Still the One by Jill Shalvis (review)

4.5 out of 5 stars


Still the One by Jill Shalvis is part of the captivating ‘Animal Magnetism’ series and features the very prickly and handicapped Darcy Stone, sister to pilot Zoe and veterinarian Wyatt. A.J. Colton, the passionate and sexy Navy veteran and physical therapist, has coaxed, bullied and inspired Darcy to stand on her own two feet again, but he has trouble with the idea of asking her for help even though he expects her to reach out to him when she needs to. Their relationship is fraught with land mines and obstacles, including past and present hurts, but both know the value of working hard to get what one wants—although they are not sure that they both want the same thing!


This is a delicious contemporary romance story that is part of a wonderful series peopled with an intriguing combination of characters. Darcy hasn’t been the most personable character in the series thus far, but one can’t help admire her determination and perseverance, no matter how prickly her personality. It was wonderful watching her go after what she thought was important and heartwarming to see what she was putting her efforts into, helping others.

I love series that allow you to get a glimpse of characters who have become important to you during their own time in the spotlight and the camaraderie and care and concern displayed by both the male and female factions in this town is a delicious component of this series, even as one can’t help but laugh at the snarky comments exchanged by those who know each other’s foibles and how best to take shots at each other. There are wonderfully heated scenes of intimacy but just as importantly, there are emotional and intense interactions that make these characters memorable and familiar as they deal with insecurities and challenges that can only be overcome with determination and a little help from friends and family, something we can all identify with. The characters continue to evolve in this delightful series and there are enough secondary characters who deserve their own time in the spotlight that I am hopeful for many more stories in this town.

© Night Owl Reviews 

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review. 




Other titles in this series (I haven't read them all, but definitely have them on my TBR mountain)

                   





My review for "Then Came You" is at this link

Then Came You by Jill Shalvis (review)

                                          

 5 out of 5 stars


Then Came You by Jill Shalvis is a heartwarming and steamy addition to the ‘Animal Magnetism’ series and features newly graduated Dr. Emily Stevens, who is repaying the financial contributions to her veterinary school tuition by interning at the Belle Haven clinic in Idaho. Her integration into the practice is complicated by her past history with sexy Dr. Wyatt Stone and her disappointment at not being assigned to her preferred clinic in California. Working in a mixed practice definitely stretches Emily’s diagnostic and physical muscles but her determination to restrict her relationship with Wyatt to a professional level is sabotaged by the heat that erupts whenever they are in the same room. Wyatt has his own personal baggage, including a determination never to force his choices on anyone else, and a contradictory inability to communicate his true feelings in contrast to his ability to soothe even the most cantankerous of patients and their owners. These two talented veterinarians will have to figure out whether they can pursue their dreams and remain in each other’s lives, but first they will have to find a way to communicate their deepest dreams.


This is one of those stories that makes you want to immediately find everything else the author has written because all of the characters are so engaging that you want to know the backstory on everyone you meet between the pages. I haven’t had the pleasure of reading works by Ms. Shalvis before but she has definitely been added to my ‘must read’ list. This is a fascinating contemporary romance that blends quirky characters who have plenty of challenges to overcome, gives a glimpse of the multitude of challenges that accompany working with patients who can’t necessarily articulate their needs and symptoms (unless they are a voluble parrot named Peanut), and details multiple romantic relationships that have unique challenges. The vivid characterization of both the human and non-human players and the searing intimate encounters depicted enthrall the reader and the artistry with which this author brings to life a multiplicity of vignettes that entertain with both drama and comedy make this a fantastic read and I look forward to reading more of her impressive and heartwarming stories.


© Night Owl Reviews 

I received a copy of this title in return for an honest review.  

 Other titles in the series:


                                                  
 

Then Came You by Jill Shalvis (Release day blitz and GIVEAWAY)

                                           

Book Information

Then Came You (An Animal Magnetism Novel) by Jill Shalvis

Release Date: July 1, 2014

ISBN: 9780425270172

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Berkley

Summary

Veterinary intern Emily can’t believe she wound up in the small town of Sunshine, Idaho, instead of the Los Angeles clinic she had always imagined. Now she has to put her plans to move to L.A. on hold for a whole year while she fulfills the obligation of her vet school scholarship.

Then Wyatt, her gorgeous one-night stand from a Reno vet conference, introduces himself as her new boss. And Emily is just as drawn to his seductive looks and quiet strength as she was on that very steamy night. She soon learns that Wyatt isn’t just a laid-back doctor, but a delicious alpha male tempting her away from her carefully laid-out plans...

Excerpt

Emily sat on a fallen log and leaned back. When she was little, she’d loved to try to star watch. In LA, this was tricky because of all the city lights, not to mention smog. Doing it here, in the land of the big sky, was a whole new ball game. “I’m not lonely,” she said to the horse, who snorted again and swished his tail.

“Good. Cuz you’re not alone.”

Two long legs came into her peripheral. Wyatt crouched at her side and looked into her face.  “How are you?”

“Fine,” she said.

Nodding, he sat on the log at her side and leaned back, presumably to look at whatever she was looking at. “Pretty night.”

His hands were behind him, his shoulder and a part of his chest brushing her arm and shoulder. Actually it was more like he was encircling her within his arm span, which was considerable. It was a guy move, an alpha guy move, and it made her feel ... protected.

She was getting far too used to that, she thought with a sigh. “Where is everyone?”

“Gone,” he said, and there was an odd quality to his voice that had her taking a second look at him. He didn’t take his gaze off the sky so she got him in profile, the tousled hair, the fine lines crinkling the corners of his eyes from long days out in the sun, the square, scruffy jaw. A broad shoulder built to take on the weight of the world. 

He’d been working his ass off, here at Belle Haven, helping Dell take up the slack for the out-of-town Jade, and then going home and helping his sisters with the monstrous house they were fixing up. He did so much for everyone, and she found herself wanting to do something for him. Make him smile. Make him relax. Make him forget, even for a few minutes…  She nudged him with her shoulder.

He nudged her back and turned to look at her then, his eyes dark and unfathomable behind his glasses.

Chickening out, she turned her head this time, and stared up at the sky as he had been only a few seconds before.

“Emily.”

When she didn’t tear her gaze off the stars, he leaned in and nipped her ear.

Sucking in a breath, she looked at him again. His was still dark, but there were things swirling in those dark depths now. Need. Heat.

Affection.

He stole her breath. 

“Let the record state,” she said, reaching out to snatch off his glasses, “that I don’t always make the first move.”

He blinked in momentary confusion, and probably also because he could no longer see. He opened his mouth to say something, but she sank her fingers into his hair and kissed him, hard and long and deep.

“Emily,” he said when they broke for air, his voice rough and husky.

She climbed into his lap and then pushed him backwards off the log so that he fell to his back in the wild grass with her straddling him.

Laughing, he slid his hands beneath her top and up her back, drawing out a delicious shiver from her.  Then his hands slid slowly down her spine, and into the backs of her jeans.  “Let the record also state,” he said in a delicious growl. “Who made the rest of the moves.”

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Author Biography

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 for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

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