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Too Good to Be True
When Grace Emerson's ex-fiancé starts dating her younger sister, extreme measures are called for. To keep everyone from obsessing about her love life, Grace announces that she's seeing someone. Someone wonderful. Someone handsome. Someone completely made up. Who is this Mr. Right? Someone...exactly unlike her renegade neighbor, Callahan O'Shea. Well, someone with his looks, maybe. His hot body. His knife-sharp sense of humor. His smarts and big heart.
Whoa. No. Callahan O'Shea is not her perfect man! Not with his unsavory past. So why does Mr. Wrong feel so...right?
Whoa. No. Callahan O'Shea is not her perfect man! Not with his unsavory past. So why does Mr. Wrong feel so...right?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 27, 2009
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About the author
Kristan Higgins
60 books12.8k followersKristan Higgins is the New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than twenty novels, which have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have sold millions of copies worldwide. If you want to receive a free short story and be notified when Kristan releases a new book, sign up at kristanhiggins.com.
Kristan enjoys gardening, mixology, the National Parks and complimenting strangers on their children. The mother of two entertaining and wonderful humans, and the grandmother of one perfect child, Kristan lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband, cuddly dog and indifferent cat.
Kristan enjoys gardening, mixology, the National Parks and complimenting strangers on their children. The mother of two entertaining and wonderful humans, and the grandmother of one perfect child, Kristan lives in Connecticut with her heroic firefighter husband, cuddly dog and indifferent cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,490 reviews
July 3, 2018
Just in case my other reviews of her books haven’t adequately conveyed my feelings, I’m completely smitten with Kristan Higgins’ storytelling—the sarcastic humor, the big beating heart at the center of it all, and her always easy to adore characters, seem to get me every time.
Seven books in and it’s quite clear she has a formula to her madness:
-There’s always a 30-something woman looking to settle down (time's a tickin')
-The man this so-called woman wants to end up with (let’s be honest, she’s obsessed with)
-The man she actually falls for (when she comes to her senses)
-Oh, and there’s always a dog that fits in there somehow (where are all the cats?)
-Family is extremely important (love this)
-And I can’t forget the secondary characters that offer comedic relief (the geezers tend to be my favorite)
While there are some similarities in the main ingredients, Kristan Higgins manages to keep things fresh, humorous and different. Every story, every couple, is nothing like the last.
This time around, Grace, a history teacher and civil war buff, is kind of lost. Let me just say, she’s a bigger person than I could ever imagine being. Two weeks before her wedding to a nerdy guy she thought was her perfect match, he dumps her. The thing is, she kind of knew in her heart it was coming. She witnessed the exact moment he fell in love at first sight with her younger sister. Despite her own heartbreak, Grace urges them to spend time together, to see if things could work. Talk about being selfless.
So where does that leave Grace? Feeling pressured by her family to find someone new, she reverts back to her middle-school days. Grace invents a fictional boyfriend and not just any regular Joe Schmoe—she goes for a handsome pediatric surgeon that rescues stray cats in his spare time. Sounds pretty darn perfect, right?
Field hockey stick + scared woman + strange man knocking on the door = meet cute. I’m sure Callahan O’Shea didn’t think the black-eye was cute or the fact that she called the cops, but he got over it . . . eventually. Turns out that guy knocking on her door was her new neighbor and ex-con, Callahan O’Shea, not an intruder. For all of her naughty thoughts about him, Grace was pretty dismissive of Callahan; he took a lot of flack for his past. There were a few times her judgement made me cringe, but overall, it set up some pretty great banter between the two of them.
Watching Grace juggle the lies, dodge the family dinners, make excuses; it’s pretty comical. And Mr. O’Shea, what can I say about him—rough around the edges, honest with a capital H and hilarious with the jabs. Did I mention gorgeous?
If you enjoy a potent dose of humor and characters that are relatable, you can’t go wrong with this author’s books. I binged on the audio version this time around and once again, the narrator, Xe Sands brought the characters to life.
Seven books in and it’s quite clear she has a formula to her madness:
-There’s always a 30-something woman looking to settle down (time's a tickin')
-The man this so-called woman wants to end up with (let’s be honest, she’s obsessed with)
-The man she actually falls for (when she comes to her senses)
-Oh, and there’s always a dog that fits in there somehow (where are all the cats?)
-Family is extremely important (love this)
-And I can’t forget the secondary characters that offer comedic relief (the geezers tend to be my favorite)
While there are some similarities in the main ingredients, Kristan Higgins manages to keep things fresh, humorous and different. Every story, every couple, is nothing like the last.
This time around, Grace, a history teacher and civil war buff, is kind of lost. Let me just say, she’s a bigger person than I could ever imagine being. Two weeks before her wedding to a nerdy guy she thought was her perfect match, he dumps her. The thing is, she kind of knew in her heart it was coming. She witnessed the exact moment he fell in love at first sight with her younger sister. Despite her own heartbreak, Grace urges them to spend time together, to see if things could work. Talk about being selfless.
So where does that leave Grace? Feeling pressured by her family to find someone new, she reverts back to her middle-school days. Grace invents a fictional boyfriend and not just any regular Joe Schmoe—she goes for a handsome pediatric surgeon that rescues stray cats in his spare time. Sounds pretty darn perfect, right?
Field hockey stick + scared woman + strange man knocking on the door = meet cute. I’m sure Callahan O’Shea didn’t think the black-eye was cute or the fact that she called the cops, but he got over it . . . eventually. Turns out that guy knocking on her door was her new neighbor and ex-con, Callahan O’Shea, not an intruder. For all of her naughty thoughts about him, Grace was pretty dismissive of Callahan; he took a lot of flack for his past. There were a few times her judgement made me cringe, but overall, it set up some pretty great banter between the two of them.
Watching Grace juggle the lies, dodge the family dinners, make excuses; it’s pretty comical. And Mr. O’Shea, what can I say about him—rough around the edges, honest with a capital H and hilarious with the jabs. Did I mention gorgeous?
If you enjoy a potent dose of humor and characters that are relatable, you can’t go wrong with this author’s books. I binged on the audio version this time around and once again, the narrator, Xe Sands brought the characters to life.
October 25, 2010
The writing was good but the plot was not very... believable?, interesting?, appealing?
And the characters... well.. I liked the dog!
I loved Cal until the lying thing, then he went bersek and made a huge deal about someting so stupid!, the whole scene didn't make sense to me.
Grace... ugh! I just feel soooo sorry for Grace, she's so busy worrying about what other people think of her that she forgets about living and ejoying life.
But forget about that, my main problem with Grace is the fact that her fiancé dumped her 3 weeks before their wedding for her sister and then she gave them her blessing??
My sister and my ex-fiance?... a guy I slept with and was gonna marry?... that's just sick!
If he dumped me I might forgive him when I got over him, but that doesn't mean I want to see him all the time... if he married my sister I would have to see him every christmas, mother and father's day, 4th of july... you know, every family thing... and then when they had babies with someone else!
Forgive and forget?... how????
Yeah yeah, I wish him to be happy and stuff, I can accept that, I just don't want to see it, do it away from me... and I would expect my family to understand that AND support me!
And so what if Cal was in jail once?, Grace's mom makes porn art, her sister stole her fiance and her grandma is a bitch!, why does she think she's so much better that him?, he's crazy but still..
Meh!, I won't be reading this book again, the feminist in me got annoyed at Grace and her family.
And the characters... well.. I liked the dog!
I loved Cal until the lying thing, then he went bersek and made a huge deal about someting so stupid!, the whole scene didn't make sense to me.
Grace... ugh! I just feel soooo sorry for Grace, she's so busy worrying about what other people think of her that she forgets about living and ejoying life.
But forget about that, my main problem with Grace is the fact that her fiancé dumped her 3 weeks before their wedding for her sister and then she gave them her blessing??
My sister and my ex-fiance?... a guy I slept with and was gonna marry?... that's just sick!
If he dumped me I might forgive him when I got over him, but that doesn't mean I want to see him all the time... if he married my sister I would have to see him every christmas, mother and father's day, 4th of july... you know, every family thing... and then when they had babies with someone else!
Forgive and forget?... how????
Yeah yeah, I wish him to be happy and stuff, I can accept that, I just don't want to see it, do it away from me... and I would expect my family to understand that AND support me!
And so what if Cal was in jail once?, Grace's mom makes porn art, her sister stole her fiance and her grandma is a bitch!, why does she think she's so much better that him?, he's crazy but still..
Meh!, I won't be reading this book again, the feminist in me got annoyed at Grace and her family.
December 19, 2024
When it comes to writing a review about a Kristan Higgins book, I honestly feel like a broken record. All of the things I love about her other books, I loved about this book. From the community of characters that give me a sense of belonging while I tag along for the story, to my feelings of wanting to defend the heroine against all of the situations and peopler doing her wrong. Too Good To Be True was no exception.
