'Christmas in Lucky Harbor' Lucky Harbor #1 and #2 by Jill Shalvis

From the BLURB:

Love awaits you in Lucky Harbor . . .

Simply Irresistible

After losing her boyfriend and her job, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim her inheritance-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. She sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if she can give the inn the makeover it needs. Enter Jax, a tall, handsome contractor who knows exactly what Maddie needs...

The Sweetest Thing

Helping her sister set up the family inn is just the thing to make Tara forget her ex-husband and focus on her new life. Until she meets a sexy, green-eyed sailor determined to keep her hot, bothered, and in his bed. When her ex reappears, Tara must confront her past and decide what she really wants.

If the sisters are lucky, they might just find that everything their hearts desire is right here in Lucky Harbor.

Phoebe Traeger died the same week that Maddie Moore finally got away from her abusive boyfriend and lost her job. Maddie really isn’t all that surprised – bad luck seems to follow her around like a plague. But if there’s a silver lining in the whole sad situation, it’s perhaps that although Maddie didn’t get to know her mother in life, after dying Phoebe left her three daughters with property inheritance in Lucky Harbor, Washington. Jobless, homeless and somewhat aimless, this may very well be the fresh start Maddie needs to cancel out her bad luck curse – and it might mean that her mother is giving her in death what she never could in life – stability and family.

Maddie’s older sister, Tara, and younger sister, Chloe, are also making the trek out to Lucky Harbor. But while Maddie is coming to Phoebe Traeger’s run-down hotel in the hopes of rebuilding it and starting a life there, Tara and Chloe are coming to settle their mother’s will and hopefully sell the property.

Phoebe’s three daughters all have different fathers, and were raised separately. While Chloe and Tara sometimes spent time together in their childhood, and are somewhat familiar with Lucky Harbor, the sleepy Washington town is all new to Maddie. And while Tara and Chloe were acquainted with their mother, Phoebe was a virtual stranger to Maddie.

But Lucky Harbor is not the saving grace Maddie was hoping for – it’s more of a demolition job than a fixer-upper, and her sisters will take a lot of convincing to stick around and make a go of the place.

But right when Maddie is at her lowest point, she meets Jax. Town mayor and local heartthrob with a few secrets regarding Phoebe Traeger – he’s also instantly attracted to Maddie and desperate to keep her in Lucky Harbor.

But as much as Jax and Maddie want to stay in the idyllic harbour town, oldest sister Tara is desperate to leave. Tara spent a summer in Lucky Harbor when she was a teenager; it’s the place where she fell in love, made the biggest mistake of her life, and likewise felt the biggest regret. 

Ford Walker remembers Tara, and the summer they spent together. He can’t quite believe that she’s back, or that she still feels so hurt over what happened to them all those years ago. . .  but Ford isn’t surprised to discover that they still have spark and longing between them, because some things are forever.

‘Christmas in Lucky Harbor’ is a compilation book of the first two instalments in Jill Shalvis’s ‘Lucky Harbor’ series. ‘Simply Irresistible’ is the first book and concentrates on Maddie’s story, second novel is ‘The Sweetest Thing’ and follows Tara.

I have heard so much about the infamous ‘Lucky Harbor’ series. These are the books that have come most highly recommended to me since the series began in 2010. But it wasn’t until I stumbled across this convenient combo book at one of my favourite Melbourne bookshops, Rendezvous Books that I decided it was high time I travelled to Lucky Harbor, Washington. . . 

Jill Shalvis’s ‘Lucky Harbor’ is really the best kind of over-arching contemporary series – it hits all the right notes. There’s a solid setting in Lucky Harbor, Washington, that’s populated with well-meaning busy-bodies, colourful locals and hunky bachelors. But the backbone of the series so far is really the daughters of Phoebe Traeger – all with different fathers who have never had the opportunity for sisterly bonding, until their wayward hippie mother dies and leaves them all with an estate to rebuild. There’s definitely a long-game involved, in that Shalvis sets up future romances in each book – Tara and Ford’s chemistry was palpably mysterious in ‘Simply Irresistible’, and throughout ‘The Sweetest Thing’ youngest wild-child sister Chloe is circling the stoic local cop, Sawyer. The setting, character history and delicious hints all make for a really compelling contemporary series.

Then there’s the fact that Jill Shalvis just writes darn good romances, with flawed but compelling characters. Take, for instance, Maddie and Jax’s romance. It’s a case of attraction at first sight, but both Maddie and Jax come with so much baggage and history that turns their ho-hum idyllic insta-romance into something really fascinating. Maddie has just come out of an abusive relationship, now she’s getting to know her estranged sisters and by extension her absentee mother. Jax, meanwhile, is hiding some family secrets from Maddie that could change everything. Shalvis plays these complications beautifully, which balances their spontaneous romance with real-life hurdles; 

