The Sweetest Thing

Reviewed by AprilReview copy provided by NetGalleyI dare you to not fall in complete love with these characters, not to find yourself absorbed within their lives and not to burst out in laughter several times throughout reading Christmas in Lucky Harbor! I truly do – and if you do manage these feats, I want to know, lol!First off, Christmas in Lucky Harbor is the combination of Simply Irresistible and The Sweetest Thing, the first two novels in the Lucky Harbor series. The series focuses on three sisters who are brought together after the death of a mother, Phoebe, someone that they never really truly knew. As a last ditch effort to solidify her family, Phoebe leaves a rundown inn to her daughters, Maddie, Tara and Chloe. None of the girls are truly close nor have they experienced true “family” in the modern sense of the word. However when they are tossed together to deal with their inheritance, that all changes. Toss in a couple yummy, gorgeous, intelligent and stubborn men and you have yourself a guaranteed not-to-be-missed book!The first story, Simply Irresistible centers on Maddie, known in Lucky Harbor as “The Mouse”, while Tara is the “The Steel Magnolia and Chloe the “The Wild Child”. Maddie has lost everything she has known – her job, a not-so-healthy relationship and her home. For her, the Inn seems like a new beginning, something that she can truly call her own. However, she must convince Tara and Chloe, who want nothing more than to do a quick fix, sell the place and get out of Lucky Harbor ASAP, that she can run the place herself and to give it and her a shot.From the moment she enters Lucky Harbor, she finds herself in knee deep klutziness with Jax. After nearly killing him and then toppling his bike shortly after, she wants nothing more than to dig a hole and hide from this man. However, Jax will have none of that. The chemistry that steams off the two of these characters is hot and rolls from the pages. I absolutely loved how their relationship was one of those “love/hate” deals where they are constantly arguing and picking fights, but those times are to simply mask the heat that they feel for one another; which, of course, only adds to the fire and intensity. Within Simply Irresistible, there are two main stories and relationship developments taking place: that between the sisters and that between Maddie and Jax. Both sets are written in such an excellent way and weave together to perfection. I loved getting to know all of these characters: Maddie, Tara and Chloe are so amazingly unique and different. The progression of their relationship throughout both Simply Irresistible and The Sweetest Thing is excellent and amazingly enjoyable to watch. Now, the relationship development between Maddie and Jax is combustible, fun, light-hearted, yet nowhere near shallow. Their bond grows in strength as the story moves along (oh, yes, and may I mention that once you read this, you will never think of a tool belt the same way again?!).With the character of Maddie, Jill Shalvis creates someone who is meek and a bit fearful of life and what it holds and turns those characteristics around and allows Maddie to go from being the “Mouse” to someone who is incredibly strong, brave and finding peace within her life. I absolutely loved this. Now, on to The Sweetest Thing. This is Tara, “The Steel Magnolia’s” story. Tara is incredibly hard headed, stubborn and puts herself in the forefront of leadership. However, beneath this tough-as-nails exterior is a woman who is unsure, carries guilt and a bit on the lonely side. Though her sisters both think that she has the perfect life, she surprises them with the truth, including her divorce from a NASCAR hottie. While in Lucky Harbor the past six months, Tara makes some wonderful and fairly startling discoveries about herself. She learns that she is so much more than she ever felt herself to be. When hot and hard-bodied Ford presses himself within Tara’s life, she tries to fight her attraction and desire for him with all she is worth. His steamy gazes, knowledge of her inside and out, as well as his persistence threaten to break down barriers, Tara feels herself slipping. Then to add to the torment, Tara’s ex-husband re-enters her life and states that he will do anything to win her back. What a horrifying dilemma – caught between two hot men who will do anything for you (or most anything…) Oh, yes, I must not forget to mention the poll on Facebook that one of Lucky Harbor’s busy bodies has put up – who will win Tara, Ford, the local yum and adored or Logan – the celebrity and ex? The Sweetest Thing is tossed liberally with humor, heart and some excellent surprises. Again, like in Simply Irresistible, I loved all the characters and found myself truly bonded to them. Though this is Tara’s story, Maggie’s story still continues within and sets up perfectly for Chloe’s story, Head Over Heels, which I cannot wait to get my hands on! Overall, the stories within Christmas in Lucky Harbor follow the typical formula for romance; yet are done in such a way that the reader cannot help but love both the stories and the characters. There are a few lovely twists and turns which add uniqueness and make the stories stand out amid this market and genre of books. I also want to note that even though the title: Christmas in Lucky Harbor indicates a Christmas themed set of stories, this is not so. Within the first story, Simply Irresistible, there is mention of a Christmas tree and a few little things such as that throughout, but that is the only indication of Christmas within both stories. I wanted to make sure to mention this fact because this is a book that can be read any time of the year – even if you are more apt to read Christmas books only at Christmas time, do not let the title put you off.I had so much fun reading Christmas in Lucky Harbor. It was one of those books that I easily and quickly sank into. I have to admit that there were a couple of nights that I found myself having to make myself put the book down to go to sleep – this was after 1:30 AM. If I could have, I would easily and happily have sat down and read cover to cover. Both of these stories were so real and human, so filled with humor yet serious, and watching these sisters grow and overcome powerful obstacles was amazing. Oh, yes, the steaminess was like the whipped cream and shiny cherry on top as well. The sexual tension and love scenes are hot, but not to the point of being erotic in any sense, while adding heat to get the heart pumping, but done very tastefully. Do I recommend Christmas in Lucky Harbor? Absolutely, positively and without a crumb of hesitation. Jill Shalvis is an amazing talent and brings fun and deliciousness to reading!Favorite Quotes: (Simply Irresistible) "I've heard that L.A. women are pretty aggressive in their pickup tactics. But this just might be one for the record books. You should probably just save us both some trouble and ask me out directly.""Hey, I didn't nearly run you over on purpose. And I tripped on the bike trying to read the sign.""Ah, but you don't deny the attempting to pick-me-up part." He nodded. "You want me bad."(The Sweetest Thing): "Since I want to impress these women - all of whom have connections and will hopefully send their family and friends here to the inn. So please. Please, Ford, you have to go. You can mess with my head another time, I swear."From outside on the deck, the women were still talking and their voices drifted in. "Lord alive," someone said, possibly Ethel. "I'm still having a hot flash. If this inn comes with that man waling around like that, I'll shout recommendations for this place from the rooftops."Ford's gaze met Tara's and he slowly raised a brow."Oh, for God's sake." She gave up trying to push him out. "It's your damn body, that's all!"

