THE SUMMER DEAL (WILDSTONE #5)

Brynn Turner desperately wishes she had it together, but her personal life is like a ping-pong match that’s left her scared and hurt after so many attempts to get it right. In search of a place to lick her wounds and get a fresh start, she heads back home to Wildstone.

And then there’s Kinsey Davis, who after battling serious health issues her entire twenty-nine years of life, is tired of hoping for . . . well, anything. She's fierce, tough, and pretty much the opposite of Brynn except for one thing: they're half-sisters. Kinsey is keeping this bombshell, and a few others as well. Long time frenemies from summer camp, there’s no way she’s going to tell Brynn they’re related.

But then Brynn runs into Kinsey's lifelong best friend, Eli, renewing a childhood crush. He’s still easy-going and funny and sexy as hell. When he gets her to agree to a summer-time deal to trust him to do right by her, no matter what, she never dreams it’ll result in finding a piece of herself she didn’t even know was missing. She could have a sister, love, and a future―if she can only learn to let go of the past.

As the long days of summer wind down, the three of them must discover if forgiveness is enough to grasp the unconditional love that’s right in front of them.

Release Date: June 2, 2020

William Morrow Paperbacks

Wildstone #5

Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Jill Shalvis in back in Wildstone, California with her newest release The Summer Deal. The Summer Deal was a wonderful edition to the Wildstone series. Brynn Turner and Kinsey Davis are both such fun characters, and I loved getting their stories.

Brynn has the unconditional love of her 2 moms, but besides that she really doesn't feel like she has her life together. When her latest ex-boyfriend steals from her before moving out of their apartment, Brynn decides it is time to head how to Wildstone and maybe just maybe get her life back on track. I loved that Brynn really did look at the world through rose-colored glasses much of the time. She seemed to look for the good in people much of the time...with the exception of her former campmate Kinsey. Kinsey is pretty much the polar opposite of Brynn at first glance. She puts on a really tough front, but the more time with Kinsey, the more I could see she was all about protecting herself and those she loved.

I really enjoyed the romances in this story. Eli and Brynn have both had crushes on one another since summer camp. Kinsey and Deck are basically in a "friends with benefits without being friends" situation, and honestly that made me crack up each time one of them said it. However, I didn't really feel like either of the romances were the main focus of this story. I felt like it was really Kinsey and Brynn's story from page one. The little insights about Kinsey and Brynn at the beginning of each chapter gave readers the information needed to see how their relationship had so much animosity even as adults. I will say I loved they acted and argued like sisters long before Kinsey ever found out they were half-sisters. Both characters grew so much during this book, and I loved seeing them each step up for one another like real sisters.

The Summer Deal was a fun story for me. Jill Shalvis gave her readers the humor they have become accustom to with her books, along with situations that totally pull on their heart-strings. While it is the 5th book in the series, The Summer Deal can easily be read as a stand-alone story.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

THE LEMON SISTERS (WILDSTONE #3)

The New York Times bestselling author of Rainy Day Friends and Lost and Found Sisters returns to Wildstone, California, where two completely opposite sisters—who are still nursing wounds from the past—realize they need each other more than they think.

When Brooke’s older sister, Mindy, shows up at her door with her three kids in tow, she barely recognizes her sibling who looks like she’s on the verge of a total breakdown. While adventurous, wanderlust Brooke was always the problem child, eager to slip free of Wildstone and its small-town constraints, Mindy was the golden child, who never had a hair out of place or a GPA below 4.0. The Mindy that arrives at Brooke’s apartment however, is a far cry from the ever-perfect doctor’s wife.

Brooke’s further stunned when Mindy asks to trade places with her for a few days so she can pick up her pieces and put herself back together. What Mindy doesn’t realize is that Brooke is just as broken. Her sister needs her though, so Brooke takes the kids and returns to Wildstone.

But how does one go home after seven years away and what feels like a lifetime of secrets? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested, or so he says. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she long ago shoved deep.

The sisters begin to wonder if the childhood taunts were true, are they lemons in life? In love? True or not, they know one thing—you can’t run far enough to outpace your demons. And when long-dead secrets surface, they’ll have to overcome their differences and learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

Release Date: June 18, 2019

Avon Harper Collins

Wildstone #3

Contemporary Romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I absolutely adored Mindy and Brooke so much. I think what I loved best about them was each sister thought the other one had it all together, until they had to walk in each others shoes so to speak. Mindy needs a mini break from her life, so she crashes at Brooke's house while Brooke plans to take her kids on vacation for a few days. However, rather than taking the kids to Disneyland as planned, she decides to head back to their hometown instead. Brooke was so out of her element when she first arrived back in Wildstone taking care of her niece and nephews. It really was laugh out loud funny as she navigated three very different personalities in such a different way than her sister would do it. 

