Hot Winter Nights: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel (Heartbreaker Bay, #6)

by Jill Shalvis

Most people wouldn't think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn't most people, and she could really use a distraction from the fantasies she's been having since spending the night with her very secret crush, Lucas Knight. Nothing happened, not that Lucas knows that - but Molly just wants to enjoy being a little naughty for once. Whiskey and pain meds for almost-healed bullet wounds don't mix. Lucas needs to remember that next time he's shot on the job, which may be sooner rather than later if Molly's brother, Joe, finds out about them. Lucas can't believe he's drawing a blank on his (supposedly) passionate tryst with Molly, who's the hottest, smartest, strongest woman he's ever known. Strong enough to kick his butt if she discovers he's been assigned to babysit her on her first case. And hot enough to melt his cold heart this Christmas.--

• ISBN10: 0062741845
• ISBN13: 9780062741844
• Publish Date: 25 September 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Collins
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[FranJessca @ A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog]

Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis was such a cute book to read that I had a hard time putting down this book. It’s the sixth book in Jill Shalvis’ Heartbreaker Bay series, and I’m so glad I made time to read it. I’ve missed this series by Jill Shalvis. Thanks to the Romanceopoly 2020 Challenge, I was able to read and finish Hot Winter Nights for the Winter square on the board.

Hot Winter Nights is set in a town where there is a big group of friends/co-workers that either want to find love or love finds them unexpectedly. The later is what happens in the sixth book with Lucas and Molly. Both of them work in the same security firm office, but one works as an Office Manager, while the other gets to investigate out in the field. Molly wants to start being out in the field, but her brother, Joe, and their boss, Archer, won’t let her. She ends up taking a case without Archer or Joe’s approval to help one of her neighbor who is working at the Christmas Village. Her neighbor believes they are being scammed by the owner who dresses up as Santa and wants Molly to investigate it. Lucas is one of the investigators at the security firm, and both Archer and Joe want him to watch out for Molly secretively. Unfortunately, Lucas is going to have his hands full with Molly since she can take care of herself. It also is trying to avoid her because he doesn’t remember how Molly ended up in his bed, and if they did anything. He hopes not since Molly’s brother, Joe, and his best friend would hurt him if he hooked up with his little sister. Joe is very protective of Molly. Maybe too much.

This is when the story gets interesting because sparks start flying between the characters, and they are trying not to have that happen. It’s inevitable, though. I kept rooting for them to realize it finally, and it took a traumatic event for them to understand their true feelings for each other. Both characters, though, have gone through a lot in their pasts, and they want to keep those pasts from each other, which was one thing that bothered me. Molly and Lucas should have been upfront with each other, especially since they were curious about what each other went through in their past. I will say this the best moments in the book are in Chapter One and the Epilogue. That’s all I’m going to say because I don’t want to give anything away.

I needed this fun romantic book after reading a dark paranormal romance book. I love Jill Shalvis and her adorable storylines. I can’t wait to catch up with this series because I enjoy being in this fictional world that Jill has created. 🙂

Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of series, but each book follows a new couple.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Office Romance; Brother’s Best-friend Romance; Christmas/Holiday; Mystery/Suspense

[Sam@WLABB]

I was into Molly and Lucas from the very beginning of this book, which was pretty funny. The banter between these two was fantastic, and no doubt, there was great chemistry, but there was a lot more to them then just their physical attraction.

Molly aspired to be an investigator for Hunt, but due to a previous injury, she was coddled and handled like fine china by all those in her circle. She just wanted a chance to prove herself, and it looked like that chance was going to come in the form of Lucas. He was supposed to be watching over her, but as their off-the-record investigation continued, he started to see what a competent and amazing investigator Molly was. He believed in her and support her pursuit, which was something that meant a lot to Molly. And, she was there in a more emotional way for Lucas. He was still suffering from some major losses, and these losses forced him to isolate. Slowly, Molly helps him open his heart, and reconnect with important people in his life.

Loved the hero. Loved the heroine. Adored the family interactions, and as always, it was loads of fun spending time with the Cow's Hollow gang. I also thought the suspense plot line was fun, and liked seeing Molly and Lucas functioning as a team.

Overall: Another great Heartbreaker Bay book that was the perfect blend of fun, romance, and suspense.

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[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

Love, love this installment. This book was so much fun from the romance between Molly and Lucas to the case they were working on. This story pushed all the right buttons for me. Swoon-worthy and heartfelt Hot Winter Nights left me feeling warm all over.

