It's love. Trust me.

After a lifetime on the move, Ivy Snow is an expert in all things temporary - schools, friends, and way too many Mr Wrongs. Now that she owns a successful taco truck in San Francisco and an apartment to call home, Ivy's reinvented life is on solid ground. And she's guarded against anything that can rock it. Like the realities of a past she's worked hard to cover up. And especially Kel O'Donnell. Too hot not to set off alarms, he screams temporary. If only his whispers weren't so delightfully naughty and irresistible.

Kel, an Idaho sheriff and ranch owner, is on vacay, but Ivy's a spicy reason to give his short-term plans a second thought. Best of all, she's a tonic for his untrusting heart, burned once and still in repair. But when Ivy's past intrudes on a perfect romance, Kel fears that everything she's told him has been a perfect lie. Now, if only Ivy's willing to share, Kel will fight for a true love story.

Title: Wrapped Up In You
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay Book 8
Pages: 384
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: troubled childhood, crime <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

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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 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.

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* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. *

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

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If you’re planning on falling in love…

When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s yoga pants, he’s a suit. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

You’d better be sure…

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

Someone is there to catch you.

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk.

Title: Playing for Keeps
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay
Pages: 384
Genre(s): Contemporary, US
Hot Buttons: self-harm <-- highlight to reveal (may contain spoilers)

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I am a huge fan of Jill Shalvis - there’s something about the way she writes, the worlds she builds and the characters she creates that makes you happy. That makes you feel like you’re part of everything that’s going on in the books. But it’s all done with an ease that you don’t realise you’ve been sucked in until you lift your head and the day has passed you by.

I’ve missed a couple of the more recent Heartbreaker Bay books (for some unknown reason) but each of these books stand alone and you don’t have to read them in any particular order. Characters from other books do pop up but they never confuse you - they only make you want to go back and find their particular books and read their own love stories.

The story of this book is fairly simple. Seemingly opposite boy and girl meet and have an attraction. They dance around the attraction. They overcome the obstacles to fall in love. But that simple storyline is given depth and interest by the amazing characters of Caleb and Sadie.

There was just something about Sadie that spoke to me and touched my heart. I don’t want to pigeon hole her when I say she was quirky, had baggage and suffered with mental health problems. She was so well-rounded. A tough girl on the outside - but one who’d always felt misunderstood or maybe just overlooked, while on the inside she was crying out for love. I identified so hard with her that I willed her to get over herself and let herself fall in love with Caleb.

Speaking of Caleb - yu-um! He was both the hottest and the cutest. He was everything. He too had a depth and a bit of an edge - and I so desperately wanted to want him for myself. But alas, you could see that Caleb and Sadie were a perfect match. No-one understood and ‘got’ Sadie as much as Caleb did and I wouldn’t want to take that away from them!

And I can’t forget the best character in the whole book. Lollipop. My heart swelled a million times whenever that cutie-pie was in a scene. She stole the show!

This book has the sparkle and fun of a Jill Shalvis book with great, well-rounded and real characters. Caleb and Sadie stole the show with their chemistry, their banter and their true love. It’s a fantastic addition to the series and one I very much enjoyed. 5 stars.

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Buy this book now:

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. *

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR!

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

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CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

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Title: Chasing Christmas Eve
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay
Pages: 384
Genre(s): Contemporary
Hot Buttons: / 

Run for the hills temporarily. That's Colbie Albright's plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie's so over it that she's under it. She's also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she's pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won't be a stranger for long.

Spence's commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn't have to worry about the powerful - OK, crazy hot - chemistry he's got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself...just because she's gorgeous and a great listener...just because she gets Spence immediately doesn't mean he won't be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

Now the clock's ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.

Jill Shalvis is my spirit animal - she’s just so funny and that completely translates into her books. She writes people you want to know and worlds that you want to jump into and live there. For me, her books are a happy place.

This is the 4th full-length story (5th if you include short stories) in the Heartbreaker Bay series. These have a continuing cast of characters, a group of friends, who find their perfect match thanks to a wish made into a fountain. This story, however, completely stands alone. Having said that - I highly recommend that you read the books in order because you’ll love the characters even more having done so, and you’ll understand the background characters a bit better, too.

Having read the previous books, I was already half in love with Spence. A sexy geek? Yes, please. But from the first, I fell all the way in love and he’s my new book boyfriend. He’s still a sexy geek but he’s also so much more - he’s sweet, kind, damaged and seeing him fall in love was just wonderful.

I also fell in love with Colbie, too. She is a little bit of an introvert, a little bit frazzled but 100% sweet, kind and positive. She was Spence’s other half and they couldn’t have been more perfect for each other if they tried. Perfectly imperfect soulmates.

As I mentioned above, I’m a huge fan of Jill Shalvis’s writing style. It’s funny - I laughed out loud on many an occasion, upbeat and, without sounding cheesy - it was really a inspiring tale of how to be yourself and live for yourself. And it was a great advert for San Francisco, too - I want to go now!

Oh and yes, this has Christmas in the title and yes, there is a slight sprinkling of Christmas in it - but I would never call this a Christmas book. So long as you don’t pick it up thinking that you’re in for snowflakes and Santa and mistletoe, you’ll be alright. And I’m saying all that as someone who loves Christmas.

If you’re looking for love, laughs and positivity then I would recommend that you read this book. And all the other books in the series, too. 5 stars.

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Heartbreaker Bay Series:

       

      

           

Click to see other books by Jill Shalvis