Jill Shalvis

This is the first book in the final trilogy of Lucky Harbor books, and I am going to miss the whole crew. In this book, Becca is a newcomer to Lucky Harbor. In need of a change in her life, she packed up everything and drove until she stopped in Lucky Harbor. She'd always wanted to see the Pacific Ocean, and finally doing so soothes her soul. Something that isn't so soothing, but is equally intriguing, is the sexy surfer she meets on the beach. Between the two she decides to stay in Lucky show more Harbor for awhile and see where it takes her.

Sam is co-owner of Lucky Harbor Charters, a business he owns with his two best friends. He's the money guy in the business, with a knack for increasing their income. The cute and sexy brunette he meets on the beach is a complication he doesn't need in his life, but he can't seem to stay away from her.

I loved Becca. She's smart and feisty and determined to get her life back. She grew up as part of a very musical family and is talented on the piano. She also suffers from terrible stage fright, and after years of fighting it in order to help her younger brother and meet parental expectations, she's had enough. She quit touring with him and took a job writing jingles for an ad agency. That went well until she lost her "muse" and now she's struggling, and hopes that a fresh start will help her. I loved her upbeat personality that has her making the best of her crappy living quarters, and her attempt at waitressing was great. She finally finds the perfect job as the office manager for Sam's company, a job that creates some trouble for the relationship that is growing between them.

Sam is a man who keeps his emotions locked up pretty tight. His childhood was rocky with no mother and a father who was irresponsible. Sam grew up quickly, learned how to manage what money his dad did bring home, but still ended up in foster care on a regular basis. Fortunately for him, the foster mother he ended up with was wonderful, and her son became like a brother to him. But his father's easy use of "love ya" without any action to back it up gave Sam a distrust of the words, preferring to judge people by their actions.

Sam and Becca are attracted to each other from the moment they meet. The chemistry between them is hot. Becca is ready to seize the moment with him, but Sam is a little more wary. He senses that she could get past his walls and is soon proved right. I loved the way that their relationship develops. There's a great deal of teasing between them, with his nickname of "Peeper" for her because of the way he catches her watching him, and her calling him "sexy grumpy surfer" because he is. Sam is protective of Becca (loved the spider scene!) and wants to help her get past the things that have been dragging her down. I loved the way that he sees that she hasn't had much fun in her life and is determined to bring it to her now. At the same time Becca is drawn to Sam's confidence, but also sees the neglected boy underneath. In spite of the issues she has with her own parents, she tries to help Sam deal with his own father issues. The feelings they have for each other deepen and grow, but their ways of expressing those feelings are so different that it nearly drives them apart. I loved Sam's big moment at the Summer Bash, when he comes through for Becca in so many ways. I look forward to seeing more of them in the next books.

I also loved the secondary characters. Sam's two friends and partners are terrific. They know Sam and all his foibles and love him anyway. I also liked the way they had no trouble giving him a hard time about anything from Becca to answering the phones. They are also always ready to support him, and are there when he needs help with Becca or his father or anything else. I enjoyed the stories they told from when they were all kids, and also their time on the rigs and when they started their business. It gave a good insight into what made them all the way they were. Sam's dad was an interesting guy, and though I didn't like him much at the beginning, by the end I could see that he really was trying to change. Becca's family members were harder to like. Her brother Jase was selfish and immature and made me very glad that Becca had gotten away from his life. It said a lot about her that she didn't give up on him, but she also developed the strength to stand up to him, thanks to Sam. I didn't like her parents at all. Their appearance at the end, all contrite about the way they had treated her, didn't feel real. I had the feeling that they were just playing her a different way. Her new friend and neighbor Olivia seems really nice, and I liked seeing the friendship that developed between them, something that Becca hadn't ever had before. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in the next book. show less

Another stellar book by Jill Shalvis. In this third of the Cedar Ridge series, we finally meet Jacob Kincaid, the twin who ran away to play GI Joe, away from his family and the twin who disowned him for leaving. Yep, that's gonna leave a mark on someone.

