by Kristan Higgins
Series: Blue Heron #2
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done. Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind. In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience—and make her ex jealous in the process. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love
The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins is the second book in the Blue Heron series. I did not realize at the time that this was part of a series, but it worked well as a standalone. Second chance love and a marriage arrangement are tropes visited in this small-town romance, but side stories added depth and connection to this tale that kept me turning the pages. Mini review: heart-warming, and realistic with lessons and love.
The tale takes place in the small town of Manningsport, New York; population of 715. Honor Holland and her family own the local vineyard, and it’s been in their family for generations. She has helped put the vineyard and its cellars on the map since she began working there. On her thirty-fifth birthday, her Doctor informs her that her biological clock is ticking, and this has her focusing on marriage. She asks her best friend with benefits to marry her and he flat out rejects her only to announce he is engaged a mere three weeks later to her best friend! Tom Barlow is a British professor here on a green card. His visa is about to expire, and he is deeply concerned for his unofficial stepson Charlie and their fragile relationship. Thanks to a meddling old woman, these two meet and agree to marry. The tale that unfolds offers a slow building romance with growth and tender moments as Higgins wraps these characters around your heart.
Honor Holland is the back-bone of her family and their business. Her only relationship has been with her best friend and it’s been an unhealthy one. She is your average woman, who really sees herself as a plain Jane, and sadly often dresses that way. She has spunk though, and we see moments of it. While not my favorite character, she made me laugh, and I was pleased with the growth we saw from her. Tom Barlow has strong features and a sexy crooked tooth but it is his British accent that has woman fawning over him. I really liked this damaged and flawed man with a heart three sizes too big. His interaction with his stepson, and attention to Honor was sweet. Of course, he needed a big kick in the pants when it came to love and trust, and I enjoyed watching him grow. The side characters were wonderful in this tale and added depth. Higgins filled the tale with characters to make you melt, laugh and loathe all while allowing them to see growth, as well.
Going into The Perfect Match, I expected a romance wrapped around the marriage trope and knew it would be laced with humor, a little angst and looked forward to watching the relationship develop. What I didn’t expect was well rounded world Higgins drew me into. I fell in the love the Holland family, with Charlie, Tom’s stepson and I got caught up in the drama with Honor’s best friends. Higgins even introduced some traditions surrounding the Vineyard that held me spellbound. I would love to live on a vineyard, the whole idea is romantic, and while I know it is hard work it seems like a simplistic way of life. The romance developed slowly, in fact; their first encounter did not go well at all. These two are complicated, and whenever an arrangement is involved and feelings enter into the equations things get deliciously complicated. Higgins balanced the angst, and misunderstands with growth and depth. I really became quite entangled in everyone’s life and felt like I lived it with them, making this a realistic and heartfelt romance that I didn’t want to end.
Fans of small-town romances with fleshed out characters will enjoy The Perfect Match. The first book in the series, The Best Man is currently available and tells the story of Faith Holland and the third book, Waiting on You, shares Colleen O’Rourke’s tale and is one I am anxious to read. It is scheduled to release in March of 2014.
Four cups of coffee out of five
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Lindy
Excellent Review Kim! I love small town romances, and this one sounds especially sweet and intriguing. I would love to learn more about living on a vineyard. I’m glad that you enjoyed this one, and that it had fleshed out characters with depth. Thanks for sharing 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lindy, I have a lot of small town romances this month..LOL
Dani C
I really enjoyed this book as well! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad. Did you read book one Best Man? I am hoping to add it to my pile..LOL
Christy
A sexy crooked tooth! Isn’t it funny how the smallest imperfections can actually make someone look … perfect? This sounds cute.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly!
Lily B
Glad to hear you liked it. I wasn’t sure about Honor in the first book. I read the first book, thought I did not start to enjoy it until the second half it was still good. I might pick this one up eventually.
kimbacaffeinate
This was my first read of hers Lily, I am curious about book one.
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
Small town romances can be hit or miss with me ( I get bored if there’s not something else going on- a mystery etc) but every once in a while I come across an author who can keep me captivated despite that. I might give this author a shot:)
kimbacaffeinate
I love romantic suspense for that reason, Have you tried Carr, her stories always have something unfold that adds suspense.
Pamela D
I love small town romances. Heck, I love small town stories. I used to like the Gilmore Girls and LOVE Stars Hollow. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
We could be BFFs..I loved Gilmore Girls 🙂
Candace
The setting definitely sounds great. And I love that the secondary characters were important to the story as well. It sounds good!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Candace 🙂
brandileigh2003
I haven’t read anything by her but glad that you could jump in at second book
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, I really should have researched but I loved a blogger’s review, and then saw it on netGalley and bam!
Ginny
Great review! I love books where you can fall in love with the family, town, and their traditions. So glad you enjoyed this one.
kimbacaffeinate
I do too, thanks Ginny!
Heidi
You can never go wrong with a sweet slow burning romance!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, thanks Heidi 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Ah… another contemporary. You know you have me looking at these more often? I even snatched one up when it was a freebie and thought of you. Looks like this series is also one I can put on my wishlist!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, in another week or so I will have you looking at paranormal, dystopian and urban fantasy..LOL
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
“Well-rounded world” are the magic words I was thrilled to read! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for lately. I found it in Thunder Point, but I’m almost done, and Higgins was recommended to me on several occasions. I know it’s not the same, but the feeling of comfort is.
Lovely review.
kimbacaffeinate
I know what you mean, small-town series invite you to move in, to be a part of the family and community and someone always has a pot of coffee on.
Kim { Book Swoon }
Kimba, this sounds great! I have yet to read anything by Kristan Higgins so it looks like I need to check out the Best Man first. I love the small town feel and romance of it 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
this was my first Higgins book, but I plan to try more 🙂
Sharlene Wegner
Oh, my gosh, I loved this book! And you must read The Best Man – I did a reread before reading this – it is so good! I have read all of Kristan Higgins’ books & they are all excellent!
kimbacaffeinate
I have Best Man on my wishlist Sharlene!
Andrea
I wanted to review this, but couldn’t fit it in. I will definitely try to give it a go, though. Everyone seems to love Higgins!
kimbacaffeinate
Yay, glad you will try to read it 🙂
aurian
Nice review Kimba, adding this to my wishlist. Marriage of convenience is one of my favourite tropes in romance.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too, thanks Aurian 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Hi Kimba, this was one of her best. I loved it!!
Loved the conversation the heroine had with her “eggs” totally hilarious 🙂
But my favorite Kristan Higgins novel of all time is My One And Only
Deb
kimbacaffeinate
:snort: yes there was wonderful humor in this, I will keep an eye out for My One and Only
Jonetta (Ejaygirl)
We seem to have read this book the same way:) I enjoyed the same things about it you did. Thanks for the review.
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad, it just reaffirms my feelings about it, thanks for letting me know.
Jenny
I have yet to read anything by Kristan Higgins Kim, I really need to change that! I’m glad the angst is balanced by a lot of growth from the characters, that’s a very good thing. I’m fine with some angst in my romances, but I need that balance there to keep me from getting frustrated. Definitely need to start with The Best Man I think, I’ve heard such good things about that one!
kimbacaffeinate
this was my first, I think she is falls between Carr and Shannon Stacey.
Mary
I’ve always enjoyed Kristan Higgins’s stories. Her characters are relatable, I want to live in the little towns she writes about and yay for romance! Her writing is surprisingly well-rounded, too (I don’t really know why that’s surprising to me. I guess because I expect fluff when I pick up her books but get something more. Win!).
kimbacaffeinate
I think you are right, small-town romances invite you into the town, and it is more than just a romance.
kindlemom1
I am a huge fan of Higgins work, I have read everything that she has written and will continue to do so. I am so glad you liked this Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
hmm, I think you are the reason I read this in the first place..LOL
kindlemom1
LOL, you’re probably right! 😛
Glass
I don’t usually read this type of books, but it looks like a lot of people love K. Higgins. I’ll have to check her out.
Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
I love these between heavier reads, or hot romances.
Felicia S (The Geeky Blogger)
It is official–everyone liked this more than I did *sigh*. I think my “romance” knob was off while reading it 🙁
kimbacaffeinate
It happens, we each bring a little personal experience into the story. I need to go read your review, or maybe the audio wasn’t up to snuff..idk but we cannot love them all!
Jenea
Those slow building romances are the best ones to read. Honor and Tom sounds like are just perfect for each other, and what they both need. Wonderful review.
kimbacaffeinate
I so agree Jenea, and I loved the townfolk
Jeann
As usual, I haven’t heard of this book before but it sounds like a heart warming romance 🙂 Glad it was a small town romance that you enjoyed!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Jeann, this was fun 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
This is another author/series I need to read. This one sounds like it has all of the elements I enjoy so popping it on the tbr pile.
A lovely review Kimba! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad another blogger introduced me to her 🙂
Lauren
I love small towns with great characters, and I’m always up for a good romance. I don’t read nearly enough Higgins, so I should definitely grab a copy of this one! Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I am pretty sure this was my first experience with her.
Giselle
Dude I love all these small town books you read! Woot! I also have been wanting to read something by this author for like 90 years so I should get to that soon! lol. I like how well developed and crafted it all sounds especially with all the characters this book seems to have! Great review, Kimba!!
kimbacaffeinate
I have a soft spot for small-town romances, they offer a little something more.
blodeuedd
She always has the cutest covers!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed 🙂