Giveaway, sneak peek, and Review of Playing for Keeps (Heartbreaker Bay #7) by Jill Shalvis

 Playing for Keeps

A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

by Jill Shalvis

If you’re planning on falling in love… 

When it comes to the confident, charismatic Caleb Parker, Sadie Lane feels the spark—the kind that comes from rubbing each other the wrong way. She’s a tattoo artist, he’s a straight-laced mogul. But after they accidentally co-rescue an abandoned dog from a storm, Sadie sees a vulnerable side to the seemingly invincible hottie.

you’d better be sure… 

Caleb doesn’t do emotions. Growing up the underdog, he’s learned the hard way to build up an impenetrable wall. Perfect for business. Disastrous for relationships. He’s never worried about it before—not until he finally gets behind Sadie’s armor and begins to fall.

… someone is there to catch you. 

Both guarded and vulnerable, Sadie and Caleb are complete opposites. Or are they? Shocked at their undeniable connection, can they ever admit to wanting more? That all depends on what they’re each willing to risk. 

“Sadie.”

She shook her head.

“Look at me. Please?”

It was the damn please that had her opening her eyes. He’d closed the gap so that if she so much as took a breath, they’d be touching.

So she did just that. She took a deep breath, and then their bodies were up against each other, his warm and hard. Everywhere. “What’s happening?” she whispered.

“I believe you’re deciding between kicking me in the nuts and kissing me.” One side of his mouth curved very slightly as he lifted their still joined hands above her head, against the wall.

“But that last part might just be in my dreams.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Yes, it’s just in my dreams?”

She meant to say yes again, she really did.

She even opened her mouth to say it, because this was insane, this incredible . . . craving she had for him. It made no sense. Less than no sense, and yet . . .

She went up on tiptoe and touched her mouth to his.

Jill Shalvis

Connect with her on:

Her Website: http://jillshalvis.com/

Facebook: @JillShalvis

Twitter: @JillShalvis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/

Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis?from_search=true

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Title: Playing for Keeps
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay (Book 7)
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (January 22, 2019)
ISBN-10: 0062741888
ISBN-13: 978-0062741882
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher for review purposes.



For the past year Caleb Parker and Sadie Lane have performed a slow and careful dance around each other. Caleb has been trying to get Sadie's attention, but the complicated, fiercely independent, and private beautiful young woman seems impervious to his charm. She's a puzzle he can't seem to figure out and that intrigues him to no end.

The sparks between the two are strong and obvious to everyone but them. Will a three legged dog who decides to adopt the pair finally be the catalyst that ignites those sparks into flames? If Caleb gets his wish it will because he's already all in, and he's playing for keeps.

This is the seventh book in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis, and it can be read as a standalone and/or out of order. The series takes place in San Francisco and centers around a group of young people who slowly become a very tight-knit group. As the series progresses, the relationships slowly weave those individuals into the fabric of each other's lives, turning strangers into family. At the center of it all is a fountain rumored to grant wishes for love when wished with a true heart. If you haven't read one of these delightful novels yet, you're in for a real treat. If you've never read one of Ms. Shalvis' books, be prepared to meet one of your new favorite romance authors. Be forewarned, however, Jill's novels are somewhat addictive. It's hard to stop at just one. They tend to be sweet and oh, so steamy all while bringing a smile to your face and warmth to your heart. This one is no exception.

Caleb ("Suits" as Sadie refers to him) is a genius who is a tech savvy inventor and entrepreneur who has made a small fortune selling his wares. He is close with his family and employs three of his sisters. He's charming, fun, and flirty--all traits Sadie's finds highly suspicious, and are characteristics of people she's learned to be cautious around. What she doesn't realize is Caleb is a genuinely nice guy. Of course she's heard that about people before, and it hadn't proven true, so seeing is going to be the only way she'll believe it. Caleb is used to having women chase after him, and the challenge that Sadie presents does not detour him. He's used to seeing what other's don't, and what he sees in Sadie is definitely worth waiting for.

