The Best Man

Faith Holland returns to her hometown of Manningsport, New York, after being left at the altar three years ago. She hopes to help run her family's vineyard while rebuilding her life, but crossing paths with the town's police chief Levi Cooper—the man who stopped her wedding—complicates her fresh start. The story centers on Faith and Levi's evolving relationship against the backdrop of small-town wine country life. Their shared history creates tension as Faith confronts her past while managing her family's business responsibilities and Levi maintains order in the close-knit community. Faith must navigate complex family dynamics, career decisions, and her own emotional growth. Her journey intersects with Levi's own past and present challenges as their initial antagonism shifts into something unexpected. At its core, the novel explores themes of trust, forgiveness, and the courage to move forward after disappointment. The wine country setting serves as both a literal and metaphorical ground for growth and transformation.

Readers describe this as a slow-burn romance with depth and emotional complexity. Many reviewers connect with the main character Faith's journey through grief and personal growth. Positives from reviews: - Strong character development - Realistic family dynamics - Balance of humor with serious themes - Well-written dialogue - Small town setting details Common criticisms: - Pacing too slow in first third - Some side plots feel unresolved - Religious elements surprise some readers - Romance takes time to develop Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (23,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,300+ ratings) BookBub: 4.4/5 (900+ ratings) Several reviewers note they cried during emotional scenes. As one Amazon reviewer stated: "The grief feels raw and real without becoming overwhelming." Multiple readers mention re-reading it multiple times, with one Goodreads review calling it "comfort food in book form."

The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez This romance follows two people who form a deep friendship while fighting their attraction, featuring similar themes of second chances and emotional healing found in The Best Man.

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren Two enemies are forced to pose as newlyweds on a Hawaiian honeymoon, incorporating the same blend of family complications and reluctant attraction central to The Best Man.

Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez A woman who lives life to the fullest due to a family medical history connects with her neighbor through an unexpected baby situation, mirroring the depth of character development and family dynamics in The Best Man.

The Road Trip by Beth O'Leary Former lovers end up on a forced car journey to a wedding, exploring past relationships and second chances in the same vein as The Best Man.

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey A woman striving to be taken seriously and a former baseball player navigate family expectations and small-town dynamics while falling in love, echoing the community aspects and personal growth found in The Best Man.

🌟 Author Kristan Higgins left her career as a copywriter to pursue writing romance novels full-time after the birth of her first child. 📚 The book explores PTSD in first responders, drawing attention to an often overlooked aspect of emergency workers' mental health. 💫 The story is set in the fictional town of Manningsport, New York, part of the Finger Lakes region known for its wineries and scenic beauty. 💍 The novel's title plays on multiple meanings - referring not only to the traditional wedding role but also to the concept of being the best version of oneself. 🏆 The book received a starred review from Library Journal and was named one of Amazon's Best Books of the Month when it was released in 2016.