While compiling a list of 2010 books I’m looking forward to, I saw that Kristan Higgins has posted the cover for her next book. The Next Best Thing will be released in February 2010 by HQN. According to her blog, Kristan will also have a Summer 2010 release called All I Ever Wanted. Yay! Here’s the cover and the blurb for The Next Best Thing.
Blurb: Lucy Lang isn’t looking for fireworks. She’s looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who’ll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbeque, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important… someone who won’t inspire the slightest stirring in her heart…or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can’t risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn’t enough either. So it’s goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate “friend with privileges” and hello to a man she can marry.
Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn’t going anywhere. As far as he’s concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?
I’ve enjoyed all of Kristan’s books so far, and her 2009 release, Too Good To Be True, is currently tied with Julie James’s Practice Makes Perfect for my favourite contemporary romance of 2009.
One aspect to Kristan’s writing which makes it unique is her use of the 1st person narrative. I know some readers dislike books written in the 1st person, but this doesn’t bother me at all. While I wouldn’t want every romance I read to use this device, I find it makes for a refreshing change from the norm.
What say you? Have you read any of Kristan’s books? Do you like stories written in the 1st person? Or does it depend on the genre?
{ 9 comments }
The first person voice doesn’t bother me. And I do enjoy Higgins’ books. What diminishes that pleasure somewhat is my feeling that the relationship between the hero and heroine is pretty simple. So simple, in at least one book of hers, that a relationship between the guy she thinks she should fall in love with takes up more space and seems actually more layered.
I dunno — maybe Ms. Higgins thinks that true love trumps everything, so once she allows her protagonists to get together the book will immediately end. And maybe that’s a style that suits some readers. For me, I’d prefer it if “The Next Best Thing” is better in conveying a layered relationship between the two people we want to end up together.
http://www.kristanhiggins.com/ Wow! Is she as nice as she seems? I don’t mind first person at all — but I haven’t read any of Higgins’ books. I was majorly ticked off with all the advance hype (not mad at hype, but mad I fell for it) for “Practice Makes Perfect” — it was not a book that worked for me, it was too unbelievable and the characters didn’t sing to me. Higgins characters seem more grounded in a real place — true do you think? Anyhow, yours is one of many positive reviews for Higgins so I’ll give her a whirl. Thanks
@Magdalen I regard her books as having a touch of chick lit, so the emphasis on the heroine doesn’t bother me. Of all her books, I thought Too Good To Be True was nearest to being a traditional contemporary romance.
@Janet W I’ve enjoyed all her books but her first, Fools Rush In, is probably the weakest. Catch of the Day is so sweet! Her style is totally different to that of Julie James, so if her voice didn’t work for you, perhaps Kristan’s will. BTW, she won the RITA in 2008 for Catch of the Day.
I love Kristan Higgins. She isn’t only First Person but also present tense which is hard to write.
I guess she does lack layers but her writing is so accessable and believable that it’s okay. And sometimes I like the idea that falling in love with the boy next door can be that simple.
I don’t mind First person when it’s good and I can feel for the heroine. Her books sound good. Have to try her out!
Thanks for the heads-up!
@Lori Kristan Higgins is a fun author. The 1st Person POV can be hard to pull off, especially in a romance, but I think she does it well.
@SusiSunshine Her books are definitely sweeter than some (i.e.: the sex usually happens behind closed doors), but I think this suits her style.
OOh I’m looking forward to this one too! I really enjoy KH and even though I’m not a fan of first person pov, I truly don’t mind it from her. Plus I love how she has animal characters in her books.
I happen to enjoy the 1st person narrative also. It doesn’t bother me at all, actually in some cases I prefer it. Usually, in a book with a mystery or gothic feel to it.
I haven’t read Kristin Higgins yet. I have Too Good To Be True sitting in my TBR pile. Hopefully, I will read it before Feburary.
I recently bought 2 Kristan Higgins books (Fools Rush In and Just One of the Guys) on a fellow blogger’s recommendation as I was asking for contemporary recs. I am very much looking forward to reading them.
I used to have a problem with 1st person narrative but some great authors have taught me that if the book is written well, narrative is not of consequence.