Just One of the Guys

It was clear where this book was going from the beginning (if I wanted suspense, I'd read mysteries!), but I sure enjoyed the way Kristan Higgins got me (and her characters) there! A sweet story with convincing, likable characters, and--most refreshing--hilariously funny in parts, Just One of the Guys was really pretty good. I got it on my Nook for free on one of Barnes & Noble's Free Fridays [it was recommended by Rachel Gibson, another author I like], but now that I know that Higgins knows her way around a good story, I'd definitely buy one of her books when I want a little romance novel treat!

The wonderful Lauren Willig mentioned this book on her blog a few days ago, and I happened to be between books at the time so I decided to pick up a copy on a whim. It quickly became clear as I was reading that I had found a new favorite. Not only a new favorite book, but a new favorite author!

Chastity O'Neill is not down with being considered "just another brother" by close family friend Trevor Meade. The question is, what is she gonna do about it? She is such a great character - certainly not a weak female in need of a man! She has beefy(ish) arms and shoulders as she is a rower, a massive Lord of the Rings obsession, and a fierce independent streak.

You will be rooting for her like you have never rooted for anyone, and this even show more leads to a few slightly emotional moments because you'll be so involved with her character. Another character you'll love is her (ugly) dog Buttercup. They have some great moments together as well.

No, not much about the plot of this book is terribly original. Who cares? When you pick up a novel with a romantic plot, what you hope for is dynamic characters and a story worth reading, and this book will give you more than you could hope for in that regard. The dialogue is wonderful and constantly infused with very snarky humor. Seriously, you'll spend a lot of time laughing.

This is a fantastic book, definitely a must read for any romance/chick-lit fans. show less

Loved it. In some of Higgans' other books, the inner dialogue has been a little bit too much; that wasn't the case here. I loved Chastity, and loved listening to her voice.

I also really loved the Chastity/Trevor interaction. I didn't mind the fact that the resolution wasn't until the very end because I felt like there was enough happening between them to both sustain me and lay the foundation. (The building out of the new bathroom brought tears to my eyes.) And given the history of their relationship it seemed entirely justified that there wouldn't have been more interaction than what there was.

The family dynamic was wonderful, too, and the interactions between Chastity and her brothers, with the sisters-in-law, with her parents, her show more co-workers... Um, o.k., yes, with everyone. I just loved them. They were also pretty funny. Not only were there several laugh-out-loud moments, there was one scene that was hysterical, enough so that I found myself having a laughing fit at 1 a.m. in my bed, trying desperately not to wake up the whole house.

The one downside was a phrase that got used way too many times. But, honestly, that's such a little thing that it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. Definitely 5-stars for me, and this one goes in the keeper, will-definitely-be-reading-again pile. show less

Gets a few points for having a smart, capable heroine who doesn't fit the usual physical profile for a romance novel leading lady. But loses far too many points for the heroine's obsession with getting married and having babies and, mostly, for the utter lack of romance. Granted, there has to be some kind of conflict that keeps the hero and heroine from finding their HEA until the novel's resolution, but in this case the hero and heroine are never really together in the first place. They are both with other people for the entire book until the last 10 pages for a rushed ending. Since we never get a sense of how they would be together,the ending doesn't resonate. Higgins is capable of better.

Despite the fact that I nursed a HUGE unrequited crush on the boy next door who became a firefighter for more years than I care to admit, I managed to read this book without cringing or experiencing humiliating flashbacks (ten years have passed since then. It still hurts).

Maybe it is because the heroine is a full foot taller than I. More likely it is due to the skill and humour of Higgans that I was able to put a very sensitive issue behind me and just enjoy a great story.

This book was full of engaging characters and laugh out loud moments. My favourite bit was the section where Chas experimented with online dating.

My one complaint is that all of the supporting characters were already paired off. Each character was so engaging and show more interesting that I would have welcomed a series featuring each one. show less

I don't much care for books written in the first person. I despise books written in the present tense. I'm so glad I pushed past that and read this anyway. :) I also hated how Chastity kept saying "blah blah bleeping blah" every other page, and Ms. Higgins made up a word, went to the trouble of explaining said word, used it 4 times in 2 pages, and then never used it again. What's the point, I ask you?

I adored Just One of the Guys. I fell in love with the main character and her whole big, crazy family. It made me wish I was from a large, rough and tumble family like that. this book made my tear up and get that big sad lump in my throat, and I'm pretty sure I was both crying and smiling at the end. But I'm on all sorts of fertility drugs show more right now, so that could have something to do with it. I think most people could identify with Chastity; not feeling attractive enough, struggling to live up to the achievements of your order siblings, unrequited love...

Smut level: non-existant. People sleeping together is described mostly after the fact with terms like "it was nice" or "then our sex life launched into hyperspace". Nice if you like a good tearful but if fluff. show less

This was everything the other reviews said it was and I adored it. What was even more surprising was it was told first person, present tense and I still adored it. Chastity was a wonderful character and as the story is told as if we are in her head, this really helps a lot! All her life she’s just been ‘one of the guys’ in a house full of firefighting brothers and a sort of adopted firefighting brother that she brought home when they were both young and a firefighting father. She’s always carried a torch for Trevor Meade and after one weekend years ago, they acted on that special feeling. But then Trevor wanted to go back to just being friends. Chastity is desperate to be both a wife and mother. She sees all her brother happy, show more well, except for one, but while he and his wife are having serious problems, it’s obvious they still love each other. Finally Chastity meets a great candidate and has to decide whether to finally let her feelings for Trevor go and settle for a bit less.

This book had laugh out its loud moments and it had its poignant moments that almost had me in tears.

I just ordered one of her backlist and I’ll be ordering the rest – guaranteed. And her next book is due out in January so I’ve got that one on the TBB list too! show less