Jill Shalvis

Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis is a 2018 Avon publication.

Merry Elfing Christmas!

In this epic return of the Heartbreaker Bay series, readers are finally treated to Molly Malone’s very own story!

Molly works as an office manager at Hunt Investigations, but longs to join the investigative team. Her boss and over protective brother, Joe, don’t feel she’s quite ready for field work, but when she’s approached by a couple of older ladies who think they’re onto a ‘Bad Santa’, show more she’s the only one who takes them seriously. Realizing Molly will follow up on the case, even if she isn’t supposed to, Lucas, her secret crush, and her brother’s best friend, is assigned to be her partner.

Meanwhile, after a night of drinking, Lucas wakes up in bed with Molly and fears the worst. If Joe finds out he slept with his sister, he’ll be swimming with the fishes in San Francisco Bay. But, he doesn’t remember anything about their night together, so Molly just let him stew in his misery, refusing to tell him if they did- or didn’t.

As their case heats up, so does their relationship- which may be more dangerous than the possible mob connected Santa they are tailing.

Molly’s backstory is painfully heartbreaking. We know her dreams were shattered, and she bears physical and emotional scars. But, Lucas has also suffered some seriously heartbreaking losses, and feels he is not the type guy Molly deserves. Yet, they can’t seem to keep their hands off one another, and struggle to keep their ‘hot winter nights’ a secret from their colleagues.

I’ve been dying to read Molly’s story, and I also wanted her to have a really special one, because after everything she’s gone through, it was about time she caught a break. Thankfully, the Christmas antics, and the screwball case she takes on, created the perfect backdrop for a sizzling hot romance with the guy Molly has fantasized over for a while.

The banter is top notch- quick, sharp, and so funny! But, the two damaged souls have a lot of personal baggage hanging around which makes it hard for them to lower their defenses. Both of them fight off ‘the feels’, but they were no match for the power of love and the magic of the holiday season. Shalvis did right by Molly and Lucas with this story, making it an excellent addition to a fine series.

4.5 stars show less

I have said this before and I will say this again…No one does snarky like Jill Shalvis. She cracks me up with her quips and her innuendos.

Lexi Clark’s life is falling apart around her, so when she’s summoned home to Sunrise Cove, the last thing she wants to do is face all the complications she left behind. Her past, her stepsister Ashley, and especially her infuriatingly gorgeous childhood nemesis-turned-crush Heath Bowman.

I loved Lexi. She keeps everything close to the vest. And my show more heart went out to her on more than one occasion. Then there is her sister Ashley. Ashley is more outgoing and she tickled the mess out of me. You will have to read this to find out. Then there is Heath! Oooolala!

There is more to this read than romance and fun, this is also about the complex family relationships, friendships and forgiveness.

Need a quick, fun read full of great characters…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

Wow! Jill Shalvis has done it again. The Heartbreaker series gets better
with each installment. I am yet to read a book from the series I did not enjoy and About That Kiss did not disappoint. Jill Shalvis created a swoony, slow burn romance with a dash of mystery, which kept me turning the pages and had me smiling to the end.



Prior to its release, I had the pleasure of reading an excerpt, which clued me into the fun I would have with this title. You know you are bound to have a fun and show more exciting journey when the main characters in the story can barely tolerate each other but their chemistry is off the charts.

Joe and Kylie intrigued me from the moment I first met them, so I was happy to discover they would be the focus of this installment. Learning about these two was indeed a treat. The possibility of them becoming a couple seemed unlikely, that was until the search for a wood penguin, Kylie’s most treasured possession, threw them together forcing them to acknowledge the chemistry which existed between them. The more time they spent together solving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Kylie’s penguin, the more their attraction to each other grew. I enjoyed interacting with them as a couple. You should know though Kylie was no pushover. She wanted all of Joe and was not willing to settle for less. I admired her stance, which proved she knew her worth as a woman.

The story of Joe’s past was surprising. This was due to how he presented himself. He always seems to have everything together, but I came to realise he showed the side he wanted persons to see. His childhood was not a pleasant one, and he had to deal with tragedy from an early age. Added to that, he found himself in dangerous situations. He allowed his past to determine how he now lived his life, which had a negative and positive impact. Professionally, it made him a better soldier, fighter and protector, but personally, it prevented him from maintaining long-lasting relationships.

It was a pleasure reconnecting with the characters from the previous instalments. The bonds of friendship were as strong as ever. I enjoyed the humorous rapport between the gang and loved the way they had each other backs.

Besides the romance, which had me turning the pages, the mystery element had me hooked. My curiosity about who was behind the missing wooden penguin was on high alert. I could not wait to find out who was taunting Kylie. Trying to figure out the person behind the missing penguin placed them both in precarious and at times humorous situations. However, no matter how dangerous things became they were determined to solve the mystery.

Conclusion and Recommendation

About That Kiss is another of my favourite reads for 2018. It combined all the ingredients to make for a fantastic story. Mystery, romance and suspense it delivered them all. I can’t wait to see which couple’s story will be next. show less

4.5 stars.

Then Came You is an absolutely delightful addition to Jill Shalvis fabulous Animal Magnetism series. It is a fun, sexy, witty and poignant romance with an incredibly charming cast of quirky but lovable characters. The small town setting and close-knit community add to its appeal and fans will enjoy catching up with favorite characters from previous installments.

Emily Stevens has a Plan, but the small town of Sunshine, ID is not on it. Neither is finding out her new boss is none show more other than Wyatt Stevens, the über sexy veterinarian she shared a scorching one night stand with at a vet conference a few months back. She and Wyatt agree to keep their relationship strictly professional, but ignoring their simmering passion is easier said than done and they are soon indulging in some very steamy lovemaking. Their relationship is quickly complicated by their deepening feelings for another, but will the unresolved issues from their respective pasts (and Emily's Plan) prevent them from making their temporary arrangement permanent?

Living in Sunshine with her sister Sara, Emily is counting down the days until she can return to LA where she can have her dream job and help take care of their widowed father. She is a warm, caring and compassionate woman who pretty much says everything that pops into her head. When it comes to Wyatt, she has absolutely no willpower and she easily gives into her desire for him. Although Emily is beginning to fall for him, her inability to deviate from her Plan is a major stumbling block between them.

Wyatt is laidback, funny, loyal and so darn charming he is almost impossible to resist. Continually moving around while growing up, the only stability in Wyatt and his sisters' lives were the summers they spent with their grandparents in Sunshine. Now ready to put down roots, he is helping his sisters Zoe and Darcy renovate the Victorian monstrosity their grandparents left them before he begins building his house. Wyatt's feelings for Emily run deep but he stubbornly refuses to ask her to abandon her Plan and stay in Sunshine.

Wyatt and Emily are a wonderful, if sometimes frustrating, couple. The chemistry between them is off the charts and their sex scenes are deliciously steamy. Their dialogue is amusing but somewhat superficial since neither is willing to open up about their pasts for much of the story. Although they do eventually discuss some of their emotional baggage, they are not completely honest with one another when it comes to their future.

Then Came You is another entertaining and heartwarming installment in the Animal Magnetism series. It is a fast-paced and well-written story that is realistic and engaging, but it is the cast of characters that make it such an outstanding read. Intriguing glimpses of Darcy's rather tempestuous encounters with AJ Colten leave me hoping that Jill Shalvis plans to bring us their story in the near future. show less