Romance Mini-Reviews: Jill Shalvis, Sherry Thomas, and Molly O'Keefe

Title: It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor, #7)

Author: Jill Shalvis

Rating: 4 Stars

With a decent sprinkling of snow on the ground and the covers of my comforter up to my chin, a warm, breezy romance fit my mood precisely. I've been on a bit of a romance kick lately - one I almost feel guilty about as it means I'm disregarding my ever-growing pile of ARCs - but flying through love story after love story on a chilly weekend just feels so right. I picked up Simply Irresistible a few months back and, ever since, have been meaning to return to Lucky Harbor. Both the sequels following Simply Irresistible, however, had such summer-friendly covers that I wasn't quite in the mood  for this winter season but I couldn't resist the allure of a cop and the beginning of a new mini-trilogy within this expansive series that It Had to Be You had going for it. And, let me tell you, Luke gives Jax Cullen a really good run for his money! ;) Needless to say, Shalvis is a must-read for readers on the lookout for a lovely romance, quiet depth, and a slow simmer.

Title: Lucky in Love (Lucky Harbor, #4)

Author: Jill Shalvis

Rating: 4 Stars

Dear Publishers,

I regret to inform you that you have chosen the incorrect candidate to bestow your ARCs upon. In fact, this individual in question needs to be placed under surveillance for she hasn't reviewed a novel in a very long time and neither is she actively reading the ARCs you have been diligently sending to her doorstep. No, she is instead caught in Lucky Harbor (or Victorian England if you want to discuss the historical romance novels she's been flying through!) and, therefore, is unable to attend to upcoming novels. A pinch of pixie dust to snap her back into reality may be necessary.

Sincerely,
A Concerned Reader

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Since I seem to be mastering the art of "Ignore the ARC", I figured another trip to Lucky Harbor couldn't hurt. And, trust me, Lucky in Love hurt in only the right places. If you're a fan of the strong and silent type of hero alongside a heroine who's hiding an inner bad girl, this is your best bet. Quick, steamy, and ever-so-sweet, it'll bring a gust of luck and a dopey smile or two on your face for sure. (Although, diabetics, beware! Shalvis does not hesitate to mention chocolate...again and again and again. Thus, tread with caution! A craving for chocolate in practically guaranteed should this book fall into your unsuspecting hands...)

Title: The Luckiest Lady in London 

Author: Sherry Thomas 

Rating: 4 Stars

I swore off of Sherry Thomas after Not Quite a Husband destroyed me, leaving me an emotional wreck. With just a mere string of words Thomas held my heart far above my reach and the palpable pain she portrayed within the pages of her romance was unbearable. Needless to say, I've sought much happier, less bittersweet love stories since and, thankfully, The Luckiest Lady in London fits the bill. While it still contains Thomas's signature skill of character and persona, developing complex - and deeply flawed - heroes and heroines for us to love, the emotional scarring was minimal, though still felt. For fans of historical romance, this is a definite winner, filled with an enticingly entertaining courtship and a wonderfully contained marriage afterwards. Very, very highly recommended.

Title: Wild Child 

Author: Molly O'Keefe

Rating: 4 Stars

I've been finding it really, really tough to write a review for the Molly O'Keefe books I've read. Firstly, because the covers make this book seem like erotica or hard-core contemporary romance when it's more of a raw, realistic, and brutal look at life. It's an adult novel, so yes, it has fairly explicit sex, but the sex is only one aspect to the depth these books contain. Of course these characters are broken, but they're the kind of broken that passes for normal until it doesn't. And these are the kind of relationships, messy and unflinchingly honest, that we all sustain, at some point or the other, in our lives. I really wish I could articulate how perfectly O'Keefe writes really complex story arcs, with plenty of swoon to counter the dark places she takes her characters, but I can't. If you're one for realistic novels, ones that use sex as a means of empowerment, take characters out of the boxes we've labeled for them, and is downright un-put-downable, read Molly O'Keefe. I just don't think you can go wrong with her.