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My One and Only

by Kristan Higgins (Goodreads Author)

3.97 of 5 stars 3.97 · rating details · 5,117 ratings · 591 reviews

Just when she thought she had life and love all 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...more

Kindle Edition, 385 pages

Published May 29th 2011 by HQN Books (first published March 29th 2011)

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Apr 27, 2013 Gabriella *is awesome* rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chic-lite, skipped-chapters, angst, swoon-worthy-hero, hilarious, fresh-favourites, cover-lust

oh crap ! just made a whole review before it had to get deleted....ugh ! whatever !here we go again...
first things first.....this book is absolutely FANTASTIC !
4 1/2 stars !!! :) .
u read me ! with such a solid plot and lovable main characters..i found it very hard NOT TO LIKE 'MY ONE & ONLY'

"COME ON FLOREANCE !"I yelled out of the window."CAN YOU MOVE IT ?"
The driver of the car extended and arm....and a finger.
It was a male arm and a finger.

And then the car door opened,with my ex husband s...more

11 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2012 Dija rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Lovers of contemporary romance.

Recommended to Dija by: GoodReads, based on my 2011 shelf.

Shelves: 2011, awww, cotton-candy-fluff, cr, lollercoaster, surprisingly-good, wow, authors-i-stalk, read-in-2012, second-chances, my-reviews

My list of authors to ~~stalk~~ follow keeps growing every time I read a new contemporary novel, it seems. My One and Only is the first book of Kristan Higgin's I've read, and I can't wait to read the rest of them.

My One and Only begins with divorce attorney, Harper, trying and failing to convince her boyfriend of more than 2 years to finally marry her, as she'll be turning 34 soon and wants a stable family life. While she's popping the question, her sister calls to tell her that she's getting marri...more My list of authors to ~~stalk~~ follow keeps growing every time I read a new contemporary novel, it seems. My One and Only is the first book of Kristan Higgin's I've read, and I can't wait to read the rest of them.

My One and Only begins with divorce attorney, Harper, trying and failing to convince her boyfriend of more than 2 years to finally marry her, as she'll be turning 34 soon and wants a stable family life. While she's popping the question, her sister calls to tell her that she's getting married for the third time to none other than Harper's ex-husband, Nick's, half-brother. Naturally, Nick and Harper have a lot of unfinished business and their close proximity at the wedding only results in what we all knew would happen all along - a second chance for the two which eventually results in a HEA ending.

Rather predictable, right? Not. Even though the basic plot skeleton is evident from the get-go, there are still several minor plot twists and details that managed to surprise and intrigue me. My One and Only completely falls under the category of the type of book you swear you'll only read for a few minutes before bed, and before you know it, you're exclaiming out loud how perfect the ending was.

Harper is extremely easy to relate to, even though her denials did get a tad annoying at parts. Nonetheless, Higgin's writing flows so smoothly that you can't help but become absolutely engrossed in the story, no matter how badly the characters are messing up.

Nick...oh, dear, sweet Nick. There are alpha males and then there are the boy-next-door types. I'm a complete sucker for both, and dare I say it, even more so for the latter. Nick fell in love with Harper at first sight, and while that usually irritates me, he's so devoted to her that I actually believed in it, at least for the duration of this book.

Higgin's does a perfect job of alternating between the past and present, letting us know little by little how Harper and Nick initially fell in love, how things went wrong, and how they eventually get better. I highly recommend this book to all readers who enjoy something light and fun every once in a while. And because this is the first CR I stayed up all night to read, My One and Only will always hold a special place in my heart.

For more reviews, visit my blog. (less)

12 likes · like · see review

May 27, 2011 Harlequin Books added it · review of another edition

Shelves: harlequin_hqn, 2011

My personal opinion:

What a compelling read! Harper James will make you laugh and sigh with frustration. She suffered a major heartbreak and divorce that has skewed the way she looks at every relationship since. Her firefighter boyfriend was perfect for her because he never demands more than she was willing to offer. He followed direction well too. :) Harper thought life was pretty good until she got a call from her younger stepsister with the news she was getting married to someone she has known...more

8 likes · like · see review

May 15, 2013 Farah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Have you ever had that one person that from the moment you met them they took your breath away and immediately you knew you would never be the same again?

Harper and Nick were madly in love- at age 21 and after two years or dating she knows she wants to be with him, that he is THE ONE

Nick...

Harper...

