Format Read: E-ARC from Netgalley
Length: 384 pages
Release Date: March 29th 2011
Publisher: HQN Books
Formats Available: Paperback, Ebook
Purchasing Info: Author’s Website, Goodreads, Book Depository, Amazon.com
Book Blurb:
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.
My Thoughts:
After reading Kristan Higgins’ last book,
All I Ever Wanted, I added this author to my Auto-Read list. My
One and Only didn’t disappoint. This book played havoc on my nerves. I cried a few times
(what is it with books making me cry this year?!) and I was rooting for the characters to have their HEA.
Harper is a Divorce Attorney, a very good one as it is. As you can imagine she is a bit cynical about marriage, or ‘realistic’ as she says. Her job is to help people put an end to bad relationships. Harper is very pragmatic and since she knows exactly what can go wrong in a relationship, she thinks she can have a good marriage with her Boyfriend, Dennis. While Dennis is an extremely good looking fireman, he’s still not perfect enough for Harper. She is sure she knows how to change him and make him perfect for her life. Harper doesn’t want to get married for love, she wants a family because she thinks it’s ‘time’. Dennis is a very funny character, for once he keeps calling her ‘Dude’ which irritates her to no end. More than often I thought he was more of a good friend than boyfriend material.
Harper’s sister is getting married. A third time. The problem is she only just met her future husband, and her 2 previous marriages were catastrophes. Oh and since the wedding is planned in 2 weeks, Harper doesn’t have much time to try making her sister see reason. The sky fell on Harper when she learns that the future groom, is the brother of her ex-husband, Nick. This means that she’ll have to see Nick again after more than 12 years. Still following? I like Harper, she’s a really good person and she is there for her family. She loves her sister and she doesn’t want to see her hurt. I felt bad for her sister when she kept trying to convince her maybe she shouldn’t get married so fast. Harper is still scarred from the failure of her own marriage.
The best thing about this book is that the flashbacks from Harper and Nick’s past relationship are perfectly incorporated in the story. I usually have a hard time with flashbacks, but these chapters were the most intense. I felt sucker-punched by the emotion from these chapters. It takes 2 persons to fail a relationship, and that’s exactly what this book makes us see. I kept changing my mind about who was responsible for this failure. One page I was on Harper’s side the next on Nick’s. The death of their marriage was so sad I kept crying every time there was a flashback. They were both wrong and they both hurt. *wipes tears*
I’m not giving away a spoiler by saying that at some point Harper and Nick are stuck together in a road trip home (it’s in the blurb!). This road trip was fantastic, we learned a lot about both characters and what happened to them in the years since their divorce. We also come to understand Harper better, why she is so pessimistic about relationships and her fears (That heroine has some huge commitment issues, sadly I can relate to that). Nick is a fantastic man, I found him so romantic and funny. He’s just plain adorable. He made me cry while smiling a few times too. He pretty much broke my heart by himself.
Family is important in this book (as in many Kristan Higgins’ books) and I loved all the secondary plots about them. Harper’s mother-in-law really grew on me, I was rooting for her by the end of the book. Now let’s not forget a very important character, Coco, Harper’s very cute dog. I love how the author always creates a wonderful companion for her characters. Coco shines throughout the book.
Now even if I loved Harper, I really wanted to slap her silly a few times. She really give all its meaning to the phrase ‘Hell is paved with good intentions’. About the end of the book, Harper does something very stupid which lead to a lot of hurt. I understand why she did it, I would probably have been a coward too. But at that moment I wanted to throw the book against the wall. I forgave her 20 pages later though 😉 The ending was a bit much but I didn’t mind too much. It was still cute.
My One and Only is a very emotional book. Kristan Higgins wrote a powerful love story about second chances that will make you smile and possibly cry too. I will be impatiently waiting for the next book by this author.
I give My One and Only 4 & 1/2 Bookies
***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.
About Caro The HEA Lover
Caroline is a HEA loving, yarn addicted French who's desperately hoping to get a HEA of her own. If she's not reading then she can be found knitting while listening to Audiobooks or watching Tv shows. Her secret addiction is reading websites that make fun at other people's expense (DYAC, Failbook)! Caroline also blogs at the Secret HEA Society with Susi.