Enter Sophie. Fiery redhead, complete with the temperament. Divorced from a lying, cheating man everyone loves to hate, her spark and determination lights a fire inside Jacob. As usual in a Jill Shalvis novel, the chemistry is incendiary, show more their awareness of each other despite their brokenness and resolve not to become attached pulls them together. Two extremely damaged people who find healing through each other. I love how Ms. Shalvis shows human spirit, two people who have been through emotional hell and stand tall to reclaim their lives. Jacob may be my favorite of the Kincaids.

The end took a turn I wasn't expecting. I'd half expected Sophie to sell the boat and buy the down-on-its-luck resort, but the machinations of the "karma seeker" worked so much better, even if it was a 180 for that character.

For fans of Jill Shalvis, this is another keeper. show less

A riveting and comforting romance
5 stars

There’s something so comforting about picking up a Jill Shalvis romance. You know you are safe in the knowledge that what you’ll be getting is a fun romp of a story with lots of laughs, the kinds of friendships that we all wish we had, and, of course, a deep and happy romance that gives you that wonderful fluttery feeling in your heart.

This is the 8th story in Shalvis’s Heartbreaker Bay series. It does stand completely alone although many of the show more characters pop up and/or are name-checked; they are a large group of friends, after all. If you’ve read previous books in the series you’ll feel like you’re visiting old friends - and hoping for a glimpse of your favourite couple. If you’re new to the series - you won’t be for long as you’ll quickly be sucked into the Heartbreaker Bay world.

In this story we have two characters that are surprisingly alike. Kel and Ivy are both a little aloof and cautious - burned by their previous experiences and their pasts in general. Yet despite that, there’s a connection between the two that neither can deny. Nor do they - and I’m very pleased about that fact. Sometimes it gets a little old reading about people denying their feelings for each other and trying to stay apart. Not these two. They see - they like - they do. It’s the stuff that makes me a happy reader!

Ivy is a tough cookie with a big heart. I couldn’t identify with her struggles (thankfully!) but I liked her immensely. She was a wee bit snarky which I always enjoy in a heroine. And Kel. Yum. Yum. Yum. He’s a cowboy / cop with a protective streak, a sense of humour and a genuine appreciation for Ivy - warts and all. The way their love story progresses is so simple yet with a depth that makes you know this pair will last.

Nicely sexy and with much of Ms Shalvis’s wit and humour - this book has all the elements that I like. It made me happy - both the romance and the book as a whole. Never a chore to pick up and read just one more chapter. What I also really liked about the book is that it had quite a number of quotes (just in the main text or dialogue) that were quite inspiring. I found myself highlighting quite a few things that really made me think. I do like an inspirational quote every now and then.

There’s a great supporting cast with this book - the Heartbreaker Bay alumni as well as new additions. Perhaps controversially, I would really love to see what happens to Brandon in the future. Will he get his own story? I really hope so.

Ivy and Kel are two characters that I really loved. They are the perfect soulmates who complete each other - and it was really fun to read about their journey. Another delight in the Heartbreaker Bay series worthy of 5 stars from me. show less

Tilly's back, and she's all grown up!

The Good Luck Sister was a prefect little novella to get us all caught up on what's going on with Quinn and Tilly ten years after the events in the first Wildstone novel as well as give us a sweet second chance love story between Tilly and her once-BFF Dylan. Once again the chapters begin quoting selections from Tilly's journal, most of which I highlighted (a personal favorite: "I've finished my free trial of adulthood and am no longer interested, so show more please cancel my subscription,"--followed closely by, "Of all her childhood memories, her favorite was never having to pay bills." I hear you, sister). Finding out what the future has in store for Quinn and Mack was fun, but seeing Tilly find her HEA despite "adulting" not quite meeting her expectations was even better.

I honestly don't know how Ms. Shalvis manages to fit so much story into such a small package without leaving us feeling cheated, but she does so beautifully again here. Of course this story will have more of an impact on those who read and loved Lost and Found Sisters but if you haven't yet (run, don't walk and get it now! You won't be sorry) Ms. Shalvis gives us just enough of the Tilly/Dylan background here to make the story meaningful to newcomers--or refresh the memories of those who feel like book one was so long ago...

Thank goodness book two ( Rainy Day Friends ) won't make us wait as long! Fingers crossed that the next novel will have as awesome a canine star as Leo is here--inspired by real-life "Coop the Poop" so you know he's quite the character. He fakes illness to keep Tilly with him for the day, people. That's a rare skill!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. show less