She just doesn't want to get married just yet..
But she does, because he asks and because love can withstand it all, right?

That's what Harper thought, until Nicks aspirations and dreams came first and...more

10 likes · like · see review

Jun 12, 2012 Tabitha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Why this ISN'T a 5-star book:

Harper, the female lead, is astonishingly annoying. I mean I've read cynical characters and even ultra bitchy ones, but Harper's harping was so repetitive and, well, mean, I found her hard to like. Add her rotten attitude to constant lawyer speech and you've got one unlikable lead. The entire book from her POV meant there was an emotional depth lacking, because Harper's emotional capacity was "stunted" or "guarded" throughout.

I find some issues get ignored in romanc...more

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Apr 29, 2011 KarenH rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who can read

Shelves: definitely-worth-your-while, excellent-love-story, feisty-heroine, heart-wrenching, keep-the-kleenex-close-by, keepers, paperback-5-stars-plus, second-time-around, sexy-with-a-capital-s-hero, top-5ish-favorites, the-real-keepers-in-paperback

First of all, if you are on the fence about whether or not to read this book because it is giving you that "chick-lit" vibe, you can climb down now sista and start reading ...this one is all about the romance.

My One and Only is Harper Evan's story, a 33-year-old divorce (and divorced) lawyer living year-round on Martha's Vineyard with her Toto-lookalike dog. She is attractive, successful...but OMG what a force to be reckoned with!. She is cynical, she is sarcastic and she has extreme OCD issues....more

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Oct 29, 2012 Büşra Bal rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Bu kitap uzun,çoook uzun yorumu hakeden bir kitap. Açıkçası bu kadarını beklemiyordum, ''okuyacağım beğeneceğim ama 2 hafta sonra pek aklımda kalmaz '' kitaplarından olduğunu düşündüm,ama feci yanılmışım.
Harper 34 yaşında başarılı bir boşanma avukatı, 13 yaşındayken annesi tarafından terkedilmiş ve o zamandan beri bağlanma korkusu yaşayan bir tip.Neyse DEnnis isminde çok çekici bir sevgilisi,bir köpeği,suskun ve pasif bir babası, baş belası (ama çok sevimli ve komik) bir üvey annesi ve hafif so...more Bu kitap uzun,çoook uzun yorumu hakeden bir kitap. Açıkçası bu kadarını beklemiyordum, ''okuyacağım beğeneceğim ama 2 hafta sonra pek aklımda kalmaz '' kitaplarından olduğunu düşündüm,ama feci yanılmışım.
Harper 34 yaşında başarılı bir boşanma avukatı, 13 yaşındayken annesi tarafından terkedilmiş ve o zamandan beri bağlanma korkusu yaşayan bir tip.Neyse DEnnis isminde çok çekici bir sevgilisi,bir köpeği,suskun ve pasif bir babası, baş belası (ama çok sevimli ve komik) bir üvey annesi ve hafif sorunlu bir kız kardeşi var.Sevgilisi Dennis'e evlenme teklif edip,kendi yüzüğünü kendisi alacak kadar da uçuk sorunlu bir tip.

Kız kardeşi bir gün arayıp 3.kez evlenmeye hazırlandığını söylüyor,evleneceği adam da Harper'ın eski kocası Nick'in kardeşi ! Haliyle Harperda çanlar çalmaya başlıyor.Kardeşinin daha önceki tercihlerinden ötürü bu evliliğinin de yürümeyeceğini düşünen Harper onu ikna etme çabasına giriyor.Neyse düğüne gittiğinde Nick'le aralarındaki duyguların ölmediğini anlıyorlar. Şİmdiki sevgilisi Dennis çok sevimli bir adam olsa da onun için Nick'e hissettiklerini hiç hissetmemiş.

Nick de öyle alıştığımız tiplerden değil. Adamın zoru yatıp kalkmak değil,kızı cidden seviyor ki ben bayıldım bu kısma.Tamam kitapta cinselliğe asla karşı değilim,ama karakterlerin birbirlerini ilk gördüklerinde hissettiği şeylerin tamamen fiziksel boyutta kalması canım sıkar. Nick bunun tam tersi,ilk tanıştıklarında 1 ay boyunca sadece kızın elini tutmuş ! Koçum benim,senin gibisi kaldı mı ya?

Nick ve kızımızın ilişkilerinin bozulma sebebi ilgisizlik,beklentiler,beklentileri karşılayamamalar,bağlanma korkusu ve Nick'in aldatıldığını düşünmesi.Aman saf şey.

