★ 11/06/2023
Bestseller Shalvis hits a home run with this emotionally nuanced contemporary, the fifth in her Sunrise Cove series (after The Sweetheart List). Luna Wright devotes herself to Apple Ridge Farm, a haven for rescue animals and quirky humans. When her boss, Silas Wittman, dies suddenly, she’s shocked to discover that he has left 50% of the farm to his investment manager Jameson Hayes—and the other 50% to her. Luna, who was adopted at birth, learns after inheriting her share that Wittman was actually her biological grandfather and that the farm is deeply in the red. Unless she and Jameson can come up with a balloon payment, it will be lost to the bank. As the two work together to save Apple Ridge, their chemistry sparks—but when Luna finds out Jameson has been keeping a few (well-meaning) secrets, her abandonment issues threaten to derail their budding romance. Shalvis augments the love story with a spectacular supporting cast, including Luna’s palm-reading, free-spirited adoptive grandmother, Stella, and gay ex-boyfriend, Chef. The hilariously named rescue animals and their antics add humor and charm, especially a baby goat named Dammit Ziggy who takes a powerful shine to Jameson. There’s a ton of heart here. Agent: Annelise Robey, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Jan.)
This charming tale is just as welcoming as the cozy small-town community within which it’s set, and Shalvis hits the perfect blend of sweet and spicy. Readers will be thrilled.” — Publishers Weekly on The Sweetheart List
“The slow reveal of secrets drives this novel of found family as the three, especially Alice, start to redefine the meaning of home. Full of quirky details that make the characters pop, this is classic Shalvis.” — Booklist on The Backup Plan
“Sisterhood takes center stage in this utterly absorbing novel. Jill Shalvis balances her trademark sunny optimism and humor with unforgettable real-life drama. A book to savor—and share.” — Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author, on The Lemon Sisters
“Love for Beginners is quintessential Shalvis, with humor and heat (whew, Emma and Simon give us heat), and a cast of characters you’ll hate to leave behind when you turn the last page. But even so, we promise you’ll finish this book feeling warm from the inside—and maybe the outside too: this is the summer’s perfect beach read.” — New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren
2023-10-21
A 29-year-old woman inherits 50% of a farm near Lake Tahoe and must work with the other owner to save the property.
Luna Wright has a huge chip on her shoulder: Adopted at birth and hurt in love, she’s worked hard to be successful in her five years as the manager of Apple Ridge Farm, a gorgeous 150-acre spread in the Sierras. Which she thought she’d managed to do, with the help of friends and family—Willow, her best friend; Stella, her grandmother; and Chef, her first boyfriend and now good friend—despite the farm’s grumpy owner, whom all the employees hate, and her own history of failure. But then Silas Wittman, that grumpy owner, dies, and she finds out that not only was he her biological grandfather, making her hiring smack of nepotism, but he’s left her half the farm and a balloon payment that’s due in 60 days. And then her new business partner, Jameson Hayes, Silas’ investment manager, turns out to be a hot guy she met at a bar who turned her down cold. So to add to her stress about making the farm a success, and the fact that she’s convinced her beloved co-workers will hate her once they find out she’s part-owner, she has the embarrassment of working with a guy who rejected her. Jameson has secrets of his own, and he promised Silas he would stay at the farm for two months to help Luna, which won’t be easy.
An easy-to-read, forced-proximity romance filled with quirky characters, strong—but flawed—women, and supportive men.
Andi Arndt provides the narration for the romance between Luna Wright and Jameson Hayes. Luna manages Apple Ridge Farm. When the farm's owner dies, Hayes arrives to help bring the struggling operation back into the black. Making it easy to follow the story, Arndt provides unique voices for the large cast of characters ranging from Luna's grandmother to a baby goat named "Damn It, Ziggy." Luna is stressed at the thought of losing the farm, and Arndt's performance aptly reflects that. When Jameson arrives, he is a prim and proper number-cruncher type. But as he spends more time on the farm, he mellows, and Arndt expresses this well. Arndt's skillful handling all of the characters makes this listening experience enjoyable. S.B. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