Luckily for Brooke, Garrett, who was her one time love, still lives next door to Mindy, and he steps up to help her as needed. I found myself falling for Garrett pretty much from the beginning. Brooke hadn't been home in 7 years and cut all ties with him, yet he not only helped her with the kids, they both couldn't seem to stay away from each other. I adored Brooke and Garrett as a couple. They had both been through so much and seemed to find happiness when they were together they didn't really have without the other. I loved seeing them reconnect and find their way back to one another. OMG they had the most amazing chemistry, which only grew stronger the more time, they were together. All the love for these two characters.

While I'm not a mom, I totally got Mindy and her need for a break...especially when she had so much going on in her life trying to make it perfect. I loved seeing Mindy stand up for herself and admit she needed the help not only from her husband, but her sister as well. Mindy and Brooke had been close growing up, but had grown apart as their lives took them in different directions. I loved seeing Mindy and Brooke reconnect and share everything that had been going on in the lives as much as I loved the romance in this story.

Jill Shalvis has pretty much been an auto-buy author for me since I read one of her very first books. I know each new story will have an emotional punch and will take me on a beautiful ride. The Lemon Sisters seriously might just be my favorite story ever from Ms. Shalvis. While it is part of the Wildstone series of books, each of these books can easily be read as a stand-alone story.

Rating: 5 Stars (B+)

THE LEMON SISTERS BLOG TOUR

The Lemon Sisters by Jill Shalvis

Release Date: June 18, 2019

The Lemon Sisters, an all-new standalone contemporary romance by Jill Shalvis.

When Brooke’s older sister, Mindy, shows up at her door with her three kids in tow, she barely recognizes her sibling who looks like she’s on the verge of a total breakdown. While adventurous, wanderlust Brooke was always the problem child, eager to slip free of Wildstone and its small-town constraints, Mindy was the golden child, who never had a hair out of place or a GPA below 4.0. The Mindy that arrives at Brooke’s apartment however, is a far cry from the ever-perfect doctor’s wife.

Brooke’s further stunned when Mindy asks to trade places with her for a few days so she can pick up her pieces and put herself back together. What Mindy doesn’t realize is that Brooke is just as broken. Her sister needs her though, so Brooke takes the kids and returns to Wildstone.

But how does one go home after seven years away and what feels like a lifetime of secrets? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested, or so he says. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she long ago shoved deep.

The sisters begin to wonder if the childhood taunts were true, are they lemons in life? In love? True or not, they know one thing—you can’t run far enough to outpace your demons. And when long-dead secrets surface, they’ll have to overcome their differences and learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CrqBAf

Nook: http://bit.ly/2CqzYzY

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YazSWj

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2Wh8Wml

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2ULl9Pw

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2TkD1zb

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Iu9vW3

Excerpt:

     “Okay,” she said. “Time for me to go to bed.”

     “Or you’re running,” he said. “Again.”

     She closed her eyes and told herself to ignore the soft taunt. No matter what they’d been – or hadn’t been – to each other, she wasn’t looking for love with anyone, and certainly not a wash and repeat with the one man who could destroy her. It wasn’t as if she’d been a monk. She’d dated, but she hadn’t let anyone in. Not ever. Even Cole had complained about the brick walls she’d encased her emotions in.

     And he was right. She could get involved to a point, but she always pulled back.

     “You don’t have to run from me, you know,” Garrett said. “There’s no reason for there to be anything but honesty between us.”

     Yes, there was... “Maybe I’m just not feeling it.”

     Another soft laugh. “Okay.”

     “Hey,” she said and poked a finger in his pec. His hard, ungiving, sexy pec. “If I was feeling it, you’d know.”

     “Yeah? How?” he challenged.

     “I’d be …flirty. I certainly wouldn’t be thinking of all of your faults.”

     He grinned. How like a man to not be worried about his faults.

     “So what are these so-called faults?” he asked, curious. Still not concerned.

     “Well, for starters, you’re wearing black knit boxers with bananas on them.”

     This made him laugh outright. “Someone sent me a subscription box. They come once a month. Last month’s pair had cocks all over them.”

     “Like … chickens, or…?”

     He was still smiling. “If you’re curious, I’ll be happy to wear them tomorrow and give you a peek.”

     “Whatever,” she said. “And the fact that some woman sent you a subscription to undies is another reason I’m not feeling it. You’ve stayed friends with every single person you’ve ever met.”