This is the sixth book in the Heartbreaker Bay series and like the previous books, it is a standalone read. Having been introduced to the main characters in the previous installment I hungrily gobbled up their story, as I was eager to know what made them tick.

I loved the fact I had the chance to reunite with the characters from the previous installment and to enjoy their meddlesome antics.

From the beginning, I knew I would be in for a treat. Lucas who is recovering from a GSW got the shock of his life when he woke up to find a woman in his bed. To top it all, he had no memory of how she got there. Then to make matters worse she turns out to be his co-worker and sister of his best friend. How did Molly, reach in his bed? What made this situation hilarious was Molly’s decision to make fun of it and poor Lucas did not know what hit him.

Molly has gotten bored with her job as office manager with Hunt Investigations. What she really wants to do is fieldwork, but neither her boss nor her brother was on board with her desires. Therefore, when her senior citizen neighbour approaches her about shady happenings at the Santa Village she saw this has an opportunity to prove herself worthy of being an investigator.

Molly’s hang-ups with her looks came from emotional and physical scars she has borne since the age of fourteen. Lucas too has had his share of pain stemming from loss. Therefore, they both had serious emotional baggage. I loved Lucas and Molly. I thought they were perfect for each other even though they frustrated me with their push and pull behaviour. It was a relief when they finally got their act together. Molly took a long time coming to her senses.

The facts surrounding the case proved interesting and ended up being dangerous for the parties involved. Molly got the chance to shine and for the men she work with to take her seriously as an investigator.

Conclusion/Recommendation
As stated earlier I had a great time with this story. A Funny, sexy, romantic Christmas story that will leave you wanting more. Fans of Jill Shalvis and contemporary romance will love Hot Winter Nights. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[thebookdisciple]

Hot Winter Nights is a combination of brother's best friend and office romance! Lucas has known Molly for years-she is his best friend's sister and the office manager for Hunt Investigations, where he works as well. He would NEVER let his man whore ways swing her way. He knows her brother would kill him. So, when he wakes up naked, in bed with Molly, he is certain his days on earth are numbered.

Molly engages in a bit of a lie by omission to force Lucas to help her and keep his mouth shut. I liked Molly! She has been smothered by over protective men for too long. Her brother Joe feels responsible for the injury that cost her dreams of a track and field scholarship and has been a bit of a helicopter brother ever since. Molly is very bright and resourceful so I enjoyed seeing her stand on her own and help her neighbors solve this bad Santa case. The elderly elves add some fun to the story and I enjoyed them a great deal.

I wasn't a big fan of Lucas right away. I'm over the man whore trope, so that was strike one. Also, I hate the whole "I'm too damaged to tarnish her" martyr routine. If Lucas wanted to be serious about Molly, he could have gone to her brother like a man and talked to him. I found Lucas' handling of the whole thing super immature and annoying. However, Molly's behavior regarding their relationship wasn't always mature either, so I couldn't really hold a grudge. I liked their banter and that Lucas respected Molly's talents.

The mystery of the story is around what the heck is going on at this Santa Village. Molly and Lucas realize pretty quickly that Santa is stealing money, but it turns out its much deeper than that. The climax of the book finds Molly and Lucas in real danger and I thought it was an engaging plot. Hot Winter Nights is perfect to get you into a touch of Christmas spirit, get some hot banter, and catch up with the previous couples from Heartbreakers Bay!

You can read Chapter 1 on Jill's Website!

 

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: Brother's Best Friend, office romance


• Triggers: no


• Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series


• Cliffhanger: no


• HEA: yes with cute epilogue

Contemporary romance series like Hope series by Jaci Burton, Bayside Summers by Melissa Foster, Montana Heat by Jennifer Ryan...then you will probably like Hot Winter Nights!

 

Hot Winter Nights

See full review on The Book Disciple

[stacey_is_sassy]

I knew there would be sparks…

I live with three males and at times I think my life is TOUGH!! Poor Molly, her whole office is male and what I thought was tough is nothing compared to what she puts up with. My guys are hubby, teen and pre-teen, while Molly’s are MEN of the Alpha, Badass, Scary, Fit and Bossy variety. Now, I’m thinking, I love my boys, but geez, I wouldn’t mind swapping for a couple of hours. Only a couple of hours mind you. That much testosterone, sweat, and gross boy stuff could get OLD…and disgusting, but boy would they LOOK good.