His eyes were heavy lidded now and locked on her mouth. Beneath her hands, he was warm and hard with strength, and she tightened her grip. To keep him at arm’s length, she told herself. “You don’t want chemistry with me,” she said. “I have. . . faults.”
“Like you can’t hold your liquor?”
“Ha. And no. I mean. . . ” She searched for something suitably off-putting. “I’m twenty-nine, and I keep a flashlight on me, just in case I need to hold the closet monsters at bay. I can’t let foods touch on my plate, everything has to be in its own quadrant. And my go-to movies is ‘The Sound of Music’. I can sing every song.”
There. Didn’t get more embarrassing than that. But just in case, she added one more. “I can also burp the alphabet. I won an award for it in college, and sometimes when I’m alone, I practice in the mirror.”
“The whole alphabet?”
“Yeah, so it’s for the best that we don’t . . . you know.”
“You’re right. That ‘Sound of Music’ thing is totally a dealbreaker. Thankfully, we have no chemistry at all.”
He was teasing her, but when she met his gaze, he wasn’t smiling. Nope. His eyes were lit with something else entirely, and it wasn’t humour.
And she knew something else, too. She hadn’t scared him off. Not even a little.  

—‘Simply Irresistible’ 

Then there’s Tara and Ford. They have as much tangled history as they do combustible chemistry – and for them it’s a war between who they were and what they’ve become, and how old wounds are still healing; 

Outside the night was gorgeous, and inside there was this man, also gorgeous. She shook her head and closed her eyes. “How is it that we still feel the pull?” 

Ford stepped into her, letting her feel exactly how much he still felt it. 

“I mean, it shouldn’t still be here,” Tara whispered against his throat as his arms came around her. “I shouldn’t. . . ”  

Ache for you . . .  

“Some things just are,” he said softly against her hair. “Day turns to night. The ocean tide drifts in and out. And I want you, Tara. Damn you, but I do. I always have.”  

— ‘The Sweetest Thing’ 

I was really surprised after finishing these first two ‘Lucky Harbor’ books, to discover that the series is currently seven books deep, with #8 and #9 coming in 2013 and 2014. By ‘The Sweetest Thing’ I was really excited for Chloe and Sawyer’s story (so wonderfully teased out in the second book) but I thought this would be a trilogy that ended with the third sister getting her man. So imagine my surprised delight to discover that Shalvis continues this series – with the backbone shifting from a family-based story to a setting-based one. This makes perfect sense, as with each book Lucky Harbor sets down roots in the heart of the reader. 

I love this series and now I’m impatiently waiting for books 3—7 to arrive for me to dig into. It took me a long time to finally read this series, but it was well worth the wait and now I’m excited to spend much more time in Lucky Harbor. 

5/5 

'Slow Heat' Pacific Heat #2 by Jill SHALVIS

From the BLURB

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 the second book in Jill Shalvis’ ‘Pacific Heat’ series.

The first book, ‘Double Play’, was about pitcher Pace Martin. This second installment is all about catcher Wade O’Riley and his romance with the Heat’s PR officer, Samantha McNead.

I really loved this second book, not *as much* as the first, but loved nonetheless.

One thing I appreciate about this series is a well-executed concept. The idea of a series that follows an American baseball team is a great one – plenty of room for high drama, Alpha males and a certain ‘wow’ appeal. Shalvis definitely delivers. The baseball never takes a backseat to the romance because she effortlessly meshes the two and never leaves the reader feeling like the game descriptions are dragging or getting in the way of the romance. Shalvis also does a great job of imbuing her male characters with a deep-seated love of the game, which is infectious. Even for an Aussie girl like me who has never watched a baseball game in her life, I enjoyed reading the nuts and bolts game descriptions… I also liked the baseball-related quotes at the beginning of each chapter (a consistency carried on from the first book).

Wade and Sam are H-O-T. Whew boy!

“I’m falling for you.”

She went still as stone, then lifted her eyes to his. “I don’t expect you to catch me or anything,” he murmured. “But if you could just keep in mind…” And then he kissed her. It was different from all their previous kisses, which had been hard and deep and wet, and instantaneously hotter than flames.

Not this time. This time it was slow and sweet as he kissed first one side of her mouth, then the other before running his tongue along her lower lip until it trembled open.

Wade and Samantha are quite prickly characters and are a bit of ‘opposites attract’ – which notches up their heat-factor big time.

Sam is the Heat’s PR rep and her father also owns the team. She’s perceived as a bit of a spoilt princess, and because of that she throws herself into her job and is 100% committed to the team and proving everyone’s misconceptions wrong. Working in a male-dominated industry also means Sam is quite the ‘ice’ princess – she has to be. She doesn’t bat an eyelash when she walks through the clubhouse and sees butt-naked ball players. She has been witness to groupie hijinks and knows what her players sometimes get up to with their adoring female fans. She remains cool, calm and collected through it all. But underneath she is a rather fragile woman who still can’t completely please her father, hasn’t been able to keep a man and can’t control her emotional and physical reactions to Wade O’Riley.

Wade grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. His mum skipped out when he was a baby, and his dad was an alcoholic who Wade supported with his McDonalds job throughout his teens. Wade is a ladies-man; with his surfer-boy good looks and laid-back attitude women have always come easy to him. Relationships, less so. Wade is embarrassed by his past, and reluctant to let people get close to him. He has abandonment issues – his mother left him and his father chose the bottle over his son. Regardless, he has a soft spot for Sam McNead… the first woman he’s ever wanted to let get close enough to see his soft underbelly.

