Simply Irresistible
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Grand Central
Pub. Date: October 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0446571616
Retail: $6.99

Maddie Moore’s whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won’t be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she’s sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie’s struggles to overcome the past, though she’s about to discover that there’s no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

~*~*~

If you are a Jennifer Crusie fan and you haven’t discovered Jill Shalvis, I’m here to tell you: buy this book immediately. All the things I’ve come to love about Jennifer Crusie.

Simply Irresistible is the story of a lovable woman with a difficult past. Especially her recent past. She shows up in a small town in Washington fresh out of an abusive relationship and ready to be done with men for a while. But of course, she meets the man of her dreams instead, and the push-pull of their relationship is both frustrating and wonderful. I will say, I thought more than once, what is wrong with you people? But I was so invested in the characters, there was no way I was putting this book down.

Jax Cullen is h-o-t, hot. As a hero, he’s not only physically perfect (of course, because that’s the fantasy), but he is such a guy. Honestly, I was amazed at how real her male characters are. There are three brothers in the Cullen family (hello, sequels? please!), and when two or three of them got to talking, I really felt like I was in the middle of a circle of my best guy friends. They are expertly written. But not so real that they’re not also part fantasy, which is why I read romance novels instead of military thrillers.

Jill Shalvis walks that line between fantasy and reality perfectly. Her settings, characters, and plot lines are believable. Her characters feel real, speak like my friends, and have depth of emotion that draws you in. But at the same time, it’s not real. None of us will ever have the kind of access into a man’s mind that we’re provided in the pages of the romance novel, but when we get to see what Jax Cullen is thinking when he looks at Maddie Moore, the fantasy is complete. He’s completely hot for her. As he says several times, “he’s a goner” for Maddie. And it’s intoxicating.

Without a doubt, readers who enjoy a quirky, witty, sexy contemporary will enjoy this book. They might want to throttle a character once in awhile, but that’s part of what makes for good reading. You want Jax and Maddie to be together, and you want it to happen *now*, but you’re willing to wait, just like Jax Cullen, for when the time is right. And when that happens, it’s pure, unadulterated magic.

Rating: 8.5 (Very, Very Good)

Heat-Level: 3  (Sensual)

[starrater tpl=10 style=’christmas’]

Reviewed by: Camryn

Comment to enter to win a copy of your own!

contemporary
By Grand Central, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews30 Comments on Review: Simply Irresistible

30 Replies to “Review: Simply Irresistible”

  1. I have heard a lot of good things about this book I think I need to get it LOL

    have Fun
    Helen

  2. I’ve been hearing rave reviews about this book all over the internet. I love Crusie but haven’t yet read Shalvis. I think I need to get this book! 🙂

  4. I loved this book too. It was so funny, emotional & sexy at the same time. Love the little wisdoms at the beginning of each chapter. Don’t enter me, already have it.

  5. Oh, I love Jill Shalvis! Her baseball books are great. This book has been on my to-read list for a while now, but I haven’t had the time to run out and get it.

  6. I’ve already got my own copy so don’t enter me in the contest but I just had to say that this is a fun little read. Jax will completely win you over…I love love love how Shalvis writes her male characters.

  7. OMG! I love Jill and her books. I have a ton of them on my keeper shelf. She has a great site and blog too. I’m not holding back. I’D LOVE TO WIN THIS BOOK!

  8. Great review Camyrn, I have heard great things about this author but have never read anything of hers before, I will keep a lookout next I am in a bookstore~

  13. Jill is a fantastic writer.I love the stories she writes for Blaze.”Messing with Mac” is one of my favorites.Super hot!! I will be ecstatic if I win a copy.I don’t usually win things!

  16. This one is on my wish list. I read a sampling somewhere – can’t remember where – and really enjoyed it. It looks like it would be a great way to spend some reading time.

  18. This book sounds amazing, I think it will be a story I shall enjoy. I haven’t discovered Jill Shalvis yet, but sure would like to. Please count me in, thanks.

  19. I love Jill’s books. I also visit her blog daily. She always has an entertaining blog entry. You should check it out if you haven’t already.

  20. I have enjoyed a couple of Jill Shalvis’ previous books. I thought they were fun, although they were short and sometimes the plot seemed rushed. This sounds like a good book, and I’ve been wanting a good contemporary to read.

  21. Thanks for this review! I am dying to read a Jill Shalvis book, and this one sounds like a great place to start. It sounds really good.

  22. Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve really enjoyed her books in the past. I’m looking forward to this one.

  26. Sounds like a wonderful book to curl up with when you want a feel good read.
    Thanks for the review.

  27. Even though her books sound great, I still haven’t had a chance to read any of them yet. I’m looking forward to it as they sound like fun.

Comments are closed.