Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay, #3)

by Jill Shalvis

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

Sweet Little Lies was the book that gave me my first taste of Jill Shalvis’s work. Since then, I have eagerly awaited the release of each of the books in the Heartbreaker series. When the opportunity arose for me to read and review Elle and Archer’s story, I was ecstatic. Why? They absolutely intrigued me. They had a history between them as well a chemistry that was simmering beneath the surface, just waiting for that moment when it would explode. I could not wait to get the answers to the questions I had about these two.

Elle and Archer are attracted to each other; however, they had no clue that their feelings were reciprocated. Their friends knew, but they were clueless. Things became interesting when other men showed interest in Elle. Archer became jealous when other men showed interest, and he would find ways to discourage them. I thought this was selfish on his part given the fact that he never made his feelings known. He kept his feelings hidden because he felt he was not good enough for her. I had mixed feelings as it relates to their behaviour when they are around each other. At times, their actions were funny and entertaining and moments when I found it frustrating. I could not wait for them to finally get their act together.

Despite their frustrating actions, I thought they were perfect for each other. They had so much in common. They were driven, stubborn and they both had issues from their past that were affecting the way they related to each other. As the story progressed, Elle and Archer’s past collided with their present, which led to the introduction of new characters. These characters brought with them an element of danger, which did not bode well for Elle and Archer. This aspect of the story was suspenseful and riveting.

What I enjoyed about this book as is the case with the other books in the series is the strong bonds of friendship. I believed that the friendships portrayed helped to make the story compelling. The romance was not of the sweet variety, it was instead tense and antagonistic, which for me was a welcome change. The interaction between the characters was fun and endearing. I had several moments of laughter as a result. One of the things I believe that makes a story worth reading are dynamic characters and Elle and Archer were perfect examples of such. The story, which was well written, flowed flawlessly and kept me glued to the pages from start to finish.

Verdict
This was an engaging and enjoyable story that I recommend to both fans of Jill Shalvis, and readers who enjoy stories about love and friendships.