Kitap ayrıca çok eğlenceli,ve yemin ederim gözümden yaş gelen sahne oldu. Gerçi aşkla alakalı değildi ama 1 damla düştü yani. Bu kadar çeşitli duyguyu hissettiren bir kitap.Ay anlatmalara doymuyorum.

Neyse ben acayip bir kitap okudum, bu hatunu baş tacım yaparım Judith'in yanına koyarım artık. Tek kitapla bunu yapar mısın diyenlere , tek söyleyebileceğim ; Judith'in Kusursuz'unu okuduğunuz da ne hissettiniz ? Alın bu kitabı da onun yanına koyun. Keyifli okuamalar :D (less)

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 04, 2011 Bree rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, galley-grab

http://breesabookworm.blogspot.com/

I was able to snag this book through a galley grab! I just love me some galley grab!

Anywho....it was so sweet! Basically, you've got the story of Harper and Nick. Now, they go way back...married when they were young, divorced quickly after. Once divorced they each moved on with their lives...but not their feelings (though Harper would deny it).

Harper became a divorce attorney on Martha's Vineyard...where she is pretty cynical about love...and Nick started his o...more

3 likes · like · see review

May 18, 2011 Mary Kay rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 23, 2012 Sabrina Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars

My first book by Kristan Higgins and after finishing it, I can't believe I haven't read any of her books before! This book was truly amazing and left me enjoying every minute of it, from beginning to end.

Harper was a wonderful delight to read in the sense that she was someone you could easily relate to: independent, strong, stubborn, smart, sarcastic, caring, and yet at the same time, scared. Her constant fear of the future (the unknown) is what gets her in trouble. Because she is a woman who li...more My first book by Kristan Higgins and after finishing it, I can't believe I haven't read any of her books before! This book was truly amazing and left me enjoying every minute of it, from beginning to end.

Harper was a wonderful delight to read in the sense that she was someone you could easily relate to: independent, strong, stubborn, smart, sarcastic, caring, and yet at the same time, scared. Her constant fear of the future (the unknown) is what gets her in trouble. Because she is a woman who likes to take charge and have control in any and every situation, the intense love Nick has for her frightens her. His confidence in them overwhelms her, leaving her doubting them both and the future they could have. Rest assured, she gets over this fear and lets love take its course.

Nick, on the other hand, was a breath of fresh air. Definitely my kind of guy. Full of confidence, courage, love, support and humor. He's a man who knows what he wants out of life and isn't afraid of what lies ahead. In other words, he was a man easy to love. So full of love and forgiveness. Despite his past relationship with his half-brother and father, he held no grudges against them when they turned a blind eye on him. He could have acted like the big jerk to his brother, or turn his back on his father when he was sick, but instead, he was cordial with his brother and took care of his ill father. Who wouldn't want a guy like that?
--On a side note, I loved how Nick was still new to driving. Somehow, I found it adorable and hilarious when Harper was tailgating him.

Watching Nick and Harper's relationship resurface had me jealous with envy. Although it was easily understandable why they had a falling out, there was NO denying their chemistry. I loved watching these two rekindle the flame. That, and watching these two bicker had me laughing out loud.

All in all, I'm really glad I came across this book. It's been awhile since I've read a book that had me glued to my seat or anxious to get back to it. Looking forward to reading more of Kristan Higgins's work.(less)

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Nov 04, 2012 Jana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance

Do you believe in life after love? This book kneeled me down and had me wrapped up in heart wrenching emotions around 4 a.m. when I put my face deep down into the pillow to quiet and soothe the sobs.

A few months ago I had the worst case of nostalgic breakdown where I had to pay my fees to the guards of the wasteland called ''Letting go''. I was battling against them since January. Angry, embarrassed, with scars so inevitably deep that I had to pinch my skin just to feel that I could still feel...more

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Oct 03, 2011 Tori smexys_sidekick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, review-for-smexybooks, net-galley

Originally posted at http://www.smexybooks.com/2011/03/rev...

Favorite Quote:”Stop smiling. Every time you smile an angel dies.”

Harper James feels like her life has been turned upside down. Her boyfriend won’t get with the program and marry her, her stepmother is asking for sex advice, and her sister is marrying her ex husband’s brother. If life couldn’t get much more crazy, a mix up forces Harper to drive cross country with her ex husband, Nick. A lot of time has passed since Harper and Nick fel...more

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Dec 13, 2012 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don't know why I just re-read this book. It's perhaps even more awful a second time around. I really hated Harper just as much as Nick this time. Ugh.

