BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY ~Once In A Lifetime by Jill Shalvis~

Title: Once In A Lifetime
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor #9
Release Date: February 18, 2014

My Rating: 5 Stars

SOMETIMES WRONG IS OH-SO-RIGHT
After a wrenching loss, Ben McDaniel tried to escape his grief by working in dangerous, war-torn places like Africa and the Middle East. Now he's back in his hometown and face-to-face with Aubrey Wellington, the hot-as-hell woman who is trouble with a capital T. Family and friends insist she's not the one to ease his pain, but Aubrey sparks an intense desire that gives Ben hope for the future.

Determined to right the wrongs of her past, Aubrey is working hard to make amends. But by far, the toughest challenge to her plan is sexy, brooding Ben - even though he has absolutely no idea what she's done . . .

Can this unlikely couple defy the odds and win over the little town of Lucky Harbor?

This book has me so conflicted! Obviously, I loved it. No surprise there, Ms. Shalvis can do no wrong. She continues to build on her Lucky Harbor world with a fresh, hilarious, and steamy new story each time. It's really quite fascinating when you take a step back and see what an amazing repertoire she's built with this series. Once In A Lifetime is certainly no disappointment. The heroine, Aubrey, she is probably my favorite Jill Shalvis heroine to date. She has every reason to be the terror she used to be when she was younger but, she has decided to make a amends for her errant ways and flourish in her life... if only the once lovely inhabitants of Lucky Harbor would let her. I'm telling you, besides our beloved past couples, the Lucky Harbor townsfolk are on my shitlist. Big time. I was a huge fan of them and their quirky small town ways. But their treatment of Aubrey throughout this book was not up to par. That being said there are some exclusions to the rule. Truly, I think it was just a few scenes that really popped out at me but, it all worked with the theme and where the book was headed. 

As I said Aubrey is on a mission to atone for her wrongdoings. She has even proclaimed she was a bitch in her younger years and is trying to move past that. Starting with re-opening her Aunt's bookshop. She's got a grand idea to help a small bookstore survive in the modern tech age but, she needs some help. Enter Ben. A Lucky Harbor native, back from serving his country and healing from the loss of his wife 5 years ago. Ben, Aubrey, and his late wife Hannah all went to school together, so they are no strangers. What they are strangers to, is the magnetic chemistry they're experiencing while spending so much time together. They fight it. Aubrey has learned she can't depend on anyone else, and Ben is just not ready to move on. Their stubborn ways eventually give way to steamy nights, and comfortable time spent re-learning each other. Times have changed, and these two certainly have as well. But when Aubrey tries to atone for what she sees as her biggest mistake, Ben isn't ready for the ghosts and hurt it brings back to life. And before they can even begin to move on together, Ben may sabotage their chance out of sheer stupidity. 

Yes, Ben pulled the ignorant, dumb male move and I can't even be mad at him for it. Do I side with him? Hell no. Team Aubrey, FTW! But, he did fall in the typical pit of male stupidity. So, let's put that aside. Aubrey, now she is a character. I had many a fist pump, "Yeah, girl!" moments when reading her. But I also wanted to get out there and tell a couple people off for her. I mean how many times does the poor girl have to try to make amends and this town just turns their back on her? Totally not Lucky Harbor-esque at all. However, if you look at it from Ben's view it is Lucky Harbor. It all depends on how you look at. In my opinion, Aubrey was a victim of the circumstances of her childhood and couldn't gain her footing even for a minute until she finally had a Lucky Harbor hellion turned golden child (Ben) backing her. 

