Friday, March 21, 2014

[ARC Review]: "Waiting on You"

Waiting On You by Kristan Higgins
Publisher: Harlequin HQN (March 25, 2014)
Series: Blue Heron, 3
Genre: Contemporary Romance 



Does being nobody's fool mean that you're nobody's love?

Colleen O'Rourke is in love with love... just not when it comes to herself. Most nights, she can be found behind the bar at the Manningsport, New York, tavern she owns with her twin brother, doling out romantic advice to the lovelorn, mixing martinis and staying more or less happily single. See, ten years ago, Lucas Campbell, her first love, broke her heart... an experience Colleen doesn't want to have again, thanks. Since then, she's been happy with a fling here and there, some elite-level flirting and playing matchmaker to her friends.

But a family emergency has brought Lucas back to town, handsome as ever and still the only man who's ever been able to crack her defenses. Seems like maybe they've got some unfinished business waiting for them—but to find out, Colleen has to let her guard down, or risk losing a second chance with the only man she's ever loved.


Where to Buy*:
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My Review:




I'm very torn over my thoughts on Waiting On You.


There were moments in the book that I liked, and I can't deny that Kristan Higgins has a talent for writing light, funny stories. However, it was very easy for me to set the book down, and more than once I was to the point that I could have simply walked away from the book entirely. I am glad I stuck with the book, because while it didn't blow me away, it was still enjoyable.


The best way to review this book will be in two lists – the things that worked for me (positives) and the things that I didn't care for (negatives).


First, the negatives.



  • There are a few scenes in the book that take place in the past, when Lucas and Colleen were teenagers. These scenes did not flow right for me, and I was often pulled out of the story. While I understand that these scenes were needed to tell the complete story, and I did like reading about their past, something in the writing itself threw me out of the story.

  •  Lucas' aunt (Didi) and cousin (Bryce) drove me up a wall. In some ways, they act too much like a particular relative of mine. Said relative may be an adult, like Bryce, but she acts worse than a bratty child, has no responsibilities, and is simply clueless in general. Now, Bryce did have some redeeming qualities, and he did start to change for the better at the end, which I liked. But his actions through most of the book hit too close to home for me; when I read, I wish to escape my reality, not be reminded of it. And Didi was simply a bitch. I ached for sweet Joe, who had to put up with all her shit, especially while so ill.

  • Colleen and Lucas fought and ignored each other for so much of the book that I was ready to throw in the towel; I didn't care one way or another if they ended up together. I actually cared more about their relationships with family and friends (ie, Colleen and her younger half-sister, and Lucas with his cousin and dying uncle). The drama at the end about Colleen's “secret” annoyed me as well. I could see, to some degree, why it pissed Lucas off, but on the other hand he wasn't perfect, and I thought he acted like an ass to her when the truth came out.

  • This is my second Higgins novel; I've noticed a few things in her writing style. For example, she likes to repeat things throughout the book. In both novels, there was a joke or two that I laughed at the first time. But by the third time it was used (with slight changes in wording for the new situation at hand), I was rolling my eyes. In Waiting On You, she used the various characters' favorite drinks too often, as well as a joke where Colleen is doing a Hail Mary when she doesn't want to hear about her mother's sex life.

  • This last “negative” is a bit unfair to list, I suppose, as I knew even before reading my first Higgins novel that her romances are of the closed bedroom door variety. While I can still enjoy a book without hot sex, I'm almost always left wanting more, disappointed by the lack of build up and climax (haha) for the relationship. That is just my opinion! I understand that many of Higgins' fans read these books for just that reason – the sex is implied, not shown.



Now, I know that may seem like a lot of negatives, but there were some great positives about this book, too!



  •  Perhaps the most important is the fact that Higgins managed to make me smile and snort on many occasions. She does know how to write great humor into her books, both of the subtle and laugh-out-loud variety. It's one of the reasons why I originally put her books on my list years ago, and why I wanted to request this one. If I'm in a crappy mood, and need something light, Higgins has become one author I know I can count on to make me laugh!

  •  The writing does flow, and it's very easy to read.

  • I enjoyed watching Paulie and Bryce together, especially once Bryce started to pull himself together at the end. It was sweet, fumbles and mishaps and all.

  • When Bryce finally grows up and begins to take charge of his life, I wanted to stand up and clap for him; he wasn't a perfect character, but I still liked him very much and was happy to see his character grow.




In short, I liked Waiting on You. For me, it was not perfect, but it was good. I'd recommend it to fans of this author, or anyone looking for something light-hearted. Cute, quick, and, for the most part, uncomplicated, this is an easy and fun read!


3 STARS! 

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I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion.

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So have you read Kristan Higgins? Do you have a favorite book of hers? What was the last book that you read that left you unsure about the rating?




Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

2 comments :

suepeace said...

I have loved the last 2 books I read of this series...I have just started this one! Thanks for the review :)

The_Book_Queen said...

I hope you love this book -- it really was a lovely read, and I know I'll still keep reading her books when I need something light and fun!
Yikes - just noticed that blogger did not like my bullet points. Off to fix that, sorry everone!
Enjoy,
TBQ