Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone, #2)

by Jill Shalvis

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times - Jill Shalivs NEVER disappoints me! She and the Capriotti family have won my heart, and Wildstone is fast becoming my favorite Shalvis series.

Who?
• Lanie - a recently widowed graphic designer, who was NOT mourning her husband after discovering she was one of many wives.

• Mark - a handsome deputy sheriff and single dad, who was trying to focus on raising his twin daughters.

What?

Lanie was quickly enchanted by the Capriotti family, especially Mark, but both Lanie and Mark were still nursing wounds from previous relationships, and did not believe they were ready for anything serious. Their mutual affection grows more and more as the days pass, but will Lanie be able to trust her heart after it had previously led her so far astray?

Why?

I have always fallen in love with the "families" Shavlis assembled in all her books, but I think the Carpriottis are my new number one. There was just something so special about this group. They loved so fiercely and didn't fear opening their hearts to new people. At one point, Cora, the matriarch, was referred to as a collector. She would find broken people and make them part of her family, and that just filled my heart with joy.

Aside from the family being so full of love, they were also comprised of some really colorful characters. I loved all their different personalities and found myself terribly amused by them. The twins were so adorable, and Shalvis featured them quite well in the story. But obviously, the romance between Mark and Lanie was what I loved most.

From their very first interaction, there was a fantastic chemistry between the two. The book was filled with great banter, but the best was saved for Mark and Lanie. It was fun and flirty and sometimes really sexy. I loved almost every second they spent on page together. And the way they grew and changed as their relationship grew and changed was beautiful to watch, because I was rooting for both these characters to get their mojo back.

River's plot line added an interesting twist to this story. She created a little conflict and drama, which kept it interesting. I didn't expect to care about River, but then I found myself shedding tears for her. I am also hoping Shalvis will revisit River in a future book, because she started something, that I would like to see finished.

I read a string of books this week with endings that were meh, but this ending was stupendous! People, take notes, because THIS is how you do an epilogue. It's short, but we get so much closure and happiness delivered in those few pages. Way to leave me with a smile on my face, Jill Shalvis.

Overall: Another amazing book from Shalvis, which made me laugh, smile, swoon, and wanting to get back to Wildstone ASAP.