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This alpha male is going to bring out her wild side
Sunshine, Idaho, is a small and sunny town—the perfect home for man and beast. Well, maybe not for man, as pilot-for-hire Brady Miller discovers when his truck is rear-ended by what appears to be Noah’s Ark.
As the co-owner of the town’s only kennel, Lilah Young has good reason to be distracted behind the wheel—there are puppies, a piglet, and a duck in her Jeep. But, she doesn’t find it hard to focus on the sexy, gorgeous stranger she’s collided with.
Lilah has lived in Sunshine all her life, and though Brady is just passing through, he has her abandoning her instincts and giving in to a primal desire. It’s Brady’s nature to resist being tied down, but there’s something about Lilah and her menagerie—both animal and human—that keeps him coming back for more
From Eloisa James's "READING ROMANCE" column on The Barnes & Noble Review
When it comes to romance writers, lifetime membership in the Optimists' Club is practically a prerequisite. More than the writers of any other genre, we must keep the faith: that a thoughtful, sexy, and loving relationship is possible, long-term. But that doesn't mean that we're optimistic about so-called "perfect" matches or, for that matter, "perfect" people. Perfection is highly overrated when it comes to love, as these five romances demonstrate.
Susan Elizabeth Phillips's Call Me Irresistible opens with two flawless people on the verge of marriage…until the bride's best friend shows up. Meg is far from perfect: she never graduated from college, and doesn't have a job, a decent car, or a career. But when she says -- skeptically -- of the groom, Ted (a gorgeous millionaire with umpteen degrees), "He sounds like Jesus. Except rich and sexy," the bride realizes that she's not ready to marry a deity. This plot could easily turn dizzy and light, but instead the novel offers a fascinating picture of two people who have made a lot of mistakes. Meg truly has wasted her life, and Ted is so overwhelmed by his own reputation that he can't emotionally connect with anyone: beneath her banter and his aloof demeanor is a deep loneliness. Yet for all their antagonism (Ted blames Meg for his failed wedding), it turns out that they are at their best together. Meg learns to be responsible, and Ted finds his wild side. But Susan Elizabeth Phillips doesn't pull her punches: a man who is unavailable emotionally is not a good lover, no matter how many orgasms are exchanged -- and it takes Ted a long time to reform. In fact, in the last chapters, when it isn't clear whether Ted will be able to win Meg back, I defy you not to be turning the pages as fast as you possibly can read.
In Elizabeth Hoyt's Notorious Pleasures it's the heroine, rather than the hero, who seems to gaze down from an unapproachable height. Lady Hero Batten is the daughter of a duke: she's beautiful, tactful, intelligent, and witty. Even so, she is mortified when her fiancé's brother Griffin mocks her with the title Lady Perfect. Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is Hero's polar opposite. His reputation is even worse than Meg's in Call Me Irresistible: he has made himself notorious for drinking, carousing, and general worthlessness. In reality that façade hides an even more terrible truth about his activities, as Hero discovers. One of the wonderful things about this novel is that, like Phillips, Hoyt doesn't underestimate the challenges of falling in love with someone who has made dreadful decisions. But it's the downfall of Lady Perfect that gives the book its tantalizing, seductive pleasure: when Hero wonders whether "she could ever resurrect her perfect façade again," you'll be rooting for Griffin, sins and all. This is a novel that laughs in the face of anyone who believes that romances can't or don't depict the dark side of life -- while still standing up for the idea of real, long-term happiness.
Courtney Milan's Unveiled also contrasts a high-born heroine and a flawed hero, but here again, the stakes are much higher than mere reputation. Lady Anna Margaret Dalrymple is in a dreadful position. Her ancestral home, Parford Manor, now belongs to a vengeful distant cousin named Ash Turner; discovery of her father's bigamy has resulted in his children's disinheritance. Margaret promises herself that "she would be noble, even if she was no longer considered nobility." But perfection comes at a price. Since her horrible father is dying in the master bedroom, Margaret poses as a nurse in order to stay with him. And when she falls in love with Ash, Margaret finds herself torn between her role as a dutiful daughter and sister, and the man she loves. Only after she realizes that Ash would sacrifice everything to make her happy does Margaret understand love is the real yardstick by which we should measure loyalty.