I loved Hot Winter Nights, and Jill Shalvis has again left me with a big goofy grin at the end. I knew a little about Molly and Lucas before I started but I enjoyed getting to know them better. These two have dealt with heartbreak and loss, injuries and challenges that left them a little wary of looking for love. Molly keeps everyone at arm’s length to avoid being disappointed and Lucas has shut down his heart to protect what’s left. Neither wants what is happening between them, but they can’t deny there are sizzle and sparks.

Molly walks with a limp after a serious accident when she was 14. She suffers from extreme pain that is exacerbated in the cold. But, Molly is a determined lady and refuses to be seen as weak or looked on with pity. Her brother and close friends try to protect her, but that protection makes her feel useless and undervalued. Even in her job, she knows that Archer, her boss, is hesitant to let her take risks. Molly just wants to show everyone she’s capable of more than what they think and prove that she’s smart and fit enough to work in their world and be an investigator.

Lucas is recovering from a gunshot wound and not allowed to head back to active duty until he’s fully recovered. He’s bored and will do anything to get back to work. After making the mistake of mixing alcohol and pain meds, Lucas wakes up next to a brunette. That particular brunette is on a mission to help a few Christmas Elves catch Bad Santa. Thanks to Archer and Joe (Molly’s over-protective brother), Lucas is tasked with keeping an eye on Molly as she delves deeper. This should be fairly easy…he just has to keep his hands to himself if he wants to stay alive.

The pacing was excellent in this one. I wasn’t getting impatient waiting for things to happen. There were intense scenes that were nicely balanced with some extremely funny ones. The connection between Lucas and Molly was easy to see and I was convinced that they were perfect for each other. I loved that Lucas understood Molly’s insecurities, and though he got frustrated at times, he never gave up. Completely oblivious as to why, Molly always managed to know when Lucas was suffering or needed a helping hand. They were together before they were even together. The sexy times were HOT but didn’t overtake the storyline.

Hot Winter Nights was an excellent instalment to the Heartbreaker Bay series. I LOVE all the people we meet in this one, especially Lucas’s loving big family. I know I say this with every new instalment, but I think this was THE ONE!! The best one, funniest one, sexiest one…since the last one. 😉

Oh my lordy, that snippet at the end, I have never fallen so hard for a hero in such a short time. If you read that snippet and don’t think Caleb Parker is THE BEST, I’ll be very surprised.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.

[Linda]

Hot Winter Nights hit just the right spot! A little suspense, a lot of romance, and some true hotness. I like!

[Rowena]

Molly and Lucas were a cute couple that I was on board with from the beginning and while this wasn’t my favorite Heartbreaker Bay Book, it was still a solid read. Lots of laughs and while there were times I wanted to pull Molly’s hair for her attitude, she was still great.

[kimbacaffeinate]

What a fun romance, with a twist on the fountain, and a suspenseful mystery surrounding some disgruntled elves and a bad Santa.  Molly Malone, is the office manager at Hunt Investigations and has secretly had a crush on Lucas Knight. When she unexpectedly ends up falling asleep in Lucas's bed and he can't remember what happen.. it's her turn to be a little naughty. I loved the setup to this romance. It's a best friend's little sister/co-worker troupe and I easily slipped in and began rooting for a happily ever-after.

Molly wants to be more than the office manager and has been asking for an investigative case.  Hunt Investigations can't take on the Bad Santa Case, and the boss knows Molly will investigate on her own, he tasked Lucas, still on injured reserve,  to keep an eye on Molly.  He is also given explicit instructions not to get involved. Ooops.

Both have some serious baggage and I loved how Shalvis shared their backstory allowing the reader to understanding these strong, complex characters as they got to know each other, traded barbs and let down their guard. Wickedly hot chemistry and an investigation involving Christmas Village, soon had me slipping into the story and leaving the outside world behind.

I loved these characters and their chemistry felt genuine. Poor Lucas isn't looking for more, but that is exactly what he finds. The romance while sizzling had a slow burn feel as the two worked the case, grew to admire each other and shared some truly touching moments. The drama/angst was kept to a minimum thanks to the case and Lucas's persistence.

Secondary characters from Molly's brother to our local homeless guy added interest, some laughter and rounded out the tale. All in all this was a heartfelt, swoon-worthy holiday romance that certainly left me wishing for a little mistletoe.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer