Tag Archives: Jill Shalvis

Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis

Posted on April 27, 2012 by TBRG| Leave a comment

Title: Lucky in Love

Series: Lucky Harbor bk 4

Author: Jill Shalvis

Genre: Contemporary

Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she’s expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she’d like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he’s only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he’s gone…

For the first time in his life, Ty can’t bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn’t including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all…anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

One of my go to contemporary authors is Jill Shalvis. Her stories are always well written with a story that is real and honest. Her characters are real men and women who aren’t perfect, in fact they are very much flawed and yet together they make each other better.

I have been in love with Lucky Harbor from the very first book Simply Irresistible. So when Jill announced that she was writing more books in this series I did little happy dance of joy. I didn’t care who the story was going to be about, I just wanted more of this town and the residents who care about one another.

In Head Over Heels we were introduced to three new guys “Mysterious Cute Guy” was one of them. Man was he intriguing. Who was he? What was his story? In Lucky in Love we get those answers.

Who was he? A friend of Matt (the Forest Ranger and hero of the next book in this series), a former Navy SEAL (I love SEAL heroes). What is his story? I’m not going to tell you, you have to read the book to discover this and it’s very much worth it. Trust ME (Have I ever steered you wrong when it comes this?)

Watching as Ty (Mysterious Cute Guy) goes from a recluse who only wants to get back to his life (still not telling you why he’s a recluse), come out and help Mallory time and time again. Even when he knows he isn’t good for her.

Mallory however is tired of being the good girl and with the help of her friends Amy and Grace (their the heroines of the next two books) she starts to go after what she wants and not what everyone expects of her. One of the things she wants is Ty. She knows he’s not sticking around. He’s made that clear.

There is a lot about this book that I loved. How without being aware of it Ty and Mallory help each other deal with events in their pasts, all the while unable to stay away from each other because they are drawn to each other (man are they drawn to each other). The ease with which they are with each other. It’s not complicated. There is no drama between them. Once scene imparticular is my favorite. Mallory knows that Ty is leaving, however she still goes to see him…

‘Your pretty amazing, you know that?”

“Yeah.” He flashed his own small smile. “Too bad you dumped my sorry ass.”

She looked at him for a long beat, “I might have been too hasty on that,” she whispered. “Twice now.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah. Because your ass is anything but sorry.”

He gave her a smile…. 

This was just one of the scenes between them. Then there’s how Mallory knows that Ty loves her. Its a matter of actions speaking louder than words, so when Ty finally confesses his love for her, it’s really sweet. Plus is involves a sweet ride a ’68 Shelby (DH’s dream car)

There is one person I wanted to reach into the book and slap and that was Ella Mallory’s mom. She wasn’t a good mom for most of the book and it isn’t until something happens that she realizes she is to blame for a lot of the issues Mallory has. Also the couples from the first three books don’t make an appearance except for Sawyer because he’s the sheriff. While I wished they’d been there I understand that this is a new story arc in the series and it didn’t detract from the story at all.

This is one of those books where the love story/romance isn’t complicated. In fact it’s really normal. I loved that about it. No major angst. Just two people falling in love and having to decide what they want in their future.

If your a fan of this series you won’t want to miss this book.

Grade A

Posted in Contemporary, Grade A, Heather, Review

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TBRG Top 5 Reads of 2011

Posted on December 30, 2011 by TBRG| 3 Comments

Today we’re sharing our overall top reads of 2011. These are the books that we are still talking about and re-reading long after the first time we read them.

Angela’s Top 5

  1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
  2. The Black Prism by Brent Weeks
  3. The Sailor Moon Reissues by Naoko Takeuchi
  4. Fantasy In Death by J.D. Robb

Heather’s Top 5

  1. Archangel’s Kiss by Nalini Singh
  2. Serendipity by Carly Phillips
  3. Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
  4. Head over Heels by Jill Shalvis
  5. After Dark with a Scoundrel by Alexandra Hawkins

Melanie’s Top 5

  1. Haunting Desire by Erin Quinn
  2. Until There was You by Kristin Higgins
  3. Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
  4. Warriors Redemption by Melissa Mayhue
  5. Shadowman by Erin Kellison

Janon’s Top 5

  1. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
  2. Pale Demon by Kim Harrison
  3. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning
  4. Until There was You by Kristin Higgins
  5. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

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TBRG Top 2011 Contemporary Reads

Posted on December 27, 2011 by TBRG| 6 Comments

It’s that time of year again when we break down the books we’ve read. Here at The Book Reading Gals we break it down into the different genres and then have a top reads of the year. Today we have our top 5 contemporary reads of the year. If we reviewed the book we are linking to it, if not then we are linking to the authors page about the book.

