All I Ever Wanted

Yey another wonderful book by Kristan Higgins. Ran out and got this as soon as it hit shelves as I always do with her books... This one is story of Callie and Ian.. Callie the wants to be liked by all and tries somtimes too hard at it. As she does with Mark the boy she's loved all her life.. I nust say I had so so feelings about Mark. At first and through most of book really I just thought ok well this guys really not all that bad, Just doesnt know what he wants.. Until last 80 pages or so of couse then I thought what a jerk.. ( BUT you'll have to read about that).. Then theirs Ian the mysterious snobby seeming vet.. Who of course Is the exact opposite.. But what I really like about this book was the fact that they didnt really hit it off right away, that although you knew thats where it was going , I totally through the majoraty of the book could also see her going to Mark and that actually working.. Which on that end was differant from any other of her books. . Of course there;s still those loveable dogs that are always a supporting character of miss higgins books.. but I would have to say m fav part was the old rocking chair , not for the chair itself or how she got it even.. But what it stood for.. that you could hold onto somthing for so long that would to anyone else seem so meaningless , yet have it mean so much to you. I loved the fact she wouldnt sit in it, Afraid of jinxing herself that she'd never get her happilly ever after if she had... it was a sweet thought .. so I give this book 5 stars for making me smile ,laugh , and cry all within 400 pages of pure enjoyment

It's a always a great day when another Kristan Higgins book comes out. I enjoy her writing so much - everything is so real - the characters spring out of the page and you swear you have met them. It's a day full of laughing and crying and sighing. I have never NOT enjoyed any (and all) of her books. Her humor is right on - the family in this book is a little unusual, but above all caring about each other. Love the character of Noah. I recommend all of her books - this one especially!

I've been a big fan of Kristan Higgins books from the very beginning and I think this is one of her best. I loved Ian and Callie. She's a people-pleaser and he's kind of stiff, but I thought it was very natural and touching how their relationship developed. And the book has some wicked funny scenes! Callie's family is a real hoot; I just loved the grandfather. I've noticed that some of the reviews of Higgins' books complain about the characters' quirks -- that the heroine doesn't stand up to her family maybe, or that the hero is too quiet for the heroine. And that's fine -- not every book will work for every reader! But I really disagree. I love how the characters in Higgins' books have flaws I can relate to. Because, let's face it; we all know real women who try very hard to please people, who love their families and do things for them even if the family is taking advantage somewhat; or we know guys who really aren't very good communicators (!!) And I love stories where those kinds of people, people I can relate to, get to find happiness and love.

No one does the strong, silent hero like Kristan Higgins. She has the rule (one of the first you learn when starting to write): "Show, don't tell" down to a science. It's sad to see that in today's novels, more and more authors are choosing to ignore that rule in favor of the hero who speaks tomes about their thoughts and feelings when in reality men are most often very much the opposite. I know my husband is! It makes readers lazy and it is, quite frankly, insulting that they think we have to be told each and every emotion the characters have instead of letting us figure it out for ourselves. Callie likens Ian to Mr. Darcy (Pride and Prejudice)and I agree. He, like Darcy, is uncomfortable speaking about his feelings but actions speak louder than words (cliche, I know! but in this case, true). Despite his words, like Malone from 'Catch of the Day' and Mr. Darcy before him, Ian's romantic feelings toward Callie are apparent from almost the beginning--even if they are not spoken aloud. He is obviously leery about getting into another romantic relationship and quite rightfully so! He treats Callie how she deserves to be treated, but more importantly the way she needs to be treated. Callie was a good herione. Like all Higgins' heroines, she is perky and upbeat, funny and witty and perfectly lovely. She wants everyone to love her and doesn't understand why anyone wouldn't. With Ian she doesn't need to try so hard; in fact, he doesn't want her too and that is just the kind of man she needs. Someone she can just be herself with and not have to jump through hoops to make happy. Someone who she can love and who loves her in return with no ulterior motive. The secondary characters were all great. Noah, her grandfather, was wonderful as a grumpy, but caring old man. I especially liked her father who was desperately trying to win back his wife after decades apart. I normally wouldn't after what he'd done, but I did sympathize with him. The rest of her family and co-workers were shown as interesting and relatable, if not all likable characters. 'All I Ever Wanted' was a well-written and wonderfully told story of getting everything you've always wanted in life even if it wasn't what you expected.

I'm constantly extolling the virtues of Kristan Higgins's novels. I love her intelligent and current sense of humor and the great heroines through whom she expresses it. Her characters, main and secondary, are always unique and utterly charming. The heroes she creates are subtly sexy and usually possess some quirk that simultaneously repels and draws the beloved heroine. And the romances are gradual, comfortable and completely realistic. All I Ever Wanted adheres to this formula while managing to feel fresh and fun. Callie's perpetual cuteness and friendliness serves as a great foil to Ian's personality. He's a shy and formal man with a good heart who initially comes across as grumpy, rude and cold. Callie's need to make everyone like her, combined with her attraction to Ian's dangerous good-looks, make for a engaging friendship-turned-courtship. Callie is so lovable and, although she's one of those super-friendly, happy people, she never came across as annoying. Her loneliness and issues with rejection make her relate-able. Likewise, Ian's seemingly cool attitude is just a mask donned by a guy who's been hurt and doesn't know how to connect with others. His bluntness and dry wit make for some great dialog between him and the compulsively polite Callie. The addition of Callie's ongoing work and family drama are great subplots and connect well with the development of her relationship with Ian. The diverse, well-drawn and hilarious secondary characters do their part too and are what makes the novel truly standout among fellow contemporary romances. So far, I've read four Higgins's novels, including: Too Good To Be True (Hqn), The Next Best Thing (Hqn) and Catch of the Day (Hqn). All I've Ever Wanted has become and instant favorite of mine amongst her books.