Awhile back I asked for contemporary recommendations. I got some great recommendations - this book was one of them, sort of. Christine recommended "anything by Kristan Higgins" and when I went to the bookstore this was the only title of hers they had. All I can say is...Wow!
This book was bittersweet but full of laugh out loud moments. I think the best way to tell you about this book is to give you a run-down of the main characters:
Grace Emerson - Cute, young history teacher, likes to perform at Civil War reinactments, teaches Dancing to the Oldies at the local old folks' home, spends time reading to the elderly who don't get visitors. Loves Project Runway. Is dating Wyatt Dunn, a pediatric surgeon she made up so her family wouldn't feel sorry for her because her sister is engaged to her ex-fiance.
Wyatt Dunn - Imaginary pediatric surgeon who rescues cats in his spare time; currently dating Grace Emerson.
Callahan O'Shea- Ex-con, moved into the house next door to Grace. When he couldn't find the keys to his house the night he went in, he went over to her house to ask to use the phone and she mistook him for a burgeler, slamming him in the head with a hockey stick. Seems to be a pretty decent guy, prison record notwithstanding. Grace and Callahan exchange some pretty fun dialogue about his past.
Julian - Grace's best friend; he's gay. Together they commiserate about the difficulties of finding a good man. Occasionally helps her fend off her overbearing family and watches Project Runway with Grace.
Natalie Emerson - Grace's younger sister. Grace and Natalie have always been close, more so since Natalie almost died while she was in college. Fell in love at first sight with Andrew, Grace's then-fiance but tried to ignore her feelings for Andrew. Has lots of guilt about it.
Andrew Carson - Grace's ex-fiance, currently engaged to Natalie.
Margaret Emerson (forget her married name)- Grace's older sister. Dry, biting wit. Is a lawyer, married to Stuart who teaches at the same school as Grace. Margaret is looking for some excitement in her marriage but doesn't think Stuart is up to it.
Meme- Grace's grandmother. Seriously mean old biddy. Delivers some pretty good lines. She has a scene with Callahan that had me laughing so hard people turned around to see what I was laughing at!
Angus McFangus - the cutest dog in a story ever! He was adorable!
I really liked this book. I felt like I was there with the characters and was disappointed when I got to the last page and there was no more book to read. There were several laugh-out-loud moments in this book, I will definitely be searching out more of Ms. Higgins' books. Thanks Christine!
Oh I wanna read this one now, it sounds fun and I love that. Even with teh bittersweet
ReplyDeleteYou are so very welcome for the recommendation, Patti. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that this book worked for you! I loved this story, too. I think that one of the things that really works for Ms. Higgins is that she can take such an ordinary story about an ordinary woman with an ordinary family... and pen a credible love story with equal doses of humor and emotion that's both entertaining and sigh-worthy.
ReplyDeleteAnd look!! You're reading Fools Rush In already! That one I haven't read, but have on my TBR shelf. Can't wait to hear what you think!
Oh! And you have the 'In Death' Reading Challenge on your sidebar!! Thank you so much! It's gonna be fun!
Only your reviews can make me switch from paranormal romance to contemporary! I am so adding this to my goodreads book shelf.
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