Wrapped Up In You (Heartbreaker Bay, #8)

by Jill Shalvis

[Sam@WLABB]

I had hastily picked up this book after DNFing two in a row. I was thinking, if anyone would be able to fend off this book slump, it would be Jill Shalvis, and I was right!

I am ALWAYS excited to read a new Shalvis book, but when I saw that Kel from the Animal Magnetism books was joining the Heartbreaker Bay gang, I was bouncing up and down. Kel was a character we fans were clamoring about. We wanted the sexy sheriff to get his HEA, and not only did Shalvis deliver that, via a wonderful romance, she also gave him that "home" he had previously thought was gone forever.

I thought this was a rather brilliant pairing, too. Kel had been hesitant to form any real emotional ties. He had lost his father and grandparents, been abandoned by his mother, and was betrayed by someone he considered a very close friend.

Ivy was in a similar situation. She grew up with a neglectful mother and a brother who constantly put her in precarious situations. Both had let her down, time and again, and she grew to think she could only count on herself. Cow's Hollow was the first place she established roots, but she still kept everyone at arm's length.

It was rather wonderful watching these two chip away at each other's walls. They both had so much baggage and pain in their pasts, and I was eager for each of them to, in the immortal words of Lenny Kravitz, let love rule. They also seemed really well suited for each other. There was chemistry, connection, and something special, which just made me want them to ride off into the sunset together.

Besides their fantastic romance, we had all those stupendous elements of friendship, that I know will be present, when I pick up a Jill Shalvis book. Many members of the "gang" made an appearance, as they went on outings, worked out, and shared many heart-to-hearts. I always enjoy the ease these characters have with each other, as well as the heartfelt and humorous times they share together.

On top of all that, we had quite a bit of family involvement. Not only were Kel and Ivy opening their hearts to love, they were re-opening them to their families, and allowing themselves to heal their pasts. There's a lot of lovely moments and much forgiveness to go around, and I was a big fan of these elements.

Overall: A beautiful story of the power of love, friendship, and forgiveness and opening yourself up to possibilities. I hope there will be many more books in the Heartbreaker Bay series, because I am far from ready to leave this world.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS