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Love awaits you in Lucky Harbor . . .
Simply Irresistible
After losing her boyfriend and her job, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim her inheritance-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. She sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if she can give the inn the makeover it needs. Enter Jax, a tall, handsome contractor who knows exactly what Maddie needs...
The Sweetest Thing
Helping her sister set up the family inn is just the thing to make Tara forget her ex-husband and focus on her new life. Until she meets a sexy, green-eyed sailor determined to keep her hot, bothered, and in his bed. When her ex reappears, Tara must confront her past and decide what she really wants.
If the sisters are lucky, they might just find that everything their hearts desire is right here in Lucky Harbor.
Reviewed By~April
Review Copy Provided By~Net Galley
I dare you to not fall in complete love with these characters, not to find yourself absorbed within their lives and not to burst out in laughter several times throughout reading Christmas in Lucky Harbor! I truly do – and if you do manage these feats, I want to know, lol!
First off, Christmas in Lucky Harbor is the combination of Simply Irresistible and The Sweetest Thing, the first two novels in the Lucky Harbor series. The series focuses on three sisters who are brought together after the death of a mother, Phoebe, someone that they never really truly knew. As a last ditch effort to solidify her family, Phoebe leaves a rundown inn to her daughters, Maddie, Tara and Chloe. None of the girls are truly close nor have they experienced true “family” in the modern sense of the word. However when they are tossed together to deal with their inheritance, that all changes. Toss in a couple yummy, gorgeous, intelligent and stubborn men and you have yourself a guaranteed not-to-be-missed book!
The first story, Simply Irresistible centers on Maddie, known in Lucky Harbor as “The Mouse”, while Tara is the “The Steel Magnolia and Chloe the “The Wild Child”. Maddie has lost everything she has known – her job, a not-so-healthy relationship and her home. For her, the Inn seems like a new beginning, something that she can truly call her own. However, she must convince Tara and Chloe, who want nothing more than to do a quick fix, sell the place and get out of Lucky Harbor ASAP, that she can run the place herself and to give it and her a shot.
From the moment she enters Lucky Harbor, she finds herself in knee deep klutziness with Jax. After nearly killing him and then toppling his bike shortly after, she wants nothing more than to dig a hole and hide from this man. However, Jax will have none of that. The chemistry that steams off the two of these characters is hot and rolls from the pages. I absolutely loved how their relationship was one of those “love/hate” deals where they are constantly arguing and picking fights, but those times are to simply mask the heat that they feel for one another; which, of course, only adds to the fire and intensity.
Within Simply Irresistible, there are two main stories and relationship developments taking place: that between the sisters and that between Maddie and Jax. Both sets are written in such an excellent way and weave together to perfection. I loved getting to know all of these characters: Maddie, Tara and Chloe are so amazingly unique and different. The progression of their relationship throughout both Simply Irresistible and The Sweetest Thing is excellent and amazingly enjoyable to watch. Now, the relationship development between Maddie and Jax is combustible, fun, light-hearted, yet nowhere near shallow. Their bond grows in strength as the story moves along (oh, yes, and may I mention that once you read this, you will never think of a tool belt the same way again?!).
With the character of Maddie, Jill Shalvis creates someone who is meek and a bit fearful of life and what it holds and turns those characteristics around and allows Maddie to go from being the “Mouse” to someone who is incredibly strong, brave and finding peace within her life. I absolutely loved this.
Now, on to The Sweetest Thing. This is Tara, “The Steel Magnolia’s” story. Tara is incredibly hard headed, stu
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Simply Irresistible
This was the first book I¿ve read by Jill Shalvis. It definitely will not be the last.
This book is great. I love the quirkiness of the Traeger sisters. They each have their own very different personalities, which in the end really works for them.
I, like Maddie, fell hard for the sexy contractor, Jax. Unfortunately, unlike Maddie, he¿s not mine to keep.
I think this is a story about finding yourself, realizing what you¿re made of, and discovering where you fit in.
This book has romance, HOT romance!!! And a deep dark secret that keeps you wondering what's going on. No worries, the secret will be revealed before the end of the book.
The Sweetest Thing
The second book of Jill Shalvis¿ Lucky Harbor Series continues where the first one ended. This second book focuses on older sister Tara Daniels, The Steel Magnolia.
Once you understand Tara and her life, I think the description ¿Steel Magnolia¿ is a little harsh. She¿s a magnolia, because she¿s from the south and she¿s ¿steel¿, because she tries to protect herself the best way she knows how. Which is by not really showing what she¿s thinking or feeling.
Tara had one magical summer, when she was seventeen. That summer will continue to live with her for the rest of her life. In some aspect, it will haunt her.
If you read the first book, then you know that Tara can be what seems to be a cold person. Especially to one bar owner, named Ford Walker.
I¿m not the type of reviewer who likes to tell you what happens in the book. I think it kinda of spoils it for the reader. I will say that Tara and Ford end up having a pleasant surprise that neither of them expected.
This book also introduces you to Logan Perrish, the sexy Nascar driver ex-husband. You can find more of his story in ¿Small Town Christmas¿.
I can¿t wait to read the next book in the Lucky Harbor series. Trust me, neither can you.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 4, 2011
Both stories are wonderful but I LOVED Simply Irresistible. Maddie's story is sweet and funny and a must read. I couldn't put it down.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 3, 2011
I read these two stories on my nook and loved them. The interaction between the sisters who do not really know each other and are just getting to put together a relationship is great. They have squabbles and arguments just like real sisters yet there is a lot they need to get to know about each other. Maddie is the typical middle sister, trying to keep the other two sisters from fighting all the time. Tara, the oldest, feels she must keep all her feelings inside because she needs to be strong as the oldest sister. Chloe, the youngest, does what youngest siblings does best, annoys her oldest sister. However, when all is said and done, they will stick together because they are family and learning how to be one together. The men they haven chosen in Jax and Ford are perfect for them. There are many ups and downs in the relationships but they ring true and they persevere until the end. I cannot wait for Chloe's story to come out in December.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 18, 2013
I enjoyed this book so much I kept reading the entire series.
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Posted September 14, 2012
I loved this series and would recommend it to everyone
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Posted September 5, 2012
Great deal!! 2 books in 1
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Posted April 12, 2012
Wonderfully written and engaging! Wonderful beginning to new series.
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Posted February 4, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. It had great characters and an interesting story line. Will read this author again...
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Posted July 20, 2012
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Overview
Love awaits you in Lucky Harbor . . .
Simply Irresistible
After losing her boyfriend and her job, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim her inheritance-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. She sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if she can give the inn the makeover it needs. Enter Jax, a tall, handsome contractor who knows exactly what...