Jill Shalvis's Animal Magnetism pits the perfectly sweet, charming Lilah Young against a weary, battle-worn ex-soldier named Brady Miller. He's spent the last few years in battle zones where "grime and suffering trumped hope and joy," whereas Lilah lives in a Disney-ish small town named Sunshine, where everyone loves her and she loves everyone -- including the baby animals she's surrounded by. In short, she's a princess, and he's a cynic. Her real perfection (from Brady's point-of-view) is that she accepts his wandering nature and offers red-hot sex with no strings attached. But, as he comes to understand, that may sound "perfect. Only it wasn't. Not even close." This is a wildly sexy, sweet story, as Lilah and Brady realize that falling in love with a flawed person can be a passionate affirmation of love's ability to bring people together.
My last romance poses a particularly modern conundrum: what if the person you fall in love with online, your Tweetheart, isn't really as unblemished as his electronic persona seems to be? Teresa Medeiros's Goodnight, Tweetheart moves between text and tweets to depict a love story between a struggling novelist, Abby Donovan, and an English professor on sabbatical, Mark Baynard. Their tweets are fascinating, as they joke about everything from Project Runway to Velveeta. It's impossible not to fall in love with someone as witty and sweet as Mark (he signs off as Goodnight Tweetheart), even though Abby does realize that he's using humor as a defense mechanism. Can someone so glowingly "perfect" ever live up to his Twitter feed? Of all the novels, this one falls most firmly into the "no one is perfect" camp. When Mark reveals a shocking truth about himself, Abby realizes that perfection is deeper than tweets: it's Mark's smile, the smile that says "I will always love you no matter what you've done and no matter what you'll ever do."
My latest romance, When Beauty Tamed the Beast, has just been published -- and as you can imagine, my hero is definitely less than perfect. I chose to rewrite this particular fairy tale because I think that a love story between all-too-human persons is far more interesting than that between "golden boys and girls," as Shakespeare had it. In fact, these novels are a splendid antidote to an overdose of sickly sweet Valentine's Day sentiments. Buy your beloved a card that insists he or she is the perfect match for you -- and then remind yourself that love trumps all those flaws the card pretends don't exist.
Jill Shalvis delivers another spectacular story in Animal Magnetism.
Brady Miller is drawn home by his foster brothers to Sunshine, Idaho. Brady is a pilot for hire and his brothers need him to fix up a helicopter for their animal clinic. Brady hasn't been home in years, his life has been one of flying for those that need his services rather it was his country or medical services. He agrees to be in town for one month then will take the next job he is offered. Brady is barely back home when he is literally run into by Lilah Young the local kennel owner.
Lilah Young, can't believe she runs her jeep into hot and sexy Brady Miller. She was distracted by her menagerie but Lilah really gets distracted by Brady. Lilah is used to going it on her own and just doesn't know how to handle this handsome mans frequent offers of help. She is even more flustered by the attraction that sparks between them. Lilah tries to convince herself and Brady she can be a temporary kind of girl.
What starts out as a temporary fling for them both turns into something magical. Will Lilah be able to let Brady go when its time or will Brady decide to stay with the one woman who understands the real him.
Animal Magnetism is a funny, poignant and sexy story. Brady and Lilah interaction is just fabulous. The emotional journey they both travel through will touch your heart. Their chemistry is at times sweet and others delightfully sexy and spicy. In my opinion you can't go wrong in picking up a Jill Shalvis book. Its what a wonderful romance book should always be.
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Wed Nov 30 00:00:00 EST 2011
I read this on the recommendatipn of friends- and they were right. Of course, I love animals and the idea of a trilogy set around them is great. Jill has great character development, and you are intrigued and rooting for them from page 1. Have already read thenext in the series and can't wait for the next one.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.In Sunshine, Idaho animal kennel worker Lilah Young believes she will never meet her forever. That is until she backs her animal filled jeep into his parked truck as he watches the fender bender. The owner is a visiting hunk Brady Miller. They are instantly attracted to one another.