I truly enjoyed this book. Ford and Tara had history together and you could feel the tension even in the first book. I loved their chemistry, and Logan was funny when added to the mix! I hardly put this book down and I stayed up WAY too late!!! My ONLY complaint is that there are a bit too many sex scenes. They were well done and not distasteful or anything, but it gave the story more of a "its all about the sex" feel to me and had she cut it back just a bit I would have felt more love rather than lust I think.. BUT that said it was still a great book and I can't wait for Chloe!!! I am thinking it's her and Sawyer!!! (I haven't peeked yet but I will start reading it tonight!)

Another Lucky Harbor gem. I have to say I still don't like Tara whole lot, she's a very unlikeable character, but who can argue with a love story so brilliantly written! In spite of her "unlikeableness", Tara is a well rounded character, quirky and flawed and relateable. And then, of course, there are the alpha men in the book that you can't help but fall in love with, the men who know there's only one woman for them, whether they like it or not. I love the way Ms. Shalvis brings in secondary characters to remind the main characters what they've survived, been through, felt. Mia and Carlos were an excellent parallel to Tara and Ford, a reminder of their past, and hope for their future. Unerringly consistent, Ms. Shalvis's writing carries me away every time.

I did enjoy this story with all its intriguing complications. It had a real sense of emotional growth in multiple family relationships and the facebook part was so funny. Cook Tara stays in town to help her sisters at their inn and tries to confront her past with sailor Ford.

Incredible. Sweet. Sexy. Hot. Sad. Angst. All these things I felt while I was reading the book and it made the story that much better.

The Sweetest Thing
Jill Shalvis
☆★☆★

"Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor."





The Sweetest Thing is The story between the stick up her ass sister Tara and The beautiful Sailor Ford!
Tara, boy is she something else! Such a little firecracker :) I absolutely love her. And Ford Oh My Gosh is he not the perfect book boyfriend???

