IT'S IN HIS KISS by Jill Shalvis

IT'S IN HIS KISS

(Lucky Harbor #10)

by Jill Shalvis

ARC Review

Released: August 26th, 2014, Grand Central Publishing

My rating: 4 of 5 ⭐️

"ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER

Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now's her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam's eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can't resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca's heart?"

*****

I love grumpy men: There must be something wrong with me! Of course they have to be handy and hot as hell, like Sam Brody.

Sam made his home in Lucky Harbor and started a business with his two friends here. Somewhat tainted by his upbringing, he makes sure he has the business strings firmly in hand, and they do pretty well. He doesn't believe in love but is firmly invested in lust, which is what the latest addition to Lucky Harbor, and his new neighbor, Becca Thorpe stirs up in him. She randomly picked the quaint seaside location to use as an escape from a life that was never her own. Finding out she had not just one, but three handsome hunks running the charter and rental business next door made for some fantastic live entertainment. But it was Sam who had her blood stirring and there was nothing wrong with a little indulgence, as long as she kept her emotional distance. But Sam, who likes to play by the rules, decides there is no mixing work and play when Becca starts to work for the guys in the office. You only need one guess as to how long that rule is gonna stick!!

There is a little bit of a dark edge to this book by Jill Shalvis. Both Sam and Becca have some baggage or trauma they drag around, which impacts their view on relationships. As always, that complicates their connection and blurs it with issues that should have been dealt with long ago. Both have been rather weak thusfar, and have allowed certain people in their lives to walk all over them. Yet that changes during the course of this story - although not so much because Sam and Becca start putting their foot down, but more so because those who have been doing the using and abusing start smartening up. 

I really enjoyed their story, they are immensely cute together. Sam IS really grumpy, which I find adorable, and Becca is SO not impressed, which is priceless, because it really throws him for a loop. She bulldozes right through his carefully placed defenses. Excellent.

And what do we have yet to look forward to from the fabulous Ms. Shalvis?? Well..... we have two remaining, super hot and interesting secondary characters from this book, that are sure to make primary focus in upcoming releases!! A geek and a flirt! 

✨Sharp, spicy and spirited with an edge of angst! ✨

**Copy provided in return for an honest review**