Heather’s top 5

  1. Serendipity by Carly Phillips
  2. Head over Heels by Jill Shalvis
  3. A lot like Love by Julie James
  4. The Ideal Man by Julie Garwood
  5. With no Remorse by Cindy Gerard

Melanie’s top 5

  1. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins
  2. Serendipity by Carly Phillips
  3. The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde
  4. Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis
  5. Only Mine by Susan Mallory

Janon’s top 5

  1. Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
  2. Until There Was You by Kristan Higgins
  3. Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis
  4. Bring me Home for Christmas Robyn Carr
  5. Bad Boys Do by Victoria Dahl

As you can see we tend to read and love the same books. Tune in tomorrow to see who made our top historical reads.

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Head over Heels by Jill Shalvis

Posted on November 23, 2011 by TBRG| 4 Comments

Title: Head over Heels

Series: Lucky Harbor bk 3

Author: Jill Shalvis

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Breaking rules and breaking hearts

Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge. Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn’t ready to settle into a quiet life running their family’s newly renovated inn. But soon her love of trouble–and trouble with love-draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who’d like nothing better than to tame her wild ways. 

Suddenly Chloe can’t take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels. His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed. For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender. Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff? Or will Chloe’s colorful past keep her from a love that lasts . . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor?

This review is going to be really short and sweet. Simply put I adored this book.

Ok review done.

No really this review is done.

Oh alright I’ll tell you why I loved this book.

Everything.

Seriously I love absolutely everything about this book.

Sawyer and Chloe are two very different people. She’s a free spirit and he’s grounded. But the sparks coming off of them when they’re together are enough to cause anyone standing nearby to get singed.

Because of the way they both grew up they have some trust issues, but they are inexplicably drawn to each other. As they get to know each other they discover they have more in common they thought. Watching these two come together was like watching your two best friends you know would be perfect together come together. Like any relationship where they have known each other for a long time they have their ups and their downs.

There were a couple of parts of the book that were my favorites. One is the first time they go to have sex and what happens to Chloe (it’s nothing bad). The other one is where Sawyer comes home and see’s Chloe’s vespa when he sees she’s not inside he knows exactly she is.

One of the things that make this series so good is that fact that all the characters help to make it a really rich and full story. There is the town facebook page where everything that happens in town ends up being reported. The diner where more than once all the characters end up eating at least twice through out the book. And Jax and Ford’s bar.

If you are looking for a great series to read than you can’t go wrong with this series. I do however recommend reading the books in order to understand the dynamics between the three sisters and to really understand Chloe.

Grade A

Other books in the series..

Simply Irresistible Amazon  B&N

The Sweetest Thing  Amazon  B&N

Heating up the Kitchen (A companion to The Sweetet Thing)  Amazon   B&N

Small Town Christmas (Anthology featuring Logan from The Sweetest Thing) Amazon B&N

Lucky in Love (coming May 2012) Amazon B&N

Posted in Contemporary, Review

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Small Town Christmas by Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsey and Katie Lane

Posted on November 11, 2011 by TBRG| 1 Comment

Title: Small Town Christmas

Series: Lucky Harbor 3.5, Anthology

Authors: Jill Shalvis, Hope Ramsey, Katie Lane

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis headlines this touching anthology of Christmas stories as readers come home for the holidays to Lucky Harbor, WA; Last Chance, SC; and Bramble, TX.

Three heartwarming holiday stories to prove that love is the greatest gift of all  

Kissing Santa Claus
NASCAR driver Logan Perrish returns to Lucky Harbor, Washington, with love in his heart and a ring in his pocket. But can Sandy Jansen forget the past and give him a second chance? Or will Logan be spending another Christmas alone?

I’ll Be Home for Christmas
After ignoring the advice of Miz Miriam Randall, local matchmaker, Annie Roberts expects another hum drum holiday in Last Chance, South Carolina. But when a stray cat arrives in the arms of Army sergeant Matt Jasper, a calico named Holly  just may be the best matchmaker of all.

