Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Avon
Released on January 23, 2018
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
The Delight
What isn’t delightful about another Jill Shalvis story? I love everything about her Heartbreaker Bay series and I binged on a few of her other series last year. Vinnie is my favorite character, being the cute, but unpredictable dog of the this story. We jump back into a world of friends, love, and family. I couldn’t have asked for more…oh, wait, laughs – and there were plenty of those.
Review
But ever since Kissgate, she’d gone back to pretending he was a bug on her windshield, which, he had to admit, rankled. “Morning,” he said easily. “Let me guess. You’re here for another kiss.” He smiled. “They always come back for more.”
Shalvis, Jill. About That Kiss: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel (pp. 36-37). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
We pick up with this story as if no time had passed. Kylie is a woodwork, creating wonderful master pieces in the local shop. She was raised by her grandfather after her mother flaked out on raising her. The mother isn’t a bad person, just kind of flighty and never grew up. Oh, and Vinnie, my favorite character, is the pet comic relief every story should have. Kylie has some hang ups that come from her upbringing and some guilt over something traumatic in her life.
Joe is a piece of work. He works for Archer at the security company taking down bad guys, tailing people and so much more. Shy about love, he still can’t deny his attraction to Kylie. An alley way kiss with her has kept her in his mind even when he isn’t near her. With his sister’s birthday coming up, Joe has a list and the top thing she wants is a gift only Kylie can make.
Breaking free, Kylie started to smile, so proud. “Yes! You’ve finally learned to fetch—” She broke off in horror as Joe burst out laughing.
Vinnie had “fetched” her vibrator.
Face flaming, she bent and scooped it up and shoved it beneath a couch cushion. “I have no idea how he got ahold of that . . . light saber.”
At that, Joe only laughed harder. He had to bend over and put his hands on his knees, and by the time he’d finished and straightened back up, swiping at his eyes, she was hands on hips, definitely cooled off . . . and so embarrassed she could hardly talk. “You have to go now,” she managed.
“Because you don’t need me since you have a vibrator?”
“Light saber!” She opened the front door.
When Kylie realizes her wooden carved penguin is gone, she goes to Joe to hire him. It’s the only thing left of her grandfather’s carvings that she owns, so it has a lot of sentimental value. But does she let Joe do his job? Yep, but with one caveat, she is going with him to check everyone out on the list.
The tension between the two is the main thread of the story. While the side story of hunting down who stole her penguin is integrated into their encounters, it takes a backstage to all the shenanigans Kylie gets into.
While Kylie’s mother is part of the story, her part is a little flighty and money hungry. Joe’s sister is a rock and part of the core group of friends. Joe’s father on the other hand is a handful of both delight and angst. He puts in his fair share of time between the pages, showing us who Joe really is at the core and not the surface.
“Well, no matter what happens, pizza will always be there for you,” Tina said. “Through thick and thin, in crust we trust.”
Shalvis, Jill. About That Kiss: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel (p. 246). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
The core group of friends is still around and I love catching up on what’s going on between them all. Grab a muffin and don’t tell Tina you didn’t get it from her shop and enjoy this wonderful story of friends, lovers and family.
Challenges
Bad Boys of Romance #2
Review Writing Challenge #6
Literary Pickers #4 – Specialty Tea or Coffee
Books ‘N Tunes #3 – If This is Love by Ruth B
Recommendations
Preview
About Jill Shalvis
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, www.jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
Shari
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in crust we trust, amen. though i never thought naming it light saber would do the trick =d
Amen! Pizza is my downfall and savior on Friday nights. Never thought of naming one a light saber either, but Joe didn’t fall for it, so that is a bust.
I just adore Jill Shalvis! Hugs…and Happy Tuesday!
Happy Tuesday! I am in love with Jill Shalvis books too!
Ha! Sounds like a wonderful blend of romance, family, friends, and laughs. Vinnie bringing the ‘light saber’ made me giggle.
Oh, great song pick!
I love this series! I just need to see what else by her I haven’t read to catch up. Love her books!
This was a cute one and I liked the touch of suspense. Yes, pizza is always there 🙂
I liked a little suspense as well. Pizza is my best and worst friend right now as I am trying to get my weight back under control.
I am so glad you enjoyed this one. I thought it was cute, sweet and funny. Great review.
Jill Shalvis writes some of the best cute, sweet and funny books. I am hooked on her.
I really enjoyed the few books I tried by this author and I would be curious to try this one as well
I found her about a year ago and I have been gobbling up her books ever since.
Light saber. LOL That’s too funny. I still need to read this author.
She writes some of the best comedy with light suspense. And animals are a big theme in her stories.
looks okay, glad you liked it. I did have a hit and miss as far as this series went
I have liked most of the series, but I do think there was one that didn’t sit well with me. I will have to figure out which one it was.
Wasn’t this a great book? I am so happy to see that you enjoyed it, Shari! That light saber scene was one of my favorites and I did love that dog. Great review!
Loved that dog! I laughed so hard on the light saber scene!
I loved, loved, loved this one! And I agree, Vinnie was the most adorable dog ever. I loved how he was always checking for glass doors.
Vinnie stole the show with his new light saver!
I know exactly what you mean. The books in this part of the series has been lacking for me as well. I haven’t read this one yet, but Aric’s parents book is still a favorite for me. I usually read these but the last one I tried is kinda a DNF for me as of now but someday I hope to go back to it.
I have been slightly disappointed and catch myself drifting and having to re-read spots or just skim at times for a few of them now. Reading a packet of the novellas helped a little, but yeah, I miss the sparkle of earlier books.
Oh yeah, Sterling and Tavia’s book was one of the strongest in the series for me.
I’m hoping to get the first book in the spin-off shortly and crossing my fingers that maybe there will be some of the old pizzazz in that one.
I loved, loved, loved this one! And I agree, Vinnie was the most adorable dog ever. I loved how he was always checking for glass doors.
I’m way behind in this series but I love Shalvis. Her books are always so sweet and swoony.
And dogs!
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I’m way behind in this series but I love Shalvis. Her books are always so sweet and swoony.
And dogs!
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
I am in love with this series and gobble them up as soon as they come out. Love her dogs!
These books look great and I loved reading the interview. Thanks for sharing and bringing my attention to this author.
So glad you enjoyed it! 😀
Jill writes some of the best comedy into her books without going to overboard. Vinnie was such a sweetheart!
I really need to read a Jill Shalvis book. I keep seeing these reviews and great covers and I feel like I’m missing out!
Yay I enjoyed this one as well 🙂
I don’t think I’ve read anything by this author but I love the cover and can’t turn the chance to read a good romance.
I love Jill Shalvis books! Thanks for posting about this one!
I haven’t read anything by Jil Shalvis…I think I have to! You have me excited to. Sorry I have not been on this week. We had a death in the family and well – I am just not feeling it yet. I just wanted to stop in to say hello and found this great book. You know I have to read it. =)
You’re making me want to re-read this! It was so cute! And Vinnie!! <3 Glad you loved it too, love the quotes you picked!
This sounds like a fun story you can get lost in. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Great review. I think this is one of my favorite books from her so far. She did a great job with the chemistry. She is always a keeper to pick up that is for sure.