A pilot and photographer, just out of the military service, Brady is in Sunshine helping his foster brothers Dell and Adam. He and Lilah agree to a fling while he is in town; both understand once he leaves, their tryst ends. However, their lust grows stronger as they fall in love, but neither is confident enough to offer a change to the original rules of engagement.
There is plenty of sunshine and a few flaws in this fun contemporary romance. Whereas Lilah has begun to believe she is the anti-male stay magnet, Brady knows his reputation even with his two BFFs is that of Dr. Death. The story line is extremely linear, but the fun is walking and flying with the lead couple and their buddies (animals included) as love is everywhere the reader goes in Sunshine, Idaho.
Harriet Klausner
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I REALLY enjoyed this! ANIMAL MAGNETISM is the perfect blend of wit and charm with plenty of face fanning romance. If you love animals and have a soft spot for swoon worthy heroes, then be sure to check this one out. This was my first Jill Shalvis book but it won't be my last!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Nov 15 00:00:00 EST 2012
A great read from beginning to end!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Oct 29 00:00:00 EDT 2012
Loved It - Now I need the rest of the Series
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Jan 02 00:00:00 EST 2012
Hi
1 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Nov 24 00:00:00 EST 2011
I loved the characters in this book and how Shalvis was able to bring out each of the characters' personalities so well! I couldn't put this book down! Shalvis knows how to write a steamy hot romance!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Oct 13 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I Also Recommend:
Another great romance by Jill Shalvis, highly recommend. I wasn't even halfway through the book when I started wishing for sequels! If the hunky men working with animals isn't enough to draw you in, Jill Shalvis writes great, witty dialogue. As much as I enjoyed the relationships beetween Brady/Lilah and Brady/Dell/Adam, I absolutely loved Brady's interactions with Twinkles! Hint: Front cover of the book. I can't wait to read about Dell & Jade.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Sep 19 00:00:00 EDT 2011
Brady Miller was a fun to read about and the way he deals with things i love it. can't wait to read the others!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2011
I Also Recommend:
First Jill Shalvis book I read and wasn't disappointed. Great, funny characters. Great feel good book. Brady and Lilah make a fine couple. Hot and not trashy, well written romance. Can't wait for Dell's story!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Sep 08 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I just thought this book was great. I loved Brady and Liliah the love story that come to life is just amazing.
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Posted Wed Aug 13 00:00:00 EDT 2014
If you like hunks and dogs, you will love this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.stormyjCO
Posted Tue Aug 12 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I read this book for background after reading the second book in the series. It's an average read for a romance. There are some pacing problems but otherwise the book is a decent read. I would have appreciated more character development; sometimes the main characters come across as two-dimensional and secondary characters are sketched in.
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Posted Fri Jul 18 00:00:00 EDT 2014
If this is a bad book, why did you give it 5 stars???
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Apr 08 00:00:00 EDT 2014
You see, I got bored. And then, I decided to bring in Thyme again. Like, He died, but had to finish His purpose in life. Such as, find happiness. Since His past was heartbreak and sorrow, and such. He doesn't remember anything, though.
0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Train? (If you dont know why ive been gone (or pissed of) let me know. It does pertain dirextly to each of my rps right now)
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 2014
The two cats padded in. (Not posting because there is no reason to. Still here!)
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Apr 10 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Hi Thyme! Amourpaw, whenever your around just let me kn and Velvetstar will take you out training! -Vrlvetstar-
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Apr 04 00:00:00 EDT 2014
"Everything's great! I've just been hanging around." (just not posting, seeing no reason alot of the time :/) She meowed. ~ Wish (also, I've been considering retiring Patchflower and Wishbreeze to Elders and focusing more on Wish's three kits. o3o)
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
This alpha male is going to bring out her wild side
Sunshine, Idaho, is a small and sunny town—the perfect home for man and beast. Well, maybe not for man, as pilot-for-hire Brady Miller discovers when his truck is rear-ended by what appears to be Noah’s Ark.
As the co-owner of the town’s ...