This story, told in the first person, was about Grace Emerson. Grace, when she was younger, had an odd coping mechanism of making up people, mostly imaginary boyfriends, to fit in with stories from her imagination. Fast forward to where the story began and she was accidentally blurting out that she had met this perfect boyfriend, all in the name of helping her sister Natalie not feel bad and uncomfortable because Natalie was MARRYING GRACE’S EX-FIANCE. Yes, you read that correctly. *facepalms
I was immediately in Grace’s corner, though she was way more understanding and accepting than I would have been in the same situation. Being dumped for my sister and then having to watch a man you were once in love with and not quite over, together and blissfully happy… well let’s just say I don’t think I would have been able to do it. I get why she felt the need to make up a boyfriend, just to get everyone off her back. I wouldn’t have been able to handle all of the pity.
Amid all of the deception and wedding planning, Grace got a new neighbour, in the form of sexy Callahan O’Shea. To say her interactions with him were hilarious would be an understatement. Cal was a refreshing hero for me. I really liked that he was the vulnerable one while he and Grace were getting to know one another. In fact, most of the time, while Grace was internally lusting after Cal, she was quite rude and dismissive of Cal. I found Cal to be quite wonderful.
No quest to find “the one” would be complete without some disastrous blind dates and Grace had one of the funniest ones I’ve read to date. Perfect, perfect Lester had Grace going to her imaginary world and envisioning a perfect world with him as her co-star.
Grace’s family, like other families in Kristan Higgins books, were very quirky and loveable. I loved how protective her older sister, Margaret was and her mother’s late-in-life career as an artist was hilarious!!
Grace’s hobbies, usually involving her best friend, Julian, were quite sweet, with a little bit of cheeky tossed in there. They taught dancing to people at Golden Meadows, a senior’s home and Grace even read to the residents, though her reading material made me laugh out loud.
I adored every word to this story, even if I wanted to shake the bad sense out of Grace for most of it. I knew I just had to let her get there on her own and she did. The heroines in these stories, while finding love, more importantly, always find a way to find happiness with themselves and work through the hurt and heartache that life throws their way. This was an emotional roller-coaster ride of a read for me, filled with humour and heartbreak and love.
This story, told in the first person, was about Grace Emerson. Grace, when she was younger, had an odd coping mechanism of making up people, mostly imaginary boyfriends, to fit in with stories from her imagination. Fast forward to where the story began and she was accidentally blurting out that she had met this perfect boyfriend, all in the name of helping her sister Natalie not feel bad and uncomfortable because Natalie was MARRYING GRACE’S EX-FIANCE. Yes, you read that correctly. *facepalms
“And another thing," I continued in a low voice. "I'm sick of the pity. Nat and Andrew should just get on with it, you know, and stop treating me like some crippled, balding cat who has seizures and can't keep down her food."
Margaret laughed. "Gotcha.”
I was immediately in Grace’s corner, though she was way more understanding and accepting than I would have been in the same situation. Being dumped for my sister and then having to watch a man you were once in love with and not quite over, together and blissfully happy… well let’s just say I don’t think I would have been able to do it. I get why she felt the need to make up a boyfriend, just to get everyone off her back. I wouldn’t have been able to handle all of the pity.
“Sounds perfect," Natalie said approvingly. "Good sense of humor?"
"Oh, yes," I answered. "Very funny. But in a nice, nonmocking way. Not snarky, sarcastic or rude. In a gentle, loving way."
"So this is a case of opposites attract?" Callahan asked.”
Amid all of the deception and wedding planning, Grace got a new neighbour, in the form of sexy Callahan O’Shea. To say her interactions with him were hilarious would be an understatement. Cal was a refreshing hero for me. I really liked that he was the vulnerable one while he and Grace were getting to know one another. In fact, most of the time, while Grace was internally lusting after Cal, she was quite rude and dismissive of Cal. I found Cal to be quite wonderful.
“Finally. "It's about time," he muttered against my mouth.”
No quest to find “the one” would be complete without some disastrous blind dates and Grace had one of the funniest ones I’ve read to date. Perfect, perfect Lester had Grace going to her imaginary world and envisioning a perfect world with him as her co-star.
“He loved to cook and couldn't wait to make me dinner. He wanted children. He was perfect.
Then his cell phone rang. "Oh, shoot, I'm sorry, Grace," he said with an apologetic smile, glancing at the screen of the phone. "I've been waiting for this call."
"No, no, go ahead," I said, sipping my G&T. Do whatever you want, baby. I'm yours.
Lester flipped open his phone. "What do you want, bitch?" he demanded, his face contorting with fury.
I choked and sputtered, lurching up straight in my seat. Around us, patrons grew still. Lester ignored us all.
"Well, guess where I am?" he barked, turning slightly away from me. "I'm at a bar with a woman! So there, you disgusting whore! ”
Grace’s family, like other families in Kristan Higgins books, were very quirky and loveable. I loved how protective her older sister, Margaret was and her mother’s late-in-life career as an artist was hilarious!!
“Hey, Dad," Margaret said, coming up to smooch our father on the cheek. "How are the labias selling?”
“Well. Margaret, we need to talk. Come on, girls. Let's sit in the kitchen. Oh, Grace, this shouldn't go here! It's not funny. This is serious artwork, honey."
Callahan O'Shea had placed Breast in Blue in my fruit bowl amid the oranges and pears. I grinned. ”
Grace’s hobbies, usually involving her best friend, Julian, were quite sweet, with a little bit of cheeky tossed in there. They taught dancing to people at Golden Meadows, a senior’s home and Grace even read to the residents, though her reading material made me laugh out loud.
“Dare he take the promise of forbidden passion and sheathe his rock-hard desire in the heaven of her soft and hidden treasure?"
"I think he should go for it."
I jumped, dropping my tawdry paperback. Callahan O'Shea stood in the doorway, shrinking the size of the room. "Irish! What are you doing here?" I asked.
"What are you doing here, is a better question."
"I'm reading to Mr. Lawrence. He likes it." Hopefully Mr. Lawrence wouldn't lurch out of his two-year silence and deny that fact. "He's part of my reading program."
"Is that right? He's also my grandfather," Callahan said, crossing his arms.”
I adored every word to this story, even if I wanted to shake the bad sense out of Grace for most of it. I knew I just had to let her get there on her own and she did. The heroines in these stories, while finding love, more importantly, always find a way to find happiness with themselves and work through the hurt and heartache that life throws their way. This was an emotional roller-coaster ride of a read for me, filled with humour and heartbreak and love.
February 3, 2009
Grace Emerson is a history teacher at a stuffy prep school, devoted sister and daughter, and a Civil War buff (who participates in re-enacting the battles), but she also has a small problem: she invents imaginary boyfriends in time of crisis. For instance, in middle school she wanted to be accepted by the cool kids, so she invented an older, much cooler boyfriend who attended a different school. Worked like a charm. The same thing worked for her in high school when she invented a beautiful, French man who was in college and totally adored her. And so on and so on.
When her baby sister, Natalie, begins dating Grace's ex-fiance, Andrew, everyone takes pity on Grace and presto! Another imaginary boyfriend pops out of her mouth before she can take it back. Wyatt turns out to be a pediatric surgeon who comes to Grace's rescue when her car tire blows out. In his spare time Wyatt rescues feral cats, speaks at medical conventions, and is simply too good to be true. But what other options does Grace have? The pain of being dumped by Andrew two weeks before her wedding is still fresh and the poor girl can't find a decent man to date.
Then late one evening Grace happens to see the dark shadow of a man testing the doors and windows of the empty house next door. She calls 911. When the intruder knocks on her front door minutes later, Grace opens the door and beats him upside the head with her field hockey stick. The man is subsequently arrested. When Grace is questioned by the police the next day, she learns that the man is, in fact, her new neighbor, Callahoun O'Shea. Feeling horrible, Grace takes a plate of her special brownies and a bottle of wine to Callahoun's house by way of an apology; however, she ends up smacking the poor guy again (by accident this time). Days later she wrecks Cal's truck that is parked near the end of her driveway.
After pages of squabbling and hilarious dialogue, Cal and Grace finally hit it off. Their romance is simple and very sweet. Cal goes out of his way to do the most incredible, sweetest things possible to prove his love for Grace, including driving her to a movie theatre an hour away to surprise her with the movie Gone With The Wind. The only barrier to their relationship is the fact that Cal is an ex-con, having recently been released from prison, and Grace's family does not know how to deal with that. (Please note that Cal is not an alpha, nor is he a reformed bad-boy.) I honestly enjoy the heros that Kristan Higgins writes into her stories. They are refreshingly different, well-rounded characters. I only wish I could hop into their heads and read their perspective on things once in awhile.
I really struggled as to whether or not I wanted to give this book 3 or 4 stars. It started slow for me and I was annoyed with the fact that Grace was a pushover - a true doormat - to her family and her youngest sister, Natalie, who became engaged to Grace's ex-fiance. These issues are cleared up by the end of the story when Grace finally makes her stand (and what a great ending to this story I might add!), so I suppose this is a case of the end justifying the means. Grace's oldest sister, Margaret, an attorney and a real ballbuster, has some of the best lines in the book. But I couldn't help feeling that many of the characters and family members were cliches (the gay sidekick and the cranky grandmother) or were added simply for filler.
