Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Lucky Harbor #1
Published October 2010 by Forever
311 pages
website | twitter
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Series: 1. Simply Irresistible* 2. The Sweetest Thing 3. Head Over Heels 4. Lucky in Love 5. At Last 6. Forever and a Day 7. It Had to be You (May 2013) 8. Always on My Mind (October 2013) 9. Once in a Lifetime (2014)
Source: Purchased
Rating: Really Liked It

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. (Source: Goodreads)

I had to see what all the Lucky Harbor hub-bub was about and needed something to put me in the Christmas mood while I was wallowing in my sickness misery. Shalvis was up to the challenge.

I had an immediate connection with Maddie. She is quirky and clumsy. She struggles with her addiction and need for potato chip therapy. She is guarded, vulnerable and damaged, yet her strength and good heart definitely shine from underneath. She has hit rock bottom, but she recognizes it and embraces the opportunity of starting-over. And what is even more endearing is that her start-over includes getting to know her two half-sisters and a hunky handyman.

I really enjoyed being along for the journey of these three sisters dusting off their skeletons and learning to lean on each other. They grow together and there isn’t anything better to get you in the Christmas mood like family. Phoebe’s, their mom, little life lessons dished out at the beginning of each chapter helped keep things is perspective for the girls and me too.

“Learn from others’ mistakes. You don’t have enough time to make them all yourself.”

Jax is attracted to Maddie from the beginning, which is odd since she almost makes him roadkill. Shalvis expertly built and released the sexy time tension between these two throughout the book. I loved looking at Maddie through Jax’s eyes. He really saw her strength and character. But Maddie was the hold out, she had to heal. Her journey makes the insta-romance a believable and worthy one.

I’ll definitely be back to Lucky Harbor for a little Luck and Love.