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Fiction. Literature. Romance. Sunshine, Idaho, is a quiet ranching town that provides a perfect refuge for injured animals . . . and sometimes, people. And veterinarian Dell Connelly suspects there's a reason his clinic's uberefficient receptionist has taken shelter here.Jade Bennett couldn't be happier to escape her well-meaning but smothering family and their expectations, not to mention the big-city jungle. There's nothing like working with animals, having a forlorn, grumpy stray kitten make its home under her desk . . . or enjoying the gorgeous views of her ruggedly sexy boss to help her forget her past.But Dell's seductive, alluring ways have sparked an uncontrollable desire, one Jade hadn't expected to feel again. And though Dell has never had time for love, Jade's strength and sass is the kind of call no red-blooded male can resist.… (more)
User reviews
Final verdict?
First, let's talk about the errors this book was riddled with. I felt like I got an early draft version rather than the final book. Extra words, incorrect use of than/then, punctuation problems...you name it, this book had it.
Second, I'm sure it comes with reading a plethora of books by the same author, but Jill definitely has a formula to her books, and the plots are becoming redundant and a little boring. Boy meets girl. Girl/Boy is leaving. One sexual encounter. Regrets/indecision about said sexual encounter. More sexual tension. Sex again. Hero/heroine leaves. Moping for a week. Come together in the end. Get new names/location and repeat.
I actually thought that we'd get something different with this one because of Jade's background and The Big Bad that plagues her for most of the book. Unfortunately, it wasn't used that way, and the plot quickly took the path of too many of her other books.
I did like the characters--not as much as I liked Lilah and (swoon) Brady, but I enjoyed reading about them. What I didn't enjoy reading about was how we had to be told over and over that Dell was an "alpha male." This is something else I've noticed in Jill's writing - she doesn't show us through his actions/words that the heroes are, indeed, alpha males. She tells us over and over. He's so alpha. He acted so alpha. He was big and bad and alpha.
Finally, the ongoing conflict in this book was beaten into our heads. Every three pages, we had to read "oh, but she's leaving." I guess I'd have preferred a little less beating of a dead horse and a little more showing in the writing.
If I'm honest, I'm being generous with a 3 star rating. I had high hopes and expectations for this book, and I was sorely disappointed.
Dell was great with animals and had an intuitive feel for what they needed but he was very careful with his heart. As many of the characters said, Dell has abandonment issues. First his mother walked out, then his father died, then a beloved foster parent dies. That is enough to make anyone careful! But he sees that Jade needs her confidence boosted and can't help but care for her. He doesn't want to risk his heart because she has said again and again that her stay in Sunshine is a temporary one.
But the romance can't be denied. When Dell offers Jade self-defense lessons, they begin to get closer. They go into the relationship thinking it will be short term. In fact, they are both deluding themselves that they can be together for a while and then part. This self-delusion is really apparent to the other characters in the story and to us as readers.
I really liked the cute animal characters in this story too. Jade adopts a wary stray kitten that she names Beans. The vet office has a parrot named Peanut who won't say "Peanut wants a cracker" even though Jade tries to convince it to do so. However it quickly picks up "boner" and a few other embarrassing phrases. Dell also has a large lovable dog named Gertie who spends time at the office too.
This was a fun, sweet and sexy romance filled with likable characters. It is a great story if you are looking for a feel-good romance.
All of the characters in this book are well-developed and ooze personality, even the animals! I was interested from start to finish, without the middle lagging like sometimes happens in romance novels. There is also just the right amount of steamy sex and passion.
A great fast and hot romance novel that I highly recommend.
Jade Bennett is heading to Chicago and back home but helps out in the animal shelter in Idaho.
Dell is the native American vet and loves all the animals.
A bunch of the locals hang out together, some in pairs, some as singles and they all enjoy their time. As the
She finds it hard to let others into her life and he's determined to crack her shell. They had a break in and some drugs were stolen. one that they use for a date rape drug and it sends shivers in her body. It's also a horse tranquilizer.
He's witnessed a few of her panic attacks and tries to hold her and talk softly to her to help her get over them. Her solution is to get in the car and drive, move away.
Because of his training in the military he can help her with learning how to protect herself and he takes her to the gym and tells her the moves she makes wrong.
Love catching up with the others in town who were also in the previous book of this series. Hot steamy sex just adds to this story..
He opens up and shows her his personal hidden world and she understands what makes him tick.
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.50
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
(Sorry no quotes--I listened on audiobook and forgot to write them down)
First Thought When Finished: Dell + Jade = Fun and
Story Talk: This is the second entry in Animal Magnetism series and with each book I fall a little more in love! The fact that we get to know and love this town in each book just adds to the richness. I am an animal lover, rescue enthusiast so part of me was going to love the premise by default. The other part of me fell in love with the way Jill wrote the community. She built the story so that the characters would shine. It was fun, heart-warming, and beautifully told.
Character Talk: I loved Dell and Jade! They were a fantastic mix of fun, a little damaged, and a whole lot of heart. I felt they were both where they needed to be and the fact that they knew each other for a year made it that much more fun! Their love of animals, Dell's want for Jade to feel strong, and Jade's need to organize his life had me smiling the entire story!
Audio Talk
Narrated by Karen White; Run 10 hrs and 52 mins
I love Karen White's audio narration of the Animal Magnetism series. She does an excellent job with the pacing, humor, and emotion. She is quickly becoming one of my favorite audiobook narrators.
Final Thought: This is a fun contemporary series that I really am enjoying.
Aside from that I found this to be a
I can't wait to read more from this series! I highly recommend this one.
Side note: could have done with better editing (small mistakes and inconsistencies)
3.5 Stars
The basic plot thread is virtually identical to Animal Magnetism only this time it is Jade who is leaving rather than Brady.
While Jade and Dell have steamy chemistry, the snarky sarcasm and witty banter that characterized their relationship in book #1 is disappointingly
Jade is an amalgamation of opposites. On the one hand, she seems strong willed and self-confident but this turns out to be a facade. Yes, her mysterious past is traumatic but she has a tendency to come across over overly weak and needy, and she takes too long to stand up for herself both with Dell and her family.
The Belle Haven animals, Peanut the sex obsessed parrot, Gertie the slobbering St. Bernard and Beans the gun-shy kitten, totally upstage the characters and the romance although Dell's brother, Adam, is definite hottie material.
Jade was damaged from a robbery at her work place. She ran to Idaho and took a job at a small veterinary hospital where she meets Mr. Sexual free ride to all the local woman. He a good looking man and a doctor who
I was looking for a light fun romantic read and this fit perfectly. It hit all the required points for fun romance.
1- I enjoyed the story, yes it had an actual plot, it went at a nice pace and was believable.
2- There were animals, can't lose there, especially Beans the cat, adorable.
3-The lead man is a emotionally scarred veterinarian, yep that's always a hit.
4-The lead woman was also a scarred individual with some OCD issues and yet was strong.
5-Great sex, yep they got it going nice and hot.
I am going to read the first book in the series now.