     “And that’s a fault?”

     She shrugged. Of course it wasn’t a fault. It was the opposite of a fault. “Well, except for me, of course.”

     “Because you don’t answer phone calls, texts, emails…” He tilted his head. “Tell me something.”

     Oh boy. “What?”

     “Why did you and your last boyfriend break up? That Cole guy.”

     “I told you, he’s my boss.”

     “But you’re sleeping together,” he said, his eyes holding hers prisoner. “Or you were.”

     “How do you know that?”

     He smiled grimly. “You just told me.”

     Dammit. She crossed her arms over her chest. “We’re not together if that’s what you’re asking.”

     “Why?”

     “Why what?” she asked.

     “Why aren’t you together?” he pressed.

     “Because I don’t like him like that.”

     Did his eyes warm very slightly, or was that her imagination? “Because you’re just not feeling it?” he asked mockily, using her words.

     She rolled her eyes. “You think you’re funny. How about we talk about you. Tell me about the girlfriend you said you don’t have. The one who called you the other day for a hookup.”

     “It wasn’t a hookup. She dumped me.”

     She snorted. “Right. You expected me to believe a guy who looks like you do, and is funny and smart like you are, got dumped?”

     “Actually, I expect you to believe whatever I tell you.” He shifted close until they were knee to knee. “Because I’ve never lied to you, Brooke. Never will.”

About Jill:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillShalvis/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/

Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com

Newsletter: http://jillshalvis.com/contact/

Website: http://jillshalvis.com

THE LEMON SISTERS RELEASE BLITZ

The New York Times bestselling author of Rainy Day Friends and Lost and Found Sisters returns to Wildstone, California, where two completely opposite sisters—who are still nursing wounds from the past—realize they need each other more than they think.

The Lemon Sisters, an all-new standalone contemporary romance by Jill Shalvis is LIVE!

When Brooke’s older sister, Mindy, shows up at her door with her three kids in tow, she barely recognizes her sibling who looks like she’s on the verge of a total breakdown. While adventurous, wanderlust Brooke was always the problem child, eager to slip free of Wildstone and its small-town constraints, Mindy was the golden child, who never had a hair out of place or a GPA below 4.0. The Mindy that arrives at Brooke’s apartment however, is a far cry from the ever-perfect doctor’s wife.

Brooke’s further stunned when Mindy asks to trade places with her for a few days so she can pick up her pieces and put herself back together. What Mindy doesn’t realize is that Brooke is just as broken. Her sister needs her though, so Brooke takes the kids and returns to Wildstone.

But how does one go home after seven years away and what feels like a lifetime of secrets? It doesn’t take long for Brooke to come face-to-face with her past, in the form of one tall, dark, sexy mistake. But Garrett’s no longer interested, or so he says. Only his words don’t match his actions, leaving Brooke feeling things she long ago shoved deep.

The sisters begin to wonder if the childhood taunts were true, are they lemons in life? In love? True or not, they know one thing—you can’t run far enough to outpace your demons. And when long-dead secrets surface, they’ll have to overcome their differences and learn that sometimes the one person who can help you the most is the one you never thought to ask.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2CrqBAf

Nook: http://bit.ly/2CqzYzY

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2YazSWj

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2Wh8Wml

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2ULl9Pw

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2TkD1zb

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Iu9vW3

About Jill:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillShalvis/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillShalvis/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillshalvis/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jillshalvis/

Tumblr: http://jillshalvis.tumblr.com

Newsletter: http://jillshalvis.com/contact/

Website: http://jillshalvis.com

RAINY DAY FRIENDS (WILDSTONE #2)

Six months after Lanie Jacobs’ husband’s death, it’s hard to imagine anything could deepen her sense of pain and loss. But then Lanie discovers she isn’t the only one grieving his sudden passing. A serial adulterer, he left behind several other women who, like Lanie, each believe she was his legally wedded wife.

Rocked by the infidelity, Lanie is left to grapple with searing questions. How could she be so wrong about a man she thought she knew better than anyone? Will she ever be able to trust another person?  Can she even trust herself?

Desperate to make a fresh start, Lanie impulsively takes a job at the family-run Capriotti Winery. At first, she feels like an outsider among the boisterous Capriottis. With no real family of her own, she’s bewildered by how quickly they all take her under their wing and make her feel like she belongs. Especially Mark Capriotti, a gruffly handsome Air Force veteran turned deputy sheriff who manages to wind his way into Lanie’s cold, broken heart—along with the rest of the clan.

Everything is finally going well for her, but the arrival of River Brown changes all that. The fresh-faced twenty-one-year old seems as sweet as they come…until her dark secrets come to light—secrets that could destroy the new life Lanie’s only just begun to build. 

