"characters jumped off the page in this page turner"

By: Kristan Higgins

Genres: Romance | Romance Contemporary

Posted: September 23, 2011

Does the experience of going to a prom really ever change? It would seem all proms are populated with similar cliques like the mean girls, the fringe kids, the smart asses and of course the invisibles.

Posey Cordelia Osterhagen's prom did not live up to her negligible expectations. She hoped being invited to the prom by a popular jock would elevate her from being invisible to perhaps being accepted by anyone. For Posey, school was a barren wasteland of kids who barely noticed her and when they did it was with cruel or snide comments about her appearance and so when given the choice -- she chose to be invisible. During high school Liam Murphy had become a big part of Posie's life and dreams. It seemed her parents had also seen beyond the tough biker when they gave Liam a job at their family German restaurant Guten Tag. The Osterhagen's saw a caring and gentle young man who worked hard to keep up the bad boy image, basically with relationships with any girls who caught his eye. This image was his way of coping with a rough life and a very poor opinion of himself. Less than successful in school because of a learning problem, Liam used his image to become part of the popular kids even if he realized that he didn't actually elevate his station in life with their friendship. But meeting Emma Tate who had it all and yet accepted and loved Liam was going to change his life forever. Posie was crushed watching Liam and Emma getting closer even acknowledging that Liam was way out of her league.

When Liam returns to town with a teenage daughter after losing Emma, Posie has to once again face some angst filled feelings toward Liam. Deeply imbedded anger over his humiliating remarks to her prom date made her less than happy to see him back in town even though she had to admit Liam's disarming charm still made her blush. And since it was a small town they inevitably ran into each other. The mutual attraction was impossible to dismiss leaving Posie further conflicted over her feelings for Liam. Even acknowledging her growing attachment to Liam she still couldn't seem to develop trust and when Liam voiced his desire to remain uncommitted Posie went along willingly. But Posie's heart had other ideas. She thought his desire to remain detached stemmed from his feelings of inadequacy and she became his champion. But the problem was deeper than she could imagine and in the end guarding her heart won. Would Liam step up to the bat and follow his heart?

This is a beautifully crafted story filled with intriguing characters whose personalities just jumped off the page. Higgins developed an interesting tale with people whose lives intertwined over many years and even the most complex relationships had a basis in love. Reminds me why I am such a fan.

Book Summary

Posey Osterhagen can't complain. She owns a successful architectural salvaging company, she's surrounded by her lovable, if off-center, family and she has a boyfriend—sort of. Still, something's missing. Something tall, brooding and criminally good-looking…something like Liam Murphy.

When Posey was sixteen, the bad boy of Bellsford, New Hampshire, broke her heart. But now he's back, sending Posey's traitorous schoolgirl heart into overdrive once again. She should be giving him a wide berth, but it seems fate has other ideas….

Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins

Until There Was You

by: Kristan Higgins

HQN
October 1, 2011
On Sale: October 18, 2011
Featuring: Posey Osterhagen; Liam Murphy
384 pages
ISBN: 037377611X
EAN: 9780373776115
Kindle: B005JSRAO2
Paperback / e-Book

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