Lets not forget about Lucille and her tweeting/Facebook sightings. OMG had me laughing my Booty off. I swear my husband thought I was going crazy. Especially her tweets about Logan and Ford.



this book had its hook sunk into me the moment I opened it. I laughed, I got so frustrated with Tara, I cried a bit there are some sensitive subjects in this novel. If you have read the previous novel you know that when Tara was younger she had given up a child for adoption. This book goes into that a little deeper.

CHLOE the woman has me falling off my seat anytime she walks in. Now Chloe and Sawyers story is something I am def. anticipating :) If you pick this series up you will not regret it!

I def. recommend this series :)

I really, really, really like the way this author writes. I have very few qualms with any part of the stories that I've read. They're funny, sexy, and filled with just the right amount of conflict to keep you interested, but not so much that you shake your head at the ludicrousness of it.

I will definitely read more of her books in the future.

The Sweetest Thing is the 2nd book in Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series. I was a little hesitant going into this book because I didn't love Tara in the first book. I should have had more faith in the author, because I truly enjoyed this book. I think even more than the first.

Another five star from me. Absolutely perfect fluff. This is the second in the series and had everything in it that I loved about the first one added to a story with a little more depth and a heroine with a heck of a lot more flaws than in the first one. There were a bunch of laugh out loud lines in there -- and that was before the whole added factor of the townspeople and Facebook poll stuff. A little unrealistic? Yes, possibly. But not entirely given the way small towns are. And, honestly, I don't care. It was pretty damn funny. I also liked that the ex was neither a monster nor perfect. And the ending? Perfect. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

Almost gave this one two stars, but it pained me too much to do that to a Jill Shalvis book, so....

Would have liked this one so much better but for two things: 1) the heroine and 2) the narrator. Spent about 95% of the book wanting to smack Tara upside the head with something heavy--maybe Ford's crepe pan? She sooo needed to get over the summer they spent when they were seventeen. She was all about the "I was just seventeen!" excuse for herself, but continued to hold Ford responsible for all the things he said and did back then despite the fact that, HELLO HE WAS SEVENTEEN TOO. Definitely, they made some bad decisions back then that ended in serious consequences. Yes, they had to make adult decisions, which, ultimately, they did. She wanted to leave. She told him not to follow. She did. He didn't. End of story, for seventeen years. Then Tara comes back to town, realizes she still is attracted to him and hey, he's attracted to her too, but gosh, she can't let herself fall for him because he's just going to let her go again? Hello! It's seventeen years later! Perhaps we could give the guy a second to prove he's matured just a little bit before slamming him down? It took two to tango back then, you know....

As for the narrator--I've been listening to this one on audio because I wanted to read them and I've had some Audible credits, but I'm not sure I can make it through another book read by this woman. Her male character voices are horrible, and she often completely disregards how a person is supposed to be speaking when she reads--someone who is supposed to be confused comes off sounding antagonistic and someone who is hesitant sounds assertive. And don't get me started on the southern accent!

I'd really like to see how Chloe's story turns out, but at this point I'm not sure if I'll go any further than that in this series, which is a real shame. I've read more by this author that I like so much better!

I enjoyed this. Read it immediately after the first one. Has some fun quirks in it. I did feel it was a bit long. I kept wondering when it would be over. A lot of the action seemed to be a rehash of what had just happened. Tara, the heroine, seemed to resist, resist, resist, give in, rinse and repeat. I would think the "conflict" would be resolved and then it would pop up again.
Good way to spend T'giving and the day after.
On a side note, I downloaded the companion "cook book" offered as a free Kindle item and made the banana honey muffins. Yum. If you have a Kindle, you may want to look for it: Heating Up the Kitchen: Recipes with Love from Lucky Harbor.
There is a mix of good recipes with casserole recipes that you grew up with if you grew up in the South. I mean, tater tots and cream of mushroom soup are two of the food groups here in the South and casserole making is an art, not a science.