But all in all, it was a good book with slow start and a better ending. Not as much fun as Just One Of The Guys, and it lacked the wholesome family dynamic that I like in Higgin's books, but I can honestly say I enjoyed it and would recommend it to my friends.
When her baby sister, Natalie, begins dating Grace's ex-fiance, Andrew, everyone takes pity on Grace and presto! Another imaginary boyfriend pops out of her mouth before she can take it back. Wyatt turns out to be a pediatric surgeon who comes to Grace's rescue when her car tire blows out. In his spare time Wyatt rescues feral cats, speaks at medical conventions, and is simply too good to be true. But what other options does Grace have? The pain of being dumped by Andrew two weeks before her wedding is still fresh and the poor girl can't find a decent man to date.
Then late one evening Grace happens to see the dark shadow of a man testing the doors and windows of the empty house next door. She calls 911. When the intruder knocks on her front door minutes later, Grace opens the door and beats him upside the head with her field hockey stick. The man is subsequently arrested. When Grace is questioned by the police the next day, she learns that the man is, in fact, her new neighbor, Callahoun O'Shea. Feeling horrible, Grace takes a plate of her special brownies and a bottle of wine to Callahoun's house by way of an apology; however, she ends up smacking the poor guy again (by accident this time). Days later she wrecks Cal's truck that is parked near the end of her driveway.
After pages of squabbling and hilarious dialogue, Cal and Grace finally hit it off. Their romance is simple and very sweet. Cal goes out of his way to do the most incredible, sweetest things possible to prove his love for Grace, including driving her to a movie theatre an hour away to surprise her with the movie Gone With The Wind. The only barrier to their relationship is the fact that Cal is an ex-con, having recently been released from prison, and Grace's family does not know how to deal with that. (Please note that Cal is not an alpha, nor is he a reformed bad-boy.) I honestly enjoy the heros that Kristan Higgins writes into her stories. They are refreshingly different, well-rounded characters. I only wish I could hop into their heads and read their perspective on things once in awhile.
I really struggled as to whether or not I wanted to give this book 3 or 4 stars. It started slow for me and I was annoyed with the fact that Grace was a pushover - a true doormat - to her family and her youngest sister, Natalie, who became engaged to Grace's ex-fiance. These issues are cleared up by the end of the story when Grace finally makes her stand (and what a great ending to this story I might add!), so I suppose this is a case of the end justifying the means. Grace's oldest sister, Margaret, an attorney and a real ballbuster, has some of the best lines in the book. But I couldn't help feeling that many of the characters and family members were cliches (the gay sidekick and the cranky grandmother) or were added simply for filler.
But all in all, it was a good book with slow start and a better ending. Not as much fun as Just One Of The Guys, and it lacked the wholesome family dynamic that I like in Higgin's books, but I can honestly say I enjoyed it and would recommend it to my friends.
May 21, 2018
Quirky and funny, Too Good to Be True is another Kristan Higgins winner. The heroine is a character easy to understand and empathize with, even if she does present herself as a major doormat at times. The admirable theme that runs throughout this novel and its main characters is the loyalty and protectiveness of family, even when loved ones don't deserve or return it. Overall, I found this adult romance standalone to be an easy and enjoyable reading experience. If you're a Kristan Higgins fan, definitely add it to your list!
My favorite quote:
“Because when you meet The One, you just know.”
My favorite quote:
“Because when you meet The One, you just know.”
February 7, 2017
Grace feels the need to once again create a fictional beau. It worked when she was a girl and a teen, and it should work now. This time it's to fend off the sympathy and concern generated by friends and family because her fiancee cried because he fell in love with her perfect little sister. (For once, little sis is not a conniving bitch and genuinely loves Grace, but, heh, Grace still got dumped three weeks before her wedding.)
Grace's lies take little effort as she's been down this road before, and she conveniently creates a very dedicated pediatric surgeon as her BF. Poor doc just never finds the time to meet the family. In the meanwhile, a hunk of burning love in the guise of an ex-con named Callaghan O'Shea creeps into her life. What a great name. The banter between these two as well as the wit between Grace and her sisters sparkles and is hysterical. 5 star banter.
As Grace's imaginary BF spends more and more time with his imaginary patients, Grace acknowledges her attraction to Shawshank as her more caustic older sister calls him.
There are plenty of fun secondary characters to choose from. The cranky and cynical older sister who's separated from her stuffy husband, the h's mother who creates feminist artwork aka vaginas, ovaries etc..,, the irascible and very UNLOVEABLE grandmother, the yummy ex-con with an interesting past, the h's gay best friend who's afraid of love, and, last but not least, Angus McFangus her West Highland terrier who does what terriers do best: bite people and eat whatever their little legs can get them into. Grace spends half her time cleaning up after Angus. If you're a dog lover, you roll with it; if not, be prepared to be grossed out.
Why not 4 stars? In the big scheme of things, probably not that important as it is a fun read. Like I said, the dialogue is tops if you like banter, wit and snark.
Grace's lies take little effort as she's been down this road before, and she conveniently creates a very dedicated pediatric surgeon as her BF. Poor doc just never finds the time to meet the family. In the meanwhile, a hunk of burning love in the guise of an ex-con named Callaghan O'Shea creeps into her life. What a great name. The banter between these two as well as the wit between Grace and her sisters sparkles and is hysterical. 5 star banter.
As Grace's imaginary BF spends more and more time with his imaginary patients, Grace acknowledges her attraction to Shawshank as her more caustic older sister calls him.
There are plenty of fun secondary characters to choose from. The cranky and cynical older sister who's separated from her stuffy husband, the h's mother who creates feminist artwork aka vaginas, ovaries etc..,, the irascible and very UNLOVEABLE grandmother, the yummy ex-con with an interesting past, the h's gay best friend who's afraid of love, and, last but not least, Angus McFangus her West Highland terrier who does what terriers do best: bite people and eat whatever their little legs can get them into. Grace spends half her time cleaning up after Angus. If you're a dog lover, you roll with it; if not, be prepared to be grossed out.
Why not 4 stars? In the big scheme of things, probably not that important as it is a fun read. Like I said, the dialogue is tops if you like banter, wit and snark.
August 14, 2016
I should have thought this book was Too good to be true..After reading the title.Seriously :(
This story might have had a history teacher and an ex-convict..but I only ended up like the dog....I know :/
Initally, I picked up this book with high expectations in regards of humor and romance but ended up being thoroughly disappointed until the very end..soo very boring.
In facy,Im pretty sure I cultivated a migraine,after skimming through the glowed up pages on my phone....
So yes well.As the title so ironically states ,This book was TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE"
This story might have had a history teacher and an ex-convict..but I only ended up like the dog....I know :/
Initally, I picked up this book with high expectations in regards of humor and romance but ended up being thoroughly disappointed until the very end..soo very boring.
In facy,Im pretty sure I cultivated a migraine,after skimming through the glowed up pages on my phone....
So yes well.As the title so ironically states ,This book was TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE"
June 4, 2020
3.5 stars
I honestly thought I had read this book and all the books that KH has released but it was unread on my kindle and not a sign of a highlight in the book ... but as I was reading it, I was thinking to myself "this seems a little familiar" ... maybe all Ms Higgins' books are a little similar and sort of morph into the same reading pattern for me. Granted, her heroines are always quite similar, quirky, they find it hard to meet the man of their dreams and find love, there is always a strange (but lovable) family in the background ... or foreground, she has a dog ... or someone in the book has one. Hero is always a bit tall, dark, handsome, gruff, wears jeans and t-shirts! Saying that, it was an OK read. Nothing out of the ordinary. I just think I am going through a fussy phase of reading at the moment ... nothing is really pleasing me.
I feel like I spend half my day trawling though my kindle, wondering what to read next!
I honestly thought I had read this book and all the books that KH has released but it was unread on my kindle and not a sign of a highlight in the book ... but as I was reading it, I was thinking to myself "this seems a little familiar" ... maybe all Ms Higgins' books are a little similar and sort of morph into the same reading pattern for me. Granted, her heroines are always quite similar, quirky, they find it hard to meet the man of their dreams and find love, there is always a strange (but lovable) family in the background ... or foreground, she has a dog ... or someone in the book has one. Hero is always a bit tall, dark, handsome, gruff, wears jeans and t-shirts! Saying that, it was an OK read. Nothing out of the ordinary. I just think I am going through a fussy phase of reading at the moment ... nothing is really pleasing me.
I feel like I spend half my day trawling though my kindle, wondering what to read next!
December 1, 2020
Adorei! Super divertido.
Muito melhor que o anterior.
Conseguiu manter-me sempre agarrada à história.
No entanto, consigo ver um precedente...
Todas as personagens principais têm de bater nos homens?