Sadie Lane works as both a tattoo and a permanent makeup artist. She has trust issues, for good reasons, and is currently on a 3 year hiatus from men. She's built up walls around her heart because, in the past, when she's let down her guard people have tended to disappoint her in big ways. The pain that brought has left her a little emotionally scarred. She's wary about forming relationships of any kind, and tends to shield herself in sarcasm. That has served her well. Somehow, though, Caleb has managed to see through the rough and  prickly facade Sadie's erected, and what he see's he likes. He's willing to be patient and do whatever he needs to to gain her trust and eventually her heart.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. I just love how a small sweet dog named lollipop, who was desperately in need of some love, brought these two together. Lollipop made Sadie see Caleb in a new light which gave her the courage to take another chance on love. I just adored seeing these two come together in a way that just seemed to make sense. The chemistry between them practically scorched the pages. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I loved it! This one is definitely a keeper.

Order of the Heartbreaker Bay series:

(One Snowy Night and Holiday Wishes are Novellas)

Win a copy of: 
Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis

(US and Canada ONLY) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Order your copy of HOT WINTER NIGHTS at:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Hmd9lS

IndieBound: https://bit.ly/2AR2Gtg

iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/ybl4luwa
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2HsDoYa
Books-A-Million: https://bit.ly/2TTTk6S
GooglePlay: https://tinyurl.com/ybmt4h59

Giveaway. Excerpt, and Review of Hot Winter Nights (Heartbreaker Bay, #6) by Jill Shalvis

Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis

Who needs mistletoe?

Most people wouldn’t think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn’t most people, and she could really use a distraction from the fantasies she’s been having since spending the night with her very secret crush, Lucas Knight. Nothing happened, not that Lucas knows that—but Molly just wants to enjoy being a little naughty for once . . .

 Whiskey and pain meds for almost-healed bullet wounds don’t mix. Lucas needs to remember that next time he’s shot on the job, which may be sooner rather than later if Molly’s brother, Joe, finds out about them. Lucas can’t believe he’s drawing a blank on his (supposedly) passionate tryst with Molly, who’s the hottest, smartest, strongest woman he’s ever known. Strong enough to kick his butt if she discovers he’s been assigned to babysit her on her first case. And hot enough to melt his cold heart this Christmas.

It took Lucas Knight longer than it should have to realize he had a woman in his bed, but to be fair, he had a bitch of a hangover. Even worse than that, last night was a blur, prompting him to take quick stock. One, there was a bundle of sweet, soft curves against him. Two, his head was currently threatening to secede from the United States Of Lucas. And three, his side hurt like … well, like he’d been shot.

It’d been two weeks since he’d gotten caught in some crossfire on the job and he hadn’t yet been cleared for more than light duty – something he’d obviously managed to ignore last night given that he was palming a nice, warm, feminine ass.

Think, man.

Straining his brain, he remembered taking a pain med before going to O’Riley’s Pub to meet up with some friends. A client had been there, someone he’d recently helped save from a multi-million dollar corporate espionage. The guy had ordered shots to toast to Lucas and … shit. Knowing better than to mix pain meds and alcohol, he’d hesitated, but everyone had been waiting on him, glasses hoisted in the air. Thinking just one shot couldn’t hurt anything, he’d knocked back the drink.

Clearly, he’d been wrong and it’d been enough to mess him up big time, something he hadn’t been in years, not since his brother Josh had been killed. Shoving that away for another time – or never -- Lucas cracked open one eye, but when his retina was stabbed by a streak of sunlight glaring in through the window, he immediately slammed it shut it again. Taking a deep breath, he told himself to suck it up and opened both eyes this time, learning two additional facts.

He was naked and completely uncovered.

And the woman snugged up at his side was rolled up in his comforter like a burrito.

What. The. Hell.

Jill Shalvis

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

You can connect with Jill at the following:

Her Website: http://jillshalvis.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis/

Twitter: @JillShalvis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/

Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis?from_search=true

Title: Hot Winter Nights: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 25, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0062741837
ISBN-13: 978-0062741837
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes used will need to be checked against the final version as ARCs are subject to change.


Two weeks ago Lucas Knight was shot on the job. He's doing better, but is still on painkillers. When he goes to the local bar and has a drink with a client he soon realizes mixing his meds with alcohol is a tremendous mistake. He doesn't remember a thing beyond having the drink, and wakes up to find himself in bed with the one person who has always been off limits to him--his best friend's little sister, Molly.

He is so dead.

Molly Malone and Lucas have always gotten along, and while there's always been chemistry between them neither has ever acted upon it. Molly's not looking for a relationship, but there's something about Lucas that makes her mind occasionally wander in that direction, if only for a night. When she accompanies him home after a late night at the bar, she can't help but tease him the next morning even though nothing really happened...

