Book Review: Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

This is a wonderfully charming and delightful read!

Simply Irresistible (A Lucky Harbor Novel) by Jill Shalvis

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Forever; 1 Original edition (October 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044657161X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446571616

Genre: Contemporary Romance
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

Review: I found this story to be a true delight and just what I needed for a lift up at the time!

This story had a light and easy tone with good humor from the very first. There is a quote to start each chapter - I think I’ve mentioned before that I really like those. The first quote is: “I chose the path less traveled, but only because I was lost. Carry a map.” It took a few pages before I realized who the author of the quotes was and later in the book you learn where the quotes came from and that is part of the fun of the story.

Maddie is a great character. Sweet and quick witted if a bit less than confident at this stage of her life. She so needs a new start and really wants to make a go of the rundown inn. But she has to convince her sisters to help her remodel enough to try to make a go of it. Sophisticated Tara claims that she has a husband and an important job to get back to so she doesn’t want to jump into renovations. Wild spirited Chloe has no money, has allergies to dust and paint (and work in general?) and tends to be footloose, so she isn’t inclined to commit to the project. However, since the place will sell easier if some basic work is done, they agree to get a quote from a local contractor.

The contractor turns out to be the hunk on the motorcycle that Maddie tried to run off the road coming into town. Then she knocked his bike over on her way to visit the local bar her first night in town. Jax doesn’t seem to mind her klutziness but rather immediately falls for her sweet charms. And I can tell you, if I didn’t have my own handy workman, sweet husband of 25 years, I would really want a Jax!!

Lucky Harbor seems to be a rather cool setting with fun establishments like The Love Shack Bar and the Eat Me Café. It may be cold in temperature but that gives cause to get cozy and warm with flirtatious romance. As much as Jax is drawn to Maddie he is keeping some secrets that are going to cause some hot trouble when revealed.

The writing has an easy flow and connections and secrets are revealed bit by bit. Also remember the quotes I mentioned in the beginning of this review? They gave me a new philosophy: "Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late." Don't I wish!

I really enjoyed this fun, light romance. I am hoping there will be more stories from Ms. Shalvis for Lucky Harbor and especially for Tara, Chloe and Jax’s friends bartender/owner, Ford and the local law officer, Sawyer.  Treat yourself to a joyful read by getting this book!

xxx

Thank you to Anna and Hachette for providing the book for review and giveaway.  If you are lucky maybe you can win one of five copies in the giveaway!