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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Book #Review and #Giveaway: It Had to Be You by Jill Shalvis

This is a fast, fun, enjoyable read.
by Jill Shalvis

  • Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (May 28, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1455521124
  • ISBN-13: 978-1455521128
Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0


Book Description
Release date: May 28, 2013 | Series: Lucky Harbor
Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she's a thief, and now she's about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who's as sexy as he is stern....

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke's own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?


Review:
Ali is a very vibrant, upbeat person. She comes from a household where her mother went from boyfriend to boyfriend but she always protected her two daughters and tried to look on the bright side of things. Ali had become the responsible one, helping with finances.  She moved to Lucky Harbor with the hope of building a new life for herself.  She loves working as the clerical and floral assistant in the town’s florist and she has lots of great ideas if only her boss would let her use them.

Ali was dating, then living with the charismatic town manager. He had been working long hours and it had been several months since they shared a bedroom but she still considered him her boyfriend until she discovered him ‘partying’ with another girl in his office after an important town event. She returns home to find he has vacated and she gets a text from him that the lease has expired and she has to move out that day.

Ali is in the kitchen in her under garments when she is surprised by an intruder. It turns out to be Luke who is the owner/landlord. He has come home expecting an empty house and seeking refuge and escape from a high profile murder case.  Instead he is faced with a vibrant, package of determined young lady. Ali assures him she will be out in a few days and in the meantime she will protect him from the intruding calls and visits from reporters.

Before Ali can find other lodgings she becomes the primary suspect in the theft of a suitcase of fifty thousand dollars of town money. Luke doesn’t want to become involved but his protective instincts have already kicked into gear.

I loved these two characters! Ali is so upbeat and positive that she buoys those around her, including the tired and brooding Luke. Luke is all protective cop and ‘hero’ material. It is fun to read their fun dialogue and their attempts to resist the irresistible zing between them! Ali teaches crafts to the senior set, including Luke’s estranged step-grandfather. These folks and some other crazy characters add to the emotional trauma as Luke and Ali try to solve the mystery which is clearly some type of frame-up. Some of the prior characters of other Lucky Harbor books are mentioned although they aren’t a big part.

The characters are sweet and loveable, the plot is fun and the writing is easy. Jill Shalvis does a lovely job of keeping the reading upbeat and fun.

I received this title, for an honest review, from Grand Central/Hachette.

Thanks to the fine folks at Grand Central, Hachette, for offering a copy for Giveaway!
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for a Print Copies


For 3 Extra Bonus entries Visit the author's website and tell me something you find of interest.

ONE Winner-
* This contest is only open to those with US address.
* No P.O. Boxes Please - for shipping reasons.
* Limit one win per household.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on June 21, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED on June 22, 2013.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

13 comments:

  1. Congrats to Jill on the new release. I found out that Jill eats a lot of cookies for the sugar rush.

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  2. I love the design of Jill's website. I love how she uses the beach theme and sea shells. I find it interesting that Jill won a Rita for SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE and is a 3-time National Readers Choice winner as well.

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  3. She won a Rita for Simply Irresistible and is a 3-time National Readers Choice winner

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  4. a 3-time National Readers Choice winner .I like reading her blog.

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  5. I visit Jill's site quite often for her blog - she's so funny in that too!

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  6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE her blog design!!
    Also, I love that she has a personal blog link in her menu!

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  7. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

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  8. she posted what a day in her life is like

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  9. I learned that she has written over four dozen romance novels. I love her website, the design is so pretty. The seashells are gorgeous.

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  10. I like upbeat stories such as Jill's stories. I love the Summery look to her website, with the tanned legs at the beach having fun. Also, I love seashells and starfishes in general, which adorn her site.

    Another great thing about her site is that it is not cluttered and easy to navigate.

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  11. I love her funny blog where she posts the antics of herself and her family.

    Love her books; and good luck with the release, Jill.
    Natalie's Mama
    lovesthemets@yahoo.com

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  12. I liked the "Making of" tab since it gives some insight on her books. Also loved the beach theme to it. The seashells are too cute!

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  13. I liked the "Making of" tab since it gives some insight on her books. Also loved the beach theme to the site. The seashells are too cute!

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