wish the cover would have reflected the heroine better, since she's curvy and not the willowy beauty.
My only hesitations are that I felt the hero and heroine spent too much time apart at the beginning of the story, getting this pair together dragged a bit. Once the book hit 50%, that's when things took off. Past and history are the great antagonists of this book, and Higgins pulls it off well. I may visit Blue Heron again.
Excellent character development and a great way to display the small town. There's plenty of humor and angst in Higgins writing. I just wish the cover would have reflected the heroine better, since she's curvy and not the willowy beauty.
My only hesitations are that I felt the hero and heroine spent too much time apart at the beginning of the story, getting this pair together dragged a bit. Once the book hit 50%, that's when things took off. Past and history are the great antagonists of this book, and Higgins pulls it off well. I may visit Blue Heron again.
jen2499's review against another edition
5.0
I always love Kristen Higgins books. Levi who had been through a lot growing up is a great character. Someone who is there for everyone. He also is there for his sister.
rachielove9's review against another edition
3.0
I am not a romance novel reader, but I really enjoyed this novel. It was sweet and full of heart and also full of marvelous references to the Finger Lakes region where I have lived for almost all of my 27 years.
It is a fun, happy read, best enjoyed with a glass of FL wine while lounging in the sun.
It is a fun, happy read, best enjoyed with a glass of FL wine while lounging in the sun.
mmqin's review
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
4.25
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED that! LOVED!!!
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for this ARC.
What I loved: Heartwarming, romantic and hilariously funny, The Best Man is Kristan Higgins' best work yet! I devoured this book in one day and I can't remember laughing so hard or so often. (My stomach hurt from laughing so hard I counted it as my ab workout.)
Faith, Levi and the rest of this entertaining cast of characters are realistic and relateable.
The scenery is beautiful and the romance is steamilicious without being raunchy, something I found incredibly refreshing in this post "quinquagenarian shadiness" era. Also, automatic toilets have always frightened me and I'll never look at Justin Timblerake or white hoodies the same way again. *snort*
One of the things I enjoy about Kristan's MC's is that the women come in all shapes and sizes and the men, while certainly nice to look at, aren't perfect. Levi for example, is a war veteran and the town's police chief who tends to have issues with control and smiling but trust me, he's completely swoonworthy. Faith is beautiful, funny and stronger than she realizes. With a little help from family and her dog, Blue, she and Levi both learn what it means to forgive and how loving someone can teach you how to truly live.
What left me wanting: I didn't want this story to end! I could've read another 400+ pages of Faith and Levi's story. :D
Final verdict: Lighthearted romance that you don't want to miss! You can thank me later, or you know, thank Kristan because she wrote it. ;)
Favorite quote(s):
"Want to have a drink sometime?"
"No! I mean, sure, to catch up, but not romantically, okay? Because I babysat you."
"Maybe they could go into business. Condescending Looks, LLC
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin for this ARC.
What I loved: Heartwarming, romantic and hilariously funny, The Best Man is Kristan Higgins' best work yet! I devoured this book in one day and I can't remember laughing so hard or so often. (My stomach hurt from laughing so hard I counted it as my ab workout.)
Faith, Levi and the rest of this entertaining cast of characters are realistic and relateable.
The scenery is beautiful and the romance is steamilicious without being raunchy, something I found incredibly refreshing in this post "quinquagenarian shadiness" era. Also, automatic toilets have always frightened me and I'll never look at Justin Timblerake or white hoodies the same way again. *snort*
One of the things I enjoy about Kristan's MC's is that the women come in all shapes and sizes and the men, while certainly nice to look at, aren't perfect. Levi for example, is a war veteran and the town's police chief who tends to have issues with control and smiling but trust me, he's completely swoonworthy. Faith is beautiful, funny and stronger than she realizes. With a little help from family and her dog, Blue, she and Levi both learn what it means to forgive and how loving someone can teach you how to truly live.
What left me wanting: I didn't want this story to end! I could've read another 400+ pages of Faith and Levi's story. :D
Final verdict: Lighthearted romance that you don't want to miss! You can thank me later, or you know, thank Kristan because she wrote it. ;)
Favorite quote(s):
"Want to have a drink sometime?"
"No! I mean, sure, to catch up, but not romantically, okay? Because I babysat you."
"Maybe they could go into business. Condescending Looks, LLC
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
5.0
This is still my most favorite Kristan Higgins' book, and my go-to read/listen when I need a pick me up. Because Levi. <3
dtrumps's review against another edition
5.0
Gone Pecan
Favorite Quote: Why was it so hard to find the right guy? Faith didn’t think she was too picky; she just wanted someone who wasn’t gay, married, unkind, amoral, or too short.
