It's in His Kiss

Starred review from July 7, 2014
Shalvis’s command of contemporary romance is once again on display in book 10 of her Lucky Harbor series (after Once in a Lifetime). Familiar characters make occasional appearances without dominating the story, and the books, set in Washington State, can be read in any order. Becca Thorpe arrives in charming Lucky Harbor with two suitcases and her keyboard; she’s fleeing her dependent brother (who’s a better concert pianist that she is) and looking for a new beginning. She lands a job scheduling outings for a charter boat company run by three hunky guys—but one of the owners is Sam Brody, her onetime lover. Mixing business and pleasure is a no-no for Sam, but emotions don’t always follow the rules. Sam also runs into family troubles when his ne’er-do-well dad shows up looking for another handout. Shalvis combines humor, sparkling repartee, believable characters, and highly sensual sex scenes to make this book work on every level.

July 15, 2014
Becca Thorpe comes to Lucky Harborto distance herself from messy family issues and runs smack dab into Sam theSexy Surfer, whose board and broad shoulders hide an intense personality and aheavily armored heart.From the moment she dips her toes inthe Pacific Ocean and tastes Lucky Harbor's ranch-flavored popcorn, Becca isenchanted by the sweet small town; meeting the gorgeous surfer on the beach isicing on the cake, as is discovering that her rental apartment is right nextdoor to the warehouse where he and his partners run their charter-boat tourbusiness. Sam and Becca run into each other everywhere, and neither can ignoretheir sizzling chemistry, which becomes a problem once they've acted on it andthen realize Becca wants to fill the open admin position in Sam's company. Sheconvinces the partners to hire her, then goes about reinventing herself whilehighlighting the tour company's positive impact on the community. It seemseveryone's in love with Becca, which both inspires and intimidates Sam, who hashis own family issues to work through and is generally suspicious of emotionalentanglements. When Becca's family tracks her down, Sam is her staunchestsupporter, forcing them to own up to their failings toward her and creatingopportunities for new beginnings. However, helping Becca navigate her family'sshortcomings makes them both more aware of Sam's, and suddenly, theirundefined, open-ended relationship is under pressure. The novel is a typicalwarm, funny Lucky Harbor combination, with a sexy couple who must deal withindividual issues before they can truly find happiness with the other. Thefinal conflict seems a little magnified but only slightly detracts from anoverall satisfying romantic arc.Another successful light, sexycontemporary romance from Shalvis, with storytelling that mixes humor andemotion.

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August 1, 2014

Part-time jingle writer and musician Becca Thorpe has kicked over the traces, left her troubled past behind, and headed west to Washington to start again. She finds herself attracted to a hot boat builder (aka Sexy Grumpy Surfer), but does she want to be his office manager? Becca needs the work, and Sam Brody and his partners desperately need the help. Now, despite Sam's reluctance, Becca takes the job and turns the office and their lives--especially Sam's--upside down. A responsibility-weary heroine and a love-averse hero come to terms with their pasts and their feelings in this tender, heartwarming story of trust, understanding, and forgiveness. VERDICT With humor, sensitivity, and a surfeit of likable, well-defined characters, Shalvis's latest draws readers back to quiet, familiar Lucky Harbor. This appealing story is the first in a sexy back-to-back trio of books about three partners in a charter boat business; a perfect vacation read. Shalvis (Then Came You) lives in the Sierras near Lake Tahoe.

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