A small town love story with a big heart--and laughs!

Kristan Higgins: Until There was You

Sometimes, all a girl wants is a love story, and Kristan Higgins is one of those authors who delivers for me every time. Unlike the traditional Harlequins, Higgins’ books are usually focused more on the relationship than sex. (Because, let’s face it, you don’t always need a bodice-ripper to have a good story). Also unlike the traditionals, they tend to be really funny.

In this book, Posey is a hometown girl who never got over her first crush, the incredibly attractive Liam, who followed his high school love out of town and never came back, until now. Returning to town a widower, Liam finds that small towns have big memories and they will not let him forget his bad boy past. Liam is a surprisingly well-rounded character, with anxiety problems, a bad memory, and a serious overprotective instinct when it comes to his 15 year old daughter.

Naturally, Liam and Posey get together, but there is some major entertainment along the way, including an incident where Posey accidentally cracks Liam’s rib. I admit whole-heartedly that this was a love story, but it had a lot more to it than just that. Adoption, death, and overcoming the bad decisions of youth are all covered, and well at that.

This book has a lot to offer, and never gets too clichéd or touchy-feely, instead focusing on real emotions (even if they are not appropriate for the situation) and a large helping of humor. I found the book to be exactly what I was looking for: something I could curl up with, read in one night, and find a happy ending.

~Cailey W.