Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Title : Simply Irresistible
Author : Jill Shalvis
Genre : Romance
Series : Book #1, Lucky Harbor
Pages : 336
Publish Date : October 01, 2010
Publisher : Forever
Started Reading : March 02, 2011
Completed Reading : March 02, 2011
Book Rating : 3/5

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.
In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

*****

Pretty "tame" for a Jill Shalvis novel I think. Enjoyed it still, nonetheless. I liked the relationship of the sisters. And how Lucky Harbor is so small that news travels so fast and everybody just knows what happens to anybody. I kinda miss the quick wit and quick exchanges though. I think it's pretty light on that for this one.

I'm waiting for The Sweetest Thing which is due this year as well... Tara's character might provide the faster exchange (with Ford?). Though I already have an idea on what the story would turn out. Let's see if I'm proven right or wrong ;)

Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis

Title : Animal Magnetism
Author : Jill Shalvis
Genre : Romance
Pages : 304
Publish Date : February 01, 2011
Publisher : Berkley
Started Reading : February 16, 2011
Completed Reading : February 16, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

This alpha male is going to bring out her wild side…

Sunshine, Idaho, is a small and sunny town—the perfect home for man and beast. Well, maybe not for man, as pilot-for-hire Brady Miller discovers when his truck is rear-ended by what appears to be Noah’s Ark.

The co-owner of the town’s only kennel, Lilah Young has good reason to be distracted behind the wheel—there are puppies, a piglet, and a duck in her Jeep. But, she doesn’t find it hard to focus on the angry, gorgeous stranger she’s collided with.

Lilah has lived in Sunshine all her life, and though Brady is just passing through, he has her 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—both animal and human—that keeps him coming back for more…


*****

I think at this point, Jill Shalvis could not go wrong with me. This is my 3rd Shalvis book and I have not been disappointed yet. I loved her characters... and not just her main characters, mind you, but even the secondary ones, and even the "extras', and even the animals. Brady was all-male and sweet in his own right... And I enjoyed Lilah too.. I enjoyed Adam and Dell, Cruz, the townspeople and all the animals - Twinkles, her cat, and even the duck.. I even found it funny and cute how Brady was called Dr. Death. All he did for her had been sweet. And of course there had been pretty hot moments too ;).

Again, some scenes/parts that I love:

Brady to himself about Lilah:
He was beginning to think he would let her in anywhere, at any time, and in any place she wanted. His chopper, his hotel room, his life. His fucking heart...

Brady to Lilah:
"I've always been on my own. I liked it that way. No one waiting on me, depending on me in any way. I thought that meant I had it all, but that's not how it works. You taught me that. You showed me what it means to belong. I need you Lilah. I need you with me, loving me. I didn't realize how much until I tried to go."

"Sort of like home is where the heart is?"

"Yes. And mine is in the palm of your hand."

Brady to Lilah (again):
"I always thought love was a weakness," he said. "That might still be the case, but I don't want to be without you. You're it for me, Lilah. You make me a better man, you make me feel..."

"What?" she said breathlessly when he paused.

"Everything. You make me feel everything."

Waaah! :) :) *sniff* *sniff*

I should really go hunt for the other J. Shalvis books... :)

Double Play by Jill Shalvis

Title : Double Play
Author : Jill Shalvis
Genre : Romance
Pages : 304
Publish Date : July 7, 2009
Publisher : Berkley
Started Reading : January 13, 2011
Completed Reading : January 13, 2011
Book Rating : 5/5

Getting to first base is a cinch... But getting home will take a grand slam...

Pace Martin is the ace pitcher for the Pacific Heat. He's got the arm, the experience, and the wins. He's also got the pain, the pressure, and the possible end of his career looming over him. The last thing he needs now is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a tough, beautiful, tell-it-like-it-is writer who sees past his defenses.

Holly Hutchins knows a good story when she sees one, and the tall, dark, ang slightly attitude-challenged Pace Martin fits the bill. But when she realizes there's more at stake than just a win, she starts to see the handsome, broad-shouldered jock in a different light.

Pace and Holly begin a seductive game, but in the face of unexpected betrayal and challenges, they'll have to find the courage to swing for the fences...


*****

The book had me googling about baseball after I read it. Hahaha. That's how much i enjoyed the book. This is tamer than Slow Heat but it didn't fail to satisfy me. Pace and Holly are just awesome together. Again, it was cool seeing the camaraderie of the whole team and It had me giggling reading about Wade being well, Wade. Also, it was sweet for the kids hero-worshipping Pace and trying to sell him out to Holly. haha... And it's really cute about the superstition thing that the team has - making Pace and Holly kiss before a game so that they'd win. One funny scene that I love was when during a game and Holly was in the stands, Gage (the team manager) called her up and it goes:

"You coming?" Gage asked in her ear.
"Um, what?"
"Get your ass down here. You have a player to kiss."

awwww!

I wonder if Gage will have a story of his own. Hahaha... I HOPE SO!

Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis

Title : Slow Heat
Author : Jill Shalvis
Genre : Romance
Pages : 328
Publish Date : February 6, 2010
Publisher : Berkley
Started Reading : January 4, 2011
Completed Reading : January 4, 2011
Book Rating : 4/5

After a woman claims she's pregnant with Wade O'Riley's love child, Major League Baseball's most celebrated catcher and ladies' man is slapped on the wrist by management and ordered to improve his image. His enforcer is the team's publicist, the tough and sexy Samantha McNead.

When Wade needs a date for a celebrity wedding, Sam steps up to the plate as his "girlfriend". But given her secret crush on him and that one awkward night a year ago in a stalled elevator with too much Scotch, the whole thing is an exercise in sexual tension.

Wade is thrilled when the pretense turns into an unexpected night of hot passion. But the next day Sam is back to her cool self. As a catcher, Wade's used to giving the signals, not struggling to read them. Now, to win the love of his "pretend" girlfriend, he needs a home run - even if it involves stealing a few bases...

*****

This is one sexy, sizzling book. The chemistry of Wade and Sam is just exploding and I loved it! Their banters (not just between the two but with the other characters) are just perfect. It's heartwarming how they dealt with Tag, Sam's nephew. And it really felt satisfying how their relationship built and that things are not just "pretend" anymore.

Truth or Dare? :)