The Perfect Match. Finished , rating 4.75/5, romance, 439 pages, pub. 2013

Blue Heron series #2 (1-The Best Man)

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. 

from Goodreads

I loved the first book if this series, but admit that of all of the Holland clan in Manningsport, New York, Honor was my least favorite, so when I learned that this second book was her story I wasn’t setting my sights very high.  But in the hands of the hilarious and capable Higgins this story worked and I was surprised that I liked this one better than the first!

Honor is the most reserved and responsible of the Holland siblings that work on the family vineyard in the Finger Lakes region of New York and she has put up with a friends-with-benefits relationship for far too long.  When her doctor tells her, “The years are precious. Egg-wise,” on her 35th birthday she decides that it’s time to go for broke and proposes to the man she’s been in love with for most of her life.  Honor was rejected and then betrayed by the two people she cared for most and a catfight ensues.

Okay, I feel like I could go describing this book forever because I loved it so much.  Here are a few reasons I loved it-

*The hero, Tom, was a man with a heart of gold and a flirtatious streak to match. He was very sexy.

*Honor’s grandparents are so hilarious.  Fans of Stephanie Plum’s Grandma Mazur will find much to love here.

*There is humor on every page.

*Doog Dragul, possibly the worst online date ever, grows on you.

*Real life issues like abandonment, aging, toxic friendships, and trust were handled with care and love.

*I finished the last 50 pages or so while I was at the pool during Gage’s swim lesson and I had tears in my eyes during the climax.  Seriously, this never happens and I was shocked.  I didn’t realize that I had been drawn in so easily!

*I love the Holland family and their little town. I want to move to this fictitious town and be adopted by the Holland clan.

That is all.  If you like romances told with a great sense of humor then this is the series for you!