• The Next Best Thing

  • By: Kristan Higgins
  • Narrated by: Xe Sands
  • Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,245 ratings)

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The Next Best Thing  By  cover art

The Next Best Thing

By: Kristan Higgins
Narrated by: Xe Sands
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Publisher's 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 good-bye 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?

©2010 Kristan Higgins (P)2016 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Next Best Thing

Average customer ratings
Overall
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

The angst lasted forever!

Any additional comments?

I really got sick of Lucy who just would not let her dead husband go. The book drug on forever waiting on her to see that she had a chance for true love again. I just got sick of it. I truly liked Ethan, who was in love with Lucy. He was a great character. I did not like Lucy. She was a weak person and just not likable in general, in my opinion.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant rom com!!!

Perfect comedic writing with outstanding narration. I love this combo of Kristan Higgins and Xe Sands. Thanks for bringing her older novels to audio. They are a joy!!!

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Without sadness we can't appreciate happiness

Like all of Kristan Higgins books, this book is filled with entertaining characters, witty banter and lead characters that you come to care about quickly.

And like all of Kristan Higgins books, the main characters struggle with an underlying layer of sadness in their hearts. What is slightly discouraging about this title is that the characters struggle with the sadness for the whole story, keeping a tug in my chest for the entire 10-hour playing time.

The sadness is a necessary part of these characters' personal journeys, but this book may be harder to listen to than most Kristan Higgins' novels because each was resigned to the idea that their sadness was going to be part of their lives forever.

I do recommend this book, but maybe not if you are in a sad place yourself. Set it aside for a time when you can enjoy a a good tug on your heart strings.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Heart warming

Another book that I can't stop listening to
Ethan😍 another one that I would love to see as a movie

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Shame on Me

What made the experience of listening to The Next Best Thing the most enjoyable?

Xe Sands always brings Kristan Higgins' books to life. Although this is her most recent, I feel as though I have already read this book. And if you are a fan like me, you will recognize that she has the same characters in all her books- just gives them different names and settings. This is an example of fool me five or six times. I finally get it. And accept it. Formulaic.

Would you ever listen to anything by Kristan Higgins again?

Only after a reviewer says something like" this is a departure from her other books" And if she can get her publishers to stop putting people on the front cover. I don't know about anybody else, but I really hate that. I like to visualize how people look. I have actually passed on several books because of it. The people always look stupid. I made the exception for Kristan Hisggins books until I saw the cover for All I Ever Wanted. I just can't bring myself to purchase it. It looks a Harlequin or Silhouette (remember those) cover from when I was a teenager.

Which character – as performed by Xe Sands – was your favorite?

The doctor in the emergency room. All the other characters are standard as in her other books: tough as nails mother, the sister/family member or friend that is less than supportive and self absorbed with a secret, the hidden in plain sight -put upon -love interest and the naïve sometimes whiny clueless main character.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Lifetime Lite (only because no one is murdered).

Any additional comments?

I love Xe Sands but she has got to take out some of the whiny baby talking. Enough already.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Think you've lost everything...think again.

If you could sum up The Next Best Thing in three words, what would they be?

A heartfelt gem.

What did you like best about this story?

How wonderful Ethan was in comforting Lucy when she needed it. He was so selfless and kind.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she found the "toast". You'll understand when you listen.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

When you think love is done with you, the best surprises can be right in front of you.

Any additional comments?

This is a series, however, its also a stand alone. Perfect for a rainy day when you just want to swoon, smile, cry and smile again.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful Story!

When you combine Xe Sand and Kristan Higgins, is like the best of both worlds. Love how she make every character come to live with every detail, and how Xe portrait every voice. I laughed hard, cry, and got mad with some characters. I felt like I was there with them. I fell in love with my lovely widows, they were so funny and Ethan, awwww Ethan. oh well no more, I don't want to spoil the book. Enjoy it.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

fun and entertaining

I began the story liking the leaf lady then, I was tired of her but, later I once again liked her.
The narrator was great.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Narration Win

Excellent narration!!! The story is great, character development, depth, laughter and tears but the narration is amazing!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional Listen Great Fun throughout

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were wonderful and so much fun. There were so many times while listening that I laughed out loud for real. The performance of the narrator was exceptional. It was my first book by this author but I have now purchased several more.

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