All I Ever Wanted (Hqn) [Mass Market Paperback]

Kristan Higgins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2010 | Series: Hqn

One Happily-Ever-After Rocking Chair…

and no sign of any forthcoming babies to rock in ol' Georgebury, Vermont. For Callie Grey, turning thirty means coming to grips with the fact that her boss (and five-week fling) is way overdue in his marriage proposal. And way off track because Mark has suddenly announced his engagement to the company's new Miss Perfect. If that isn't bad enough, her mom decides to throw her a three-oh birthday bash in the family funeral home.

Bad goes to worse when she stirs up a crazy relationship with the town's not so warm and fuzzy veterinarian, Ian McFarland, in order to flag Mark's attention. So Ian is more comfortable with animals…. So he's formal, orderly and just a bit tense. The ever-friendly, fun-loving and spontaneous Callie decides it's time for Ian to get a personality makeover. But dang, if he doesn't shock the heck out of her, she might actually fall for Vermont's unlikeliest eligible bachelor….

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Since she received her “happily-ever-after” rocking chair as a little girl, Callie Grey has imagined its place in her future family’s home. Now nearly 30, she lives with her curmudgeonly grandfather, while her dream man—her boss, Mark—is engaged to their biggest client’s daughter. Her hometown in Vermont is tiny, making it difficult to find new prospects for a husband or a job. Enter the attractive new veterinarian, Ian. His aloof demeanor calls for Callie’s public-relations skills and her love. Though Callie’s oversharing and Ian’s brusqueness cause friction, their mutual desire wins out. Romance abounds for Callie and Ian, Callie’s estranged parents, and even Callie’s überfeminist sister, while smarmy Mark gets his comeuppance. The latest from the author of Too Good to Be True (2009) boasts small-time charm, sentimental moments, and satisfying happy endings. Readers will scoop up this easy-to-read confection. --Aleksandra Walker

About the Author

Kristan Higgins is the RITA award-winning author of CATCH OF THE DAY and three other romantic comedies. Previously a copywriter, Kristan began writing fiction when her children graced her life with simultaneous naps...so much more satisfying than folding laundry. She holds a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross, which enables her to identify dangling participles and quote many great novels. Kristan lives with her family in Connecticut.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HQN Books (July 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373774583
• ISBN-13: 978-0373774586
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,356 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kristan divides her time between home in Connecticut and summers on Cape Cod. She is the mother of two lovely kids, the wife of a brave firefighter, and a devoted Ben & Jerry's fan. Previously a copywriter, Kristan began writing fiction when her children graced her life with simultaneous naps...so much more satisfying than folding laundry. She holds a BA in English, which enables her to identify dangling participles and quote many great novels. She loves to connect with readers on her website www.kristanhiggins.com and her Facebook page www.facebook.com/KristanHigginsBooks

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not her best...., August 6, 2010

By 

Hopeless "Romantic" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All I Ever Wanted (Hqn) (Kindle Edition)

I am a huge Kristan Higgins fan and have read almost all of her books. This book was enjoyable, but it was not quite the same as some of her other books. I would have given it a 3.5 stars, but I like Ms. Higgins so I gave her 4! The book revolves around Callie, a 30 year old woman who works for an advertising agency with Mark, her boss, the crush of her childhood and recently ex-boyfriend. When Callie learns Mark is seeing someone else, she tries to get Mark back by finding someone to make him jealous. And so the story goes....

The book eventually has a happy ending, but I wasn't completely satisfied. There were a few parts of the book I was laughing out loud, but there were other parts I could have gone without. I felt like 80% of the book focused on Callie's relationship with her family, co-workers, Mark and friends and not enough on her relationship with Ian. I would have like to see that relationship developed further so I could really feel the connection between them.

Overall, it was a fun and entertaining read and will probably read more Kristan Higgins books. Perhaps I should stop comparing it with Just One of The Guys, my favorite Higgins book to date!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Laugh-Out-Loud situations, August 6, 2010

By 

Becky L. Davis (Sublimity, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: All I Ever Wanted (Hqn) (Kindle Edition)

At the beginning of the book, I wasn't sure I was going to like ALL I EVER WANTED. I found Callie's unrequited love for Mark to be painful. But from Callie's trip to DMV to renew her driver's license for her 30th Birthday, I laughed so loud and so long and so often, my husband finally asked me to finish reading the book while he was at work because it was frustrating not knowing what I was laughing at. (That didn't help, because later I would remember favorite parts and start laughing again!) I thought the book was delightful!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins, July 27, 2010

By 

Mary (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All I Ever Wanted (Hqn) (Mass Market Paperback)

Calliope Grey just wants everyone to be happy. And to like her - because why wouldn't everyone like her? Ever since her parents' messy divorce when she was only eight years old Callie has tried to make everything and everyone ok. Where has that gotten her? It's her 30th birthday and probably the most unhappy day of her life. She finds herself without a boyfriend, living with her grandfather, trying to keep the peace with her crazy family, and wondering if she'll ever find her happily-ever-after.

As usual, Kristan Higgins had me laughing out loud through much of the novel. There was also a scene that had me reaching for a tissue. Her main character has a big heart and only wants to share it with someone who'll love her back as much.

Callie's quirky co-workers add a comedic tone as well as some drama to the story. There's a rocking chair on the cover for a reason. It symbolizes what true happiness could mean in her life. The enjoyment of this book is finding out if and how Callie finds what she's looking for.