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Great review. This book had me laughing and crying the whole way through. And yes…Harper's stupid act made me so mad. Grrrrr. But like you I forgave her.
Thank you for such a wonderfully heartfelt, passionate and detailed review Caro!
I have never read anything by Kristan Higgins (I know, I know, don't throw stones at me please) yet, but your review definitely made me want to add her to my muct-check-out-authors list.
My only concern regarding this book is that due to my age (26) I fear I wouldn't relate to an older woman being in her 40s, who has been divorced 12 years ago. Do you say it won't be an issue with My One and Only or is there any other novel of Kristan you could recommend to me with which I should start my initialisation? Thank you! 🙂
@Tori I think it's the power of Kristan's writing…I can't believe how many times I passed from tears to laugh. And sometimes both at the same time.
*g* Good thing it was an ebook, if it had been a print copy i'd have it thrown against the wall from frustration at Harper =P Such a great book
@Stella Oh Stella, I know I can't relate well with older heroines either BUT Harper isn't that old. She's 34, she got married very young. I didn't feel the age difference, I think you won't have a problem with that either. The hero is so amazing, flawed but so adorable…*happy sigh*
Good thing I waited a week before writing my review because I couldn't stop crying after reading it. lol Good tears but tears anyway LOL.
Oh YAY I think you're going to love Kristan's books. Last year I read All I Ever Wanted and it was sooooo cute/funny I fell in love with it.
I've read Catch of the Day, it's cute too and it's a good book.
I have Just One of The Guys in my TBR pile, I haven't read it because I know it's a emotional book and I'm not ready yet lol.
I think you could either try My One and Only or All I Ever Wanted.
Oh thanks for reassuring me Caro! And I agree, 34 is definitely not old, lol, I was picturing Harper as more mature (more above 45 or so), so I don't think her age would pose a problem. Thanks!
Oh, you certainly made me hesitate: this book made you cry so much, uhhuh.. but you say good tears, so I'll just put my trust in your judgement I guess 😉
And thanks for all the recommendations, will check them out! 🙂
@Stella It's a happy book but the crying was mostly about the past. I hope you'll enjoy it *g* *hugs*
Sounds good 🙂 I would read it..even with the crying
@Blodeuedd It could be that I'm just a cry-baby lol <==weak-link
But still it's a very emotional read =)
Higgins has a unique gift for blending troubled relationships, love of family and dependable pets into her novels. I'm looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for a good review.
@LSUReader It's exactly that! I really like that family is important in her books. And I love that she gives adorable pets to her characters. Coco is so cute.
I can't wait to know what you think of this book.
Great review! This book is on my wish list.
@Estella =) I hope you'll enjoy it
I have never read a book by this author, but I will definitely be changing that.
@Chelsea B. Until last year I didn't know about her either. I think it was by luck that I saw All I Ever Wanted on Netgalley and pretty much on a whim that I requested it 😉 I'm glad I did, this author is now on my auto-buy list.
Very heart-wrenching and cute love stories.
I just picked up my first ever Kristan Higgins book yesterday so I can't wait to read this author's work. I have heard her books are great.
@Alexa oh wooot!! Which one did you pick? So far I've loved every book i read by her. Such a fantastic author. *g* Have fun reading!!
The only Higgins book I didn't love was "The Next Best Thing" which had a cat on the cover so I'm glad this one has a dog. Maybe I'll like this one.
@Sheree I haven't read The Next Best Thing either, and I've heard from other readers that it wasn't quite as good. I love cats though 😉
Just back to let you all know that based on Caro's praising review and recommendation I picked up All I Ever Wanted by Jristan Higgins and LOVED it! It was wonderful, the emotional depth Kristan Higgins included in a romance novel amazed me. A fantastic story and an author who became one of my must-read-all-her-backlis-books-author! 🙂
So good luck with discovering her writing and enjoy her novels, I'm sure you will! 🙂