Kristan Higgins newest book The Next Best Thing is probably one of the most emotionally charged stories I've read and certainly elevates Higgins star status once again in my book. I've come to expect wondrous stories from this bright entertaining insightful author but THE NEXT BEST THING had me mesmerized. My heart was totally invested in the outcome of what is an engrossing story of trying to get over a great tragedy and hopefully come out reasonably whole.

This is the story of Lucy whose husband of only eight months died about five and a half years ago and left her absolutely devastated. Luckily Lucy had an amazing support group of family and friends. But her most leaned on friend was Ethan -- her brother-in-law. Ethan had in fact introduced Lucy to his brother Jimmy and as they say -- that's all they wrote. Jimmy and Lucy were an amazing couple with a bright loving future. Then the unbelievable happened when Jimmy was killed in a car accident and in just a moment Lucy's life was changed forever.

Lucy and Ethan shared a seemingly superficial but mutually satisfying sexual relationship, a kind of friends with benefits deal after Jimmy's death. It just sort of happened. But what worked on the surface was going to slowly unravel as Lucy tries to move forward with her life leaving Ethan hanging in the balance. What was a long established and cherished friendship to Lucy was much more to her brother-in-law Ethan.

Imagine spending your life in someone else's shadow -- the also ran -- being the next best thing. After a while even the strongest person with solid self-confidence needs to be number one. The pursuit of the prime slot can be a real challenge but in the end the prize will be worth it the fight. Ethan Mirabelli is in the fight of his life or more accurately his heart.

But if you are thinking that the title of this book is about Ethan, think again. Lucy's mission to rebuild a life isn't necessarily designed around finding a new love. In the story of Lucy and Ethan the song by Bob Marley that everything's going to be all right keeps popping up. Higgins reminds us that nothing is as perfect as our memories. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be so we don't live a life with regrets. Regrets for what we didn't do or didn't know.

THE NEXT BEST THING has everything I look for in a book. Touches of humor brought to us by Lucy's infamously witchy aunts and mother better known as the Black Widows -- whose names are Iris, Rose and Daisy. Just priceless. A bit of superstition psychic thrown in for good measure which if you know Kristan Higgins shouldn't be glossed over. There is something of value on every page. All of Kristan Higgins books are treasures to be saved and read over and over again. THE NEXT BEST THING has just become my best thing and I am certain it will be yours as well.

Book Summary

Lucy Lang isn't looking for fireworks…

She's looking for a nice, decent man. Someone who'll mow the lawn, flip chicken on the barbecue, teach their future children to play soccer. But most important: someone who won't inspire the slightest stirring in her heart…or anywhere else. A young widow, Lucy can't risk that kind of loss again. But sharing her life with a cat named Fat Mikey and the Black Widows at the family bakery isn't enough either. So it's goodbye to Ethan, her hot but entirely inappropriate "friend with privileges," and hello to a man she can marry.

Too bad Ethan Mirabelli isn't going anywhere. As far as he's concerned, what she needs might be right under her nose. But can he convince her that the next best thing can really be forever?