Laura C’s review of Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins
Contemporary Romance published by HQN Books 24 Apr 12
This book is flat out a winner for lovers of light contemporary romance. Higgins is hit or miss for me, and a lot of the time I think it’s because she writes in first person. As far as I can recall, this is the first third-person of hers I’ve ever seen and I just love it.
Our heroine, Parker Welles, was raised as a princess by her wealthy father. Given his money and the way he made it (illegally), he’s always flanked by attendants Parker refers to as Thing 1 and Thing 2. When one leaves and a new one takes over, he takes the same nickname. Our hero, James, has fairly recently taken over the position of Thing 1. I couldn’t help it…when they finally got together, I kept wondering whether at their wedding, the minister would ask whether she would take Thing 1 to be her husband. It tickled me.
As an adult, Parker has written some nauseatingly cute but exceedingly popular kids’ books that she hates, so she’s decided to kill off the characters and try to write something else. Unfortunately, her muse isn’t cooperating and since she has given all the money from the books to charity, when she finds out that her father has stolen all her money, she’s in a bit of a bind.
Parker also has a son. His father is a close friend, but they never married and, indeed, later he married another good friend. Normally, I am not a fan of children in romances, but Nicky is a well-developed character and he’s necessary to the story (I can’t say why without spoiling major plot points). Also, he’s not annoying, which is a big plus, and he’s not around the whole time.
One of the best things about Higgins’ books is always the humor. Her secondary characters, even when they’re annoying, are always fully fleshed out and usually contribute to the giggles. Here, Parker talks to her mother. She’s one of those interfering, matchmaking mothers, but their relationship isn’t flat, it’s well-rounded and complex.
Her phone rang, and Parker glanced at the screen. “Oh, speaking of difficult parents, it’s my mother. I bet she has a husband for me.”
“Goody! Put her on speaker so I can hear, too.” Lucy clapped like a little kid.
Parker clicked on. “Hi, Mom.”
“Darling! I have someone for you!” Althea Harrington Welles, Etc., Etc., sang out.
Parker pulled a face for Lucy. “Hooray! Don’t even worry about us meeting—just start planning the wedding.”
“Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor, haven’t you heard? Anyway, his name is…oh, well, I don’t remember. But his last name is Gorman, as in Senator Gorman from Virginia? His father. Those charges were dropped, by the way. Isn’t it exciting, sweetheart? I’m thinking The Caucus Room for your engagement announcement party, the National Cathedral for your wedding, reception at the senator’s home on the Chesapeake. It’s stunning. I looked it up on Google Earth.”
“Just tell me when to show up in the big white dress.”
Now, this is before Parker discovers that her father’s villainy has left her broke, but the change in her circumstances doesn’t deter her mother. If anything, it just makes her more determined. It’s a nice, stable kind of instability.
Parker has always hated being the “rich girl,” so at first she thinks she won’t mind the fact that her money is gone. But when the going gets tougher than she expects, she’s very glad to have James at hand. He’s a great hero, honorable even when he doesn’t want to be, strong, caring for those around him. He’s the kind of guy you can’t help but fall for, as Parker finds out.
You should really run out and get this one right now if you haven’t already!
Grade: A
Summary:
After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon’s Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father’s wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she’s not thrilled…even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox.
Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist’s assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn’t the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn’t the only thing that needs a little TLC….
