Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor Series #1)

The first Lucky Harbor contemporary romance is an enjoyable warm tale

Maddie Moore kicks her abusive boyfriend to the curb while also losing her job. However, Maddie also inherits a share of a resort in Lucky Harbor, Washington with her two half-sisters. Upon arriving in town, she runs Jax Cullen off the road and shares kisses with the hunk. Soon afterward, she decides to renovate the hotel.

The next day Maddie contacts JC Builders to work on her hotel. However, she learns JC stands for Jax Cullen, carpenter and mayor, and the hunk she kissed after almost hitting him. Jax tries to persuade Maddie they belong together, but after the debacle of her last relationship she has doubts and his previous job only increases her hesitation.

The first Lucky Harbor contemporary romance is an enjoyable warm tale owned by Maddie who wants to become the mouse that roared. The story line is fast-paced from the moment the heroine almost runs over JC. And though it somewhat slows down in the latter parts of the novel it keeps the audience's attention throughout. Fans will enjoy Jill Shalvis' Washington State saga and look forward to the tales of Maddie's siblings.

Harriet Klausner

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Loved, loved loved it!

This book is truly a keeper. It made me laugh (a lot) and made me cry. Jill Shalvis is a wonderful storyteller and I highly recommend adding this to your bookshelf.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

First book in this new series is a home run

Our family relationships are the past that creates us, dictates the present which all leads us into the future. We all form individual personalities and traits but the family as a unit regardless of its origin often times brings out the best and worst in us and seems to always exasperate our assumed failings.

Maddie is the middle sister who shared the same sweet, hippie, and eclectic mother with Tara and Chloe. Each had been raised away from the other making it so they really do not know one another in depth at all. After Maddie's mother dies and her own life falls apart she decides a trip to Lucky Harbor to see the Lucky Harbor Inn she inherited from her mother along with her sisters is a fabulous idea. Maddie thinks restoring the Inn is a project worth taking on and she will figure out a way to convince her sister's that the place can be fixed up and bring it back to its glory because that is what their mother would have wanted. Her sister's can give her some time but really don't agree with any of these strategies and absolutely do not want to stay in this one-inn town but they would like to figure out the mystery of where the rest of their mother's money went - that would certainly help fix the Inn up and then release them from the ties that are binding them to each other right now. But is that what they all want or just the talk of three women who don't know what role they play in the other's life?

Lucky for Maddie she is able to find the hottest contractor in town, Jackson "Jax" Cullen to work on the project. The mild attraction she had for Jax at first becomes an out of control passion before the first day has ended and Jax is not helping by encouraging her with those wonderful, sweet kisses. Maddie may have sworn off men and been a magnet for the worst of the species but this man is anything if not versatile and creative with his hands because after all he is a contractor. But Jax and Maddie are a mixed bag of problems since both of them are holding secrets and neither really wants to come clean about the past. They work well together at the Inn and heat up the night with their lust but is it enough to get them past the ghosts of the past that keep coming back and getting in the way of a future? Maddie wants to work through the problems because she may have finally found the one man who can give her the completion she truly needs if only she can find the financing to keep the Inn running.

This book takes you a ride of family dynamics, getting past the designated role you play in a family and working through to become the person you have all the potential to achieve. When you let the past control you it eats you up and Ms. Shalvis shows how each of us is strong enough through both Jax and Maddie's characters to be a lion not a mouse when you want to be. Maddie and Jax are the lead in this book but the secondary characters shine as well and when their stories are told I know they will also be this wonderful to read.

Mary Gramlich is The Reading Reviewer located at www.marygramlich.com

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

WOW! Loved this book.

I have never read Jill Shalvis books. From the start I could not put this book down, great and funny and lots of heat. Reminds me of Nora Roberts with a little extra in there.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sweet and Sexy read

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis is thoroughly satisfying romance. it's the first book in the Lucky Harbor series and it's a delight.

Maddie Moore really could use a break. Her boyfriend is gone and so is her former job. She heads to Lucky Harbor, Washington to hopefully change her luck with the B&B that she and her half sisters have inherited from their wild child mother.

Maddie sees the potential all around her, she just needs to get her sisters to feel the same way. But before any real decisions can be made she needs to get the B&B up to code. The contractor she hires really gets more then her motor running. Maddie has a little problem with that, see she has sworn off men.

Jax Cullen left his high powered law career behind many years ago. He didn't like what he was becoming and returned home to a much simpler way of life. He loves building things and seeing his plans for others come to life. Jax wasn't ready for the whorl wind called Maddie Moore, she makes him fells things he thought were long forgotten.

Maddie and Jax stumble into a hot and sexy romp. Maddie has a lot of past to overcome and Jax has family that have different ideas on how his life should go. These two need to see if what they have found is good for the long haul.