Release Date: June 19, 2018

Avon Harper Collins

Contemporary Romance

Wildstone #2

Review copy provided by publihser

Liza's review:

Seriously Rainy Day Friends was like book crack to me. Once I started reading this story, I didn't want to put the book down. This book made me laugh out loud in public while reading, gave me happy signs and even a few tears.

 Lanie Jacobs needs a break from her life in after discovering her husband not only married her, but several other women. I loved how Lanie was a bit of a fish out of water around the Capriotti clan in the beginning. As she never had a close knit family, suddenly being drawn into a boisterous and all up in your business family really was a shock to her. I loved the Capriottis accepted Lanie into their family pretty much from the moment she walked on their property. I honestly think if this had just been a story about Lanie finding a family with the Capriottis, it would have been great. However Ms. Shalvis took it so much further.

I loved seeing Lanie and Mark both find their way back to love. As they both had been burned pretty badly in the love department in the past, I loved watching them navigate their way through their relationship. I have to say I also adored Mark’s twin girls. I really think it can sometimes be a distraction to have kids in a romance, but felt the balance and humor with the girls was absolutely perfect in Rainy Day Friends. I think I fell in love with those two precocious little girls every bit as much as I fell in love with Lanie and Mark as a couple.

I figured out immediately that River has something to do with Lanie’s husband. Her story along with everything Lanie had discovered pretty much broke my heart for them both in the very beginning. However as the story progressed and Lanie and River spent more time together, I started to feel like they had become sisters of the heart. While I hated what they each had to go through to get to this point in their lives, I loved seeing them make such a strong and lasting connection to each other, as neither had a family like the Capriottis. I felt like they each finally had found a home among the Capriottis and finally had a sister in each other.

I’ve always adored books from Jill Shalvis, but have to say there is something about Rainy Day Friends that makes it one of my favorite books ever from Ms. Shalvis. It gave me all the emotional feels and I honestly didn’t want to put it down. I loved the story so much, I’ve already listened to the audiobook just so I could read it again, and it was like having the story brought to life all over again. I highly recommend Rainy Day Friends to everyone who loves and emotion filled romance with lots of humor. I really hope we get to spend more time with all these characters on our next visit to Wildstone.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

THE GOOD LUCK SISTER (WILDSTONE #1.5)

This summer, romance blooms again in Wildstone!

After a difficult few years, Tilly Adams is ready for life to start going right. Though she has a case of first day nerves teaching art at the local community college, she knows it isn't anything a few snuggles from her rescue puppy won't cure. Until she sees Dylan Scott again, her one-time BFF and first love sitting in the front row.

Dylan knows he should've left well enough alone, but when he sees Tilly living her dream, he can't help but make contact. Ten years ago, he left Wildstone and everything in it behind, including Tilly. He had his reasons, but now he wants her back in his life, anyway he can get her.

When Tilly agrees to design the logo for Dylan's new helicopter touring company, it's business only...until she finds herself falling into his arms once again. Can she possibly open her heart back up to the only man who's ever broken it? But soon they're both realizing the truth - love always deserves a second chance.

Release Date: May 1, 2018

Avon

Wildstone #1.5

Contemporary romance

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

I loved meeting Tilly and Dylan in Lost and Found Sisters, the first book in the Wildstone series, last year. Even though they were just teenagers, I knew there was a special connection between them and am so glad Jill Shalvis is giving us their story.

I loved every moment of The Good Luck Sister. Tilly was one of my favorite characters from the first book and I loved getting to see her all grown up. Tilly is such a funny and sarcastic character. I love she is still pursuing her dream of art but also teaching others at the same time. Tilly is just one of those characters you love from the moment you meet her, even when she does something crazy.

Dylan and Tilly’s past comes to the present as soon as Dylan steps into Tilly’s class. I loved they were best friends as teens and I wanted their relationship to work even when they were kids. Dylan had such a rough life and I loved he always knew he had Tilly in his corner. I love how much he loved her even back then and wanted to protect her. Dylan was so great when Tilly’s sister Quinn came to take care of her after Tilly’s mom died in helping Tilly see how much her sister loved her.

Tilly and Dylan had great chemistry and I really think they were so perfect for each other. They had a shared past even if it was filled with bumps along the way. I love they both never stopped loving each other and then finding their way back to each other totally worked for me.

The Good Luck Sister was a super fast funny and sexy read. Fans of Jill Shalvis will love reconnecting with these characters and new readers will have no trouble following the story. I can’t wait to head back to Wildstone in future books.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)