-----------------
Original thoughts:

Harper was a great character but Nick... ugh. Every scene he was in it felt like he was pressuring Harper into doing what he wanted, into feeling what he wanted her to feel. By the book's end, I found the way he introduced himself, their "meet-cute" if you will, rather revolting and stalkerish.

On the other hand,...more

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May 07, 2013 Devika rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've always been a sucker for childhood bittersweet romances, which is one of the reasons why I decided to read this book.
Harper is a thirty four year old divorce attorney who has to face her ex-husband Nick(whom she hasn't seen for about thirteen years) when her step sister, Willard decides to marry Nick's half brother, Christopher. Nick and Harper got married at a young age, but separated in less then a year. As is often the case in Higgins's novels, the past, shown in flashbacks, is always be...more I've always been a sucker for childhood bittersweet romances, which is one of the reasons why I decided to read this book.
Harper is a thirty four year old divorce attorney who has to face her ex-husband Nick(whom she hasn't seen for about thirteen years) when her step sister, Willard decides to marry Nick's half brother, Christopher. Nick and Harper got married at a young age, but separated in less then a year. As is often the case in Higgins's novels, the past, shown in flashbacks, is always better than the present. A mere glimpse of Harper is all it takes for Nick to realize he has met the love of his life. Harper has had abandonment issues ever since her mother deserted her as a child, and she is reluctant to enter into a relationship and make herself vulnerable. But Nick manages to convince her for their marriage.So, they get married and move in to a small apartment in New York. After that, Nick gets busy working, and Harper gets lonely and feels cheated. She works as a waitress in a bar, and makes some friends there. One night, a drunk co-worker kisses her forcibly, which Nick unfortunately witnesses. He assumes the worst, has a row with her, and goes to his friend's apartment to cool off. A sad Harper files for divorce the very next day.
Now, moving back to the present. Harper's broken marriage has made her cynical towards the concept of marriage. she has a fiance, Denise, whom she intends to marry for convenience. When circumstances force the two of them together, Harper is unable to resist her attraction for Nick, who still loves her. After much inner debate, as well as heated discussions with Nick, Harper finally runs into Nick's waiting arms and we have a Happy ending!
The story has been well written and I especially liked the fact that nobody is anybody's doormat here. Although, it's a little unbelievable that Nick would wait twelve years to get Harper back or let her go that easily. Anyhow, it was a good read and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who is a sucker for a good romance fiction like me:)(less)

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Apr 17, 2013 Haley Mathiot rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved Kristin Higgins' last release, All I Ever Wanted. I loved that it was a good romance with good characters and no explicit sex scenes. I loved the dogs. I loved the quirks. I loved the family, I loved everything about it. I was psyched to get her new release.

Sadly, it was a huge disappointment.

There were a few things that stacked against her in the beginning and I figured they would be made up for later, but it didn't improve. First, the characters.

I didn't like the main character, Harper...more I loved Kristin Higgins' last release, All I Ever Wanted. I loved that it was a good romance with good characters and no explicit sex scenes. I loved the dogs. I loved the quirks. I loved the family, I loved everything about it. I was psyched to get her new release.

Sadly, it was a huge disappointment.

There were a few things that stacked against her in the beginning and I figured they would be made up for later, but it didn't improve. First, the characters.

I didn't like the main character, Harper. She was pessimistic, nosey, had no filter from her brain to her mouth, and her view of marriage was slightly offensive to me (only because I'm a Christian and a romantic. Don't mess with me.). I figured by halfway through the story maybe she'd see things the way they were, or that at least someone would hit her over the head and tell her to get a grip, but nobody did. I didn't like her interior monologue either. She didn't swear, but she had a few expletives that were... raunchy. I don't mind the "d" word too much. But supplementing the word "Crotch" or other phrases of similar nature just doesn't sit well with me.

And her boyfriend had the mentality of a sixth grader. Not joking. We'll leave it at that. Moving on!

Then there was her Ex. He was hot stuff, and I could see how the two of them could make it work (their personalities played off each other) but I just didn't like him. He was totally ignorant of the mistakes he'd made, at the halfway through point where we finally learn the back-story of her and him I seriously wanted to beat him over the head with a baseball bat--or a Bible--and give him a lecture about what marriage meant because the guy didn't get it. I didn't want the two to get back together, because it would be a recipe for disaster all over again. By the looks of it, neither of them had learned from their mistakes!