"I'm not going to rate your performance last night."

"That's not--" He paused, his eyes sharpened.  "Wait, what does that mean?"

"Nothing."

"So you're saying I did suck." 

She had to laugh. "Well, if you can't remember it, how good could it really have been, right?"

She is going to milk this one for all it's worth.

If you've never read a Jill Shalvis novel you are in for a real treat. Her stories are filled with plenty of  humor, lightheartedness. chemistry, sexy scenes, and characters you'll wish were real so you could befriend them. Her books always make me smile, and if you need a little pick-me-up, her stories tend to deliver. This is the sixth book of the Heartbreaker Bay series, but it can be read as a standalone. Be forewarned, however, her novels are a bit addictive, and it's hard to stop at just one.

I don't know where Ms. Shalvis gets her ideas, but this one was devilishly delicious. I devoured it in one sitting and it left me eagerly awaiting the next book. I couldn't help but like Molly, and sympathize with her desire to get out from beneath her brother's protective thumb and prove herself. She's smart, resourceful, and able to take care of herself despite her brother's beliefs to the contrary. I loved watching as Lucas really begins to see her for who she is--an excellent investigator. He stands fully behind her never doubting she is up for the challenge their undercover operations require. He doesn't try to takeover when she takes on a case against her brother's wishes. He just lets her know he's got her back if she needs it--and backup is something every good undercover investigator (whether male or female) needs. 

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. It was a fun, humorous, sexy, and highly enjoyable read. I adored Lucas, and the way he treated and handled Molly. The chemistry between these two was scorchingly hot. I loved how these two managed to knock down the barriers each had erected around their hearts, put their very different fears aside, and take a chance on love. As more and more stories are added to this series, you get the sense of a real community coming together. While the books don't build upon one another, if you read all them you'll see the bonds and connections between the characters begin to build and grow.  I rather enjoy that. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I definitely recommend this one. 

Order of the Heartbreaker Bay series:

Enter for a chance to win 'One' print copy of  

Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Buy Hot Winter Nights at the following book retailers:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OEgags
IndieBound: https://bit.ly/2NVDppc
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/2NCSGs5
Books-A-Million: https://bit.ly/2NothpS
iBooks: https://apple.co/2G3I0zj
GooglePlay: https://tinyurl.com/y94r2c6f

Giveaway and Review for About That Kiss (Heartbreaker Bay #5) by Jill Shalvis

About That Kiss (Heartbreaker Bay #5) by Jill Shalvis 

When love drives you crazy . . .

When sexy Joe Malone never calls after their explosive kiss, Kylie shoves him out of her mind. Until she needs a favor, and it’s a doozy. Something precious to her has been stolen and there’s only one person with unique finder-and-fixer skills that can help—Joe. It means swallowing her pride and somehow trying to avoid the temptation to throttle him—or seduce him.

the best thing to do . . .

No, Joe didn’t call after the kiss. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy. And Kylie, after all she’s been through, deserves a good man who will stay. But everything about Kylie makes it damned hard to focus, and though his brain knows what he has to do, his heart isn’t getting the memo.

… is enjoy the ride.
As Kylie and Joe go on the scavenger hunt of their lives, they discover surprising things about each other. Now, the best way for them to get over “that kiss” might just be to replace it with a hundred more.

Joe studied her. “I asked you once before, but now I’m going to ask you again. Is there something going on between you two?”

She tossed up her hands. “Why do you both keep asking me that about each other?”

His eyes narrowed. “I thought nothing was going on.”

“And before today, I could’ve passed a lie detector test on that,” she said.

“What happened today?”

She paused. Not because she had anything to be ashamed of, but because she wasn’t quite sure what
had happened.

“Kylie.”

She sighed. “It’s nothing.”

“Try again,” Joe said and gave her the very male universal go on gesture.

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. He . . . finally made a move on me.”

Joe didn’t budge. Not a blink, not a muscle twitch, nothing, but she could’ve popped corn off the electric tension coming off him.

“Describe ‘made a move,’ ” he finally said.

She crossed her arms. “And again, how is this relevant to my case?”

He just gave her that careful stare again and she thought wow, those eyes of his should be registered as a lethal weapon, because she found herself opening her mouth and spilling her guts. “He kissed me.”

“He kissed you.”

