Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis
Narrator: Celeste Ciulla
Series: Lucky Harbor #1
Published by Recorded Books on August 24, 2011
Source: Purchased
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 9 hrs 17 mins
Format: Audiobook
Purchase at Bookshop.org or Audible
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Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not 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 kinda wished I hadn’t wasted an Audible credit on Simply Irresistable. It was okay, but I could have just put a hold on it at the library and waited. It wasn’t worth “I need it”-ness of a credit.

I was in the mood for a Christmas romance and it did fit the bill. I haven’t read anything by Shalvis before, but her name comes up often enough that I felt pretty safe.

Really the book had a lot of things I like, besides the nice coastal town setting and the Christmas season. Maddie and Jax are both good, nice people. Yes, she has trouble trusting, which is understandable, but she’ trying to reinvent herself. Yes, Jax keeps some crucial information from her, but he doesn’t have a choice, really. Maddie’s sisters are great characters, both of whom I’m assuming will get their own love stories later in the series. I enjoyed the dynamics between the three of them. I like how everyone in the town seems to watch out for each other. I like the basic plot – the sisters are remodeling an inn that their mother left them in her will, hoping to either make it a go or sell it. I’d want to visit.

The romance was sweet too. My main problem was I just got bored, mostly by the sex scenes. Some were hot, but after a while they started to feel the same. And boring is not something you want in a romance, especially one you’re listening to on audio, since you can’t just skip over to the next scene. The narrator, Celeste Ciulla, did a fine job with the story and the characters, and I can’t blame her for the book’s downfalls. Her voice is pleasant and fit the mood of the story, I just wanted to fast forward parts.

I may visit Lucky Harbor again, but if I do, I’m sure I’ll wait for the library to have it available rather than purchase it.