Tag Archives: Jill Shalvis

The Family You Make (Sunrise Cove, #1) by Jill Shalvis

The Family You Make (Sunrise Cove, #1)The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although I always enjoy books by Jill Shalvis, I have to say this is my favorite so far. The main characters, Jane and Levi, are wonderful, but it is the secondary characters that I adore. Charlotte is my favorite with Levi’s family coming a close second. Cat, aka Alley Cat, is perfect. She (spoiler alert: “he” is really a she) is a typical cat. The expectation is for all those around her to serve her needs.

Everyone in the book has issues with relating with others, but the love comes through no matter what. Even Levi’s dad opens up a little. I like that it’s obvious that blood family is not the only type of family that exists and is not necessarily the most important type.

My only negative response to the book is the section with the gondolas. I’m already scared of the things. I may never ride one again.

As always, I can’t wait for the next book. As I said, I always enjoy them.

View all my reviews

Advertisement

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Realistic, Romance

Quote-tastic Monday: Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis

Lost and Found Sisters (Wildstone, #1)Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: Lost and Found Sisters
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Wildstone, #1
Pages: 400
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Date: June 20, 2017

Summary:

They say life can change in an instant…

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.’s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend dying to slip an engagement ring on her finger. So why does she feel so empty, like she’s looking for a missing piece she can’t find?

The answer comes when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim. This shocking revelation washes over Quinn like a tidal wave. Her whole life has been a lie.

On impulse, Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend. She heads up the coast to the small hometown of Wildstone, California, which is just a few hours north, but feels worlds apart from Los Angeles. Though she doesn’t quite fit in right away, she can’t help but be drawn to the town’s simple pleasures…and the handsome, dark-haired stranger who offers friendship with no questions asked.

As Quinn settles into Wildstone, she discovers there’s another surprise in store for her. The inheritance isn’t a house or money, but rather something earth shattering, something that will make her question everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family. Now with a world of possibilities opening up to Quinn, she must decide if this new life is the one she was always meant to have—and the one that could finally give her the fulfillment she’s searched so long for.

Review:

Sometimes you read a book that is a great book, but there just aren’t any specific lines that stick out. Sometimes a book has some good lines, but overall it isn’t that great of a book. And then there are the books that are just great: great plot, likable characters, and terrific lines.

Jill Shalvis’ new book Lost and Found Sisters is one of those books. It was an easy five star book. I didn’t have to waffle between is it really a five star or should I just give it a four and a half. This one is a five star all the way through.

I have to admit I was a little worried about this book. Shalvis said herself that it is a different direction for her. I have given up on authors before because they no longer give me what I fell in love with their writing for. Thank goodness, Lost and Found Sisters is just as wonderful as everything else she has written.

Now for some of the quotes that I loved. They either were “laugh out loud” lines or “Oh my god, that’s me” lines. Sometimes both.

“Hey, darlin’, how’s life today?” “Good,” Quinn said. She didn’t want to brag, but she’d totally gotten out of bed today with only two hits of the snooze button.

Now this one really wasn’t me. One thing I have no problem with is getting up in the morning.

So here was the thing. There were days where Quinn surprised herself with her abilities, and others where she put her keys in the fridge.

This one however is a “she must be looking in my window because it is so me” line.

“You’ve got nothing to apologize for,” Skye said. “If it’s got tires or testicles, it’s gonna give you trouble.” Wasn’t that the truth . . .

Enough said.

She pulled back out into the street, and her GPS—programmed to find the town of Wildstone—wasn’t sure what to do with itself now that they were here. “In half a mile turn right,” it intoned in an irritated female voice that insinuated Quinn was an idiot.

I actually argue with my GPS. Unfortunately, she gets the last laugh because I can end up anywhere.

She put a hand over the screen of his phone and he yelped, pulling the phone free to stare at it. “Ah, man. You made me lose a life.” “Want to lose another?”

Definitely me. I love my cell phone. However, I hate when people won’t put theirs down when I am talking to them.

“Are you always so rude?” “Yes, one hundred percent. It’s called sarcasm and attitude, which are both so much cheaper than therapy and bail. What can I do for you?”

Love it! Love it! Love it!

There should be a weather app for people with social anxiety, like “Today life will be partly crowdy with a 70 percent chance of having to deal with people.”

This one makes me think of Anna Cade over at the book blog Herding Cats & Burning Soup. Okay, it speaks to me too.

I made it through the day without beating anyone with a chair. I’d say my people skills are improving.

Not to mention, I don’t look good in orange or stripes.

Quote-Tastic Monday” is a meme hosted every Monday on Herding Cats & Burning Soup.  Head on over there to see what everyone else is posting about this week.