O Little Town of Bramble
All Ethan Miller wants for Christmas is to celebrate in Bramble, Texas, with family and friends. But when his childhood neighbor, Samantha Henderson, comes home for the holiday, Ethan realizes that the girl-next-door could be the girl of his dreams.

I have to say that this is one of the best Christmas anthologies I’ve read this year. It made me laugh and it made me cry. Everything I want in a Christmas book.

Logan and Sandy’s story was really cute and fun as Logan tries to convince her that he has sincere feelings for her and really wants her to be a permanent part of his life. I had fun reading the things that Logan does to convince Sandy he is serious.

Matt and Annie’s story however is probably my favorite story in the book. This is a heart warming story about a soldier that has come to deliver a Christmas present and ends up finding so much more. As I read this story I actually cried as Matt and Annie discovered their love for each other and the hope that they had for their future.

Ethan and Sam’s story is a sweet story about two people who have the opportunity to grab a future that they both want and are afraid to go after. The best part of this book is the way it ends. It’s so sweet and appropriate for a book that is all about Christmas.

Overall I really liked this book and am adding it to my collection of holiday stories. If you are looking for holiday read that hits all the right spots than you can’t go wrong with this one. It has it all, it touches your heart, is funny, and conveys what the holiday’s are all about.

If you are looking for a perfect holiday read than you can’t go wrong with this one.

Grade B+

 

Posted in Contemporary, Holiday, Review

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Holiday Hideout by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jill Shalvis and Julie Kenner

Posted on November 9, 2011 by TBRG| 1 Comment

Title: Holiday Hideout 

Anthology

Authors, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jill Shalvis, Julie Kenner

Genre: Harlequin Category Romance, Contemporary Romance

The Thanksgiving Fix by Vicki Lewis Thompson Finding Mr. Right is the furthest thing from Beth Davis’s mind when the Reno professor takes Thanksgiving break at a colleague’s Lake Tahoe cabin. Until Coinneach McFarland arrives to fix a suspicious leak. It looks like somebody’s playing matchmaker for two people sworn to stay single. But as things heat up, Beth is astonished to find she has discovered her soul mate just as she’d given up looking.

The Christmas Set-Up by Jill Shalvis Competing architects Zoe and Jason has two weeks to come up with the design to win a coveted new project. But when a snowstorm strands them together at a secluded cabin, Zoe sees her chance to show Jason how she really feels. With romance blooming under the mistletoe, can she get the gorgeous Scrooge into the true Christmas spirit?

The New Year’s Deal by Julie Kenner Five years ago, Cleo Daire and Josh Goodson said goodbye and went their separate ways. But first they made a promise to reunite. Now the ex-lovers are spending New Year’s Eve in a romantic cabin, where passion takes them by surprise and long-wished-for dreams can sometimes come true.

I picked up this anthology because I’ve really enjoyed reading the Harlequin Anthologies especially when Jill Shalvis has a short story in them.  Well, unfortunately this one fell short.  I finished it 2 days ago and I really can’t even remember the characters names let alone what happened in each story.  Basically the setting is the same mountain cabin that has the reputation of having couples fall in love or rekindle a love lost.  Each couple ends up in the cabin over either the Christmas or New Year’s Eve Holiday.    The concept was really a good idea – but the stories were just kind of boring.

The Thanksgiving Fix by VLT was the one I liked the least.  It was kind of slow reading and the heroine just didn’t sit well with me.  Having said that, this is the story that I remember the most.  Beth is an all career women and Mac is the local handy man.  I guess the only good thing about this story was Mac – but he just seemed too good to be true.  There also was some weird dialog that was going on between the couple while they were getting it on.  It just seemed out of place.  I’m actually a big fan of VLT, but this story seemed rushed.  Grade: C-

The Christmas Set-Up by Jill Shalvis was the story that I liked the best, but it was not the Jill Shalvis I know and love.  The couple both work in the same architect firm and they are set up by their co-workers to spend the weekend in the cabin.  They get snowed in, have sex and finish a project for work.  Yep – that’s about it.   Grade: C+

The New Year’s Deal by Julie Kenner, I started out really liking this story, but I think the heroine killed it for me.  She’s a lawyer (enough said, right?).  This couple was college sweethearts and they broke up when he wouldn’t follow her to graduate college.  When they broke up he made a pack with her to meet him 5 years later on New Year’s Eve.  He has never forgotten her and still wants to be with her.  She basically goes to the cabin to get him to be an expert witness for a big case she is working on.  That’s what killed it for me.   I do have to say that I do like Julie Kenner’s writing style and this story was probably the best written out of the 3.  Grade: C

Grade: C

Posted in Contemporary, Holiday

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Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis

Posted on October 28, 2011 by TBRG| 1 Comment

Title: Animal Attraction

Series: Animal bk 2 

Author: Jill Shalvis

Genre: Contemporary

In this spicy sequel to Animal Magnetism, efficient and glamorous office manager Jade meets her match in her employer, the capable and charismatic veterinarian Dr. Dell Connelly. When a traumatic incident propels Jade to escape Chicago for the welcoming village of Sunshine, she doesn’t expect to form meaningful relationships. After all, she has promised to eventually return to her family and high-powered job. But the chemistry between her and Dell is palpable, and her tough but kind new friend Lilah gives her solace. When Jade hears news of attacks at animal clinics, she is overwhelmed with fear until Dell shows her how to defend herself.

Jill is one of my go to authors. Reading the blurb on the back of this book I knew I had to read it. I’m so glad I did, I think I read it in 3 hours I couldn’t put it down. Now I need to go back and read the first book, not quiet sure how I missed it.

I loved Jade and Dell, in fact they may just be favorite couple of Jill’s, there is so much more to these two then they let anyone see.

Jade is in Sunshine for one more month. She came there to escape something that happened to her back home and the time frame she gave her family for her to return is almost up. The closer the date comes though she realizes that she isn’t ready to go back and in fact doesn’t really want to, but she gave her word. From the moment she walked into the Vet clinic she has had to fight her attraction for the hot vet Dell.

Dell doesn’t let women in. No way no hell. While he likes women A LOT he has no place for them in his life other than as bed mates. SO he can’t figure out how Jade has managed to worm her way into his life other than as his office manager. The closer her last day comes the surlier he gets. When he realizes that she is terrified of everything he sets out to teach her to protect herself. When the lessons he gives her led to something more neither one of them are sure what it means.

Watching these two give into their feelings for each other was pure fun. They obviously loved each other, but are completely clueless of their feelings for each other. Jade because of what happened in Chicago and Dell because of what happened when he was a kid. The one thing they do really well is support each other and not try and change each other. They accept who they are.

If you are a fan of Jill’s then you won’t wan to miss this book. Even though this is the second book in the series I didn’t feel that I was missing anything by not reading the first book.

Grade A-/B+

Other books in the series…

Animal Magnetism

Posted in Contemporary, Review

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Animal Magnetism – RomCon Tuesdays

Posted on March 15, 2011 by TBRG| 1 Comment
Animal Magnetism
book 1
by Jill Shalvis
realease date 2/1/11

 

Co-owner of the town’s only kennel, Lilah Young has lived in Sunshine, Idaho, all her life. Pilot-for-hire Brady Miller is just passing through. But he soon has Lilah abandoning her instincts and giving in to a primal desire.  

It’s Brady’s nature to resist being tied down, but there’s something about Lilah and her menagerie that keeps him coming back for more.

 

 

You know how they say never judge a book by it’s cover, well this is one of those book, this cover just did not do it for me.  The content inside though was pretty darn good.

Brady is one of those tough guys who is always out look for trouble and no danger is too much for him.  Than he makes the mistake of going to visit is “brothers” never realizing that his life was about to take a total 180.

Lilah has a heart of gold and will do everything she can to take care of the animals that she loves.  She also has a tendency to be scatter brained and a little emotional.  The day she ran into Brady (literally, with her car)  was the day her life changed for the better.

Their journey to let go of past fears and embrace change was a joy to follow and I can’t wait for book 2 Animal Attraction to come out in October, we have to find out what happens to the hot “brothers”!              Grade B

 

RomCon Alert

It was announced recently that we get the pleasure of spending the weekend with Jill in August at RomCon – YEAH!!! so if you have not taken the chance to read one of her books now is a good time – ROMCON READING CHALLENGE –  she not only has this book but book 2 in her Lucky Harbor series comes out in April.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Contemporary, Review, RomCon, RomCon Reading Challenge

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