Isn't It Romantic

By Jill Shalvis

I knew I was in trouble before even opening the book – starting to read it at night after work. I should have known better, or at least set the alarm clock to stop me before 3:00 a.m. I had fully intended to only read half of it the first night, the rest the next. Yeah. I started reading it around 9:00, with a break around 10 to write the next day’s blog and close down the computer. Then off to bed for just a little while of reading. But it’s a Shalvis book, when have I been able to set one of those down before finishing it?

Carly Phillips says on the cover blurb “Shalvis writes with humor, heart, and sizzling heat!” I have to agree with that; mostly the humor – although I do love her romances - but it’s the humor that keeps bringing me back to her books. There are so many romances out on the market, so many of them are good – but for me, the humor is what keeps me reading and what separates Jill Shalvis’ books from the others.

Instant Attraction is the first of a new trilogy by Jill - the stories of the Wilder boys, Cameron, Stone and T.J., owners of Wilder Adventures and Expeditions. This one belongs to Cameron; recently home after a year wandering the globe to escape the pain of losing what he thought was the very essence of his life, his championship snowboarding career. After an accident left him unable to compete again, Cameron ran from his family and his fears.

Katie Kramer was an accountant. Numbers were her life, safe choices ruled her decisions. Everything changed in a heartbeat with the collapse of a bridge in which Katie was the only survivor. She decided then to go off on adventures, to take risks. Landing in Wishful, California and as a temp secretary for Wilder Adventures seemed like the thing to do.

Both were running from their demons, both confront their fears together and learn the real definition of courage.

I love how this story flows, the romance progresses not at a break-neck speed but with a sizzling humor and warmth that is signature Shalvis. The secondary characters shine as usual without taking away from Cam and Katie’s story, but instead lend it depth and beautifully sets up the next in the series.

I give this book 5 stars!

by Jill Shalvis

I have been waiting for this story since I read Smart and Sexy. Maddie and Brody. The tension rolled off of them in every scene, no matter how brief their appearance. Then came Strong and Sexy and my fascination and curiosity about their story grew. So I sat there, holding the book in my hands, thoughtfully stroking the cover. I was almost afraid to open it, fearful of being disappointed somehow. Now, I had no doubt whatsoever that the writing would be good, as I always enjoy Jill’s writing. I don’t know what it was, the anticipation somehow? I took a deep breath and opened to page one.

The man pulled up in a rumbling, bad boy Camaro like he owned his world, and Maddie had good reason to know he did.
Brody West owned his world all right, and completely rocked hers.

I let my breath out. It was going to be good, excellent in fact. Those two sentences summed up Maddie’s feelings for Brody perfectly. He had the unerring ability to make her mad, frustrated as hell, and inexplicitly drawn to him. She didn’t know why. He was stubborn, stingy with money, overbearing, sexy as hell, and, well the things he made her feel. Things she had no right to be feeling now that she was leaving Sky High Air, the company that she had helped build, her life and friends. But leave it she must, for her twin sister Leena needed her help. Needed her to put in force The Plan that they had decided upon years ago, to go away and start a new life far from their Uncle Rick and Stone Cay as they could. Of course Brody wasn’t going to let her escape, not since that kiss and his strong attraction to her. Maddie could make him mad, stir things up inside that he’d rather not deal with. While Maddie had come from a life of luxury, empty as it was, Brody had grown up mostly on the streets, fighting for everything he had. It wasn’t until he met Noah and Shayne that his dreams of flying began to come to fruition, and now his family consisted of his friends, their wives, and Maddie. Always Maddie. Independent, intelligent, bossy, beautiful Maddie. And he wasn’t about to let her disappear from his life any more than Maddie was going to involve Brody in her troubles, expose him to danger. So what else are two stubborn people going to do? Yes, fall in love, face the bad guys and save the day.

I’m not going to belabor the point that Jill Shalvis is a gifted writer, that she has this innate ability to create characters that come alive on the page. I’m just going to say that once again she has written a book with three dimensional characters, full thought out plot lines, and sub-plots that will keep you riveted. As is not unusual for Ms. Shalvis, her secondary characters of Leena and Ben are interesting, add to the texture of the story and are brilliantly portrayed, evident by the fact that the one thing I am disappointed with is the fact that we don’t get more of their story.

I give this 5 stars.