Simply Irresistible has characters that will tug at your heart and make you cheer for them to succeed. Max and Jax chemistry is hot and sizzles every time they see each other. The siblings story is engaging and will make you want to know more about Maddie and her sisters. I am eager to read Tara and Chloe's stories. Wonderful book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Bridget's Review

I want to move to Lucky Harbor and befriend Maddie. She's a very likable character who is easy to relate to. I love the relationship between Maddie and her sister, it reminded me of my relationship with my sister. A very fun, breezy read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Lucky Harbor - Charming New Contemporary Romance Series

USA Today bestselling author, Jill Shalvis launches an utterly delightful new Lucky Harbor contemporary romance series for Grand Central Forever with SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE featuring three half sisters, who inherit a rundown seaside resort from their mother. Maddie Moore has left the hectic pace of Los Angeles, her ex-job in the movie industry and a bad relationship behind her for what she hopes is a "New beginning done right" in Lucky Harbor, Washington - home to 2,100 lucky people and 10,100 shellfish. She's recently inherited the Lucky Harbor Resort from her deceased free-spirit mother, Phoebe Traeger with her two half sisters, Tara and Chloe, whom she hasn't seen in five years. While driving the winding roads into Lucky Harbor, Maddie almost hits a hunky guy on a motorcycle and stops to see if he's okay. The hot biker is more than okay, in fact he's really fine with his rugged good looks but since Maddie has sworn off men she goes on her way. When Maddie arrives at the resort her sisters are already waiting for her and she's disappointed to find that the resort which includes a small inn, marina and owner's cottage is in such sad shape that it will take a lot of money and renovation to reopen. Maddie was desperately hoping to run the inn for her new job but first she'll have to convince her "Steel Magnolia" oldest sister, Tara and "Wild Child" youngest sister, Chloe. As she's "the Mouse", it's harder than expected but they give Maddie a month to get the inn running again before they decide to sell it. Maddie calls a master carpenter, who turns out to be none other than her mysterious biker. Although it appears Jax could be the ideal man for Maddie, their pasts could prove too difficult in the rocky road to love. SIMPLY IRRESTIBLE certainly lives up to its name with three terrific sisters finally getting to know each other in the quaint town of Lucky Harbor, WA. Add to that their mother, Phoebe's life lessons she's left on recipe cards for her daughters that proceed every chapter and you get a charming contemporary series that will endear itself to romance reader's hearts"! Also, don't miss Tara's story Book #2, THE SWEETEST THING (4/11) & Chloe's story Book #3, HEAD OVER HEELS (10/11).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Definitely Irresistible

USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis has penned more than three dozen romance novels. She is a three-time RITA nominee and three-time Readers Choice winner. Other titles include: The Trouble With Paradise, Smart and Sexy, Kissing Santa Claus, Instant Temptation, Slow Heat, Storm Watch, Jinxed, Out of This World, Just Try Me, and Get a Clue. She resides in Lake Tahoe.

Maddie Traeger knows starting over won't be easy. But really, there was no choice. After breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job, she leaves L.A. for Lucky Harbor, Washington, to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother. The ramshackle inn on the coast, though, is falling apart at its seams. Worse, her plan at starting over is now left in the hands of her two half-sisters, Tara and Chloe, who want nothing more than to offer a quick patch job, sell the place, and get back to their lives. Plus, the contractor they hire, a sexy, tall, dark-haired Jax Cullen, is making it oh so hard for Maddie to follow her "no men" rule. Harder still is her attempts to overcome the past, though she's quickly learning that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

This is book one in the Lucky Harbor series, with The Sweetest Thing coming in April 2011, and the third, not yet titled book, shortly after as Tara and Chloe's story.

There is a great amount of respect that needs to be given to an author who can write with candid humor and wit, while also tugging at your heartstrings. Jill Shalvis is the master. With both the hero, Jax, and heroine, Maddie, having somewhat painful back-stories, these two were written as relatable, three-dimensional characters. I love that Maddie "the Mouse" was a bumbling, babbling woman when nervous, not to mention how Jax responds to her, calling her out. I laughed out loud several times. The secondary characters, from Ford to Sawyer, Tara to Chloe, and dear Lucille, made for a delightful addition and set up the other books with anticipation. I cannot wait. The setting, in a small town on the coast of Washington, was well-crafted and perfect. This is an ideal escape book. A highly recommended read from an author who most definitely knows what she's doing.

Kelly Moran,
Author and Reviewer
for Bookpleasures

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommended. Jill Shalvis does it again.

I enjoyed the book very much. Jill did a great job creating characters I could connect with and care for. I would definitely read other books by Jill again. I have the second book in this series and can't wait to get started on it.

Loved it!!!!!

AAMAAZING!!!

Great start to the series!

I'm really enjoying the books I've read by Jill Shalvis. I started with the "Animal" Series and have now started the Lucky Harbor series and I loved this book. The characters are likeable and flawed - which makes them that much easier to connect to. The story is great and I can't wait to read more about the inhabitants of Lucky Harbor!

LOVED IT!!!

I've read several of Jill Shalvis' books, and I enjoyed each and every one of them! This is probably my favorite so far. The characters are great, Maddie kind of got on my nerves a little, but Jax is amazing. It was very hard for me to put the book down, I'm getting ready to read the next in the series, and I'll definitly be reading this again.

Loved it!

I really enjoyed this book, I would and have suggested it to friends.

Jill Shalvis is my new author of choice!

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.

I can¿t wait to read more from Jill.

Amazing!

I absolutely loved this book! I was so hooked, I read it in two days! Absolutely brillant!

Laugh out Loud Funny!

I read the 2nd book first then came back to this one. This one was great. Good mix of characters, good writing. Hot guys. Not overly graphic. Really enjoyed reading this book. Looking forward to the 3rd installment.

Makes my heart melt

No text was provided for this review.

Wonderful

Love love love

awesome

Loved this. I can see why she is rated a favourite airplane read. Couldn't put it down

Great author, don't miss this series!

I started this book after I finished Animal Magnetism (which I loved by the way) Hoping that it would be half as good. All I can say is WOW! I absolutely fell in love with this book. What a great summertime read. Jill Shalvis has quickly become one of my favorite authors