Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Review: All I Ever Wanted



All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 318 (eReader)
Source: Purchased based on blogger recommendation
Author's Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

Description:
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 McFarland, 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....

My Rating:

My Review
We've all been where Callie Grey is.  She's been in love with the same man all her life and when he finally starts to notice her she starts to hear wedding bells (so maybe we haven't all been there but lets just go with it anyway).  Soon Callie's hopes are dashed and she starts looking for a distraction to take taker her mind and her heart off of Mark.  She sets her sights on Ian, the new veterinarian, but he's having none of it (or so he thinks).  Though Callie feels as though her heart will never get over Mark, she's kept busy with her quirky family and friends, but we all know that things have a way of working out.  This time, it is nothing the way that Callie has planned at all.  But maybe that's a good thing.

This book was such a joy.  I purchased this book after reading another blogger's review (I can't remember who...I'm such a bad friend) and I'm oh so glad that I did.  If you love great characters, this is a book for you.  The characters are different from other typical characters in other romance novels and they felt so real. Ian isn't like the typical male hero that everyone loves.  Ian's a bit unfriendly and has difficulty connecting with people.  I know so many people like that (me)!!  Mark isn't the greatest guy around but I think he'd fit right into today's world and is miles a part from the typical bad buy that does the heroine wrong.  Here Mark, is human and could be a better person.  He's not the most complex guy around but he is well written without being stereotypical.  I liked Callie but I really enjoyed the supporting characters a bit more.  Though I think the characters really make this one a must read, the plot was fabtastic as well.  I liked how things come so easy for any of the characters and there was plenty of drama to keep me interested.

Overall, this is a great contemporary romance for those wanting to escape stereotypes and clichés for at least one book.  Don't forget your popcorn!!

Have you read this one?  Read Kristan Higgins?  Thoughts?  Oh and weren't we just talking about contemporary romances are great summer reads?  
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10 comments:

  1. I need this one! I am new fan girl to her :)

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  2. Oohhh I love character driven books! Sometimes they can make you overlook the subpar plot and story. But sounds like this one fit the bill in both story and characters. I like the premise of this one, and I like the idea of a standoffish male lead. I'll have to check this one out one day.

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    1. I think all the characters managed to really push the boundaries of expectations and I loved that. This one is definitely worth adding to your list.

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  3. Was it my review? ;) I read it this summer :)

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  4. I think this is the only Kristan Higgins book that Iv'e truly adored. it was one of my favorite reads the year it came out. I really liked Callie, how she was quirky and fun and how she had to learn the hard way just what Mark was made of.

    I loved Ian, I'm a bit antisocial myself so I get that he likes to be alone. and that he isn't always a demonstrative person. But I love how dedicated he is to his job and how kind he is to people without making a big show of it.

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    1. I loved that about him as well. I also loved how he dealt with the issues in his past. It just seemed so real.

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  5. I haven't read this one and I never heard of the author. I've read other books with the same idea though, and I never get tired of them! I think contemporary romances are not just great summer reads. They're also awesome reads during rainy season, while sipping hot choco and snuggled in fluffy blankets. :]

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    1. Oh my gosh I know. And it is so unbearably hot that I can't wait to be sipping hot chocolate and snuggling in blankets to get my read on.

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