Merry Christmas, Baby by Jill Shalvis

Guys, remember how sad I was that Lucky Harbor was over?? Well guess what, we get one more Christmas novella featuring one of the previous couples! YAY! Shalvis is pretty much the only author I open up and read immediately and Merry Christmas, Baby was no exception.  It's not my very favorite, but it was nice to see Sawyer and Chloe again a few years later. I love that Sawyer has not changed at all and is still so completely head over heels for Chloe.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, BABY by Jill Shalvis (December 2, 2014; Grand Central Publishing E-Novella; $1.99)

Wild child Chloe Thompson can't believe how much things have changed. She still can't get enough of her sexy husband Sawyer, but he seems to prefer working to impending fatherhood. So tonight, a very pregnant Chloe is escaping her troubles at the town Christmas party.

Sheriff Sawyer Thompson hopes surprising Chloe at the  party will give him a chance to set things right. But as the snow begins to fall and the wind rages, he wonders whether he can make it back in time. While mother nature conspires to keep Sawyer and Chloe apart,  an unexpected arrival will require them to kiss and make up . . . and ring in the happiest holiday Lucky Harbor has ever seen.

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About the author:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

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One in a Million by Jill Shalvis

Guys, I'm so sad! This is the LAST Lucky Harbor! The good news tho, is the Lucky Harbor is going out on a high note, unlike some other series (*cough*Fool'sGold*cough*) and not dragging on to a sad end.  I loved all of Lucky Harbor, but I think these last three were the best.

Here's the summary for One in a Million:

Description

ONE IN A MILLION IS THE 12th AND FINAL BOOK IN THE BESTSELLING LUCKY HARBOR SERIES
As the brains behind wedding site TyingTheKnot.com, Callie sees it all: from the ring to the dress, the smiles . . . to the tears. It's that last part that keeps her single and not looking. Getting left at the altar will do that to a girl. But when Callie returns to her old hometown, she finds that her sweet high school crush is sexier than ever. And he makes it hard to remember why she's sworn off love . . .

Tanner is a deep-sea diver with a wild, adrenaline-junkie past-and now his teenage son is back in his life. How can Tanner be a role model when he's still paying for his own mistakes? It's hard enough that gorgeous Callie has appeared in town like a beautiful dream, challenging his best-laid plans to keep his heart on lockdown. Though there's something about being around her again that makes him feel like he can be the man she-and his son-deserve. Little Lucky Harbor holds their past; can it hold a beautiful new future?


First of all, as a whole, Lucky Harbor is pretty unbelievable. I mean really?  SO many hot guys! But Shalvis is aware of this. She even pokes fun at it, unlike other small towns that just keep adding all these unrealistic characters with high profile jobs. I live in a small town and we barely have a hospital, let alone a burn unit and a sports rehab and a spy training camp and and and... where was I? Ah yes, my love of Lucky Harbor. Honestly, this is a series that I could see myself reading again, should I ever have time to reread 12 books.


In specific, Callie and Tanner were pretty sweet. Callie had a huge crush on Tanner in high school and figures he doesn't even remember her. It's adorable watching her realize that he knows exactly who she is, without any unbelievable bit about return feelings back then. I enjoyed the unevenness of them both knowing about the crush, and felt Shalvis took the tension from that just far enough.  Callie is determined to never fall in love, she's been jilted once and she just doesn't believe it can happen, but she's pretty quick to fall back into her crush.  It takes her longer than it should to actually realize that love is possible and feels more like a plot flaw than something believable. Being left at the alter IS a big deal, but this "insecurity" isn't strongly reinforced by the rest of the book.


Tanner is wonderful. Of course, why wouldn't he be?! More and more I find that romance novel heroes rarely have real flaws. They are never insecure or unattractive and even if they have some horrible past, the most  this will affect them will be in being commitment shy.  Tanner is very quiet about his feelings, but he's able to admit to himself that he would like a little more than what Callie is giving. He has a teenage son who has recently come to live with him, and while he doesn't know how to parent, he sure does get everything right there- toes the line when it matters, and lets it go when it doesn't. The relationship between Tanner and his son starts off very strained, but is pulled around in a mostly satisfying manner. Tanner really doesn't fail at anything, which is nice for reading, but perhaps strains credibility a bit (I can hear a non-romance readers reaction to this sort of character, and my hackles are already up!)


