I recently read a review for Kristan Higgins's newest book, All I Ever Wanted, over at Book Binge and instantly knew I had found my newest favorite author. So I waltzed over to my local library to see what they had of her backlist and came home with this little gem.First Date a la Maggie
Take one lovelorn diner owner (me)
A generous helping of nosy local groups
A dollop of envy at married sister's perfect life
A splash of divine intervention (my matchmaking priest)
Combine ingredients with one adorable puppy, add a strong but silent lobsterman with a hidden heart of gold...and watch the sparks fly.
Maggie is quickly becoming a desperate woman. She's in her early thirties and unmarried while her identical twin is married to a kind, handsome doctor and has a daughter. She's in love with her parish priest of all people and can't meet a decent eligible man in her itty bitty coastal Maine town. She owns the only restaurant in town - a diner she inherited from her grandfather - and keeps losing the Best Breakfast in Washington County award to a B&B in the next town. Everyone she knows tries to set her up on blind dates and while she's game, she's doubtful. So when her friends point her towards Malone, a lobsterman who is a mysterious loner and just a little scary, she blows it off and unintentionally insults him. And then, he saves her one night from yet even more humiliation after being stood up by one of Father Tim's blind dates. Hel-lo! Suddenly lobstermen are looking a LOT better.
I laughed and cried with this book - a dog died so sue me. I felt sorry for Maggie but I also felt close to her. Being a social misfit with the opposite sex is no mystery for me but I was proud of her for putting herself out there and for standing up for herself with her family. Pairing her with Malone was an entertaining choice; they are proof that opposites do attract. She's outgoing and social, he's an introvert and says as little as possible. I liked Higgins's style; her characters are realistic and pretty funny.
I started this book when I went to bed one night and ended up staying up to finish it. I am now hunting down the rest of Higgins's books :)
9 comments:
I kind of dislike when a character hits 30 or wades in the pool of early 30s and goes into hyperdrive to find a husband or partner. Even though it's kind of a pet peeve, I'm still interested in learning more about this mysterious lobsterman. ;)
This book isn't like that - this chick has just been really unlucky in love and has always been looking but is now starting to lose her patience. Seeing her sister happily married with a child would have been like seeing herself in a mirror only not, you know? She kept getting ragged on by her mom too.
Okay, I'll give it a chance. My library doesn't carry the book. In your opinion, is the book worth buying?
Hmmm. I obviously enjoyed it enough earlier to give it a grade of A- but I would not go buy it brand new. This would definitely be a thrift shop buy.
Thanks for giving me some perspective here. And for the differing opinion. I did like this book but I think I'll be changing the grade to a B+. Does that happen to you - changing your opinion on a book after a little time has passed? I find I'm more generous when I'm riding the emotional wave right after I've finished a book.
Keep arguing with me, Jen. It keeps me honest :)
I found it on PaperBackSwap but, I thought I'd ask for your thoughts on purchasing it first.
LOL...and I thought I was just venting about a little pet peeve. ;) You're very welcome. I'm glad you were open to the opinion. Some people aren't as open to different perspectives.
ALL THE TIME. I'm an emotional wave rider too. Something else that happens to me is that I'll get other people's points of view and I might end up seeing the story in a different light either for the better or the worse.
LOL...I think I can do that but, only if you return the favor. ;)
I totally looked you up on PBS and sent you a friend request. If you get the book and just hate it I will give you a point :) If I'm going to write reviews I better be able to put my money where my mouth is, right? (LOL)
I have no problem with other people's perspectives not matching my own as long as they're respectful about it. Those people who have a fit because someone doesn't think the same way they do really bother me. That's a good way to get my bitch on :)
Me too! Other points of view on a book I read, especially if I think they're well thought out and insightful, can definitely make me rethink my reaction to a book.
Definitely :)
LOL...I'm always up for a friendly challenge. You're on. And if I end up liking it as much as you did then I'll give you the credit.
Same here. A little respect goes a long way. Besides can you imagine how friggin' boring it would be if every reviewer had the exact same opinion on every book they read. *shudders*
LOL...I just realized that anyone reading this thread may think you're talking to yourself...oooorrr have multiple personalities named Jen. =D
It is on :)
I agree a LOT. *shudders*
Talk about boring AND confusing if I had multiple personalities named Jen. How would I keep track? By city, maybe? Would we all live in the same place or spread out? What about hair color? Oh lord :) LOL!
This is going to be fun. I feel like I should say 'LEEEEET'S GET READY TO RUUUUMBLE!' in my best Michael Buffer voice. LOL!!
No way...I think it'd be interesting. You can have extreme opposite personalities. It'd be like a never ending debate. I go with appearance. You could be like Jennifer Garner in Alias with all the different wigs and stuff.
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