I received this book for free from the library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Source: the library
Simply Irresistible
by
Jill Shalvis
contemporary romance in Paperback edition that was published by Forever on October 1, 2010 and has 311 pages.
Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Beach Blanket Bad Boys, Instant Attraction, Instant Gratification, Instant Temptation, The Night Before Christmas, "Under the Mistletoe", Animal Magnetism, It Had to Be You, The Sweetest Thing, Animal Attraction, Rumor Has It, Rescue My Heart, It’s in His Kiss, Head Over Heels, Lucky in Love, , He's So Fine, At Last, One in a Million, Forever and a Day, Second Chance Summer, My Kind of Wonderful, "Wrapped in You", Get A Clue, The Trouble with Mistletoe, Chasing Christmas Eve, “One Snowy Night”, Rainy Day Friends, Merry and Bright
First in the Lucky Harbor romance series set in a small coastal town in Washington. The couple focus is on Maddie and Jax.
In 2011, Simply Irresistible won the RITA Award by Romance Writers of America for Best Contemporary Single Title Romance.
My Take
Yet another first book in a romance series that, luckily [for me] I read a later book in the series that I enjoyed. This one was cute and dorky, trying a little too hard to set the series up, although I did like how Shalvis dragged out the sisters’ issues until the truth finally slips out. This is where Shalvis finally pulled me into the story.
I do like the characters. They’re warm, some take a little longer to warm up to, but you will be intrigued by them. Of course, inheriting a resort and “having” to do it up also intrigues me — I think it would be fun, which tells you what kind of nut I am!
Um, if you’re gonna get fired, I’d rather be fired after year-end bonuses too…better than getting fired before…
Shalvis is good about teasing out characters’ backgrounds; it’ll keep you wondering right along with Maddie.
Do read the quotes before the chapters begin…they’re good!
The Story
Three estranged sisters whose hippie mother dumped them all off on various caregivers have reunited, temporarily, over their mother’s bequest of the Lucky Harbor Resort to the three of them. And it’s only Maddie who wants to keep the place, the other two want out. But there are all sorts of reasons to keep the place, to stay in Lucky Harbor. Jax Cullen being one of those reasons.
Then the truths come out, and even the Christmas tree lights can’t turn ’em out.
“Our gene pool could use some chlorine.”
The Characters
Maddie Moore, a.k.a., the Mouse, has been raised by her set-designer dad. That was the deal he made with her mother. She’s just been fired from her job and I think it was the best thing that ever happened to her. Alex is her ex, another lawyer, but a smarmy one.
Tara (the Steel Magnolia), the food snob with her perfect life and perfect hubby, Logan the race car driver, and Chloe, the Wild Child who wouldn’t think of refusing a dare, are Maddie’s half-sisters. Chloe is extremely asthmatic and very keen on whipping up her beauty products. Phoebe Traeger is the girls’ mother and a total flake, but a flake with a surprise for her girls.
A disaffected, former lawyer, Jax Cullen has his own construction business and is mayor of Lucky Harbor. He only looks like a bad boy with that motorcycle. Izzy is his part Lab, part possum dog — well, there’s gotta be some reason for Izzy’s lazy attitude toward life. He’s also part-owner of the Love Shack with Ford Walker, a soon-to-be former best friend who lives to sail. Sawyer makes up the third in their triumvirate of united misfits; he’s now the town sheriff. Jeanne is Jax’s part-time office worker. Jackson Cullen II is his jerk of a lawyer father who keeps trying to jerk him back into the law life.
Lucille is a cleaner at the inn, well, when they can afford her. She also owns an art gallery. Anderson runs the local hardware store. Sandy is the town clerk and manager. The Eat Me Café needs a new cook. Peter Jenkins is a pushy renter at the Resort. Tucker and Lance run the ice cream shop. Ty Roberts is an EMT. Benny Ramos is an insurance adjuster.
The Cover and Title
The cover is cute with the heart tromped into the snow, and Jax and Maddie at its point. Both are in sweaters, jeans, and boots, and in each other’s arms.
The title is Jax, he’s Simply Irresistible, as Maddie is for him.
