The Next Best Thing

The Next Best Thing (Hqn)

Since Kristan Higgins became one of my favorite authors after
reading "Just One of the Guys" , I pre-ordered this book and
started reading as soon as I received a copy.

Her fifth novel, "The Next Best Thing" is Lucy and Ethan's story
this time, featuring a cat (not a dog).

It has been more than five years since Lucy lost her beloved
husband, Jimmy. She still loves him and feels a deep sense of loss.
She cannot or will not let him go, but still life goes on....
When her younger sister has a baby, Lucy realizes she must move on
-find someone she will not be deeply in love with but nice enough to
have a family together.

Lucy's mother and her two sisters (Lucy's aunts) are called
"Black Widows" since their husbands all passed away quite young
(and "Black" is their maiden name).
Then Jimmy died... It seems like there is a curse on her family.

Ethan Mirabelli is Jimmy's younger brother and Lucy's close friend
from college. While Ethan has become more than just a friend
and been always there for her since Jimmy's death, he'd be the
last person in the world for Lucy to choose.
She can't take the risk...she can’t go through it again....

Ms. Higgins really pulled me into this tender love story from the
beginning (again!). It made me both laugh and cry.

As well as her previous work, this book is written in first-person
the heroine's point of view and some readers might want to hear
more of the hero's voice.
Me? I think I can understand the hero much better than the heroine.
(It was heart-wrenching to guess his feelings, though.)
About the heroine ... well, I'm not sure if I can truly sympathize with
Lucy who （unintentionally） tortured Ethan for more than seven years!
I suppose it took for her too long to "check the toast" (you have to
read the book to know what I mean).
Overall, I think this is a very good piece of work. If you like stories of
(esp.hero's) unrequited love, I highly recommend "The Next Best
Thing" by Kristan Higgins.
I'm really looking forward to her next book which will be published
in August 2010.

9/10