View all my reviews

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance

Quote-tastic Monday: Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis

accidentally-on-purposeI wanted to read this book as soon as it was released, but I was in the middle of another series (one of which I need to review as well) and I just couldn’t get to it FOR ALMOST A WEEK!  I mean really, I had to wait a week to read the new Jill Shalvis book.  That’s cruel and unusual punishment.  And, like normal, I was laughing out loud from the first page.  My poor husband . . . I kept interrupting his reading to make him listen to passages.

So without any further buildup, here are a few of my favorite quotes.  And no, I didn’t include the one from the first page.

“It’s just tea, you weirdo. And I could totally survive without it if I needed to.” She paused. “I just can’t guarantee anyone else’s safety.”

Personally, I love my tea, but I don’t feel I am a danger to anyone else without it.  Don’t get between me and my Diet Coke however.

“Okay,” Max piped up. “I have a girlfriend now so I know this one. When Rory says ‘wow’ like that, it’s not a compliment. It means she’s thinking long and hard on how and when I’ll pay for my stupidity.”

Another word that men need to look out for is “fine.”  When a woman says fine in the middle of an argument, it’s never really fine and she certainly isn’t agreeing with anyone.

He snorted. “Elle, you’re always right. It’s your world and we all just live in it.”

Love it!  Love it!  Love it!

Read this book!  Read it now!  Don’t wait like I did.  It deserves your immediate consumption.

“Quote-Tastic Monday” is a meme hosted every Monday on Herding Cats & Burning Soup.  Head on over there to see what everyone else is posting about this week.

quote-tastic final with green border

3 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance

Under the Mistletoe (Lucky Harbor, #6.5) by Jill Shalvis

Under the Mistletoe (Lucky Harbor, #6.5)Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Under the Mistletoe
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor, #6.5
Pages: 80
Publisher: Forever Yours
Date: December 4, 2012

Summary:

JUST ONE MORE KISS

There’s no place like home for the holidays. And the Lucky Harbor Bed & Breakfast is bursting with festive lights and good cheer. But for Mia, Christmas is turning out to be anything other than merry and bright. Her recent break-up with her boyfriend Nick has made her return bittersweet. But then a surprise arrives, when Nick follows her to town bearing gifts-and asking for forgiveness.

Nick grew up without a family of his own so he’s overwhelmed by the love that Mia receives from all her relatives, gathered together to celebrate the season. Under their watchful eyes, Nick finds earning back her trust the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. If he succeeds, he will receive the greatest gift of all, Mia’s love for a lifetime.

Review:

Four times! I have read this book (novella/short story) four times and never reviewed it. And it so deserves a review.

Under the Mistletoe is Mia’s and Nick’s story. If you are a fan of the Lucky Harbor series, you will remember teenage Mia. I always loved Mia and her boyfriend Carlos. I really thought they would end up together.

But people grow up and sometimes they grow apart.

Mia moved to New York to go to school and met Nick. Like Mia, he was given up at birth but unlike Mia, he never had a loving family of his own. Needless to say, he has issues and it is those issues that almost cause him lose Mia.

This is a great little story. It’s sweet and heartwarming. We get to see many of the characters (including Lucille) from the earlier books.

And, of course, it has a happily ever after.

Oddly enough, this one stands alone. I am compulsive about reading book series in order, but if you want a charming read and you haven’t read the others, you can still enjoy this one. But why would you want to? Read them all. You won’t regret it.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance

Quote-tastic Monday: And yes, I know it’s not Monday

Thursday!  Thursday’s the new Monday, right?  Lord, I hope not.  I’d hate to go through this week again.  Anyway, better late than never comes this week’s Quote-tastic Monday.  (And no, I’m not discussing the fact that I missed last week altogether.)

Jill Shalvis’ new book The Trouble with Mistletoe came out this past Tuesday (Okay, two Tuesdays!  I’m behind in everything!) and I read it on its release day.  The fact that I was in the middle of another book which I need to finish for review did not matter.  It was a new Jill Shalvis people.  There are priorities after all.

Anyway, Keane is petsitting/has inherited a cat from his aunt and he has no idea on how to care for her.  The cat is destroying his house and is not hesitant to show her opinion of Keane.

. . . And then she . . .” He trailed off and appeared to chomp on his back teeth.

“What?”

“Took a dump in my favorite running shoes.”

Willa owns a pet salon and gift shop, so he goes to her for help.  Unfortunately for him, she knows and hates him from high school . . . and he doesn’t even remember her.  Not the best situation in which to be asking for a favor.

Fortunately for Keane, Willa is a soft touch particularly where animals are concerned.

