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The Next Best Thing
She Had The Perfect Plan. But Plans Aren't Set In Stone.
No drama, no problems--that's Tori Carter's idea of the good life. Her tendency to plan everything to the max has made her the most successful event coordinator in the business--and the number one problem solver for her family and friends. But when her perfect fiancé runs off with another woman, he leaves Tori without a Plan B-through-Z. . .or any idea what to do next. And now she's dealing with one surprise after another. Her well-meaning friends are delivering a rogue's gallery of bad-news dates. Her demanding boss expects Tori to work miracles with ever-more-impossible clients. And Tori's handsome neighbor Nelson is a chef who turns up the heat in ways she never imagined. Now Tori has to improvise, let loose--and get wise--if she's going to figure out who she is and what kind of happiness she really wants. . .
No drama, no problems--that's Tori Carter's idea of the good life. Her tendency to plan everything to the max has made her the most successful event coordinator in the business--and the number one problem solver for her family and friends. But when her perfect fiancé runs off with another woman, he leaves Tori without a Plan B-through-Z. . .or any idea what to do next. And now she's dealing with one surprise after another. Her well-meaning friends are delivering a rogue's gallery of bad-news dates. Her demanding boss expects Tori to work miracles with ever-more-impossible clients. And Tori's handsome neighbor Nelson is a chef who turns up the heat in ways she never imagined. Now Tori has to improvise, let loose--and get wise--if she's going to figure out who she is and what kind of happiness she really wants. . .
310 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Deidre Berry
15 books5 followersDeidre Berry grew up in a picture-book town in Kansas where she began writing stories of her own, shortly after learning to read. With a lifelong dream to share the power of words, she is also the writer of short-stories, screenplays, and poetry. Away from the computer, Deidre zealously pursues her passions for fine dining, reading, cooking, and shopping; and is also a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan who enjoys hosting game day parties for her family and friends. She currently resides in Kansas City with her husband, Richard.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 14, 2010
Destiny
Tori Carter, a successful event coordinator, understands the importance of always having a back up plan in the event that things don't work out. Unfortunately, for her own wedding, she forgot to make a back up plan. Scuffling, Tori sinks into a mild case of depression as she tries to figure out what's next.
Instead of allowing herself to get lost in a sea of self-pity, Tori decides it would be so much easier to fake it. Sure her heart aches, she loved Roland, her cowardly ex-fiancé, but life goes on. It's not long before she is tossed back in the dating arena, not liking the odds.
Scoffing about the lack of quality dates, Tori and her widowed neighbor, Nelson, realize that they have a ton in common, as neither has found any apt suitors. While Nelson definitely can light a fire, his grief is still boiling, which leaves Tori simmering. Do these two have enough ingredients to make a main course?
THE NEXT BEST THING by Deidre Berry is such a good read. The characters are colorful, the story flows and life just breathes from the pages. I felt every emotion with the characters and I am looking forward to reading other books by this author. This is definitely recommended reading.
Tori Carter, a successful event coordinator, understands the importance of always having a back up plan in the event that things don't work out. Unfortunately, for her own wedding, she forgot to make a back up plan. Scuffling, Tori sinks into a mild case of depression as she tries to figure out what's next.
Instead of allowing herself to get lost in a sea of self-pity, Tori decides it would be so much easier to fake it. Sure her heart aches, she loved Roland, her cowardly ex-fiancé, but life goes on. It's not long before she is tossed back in the dating arena, not liking the odds.
Scoffing about the lack of quality dates, Tori and her widowed neighbor, Nelson, realize that they have a ton in common, as neither has found any apt suitors. While Nelson definitely can light a fire, his grief is still boiling, which leaves Tori simmering. Do these two have enough ingredients to make a main course?
THE NEXT BEST THING by Deidre Berry is such a good read. The characters are colorful, the story flows and life just breathes from the pages. I felt every emotion with the characters and I am looking forward to reading other books by this author. This is definitely recommended reading.
May 11, 2009
This is the debut novel for Berry and I am looking forward to her next work. If you are a fan of Terry MacMillan you will be very happy with Deirdre Berry. Tori gets left at the altar, jilted by text message. Thus starts her dating ordeals that anyone who has had to go back to dating after a long relationship will undoubtedly find true and amusing.
July 21, 2011
It was a nice read. For me predictable, but still smooth and easy to comprehend read.
April 2, 2019
Loved this book so much that I read it more times than I can count since I purchased it a few years ago. Tori and her family are funny and the book is so well written. Tori went thru a lot and had to go through these lessons but at the end, it was well worth it. I wish I had a Nelson in my life.. This is worth reading
May 7, 2025
Tori Carter's dating life was hectic. this story is an accurate depiction of what it's like dating in this time and day! as for fiance, I woulda thanked him
May 15, 2009
It only took me four days to read this, which is good for me because I am normally a slow reader. GREAT BOOK! The charcaters are well-written, and the book is so laugh out loud funny that it reminded me of Bridget Jones Diary.
Tori, the main character is an event planner who is anal to the nth degree, and likes for everything in her life to be in good order. Her fantasy wedding turns into a nightmare when her fiancee skips out on the wedding, and also skips town with his female "friend" with whom he had been secretly having an affair. Tori has a meltdown, and a close girlfriend encourages her to use a journal to help her deal with the demise of her relationship. While trying to heal emotionally, Tori also has to deal with an overbearing boss, and an idiotic assistant who may be trying to sabatoge her career.