I loved this book. Wade and Sam are a great pair – both quite stand offish, except with each other. I loved them and their hot, hot scenes.

My one complaint is to do with the plot-trigger of the book. The whole reason Sam and Wade are forced to ‘pretend’ to be in a relationship is that one of Wade’s crazy fans falsely claims to be pregnant with his love child. This little fact is only ever mentioned in passing by the characters – we never meet the fan (though she appeared, hysterically, in ‘Double Play’) and it’s only mentioned once and then never again. But it seems like a pretty big deal, and could have potentially been a very interesting storyline. Instead its thrown-away.

I loved this book, and I cannot wait to read Shalvis’s next ‘Pacific Heat’ installment (apparently it’s about team manager, Gage).

Thanks to Patti of ‘book addict’ for recommending this fabulous series.

5/5

'Double Play' Pacific Heat #1 by Jill SHALVIS

From the BLURB:

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, and 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...

This is the first book in Jill Shalvis’s ‘Pacific Heat’ series.

I loved this book. Which is surprising, since I am Australian and everything I know about baseball I learnt from watching ‘A League Of Their Own’ and ‘The Sandlot’.

There is baseball in ‘Double Play’. It’s not one of those contemporary romances that features a sports star but conveniently lacks any real sports jargon. But actually Shalvis uses the baseball theme quite interestingly and wisely. She tosses the terms around; ‘curveball’, ‘homer’, ‘quick pitch’, and the chapters are accompanied by a famous baseball related quote. My favorite; “I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it” (Rogers Hornsby). I even recognized one of the quotes: “There’s no crying in baseball!” (Jimmy Dugan from ‘A League Of Their Own’). It helps that Shalvis’s main character, Holly, is an investigative reporter doing an expose on the sport via one of the most popular teams, the ‘Pacific Heat’. Holly is able to really dig into controversies like early player retirements, media pressure, drug testing and the price of fame on sport stars. Holly’s investigative works acts as both a plot trigger – when her snooping into drug testing threatens her new relationship with Pace – but also as insight into a sport some readers may not be familiar with. By the end of ‘Double Play’ I was getting a little bit teary at how much the sport meant to Pace, I actually felt like I understood his ‘love of the game’.

I loved Holly. She’s stubborn, uptight, and hard-nosed, and she can’t blaspheme to save herself (fother mucker!). At the beginning of the book Pace observes that Holly isn’t particularly attractive – she’s a bit big, with plain brown hair and plain clothing. But over the course of the book he starts seeing her in a new light – around the same time that he starts to think of her as witty, insightful and down-right cute, he also starts to comment on how sexy, curvy and soft she is. I liked the fact that Holly didn’t undergo some big extreme makeover, but rather her personality shone through and Pace was able to marry her inner charm with her outward appearance. It may seem lame, but it’s a nice subtle message Shalvis sends.

I really liked Pace. He’s very much a ‘guys guy’ - stoic, bull-headed and tough to crack. He doesn’t like showing vulnerability (especially around Holly) and he doesn’t like depending on other people. His shoulder injury really forces him to let his guard down and he undergoes a rather rapid transformation that was great to read – because it is a bit-by-bit transformation.

…“And honestly? I don’t get it. You stand on a mound directly in the path of baseballs flying at you at the speed of light, and yet you’re afraid of her. One woman. I get that there’s a reason you’re afraid. Love can suck golf balls, and we both know it. But taking the walk instead of the hit? That’s just stupid.”

Holly appeared in the doorway, and as she seemed to be able to do, laid her eyes right on Pace.

And damn if something didn’t shift inside of him. “I know,” he said to Wade. “I know it’s stupid to take the walk.”

Holly and Pace had fantastic chemistry. What I liked best about them was that it wasn’t purely physical. I hate it in romances when the author bases so much of a couple’s ‘connection’ on an intangible attraction – i.e.: they look at one another across a crowded room and are ‘drawn’ to one another. Uck. I hate that. Pace and Holly had a slow-burn romance; banter in the beginning, that turned into awkward chemistry and then full-fledged flames. Shalvis writes their attraction in stages, and the reader is right there with Holly and Pace, reading into all those lingering looks and late-night wonderings until it all culminates into some seriously good smutty sex scenes.

Shalvis has wonderfully set-up a series in ‘Pacific Heat’. Pace’s teammates are secondary characters, only Wade (whose book ‘Slow Heat’ came out February this year) gets much of the limelight. But Shalvis drops enough interesting tidbits about the lesser characters that you just know she has their stories waiting in the wings. Among the ‘Heat’ team is Joe Pickler, a second baseman who gave up med school to join the team, and Ty Sparks; second pitcher who overcame childhood leukemia.

Thanks so much to Patti of 'Book Addict' fame for recommending this series.

I really hope there are more books lined up for this series. Shalvis took me out to the ball game in ‘Double Play’, and now I want to go back again, and again, and again…

5/5

'Pacific Heat' book #2