“What’s her name?” she asked.

“Petunia, but I’m going with Pita.  Short for pain in the ass.”

I love it!  It reminds me of the old Disney movie “That Darn Cat” in which the cat was called DC for Darn Cat.  The original pre-Disney version was That Damn Cat or at least that is what I have heard.

Anyway, the book is wonderful and the second in her Heartbreaker Bay series.  Grab it.  It’s lots of fun.

mtquote-tastic final with green border

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance

All I Want (Animal Magnetism, #7) by Jill Shalvis

All I Want (Animal Magnetism, #7)All I Want by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: All I Want
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Animal Magnetism, #7
Pages: 304
Publisher: Berkley
Date: October 6, 2015

Summary:

Pilot-for-hire Zoe Stone is happy to call Sunshine, Idaho, her home base. But her quiet life is thrown for a loop when her brother’s friend Parker comes to stay with her for a week. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife special agent is a handsome flirt with a gift for getting under her skin. And the situation only escalates when Parker hires her to fly him around the area while he collects evidence on a suspected smuggler.

Now she has to live and work with the guy. But when they’re in the air, she sees another side of him. He’s driven, focused, and sharp. And while he enjoys giving commentary on her blind dates, she quickly realizes with a shock that it’s Parker who gets her engines going…

Review:

Everyone has those days (weeks?) when they want to read, but nothing appeals. For those times, you need what I call a comfort read. That’s either a book you’ve already read and loved or an author that you KNOW is going to appeal to you. For me, one of those authors is Jill Shalvis.

I’ve only been reading her books for about a year, but she has never disappointed me. Her books have romance, conflict, and humor . . . lots of humor. She is also an animal lover and her animal characters feature prominently in her books.

All I Want, the seventh book in her Animal Magnetism series, is no exception. Zoe has trust issues – serious trust issues. She has been let down by her parents and the men in her life over and over again. Parker has secrets and she refuses to let him into her life because she knows he is hiding something from her. So, of course, they end up sharing a house.

The story is great. The interactions between Zoe and Parker range from hot to hysterical and sometimes both at the same time. But it is the humor in this book that does it for me. Here are just a few examples:

Zoe and her sister Darcy are discussing what she should wear on a blind date. Darcy tells her,

“And for God’s sake, stop taking fashion advice from a dog who rolls in bear poo and thinks he smells good.”

Later Zoe is lonely because both her brother and sister have moved out.

“Sure, she missed bossing them around as she’d been doing since the dawn of time because one, their foreign diplomat parents had never seemed to notice they had children, and two, well, Zoe kind of just loved to boss people around.”

But, my absolute favorite scene in the book involves Oreo, Zoe’s 100-pound Bernese mountain dog and two kittens Parker is fostering. Oreo is afraid of everything, including tiny kittens and this is what happens when they are introduced.

“The tabby stalked underneath a mistrustful Oreo and stopped between the dog’s legs, eyeing the long tail with a curious eye. Then the kitten crouched low, wriggled his butt, and . . . pounced.

And missed Oreo’s tail by a mile.

Still Oreo cried.

‘It’s okay,’ Parker said. ‘I promise they’re not going to hurt you –’

Too late. Because Oreo lifted his leg and . . . peed on them.”

And I lost it! I laughed until I cried and that’s the best compliment I can give a book.

Read it! Read the entire series. You won’t regret it.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance

Second Chance Summer (Cedar Ridge, #1) by Jill Shalvis

Second Chance Summer (Cedar Ridge, #1)Second Chance Summer by Jill Shalvis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: Second Chance Summer
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Cedar Ridge, #1
Pages: 386
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Date: June 30, 2015

Summary:

Cedar Ridge, Colorado, is famous for crisp mountain air, clear blue skies, and pine-scented breezes. And it’s the last place Lily Danville wants to be. But she needs a job, and there’s an opening at the hottest resort in her hometown. What has her concerned is the other hot property in Cedar Ridge: Aidan Kincaid-firefighter, rescue worker, and heartbreaker. She never could resist that devastating smile . . .

The Kincaid brothers are as rough and rugged as the Rocky Mountains they call home. Aidan has always done things his own way, by his own rules. And never has he regretted anything more than letting Lily walk out of his life ten years ago. If anyone has ever been in need of rescuing, she has. What she needs more than anything are long hikes, slow dances, and sizzling kisses. But that can only happen if he can get her to give Cedar Ridge-and this bad boy-a second chance . . .

Review:

There are some authors you read because you know their books will make you feel good. Jill Shalvis is one of those authors.

Although there is strife in her books, there is also humor and the characters are always likable.

This first book in her new series is no exception.

I loved Aiden and Lily. They try so hard not to form a relationship because of their past together, but lust/love will find a way.

The secondary characters are great and I can’t wait for their stories. I have already preordered book two in the series, My Kind of Wonderful. Book three, Nobody But You, is not available to order yet, but I will definitely get it as well.

The only thing missing in this series is an animal to love. I have gotten used to those characters in Shalvis’ books as well and this one does not have one. Oh well, the humans are great all by themselves.

View all my reviews

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance

Still the One (Animal Magnetism, #6) by Jill Shalvis

Still the One (Animal Magnetism, #6)Still the One by Jill Shalvis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Still the One
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Animal Magnetism, #6
Pages: 320
Publisher: Berkley
Date: April 7, 2015

Summary:

Darcy Stone is game for anything — except sexy Navy veteran and physical therapist A.J. Colten, the guy who’d rejected her when she’d needed him most. Now the shoe is on the other foot and he needs her to play nice and help him secure grants for his patients. Unfortunately, Darcy can’t refuse. She needs the money to fund her passion project: rescuing S&R dogs and placing them with emotionally wounded soldiers.


A.J. admits it — Darcy is irresistible. But he’s already been battle-scarred by a strong-willed, vivacious, adventurous woman like Darcy, and he’s not making the same mistake twice—until he and Darcy are forced to fake a relationship. Growing closer than they’d ever imagined possible, Darcy and AJ have to ask themselves: how much between them is pretend? What’s the real thing? And where does it go from here?

Review:

A great thing about Jill Shalvis’ series is I always feel like I’m with old friends. Characters from earlier books are an integral part of the plot. They’re just not the main characters.

And with that said, we’ve already met Darcy and AJ in previous books. Darcy is the crazy, globetrotting younger sister of Wyatt from Then Came You and AJ is his serious, uptight best friend.

So, of course, they fall in lust . . . I mean love.

After a terrible automobile accident, Darcy’s globetrotting days are over. Without AJ’s expertise as a physical therapist, even her days of walking would have been over.

The only thing stronger than the chemistry between them is how much they annoy each other.

Wyatt, talking to AJ about Darcy:

“She does seem to take some serious delight in screwing with you. What did you do to piss her off?”
“Breathe.”

So, of course, a situation arises where they need each other . . . and where they end up spending time alone in a hotel . . . and . . . you get the picture.

I love a snarky heroine and Darcy certainly fits that description. Unfortunately, her snark is brought on by a childhood of rejection from her parents. If her snark keeps people away, then they can’t reject her, right?

After lots of miscommunication and wrong assumptions (and why can’t couples TALK to each other? Oh yeah, there wouldn’t be a book then.), AJ and Darcy finally get their HEA. Neither one is confident they can make the other happy, but they are both determined to be there and do their best.

This was not my favorite book of the series and I think it was because it was too real. They know things are not perfect just because they have admitted their love for each other. They both know that due to their own personal issues, they will have to work at the relationship.

And that was just a little too real life for me.

Still the One is “still” a great addition to the series. Read the others first. You won’t regret it.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance

He’s So Fine (Lucky Harbor, #11) by Jill Shalvis

He's So Fine (Lucky Harbor, #11)He’s So Fine by Jill Shalvis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It’s the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she’s rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she’s ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to “save” him. In fact, he’d like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He’s just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole’s heart, or will it be the end of Olivia’s days in little Lucky Harbor?

He’s So Fine, book eleven in the Lucky Harbor series, is just that . . . fine. Really, really fine.

I love all of the characters in these books, but Cole and Olivia are special. Both of them have things in their past that make them untrusting and both of them have secrets. Watching them work through their pain to form a solid relationship is wonderful.

Like the other books in the series, characters from earlier books play major and minor parts in the story. It is like a small town. Everyone is in everyone else’s business or in this case in everyone else’s book and that makes it wonderful. I love reading series because I am invested in the characters. I want to see how their lives continue after the happily ever after. With Jill Shalvis, I get to do that.

As with all of Ms. Shalvis’ books I get heartache and laughter. I particularly like the gag about how rigid Cole can be and they’re not always talking about his personality. And then there is the geriatric squad run by Lucille who has been booted off Facebook for her explicit photographs. What’s not to love?

Shalvis also did an excellent job of introducing the main characters for her next book – One in a Million which is due out October 14th. Tanner has had a large part in the last two books and Callie has just returned to Lucky Harbor after being gone for ten years. I can’t wait to read their story.

View all my reviews

Leave a comment

Filed under Contemporary, Humor, Realistic, Romance