Tori inevitably starts dating again, and juggles dates with one loser after another, while also tending to her extra needy friends and family who seem intent on further driving her up the wall. I won't give away the ending, but it was so sweet and touching that it had me in tears. Bravo to the author! I highly recommend.
Tori, the main character is an event planner who is anal to the nth degree, and likes for everything in her life to be in good order. Her fantasy wedding turns into a nightmare when her fiancee skips out on the wedding, and also skips town with his female "friend" with whom he had been secretly having an affair. Tori has a meltdown, and a close girlfriend encourages her to use a journal to help her deal with the demise of her relationship. While trying to heal emotionally, Tori also has to deal with an overbearing boss, and an idiotic assistant who may be trying to sabatoge her career.
Tori inevitably starts dating again, and juggles dates with one loser after another, while also tending to her extra needy friends and family who seem intent on further driving her up the wall. I won't give away the ending, but it was so sweet and touching that it had me in tears. Bravo to the author! I highly recommend.
July 3, 2011
Title: The Next Best Thing
Author: Deidre Berry
Rating: 5
Headline: Wonderful Debut by Berry!
Tori Carter seemed to have the perfect life. She was the senior event coordinator at the most successful event management firm in Kansas City and about to have the wedding of her dreams with the price tag of over $200K. Tori’s dream life came to screeching halt when Roland, her fiancé, did not show up at the church and runs off with another woman who happens to be the mother of his secret daughter.
Deidre Berry commanded my attention from the very first page to the last while experiencing Tori’s journey. Once she decides to reenter to dating scene, it is filled with horrible dates that provide plenty of laughter. But, one night Tori has dinner with her neighbor Nelson and she begins to wonder if her romantic life will finally turn around.
“The Next Best Thing” is full of humor and the characters are very relatable. I read this book in one sitting. Deidre Berry is definitely the real deal. I look forward to reading more from Berry in what will hopefully be a long career.
Author: Deidre Berry
Rating: 5
Headline: Wonderful Debut by Berry!
Tori Carter seemed to have the perfect life. She was the senior event coordinator at the most successful event management firm in Kansas City and about to have the wedding of her dreams with the price tag of over $200K. Tori’s dream life came to screeching halt when Roland, her fiancé, did not show up at the church and runs off with another woman who happens to be the mother of his secret daughter.
Deidre Berry commanded my attention from the very first page to the last while experiencing Tori’s journey. Once she decides to reenter to dating scene, it is filled with horrible dates that provide plenty of laughter. But, one night Tori has dinner with her neighbor Nelson and she begins to wonder if her romantic life will finally turn around.
“The Next Best Thing” is full of humor and the characters are very relatable. I read this book in one sitting. Deidre Berry is definitely the real deal. I look forward to reading more from Berry in what will hopefully be a long career.
December 8, 2010
I loved this book. It had me hooked on it from the very first page to the last page. It was just unbeliveable and it was a book that I would tell people to tead and I myself will read again. It is just that good. Good jod Ms. Deidre Berry. And May God Bless you. I hope she is coming out with NEW BOOKS for me to read. But for now I am on to the next book which is also by her & it is called All About Eva. I just started reading it today December 8,2010 & I hope to be finished with it by January 8,2010. That gives me a month so I will'nt have to rush through it.
May 9, 2012
I absolutely enjoyed this book and adore Tori Carter's sense of humor and outlook on life! Thank you Goodreads First-Reads for another amazing free book! I am definitely a fan of Deidre Berry and cannot wait to read more books by this author! A must read for the ladies! I laughed and I cried along with Tori during all her escapades and feel like she is one of my best friends! Love this book!
March 14, 2010
Finished it one day! I really liked this book, especially the quotes that were woven throughout the story. The storyline captured my attention from page 1 and as a native of KC I was pleased with the depiction of the city in this book. I'm a sucker for a good romance, and this was a good one :)
April 17, 2015
One of my fave books, The Next Best Thing, is a wonderfully written story about Tori Carter and all of the adventures of her life after her groom left her at the alter. All of the characters were great and the storyline flowed perfectly. 5 stars!
Want to read
June 14, 2009from Oprahs' website
June 21, 2009
This book wasn't the greatest thing written, but it kept me reading hoping that the plot of the story would get better...it failed.
October 21, 2011
Very good book, finished it in one day. Loved the characters and the story was wonderful. Definetly will be reading more from this author. So glad I picked this up from the library.
May 25, 2012
It's not a bad book or anything but I just couldn't get into it.
May 14, 2012
This was a fun fast read. The ending was very predictable,so I just skipped to the last few pages.
May 8, 2012
It was entertainingly funny and real. A fast read.
July 14, 2012
Fun enjoyable story to read.
November 2, 2012
Review will be posted on my blog.
May 8, 2013
Not an interesting read in my opinion. Back to the library it goes.
August 8, 2013
This book by far is one of my favorite books to read!! I loved the story line and the characters in the book!!! Great read.
February 17, 2015
the book started off strong. slipped a little towards the end. overall, good read.
January 31, 2016
A lot of funny parts but it was kid=nda all over the place
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews