(The Blue Heron Series)
by Kristan Higgins
ARC Review
Published: October 29, 2013, Harlequin HQN
My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️
35-Years old and her eggs are getting dry, or that's what Honor Holland's doctor tells her. And other than her long time friend and secret crush Brogan, who also happens to have been an off and on 'friend with benefits' over the years, no husband-prospects in her future. Still stinging from his rejection to her impromptu proposal, she is completely bowled over when just a month or so later, Brogan smilingly announces his engagement to her best friend! The gloves are off for even-tempered, reliable Honor!!
It's been four long years since his fiancé died and left behind a son, Tom Barlow's unofficial stepson, but but there is no way the British professor could leave him behind. Working on a temporary visa, the college where he teaches has announced they will not be applying for his renewal, which would mean Tom either has to find a new job, or another way to stay in the States. Because leaving his 'step-son' is not an option for him.
Honor spends most if not all of her days at the family business, either managing the vineyard, or her grandparents, for whom staying in the big house is no longer a safe option. When an opportunity to go on a blind date comes up, Honor welcomes the opportunity. But Tom, the blind date, doesn't make the best first impression. Still, when Honor hears about his predicament and then thinks about her own, her poor shrivelling eggs, she comes up with what could be a mutually beneficial proposal.
Of course it's illegal, marriage to provide someone with a green card, but Honor tells herself that she could fall in love with this man, and it is for a good cause. Right? Tom and Honor put in every effort to pull the wool over everyone's eyes and end up moving in together within the first few weeks. Not something that is terribly well received. It is imperative they present a loving front to the outside world, and before you know it, actual sparks start flying.
*****
Great story!!!!! I had so much fun reading this!!
The characters are quirky and entertaining, so far from cookie-cutter it's not even funny! The banter and dialogue is highly entertaining and funny as hell, with different levels of humour. The dry British wit to go with the accent (sorry, Queen's English!), the bickering between the grandparents, the sisters' unbridled and inappropriate bedroom talk and the handful of clueless male specimen; Honor's father and Brogan, who half the time have heard the bell ring but can't quite figure out where the sound is coming from. Best of all is the inner dialogue Honor has with her poor withering eggs, just priceless!
Aside from Ms. Higgins' obvious wit, she also writes a very moving story. The love of a man for a boy he has absolutely no rights to, but will do anything for. That was truly heart wrenching and had me punch back a tear or two.
Her heroes are not flawless, not perfect, as can be seen in this book as well. In fact, I think Ms. Higgins made a point of outlining how NOT perfect both protagonists were, or even found each other, at first. An interesting point to make, I guess showing the flip side of all the beautiful 'perfect' people we usually encounter in books. It was surprisingly refreshing.
I'm not quite sure how she manages, but Kristan Higgins can have me think back to a book, not quite sure whether I just read a comedy or a drama. All relating emotions are evoked in equal measure and her books tend to be as serious as they are hilarious. I don't quite know how to explain it.
✨A touching, honest, stormy, *snort*-inducing read!✨
**ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin HQN in return for an honest review.**
The characters are quirky and entertaining, so far from cookie-cutter it's not even funny! The banter and dialogue is highly entertaining and funny as hell, with different levels of humour. The dry British wit to go with the accent (sorry, Queen's English!), the bickering between the grandparents, the sisters' unbridled and inappropriate bedroom talk and the handful of clueless male specimen; Honor's father and Brogan, who half the time have heard the bell ring but can't quite figure out where the sound is coming from. Best of all is the inner dialogue Honor has with her poor withering eggs, just priceless!
Aside from Ms. Higgins' obvious wit, she also writes a very moving story. The love of a man for a boy he has absolutely no rights to, but will do anything for. That was truly heart wrenching and had me punch back a tear or two.
Her heroes are not flawless, not perfect, as can be seen in this book as well. In fact, I think Ms. Higgins made a point of outlining how NOT perfect both protagonists were, or even found each other, at first. An interesting point to make, I guess showing the flip side of all the beautiful 'perfect' people we usually encounter in books. It was surprisingly refreshing.
I'm not quite sure how she manages, but Kristan Higgins can have me think back to a book, not quite sure whether I just read a comedy or a drama. All relating emotions are evoked in equal measure and her books tend to be as serious as they are hilarious. I don't quite know how to explain it.
✨A touching, honest, stormy, *snort*-inducing read!✨
**ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin HQN in return for an honest review.**
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