
Series: Lucky Harbor
Published by Forever on October 1, 2010
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 311

Amazon
Goodreads
In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (sonot her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother—a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.
Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career—if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.
The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes—and mouth—are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.
I read Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis as part of the Christmas in Lucky Harbor book which was a compilation of this book, The Sweetest Thing (book 2), Kissing Santa Claus (book 2.5) and Under the Mistletoe (book 6.5). I bought the paperback of this compilation for my contribution to our book club’s white elephant exchange, and had to read it first. Don’t want to give away something I wouldn’t like! I bought the e-book version for my reading.
Maddie Moore is leaving everything behind and putting her hopes of a new life into an old inn left to her and her two sisters by their mother. She’s been abused and lost her job and is in terrible need of a fresh start and Lucky Harbor just might be what she needs. Her sisters, though, just want to get the inn sold so they can move on and get out of town. Just so happens, the inn is in pretty bad shape, and the best contractor in town to get the inn into shape is the same hottie Maddie almost ran over on her way into town.
Jax has a big ole dog. I love him already. He is laid back and takes things in stride despite all the discoveries we make about the man. His life outside of Lucky Harbor, after he left for college, is kept under wraps. You couldn’t ask for a better guy to help Maddie through her issues.
Simply Irresistible was a great holiday read with an awesome, handy hottie helping a mouse regain her self-confidence and her life. Maddie blossoms as she slowly comes out of the shell she has built and comes to love this man, as well as build the solid sisterly relationship that she has always wanted. It was a sweet, tame romance that probably wouldn’t leave you fanning yourself, but if you were looking for the type of story where an underdog comes to life, you are on the right track. I will admit, there were a few times when I was doing the “awww how sweet”. Not like me, not like me at all. I did enjoy it as an escape for a crazy, busy season.
Read for: Fun (sort book club)
Challenge: 2013 E-book Challenge