Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis (Book Review and Giveaway!)

Title: Head Over Heels (A Lucky Harbor Novel)
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

About the book: Free-spirited Chloe lives life on the edge.  Unlike her soon-to-be married sisters, she isn't ready to settle into a quiet life running their family's newly renovated inn.  But her love of trouble -- and trouble with love -- quickly draws the attention of the very stern, very sexy sheriff who'd like nothing better than to tame her wild ways.

Suddenly Chloe can't take a misstep without the sheriff hot on her heels.  His rugged swagger and his enigmatic smile are enough to make a girl beg to be handcuffed.  For the first time, instead of avoiding the law, Chloe dreams of surrender.  Can this rebel find a way to keep the peace with the straitlaced sheriff?  Or will Chloe's colorful past keep her from a love that lasts. . . and the safe haven she truly wants in a town called Lucky Harbor. 

My thoughts: I was in the mood for a good romance and I found it with Head Over Heels.  I was lucky enough to get to read the first Lucky Harbor novel Simply Irresistible last fall, so I was somewhat familiar with the three sisters, Maddie, Tara and Chloe.  But you definitely do not have to read the previous novels to enjoy this one.  It stands very well on its own.

I really liked Chloe and could relate to her a little bit because of her asthma.  (I don't have asthma, but I do have a respiratory disorder that has caused me to stop breathing a couple of times.)  But despite the asthma, or maybe because of it, Chloe likes to push life to it's fullest.  She is usually the one that is caught doing something that doesn't toe the line, regardless of the goodness of her intentions.  Being raised as somewhat of a wandering nomad by the half-sisters mom has also taught Chloe to always be ready to move and never put down roots.  So when she begins to feel something different coming from Sawyer than irritation, it can only mean trouble. 

Sawyer, on the other hand, was born and raised - mainly by his father - in Lucky Harbor. In his youth, he was also a wild child, but has been sheriff for so many years that he has chained in those impulses.  He has been trying to redeem himself for something that he has felt responsible for from his youth. Combine that with a father who also can't seem to get over his son's shortcomings as a teenager and you have a man who keeps his feelings close to his vest - until Chloe starts to wiggle her way in.

I loved the attraction between these two.  Jill Shalvis definitely knows how to turn up the heat between these two unlikely lovers. There is nothing like a little sexual tension to  leave you feeling a little breathless. We had met Chloe in the previous book, but it was nice to learn more about her here and see some of her vulnerabilites and strength come out and round her out as a person.

I haven't read the second book, The Sweetest Thing, but when I am once again looking for a good romance that I can read fairly quickly, Jill Shalvis will be one author that I will be looking for.

~ I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hachette in exchange for my unbiased review. ~

Time for the giveaway!

Use the rafflecopter form to enter.  If an old form (or no form) shows up, please refresh your screen.  If you still do not see it, or can't use it for whatever reason, please email me at kherbrand@comcast.net  and I will see that you get entered in the contest.  I have 1 copy of Head over Heels to giveaway to one of my reads.