All I Ever Wanted-Kristan Higgins

All I Ever Wanted
Kristan Higgins
Harlequin HQN, Jul 27 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373774586

In Georgebury, Vermont Callie Grey knows she loves her boss, Mark Rousseau, who dumped her. She dreams he will realize she is his one too until he shatters her dreams breaking her hart when he announces on her thirtieth birthday he is engaged, but not to her.

Callie’s mother throws her a birthday party at the family run Misinski’s funeral home. Embarrassed by her mom’s kindness and her family’s advice to ignore the butthead, Callie decides to wake up her unrequited beloved by dating someone else to make him jealous. Shy veterinarian Dr. Ian MacFarland prefers animals to people especially after his former wife toasted him. However, he likes Callie, who lives life to fullest; she thinks he is pathetic, but decides he will do to achieve her mission. As they fall in love, he fears commitment so Callie who has revised the mission has a tough assignment, but she has Bowie to serve as her matchmaking canine.

This is an amusing contemporary romance starring two wonderful likable lead protagonists, a charming setting (even the funeral home), and a strong support cast. Fans will enjoy Callie’s strategy to provide the vet with a personality make-over though sitting on his lap while he sits on a rocker makes her think he is perfect. Fans will enjoy this entertaining lighthearted frolic due to the eccentric cast (canine and human) who bring out the fun in this charmer.

Harriet Klausner