Sei que é bom ser independente e tal, mas... 😂
Cal é tão queridoooo 😊
Foi sofrer até à última, estava a ver que a Grace ainda ia fazer asneira da grossa.
O Andrew... Super idiota. 🤮 Gostei do twist final.
A Mémé horrível, mas...
Julius amazingggg. E Angus... Bem...
Personagens com as peculiaridades mas impossível não simpatizar com todas elas (ou quase todas).
Vale bem a pena ler. Gargalhadas garantidas.
Muito melhor que o anterior.
Conseguiu manter-me sempre agarrada à história.
No entanto, consigo ver um precedente...
Todas as personagens principais têm de bater nos homens?
Sei que é bom ser independente e tal, mas... 😂
Cal é tão queridoooo 😊
Foi sofrer até à última, estava a ver que a Grace ainda ia fazer asneira da grossa.
O Andrew... Super idiota. 🤮 Gostei do twist final.
A Mémé horrível, mas...
Julius amazingggg. E Angus... Bem...
Personagens com as peculiaridades mas impossível não simpatizar com todas elas (ou quase todas).
Vale bem a pena ler. Gargalhadas garantidas.
April 4, 2019
Nuestra reseña del #RitaKristan en A la cama con... un libro
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Bastante mejor de lo que esperaba (aunque debo reconocer que esperaba poco XD)
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Bastante mejor de lo que esperaba (aunque debo reconocer que esperaba poco XD)
March 19, 2017
Ok, I admit it. I'm just a sappy romantic at heart. How I love these books!
February 14, 2010
Meet Grace Emerson. She's thirty, she's a prep school history teacher, Civil Was enthusiast, member of a Civil War reenactment group, proud Highland Terrier owner, old Victorian house owner, middle child, jilted three weeks before the wedding...But that was more than a year ago.
Now, her ex-fiancé is dating her younger sister (that's the reason he broke up with her), she's indulging in too much Ben and Jerry's, she invented a boyfriend so people wouldn't pity her, and she recently assaulted her hot new neighbor with a lawn-hockey stick. Okay, so she was a bit tipsy, but he is and ex-con. Sure, embezzlement doesn't sound as ominous as rape or murder, but he does have a record.
And did I mention he's hot? Well, he is, and she suddenly finds herself having all kinds of improper thoughts about him. But she can't because he's an ex-con and besides, she's looking for someone ready to settle down with a wife and four children. And her little dog can't stand the man. And she does have a boyfriend, imaginary, but still, she can't go cheating on Wyatt Dunn, pediatric surgeon, and disappoint her whole family, now, can she?
I'm so happy when Harlequin decided to give away good ebooks. Because this one was good. In fact, it was great. Though I'm not particularly fond of first-person POV I found myself reading this one in one sitting and enjoying it immensely. It was hilarious, a little sad, a little strange, a little annoying when the heroine was in a funk and didn't want to get out of it, it was funky, it was sparkly, spunky, and very well-written.
It had all the elements a chick-lit book requires. A slightly crazy heroine, a middle child that doesn't want to hurt people's feelings, but doesn't want their pity, either, so she invents a boyfriend. There was her crazy family with an old, nasty, belligerent grandmother, a tax-lawyer quirky father, a porno-artist mother, a grouchy older sister deciding to leave her husband and move in with Grace, a coddled, protected younger sister, and a cute little Highland Terrier named Angus.
Throw in a hunky, sexy, bedroom-eyed neighbor slash punching bag slash chew toy, a gay best friend who owns a dance studio and hasn't been in a relationship in eight years, a female best friend who can't keep a guy, a two-hour "How To Get Your Man" seminar, a classroom of bored teenagers, a race for chairman of the History department, a few battlefield (in Connecticut!) reenactment, a few lies strewn here and there that almost ruined the HEA, a weddin' in the making, a hillarious pre-HEA brawl, and a cute epilogue, and you get yourself this charming little story.
I absolutely loved it. And I'm thinking of giving the author's other books a try. If they're as good as this one, I'm in for quite a fun few hours.
Highly recommended.
Now, her ex-fiancé is dating her younger sister (that's the reason he broke up with her), she's indulging in too much Ben and Jerry's, she invented a boyfriend so people wouldn't pity her, and she recently assaulted her hot new neighbor with a lawn-hockey stick. Okay, so she was a bit tipsy, but he is and ex-con. Sure, embezzlement doesn't sound as ominous as rape or murder, but he does have a record.
And did I mention he's hot? Well, he is, and she suddenly finds herself having all kinds of improper thoughts about him. But she can't because he's an ex-con and besides, she's looking for someone ready to settle down with a wife and four children. And her little dog can't stand the man. And she does have a boyfriend, imaginary, but still, she can't go cheating on Wyatt Dunn, pediatric surgeon, and disappoint her whole family, now, can she?
I'm so happy when Harlequin decided to give away good ebooks. Because this one was good. In fact, it was great. Though I'm not particularly fond of first-person POV I found myself reading this one in one sitting and enjoying it immensely. It was hilarious, a little sad, a little strange, a little annoying when the heroine was in a funk and didn't want to get out of it, it was funky, it was sparkly, spunky, and very well-written.
It had all the elements a chick-lit book requires. A slightly crazy heroine, a middle child that doesn't want to hurt people's feelings, but doesn't want their pity, either, so she invents a boyfriend. There was her crazy family with an old, nasty, belligerent grandmother, a tax-lawyer quirky father, a porno-artist mother, a grouchy older sister deciding to leave her husband and move in with Grace, a coddled, protected younger sister, and a cute little Highland Terrier named Angus.
Throw in a hunky, sexy, bedroom-eyed neighbor slash punching bag slash chew toy, a gay best friend who owns a dance studio and hasn't been in a relationship in eight years, a female best friend who can't keep a guy, a two-hour "How To Get Your Man" seminar, a classroom of bored teenagers, a race for chairman of the History department, a few battlefield (in Connecticut!) reenactment, a few lies strewn here and there that almost ruined the HEA, a weddin' in the making, a hillarious pre-HEA brawl, and a cute epilogue, and you get yourself this charming little story.
I absolutely loved it. And I'm thinking of giving the author's other books a try. If they're as good as this one, I'm in for quite a fun few hours.
Highly recommended.
June 3, 2016
Well this was an interesting surprise. This was a solid romance that I ended up enjoying despite some elements that threw me out of the story. Grace was engaging, despite some elements that bugged me. Mainly, though, my engagement was driven by a huge crush on Callahan.
Grace has, well, issues. She has taken some recent hits and her coping mechanism is the protective lie. Which is exactly the recipe for landmines you'd expect it to be. I was a bit worried by the presence of so much farce early in the novel as nothing invites farce like the buried lie. Fortunately, Higgins restricts the farce to physical, rather than relationship, manifestation, so that concern never materialized. And I generally dislike the one-lie-leads-to-another trope, but Higgins keeps it within reason, too—not least by giving Grace enough self-assurance to turn aside some tense moments by inviting conversation. And yes, that was full of win. I can't tell you how gratifying it was when Grace was confronted by an angry partner in a situation that could have looked bad and her response was "I know that looked bad, come inside and we'll talk about it." Wow. It's like we had adults acting like adults and everything (and yes, that is ironic considering the prime motivator for some of the novel was that stupid lie).
Anyway, as I said, Callahan was attractive enough that coupled with the occasional grace (heh) in Grace, I enjoyed the reading experience. So why the so-so rating? Well, it was mostly a 3.5 or so all along with the occasional sloppy bits (see farce above) that I'd have normally rounded up. But the sloppy finally got on my nerves when we get random narrative political slams that threw me out of my happy place. I get personal myopia and people do have their biases and such. But at least once it was so random (and intrusive) that it felt like an axe to grind more than a simple communication short-cut. I'm not sure why authors feel like alienating readers randomly like that is a good plan, but I dislike encountering it (regardless of target, frankly).
A note about Steamy/Chaste: This book didn't have any steam, really. No explicit sex scenes or anything. Higgins pulls the curtain pretty quick. But there's enough lead-up and other sex talk that I can't exactly call the book "Chaste", either. So I'm not giving either tag, which is very rare for my romance reads...
Grace has, well, issues. She has taken some recent hits and her coping mechanism is the protective lie. Which is exactly the recipe for landmines you'd expect it to be. I was a bit worried by the presence of so much farce early in the novel as nothing invites farce like the buried lie. Fortunately, Higgins restricts the farce to physical, rather than relationship, manifestation, so that concern never materialized. And I generally dislike the one-lie-leads-to-another trope, but Higgins keeps it within reason, too—not least by giving Grace enough self-assurance to turn aside some tense moments by inviting conversation. And yes, that was full of win. I can't tell you how gratifying it was when Grace was confronted by an angry partner in a situation that could have looked bad and her response was "I know that looked bad, come inside and we'll talk about it." Wow. It's like we had adults acting like adults and everything (and yes, that is ironic considering the prime motivator for some of the novel was that stupid lie).
Anyway, as I said, Callahan was attractive enough that coupled with the occasional grace (heh) in Grace, I enjoyed the reading experience. So why the so-so rating? Well, it was mostly a 3.5 or so all along with the occasional sloppy bits (see farce above) that I'd have normally rounded up. But the sloppy finally got on my nerves when we get random narrative political slams that threw me out of my happy place. I get personal myopia and people do have their biases and such. But at least once it was so random (and intrusive) that it felt like an axe to grind more than a simple communication short-cut. I'm not sure why authors feel like alienating readers randomly like that is a good plan, but I dislike encountering it (regardless of target, frankly).
A note about Steamy/Chaste: This book didn't have any steam, really. No explicit sex scenes or anything. Higgins pulls the curtain pretty quick. But there's enough lead-up and other sex talk that I can't exactly call the book "Chaste", either. So I'm not giving either tag, which is very rare for my romance reads...
April 9, 2014
Once again, I'm reminded why I'm such a fan of Kristan Higgins. Her work just resonates with me. Loved this book although it was lighter on the emotional angst than her usual fare--and that's okay. You can't always have us in tears, Kristan!
This time around we're treated to a sexy neighbour next door in the form of Callahan O'Shea. Even his name is sexy! One hockey stick injury from a freaked out Grace Emerson, and Cal falls hard. Poor Grace is trying to get past being dumped for her sister...that would hurt. Real bad. But once the circumstances were explained, I respected Grace all the more for being so selfless.
Add in the token mutt, the drama-filled family dynamics and you have a well rounded and sweet story. Grace's great Granny, Meme was an old skank if you ask me, she got away with saying the most hurtful things, shame on her. Andrew was an EPIC ASSHOLE. And not in the good way kind. His incapacity to follow through with anything was evidence of poor character and the scene towards the end where he's bludgeoned by the Emerson family had me in tears of laughter!
The ending was of course, sweet and touching. Loved the epilogue and how things turned out for Cal and Grace. Seriously, I haven't read an author aside from Lisa Kleypas, that just wrote everything so well, so great that I love every word written by her. Loved this.
This time around we're treated to a sexy neighbour next door in the form of Callahan O'Shea. Even his name is sexy! One hockey stick injury from a freaked out Grace Emerson, and Cal falls hard. Poor Grace is trying to get past being dumped for her sister...that would hurt. Real bad. But once the circumstances were explained, I respected Grace all the more for being so selfless.
Add in the token mutt, the drama-filled family dynamics and you have a well rounded and sweet story. Grace's great Granny, Meme was an old skank if you ask me, she got away with saying the most hurtful things, shame on her. Andrew was an EPIC ASSHOLE. And not in the good way kind. His incapacity to follow through with anything was evidence of poor character and the scene towards the end where he's bludgeoned by the Emerson family had me in tears of laughter!
The ending was of course, sweet and touching. Loved the epilogue and how things turned out for Cal and Grace. Seriously, I haven't read an author aside from Lisa Kleypas, that just wrote everything so well, so great that I love every word written by her. Loved this.
March 3, 2025
Be the better person.
Be the bigger person.
Sacrifice all for your family/sibling.
This is really the theme of this book as we see our mcs go through hell - all for familial love.
The h gets dumped a few weeks before her wedding as her fiancé and her beloved younger sister fall for each other at first sight. A coup de foudre if you will.
The h goes out of her way to ensure that they don't feel guilty about being together.
First by inventing a 'perfect' BF (a talent she has honed since school) and then playing Russian roulette with family dinners etc as her family expect her to bring this wonderful new man in her life. (But the pediatric surgeon remains devoted to saving children at all hours of the day/night.)
Only her gay bff and her cynical older sister know the truth.
The H is her new neighbor. They start off really bad and the antagonism continues till well into 60% of the book. He has his own difficult past to deal with. She thinks him hot but his past and her 'new bf' make him a persona non grata. Meanwhile she keeps going on blind dates to find 'the guy'.
The humor, subtle and not so subtle, is sublime.
I smiled and chuckled my way through this very very witty piece of writing.
But then the humor slowly fizzles out. Not because more angsty issues take over - they were always there.
Self deprecating humor is all good but I get antsy with an overly downtrodden fmc who has martyr/saint complex. And I got pretty frustrated after a while.
I like a h who can 'hate' just a bit.
And if she extracts subtle revenge or show up the om/ow, I'd worship at such a goddess' feet.
Exhibit snarkiness - inner or otherwise.
Passive aggression? Yes please.
So, does she?
I like the h's mildly dysfunctional family - the bickering parents (who give quite a revelation to the poor h at one point). The mom who blows glass - into female reproductive parts! A snarky and mean grand-mom. A cynical but relatable older sister who leaves her very nice and loving husband midway as he's boring.
Her little terrier, Angus Macfangus is quite adorable as he goes about destroying shoes and attacking the H.
The h is a history teacher at a prep school and her love for history, especially the Civil war is well done. Her passion for civil war reenactments is another quirk. I also liked her weekly volunteering at an old age home though where she dances with the residents. But her (very) desperate serial dating is funny till (again) is not.
Natalie and Andrew - the sister and the h's ex.
SUCH LOUSES!!
She's the 'fair flower of the family'.
The author has done a masterly job of showing Nat as a serene, genuinely sweet girl - whom the h absolutely adores and spoils - who is not only angelically beautiful but also Stanford smart. The sister is shown as genuinely distraught at this complicated situation - but would a truly caring sister really get into such a situation?
Andrew is shown as a gangly nerdy sort with a good sense of humor.
It's clear that the h truly loves both of them. And her struggle to get over her ex is real. And long. And lonely.
**Big spoilers**
Be the bigger person.
Sacrifice all for your family/sibling.
This is really the theme of this book as we see our mcs go through hell - all for familial love.
The h gets dumped a few weeks before her wedding as her fiancé and her beloved younger sister fall for each other at first sight. A coup de foudre if you will.
The h goes out of her way to ensure that they don't feel guilty about being together.
First by inventing a 'perfect' BF (a talent she has honed since school) and then playing Russian roulette with family dinners etc as her family expect her to bring this wonderful new man in her life. (But the pediatric surgeon remains devoted to saving children at all hours of the day/night.)
Only her gay bff and her cynical older sister know the truth.
The H is her new neighbor. They start off really bad and the antagonism continues till well into 60% of the book. He has his own difficult past to deal with. She thinks him hot but his past and her 'new bf' make him a persona non grata. Meanwhile she keeps going on blind dates to find 'the guy'.
The humor, subtle and not so subtle, is sublime.
I smiled and chuckled my way through this very very witty piece of writing.
But then the humor slowly fizzles out. Not because more angsty issues take over - they were always there.
Self deprecating humor is all good but I get antsy with an overly downtrodden fmc who has martyr/saint complex. And I got pretty frustrated after a while.
I like a h who can 'hate' just a bit.
And if she extracts subtle revenge or show up the om/ow, I'd worship at such a goddess' feet.
Exhibit snarkiness - inner or otherwise.
Passive aggression? Yes please.
So, does she?
I like the h's mildly dysfunctional family - the bickering parents (who give quite a revelation to the poor h at one point). The mom who blows glass - into female reproductive parts! A snarky and mean grand-mom. A cynical but relatable older sister who leaves her very nice and loving husband midway as he's boring.
Her little terrier, Angus Macfangus is quite adorable as he goes about destroying shoes and attacking the H.
The h is a history teacher at a prep school and her love for history, especially the Civil war is well done. Her passion for civil war reenactments is another quirk. I also liked her weekly volunteering at an old age home though where she dances with the residents. But her (very) desperate serial dating is funny till (again) is not.
Natalie and Andrew - the sister and the h's ex.
SUCH LOUSES!!
She's the 'fair flower of the family'.
The author has done a masterly job of showing Nat as a serene, genuinely sweet girl - whom the h absolutely adores and spoils - who is not only angelically beautiful but also Stanford smart. The sister is shown as genuinely distraught at this complicated situation - but would a truly caring sister really get into such a situation?
Andrew is shown as a gangly nerdy sort with a good sense of humor.
It's clear that the h truly loves both of them. And her struggle to get over her ex is real. And long. And lonely.
**Big spoilers**
September 7, 2009
Kristan Higgins is one of the smartest, funniest contemporary authors out there!
September 9, 2019
6/10
No he podido con la prota. Una chica k se deja pisotear por su familia, mentirosa e inaguantable. Creo qué es el libro que menos me ha gustado de esta autora. Lo mejor de todo el libro ha sido la parte final que ha estado genial.
No he podido con la prota. Una chica k se deja pisotear por su familia, mentirosa e inaguantable. Creo qué es el libro que menos me ha gustado de esta autora. Lo mejor de todo el libro ha sido la parte final que ha estado genial.
February 23, 2016
4 "God's Nightgown! It's another fake boyfriend!!" stars.