It sounds as if I didn't really enjoy this one, and of these last three is probably is my least favorite, but overall I really did like it. I flew through it in a matter of days and am so sad to see it end. Lucille, of course, is front and center keeping up with her old antics. Callie is her granddaughter and is there to keep an eye on her, but Lucille does what Lucille wants. The actually falling in love parts are so sweet and honest, and you really do believe in their feelings for each other. If you're looking for a nice strong author for contemporary romance, Shalvis would be my first choice. I'd try to read each "set" of three in order, but it's not necessary to read all 12 in order. You see the other characters occasionally, but they don't play a big role in the other sets. (Lucky Harbor is 12 books broken down into four 3 book sets of connecting characters.)


One in a Million will be published on October 14th.

He's So Fine by Jill Shalvis

I stayed up way too late three nights in a row finishing off the two most recent Lucky Harbor books- It's in His Kiss and He's So Fine.  This is tricky when one gets up at 5 am to go run. I. Am. Tired.  Was the worth it? HECK YES. I only wish that I'd had the third in the set on hand for when I finished this one up. (Note: I'm writing this review in July to be published in September. I'm guessing that I will still be tired by the time it publishes. Hopefully because I stayed up way too late to read the third book.)


Here's where we start with this one:

Description

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?

Wow, look at that! The description is fairly accurate on this one- depending on your definition of "trouble."  The trouble in this case is more of a mess of her own making than anything like a stalker or building fire.

He's So Fine starts off with Cole and Olivia in the most intimate way possible, without actually getting intimate. After Olivia leaps into the freezing water to "rescue"  him, Cole's only possible response is to take her on the boat and get her nekkid. So she doesn't freeze, of course.  The first two chapters are really well done, with both Cole and Olivia making the best of an awkward situation that is made even more awkward by the appearance of Sam and Tanner on the boat. I literally laughed out loud at one moment, sitting in the hallway at work.

Cole is Mr. Fixit. He takes care of everyone and fixes everything. He's much like McGuyver in his ability to weird a screwdriver and duct tape. When he comes to believe that Olivia is broken, his every instinct is to fix her too. He is slow to realize that her personality has her taking care of him in return, probably because he's slow to realize that he needs taking care of at all. Cole has a really bad relationship in his past, one that he's tried very hard to move on from, and to not hold against future relationships. However, this also has made him see things in black and white, with no shades of gray. So when it comes out that perhaps Olivia has misled him a bit (a lot bit) about her past, he absolutely does not take it well, and is not willing to listen to her.

Olivia grew up with an entirely different life, and an entirely different name. She doesn't really intend to lie to Cole, but by the time she realizes that this is more than just the man working next door, it's too late to take back her lies. Unfortunately, the lies she told will absolutely come out one day, so she's constantly aware that they are on a countdown to when he walks away. She falls in love in a panic, because she can't think of a solution and she knows everything will crash. And it does.

With the help of their friends, they both come to realize where they went wrong, and they both do a bit of public groveling. I found both of their reasoning to be solid and believable, but wished all the way for Olivia to stop digging her hole deeper. She knew from fairly early on that she should 'fess up, and while I could understand why she didn't, it didn't make me not want to shake her. I stayed up way too late to finish this one, just like the last, and really wished I could just continue on to Tanner's book.

He's So Fine will be published on September 30th.

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.

Carnivals and Thieves (recent reads)

I’ve read a couple books lately that are worth a mention here, but that I’m apparently not going to write a full review of any time soon. Because I don’t want to forget them, and I’d like to give them a little attention, you’re getting some super short reviews.

First, Carniepunk is a collection of short stories in a genre that is completely new to me. I requested  it from Net Galley because it had a story from Rachel Caine and because I’ve been vaguely interested in steampunk. I read a good number of stories from it and while I did not finish it, I suspect that many of you would enjoy it. All of the stories take place in a carnival (not the same carnival) and have just a touch of that creepy magic/ otherworldness that urban fantasy authors like Rachel Caine, Jim Butcher and Simon R Green are so good at.  I did enjoy the stories I read, but they were a little darker than I typically am drawn to.