“Yeah,” she said. “Do you know that you often repeat what I say?”

“What kind of a kiss?” he asked.

She was momentarily bewildered. “I don’t know. It was a kiss. A normal kiss. A nice kiss.” She cocked her head at him. “How many kinds of kisses are there?”

He just looked at her for a long moment before coming toward her. He backed her to the wall and pressed his big hands on either side of her head.

“There are many kinds of kisses,” he said.

Her breath had backed up in her throat, where her heart had lodged, pounding wildly. “S-s-such as?”

“Such as this one.” And then he leaned in and covered her mouth with his.
At the touch of Joe’s mouth, Kylie’s brain stopped being capable of rational thought. His tongue gave a knee-weakening stroke against hers and she let out a shockingly needy moan as she clutched at him, fisting her hands in the material of his shirt at his chest. Only when he’d thoroughly plundered and pillaged and left her boneless did he lift his head and
look into her eyes.

“Wow,” she whispered, fully aware she was still holding on to him like he was a lifeline, but the bones in her legs had liquefied. “I mean . . .” She shook her head. “Wow.”

He nodded. “Yeah. So to be clear, that wasn’t ‘a normal kiss’ or even ‘a nice kiss.’ It was a ‘wow’ kiss. Any questions?”

“Just one,” she said softly. “Can I have another?”

Joe didn’t have to be asked twice. His mouth immediately descended again, his fingers sliding into her hair to change the angle of the kiss to suit him. It was a controlled, alpha thing to do, but she had only one thought—nothing about the usually carefully, purposely leashed Joe was in control at the moment.

And she liked it.

She had no idea how long they went at it because she was in absolute heaven. Who knew that the man could use his preferred silent mode to communicate in a way that she finally approved of?

Only when she was completely breathless and about to strip him down to his birthday suit did she manage to pull back.

“Any more questions?” he asked, also a little bit breathless, which was more than slightly gratifying. Dumbly, she shook her head. His eyes softened and he gently he stroked his thumb over her bottom lip. “And FYI? Gib’s an idiot.”

Jill Shalvis

Connect with her on:

Her Website: http://jillshalvis.com/

Facebook: @JillShalvis

Twitter: @JillShalvis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/

Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22370.Jill_Shalvis?from_search=true

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Title: About That Kiss: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay
Fomat: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (January 23, 2018)
ISBN-10: 0062741772
ISBN-13: 978-0062741776
Author's Website:
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


Once upon a time a girl and a guy fell in love, but it took a while. He didn't think he was the relationship type. She was a quiet introvert who didn't open up all that easily. Then a family heirloom goes missing and the two team up to find it. So after trying to deny it, and attempting to avoid it, they finally give in and fall and it all started with a kiss. A heat scorching, heat pounding, bone-melting, world rocking kiss. 

About that kiss...

This past year Jill Shalvis was given the Centennial Award by RWA for the publication of her 100th novel. With each book she seems to up her game, and this one is something special. It's another fun loving, sweet-hearted, sexy as all get out romance with a little mystery thrown into to the mix and a whole lot of depth. It seems like Jill is spreading her wings and tackling some harder subjects. I wouldn't be surprised if this one gets nominated for a RITA. In my humble opinion, it was that good. This is the fifth book of the Heartbreaker Bay series and it can definitely be read as a standalone. Be forewarned, however, it's hard to stop with just one of her novels. They tend to be very addictive.

Kylie reminded me of a cross between Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy and Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's series by the same name. As you read about all her attempts to disguise herself, you can't help but get an amused look on your face. Her attempts had me chuckling and shaking my head in equal measure. I'm thinking she watched one too many humorous detective shows (somehow Scooby-Doo comes to the forefront) and thought detective work was much easier than it is. She's actually very talented and artistic when it come to woodworking, which kind of runs in the family. She should definitely stick with that.

Joe reminded me a bit of Ranger of the Stephanie Plum series. He's gorgeous, has a dangerous air about him, and is all alpha male. He works for a private investigation service and Kylie makes him laugh which is something no one else seems capable of doing. To her he seems to be one big contradiction from head to toe. Badass and ready to save the world one minute, deceptively playful the next. He's got a lot of emotional baggage and his dad isn't exactly the kind of person you want to bring your friends home to. His dad suffers from PTSD and isn't the easiest person to deal with. His dad has a tendency to answer the door with a gun in his hand, and you are never quite sure whether or not he'll use it. Joe's dad's illness led to him and his sister growing up fast and hard after their mother died. At the tender age of ten he'd assumed the parental role of the family.