Best bit: It's a toss up between Higgins' sarcastic humour, heartfelt storylines, and the heroine (Grace). It's not often that I like the heroine more than I do the hero but I really felt a tremendous connection with the adorable civil war buff. Perhaps it's because I share her love for Gone with the Wind (I often refer to Rhett Butler as my most favourite hero of all time...and while James Fraser comes awfully close, in truth, there is no one better). I love Grace for her self-depricating humour, her love of teaching, her unhealthy affection for her dog Angus, her selfless and unconditional love for family, her love affair with watching movies on the big screen, her right hook, and last but certainly not least, her imagination when it comes to creating fake boyfriends!
It must also be noted that this book is not as angsty as the Blue Heron series. While I enjoyed that series, I was sometimes overwhelmed with how badly the heroine could be treated (especially by family or ex-partners). But Grace is truly beoved and she is strobg enough to demand a little respect from those around her. Of course there was conflict and drama, but it wasn't over the top and ultimately made for a more enjoyable read.
Worst bit:
Also, some of Nat's requests were so inappropriate. I wasn't sure if she was naive or selfish, or both. Either way, she was an unlikeable character. However, I really loved how Ms Higgins wrapped her story up and in the end I found myself a little less... irked.
Funniest bit: Oh my... this book is overflowing with all the funny. But the way our two characters met, and then met again, was hilarious! Grace's daydreams about her ideal boyfriend(s) and often the stories that went along with them, were hoot-tastically fabulous. From French lovers to pediatric surgeons who rescue feral cats, Grace perfected the right to daydream aloud and I fell in love with her a little more each time
Recommend: To anyone who likes a giggle, well developed characters, and a neighbours-in-love storyline. This book is great! And while she indulges in fade-to-black sex scenes, Kristan Higgins doesn't disappoint in creating tension and chemistry between her leads. I loved it. And I can't wait to read everything this author has published.
..
Best bit: It's a toss up between Higgins' sarcastic humour, heartfelt storylines, and the heroine (Grace). It's not often that I like the heroine more than I do the hero but I really felt a tremendous connection with the adorable civil war buff. Perhaps it's because I share her love for Gone with the Wind (I often refer to Rhett Butler as my most favourite hero of all time...and while James Fraser comes awfully close, in truth, there is no one better). I love Grace for her self-depricating humour, her love of teaching, her unhealthy affection for her dog Angus, her selfless and unconditional love for family, her love affair with watching movies on the big screen, her right hook, and last but certainly not least, her imagination when it comes to creating fake boyfriends!
It must also be noted that this book is not as angsty as the Blue Heron series. While I enjoyed that series, I was sometimes overwhelmed with how badly the heroine could be treated (especially by family or ex-partners). But Grace is truly beoved and she is strobg enough to demand a little respect from those around her. Of course there was conflict and drama, but it wasn't over the top and ultimately made for a more enjoyable read.
Worst bit:
Also, some of Nat's requests were so inappropriate. I wasn't sure if she was naive or selfish, or both. Either way, she was an unlikeable character. However, I really loved how Ms Higgins wrapped her story up and in the end I found myself a little less... irked.
Funniest bit: Oh my... this book is overflowing with all the funny. But the way our two characters met, and then met again, was hilarious! Grace's daydreams about her ideal boyfriend(s) and often the stories that went along with them, were hoot-tastically fabulous. From French lovers to pediatric surgeons who rescue feral cats, Grace perfected the right to daydream aloud and I fell in love with her a little more each time
Recommend: To anyone who likes a giggle, well developed characters, and a neighbours-in-love storyline. This book is great! And while she indulges in fade-to-black sex scenes, Kristan Higgins doesn't disappoint in creating tension and chemistry between her leads. I loved it. And I can't wait to read everything this author has published.
..
March 13, 2016
3.5 stars
So, here is the thing... I like cats. In case my name hadn't clued you in, yes, I'm a cat person.
When I go to other people's houses, I either glare at their dogs or run from them. Even the ones I like, I would never have. Dogs are smelly, drool and require more attention than what I'm willing to give to anything alive.
And seriously, some dogs are cute. But cats? Way cuter!
Kristan Higgins is a dog person. I knew this going in. This is not the first KH book I read. Plus, every single one of her covers has a dog in it. You know what this means, right? Higgins' books are dog books.
There are no such thing as dogs books, you might say. Well, you would be wrong. Books reflect in many ways their authors. Their beliefs, limitations, passions and quirks. Imagination is a collage of reality.
Cat romances usually portray women with modern apartments. While they might like some quirky thing such as old music, they usually tend to favor more liberal and updated/hip/whatever kids are calling it these days stuff like erotica books or Ryan Gosling movies. Their One is awkward in a hipster kind of way, or a bad boy rockstar reformed, or a possessive workaholic who realizes that there's more to life and love than the dysfunctional structure he had as a little boy.
These men are not real. Not because weird guys cannot be secretly sweet, or unapologetic rakes cannot devote themselves and mean it. They are not real because there is always an exception. People are three-dimensional, everyone has sides you don't know about.
When women look for these guys in real life, for the exception to the rule, they don't realize that everyone is an exception to the rule. If you want a relationship, any kind of relationship to work, you have to work for it. Circumstance may throw you in someone's path but you have to work your ass off to stay there.
Cat romances are a fantasy. A good fantasy, one that cat people who tend to be either introverted or somehow socially awkward love to embrace. What better than the idea that a good relationship will magically work itself out, and even when there are problems if it's true love you can always figure it out? You don't have to go out there and look, when it's right it will come and you will feel it.
Dog romances are maybe the cat romances of a different generation. They have buff, hard-working men. Heroines like long walks, the outdoors and bed-and-breakfasts. They want babies (even if it's a long, lost or well-hidden dream) and have big, loud families. Maybe a big brother or five. Heroes are divided in blue and white-collared. With ablue-collar men it's about letting go for the women, with white-collared men it's about letting go for the men.
If cat romances are about finding flawless, then dog romances are about finding good. Pure, selfless good. No less fantasy, these men are also not real because everyone is still three-dimensional. There are no unequivocally good or bad people.
I'm 18, live in a big city and am the proud owner of two cats. I don't get dog books. I am, as a cat book once described, a hopeless practical romantic. I don't want a lawn to mow, two dogs and three babies. I don't want to be either a housewife or a "bitchy" working woman. I don't want a Husband, with the capital initial. When I read a romance book that allows me to daydream, I want a cat story.
Too Good to Be True is without a single doubt a dog romance and I loved it. Need I say more?
My favorite scene:
So, here is the thing... I like cats. In case my name hadn't clued you in, yes, I'm a cat person.
When I go to other people's houses, I either glare at their dogs or run from them. Even the ones I like, I would never have. Dogs are smelly, drool and require more attention than what I'm willing to give to anything alive.
And seriously, some dogs are cute. But cats? Way cuter!
Kristan Higgins is a dog person. I knew this going in. This is not the first KH book I read. Plus, every single one of her covers has a dog in it. You know what this means, right? Higgins' books are dog books.
There are no such thing as dogs books, you might say. Well, you would be wrong. Books reflect in many ways their authors. Their beliefs, limitations, passions and quirks. Imagination is a collage of reality.
Cat romances usually portray women with modern apartments. While they might like some quirky thing such as old music, they usually tend to favor more liberal and updated/hip/whatever kids are calling it these days stuff like erotica books or Ryan Gosling movies. Their One is awkward in a hipster kind of way, or a bad boy rockstar reformed, or a possessive workaholic who realizes that there's more to life and love than the dysfunctional structure he had as a little boy.
These men are not real. Not because weird guys cannot be secretly sweet, or unapologetic rakes cannot devote themselves and mean it. They are not real because there is always an exception. People are three-dimensional, everyone has sides you don't know about.
When women look for these guys in real life, for the exception to the rule, they don't realize that everyone is an exception to the rule. If you want a relationship, any kind of relationship to work, you have to work for it. Circumstance may throw you in someone's path but you have to work your ass off to stay there.
Cat romances are a fantasy. A good fantasy, one that cat people who tend to be either introverted or somehow socially awkward love to embrace. What better than the idea that a good relationship will magically work itself out, and even when there are problems if it's true love you can always figure it out? You don't have to go out there and look, when it's right it will come and you will feel it.
Dog romances are maybe the cat romances of a different generation. They have buff, hard-working men. Heroines like long walks, the outdoors and bed-and-breakfasts. They want babies (even if it's a long, lost or well-hidden dream) and have big, loud families. Maybe a big brother or five. Heroes are divided in blue and white-collared. With ablue-collar men it's about letting go for the women, with white-collared men it's about letting go for the men.
If cat romances are about finding flawless, then dog romances are about finding good. Pure, selfless good. No less fantasy, these men are also not real because everyone is still three-dimensional. There are no unequivocally good or bad people.
I'm 18, live in a big city and am the proud owner of two cats. I don't get dog books. I am, as a cat book once described, a hopeless practical romantic. I don't want a lawn to mow, two dogs and three babies. I don't want to be either a housewife or a "bitchy" working woman. I don't want a Husband, with the capital initial. When I read a romance book that allows me to daydream, I want a cat story.
