Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins

Title: Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: HarlequinHQN
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 432 pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Kristan Higgins is back with a hilarious and heartwarming new story about a rich girl who discovers that a little hard work may be just the thing she needs…

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…

The Review:

Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins is a humorous and heartfelt romance that will melt your heart. Parker Welles and James Cahill team up to fix up her dilapidated house to sell and discover there is more to one another than either suspected.

Despite her privileged background, Parker Welles is not the typical wealthy heiress. While she enjoys some of the finer things her wealth brings, she is surprisingly down to earth and practical. While stunned to discover she is penniless and dismayed by her unexpectedly ramshackle house, Parker proves to be resilient as she tackles renovations and finds her first real job. As a single mom she is incredibly dedicated to her young son, Nicky. Parker shares a close friendship with her son’s father Ethan and his wife Lucy is her closest friend.

Due to his position as her father’s attorney James Cahill has long been on the fringes of Parker’s life. His relationship with Parker is distant due to her resentment over his close friendship with her father. Despite her unenthusiastic welcome, James gladly lends his considerable carpentery skills to her home makeover while he considers his career options.

There is considerably more to both Parker and James than originally meets the eye. Although positive and upbeat, Parker’s relationship with her parents and her extended family is complicated by events from her childhood. Her mother and father undergo a tremendous amount of growth throughout the novel, and Parker gains a new understanding and perspective of them.

The emotional baggage from James’s childhood plays a key role in his relationship with Parker’s father. His guilt over a past tragic event haunts him and continues to affect his relationship with his family. He is a lovable, stand up guy that is impossible not to like.

The romance between James and Parker is slow moving but absolutely delightful to watch unfold. Their past is significantly more complex than is first revealed. Their sexual chemistry is palpable, but their emotional bond is tenuous as they attempt to overcome the issues in their respective pasts.

As with most of Kristan Higgins’ novels, Somebody to Love is full of entertaining and quirky characters, witty dialogue and an adorable dog and child. But there is more depth and an underlying seriousness to Somebody to Love that her other romances lack. It makes for a compelling romance that teaches the value of friendship, loyalty, forgiveness and most important, second chances.

10 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, HarlequinHQN, Kristan Higgins, Rated B+, Romance, Somebody to Love

10 Responses to Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins

  1. Cec

    I look forward to reading Somebody to Love, sounds like an enjoyable read!

    • Book Reviews & More by Kathy

      I’ve loved every book Ms. Higgins has published, Cec. Truly an outstanding author.

  2. Eileen

    Looking forward to this book! Thanks for the review.

  3. Tamsyn

    Sounds like a delightful read. That was a wonderful review.

  4. Marika Weber

    She is an auto buy author for me. I have loved every one of her books. Great review. 🙂

    Marika

    • Book Reviews & More by Kathy

      Thank you so much, Marika. She’s a longtime favorite author of mine, too. 🙂

  5. Timitra

    I became a Kristan Higgins fan after reading Until There Was You…couldn’t decide which of her books to read next but Kthy you solved that problem with your great review!!!

    • Book Reviews & More by Kathy

      LOL, Timitra, glad I helped to head off a major book dilemma! Thank you so much!