At first glance, Kylie and Joe seem like complete opposites, but they actually do share something in common. Each is haunted by something in their past. This is where the depth in the story comes from. Each needs to work through their feelings of guilt in order to move on, and together they do just that.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. It was a fun, witty, heart warming and emotionally moving romance. I loved watching these two fall for one another, and their chemistry was so hot I thought my e-reader would spontaneously combust. This one had a little sugar and spice and a whole lot of hot and steamy nights cause that's what good romances are made of. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I simply adored it.

Order of the Hearbreaker Bay series:

(One Snowy Night and Holiday Wishes are Novellas)

Win a copy of  About That Kiss by Jill Shalvis

(US and Canada ONLY) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Order your copy at:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2DlmmZs

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2DHAnxo

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2mGIuC8

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/2ETb4Id

iBooks: https://apple.co/2Dhxp1F

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2EsNr99

Early Review of Chasing Christmas Eve (Heartbreaker Bay, #4) by Jill Shalvis

Title: Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay
Format: Hardcover; 272 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 26, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062697218
ISBN-13: 978-0062697219
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

Due to the fact that I read an ARC, any quotes will need to be checked against the final version as Advance Reader Copies are subject to change. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Once upon a time a twenty-eight year old author lost her writing mojo so she decided to runaway from it all--her family, her publisher, her commitments--but nothing seemed to go the way she planned. She wanted to go to Aruba, Jamaica, or someplace exotic, but a late season hurricane kept that from happening. Then as she was going through security they took one look at her research material and lets just say homeland security was not too happy with her. Colbie had a lot of explaining to do. Finally, upon reaching her destination, she threw in the towel and told the cab driver to "surprise me" as that was what had been happening to her all day. She ended up in a place called Cow Hollow and immediately, or pretty close, got knocked into a fountain. Everything that possibly could go wrong did and then she met him and her luck seemed to change.

Sometimes in life you need to stop fighting the current and let it take you where it may.

This was a cute, sweet, funny, and sexy read, but what else would you expect from author Jill Shalvis? This was the fourth book in the Heartbreaker Bay series and this may be my favorite of the bunch. This one could be read as a standalone, but you'll enjoy the story more if you know the people surrounding the couple, so you may want to check out the previous books in the series first.

Colbie Albright is a smart young author whose first book is about to become a movie. She's a little leery of people and decides to keep her identity under wraps so when Spence assumes she hasn't yet published a book, she doesn't correct him. Ironically, she's not the only one who doesn't want her identity revealed.

Spencer Baldwin is young, rich, and smart as they come. He also has just been named one of San Francisco's most eligible bachelors. Since then he's been having women throw themselves at him, sending him gifts and naked pictures and making marriage proposals. His friends are very protective of him so they won't tell Colbie exactly who he is and Spence isn't about to volunteer the information. Since Colbie confesses she's just in town for a few weeks, he lets his guard down with her and, she in turn, lets hers down as well.

I gave this one 5 out of 5 roses. I loved how Colbie and Spencer were both private and passionate people who understood one another. They are both fiercely loyal and each has been a bit overly obsessive about their work in the past. I love how Colbie is able to distract Spencer from his work and how Spencer is able to make Colbie realize she sometimes needs to put herself first. The two seem to counterbalance one another and you could just picture them growing old and gray together. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Hearbreaker Bay series:

Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay #3) by Jill Shalvis

Title: Accidentally on Purpose
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay Novel
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (January 24, 2017)
ISBN-10: 0062448064
ISBN-13: 978-0062448064
Author's Website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

Due to the fact that I read an ARC, any quotes will need to be checked against the final version as Advance Reader Copies are subject to change. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Archer and Elle have known each other since she was sixteen and he was twenty-two. At the time, Archer sacrificed a promising career in law enforcement in order to help Elle, but he's never regretted doing so. Over the years he's kept tabs on Elle, and given her a helping hand when she needed one. But somewhere along the line the pride and respect he's felt for the now smart, strong, and confident young women has turned into something more. The problem is he just doesn't think it would be right for him to act upon those feeling. He feels he'd be taking advantage of the their relationship.

