First off, I love this author. I've loved all her books so far and this one didn't disappoint. Well, except for the very tippy end.
Grace Emerson was engaged to Andrew Carson for two years before her baby sister Natalie came home from college and blahmy (as Higgins puts it) they fell for each other. Grace knew something had occured, but didn't want to believe it, so when Andrew comes to break off their engagement she doesn't mention her sister. Both her sister and Andrew fought a good fight, but after watching them avoid each other for her sake, she finally talks to each of them separately and gives her permission for them to be together.
This is what Grace does. She loves her little sister and the feeling is mutual, so instead of going nuts she makes them feel better about the situation. Unfortunately, the rest of her family believes she is still pining for Andrew and make every social occasion hell for Grace. So, fed up with all the looks and sympathy, Grace makes up a boyfriend. Wyatt Dunn, pediatric surgeon. For most of the book, Wyatt is "not" around - he's tending emergencies, he's at a medical conference and so on. Grace just wants everyone to leave her alone and is glad she made him up once Natalie tells her that if she didn't have a new man in her life, Nat would never get with Andrew from the guilt.
Grace is a history teacher at a prep school in New England and is also a Civil War re-enactor on the weekends. She loves her job, and her little doggie Angus. Other than the whole Andrew thing she's doing okay, although a bit lonely. When her gay high school friend Julian tells her they both have to get out and get someone, she tries internet dating and some other solutions, but no one stands out. Except, that is, for her new neighbor.
Callahan O'Shea has just moved into the old house next door. When they first meet Grace mistakes him for a burglar and he spends the night in jail before it is figured out that he now owns the house. Naturally Callahan doesn't think too much of Grace and she is embarrassed. It's a shame, though, cause Callahan is a major hottie.
Callahan has just gotten out of prison for an embezzlement conviction and is trying to get his life back on track. So when the looney neighbor and her yappy dog keep doing stupid things to him, he becomes resigned to the fact that Grace is goofy but sweet. Although we don't get into Callahan's POV, that's okay, 'cause we can tell what he's thinking by the description of his expressions, and the things he says.
The tiny quibble at the end involves Callahan stonewalling Grace over the made-up boyfriend. It didn't ring true for me and I didn't think he was that judgmental, so that was the only false note in the book.
All of Higgins books have been first person and it really is done well. At different points in this book I laughed out loud and also teared up. Grace is nice and deserving of a decent man and Callahan is the right man for the job.
The sex is not explicit, but it totally fit the tone of the book and I enjoyed the book very much.
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