Despite the grouchy townsfolk, this book was everything I love about this series and more. I laughed until my ribs ached... I'm sorry but, that being banned from Facebook scene... I literally spit out my drink. Only because I follow Jill on Facebook and it was so hilarious that she worked it into her book, however maybe there should be a disclaimer? :) The scenes with Aubrey, Leah and Ali are just downright comical. And the scenes with Ben, Luke and Jack will have you shaking your head and cackling like a hyena. I seriously never tire of Ms. Shalvis' voice in her books. Once In A Lifetime had me glued to its pages. The attraction between Aubrey and Ben was simply explosive and their time together was both sweet and intriguing. I dare you to read this book and not laugh and get a little heated. It's an impossible task. Overall, a marvelous addition to an already mind-blowing series!

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by author/published through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Top 5 Reasons to Date the Handyman:

1. The tool belt.

2. The honey-do list is always handled.

3. The tool belt.

4. When the pipes freeze, you don’t have to break out the hair dryer.

5. The tool belt.

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Meet Jill:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

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REVIEW ~It Had To Be You by Jill Shalvis~

Title: It Had to Be You
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Lucky Harbor #7
Release Date: May 28, 2013

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she’s a thief, and now she’s about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who’s as sexy as he is stern….

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke’s own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

First off, this is my first time reviewing Jill Shalvis on my blog but, I have read almost all of her books. I am a HUGE fan of hers, and her books are completely amazing. If you've read the Lucky Harbor series you know that it is filled with quirky characters, unimaginable chemistry, and snarky dialogue to boot. It Had to Be You is no different, and fits right in with series.  Lucky Harbor is definitely in the top 5 of my favorite contemporary series. It is so thrilling that after 7 books in this series Ms. Shalvis still delivers a refreshing storyline, spunky heroines, and lovable/hot heroes. I find that too often in a series like this the author gets redundant but, that is so not the case here. I love the small town of Lucky Harbor, and if it truly existed I would move there. No joke. With hot guys like Luke, Sawyer, and my favorite, Matt hanging around town I would never want for eye candy. And with hilariously fabulous friends like Maddie, Chloe, Grace and Ali there would never be a dull moment.

"I know I might look like a ball of fluff, but I'm not. Not even close. And the fact that I get up each morning and put a damn smile on my face is the same as.. Batman putting on his cape... I'm not done. It's... protection. It's my shield. It's me waving my middle finger to the world, because I choose to be happy. The bottom line, Luke, is that I know what matters and what doesn't."

~Ali

I think Ali is on my favorite heroines in the series. She has to put up with so much, when all she ever does is give. Then she has everyone in town doubting her innocence. Hero to the rescue? I mean Ali could have handled it all herself, but Luke Hanover offers her the unwavering support she has never had in life. So, when the cards play out and they find it is easier to protect one another while living in the same household, how are they supposed to stop the attraction that has been growing since the first day they met? Well.... they don't :) I love reading a couples first meet, where they're trying to fight the chemistry and I just scoff at them. But it wasn't just a straight shot to a HEA after that. Nope, these two have painful pasts, asshole ex-boyfriends, and crazy seniors to deal with and a mystery to solve. Ali and Luke's banter was downright hilarious, and their back-and-forth attraction kept me turning pages. And despite his vehemence to the contrary, Luke was just the guy for Ali to be able to trust and depend on.

"She came, flying over the edge with his name on her lips. He tried to hold on, tried to hold back, but it was too late. He was lost. Lost, and yet somehow found. It was as simple and terrifying as that."

I really enjoy the development that Jill Shalvis gives her characters. Add that to their relate-able personalities and you have an amazing, heartfelt book every. single. time. Luke and Ali make a great addition to the unique and eclectic town of Lucky Harbor and definitely found a spot on my "to be read again" shelf. If you are new to Lucky Harbor you're going to love it and each book is a standalone. And if you're returning, well, Ms. Shalvis keeps raising the bar with each book in this series so expect something equally, if not more phenomenal than her last book. Also, there are little tidbits in It Had to Be You that allude to Jill's new book Always on My Mind and I cannot wait to read it!! It's just sitting on my bedside table begging to be read! I strongly urge you to go pick up the Lucky Harbor series, it is truly one of the greats!

Happy Reading!
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