Long ago, Archer made it clear that nothing could or would ever happen between them. Now older and wiser, Elle has decided to set her sights elsewhere and seek out a meaningful relationship, but her every move seems to be blocked by the annoyingly handsome man. Elle's not the naive little sixteen year old he first met, and lately she thinks she sees cracks in the infuriating man's resolve. Perhaps it's time she ups the ante and live a little dangerously? Maybe it's time to take off the kid gloves and force him to see what he's missing?

This is the third book of the Heartbreaker Bay series. If you haven't read any of the previous books, don't worry, this one can definitely be read as standalone. Archer and Elle were first mentioned in Sweet Little Lies, the first book of the series, but we really didn't get to know them until now. 

This was a funny, heartwarming, sexy romp of a read by Ms. Shalvis that left me wickedly grinning from ear to ear. Archer owns a security firm that is quite successful. He's handsome and when armed for a job he can be down right lethal in the looks department. If this was the 1940's women would probably be fanning themselves and exclaiming, "hubba, hubba" over Archer and his team. Instead, we get descriptions like, "It was a cornucopia of smutty goodness and she couldn't tear her eyes away. In fact, she couldn't speak either mostly because her tongue had hit the floor. Her feet took advantage of her frozen brain, taking her to the interior door, where she wanted to press her face up against the glass." I, for one, am glad we live in 2017. lol

Elle hasn't had it easy. Raised by a grifter she never had a stable home growing up. She's worked had to get where she is, and has come a long way thanks to Archer. His one act of selflessness was a game changer for her. If he hadn't done what he did, her life would have taken a much different and darker path.

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. It was chock-full of steamy goodness with wonderful characters and situations that make one smile. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a  STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Hearbreaker Bay series:

One Snowy Night (Heartbreaker Bay #2.5) by Jill Shalvis (A Novella)

Title: One Snowy Night: A Heartbreaker Bay Christmas Novella
Classification: Adult Ficton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Heartbreaker Bay Christmas
Format: Paperback; 160 pages
Publisher: Avon Impulse (November 8, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062463578
ISBN-13: 978-0062463579
Author's website: http://jillshalvis.com/
Notes: This is a novella. I received an eARC (electronic Advanced Reader's Copy) of it from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Rory and Max have known each other for years. They went to the same high school and grew up in the same town. She stayed in the shadows while he basked in the limelight of being the school's golden boy who excelled at basketball, baseball, and football. He is also the guy Rory once had a huge crush on, but he had never really noticed her. Now, years later, they're both living in San Francisco and when offers to give he a ride back home to Tahoe things get interesting. Will one snowy night change everything or will the past come between them?

This was a short but sweet short story that is perfect for the holiday season. If you're craving to read a book, but don't feel you have enough time between cooking, backing, decorating, traveling, and present hunting give a novella like this one a try. They'll fill that sweet spot and ease your craving.

While I wish this had been a full blown story, it is a novella so keep that in mind when you purchase this one. It's only 160 pages long and there are two excerpts from the previous books in the series at the end. This one can be read out of order, and you won't feel you missed anything. It'll just give you a tiny taste of what the series as a whole is like.

In the previous book of the series, 'The Trouble With Mistletoe', we got a hint that something was going on between Max and Rory, but we didn't know exactly what. In this book we finally find out their backstory and why it took so long for Max to make a move. Interestingly enough, Rory is a bit clueless about all that happened as she skipped town shortly before the proverbial sh*t hit the fan. Max, on the other hand, thinks he knows everything, but he doesn't know the half of it.

Rory has not had an easy life, and has only recently climbed out of her shell. Willa who pretty much rescued Rory, is attempting to set her up with just the type of guy she needs--someone who is trustworthy, reliable, and the kind of person Rory can lean on. Max is all those things, and his being gorgeous doesn't hurt matters at all. While Willa's tendency to stick her nose in where it doesn't belong can at times be annoying, her persistence in this case will finally pay off big time.    

Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. I loved how the issues/misunderstandings between these two were resolved when they got stranded overnight together. I also liked how Rory made peace with her family after so many years. My main issue with this one was that it was too short--I wanted more. *sigh* There also appeared to be some slight inconsistencies between what we were told about Rory in 'The Trouble with Mistletoe' and what we were told in this one. I don't know if they'll be corrected before publication, but, at least for me, they didn't detract from the story. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series: