The family you make by Jill Shavy.
Book 1 of the sunrise Cove series.
During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. When the gondola in front of them hurtles to the ground, Levi calls his parents, but can't bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, he impulsively reveals that he's happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend - right before his phone dies. But Levi and Jane do not. Now Levi's family is desperate to meet 'The One'. Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, but a traumatic childhood has left her unsure how to act around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can't live without the man she's fallen in love with - and the family she has always dreamed of.
A very good read with good characters. A lovely feel good book. Beautiful cover. 4*.

An uplifting drama and romance that see not just one but two couple pairings but also the love of family and the bonds that they can hold but also how those relationships can affect all others.
This story was completely emotional and had me feeling something from the first moment with their life or death situation and then to experience the way that Jane discovered more about herself and her family whilst falling in love with Levi and his family was extremely enjoyable, the sideline romance coming from Jane's friend / landlord and what happens to be a friend of Levi's is loosely touched upon as a romance but could certainly be it's own romance book.

I’ve been so excited to share this book since I read it a few weeks before Christmas.

@jillshalvis is an author that I’ve wanted to read forever but she has so many books I sort of felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start so I went straight to this, her newest release and omg I’m so glad I did…I loved it so, so much!

This has probably the most gripping start to any romance book I’ve read in years, I was ALL in those first few chapters, it gets right into the drama and you get such a great feel for Levi and Jane.

This has such a lovely mix of romance and a little family drama too but it’s definitely more focused on the romance. There was even a second romance that weaves throughout it which normally I don’t love but it worked so well in this!

The mix of family, found family and the characters having really realistic obstacles to overcome as well as crazy good chemistry made for the absolute perfect cosy romantic read!

If you like any Sarah Morgan books then this is a must for you!

I’m so excited to read more from Jill, let me know if you have any recc’s of her other books!

From the blurb…
“During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. When the gondola in front of them hurtles to the ground, Levi calls his parents, but can't bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, he impulsively reveals that he's happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend - right before his phone dies.

But Levi and Jane do not.

Now Levi's family is desperate to meet 'The One'. Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, but a traumatic childhood has left her unsure how to act around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another.

As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can't live without the man she's fallen in love with - and the family she has always dreamed of.”

Advanced copy from Netgalley.
The Family You Make is out on January 11th (tomorrow!) ✨

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I loved reading this book.

During a storm, Jane and Levi are stuck on a gondola, not knowing what’ll happen next, Levi calls his family, to say goodbye but instead, as he can’t bring himself to say those words, he tells his mom what she’s wanting to hear, that he’s found someone he’s in love with. That’s Jane, a girl he’s just met.

It was so lovely to see their fake dating and the other characters interacting in the book. Especially, his niece, who left a smile on my face each time I read about her. Jane’s friend Charlotte, helped her as well as having her own love story.

This book is a brilliant start to Jill’s new series and I can’t wait to see what she brings out next.

Oh my goodness, where do I start?! I fell in love with Sunrise Cove and it’s cast of loveable characters from the very first page. I have read all of this author’s books but this one is possibly the best yet. It reminds me a lot of her earlier series, Lucky Harbour, in that it’s lighter in tone than some of her most recent books. It’s a rom com but with a lot of heart and emotional depth. There are two side by side romances in this book, with multiple points of view. I’m not usually keen on this, but it works so well in this book! I loved the central theme of family in all its forms and can’t wait to read more from this amazing new series!

I've only recently discovered Jill Shalvis and have been happily working my way through her backlist, so I was thrilled to receive an early copy of The Family You Make.

Levi and Jane are stuck in a ski lift gondola (cable car), halfway up a mountain, when a blizzard hits and the gondola in front of them crashes to the ground. Faced with the very real possibility that they are going to die, Levi phones his family to say goodbye but then can't bring himself to utter the words. When his mother hears Jane in the background, she assumes Jane is his new girlfriend. Unable to tell his mother the truth, he goes along with it. What harm can it do? Except Levi and Jane are then rescued and now his family will go to any lengths to meet her...

The Family You Make features two couples. Commitment-shy Jane trying to navigate her fake/not fake relationship with Levi, and her friend Charlotte, who also has problems trying to form relationships because of trauma in her past, and is trying to ignore her attraction to Levi's friend Matteo. Levi has a large, exuberant family, who love him despite not really understanding him. Jane, after being passed from relative to relative while she was growing up, is so used to having no one care about her, she is always ready to move onto the next job before she outstays her welcome. Can Levi persuade her to stay and give him a chance - despite the 'help' from his family? And can Charlotte learn to trust Matteo enough to take their relationship to the next level?

Warm, witty and wise, with thoroughly engaging characters, I was really rooting for both couples to have their very own happy ever after. I loved Levi's quirky family, especially his niece Peyton, and I can't wait for the next book in the series (The Friendship Pact). A five-star read. Would suit fans of Sarah Morgan and Susan Mallery.



Thank you to Jill Shalvis and Headline Eternal for my copy of this book, which I requested via NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

Thank you to Headline Press for sending me an e-arc of this book. Honestly, I hadn't even heard of The Family You Make, it wasn't even on my radar. In fact, I hadn't even heard of Jill Shalvis. However, that has now changed. Something I didn't see coming, this being my first five star read of the year.
Outstanding! I loved everything about this book. The writing is fantastic, I've gone ahead and bought 3 more of Jill's books, and I'd love to read more of her backlist. The characters, ALL OF THEM, are everything! Their development, especially Jane and Charlotte's but even Levi and his family's as well, we're phenomenal. And I really loved the different sets and types of relationships we were following in this book. I love that it wasn't just a love story between Levi and Jane. There was a secondary love story, there were family relationships, friendships. So much was happening, I laughed out loud, I sobbed, I was overwhelmed, my heart was warmed, I was shocked and horrified, I just adored every second of this book. And I cannot wait for the next one.

The Family You Make was the pick me up that I needed. A book that I could just lose myself in and curl up on the sofa with. And it was a great book to kick of my 2022 review books with. It was exactly what I needed. I loved this book from the first paragraph until the end.

Also this is the start to a series which means that I have more fantastic books to look forward to. Hopefully it means that I get more of Jane and Levi, as well as Charlotte and Mateo. But knowing my luck they will only have a brief appearance.

I loved both story-lines. Although I will admit it and say that Mateo was my favourite and he needed more story time. But I really enjoyed how both were couples brought the best out of each other and made them think of how they could move on and change, and enjoy life.

I also have to speak about Levi's family, because to be honest while they clearly mean well, they are sometimes overbearing. In the sweetest possible way. In a way it's a bit smothering. But I love how involved they get and they did cause me to laugh. A lot. They just want the best for Levi and will do anything to make that happen.

I really enjoyed The Family You Make. To be honest I don't think that words will be adequate to describe this book. All I can honestly say is roll on the next book!

This was just a sweet read. I really enjoyed reading it. I love that this book has two story lines.
The main characters are so sweet an I adore there relationship

4 of 5 stars.

Oh wow! This book really moved me. Jane and Charlotte are both carrying so much on their shoulders, both dealing with different demons yet they form a solid bond, on their terms. Then along comes Levi and Mateo and they realise that they no longer need to be an island. Seeing them self analyse and see what they want but not having the strength to go for it was humbling, but more so was the understanding and acceptance they received from their ‘one’.
Jane and Levi and her grandpa brought a tear to my eye more than once. I loved how Levi loved her.
This was gripping right from the start with that gondola to the happy family at the end.

I absolutely loved this book! There was a little snippet of it at the end of Jill Shalvis's last book so I've been waiting for it for ages now and it didn't disappoint.

During a bad snowstorm (nurse) Jane and Levi get stuck in a ski lift gondola and nearly don't make it after the gondola in front of them falls down the mountain. But they do get out of there, albeit slightly injured, and because Levi rang his Mum and told him Jane was his girlfriend, as he thought he was going to die and he wanted to make her happy, they're now stuck with his family wanting to meet Jane and welcome her into the family. Their antics to meet her without her knowing were very funny!

Levi has always been the clever one in the family and as the rest of the family is sports orientated, as they own a sporting goods store, they've never really understood him, even though they love him.

Jane had a bad childhood, being passed from relative to relative, but no-one really wanting her. She has unresolved issues with her grandfather, as she used to live with her grandmother and grandfather when she was young, but after her grandmother's death was passed on to another relative, so she now never stays in one place very long, mainly because she wants to choose to move on herself and doesn't want to risk being asked to move on.

Along with Jane and Levi we also have Charlotte and Mateo's relationship (both doctors). Charlotte is Jane's friend and landlord, and Charlotte also has a lot of hang-ups, from a previous situation years ago and doesn't want to let Mateo get too close.

I just loved all the characters in this book, and really enjoyed the dual relationships developing. This is the first of a new series and I can't wait to read the next book now. I'm never disappointed with a Jill Shalvis book, every single one has been wonderful, the only trouble being I read them too quickly as I can't put them down!

I think it's a very good sign that I am starting the year with a strong 5 star read book!

Jane and Levi have a meet cute that could also be classified as a scary meet, they find themselves in a lift during a snowstorm with an uncertain outcome. During a scary moment Levi calls his parents but instead of saying goodbye he says that he has a girlfriend, to make them feel better.

When they find themselves in solid ground once again, his family is very curious to meet his new girlfriend, Jane.

This is how Jane and her Tarsan, aka Levi start fake dating but only in name, since there is nothing fake while they spend their time together.

The book involves a second romance between Charlotte, Jane's roommate and Mateo, Levi's friend. It was very interesting seeing the two couples finding their way around each other especially considering their past hurt and how much trust was involved in order to take the leap.

I love the friendship between Jane and Charlotte and how they supported and pushed each other when needed. The family they made was unique but also very real.

I absolutely adored this book, I devoured this book in, almost one sitting.


*I received an ARC from Headline Eternal through Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

There’s something about starting a new series that feels extra special. This book was the perfect mix of setting the scene and entertaining content. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.

I loved this story all about dealing with your hang ups and trying to live your best life. It focuses on 2 “couples” who each like one another but the women in each case are avoiding dating due to their bad history, and the men in their lives who are trying to convince them otherwise. Personally I preferred the couple who weren’t really the main couple, and was glad the author included them, but both were good to read about, and I appreciated the epilogue

This was a really cute, quick and easy read. It was written really well and had great characters and an adorable storyline. I couldnt put it down and didnt want it to end. I loved it.

This was a really enjoyable romance. Jane and Levi made great leads and Levi’s family were all interesting characters. Jill Shalvis is a great writer and her books never fail to impress. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read a copy of this. I would highly recommend.

There are two couples trying to overcome a hard past so they can start living their future with the calm and live each character deserves. The past moments are heartbreaking at some points and I felt bad for all of them, but it also felt like that past is shaping them as the persons they are now with all the insecurities and actions they take.

Levi and Jane are perfect for each other and their families and friends are the people that I want to have in my real life.

Beautiful and heartbreaking love story with a much deserved HEA

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley

The stories of Jane and Levi, and Charlotte and Mateo.

Both Jane and Charlotte are wary of relationships after things that took place in their childhoods, so will Levi and Mateo be able to convince them to take a chance.

great read, which was emotional at times