He’s So Fine

Lucky Harbor, Book #11

By Jill Shalvis 

ISBN# 9781455529490

Author’s Website: http://jillshalvis.com

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Spoiler Alert

Synopsis:

For Olivia Bentley, Lucky Harbor is more than the town where she runs her new vintage shop. It’s the place where folks are friendly to strangers-and nobody knows her real name. Olivia does a good job of keeping her past buried, not getting too cozy with anyone . . . until she sees a man drowning. Suddenly she’s rushing into the surf, getting up close and personal with the hottest guy she’s ever laid hands on.

Charter boat captain Cole Donovan has no problem with a gorgeous woman throwing her arms around his neck in an effort to “save” him. In fact, he’d like to spend a lot more time skin-to-skin with Olivia. He’s just not expecting that real trouble is about to come her way. Will it bring her deeper into Cole’s heart, or will it be the end of Olivia’s days in little Lucky Harbor?

Review:

For the romance genre, I think I have found my new favorite author!  This is the first book by Jill Shalvis I have read and I was just blown away.  As a matter of fact, I like it so much that I have already gone out and got the first 5 books in this series to read!  I was engaged as a reader from the start. I felt like I was actually in the moment while I was reading.  I enjoyed the way the two main characters interacted, their sparks undeniable.

From the first word I knew I would like Cole Donovan (and some of his silly moves):

“For a guy balancing his weight between the stern of his boat and the dock, thinking about sex instead of what he was doing was a real bonehead move.”  

You just knew this would spell disaster….and it did….sort of.

Their story began with Olivia diving in the water during her morning stroll to save a man from drowning, or so she thought.  We quickly realize that Cole is a self-sufficient kind of guy and not really in the need of rescuing, but how was Olivia to know that?  In fact, during the rescue attempt, it is Olivia who ultimately needs the assist!  And then…let the sparks begin.  Once aboard the vessel, Cole tries to stave off hypothermia for the both of them, demanding that Olivia remove her wet clothes and wrap her-self in a dry blanket.  She then insists Cole does the same…remove his wet clothes.  Olivia gets an eyeful….and quickly has a big grin on her face.  The chemistry is undeniable…no matter how much each tries to deny it.  During the opening scene, Donovan quickly gives Olivia the nickname of Supergirl.

During the rescue attempt Olivia leaves her cell phone on the pier and inadvertently her keys in the ocean (along with one of her boots – from her favorite pair I might add).  Cole retrieves the phone and then….it all starts.  Olivia has her mother and sister hounding her to agree to a reunion type show for the TV series she was in for 9 years as a child.   And this produces GREAT angst for Olivia.  She has built a life outside of Hollywood and wants at all costs to preserve this new life.  And this is her secret she is trying to hide from all of Lucky Harbor.

And lest we forget…..Cole has a secret he is keeping from all those that love him…and it is what is driving him to avoid any meaningful relationship.  At the funeral of a best buddy, Gil, he finds out that his fiancé and Gil were in love.  A BIG shock to him.  And he just does not want his family to know why the engagement was broken.

SO….we readers get to experience their blossoming relationship bloom, despite the fact that both Olivia and Cole keep denying that a relationship is forming.     I thoroughly enjoyed the slow and steady pace with which they proceed…to a point.  Once they discover the physical side of their relationship…..very hot!   And what new relationship is complete until you meet the family?  Cole takes Olivia to the annual Halloween party.  And here is where you can see Olivia’s acting skills shine.  She appears for all intense purposes to not be phased by meeting the whole BIG clan…but you know deep down with her insecurities regarding family that she is terrified.  The scene in Cole’s mother’s pantry is hot and potentially embarrassing for the two lovebirds (wink wink).  Luckily for them, they are not found in a compromising situation but from this encounter we see that at least for the time being, their relationship is progressing well.

As would be expected, each of their past intrudes in current day and they must overcome adversity (and lack of communication when adversity hits).  But I am happy to report they face their demons and love conquers all. YEAH!!!  I will leave this for your discovery…as the journey is enjoyable and you should savour it yourself.

Memorable quote which had me chuckling from the belly:

“In matters of the heart, for instance, he was slow as a fucking turtle in peanut butter.”

I look forward to reading the other books in the series and hope that I will like them as much as I have enjoyed this read.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*