Second, I knew what was going to happen. She broke up with her boyfriend, she was going to fall for Nick again, and they were going to get married. Again. And because I didn't give a rat's poo about the characters, I didn't really care what happened to them.

Third, there were editorial mistakes. Now I know it's rude to point those out because when you read something dozens of times, you miss stuff like that. I understand that. I'm a writer. But I'm also a Professional Writing major and an editor, and I proofread stuff and I write promotional material and I edit things. It's what I do. It's my job. When I read a published book and I find things like "/= in the middle of the paragraph, or a grammatical error that is definitely not dialect or part of the character's personality, it makes me angry.

Fourth: I don't remember Kristin Higgins being a poor writer, but this book was poorly written and full of fragments. Sentences go like this: Subject, Verb, Direct Object. Or, Actor, Action, Description. Rearranging this causes passive voice, which is never fun to read, even though it does raise the word count. Ellipses should be used sparingly. Two or three per book: not per page or per paragraph.

And, no offense, but the dog was retarded. I know I shouldn't complain about the dog because now I'm just being whiney. But really? Maybe I'm biased about dogs, but I can't stand anything that bounces when it barks, even when it is in a book.

So those are five reasons why I stopped halfway through the book. This one is going to PBS. Don't get me wrong, I will continue to read Kristin's books. I've got a few more of hers that I hope will be as great as All I Ever Wanted, but this book was not her best work.

Recommended: Ages 18+ (Please note I don't know what sort of content was in the second half of the book.)(less)

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Apr 09, 2013 Marisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: eclectic-favorites

Why haven't I read one of Kristan Higgans' books before?!? I really enjoyed this story. HEA!! Just what I needed after a heavier story.

But don't let the "Romance" or "Chick-Lit" label fool you to be all mushy. She is a wonderful writer with a lot of heart. I never once felt any part of the story was "cheesy" or overdone. At the moments when Harper dealt with her issues, it felt real and tugged at my heart strings. Nothing too heavy or unbearable, but just things that happen and leave a scar; bui...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Therese rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: funny, romance, page-turners

A romantic comedy about a tough but big-hearted female divorce lawyer who discovers that her little sister is marrying the brother of the ex-husband who broke her heart 13 years ago. Does she get back with her ex? I'll give you 3 guesses and the first two don't count.

Despite hitting a lot of familiar rom com notes, this was a standout among other fluffy fiction books I've read because of how funny and competently plotted the story was and the mostly non-terrible, often hilarious prose ... This w...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Linda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: second-chances, contemporary-romance, road-trip, humorous-moments

MY ONE AND ONLY covers marriage, miscommunication, anger, and wisdom. Harper James grew up in a dysfunctional family. Nick Lowery did, too. So when they fell in love it was hard and fast. They meant for 'forever after' but things happened. They divorced and now it is years later. They meet when Harper's stepsister and Nick's half-brother are getting married. Who knew?

Anger, sadness, some replay and those good old electric vibes take place. However, there is Harper's boyfriend of 2+ years and Nic...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Leya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: keeper-shelf, kindle

Harper James is an intelligent, independent, beautiful and career oriented woman. But she wants more, she's decided that she wants to get married and have family, and she has the perfect candidate in mind, her eye-candy boyfriend Dennis Costello. The problem is that Dennis doesn't know about the plans yet. Harper's plans are interrupted when she gets a call from her sister, announcing that she's marrying Harper's ex-brother-in-law. Nick Lowery is a successful architect who still has strong feeli...more

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Dec 11, 2012 Jamie Beck rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It is so interesting to read the differing perspectives of fellow readers.
I like this author. Her writing style flows nicely and is light, lively and even funny at times. She also takes her time to develop a rich history for the characters and, in this case, their relationship.

That said, this particular story required too many 'stretches' for me that pulled me out of the story and weakened my enjoyment. I could never really believe she wanted to settle for/marry the 'dude' speaking fire-fighter...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-booklist, romance

Kristan Higgins is a relatively new author for me. I believe I have read only one other book from her and I did enjoy that one as well.