Faith Holland has spent the last few years in San Fransisco, working as a landscape architect. San Francisco is the the place she ran away to when, on the day of her wedding, her fiancé came out of the closet. But she’s back in Manningsport, New York, working on a project on her family’s vineyard. And trying to convince everyone in town that she’s no longer in love with her ex. She is also trying to live with the guilt she feels over her mother’s death by finding a new wife for her father. The first person she runs into when she gets into town is her former fiancé’s best friend and the best man at her aborted wedding, Levi Cooper. The guy who has 10 degrees of disinterest in her, who never liked her. Too bad he’s so freaking hot.
Levi Cooper is a former trailer park kid done good, now the Chief of Police in Manningsport. His best friend was engaged to “Princess Super-Cute” and he knew something was off. Levi, an Afganistan veteran, is comfortable in his life. Sure, he works too much, but he loves his little sister and his job, and the people of Manningsport are like family to him now. He’s even close to Faith’s family on the hill. He’s always kept his distance from Faith because of their completely different upbringing. But he’s definitely noticed her enticing curves and beautiful red hair. He does his best to ignore her and his attraction to her, but before long, it’s inevitable that he act on it.
I now realize why I love Kristan Higgins’ books. Her heroines are kinda awkward and clumsy, as am I. Plus they always fall for the stoic alpha guy, sort of like my husband. I think her characters get better and more interesting with every book. Every time, I think “I think this guy is my favorite,” but the next is ultimately better. (Except for Trevor, who is the best and can never be replaced.) Levi is definitely at the top of the list. Levi is just a man going about his business, not really wanting for anything. Faith’s return to Manningsport has kind of caused a disturbance in the force, but he’s very good at not showing it, or even acknowledging it to himself.
Faith, for her part, just wants to move on and prove to everyone that she isn’t broken, despite the disappointment in her engagement. But everyone in town has a long memory and takes every opportunity to remind her of it. She’s a very strong character, carrying around a burden that makes her work hard at making sure everyone around her is taken care of. I really liked her and felt for her, but she was definitely someone I could befriend. She was funny, self-deprecating, and capable. Much stronger than the people around her gave her credit for. Faith and Levi together were funny, the dialogue crackled, the page nearly lit on fire when they were together. And only together could they each get over the things that were holding them back, which proves how much they belong together. This is definitely in the top 3 favorite Kristan Higgins books, a re-read, to be sure.
Pecans: 5/5
Favorite Quote: Why was it so hard to find the right guy? Faith didn’t think she was too picky; she just wanted someone who wasn’t gay, married, unkind, amoral, or too short.
Faith Holland has spent the last few years in San Fransisco, working as a landscape architect. San Francisco is the the place she ran away to when, on the day of her wedding, her fiancé came out of the closet. But she’s back in Manningsport, New York, working on a project on her family’s vineyard. And trying to convince everyone in town that she’s no longer in love with her ex. She is also trying to live with the guilt she feels over her mother’s death by finding a new wife for her father. The first person she runs into when she gets into town is her former fiancé’s best friend and the best man at her aborted wedding, Levi Cooper. The guy who has 10 degrees of disinterest in her, who never liked her. Too bad he’s so freaking hot.
Levi Cooper is a former trailer park kid done good, now the Chief of Police in Manningsport. His best friend was engaged to “Princess Super-Cute” and he knew something was off. Levi, an Afganistan veteran, is comfortable in his life. Sure, he works too much, but he loves his little sister and his job, and the people of Manningsport are like family to him now. He’s even close to Faith’s family on the hill. He’s always kept his distance from Faith because of their completely different upbringing. But he’s definitely noticed her enticing curves and beautiful red hair. He does his best to ignore her and his attraction to her, but before long, it’s inevitable that he act on it.
I now realize why I love Kristan Higgins’ books. Her heroines are kinda awkward and clumsy, as am I. Plus they always fall for the stoic alpha guy, sort of like my husband. I think her characters get better and more interesting with every book. Every time, I think “I think this guy is my favorite,” but the next is ultimately better. (Except for Trevor, who is the best and can never be replaced.) Levi is definitely at the top of the list. Levi is just a man going about his business, not really wanting for anything. Faith’s return to Manningsport has kind of caused a disturbance in the force, but he’s very good at not showing it, or even acknowledging it to himself.
Faith, for her part, just wants to move on and prove to everyone that she isn’t broken, despite the disappointment in her engagement. But everyone in town has a long memory and takes every opportunity to remind her of it. She’s a very strong character, carrying around a burden that makes her work hard at making sure everyone around her is taken care of. I really liked her and felt for her, but she was definitely someone I could befriend. She was funny, self-deprecating, and capable. Much stronger than the people around her gave her credit for. Faith and Levi together were funny, the dialogue crackled, the page nearly lit on fire when they were together. And only together could they each get over the things that were holding them back, which proves how much they belong together. This is definitely in the top 3 favorite Kristan Higgins books, a re-read, to be sure.
Pecans: 5/5