Too Good to Be True is without a single doubt a dog romance and I loved it. Need I say more?
My favorite scene:
October 16, 2020
4/5
Stebėtinai smagus, kokybiškas, greitas ir ne iki skausmo banalus kūrinys. Cukraus toli gražu ne tiek, kiek būtų galima iš pirmo žvilgsnio tikėtis. Bajeriai vietoje ir laiku, kartais suskubėti, kartais tokie Holivudiškai-romantiškai-komediški, bet ne visada nuspėjami, o kartais prajuokinantys net balsu. Kas man skaitant knygas yra ganėtinai reta. Pagrindinė veikėja nesielgia erzinančiai net tada, kai elgiasi kvailai, nes jos elgesys – šiaip gana pateisinamas ir logiškas. Žmogiškas. Ir turintis žmogiškas pasekmes. Nesakau, kad nėra viso to „ilgai ir laimingai“ pažado, be kurio tokia istorija iš viso netektų prasmės, bet viskas taip maloniai nuslysta, tarsi skanus ir greitas desertas.
Vietomis netgi priminė mano amžinai mylimą Bridžitą Džouns. Kai kas sekasi, kai kas absurdiškai, nepakeliamai nesiseka, bet svarbiausia tai, kad veikėja nėra tik apie vyrus ir tik dėl vyrų – ji turi savus pomėgius ir savus siekius, savo charakterį apart buvimo su tuo vieninteliu. O ir sapaliojimas apie romantinius planus nėra visa ko prasmė ir esmė – čia ir savęs ieškojimas, ne koks užknisantis „Valgyk, melskis, mylėk“ stiliumi, o toks žmogiškas ir linksmas, absoliučiai kasdieniškas, be Tibeto ir savipagabos knygelių, čia ir santykiai su šeima, toli gražu ne tobuli, toli gražu ne visuomet sveiki, net jei visi ir nori tik geriausio. O ir niekas neerzina – nei veikėjai, nei jų meilės ir nemeilės, nei dialogai, kurie šiaip realistiški ir smagūs, nei bajeriai. Knyga galėtų būt čiutačkį trumpesn��. Nu gal per kokį 50 puslapių. Bet neprailgsta ir nespėja užknisti, o net ir į kokią antrą dalį visai nespjaučiau.
Stebėtinai smagus, kokybiškas, greitas ir ne iki skausmo banalus kūrinys. Cukraus toli gražu ne tiek, kiek būtų galima iš pirmo žvilgsnio tikėtis. Bajeriai vietoje ir laiku, kartais suskubėti, kartais tokie Holivudiškai-romantiškai-komediški, bet ne visada nuspėjami, o kartais prajuokinantys net balsu. Kas man skaitant knygas yra ganėtinai reta. Pagrindinė veikėja nesielgia erzinančiai net tada, kai elgiasi kvailai, nes jos elgesys – šiaip gana pateisinamas ir logiškas. Žmogiškas. Ir turintis žmogiškas pasekmes. Nesakau, kad nėra viso to „ilgai ir laimingai“ pažado, be kurio tokia istorija iš viso netektų prasmės, bet viskas taip maloniai nuslysta, tarsi skanus ir greitas desertas.
Vietomis netgi priminė mano amžinai mylimą Bridžitą Džouns. Kai kas sekasi, kai kas absurdiškai, nepakeliamai nesiseka, bet svarbiausia tai, kad veikėja nėra tik apie vyrus ir tik dėl vyrų – ji turi savus pomėgius ir savus siekius, savo charakterį apart buvimo su tuo vieninteliu. O ir sapaliojimas apie romantinius planus nėra visa ko prasmė ir esmė – čia ir savęs ieškojimas, ne koks užknisantis „Valgyk, melskis, mylėk“ stiliumi, o toks žmogiškas ir linksmas, absoliučiai kasdieniškas, be Tibeto ir savipagabos knygelių, čia ir santykiai su šeima, toli gražu ne tobuli, toli gražu ne visuomet sveiki, net jei visi ir nori tik geriausio. O ir niekas neerzina – nei veikėjai, nei jų meilės ir nemeilės, nei dialogai, kurie šiaip realistiški ir smagūs, nei bajeriai. Knyga galėtų būt čiutačkį trumpesn��. Nu gal per kokį 50 puslapių. Bet neprailgsta ir nespėja užknisti, o net ir į kokią antrą dalį visai nespjaučiau.
August 18, 2016
I was really disappointed with this one. Grace was one of the biggest push overs ever! I'm all about being there for your family but this girl took it too far.
She was engaged to Andrew who 3 weeks or maybe 5 weeks before the wedding calls it quits (due to being in love with her younger sister).
She is heart broken over it, but hooks them up, it hurts her to see them together yet she goes to each event she is invited to.
Her grandmother calls her nasty names yet she visits her 3x a week.
Push-fucking-over!!!!!!
Then her gorgeous hunky neighbor tells her he just got released from prison due to embezzlement and she turns her nose up? Bitch, you have no right to judge with your weird civil war fetish, and even weirder dog! The girl dresses up and visits war sites with her dad, and is a boring history teacher for crying out loud! Stupid snobby cow! So let's just say I did not like Grace!
January 28, 2019
4.5/5
Kristan Higgins siempre es un acierto para mi, me hace remontar cualquier parón lector o sonreír cuando lo veo todo oscuro y este no es un caso distinto.
La historia está contada con el habitual humor de la autora, mezclado con momentos más durillos o emocionales.
Cuenta también con personajes muy humanos, que te desquician, pero a su modo son adorables.
http://mislibrosyotrashistoriasquemeg...
Kristan Higgins siempre es un acierto para mi, me hace remontar cualquier parón lector o sonreír cuando lo veo todo oscuro y este no es un caso distinto.
La historia está contada con el habitual humor de la autora, mezclado con momentos más durillos o emocionales.
Cuenta también con personajes muy humanos, que te desquician, pero a su modo son adorables.
http://mislibrosyotrashistoriasquemeg...
September 9, 2012
This book is so fantastic, i laughed so many times. It is honestly one of the funniest books i have ever read. Absolutely amazing book. There is a scene in this book in a restaurant, i laughed so hard I thought I might pee my panties. seriously :)
Favorite lines - "Jesus is my wingman." & "Was it me, or did a lot of men leave in handcuffs when i was around"
Favorite lines - "Jesus is my wingman." & "Was it me, or did a lot of men leave in handcuffs when i was around"
November 30, 2020
Me ha parecido una historia bonita aunque realmente las historias con toques de humor no son lo mío y el estilo de la autora me ha parecido un poco recargado. No obstante lo he leído bien y me ha resultado muy entretenido, la protagonista estaba muy loca.
Me gustan las historias más romanticonas y ésta va tan a fuego lento que me quedé con ganas de algun beso y acercamiento romántico más.
Me gustan las historias más romanticonas y ésta va tan a fuego lento que me quedé con ganas de algun beso y acercamiento romántico más.
October 24, 2015
A Chick Lit after a long time and I quite enjoyed it!
Book Cover
The cover is really pretty and all girly with a sexy pose of a couple and yes..color pink! And then there is cute little dog too which according to the story should be Agnes. So, yes a very nice-looking cover.
Plot
The story is of Grace Emerson who is a teacher and lives with her cute little dog Agnes(I guess this is the name!)
She has two sisters Margaret and Natalie. Margs is a lawyer and married to Stuart. Natalie is like a beautiful princess. Grace's parents are always arguing and her grandmother, Meme is a spiteful old woman who has nothing good to say to most of the people, Grace included.
Some where back in time Grace was in love and was engaged and all set to get married to Andrew who just three weeks before the wedding dumps her for her sister, Natalie. But, Grace does not hate either Andrew or Natalie; she is jealous but not nasty and in fact she asks the two to get together. Soon Natalie and Andrew decide to get married. So, everyone around Grace start obsessing over her love life and start feeling sorry for her. To avoid the irritating questions and sad looks from everyone; Grace announces that she is seeing some one. And this is not the first time she has done it. Grace has the habit of making up an imaginary boyfriend whenever crisis strikes since her teenage years. So, again out of habit she makes up Wyatt, a pediatric surgeon.
But, in real life Grace is looking for love and some one with whom she can settle down, some one who is not so Callahoun O'Shea - the handsome hunk who is her new neighbor. He is hot and one look at him sets in motion the feelings in parts that Grace has long forgotten but she cannot settle down with him! After all he is not a gentleman she is looking for and what else? Well he is an ex-con! Certainly not what Grace wants! But, Grace cannot help her feelings especially when she can see how Callahoun looks at her!
Characters
Grace is a great woman - she is hard working, loves her job and loves her family and will do anything for them. Despite the fact, that her family does not seem to do as much for her. She has a great sense of humor and is a wonderful person. But, what I did not like about her is that she does not give herself enough credit. She always thinks of herself less in comparison to her sisters. One often reads about her thinking to herself that she is not as beautiful as Natalie or as strong and successful as Margaret. And this is where I had a problem. I did not like she being portrayed so weak. I mean, Grace is so bright and is an amazing person; she should not feel sorry for herself! But, she does and quite a lot. I like my heroines to be strong so may be I found this element a problem area for me.
