I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Animal Magnetism
by
Jill Shalvis
contemporary romance in Paperback edition on February 1, 2011 and has 304 pages.
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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", It Had to Be You, Simply Irresistible, 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, Always on My Mind
First in the Animal Magnetism romance series revolving around a group of friends involved in helping animals in Sunshine, Idaho. The couple focus is on Lilah Young and Brady Miller.
My Take
This is a cute, very white bread, and fluffy read with no real tension or drama. I did enjoy Lilah’s battle with sweets and her idea of bribing herself away from them.
The story is primarily an opportunity for Shalvis to introduce the cast of characters for this series and set up the background for it, making sure we understand how intimate a small town such as Sunshine is and how incredibly attractive Brady, Adam, and Dell are. I suspect we’ve already met the other two romantic interests for Adam and Dell.
I recommend this for anyone who simply wants a non-confrontational read with a bit of a rescue and a fun romance with a warm set of characters.
The Story
Lucky Lilah runs into Brady, literally, and has an odd idea about payback. Brady has his own ideas, but they certainly don’t include a lapdog named Twinkles! It’s cool, though as Brady has no intention of sticking around. He’ll get the chopper up and running and then so is he.
The Characters
Lilah Young is struggling to hang onto her home and the animal shelter she runs with Cruz Delgado‘s help (he plays in a band in his off-hours). She’s also a struggling driver…sigh…too tired out from her online studies. Estelle is the grandmother Lilah gave up school to nurse.
Brady Miller, a.k.a., Doctor Death, is struggling to readjust to being in a friendly countryside. One that’s not Afghanistan. He’s home between assignments to help Dell and Adam who opened Belle Haven to care for animals. Dell is a veterinarian and Adam trains and breeds dogs for search-and-rescue. They’re also Brady’s foster brothers. All three were taken in by Sol Anders, a big animal vet. Jade is their model-perfect receptionist.
Abigail can be an obedient duck. With Brady. Lulu is a lamb who thinks she’s a puppy and “she’s a ‘ho for TLC”. Sadie is a three-legged cat who got lost. Toby and Twinkles are two sweet dogs Lilah rescues.
Nick McFarlan runs the hardware store and would like to be more than a friend to Lilah. Dee runs the bakery. Celia Ayala had been her grandma’s frenemy. Holly thinks her new golden retriever puppy is defective. Newberry is a reckless, clueless ranch owner.
The Cover and Title
The cover certainly conveys the emptiness of the land. If we can focus our eyes past Brady’s naked back and our view of the sad-eyed Twinkles and look down that lonely road.
I’m not sure if the title refers to Brady’s Animal Magnetism, Twinkles’, or Lilah’s absorption in her critters.
