The Next Best Thing

By: Kristan Higgins

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lucy Lang isn't looking for fireworks. She's looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who'll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbecue, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important: someone who won't inspire the slightest stirring in her heart - or anywhere else.

A young widow, Lucy can't risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn't enough either. So it's good-bye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate "friend with privileges", and hello to a man she can marry.

Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn't going anywhere. As far as he's concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?

©2010 Kristan Higgins (P)2016 Recorded Books

The angst lasted forever!

Any additional comments?

I really got sick of Lucy who just would not let her dead husband go. The book drug on forever waiting on her to see that she had a chance for true love again. I just got sick of it. I truly liked Ethan, who was in love with Lucy. He was a great character. I did not like Lucy. She was a weak person and just not likable in general, in my opinion.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Brilliant rom com!!!

Perfect comedic writing with outstanding narration. I love this combo of Kristan Higgins and Xe Sands. Thanks for bringing her older novels to audio. They are a joy!!!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Without sadness we can't appreciate happiness

Like all of Kristan Higgins books, this book is filled with entertaining characters, witty banter and lead characters that you come to care about quickly.

And like all of Kristan Higgins books, the main characters struggle with an underlying layer of sadness in their hearts. What is slightly discouraging about this title is that the characters struggle with the sadness for the whole story, keeping a tug in my chest for the entire 10-hour playing time.

The sadness is a necessary part of these characters' personal journeys, but this book may be harder to listen to than most Kristan Higgins' novels because each was resigned to the idea that their sadness was going to be part of their lives forever.

I do recommend this book, but maybe not if you are in a sad place yourself. Set it aside for a time when you can enjoy a a good tug on your heart strings.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Heart warming

Another book that I can't stop listening to
Ethan😍 another one that I would love to see as a movie

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Beautiful Story!

When you combine Xe Sand and Kristan Higgins, is like the best of both worlds. Love how she make every character come to live with every detail, and how Xe portrait every voice. I laughed hard, cry, and got mad with some characters. I felt like I was there with them. I fell in love with my lovely widows, they were so funny and Ethan, awwww Ethan. oh well no more, I don't want to spoil the book. Enjoy it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

fun and entertaining

I began the story liking the leaf lady then, I was tired of her but, later I once again liked her.
The narrator was great.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Narration Win

Excellent narration!!! The story is great, character development, depth, laughter and tears but the narration is amazing!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Entertaining but story drags

I'm a big fan of Kristan Higgins, I've read most of her books and absolutely enjoy everyone one of them. This one I was kinda lost, I got this book thinking it's was book 2 of Gideon's Cove but in fact this book has nothing to do with Gideon's Cove. Still I continue on, the story itself is entertaining, got lots of laugh out of me but the going back and forth between Lucy and Ethan all because of Lucy's not knowing what she wants and needs almost made me want to stop. The narrator was awesome like always, to me if it was another narrator I would have walked away from this one.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

...Glad this was included in the package.

The story was long and predictable. The constant reference to the dead husband was unnecessary. What man in his right mind would put up with this woman for 5 years?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Think you've lost everything...think again.

If you could sum up The Next Best Thing in three words, what would they be?

A heartfelt gem.

What did you like best about this story?

How wonderful Ethan was in comforting Lucy when she needed it. He was so selfless and kind.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she found the "toast". You'll understand when you listen.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

When you think love is done with you, the best surprises can be right in front of you.

Any additional comments?

This is a series, however, its also a stand alone. Perfect for a rainy day when you just want to swoon, smile, cry and smile again.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful