Book Review: All I Ever Wanted

Sometimes when reading a contemporary romance novel, I have this urge to shake the heroine's shoulders and say "Just grow up" and this is one of those books.  Callie Gray works in advertising and is in love with her boss, who just happens to be the guy who, many years ago, gave her her first kiss in the closet of  a friend's house. Unfortunately, other than one short fling, he has never returned her feelings, and is now engaged to a client, who is also a new employee.  Needless to say, things at work aren't going well.  

There is a new vet in town and he is anything but warm and fuzzy, though he is attractive enough that every single woman's pet suddenly had to be seen.  He wants nothing to do with any of them, but ends up hiring Callie to help him build his business--it seems that those single women didn't like the way he treated them.  

Subplots include Callie's parents' relationship and Callie's relationship with her grandfather.

It is interesting how writers can use language to set a mood.  Callie is an ex-cheerleader who will easily tell you that everyone likes her.  She is cheerful and upbeat and tries to make people happy.  Ian, the vet, says its like she's always working the room.  The book is like a cheerleader--peppy, upbeat, almost breathless at time, but hard to take seriously.

It is mass-market romance.  While there are no vivid sex scenes, unmarried couples do go to bed, and there are lots of references to blood flowing to Callie's "girlie parts".  "Four-letter" words are also used, often in places where I just don't think they were necessary.  

All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins is a fun light read if you don't mind crude language and non-marital sex.  

Thanks to FSB Media for providing a complimentary review copy.  

Grade:  B