What I enjoy about her books is how authentic it reads. The characters are honest and flawed and messed up and needing fixing yet you see their point. Throughout this whole book I felt sympathy for Harper; yes she didn't handle things properly but her past was the reason for it. I felt justified. And if I've said this once I have said it 100 times if you give me...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is the first Kristan Higgins book I have read. I'll be reading more. This book made me laugh aloud numerous times.

Harper is a divorce attorney who can't catch a break. She wants to marry her boyfriend but he's not on board with her plan (which included buying her own engagement ring and a lengthy 'to do' list for him).
Her sister is, unexpectedly, getting married for the 3rd time in Glacier National Park, Montana, to her ex-husband, Nick's, step brother. She and her ex are at odds at the wed...more

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Sep 28, 2012 Nina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Man, I love Kristan Higgins. This book was probably my favorite of hers, like today since I just finished it. The MC, Harper. I love her. At first, I hated her. Then I wanted to hug her and eat Ben & Jerry's with her. Was such an ice bitch, a real flawed character that grew once she admited that she needed others.

Her ex-husband, Nick. I just loved him. I wanted to hug him for his unfortunate act of meeting and then marrying the ice bitch. Then I wanted to call him an idiot for not fullilling...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Ifadah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm a sucker for the whole 'exes reuniting' thing, so this book was destined to end up on my bookshelf. Add to this the fact that Adele's rendition of 'One And Only' was gallivanting through my head the entire time, and voila - you've got a pleasurable experience! :D
However, I'm a little bugged that Denny ended up with who he ended up with (see how I artfully avoided a spoiler? ;)) - I was looking forward to a sequel that focused on Denny. Oh well, you can't always get what you want, eh?
Aside f...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Kim rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: finders-keepers, made-me-laugh, of-heroines-and-heroin-books, made-me-think

Getting married is no joke. Heck, it isn't a game either, unless you consider the scenario when the villian gives your avatar the final lethal swipe of game over. In this book, divorce attorney's work is intertwined with her life - around her, couples are finally asking themselves why the heck their ring finger has that fat golden band around it and are tossing the rings into the gutter (literally). Marriage didn't work out, married too young, infidelity, I-married-a-convict-without-realising-I-...more Getting married is no joke. Heck, it isn't a game either, unless you consider the scenario when the villian gives your avatar the final lethal swipe of game over. In this book, divorce attorney's work is intertwined with her life - around her, couples are finally asking themselves why the heck their ring finger has that fat golden band around it and are tossing the rings into the gutter (literally). Marriage didn't work out, married too young, infidelity, I-married-a-convict-without-realising-I-swear-I'm-innocent yadda yadda, this book has already laid out all the possibilities of a marriage gone wrong. In this book, marriage is a burden, marriage is a freedom-taker, marriage is a closed door to all your dreams and ambitions.
So, should one get married?
In the beginning, Harper would surely give a yes to that answer. I mean, only then can there be divorces that allow her to earn herself a living, right? But believe me, Harper isn't like that. She's really likeable in the story. I don't know why, but I sure do love attorneys as the female protagonists in a novel. So far, these women are poised, composed (they try to be), smart, sassy, and of all things, bitchy. In a good way. Here, we see Harper as a realist who doesn't really believe in marriage and is only trying to do her job. After one divorce, it sure is hard to pick up the faith in matrimony right? However, she's still as sarcastic as ever, and when she opens her mouth to ~~argue~~communicate, she ensures that her audience are slayed on the spot. One thing I love about her is that she's satirically hilarious when she's impatient, pissed, scared, or panicking. Thankfully she's usually one of the above throughout the entire novel.
There's no doubt why she's single - nobody's her match really. Well. Enter Nick (swoons). His wit is as badass as Harper's. When they're arguing (amiably sometimes, mind you), fireworks ensue. Their undead chemistry and romance is obvious and visible even across the pages.
What I loved about this book was that the male and female protagonists had lives of their own, and hence, the relationship didn't seem forced. They didn't depend on each other like life support machines throughout the entire book like those in most chick-lit novels. Even despite their respective stellar careers, the seem like they were meant to be (and I thought I wasn't cheesy).
I also liked the author's constant reminder of the commitment required from both husband and wife for a marriage to work. Here, marriage is a very huge prospect - unlike most novels where the happy ending (or epilogue) ends abruptly at the marriage altar, here, the marriage process is an entire unique story in itself. How the author manage to tell readers that being in love doesn't necessarily mean that matrimony is ideal or beneficial - WOAH! That was deep (or maybe I'm just shallow).
Here, the plot is fantastic, and along the way I laughed gasped and swooned (well Nick was so hot). Suspense? Surprises? Anguish? Laughter? Check times four. Heck, even the side characters stand out in their own way, almost robbing the leading couple of their limelight (but not quite).
So, again, should one get married?
Well, if one's story is similar to that of Nick and Harper's in terms of romance and chemistry (and rationality and commitment)...
then hell yeah.(less)

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May 02, 2012 Katrina Passick Lumsden rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I had a hard time deciding between three and four stars, but decided to go with four because I feel maybe this book is a little underrated, all things considered.

Yeah, Harper is a straight-up bitch in the beginning, and I really, really disliked her. But I knew that there must be a reason, so I trudged on, and yeah, there was a reason. Harper became a bit more bearable as the story progressed, and by the end, her dumb ass had finally woken up and she quit being quite such a controlling, emotion...more I had a hard time deciding between three and four stars, but decided to go with four because I feel maybe this book is a little underrated, all things considered.

Yeah, Harper is a straight-up bitch in the beginning, and I really, really disliked her. But I knew that there must be a reason, so I trudged on, and yeah, there was a reason. Harper became a bit more bearable as the story progressed, and by the end, her dumb ass had finally woken up and she quit being quite such a controlling, emotionally autistic moron.

Nick is an awesome character. This isn't to say he's perfect, not in the classic "oh, he just does everything right" kind of way. I mean he's perfect in the sense that he's got some serious issues of his own, yet still manages to come across as honest, caring, and just darn likeable.

The sexual tension between Harper and Nick is almost palpable. Kristan Higgins is quite good at crafting chemistry. On the plus side (or minus, depending on your tastes) there were sexy scenes, but they didn't become overly graphic. Which I tend to enjoy. A bit of class, I suppose (sometimes I grow tired of reading phrases like "throbbing erection", you know?).

The humor is good, with Harper's often brash comments making you snicker even though you know you probably shouldn't. Nick's wit easily matches Harper's, and the two of them engaged in enough verbal wars to keep me thoroughly entertained.

My only complaints? Repeating of certain words/phrases, especially considering they were silly replacements for cussing. The first few times Harper said "crotch" I laughed....but around about the 25th occurrence, I was growing a little tired of it. Same with "Holy testicle Tuesday." There's at least one upside to the cuss word replacements, however; they make any real cuss words that much more poignant. There's a chapter where the entire wedding party is out horseback riding. Harper, having been stuck with the oldest, slowest horse, ends up falling behind and coming across the path of a grizzly bear. While she's stuck on her horse, hair caught in a tree, facing down said grizzly, her inner monologue informs us that the bear was "Enormous." Nick ends up coming back to look for Harper, and says, "Harper, where the hell - holy crap, that thing is fucking huge."

Maybe it's strange, but it made me laugh. Probably because I pictured some guy on horseback just making this strange declaration regarding the size of a bear in the middle of the woods. Have I mentioned how much I loved Nick? Seriously awesome guy.

Anyway, to wrap things up, this was more than tolerable for me, it was enjoyable. I finished it in one sitting, if that says anything. A great book about how much damage the loss of a parent can wreak, second chances, and believing in love for its own sake.

(less)

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Dec 27, 2011 Heather Bokon rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When her sister Willa announces that she's marrying Christopher Lowery, Harper James and her ex-husband Nick, Christopher's brother, are thrown together for the first time since they divorced twelve years ago. Harper's determined to just get through the weekend without incident, but that's not the way it goes.

I really, really liked this book. This is my first Kristan Higgins, and I'll absolutely be looking for more. The chemistry between Harper and Nick was clear, as was the fact that they just...more

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Dec 23, 2011 Kym McNabney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Reading MY ONE AND ONLY BY KRISTAN HIGGINS was an unexpected shocker. Never having read any of her writing, I'd spotted ALL I EVER WANTED on Amazon, and decided to order it. It's always a risk when you decide to read a book by an unfamiliar author. Before I had a chance to read it, I did what you should never do...I purchased another book by the same author.