I enjoyed this. Read it immediately after the first one. Has some fun quirks in it. I did feel it was a bit long. I kept wondering when it would be over. A lot of the action seemed to be a rehash of what had just happened. Tara, the heroine, seemed to resist, resist, resist, give in, rinse and repeat. I would think the "conflict" would be resolved and then it would pop up again.
Good way to spend T'giving and the day after.
On a side note, I downloaded the companion "cook book" offered as a free Kindle item and made the banana honey muffins. Yum. If you have a Kindle, you may want to look for it: Heating Up the Kitchen: Recipes with Love from Lucky Harbor.
There is a mix of good recipes with casserole recipes that you grew up with if you grew up in the South. I mean, tater tots and cream of mushroom soup are two of the food groups here in the South and casserole making is an art, not a science.

3.5 stars.Sweet, funny and sexy, this is the second instalment of the Lucky Harbor trilogy and features the eldest of the sisters, Tara, and Ford (who is smokin' by the way). It lacked any real conflict to block the HEA for the characters but I liked Ford so much it was no hardship to read! I thought the whole contact with adoptive parents thing was glossed over but the parts with the competition between Logan and Ford were fun and I enjoyed the Facebook poll with Twitter updates!

I have been waiting for Ford and Tara's story since Simply Irresistible. I was so curious to find out what exactly went down between the two and how they were going to find themselves again. I just couldn’t help but fall for these two characters.The Sweetest Thing is book two and pulls you into the minds of Ford and Tara. Tara has always been a controlling person. She needs things to run her way and she needs to be on top of it all. Anyone can ask for help, but she will never say yes. Tara and Ford have a history that goes back to when they were in high school. Ford is the only male that manages to throw things off track for Tara. She will never admit it, or show it to anyone, but he really knows how to stir things up inside of her. They have so much chemistry, but Tara pushes him away as hard as she can. But eventually when something keeps coming after you, it’s bound to catch you right? Well, Ford wasn't going to give up and I am glad he didn't LOL.It was nice to finally learn their full blown history. Some parts were very predictable, but that's okay. I wanted the story to go in the direction that it did. It’s funny, heart breaking, and very steamy. And when I say funny, I mean funny. They live in a small town, and in small towns everyone knows your business. So it didn’t take long for the town to get involved in their relationship and start holding polls on which hot and juicy male Tara will end up with. It made the paper and was all over Facebook LOL. It was hilarious! Of course I voted for Ford. This is a really good series and so far I’ve liked every book I’ve read by Jill Shalvis. I love Romance and I recommend adding this series to your TBR pile. 4 out of 5 Stars!

In The Sweetest Thing we head back to Lucky Harbor where Tara, Chloe, and Maddie are attempting to open the inn their mother left them. They are still struggling to feel and behave like an actual family, but really they have come so far from the three strangers we met in Simply Irresistible (read my review here). The inn is gearing up for opening day, and Tara is continuing to pretend Ford doesn’t exist. They had a whirlwind romance years prior that left Tara with a broken heart. So now she is using extreme caution when it comes to the guy who can still make her heart skip a beat. Ford with all his sexy maleness is ignoring her leave me alone vibes and invading her personal space at every opportunity. Then the famous NASCAR star ex shows up determined to win Tara back. This has Ford realizing he might not want to lose Tara a second time, but is he ready to actually get serious about something instead of being the laid back guy with no cares in the world.I love, love, love this series! I was anxiously awaiting this book as soon as I finished the first in the series. I adore the town of Lucky Harbor, all its quirky residents, and the romantic adventures involving the three sisters. The Sweetest Thing is Tara “The Steel Magnolia” and Ford’s story. They are both resisting the urge to try for a second chance at love thanks to a mix of fear and stubbornness. They have very little in common other than their love of cooking, but they still mesh so well. I love when couples in books balance each other so perfectly. We also see Maddie and Jax again, and they are so very happy. Chloe is continuing with her wild child ways, and the tension between her and Sawyer is escalating quickly. I can’t wait to read her story in book #3.This book stars such wonderfully lovable characters paired with witty dialogue. This one also had a family reunion that left me teary eyed on more than one occasion. The perfect mix of humor, romance, and tear jerker moments. I love a book that can make me laugh and cry on the same page. Jill Shalvis is an author who I know I can turn to when I need a comfort read. She writes stories that leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy. I can’t get enough, and I know I’ll read this one again! If you enjoy contemporary romance you don’t want to miss out on this series.