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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

My take on: My One and Only

"I know it's sad, but sometimes, divorce is just the euthanization of a dying relationship." Pg. 1

I have never been married. It will probably be a long time before I do, but that quote on the very first page of My One and Only by Kristan Higgins is very blunt. Makes me fear even trying. "Euthanization" sounds so sad and sinister at the same time. After just one page, perhaps this isn't a light and cheerful story as the cover suggests.

Divorce attorney Harper James helps end relationships for a living. You would think a person like that has given up on love. But Harper, who is also divorced, thinks she's found it in her firefighter boyfriend Dennis. Except she seems to be more into the relationship than Dennis. Does the guy really really really love you if he keeps calling you "Dude?" Like "Dude" she's your girlfriend not your buddy from down the street.

A twist of fate forces Harper to face her past and her ex-husband Nick. Harper's little sister Willa is marrying Nick's brother Christoper. Did you get that? She would forever be tied to her ex-husband. Imagine that household during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, did I forgot to say Harper is from Martha's Vineyard and is a Red Sox fan. While New Yorker Nick is a Yankee fan. In what world does that relationship have a chance to last?

To Harper, marriage to Nick was a mistake. But to Nick, he lost the love of his life. Their interactions are extremely comically. Take an incident in the woods, a bear decides to make Harper his next meal. Nick comes to her rescue and professes his love. But what does Harper say? "Oh, good, it's leaving." Probably not the right thing to say, but it's still funny. A man professes his love, this should be the time to either say the same or shut him down. She does neither. I'm thinking, "Why Why Why?" Harper's relationship with Dennis is clearly lacking that spark. Why not try to fix the past?

Willa's wedding should have been the end of Harper revisiting her past, but that's not the case. A cross country trip with Nick eventually becomes Harper's chance at redemption.

I have to say if not for an e-mail pitch, I never would have read this book. But I'm so glad I read it. I love, love this book. In the beginning, I didn't like Harper. She spends more time pointing out the flaws in a person, rather than just being happy. But by the end, you have hope that Harper is on the right path. My One and Only is a very funny and heartwarming read, do check it out.

Rating: Superb

Notes: I received a copy of the book from the author's publicist (Little Bird Publicity ) in exchange for an honest review. For more information on author Kristan Higgins visit http://www.kristanhiggins.com/

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