Somebody to Love

Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins
Publisher: HQN Books
Number of pages: 384
My copy: ebook review copy from Netgalley

After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon’s Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father’s wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she’s not thrilled…even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox.

Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist’s assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn’t the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn’t the only thing that needs a little TLC…

* * *

When I spotted Somebody to Love in Netgalley, I immediately requested it, having enjoyed Until There Was You last year. I wasn’t really planning to read this soon, but then I started and got to know Parker (and the Holy Rollers!) and I just couldn’t stop. Somebody to Love introduces Parker Harrington Welles, a children’s book writer who relies on the trust fund she had and building her world around her one and only son. She is essentially rich, but she didn’t really live as a rich girl. Which was fortunate, because when her father got jailed for an insider-trading scheme, Parker is left penniless save for what she had now and a house left to her name by an estranged aunt. Thinking she could easily sell the house for extra money to start again, she was surprised to find that the house was more of a shack and it needs a lot of work. Enter James Cahill, one of her father’s lawyers, who was asked to help Parker with whatever she needed. Parker had always been annoyed at James not only because of a shared history, and she really wished he wasn’t there…except that he’s proven to be helpful in fixing the house. That, and he’s looking pretty…well, hot is the only word to describe it.

This is only my second Higgins book but she’s slowly becoming my go-to read for anything light and fluffy but not too light and fluffy. I loved Parker for being a writer, and for being an all-around pretty good person despite the fortune she had in her name. Here’s a girl focused on her career and her family, and it was a refreshing thing to read. I liked her wit, and I know this is weird, but I liked that she talked to herself because I do the same thing too! ‘Talking aloud, the writer’s affliction.’ So that explains it! :P

I haven’t read the other Higgins book set in Gideon’s Cove, Maine (Catch of the Day — which Angie recently reviewed) so I wasn’t introduced to this place, but reading it in Somebody to Love was a very lovely experience! The small-town charm, the diner, how everyone knows each other — I want to go there! Of course, everyone knowing each other isn’t always a good thing, but I guess I wouldn’t mind if Vin, Maggie and the others are there. My favorite scene in this book is the part where Parker first enters the diner and sees everyone in town there — for what reason? It’s for you to find out. :)

Of course, I can’t not mention the romance in this book. I’ve been getting very lucky with the romance in the books I’ve been reading — almost all the books I read lately have this slow-burn romance going for them, and Somebody to Love is no exception. While James and Parker have a history that I wasn’t really much of a fan of, the development of their relationship was such a pleasure to read that I can’t help but giggling every now and then. I liked that James wasn’t just a token hot guy, but a character with his own hang ups and history and had his own story going for him. He’s an individual completely different from Parker, and reading their conversations and watching their relationship grow was the best part of the book.

Somebody to Love is definitely a mood-lifter, and it’s a great book to read in between serious books or when you just want to be lost in a good romance in a pretty place with interesting neighbors to boot. :) After this, I am definitely getting the two other Higgins books that this was spun from – Catch of the Day and The Next Best Thing. And then I will work my way through the rest of Kristan Higgins’ back list. :)

Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins will be out under HQN books on April 24, 2012.

Rating: [rating=4]

Other reviews:
Fairy Tale Floozy

19 Thoughts on “Somebody to Love

  1. Now I really want to read this. I was talking to Nomes the other day and she said that Higgins gives her the same feeling that reading Susan Elizabeth Phllips romances do–but that they were a little bit different. I feel like your review kind of explains exactly what she meant. I’ve never give her a try but I want to. A children’s book author character, witty dialogue, and interesting neighbors? Sounds perfect:) I’m also kind of excited that maybe she’ll fix up that tiny house. Oh, also I love Maine. I can’t wait to picture the town. Thanks for getting me excited, Tina:)

    • Thanks for your comment, Flannery! I’m not an expert with Higgins, but so far her books have cheered me up. :) I hope you get to read this soon, and I hope you like it!

  2. I was trying to read Catch of the Day before I read this but maybe I can’t wait. :) Thanks for the review.

    • Maggie and Malone were so cute in this book so I’m probably getting Catch of the Day next to see how they ended up together there. :)

  3. Thanks for the reco, Tina! I haven’t read any of her books but I always enjoy romances set in small towns. Looking forward to reading this.

    • You’re welcome, Chris! I think this is still up in Netgalley and HQN approves books fast so you can still get it. I haven’t found a Higgins book here in Manila yet, so I get her in ebooks. :)

  4. Yep, like Holly, I was thinking I need to read Catch of the Day before picking this up. I’m glad I was approved in NetGalley though. I want to read the rest of Kristan Higgins’ back list as well. :)

  5. Oh, I’m happy you liked it, Tina. I enjoyed it as well. Loved the glimpses of my favorites Maggie and Malone. :)

  6. I’ve read your review for Reapers, Smitten, and now this one, and thanks a lot for making me want to read ALL THREE BOOKS now. Especially Reapers! Yeah, like how lazy I was that I just commented on all 3 posts within one! What can I say. I’m a consolidator.

    • Haha! It’s okay, consolidating is fine, I do that sometimes too. *shhh* :D Reapers was gorgeous, even if it was a little bleak. But it was really good. :) I can’t believe it took me so long to read that. :)

  7. I’m glad this one hooked you in! I’m a Higgins fanatic, and I started reading the instant I saw it available on NetGalley :)

    I definitely recommend picking up Catch of the Day – like Angie, it is one of my favorites. Since you’ve already seen Gideon’s Cove, you’ll love it just that much more!

    • I got myself a Kindle sample of Catch of the Day and when I was done reading it, I couldn’t stop, I just had to get the book after. I can’t wait to read it. :D

  8. hi, first time to visit your blog. i love kristan higgins.. she is my new favorite author after rachel gibson. i have all of her books!! i didn’t realize her new book is already out! need to grab a copy! looking forward to reading your other book reviews!

  9. great review! i just finished mine and wanted to see what others thought. definitely a feel good book. i hope you like her other books! my favorite is Just one of the Guys

  10. Pingback: Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins | Chachic's Book Nook

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