The Love Fix by Jill Shalvis

I really didn't like any of the people in this book. Heath was sort of blandly perfect, Lexi was passive, and Ashley was not much more than young and short. It's loosely part of a series but I don't remember any of the other characters from other books. 

Lexi has returned to a home she didn't really grow up in to a sister she didn't really grow up with. I've seen a lot about siblings in the same household having different childhood experiences and that is true for Lexi and her stepsister. While Ashley's childhood with Daisy was more idyllic, Lexie's experience was more of a mother who promised many thing but never came through. And I'm fairly annoyed that Ashley and Heath kept getting after Lexie to forgive her mother. I've experienced that in my life and it's really annoying. I know that your experience with that person was more positive than mine but that doesn't mean I HAVE to see them the same way. I think they both chilled out a bit by the end but I was already so annoyed it was hard to see it.

Two stars

Sunrise Cove #8

This book came out June 24, 2025

Follows Better Than Friends

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Summer Escape by Jill Shalvis

When Anna Moore finds a coin in a collection of her dad's things, she doesn't expect Owen Harris to show up, accusing her father of having stolen a collection of rare goods including a necklace known as Ruby Red.

Owen's great aunt is his only family member left. She's ninety-five years old and, before she dies, he's like her to know that he recovered the property that was stolen so long ago. 

Together, they will solve the mystery of what happened oh so many years ago. All while Anna is also dealing with her sister Wendy who is pregnant with triplets. 

This is hypothetically part of a series but there isn't really a through line that I can see. This was a fast, fun, and fluffy book. Not much substance but an enjoyable book for a day off.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 11, 2024

Sunrise Cove #6

Follows The Bright Spot

Borrowed as hard copy from library

Opinions are my own

The Sweetheart List by Jill Shalvis

This book mainly focuses on Harper Shaw though there are a number of other stories that get pulled in. Harper is moving to Lake Tahoe to open a bakery. She doesn't start off on the right foot with her landlord, Bodie Campbell who is mourning the loss of his father as well as his career. Harper also meets Ivy, a teenage runaway, who reminds Harper a lot of herself. 

As Harper begins to get closer to the people in the town, the ties she sees begin to get more and more complicated. There is also a B plot with Bodie's brother and a woman that Harper is slowly starting to make friends with.

This was a fast, fun, and fluffy book but I didn't feel like I got to know any of the characters really well and I wished for more interaction between Harper and Bodie to really get a sense of their HEA.

Three stars

This book came out June 13, 2023

Follows The Backup Plan

Followed  by The Bright Spot

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Backup Plan by Jill Shalvis

Alice, Knox, and Lauren have a shared past. Lauren was involved with Alice's brother (Knox's best friend) but he died. Now the three have been brought together because Lauren's great aunt died and left them a B&B. Well, it's going to be a B&B. And they'll only inherit if they all stick around. But there's an even stickier past that starts to come to light as they all work together. 

There are so many layers to this story that none of them get truly developed. We know that Alice fears going back in the barn, Lauren is on the verge of losing her job, and Knox... well, we don't get to know Knox all that well. But the book is still a lovely read and, if you don't want to go to deep into emotions and are looking for a closed door romance, this will be the book for you.

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 17, 2023

Follows The Friendship Pact

Followed by The Sweetheart List

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Friendship Pact by Jill Shalvis

Tae and April Holmes, though mother and daughter, basically grew up together since April was a teen mother. Now, they are still unutterably close. In fact, April helped Tae get the event that is getting her company off the ground and save her from penury.

While at the party, Tae tries to make a quick getaway when she discovers that the man she recently went

on a date with is now attending with her mother. And she's standing there in a rented dress. When she tries to make a quick getaway, she doesn't get into her Uber, continuing the pain of the night. But it doesn't get better because the driver is an old friend/flame, Riggs Copeland. Oh, and they interrupt what appears to be a robbery at the local gas station.

The two of them start with a friendship pact but, since this is Shalvis it grows into more. 

I enjoyed this book mainly for the relationship between Tae and April. The one between Tae and Riggs was a little too fast for me. I did like that the Big Understanding was cleared up rather quickly when all of the characters finally talked to each other. 

Four stars

This book came out June 14, 2022

Follows The Family You Make

Followed by The Backup Plan

Borrowed as hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

During a near-death experience, Levi Cutler calls his mother. Rather than letting her know that he is in danger, he claims that he can't pick up his niece because he's met a new woman.

Jane can't believe that she might die in a snowstorm. Because she's in a gondola five and a half stories up (maybe more) and the wind is ridiculous. Being a traveling nurse has brought her into some strange situations but this one takes the cake. Then a handsome stranger puts himself in danger to try and protect her. And then asks her to pretend to be in a relationship so his family will feel better about him.

There is a lot going on in this book including a B plot with Jane's friend Charlotte and Levi's old friend that didn't really add much to the story. I did like watching the relationship between Jane and Levi grow but there is so much sturm and drang surrounding them.

Three and a half stars

This book came out January 11, 2022

Followed by The Friendship Pact

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own