I completely disliked Andrew and Natalie. Andrew is a disgusting man who takes one look at his fiancee's hot sister and forgets he is engaged and falls for the new sister. How pathetic! And Natalie - she is feeling sorry throughout the book that she has fallen for the man who her sister loved. Well, if you are really that sorry and you love your sister so much then why the hell are you with him? I was so angry with the two and I could not understand how can Grace be so nice to both of them. What happens at the end - well, very good! That's called karma Natalie! I just did not feel sorry for her, call me heartless but Natalie, it was the right thing and you kind of deserved it!
Margaret was the better of the three sisters. Yes, she was bitchy at times but still she was better - at least most of the times. She is smart and speaks her mind.
What I like
The story is entertaining especially the banter between Callahoun O'Shea and Grace is hilarious that made me laugh hard.
What I did not like
As I said Grace comes out as a weak female protagonist who acts like a complete doormat to her family.
My final thoughts on the book
An enjoyable book and is a fun hilarious read. It is does not get boring anywhere and has a nice ending. If you are looking for a light, quick and relaxing book then this is the one for you.
Read this and my other book reviews at www.book-choose.com
Book Cover
The cover is really pretty and all girly with a sexy pose of a couple and yes..color pink! And then there is cute little dog too which according to the story should be Agnes. So, yes a very nice-looking cover.
Plot
The story is of Grace Emerson who is a teacher and lives with her cute little dog Agnes(I guess this is the name!)
She has two sisters Margaret and Natalie. Margs is a lawyer and married to Stuart. Natalie is like a beautiful princess. Grace's parents are always arguing and her grandmother, Meme is a spiteful old woman who has nothing good to say to most of the people, Grace included.
Some where back in time Grace was in love and was engaged and all set to get married to Andrew who just three weeks before the wedding dumps her for her sister, Natalie. But, Grace does not hate either Andrew or Natalie; she is jealous but not nasty and in fact she asks the two to get together. Soon Natalie and Andrew decide to get married. So, everyone around Grace start obsessing over her love life and start feeling sorry for her. To avoid the irritating questions and sad looks from everyone; Grace announces that she is seeing some one. And this is not the first time she has done it. Grace has the habit of making up an imaginary boyfriend whenever crisis strikes since her teenage years. So, again out of habit she makes up Wyatt, a pediatric surgeon.
But, in real life Grace is looking for love and some one with whom she can settle down, some one who is not so Callahoun O'Shea - the handsome hunk who is her new neighbor. He is hot and one look at him sets in motion the feelings in parts that Grace has long forgotten but she cannot settle down with him! After all he is not a gentleman she is looking for and what else? Well he is an ex-con! Certainly not what Grace wants! But, Grace cannot help her feelings especially when she can see how Callahoun looks at her!
Characters
Grace is a great woman - she is hard working, loves her job and loves her family and will do anything for them. Despite the fact, that her family does not seem to do as much for her. She has a great sense of humor and is a wonderful person. But, what I did not like about her is that she does not give herself enough credit. She always thinks of herself less in comparison to her sisters. One often reads about her thinking to herself that she is not as beautiful as Natalie or as strong and successful as Margaret. And this is where I had a problem. I did not like she being portrayed so weak. I mean, Grace is so bright and is an amazing person; she should not feel sorry for herself! But, she does and quite a lot. I like my heroines to be strong so may be I found this element a problem area for me.
I completely disliked Andrew and Natalie. Andrew is a disgusting man who takes one look at his fiancee's hot sister and forgets he is engaged and falls for the new sister. How pathetic! And Natalie - she is feeling sorry throughout the book that she has fallen for the man who her sister loved. Well, if you are really that sorry and you love your sister so much then why the hell are you with him? I was so angry with the two and I could not understand how can Grace be so nice to both of them. What happens at the end - well, very good! That's called karma Natalie! I just did not feel sorry for her, call me heartless but Natalie, it was the right thing and you kind of deserved it!
Margaret was the better of the three sisters. Yes, she was bitchy at times but still she was better - at least most of the times. She is smart and speaks her mind.
What I like
The story is entertaining especially the banter between Callahoun O'Shea and Grace is hilarious that made me laugh hard.
What I did not like
As I said Grace comes out as a weak female protagonist who acts like a complete doormat to her family.
My final thoughts on the book
An enjoyable book and is a fun hilarious read. It is does not get boring anywhere and has a nice ending. If you are looking for a light, quick and relaxing book then this is the one for you.
Read this and my other book reviews at www.book-choose.com
January 30, 2019
3.5 stars
Not only did her cowardly ex dump her 3 weeks before their wedding, he fell into insta-luv with h's younger, beautiful, perfect sister. More to follow.
Not only did her cowardly ex dump her 3 weeks before their wedding, he fell into insta-luv with h's younger, beautiful, perfect sister. More to follow.
June 4, 2012
This was a sweet little contemporary, though I didn't feel as if it had the emotional punch as the other Kristan Higgins that I've read. Grace was quite the doormat up until the very end, and Callahan was quite the jerk except for a thirty page stint. His reaction to Grace's made up boyfriend thing is over the top.
Still, the writing is clever, with lots of laugh out loud moments and the requisite adorable dog. I love how Grace's pup has the big dog syndrome so prevalent in smaller breeds and is her big bad protector from Cal. I could perfectly envision him grabbing a hold of a pant leg and shaking his little doggy head, snarling and growling. One of the things I love about this author is her obvious love of canines and how she incorporates them into her stories. They are, after all, family for those of us that adopt them!
Grace's family was an odd mishmash of people. They treated Grace horribly, nosing in where they weren't wanted and basically humiliating her without even realizing it. I thought a few punches were in order. Or at least a move out of town. But that's family! They truly wanted what was best for Grace. Their way of going about it was all wrong.
I love that Grace is a passionate history teacher, and the Civil War reenactments were awesome! How cool is that?! And what heroine has such a nerdy, original hobby?! This was a big thumbs up for me.
One thing that I would have liked to see was some closure on a major problem that Callahan had.
The epilogue was great! I love when an author actually tells the end of the story that I want to hear instead of leaving it up to my imagination. Callahan's reaction to what happens completely redeemed him in my eyes. He needs a big hug (or kiss, whatever :)
Still, the writing is clever, with lots of laugh out loud moments and the requisite adorable dog. I love how Grace's pup has the big dog syndrome so prevalent in smaller breeds and is her big bad protector from Cal. I could perfectly envision him grabbing a hold of a pant leg and shaking his little doggy head, snarling and growling. One of the things I love about this author is her obvious love of canines and how she incorporates them into her stories. They are, after all, family for those of us that adopt them!
Grace's family was an odd mishmash of people. They treated Grace horribly, nosing in where they weren't wanted and basically humiliating her without even realizing it. I thought a few punches were in order. Or at least a move out of town. But that's family! They truly wanted what was best for Grace. Their way of going about it was all wrong.
I love that Grace is a passionate history teacher, and the Civil War reenactments were awesome! How cool is that?! And what heroine has such a nerdy, original hobby?! This was a big thumbs up for me.
One thing that I would have liked to see was some closure on a major problem that Callahan had.
The epilogue was great! I love when an author actually tells the end of the story that I want to hear instead of leaving it up to my imagination. Callahan's reaction to what happens completely redeemed him in my eyes. He needs a big hug (or kiss, whatever :)
July 5, 2018
I know I can always count on Kristan Higgins for a fluffy, fun, sweet and romantic read.
I enjoyed this one. Loved both the H & h. Cal and Grace were perfect for each other. I loved the slow realization as well as the bumps in the roads that they faced.
Great side characters too. Even Angus the mutt. :)
And the Epilogue.....**sigh** loved it!
March 3, 2015
Loved the writing, loved some scenes, but most of the heroine's family were assholes and the hero, though great for the whole book, had to swallow a stick in the very end that made him stiff as a..... stick I guess and me mad at him . Still, a very entertaining story ;I think I am becoming addicted to Higgins' stories!
March 8, 2019
3,5 estrelas
#chickladlit
Já tinha ouvido falar desta autora e agora foi finalmente publicada cá em Portugal. Gostei deste livro, divertido e fez-me lembrar um pouco os livros da Sophie Kinsella, embora este não seja tão divertido.
A autora fez-nos mesmo sofrer até ao fim já estava a pensar que não ia acabar bem mas acho que é impossível neste tipo de livros :)
#chickladlit
Já tinha ouvido falar desta autora e agora foi finalmente publicada cá em Portugal. Gostei deste livro, divertido e fez-me lembrar um pouco os livros da Sophie Kinsella, embora este não seja tão divertido.
A autora fez-nos mesmo sofrer até ao fim já estava a pensar que não ia acabar bem mas acho que é impossível neste tipo de livros :)
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