Hesitant to read a new author, I finally started ALL I EVER WANTED, but was soon disappointed. Reading mainly inspirational fiction, the of...more

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Nov 27, 2011 Aarann rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved, loved, LOVED this book. I definitely found myself relating (maybe a bit too much) to Harper's fear of abandonment and tendency to run from anything that could hurt her, so I was particularly invested in seeing how she resolved her issues. Nick was adorable and charming, and I could definitely figure out why Harper fell for him. The only thing that really kept this book from getting a full 5 stars was (SPOILERS) (view spoiler)...more Loved, loved, LOVED this book. I definitely found myself relating (maybe a bit too much) to Harper's fear of abandonment and tendency to run from anything that could hurt her, so I was particularly invested in seeing how she resolved her issues. Nick was adorable and charming, and I could definitely figure out why Harper fell for him. The only thing that really kept this book from getting a full 5 stars was (SPOILERS) (view spoiler)

These things aside, I really did love this book. And the above-mentioned issues weren't really all that big a deal, just little pet peeves that bothered me. I'm not sorry I bought it and I'll look forward to reading more by Kristan Higgins.(less)

3 likes · like · see review

Oct 12, 2011 Beccie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, reviewed

Kristan does it again with another hilarious, tear inducing, romance. Harper and Nick are great characters with chemistry and humor. Their differences make them that much more perfect for each other. Hilarious antics and smart mouth banter make for an amusing road trip adventure. Kristan does a magnificent job of imposing her story with language that will have readers hitting the walls with laughter. I burst out laughing when on their road trip Nick wanted to see the World's Largest Penguin beca...more

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About Kristan Higgins

Hello! I’m flattered that you clicked the button. If you clicked by mistake, well, hello anyway.

I live in a small Connecticut town with a beautiful library, a great agricultural fair, nice people and not much else. I have two lovely, entertaining children and a brave firefighter for a husband, who is, perhaps more importantly, a fantastic cook. Digger from Fools Rush In is inspired my very own Dig...more Hello! I’m flattered that you clicked the button. If you clicked by mistake, well, hello anyway.

I live in a small Connecticut town with a beautiful library, a great agricultural fair, nice people and not much else. I have two lovely, entertaining children and a brave firefighter for a husband, who is, perhaps more importantly, a fantastic cook. Digger from Fools Rush In is inspired my very own Digger, our cheerful Lab mutt. We also have two cats and grieve for an occasional, short-lived beta fish.

I worked as a copywriter until I had kids and started writing fiction when my children graced my life with simultaneous afternoon naps. Writing, I surmised, was infinitely more satisfying than folding laundry, and so I started my first novel. Before long, I had finished Stalking Joe, whose title was later changed to Fools Rush In. Catch of the Day followed, winning the 2008 Romance Writers of America's RITA© award, which just thrilled me to my toes. Then came Just One of the Guys (August 08), Too Good To Be True (Feb 09), The Next Best Thing (Feb 10), and All I Ever Wanted, summer 2010. More books are in the pipeline.

I love to write books about relationships, since the search for love and security is one of the driving forces of life. And I try to focus on an aspect that’s common, if not universal, hence the “stalking” in Fools Rush In and the crush on the unattainable man in Catch of the Day. People ask if I’ve ever stalked a guy. Of course not! Jeez! Come on! It’s fiction! They also ask if I’ve ever had a crush on a priest. Of course not! Jeez! Come on! It’s fiction! As far as being crazy about one of my brother's friends, which is the plot of Just One of the Guys, well, yes to that one. But I'm not naming names. Dating a fictional man, like Grace does in Too Good To Be True? Um...can I take the fifth on that one? Whether it's my own experience or not, I try to find something we can all relate to.

When I’m not writing, I like to be with my kids, goof around with my husband, read, watch baseball, ride my bike and bake. I suffer from chronic bedhead and an unhealthy (and completely understandable) obsession with Derek Jeter, shortstop for the New York Yankees. Like Millie Barnes, I run, which provides the neighbors with some real entertainment.

We spend as much time as possible at our family home on Cape Cod, swimming in the Atlantic, shivering on the beach, swatting horseflies and watching fish evade my lure at Higgins Pond. It’s as close to heaven as it gets.(less)

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Quotes from My One and Only

“You asked why I couldn't forgive you," Nick said, very quietly, and I jumped a little. "It was because you were the love of my life, Harper. And you didn't want to be. That's hard to let go.” — 240 people liked it

“I'll tell you something, Harpy," he said, his voice almost a whisper now. "It never even occurred to me that we wouldn't make it. And it never occurred to you that we would. You were just waiting for us to go down in flames. I thought we could get through anything.” — 114 people liked it

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