Next up, Jill Shalvis’ It Had to Be You. Guys, you know I love Lucky Harbor. This was no exception. Someone in Lucky Harbor has stolen a lot of money and it looks like it was Ali Winters. Ali finds herself dumped, homeless, and with all the town looking at her. Luckily for her, her ex-landlord Luke shows up and has some faith in her, and the skills to help her out of trouble.  Ali is adorable. She is flawed, she gets angry, but she refuses to get depressed. It’s not high literature, but it’s a solid addition to Lucky Harbor and I’ll keep reading the series, of course. You can read my thoughts on the rest of the books here.

Coming soon: my reviews of The Miseducation of Cameron Post and This Song Will Save Your Life! Both excellent, and deserving of full reviews.

Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis

Forever and a Day is the last of the Lucky Harbor novels that I read last month.  The series is nicely divided in half with the first three novels being about the three sisters who inherit the inn in Lucky Harbor (Maddie, Tara, & Chloe) and the last three being about three friends (Amy, Mallory & Grace.) Forever and a Day is Grace's story.

Grace has landed in Lucky Harbor when her money runs out. She's recently lost her job and discovered that the one she had lined up has demands she's not willing to meet. She's hiding in Lucky Harbor to lick her wounds while she looks for another one. Dr. Josh is stressed to his limits. He has a small son and is guardian of a troublemaker sister. His private practice is overwhelming him and the hospital wants to buy him out. Josh hires Grace to dog sit the crazy puppy his sister insisted they needed and it quickly turns into a full time nanny position. Meanwhile, Grace is struggling with the idea that she's not living up to her parent's dream but is starting to find satisfaction in small personal jobs in Lucky Harbor. 

Grace and Josh have the same immediate chemistry that all the inhabitants of Lucky Harbor seem to have. Josh is built from the same super hot material that every single man in Lucky Harbor is made out of and is just as dedicated to his job and family. Josh and Grace take a while to come to believe in each other's sticking power, but, as you would expect, they eventually come together satisfactorily.

I am incredibly happy to have stumbled upon Jill Shalvis and the Lucky Harbor series. I would highly recommend them to any fan of contemporary romance novels.  The books could be read out of order, but if you're starting from scratch the order of the Lucky Harbor novels is:

Simple Irresistible
The Sweetest Thing
Head Over Heels
Lucky In Love
At Last
Forever and a Day

A quick look at author Jill Shalvis' website indicates that there are a few more in the works, and I'm sure I'll be picking those up too.

Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis

Lucky in Love is the first book from Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series that continues past the story of the three sisters. Mallory, Amy and Grace meet at Eat Me, Lucky Harbor's diner, on the night of an intense storm. Mallory is an ER nurse who tries to save everyone she meets. For her, this means starting a community health center for people who can't afford health care. Due to a tragedy in her past, it's very important to Mallory not to let anyone slip through the cracks.  Ty is the "Mysterious Cute Guy" who lives outside of town and keeps to himself. Through a chance meeting, Ty ends up meeting Mallory and finds himself interested in getting to know another person for the first time in years.

Lucky in Love holds true to form. Ty is big and strong and handsome and rich.  I found that he differed a bit from the other men in that his past really was heartbreaking, and recent enough that he wasn't just using it as an excuse. I loved that he struggled with real demons, both mental and physical. Mallory doesn't set out to save Ty, but with the urging of her friends she does set out to HAVE him. I love that she is willing to finally enjoy herself with someone without ever expecting more, even when she started wanting more.

As with the other Lucky Harbor novels, the town itself becomes a character, with Lucille and her Facebook page leading the action. There is a shift in supporting characters with this book- while the innkeepers from the first three are mentioned, this time we see more of the people at the diner and the ones who work with Mallory. I appreciate that Shalvis didn't try to jam everyone we ever met into the book in a meaningful way (like Robyn Carr seems to do with her Virgin River series.)  The focus of the books stays with the main characters, with just enough town interaction to make a cohesive series. Lucky in Love is believable as well, it doesn't happen completely overnight and you can believe that they fall in love.

I requested this one from NetGalley and was awfully exited to have both it and the final book in the series waiting for me on my Nook.

(For those of you who aren't romance fans, only two more Jill Shalvis posts to go, for now. )