August 25, 2014
After rescuing four teenagers from drowning, handsome Jack Holland is hailed as a hero, but he’s secretly haunted by the boy he didn’t reach in time, who is still in a coma. Emmaline Neal, a police officer also involved in the rescue, has been invited to her ex-fiancé’s wedding in Malibu and is determined to show up with a date so she won’t be pitied by her family and acquaintances. Mutual friends in the small town of Manningsport, N.Y., know Jack’s good-natured willingness to serve as escort to female friends, and they arrange for him to accompany Emmaline to the wedding. The stress of the appalling wedding drives Emmaline into Jack’s arms for a passionate night, but her low self-esteem and Jack’s persistent ex-wife make it hard for her to believe he could truly love her. Higgins uses warmth and humor to develop congenial, realistic characters, making this fourth Blue Heron novel (after Waiting on You) a very appealing addition to her body of work. Agent: Maria Carvainis, Maria Carvainis Agency.
Starred review from October 1, 2014
When Emmaline Neal needs a date for her ex-fiance's wedding, Jack Holland volunteers, eager to escape to Malibu from freezing Manningsport, New York, and the community that's branded him a hero. After rescuing four local teens from a car accident, Jack feels stifled by his sudden celebrity, especially since he feels unworthy. Hearing that friendly local cop Emmaline needs a date for a wedding in sunny California, Jack jumps in. Emmaline is the most down-to-earth person he knows, and helping her save face with an ex seems like a fair trade-off for some warm weather and a respite from his town's suffocating admiration. For Emmaline, Jack is the last man in the world she wants to take since she has a huge crush on him but knows he's way out of her league. "Jack Holland was ridiculously gorgeous....Tall and blond with eyes that were so clear and perfect and pure that they made a person think of all sorts of ridiculous synonyms for blue." However, with no one else on the horizon, she agrees, then falls for him even more when he poses as her lover and defends her to the awful ex and his bridezilla, not to mention the oblivious psychologist parents who are convinced she's gay. Sleeping together only complicates things, and back home, they fumble their relationship. Jack's exquisite ex-wife is determined to get back together with him, while he's suffering from a case of PTSD he refuses to acknowledge. While Emmaline knows Jack is attracted to her, he never shows any signs of fighting for her when it matters. Wounded and unsure, Jack and Emmaline examine their hearts and decide to fight for their unexpected yet perfect-for-each-other happy ending. Higgins returns to her popular Blue Heron series, creating two appealing, authentic characters who take a staggering emotional journey cushioned by humor and love. Higgins exhibits her storytelling artistry with another stunning romance that includes her trademark touches of laugh-out-loud humor and tear-jerking pathos.
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Starred review from October 15, 2014
There's no way unattached Emmaline Neal can avoid attending her ex-fiance's Malibu wedding. But for that she needs a date--a gorgeous date with no strings attached, someone just like divorced winemaker Jack Holland. And Jack is more than willing to oblige. With the unwanted attention he's been getting for saving some reckless teens from drowning and the sudden reappearance of Jack's faithless ex-wife, a platonic weekend trip across the country sounds just about perfect. (If only they knew!) An abundance of well-drawn secondary characters, down-to-earth humor, and skillfully handled emotional issues add depth to an already enjoyable installment in Higgins's popular series. VERDICT A reluctant hero haunted by the reckless teen he couldn't save and a smart, plucky heroine with issues of her own are blindsided by love in a spirited, truly funny, and emotionally satisfying romance you won't want to put down. Humor and heart in one stunning package! Higgins (Waiting on You) lives in Durham, CT.
Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 15, 2014
Bullied as a child for stuttering, Emmaline had only one friend: seriously overweight Kevin. They become a couple, but then he dumps her weeks before their wedding for a personal trainer whose The Biggest Loserstyle tough love helped him drop his excess pounds. Emmaline is heartbroken. When the invitation arrives for Kevin's wedding, she can't go alone, but pickings are slim in tiny Manningsport, New York. Jack is the obvious choice, being both a truly nice guy and totally gorgeous. He's also looking to get out of town. After rescuing four teenagers when their car plunged into an icy lake, he's been hailed as a hero, but one teen is still on life support and Jack is suffering from PTSD. He's also dealing with his ex-wife. When Emmaline and Jack wind up in bed the weekend of the wedding, she can't believe that he could be interested in more than a one-night stand, so why does he keep pursuing her? Higgins' (The Perfect Match, 2013) fans will love catching up with their favorite characters from previous Blue Heron novels.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)