Book Catch-up

I've read a lot of books since I posted my last review.  Maybe, now that school has started I'll be a little more on top of my book review.  Fingers crossed, but I'm not holding my breath. 

So I read all three of this year's installments in Jill Shalvis' Lucky Harbor series.

Lucky in Love is the first. 
Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she’s expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she’d like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he’s only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he’s gone…
For the first time in his life, Ty can’t bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn?t?including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all…anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor

I liked this one alot, but found certain things a little ,mmmmmm, too long to be worked out.  For instance, I liked the "Good Girl/Bad Girl" arc with Mallory as it pertains to her friends but when the whole community expects her to be perfect etc, it got to be a little overmuch.  I also, didn't like her boss Jane never got her Just Desserts.  Usually Jill Shalvis will have her "mean" characters experience some sort of life change or get knocked down a notch. 
Anyway, as a good romance reader I love a decent tortured/alpha type hero and Ty does not disappoint.  And Snaps for Ms. Shalvis as she doesn't overdo it. 

At Last was second
Amy Michaels loves her new life in Lucky Harbor. A waitress in the local diner, she’s looking forward to her first weekend hike through the mountains. But when a wrong turn takes her off the trail, she finds herself up close and personal with forest ranger Matt Bowers. And even though she’s tempted to kiss that sexy smile right off his face, she won’t make the mistake of getting involved with the town heartthrob.
A former cop whose life went south, Matt doesn’t let anyone get too close. But something about the feisty beauty caught his eye the moment he first saw her in the diner. After a hot night under a starry sky, Matt can’t deny their attraction-or the fact that for the first time in a long time, he feels the stirrings of something more. Now it’s up to Matt to help Amy see that, no matter what is in their past, together they can build a future in Lucky Harbor

I liked Amy's journey alot, however found her stubborness to be a little off-putting.   I mean, really you had to be rescued from your first hike, and yet you keep going out there...  I liked also the Riley story arc.  Matt was cool.  I dug him and the fact that he was into her but didn't lose his head.  He just came by alot, He was also a good guy. I don't know how he functioned though because he never slept.  C'mon let the guy take a nap.  Seems like the entire story, he slept maybe 2 hours a night and still had the energy to "Do It" all night long.  Uh, I doubt that.  But it's not like we read these books in an exercise of reality.  You have to suspend reality a little. Overall, a really great read. 

Forever and a Day was third.
LOVE CAN HAPPEN IN A HEARTBEAT

Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s lovable mutt to caring for his rambunctious son. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…
With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family-until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…

I liked Grace quit a bit.  She isn't perfect and she loses the dog, and struggles with her own family dynamic.  I wish her resolution with her family had been better explored.  It was just left out there.  She has some sort of epiphany, but no closure.  Hmm!  I like that our awesome Dr. McHottie had to really make some life decisions.  I don't love it when a hero is too perfect.  Toby was good, and Anna was good too.  I hope we get Anna's story.  That would be a great one.  Outside of Catherine Anderson, I don't think I've ever read a romance with a woman in a wheelchair as the heroine.  (I might've, but not that I can remember right now)

If you haven't visited Lucky Harbor, you should stop by.  I am particularly fond of a small town setting where everyone seems to know everyone else.  I love the close knit community feel.