ARC Review: My One and Only by Kristan Higgins + Giveaway!

Once in a while I indulge in contemporary adult romance books but I'm very careful on choosing which ones to read. I'm glad I came across My One and Only, it's a wonderful book to read to take my mind off Young Adult books.

Title: My One and Only by Kristan Higgins
Pages: 384
Release Date: March 29th 2011
Published by: HQN Books
Source: publisher via NetGalley!
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Summary (from Goodreads):

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't help that Nick has come blazing back into her life in all of his frustratingly appealing, gorgeous architect glory. But in Nick's eyes, Harper's always been the one. If they can only get it right this time, forever might be waiting -- just around the bend.

Harper is a successful divorce attorney. She's got a lot of good things going on in her life. Her business is booming, she's got a long-time boyfriend who was really good looking and all that's left to do was to tie the knot with Dennis. But when her proposal was left hanging and she suddenly found herself face-to-face with the first man she had ever loved, her ex-husband Nick, Harper found her orderly life turned upside down. Thrown with Nick into an unexpected road trip that lead them both to examine their failed relationships and lives and finding out that they still love each other, would Nick and Harper be able to make it work this time?

Harper is a quirky, a little bit crazy of a character who I loved to hate but I loved to love at the same time. She can be sarcastic at times, even snarky, but she always makes up for it by doing what she thinks is best for those that she loves, and even though she doesn't show it, she loves her family deeply. I love her sassy personality, and I think that her attitude, and sadly, her experiences in life, just complements her profession and makes her good at what she does.

I loved reading books about road trips, as I've enjoyed reading Amy & Roger's Epic Detour and Two-way Street. My One and Only is a much more mature take on relationships that can blossom while being on the road. Sometimes the unexpected happens and that drive across the country helped both Nick and Harper settle a lot of things between them.

Harper's voice throughout the novel is ridiculously funny and very entertaining. Despite her overall somewhat jaded view in love and marriage, Harper's interaction with all the secondary characters never failed to bring a smile to my face. She was also fickle minded, and even at that age, she still had a thing or two to learn about love and family, and I'm glad she did.

Nick's personality made me laugh as much as Harper does. I find his brand of sarcasm and taunting when it comes to Harper and her choice of boyfriend (a.k.a. Dennis, who loves to say the word "dude" a lot) really cute. Their exchange of insults and ridiculous names and teasing felt like I was seeing two teenagers fight and I loved every moment of it. He's also one determined guy, despite his differences with Harper, and there's a lot of them, he was willing to start over.

The plot, though not as unique as I thought it would be, it was even cliche at times, was written beautifully enough to keep me interested. Kristan Higgins was able to write a book with characters that felt real, characters that feel and a romance, though not ideal and perfect, but was something we all wish we have.

This book is a light and quick read that is perfect if you want to be immersed in a perfectly funny read where you can pick up a couple of good lessons about family, love and second chances. And after all the heartache and heartbreaks, Harper still does deserve her own happily ever after.

My rating

Content (plot, story flow, character):


Shining: Worthy of a Goddess' Love!

Book Cover:

Gorgeous cover! Simple yet vibrant!

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Thanks to Katie Olsen and Little Bird Publicity, I have a copy of My One and Only to give away to one lucky reader! I highly recommend that you read this book and now here is a chance to get a copy!

Rules:

- Must be 13 years old to enter (this book contains some swearing and a mature theme)
- Must have a US mailing address
- Ends April 25th, 2011