Review: Jill Shalvis "Rumor has it" (Animal Magnetism #4)

Publisher: Berkley

ISBN: 9780425255827

My rating: 4/5


He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…

Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.

To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…. (Goodreads.com)


My thoughts

She had me in tears!!!!

This has been a nice "finish" to the Animal Magnetism Series (or may we hope for more?). I loved the series, and I loved this one.

Griffin Reid (Holly's brother) returns to Sunshine, Idaho, after leaving the army behind. Recovering a wound injury, his intention is for his visit to be brief.

Kate's is everyone's best friend in Sunshine, but also Holly's BFF, a second grade school teacher, sister and daughter to a dysfunctional family after the loss of their mother. She's the kind of person you'd like to have in your life, reliable, kind, intelligent, patient ... and full of useless information when she's nervous (that cracked me up). Having a one-night stand with Griffin is all she wants and as she tells herself all she needs - but they end up needing each other in more than one way.

Although a bit slow at the beginning, you quickly get to find Shalvis' wit and humour. Her trademark. And the end ... well, let's say, it's been one of her best!

Kudos!

Animal Magnetism

Animal Attraction

Rescue me

Jill Shalvis - Rescue my Heart (Animal Magnetism #3)

Publisher:  Berkley Mass Market

ISBN:  978-0425255810

My rating: 4/5

Animal Magnetism, Book Three (Adam’s story!)
After a tragic stint in the National Guards, Adam Connelly returns to Idaho and to Belle Haven, the animal shelter he owns with his brothers. All Adam wants is to be alone. Then he opens the door to the past—the woman whose heart he once broke. Still gorgeous, still tough-as-nails, but this time, unusually vulnerable.
Holly learned the hard way to never depend on a man for anything. Now, of all men, it’s the last one she wants to see, and the only one she needs. Her father has gone missing in the Bitterroot Mountains and she could use someone with tracking skills to help find him.
For Holly and Adam, each with their ghosts, a trek this desperate, this unpredictable, and this intimate, will have its share of risks—including opening their hearts one more time. (JillShalvis.com)


My thoughts

Numero deux in my Jill'athon this summer, and #3 in the Animal Magnetism series. The washing basket gets fuller, the fridge emptier and me - I'm more content. Another great story.

Although nothing much happens, these two characters are a treat to follow along as the bicker at each other. Adam is the oldest of the brothers: Adam and Dell Connelly and Foster brother Brady. Like the other books, it's more a character driven story and plot.

Holly comes to ask Adam to help her find locate her father, who's been missing for a couple of days. Nothing unusual, but it's that gut feeling that makes Holly worry. And knowing her father, Adam agrees to help. What follows is a hike through the mountains with lots of banter, teasing, touching, helping, memories, kissing - and worries. Kudos to Shalvis writing the PTSD scene so real and believable, giving Adam a flaw, a 'likeable' flaw.

And what I like in about every book of Jill Shalvis is the way she portrays the importance of friendship and family. It gives the books that special something. Thanks Jill!

Definitely worth a read, and definitely a must for Shalvis fans.

Favourite Quote:
"Of course it is. Life is as simple as you make it, Adam. You're born. You live. You die. I don't plan on dying without doing the living part, though.” 



.

Jill Shalvis - Animal Attraction

I was so, so disappointed by this book. :( After reading Jill's Lucky Harbor series, I was quickly hooked on her style of writing. I have read...dozens of her books. Animal Magnetism was my absolute favorite book by her, so you can imagine my excitement for the second in this series.

Final verdict? One huge letdown.

First, let's talk about the errors this book was riddled with. I felt like I got an early draft version rather than the final book. Extra words, incorrect ...morePublisherPPu

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

ISBN: 978 - 0 - 425 - 24400 - 5

My Rating: 3/5


Sunshine, Idaho, is a quiet ranching town that provides a perfect refuge for injured animals ... and sometimes, people. And veterinarian Dell Connelly suspects there's a reason his clinic's ueberefficient receptionist has taken shelter here.

Jade Bennett couldn't be happier to escape her well-meaning but smothering family and their expectations, not to mention the big-city jungle. There's nothing like working with animals, having a forlorn, grumpy stray kitten make its home under her desk ... or enjoying the gorgeous views of her ruggedly sexy boss to help her forget her past.

But Dell's seductive, alluring ways have sparked an uncontrollable desire, one Jade hadn't expected to feel again. And though Dell has never had time for love, Jade's strength and sass is the kind of call no red-blooded male can resist ... (from the back of the cover)


My thoughts

Okay - there's no denying: I LOVE JILL SHALVIS' Books. I haven't read many, but each are like ice cream with an extra dollop of cream and sprinkles.

Yet, I have a feeling Shalvis had a bad day with this one. And we all have bad days, don't we, so we have to compromise and not only see the bad things.

I loved Animal Magnetism and the whole set up in Sunshine. So naturally I was looking forward to Dell's story (AND I CAN'T WAIT  FOR ADAM's TURN!). But it was a bit of a let down. It's almost 300 page of repetition of Dell being so alpha male and Jade leaving soon - and a bit of filler in between with Adam, Brady and Lilah. But it's the witty remarks, the witty conversations that make up for it and make it a worthwhile book to read, not only for Shalvis lover.

By far not as good as Lucky Harbour, which has been so far a brilliant series, and not close to Brady's story in Animal Magnetism, but still a must for all Shalvis fans!

NB - One tiny little remark at the end though. I wasn't sure whether to include it or not, but after two or more months of editing my own book I was distracted by all the mistakes in this book. For me it's about the worst part of writing, but as a reader I like a clean book even if it means I have to wait longer. I can live with mistakes, but this one was riddled with it.

So let's move on ... Lucky Harbour #3 is being released soon :-) ... *'s counting days already* ... and Adam's story in 2012.

Jill Shalvis - Animal Magnetism

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

ISBN: 978 0425239810

My rating: 3.5/5


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.

As 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 sexy, 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 ... (from the back of the book cover).


My thoughts

My second Shelves book, though I didn't get engrossed in it as much as the first one I read (Simply Irresistible) this one was still a page turner. Brady comes to Sunshine following an invite by his foster brothers Dell and Adam who run a veterinary centre and gets rear ended by Lilah on the very first morning he arrives ... and can't get his eyes and hands off her for the rest of his stay in Sunshine.

“Animal Magnetism” is a character driven story rather than a plot, but like “Simply Irresistible”, the characters felt real to me. I loved Lilah and felt connected straight away – she got hurt and only surrounds herself with people she knows and trusts sounds very (!) familiar to me. Brady is Shalvis’ typical male character, ticking all the right boxes, yet brought to his knees by the cutest dog, Twinkles. (Great scene when Brady tries to get twinkles to go to sleep :-)

This is the first book in another series by Shalvis and I do hope Dell will be next. I loved the little scene between him and Jade when they come to visit Lilah.

Favourite quote.... many!
“Let me get this straight. You can’t stop barking to save your own life, but you can roll over?”