Summer with Jill Shalvis Blog Tour

Title: At Last
Series: Lucky Harbor, #5
Author: Jill Shalvis
Published: June 26, 2012
Pages: 400
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Grand Central)
Rating: C
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
HER LOVE HAS COME ALONG . . .
Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she's looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she's tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won't make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.

A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn't let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can't deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it's up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor.

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Marq's thoughts:
At Last  is the 5th book in the Lucky Harbor series but is really the 2nd book in the second Lucky Harbor trilogy. Confusing, right? No, not really. This book can be read as a stand alone but I highly suggest reading this series starting with book 4, Lucky in Love or book 1, Simply Irresistible which is the very first book in the entire series.

I loved the first 3 books of the series but have struggled with the last two. I liked finally getting Ranger Hot Buns - Matt - story and I felt that the chemistry between Matt and Amy was explosive but there was still something missing. I think it's because I can't connect with the friendship between Amy, Molly and Grace. With the first 3 books with the sisters, there's an instant connection even though they didn't like each other. I feel like the female friendships in this trilogy is a little forced. I guess bonding over chocolate is something that can bring three women together but it felt a little forced.

I enjoyed Amy's journey through reading her grandmother's journal. The romance sizzled even though I couldn't quite buy into Matt and Amy's relationship. I adore Lucky Harbor and its crazy residents. I still love the series but this latest addition was a little disappointing.

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Title: Forever and a Day
Series: Lucky Harbor, #6
Author: Jill Shalvis
Release Date: June 31, 2012
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Grand Central)
Rating: A
Reviewed by: Marq


summary from Goodreads
LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT.

Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s loveable mutt to caring for his rambunctious kids. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…

With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family–until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…

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Marq's thoughts:
This is what I am talking about! Forever and a Day is classic Jill Shalvis and has all the elements that made me fall in love with this series starting with Simply Irresistible. The humor, heart, sexual chemistry - it had all of that and more. I loved Grace and that's a rare thing for me to say. Normally the heroine is irksome and there is some fault that I find with them but not Grace. Grace is beyond awesome and I wish all female characters in contemporary romances were like her. Despite losing her job and taking odd jobs around town, Grace is never whiny about her situation. I love that she is taking charge and doing what needs to be done to get back on her feet. Even if that means taking a job as a dog walker even though she's never had a pet or walked a dog. That's how she becomes Dr. Scott's dog walker and babysitter/nanny.

The sexual tension between Josh and Grace was off the charts. I loved the build up and the constant coitus interruptus. It made the pay-off even better. Josh is my favorite kind of hero - grumpy, cranky and hot as hell. Josh is a doctor and his life at home is out of control. He keeps his feelings to himself and puts on a calm facade to tackle whatever problem he is dealt.

Grace integrates perfectly with Josh's family and I loved how even though she didn't know what she as doing, she went with the flow and made the best out of every situation. Josh and Grace worked so well together. The ending was perfect. There was no contrived fight or conflict to make them split up and then get back together. The best part of Forever and a Day is the epilogue. I am a sucker for an epilogue and this one was awesome if not a little too short for my taste. I re-read the last line at least 10 times with a big cheesy grin on my face.

Forever and a Day is my 2nd favorite book of the series. I could not put it down. I was engrossed, engaged, and entertained. Josh and Grace were the perfect couple and I found their relationship believable and the sexual chemistry smoking hot. Jill Shalvis outdid herself with the sex scenes in this book. The sexual tension had the pages of my book smoking!

Forever and a Day is definitely one of my favorite books of 2012.