Book Review: The Best Man by Kristan Higgins

Book reviews

11 Mar

The Best Man by Kristan HigginsPaperbackReview copy provided by publisher/ DMCPR MediaHarelquin Mira, March 2013Synopsis- Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she's ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family's vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there's some great scenery there.Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief—and best friend of her former fiancé. There's a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it's not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she's having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle.Review- The Best Man is the second Kristan Higgins novel I've had the pleasure of reading, and I can see why this woman is a bestseller!Faith returns to her family property, Blue Heron Winery for a landscaping project. It's the longest she's been home since she escaped to San Francisco more than three years prior after she was left at the altar with the surprising news that her beloved husband-to-be was actually gay. His best mate Levi knew all along and interrupted the ceremony, so Faith isn't too thrilled that he's one of the first locals she encounters on her trip home. In fact his now the police chief and books her for speeding, catches her squirming out of a bathroom window in her underwear and yet he's the bloke the men in town rely on for a helping hand and the women drool over.I loved the instant chemistry between Faith and Levi, even if they are both in denial about it. Higgins gradually unfolds the story of the past of not only Faith's heartbreak but the bubbling attraction between Faith and Levi way back when they were teenagers. As the past and present collide, they both come to the realisation that time has passed, a lot has changed and perhaps they'd written each other off a long time ago before giving each other a chance.Higgins has this wonderful way of introducing a story almost in a fairytale- like way as though she about to tell the reader a love story (which she does!). Sometimes this approach can distance the reader from the characters, but for Higgins it just kind of works. Levi is a character I liked immediately. He's loyal to his best mate, his thoughtful and though he has experienced his share of heartbreak in the past, he is open to following where these unexpected feelings for Faith lead him- even if he is resistant at first. I warmed to Faith as the story progressed, I think what was difficult for me in the beginning was how hung up she was about losing her ex, it's like she completely disregarded the fact that he was gay and had the wedding not been interrupted she probably would have married him anyway- even with this newfound knowledge. But as the story unfolded I did understand her better and could see why she hung onto the 'idea' of this relationship. I also felt she was a little 'fake' at times but again this was her defences and it was so nice to see her grow throughout the story and let her guard down.I read this story in a day while I was off work sick, I just couldn't put it down. Even though my nose was running, my eyes were watering and I couldn't stop coughing- I still persevered! The Best Man is a lovely contemporary romance with a sigh-worthy happily-ever-after. Highly recommended to the romance fan.