This is sort of the "Airplane" version of Bigfoot. The story is well written, and if you enjoy sophomoric humor, there is appeal. For me, I wanted to see the adults act more responsible and I was hoping for a "moral of the story" (which there isn't in the stand alone book). So although it wasn't my cup of tea, I will say it was well crafted.

Sweet romance in the vein of love at first sight. Set in the regency era, a masquerade ball brings intrigue to two young couples, changing the course of all their lives without even having seen each other's faces. A quick read with some fun plot twists at the end.

Emmaline's former fiance is getting married, and she's invited to the wedding. Her parents, both psychologists, will psychoanalyze her choice, so to prove that she's moved on, she decides to go, but she wants a date so that people don't feel sorry for her. A tomboy, she has avoided relationships after the crushing way her ex dumped her. Enter Jack Holland, the consummate good guy, hero material, handsome. So out of her league. But Jack helps all the damsels in distress. He's been a wedding date before and is always willing to step up to the plate when asked. But being "perfect" comes with its own set of issues. What happens when a hero can't save everyone?

This book had laugh out loud moments, my favorite was when, during a chicken fight in the pool, Em wants to tattoo on her thighs "Jack Holland's head was here." Yes, I stopped reading and actually laughed. Out loud. The emotional layers carried me from Em's mortification over her childhood tic, to the inadequate way her "professional" parents dealt with it to her discomfort wearing a dress. Not sure the description of wearing a thong for the first time is quite as traumatic as described, but it did add comic relief. Perfect heroes can be boring and irritating, but Ms. Higgins added enough of his own psychoses to get me over the hump.

On the down side, we don't all get resolution to our past. Saying I'm sorry doesn't unpublish a mean comment from People Magazine for Em, and I wanted to see Jack grow a backbone with Hadley. Being a "too nice" person myself, I understand his conflict, but there comes a point when a stand needs to be made. If I would have changed anything about the book, it would be those too things. With that being said...

A funny, poignant, story that touched all my emotions, I enjoyed it from start to finish.

This book was brilliant! The dedication is to Mary Stewart, Anya Seton, Charlotte Bronte, Daphne DuMaurier, Victoria Holt and Phyllis Whitney and their books serves as an homage to each of these classic authors. In true gothic style, we have a broken, brooding hero, an orphaned heroine with nowhere else to go. Its as if the ladies in the dedication scripted this book along with her, with the addition of Ms. Phillips's own brand of heroine--strong, snarky, independent.

I have not read all of SEP's backlist, but I'd venture to say this is her best work to date. I've enjoyed her other novels, with quirky, loveable heroines, but this one is the top of the heap for me. This is a book I will read again and again.

I'm on a Jill Shalvis binge. Her books are distracting, unputdownable and I have yet to find one I don't like.

The Highlands, 1118

I'm not going to rehash the synopsis for you.

Ms. Crosby has written in the style of the times, so it was a bit like reading Shakespeare-awkward at times. I was determined not to like this book when I started, but I quickly discovered that she'd written multi-layered characters, survivors, and their adventure together was enough to keep my interest throughout, in spite of arguing for Stockholm's Syndrome and the odd phraseology and "fun" words she felt it necessary to include. The story transcends all of this. It is a well-done Scottish historical complete with clan loyalty, men in kilts, a traitor amongst them and the hated English.

Well worth the read.

Three for three. I've just finished my third Jill Shalvis book, and I'm going to continue to read her books. Grace and Josh's story is every bit as compelling as the others. People with baggage, trying to move on with their lives, trying to find their place in the world, and somehow finding it together.

Loved it.

I'm truly impressed with my introduction to Jill Shalvis. Her characters have depth and heart and realism that kicks you in the teeth.

Amy had a troubled youth. When her step father makes inappropriate advances, it is the last straw before she takes her life into her own hands at the age of 16. Years later, she lands in Lucky Harbor, a small town that embraces their own.

Likewise, Ranger Matt is running away from his life, too. An ex Navy, ex Chicago SWAT, he's looking for a more solitary existence, until he runs into Amy.

Two people determined to be alone, closed off from feelings and unable to trust, they give in to their attraction, expecting to keep it purely physical, but a runaway in town opens Amy's old wounds and shows Matt that there will always be someone out to get him and some things are more important.

Gritty, sexy, touching, tender.

Well heck. I read the whole darn thing in one day. Injured Navy SEAL meets Nurse Dogood. The characters were funny, quirky, down to earth, damaged, redeemable, redeemed. {sigh}. Loved it.

Loved it. And I could do a thorough review, but I'm guessing there are already dozens of them out there, so just suffice it to say - Loved it.