Rainy Day Friends by Jill Shalvis

Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone, #2)

by Jill Shalvis

Rainy Day Friends is the second Wildstone novel from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis, a moving story of heart, loss, betrayal and friendship, for fans of Susan Mallery, Kristan Higgins and Robyn Carr.

It's time to learn to trust again... Six months after her husband's death, it's hard to imagine anything could deepen Lanie Jacobs' sense of pain and loss. But then she discovers she isn't the only one grieving his passing. A serial adulterer, he left behind several other women who also believed they were his legally wedded wife.

Desperate to make a fresh start, Lanie impulsively takes a job at the family-run Capriotti Winery. At first, she feels like an outsider among the boisterous Capriottis but slowly comes to feel like she belongs, especially when Mark Capriotti, a gruffly handsome Air Force veteran turned deputy sheriff, manages to wind his way into Lanie's cold, broken heart.

Everything is going well for her, until the arrival of River Brown. The fresh-faced twenty-one year old seems as sweet as they come...until her dark secrets come to light - secrets that could destroy the new life Lanie's only just begun to build.

Return to Wildstone in Lost and Found Sisters and The Good Luck Sister and check out Jill's warm, funny Heartbreaker Bay novels, visit gorgeous Cedar Ridge, spellbinding Lucky Harbor or experience some Animal Magnetism in Sunshine, Idaho in Jill's other unforgettable series.

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

5 of 5 stars

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Coffee Dates with Rainy Day Friends

  • First Date: The story begins with Lanie Jacobs arriving at the family-run Capriotti Winery as she talks herself down from an anxiety attack. Six months ago her husband died and sent her world off kilter when she learned she wasn't the only one mourning him. Apparently, he had several wives. Since she was the first, the life insurance policy allowed her to escape town and the questions by accepting a three-month contract with the winery. It includes boarding and hopefully room for her to breathe again. Right away I liked Lanie and felt for her, first for the asshat of a husband she had, and second, the Capriotti's are loud and peaceful and quiet aren't their strong point. Each chapter is prefaced with a saying or meme about anxiety, and I looked forward to them.

  • Second Date: The story has several threads, but the primary focus is Lanie and very sexy, Mark Capriotti, an Air Force veteran turned deputy sheriff. He too has been betrayed in a relationship, but while he is protecting his heart, it gifted him the two greatest joys in his life. We also get a low-key secondary romance with another new arrival whose carrying big secrets.  And of course, we get plenty of time to enjoy the Capriotti family shenanigans. All the characters in this series are wonderful from Mark's loud sisters to their Uncle Jack. I loved being a part of it all.

  • Third Date: Two little girls stole my heart in this story and made me burst out laughing until I had tears rolling down my cheeks. This story tugged at my heartstrings. Both hero and heroine have been hurt and betrayed by a loved one, so the romance is a slow-build with lots of sizzling chemistry and negotiations before they become intimately involved. Attraction gives way to more allowing for character growth, a little drama and plenty of heartwarming moments. Shalvis knocked this one out of the park, allowing me to become entangled in their story from beginning to the end. I ended my final date hugging myself and wishing another book in this series was ready for download.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 29 May, 2018: Finished reading
  • 29 May, 2018: Reviewed