It's In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis (Lucky Harbor #492)

Ok, not really #492, but it has to be close! I absolutely LOVED this one. Lucky Harbor is nice and consistent for me, but not usually knock my socks off. But this one? I wanted to turn around and read it twice.

Here's the summary:
ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVERBecca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now's her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam's eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can't resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca's heart?



I don't know who writes these blurbs, but that entire second paragraph is only slightly vaguely sorta what the book is about. Investment genius? I think this comes up once. Maybe twice? It's not even a minor plot point. Self-made man? I suppose, if by this you mean "happily owns a business with his friends." He's successful but not filthy rich or anything. Glamorous life in the city? Huh? Her life is the city is never described as such. So anyway, all that aside...








Becca is smart and determined. She's had some bad things happen in her past due to inept parents and her clueless brother, and she's finally just done with all of it. She packs her things and moves away for a fresh start. She rents an apartment sight unseen and ends up across the alley from the charter boat company owned by Sam and his two best friends (hey! Guess who the next two books are about??) Becca is willing to take whatever job she can so that she can just stay put. She's has a musical background, but performing in front of people is right out. She's trying to write jingles but keeps getting the bum assignments (diapers, feminine products, etc.)  She's not at all afraid of putting herself out there, while at the same time is fairly emotionally subdued. She just doesn't have any experience with anyone loving her in an open, honest way. She's always been the caretaker, and not by choice.








Sam is the definition of alpha hero. He's big and sexy and instinctively protective. He had a difficult childhood, in and out of foster homes until he lands in Lucky Harbor as a teen. His deadbeat dad is trying to turn things around, and is suddenly present in Sam's life as well. Sam's passion is boat building, and while I've seen this done better in other series,  I liked that he did something creative to soften him a bit.








Sam and Becca fall into a casual relationship very quickly. The attraction between them is very hot and intense and the sexual tension is well done. This is actually one of the hotter Lucky Harbor books I've read (I think. I've been told they are all a bit hot, but I don't remember them being like this one!) I loved the honesty about their attraction, and the way they resist it when Becca ultimately comes to work for Sam. (Ok, Sam resists it. Becca outright says she wants to continue what they have started.) The romance itself is really well done here, and I could feel them falling in love.







Add this to the great banter between Sam, Tanner and Cole, and reappearances by other Lucky Harbor characters, and I truly loved this book. You don't have to worry about remembering the other characters, the only one who really has a role in the book is Lucille (of course), but it's nice to see some of them at the edge of the story. I happened to have the next one waiting on my Kindle when I finished this one, and I happily dove into it. I love it when favorite series really delivers.






Its in His Kiss will be published on August 26th.