My Kind of Wonderful

Jill Shalvis never disappoints.

This was a lovely book.

Bailey is recovering from a long term illness and wants to complete a bucket list. She's hired to paint a mural in a ski resort and is instantly attracted to Hudson. He is a very interesting character and she wants to get to know him better- but he keeps parts of himself closed off. Why?

It's a family run concern and we get to know the other family members and the resort and it makes you wish to get some ski's and visit!

It was just the perfect Christmassy read- set in the ideal setting.

I can't wait to read more in this series. With many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read this one.

The perfect read to chase away the winter blues.

I’m not a fan of January. It’s cold, miserable, dark from around 4pm and I always end up working completely ridiculous hours to meet unachievable deadlines. Safe to say I’m not a happy bunny.

While this book didn’t really solve anything as far as work or weather it did make me feel a bit better about it and it most definitely put a smile on my face.

My Kind of Wonderful is the second in the cedar ridge series and my first book by Jill Shalvis. I didn’t realise it was the second in a series but to be honest it didn’t matter as it works as a standalone.

Synopsis

The story follows Bailey Moore, a women determined to make the most of her second chance at life by living it to the full. She has a list of things she wants to do and top of that list is to paint a mural. When she’s hired to paint a mural at cedar ridge ski resort in the Rockies she’s determined to do it. What she doesn’t count on though is Hudson Kincaid.

Hudson’s part of the family who own the resort and between working all hours at the resort to keep it afloat, taking shifts at the local police station, looking after his mentally ill mum and trying to track down his missing brother he has a lot on his plate. He’s not looking for any more complications in his life and he’s certainly not looking for a relationship.

They are exactly what the other doesn’t need in their life right now but from their very first encounter there’s an attraction that neither can ignore. A serious relationship is not what either want but once the mural’s finished can they really end it?

My thoughts

It’s a very sweet and romantic read and absolutely perfect for the cold dark winter months. There is the occasional sad moment but most of the time it had me laughing and smiling (unfortunately sometimes when I was on the train which is a bit embarrassing).

The main characters are very likeable. Bailey is so optimistic and determined to live life to the max on her own basis that you can’t help but love her. Hudson is dark and brooding but cares for his family so patiently and lovingly that you really feel for him. There is a lot of chemistry between Bailey and Hudson and the attraction and spark is there from the very beginning making it a very believable relationship.

For me though, one of the highlights of the story was the Kincaid family. I loved the dynamic between the siblings and their partners. Almost every scene made me laugh and smile. There were a lot of pranks and the teasing but you get the feeling that they’re always there for each other no matter what. I come from a small family so I have to admit to being a little bit jealous.

I have to admit to also having a bit of a soft spot for any story set in the snow at winter. They are always so cozy and romantic with rustic lodges and log fires. The author gives a great sense of place in this story and the mountains and resort are almost characters in their own right. From the very first chapter when Hudson is “rescuing” Bailey from a dangerous ski run I fell a little bit in love with the setting. I just want to jump on a plane and head off now.

The story is fairly predictable but that’s kind of what you expect from this type of story. You pretty much know how it will end from the first few pages but it’s nice to join the characters on their journey and the writing is good enough that it’s an engaging and funny read.

I’d definitely recommend it to chase away the January blues.

Many thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a really good, modern romance. It is the second in the Cedar Ridge series by this author. I had not read the first one called Second Chance Summer. This storyline is not too difficult to follow. Bailey, 25, has had cancer for ten years and has been in remission for three months. She has written a list of things she wants to do with her life and one involves skiing. Hudson, 28, is one of the owners of Cedar Ridge Ski Resort. Amongst other things he is responsible for safety and security of the skiers. He comes to Bailey's rescue when she takes a wrong turn on the ski slope. Bailey and Hudson are instantly attracted to each other and we follow their tale of love and lust. This is quite a steamy book in places. Enjoy.

Feeling very Christmasy

Loved this book! It is my first Jill Shalvis book but certainly won't be my last.

Set in a ski resort, it is the story of Bailey and Hudson - two very different people with baggage - but the baggage has a very similar effect on both of them!

I really admired Bailey and her feistiness - Hud was a perfect foil for her. The way the "Will they? Won't they?" theme kept going throughout the book was really well done.

So pleased I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Roll on Jacob's story!

5 - 'Mountain Hottie' Stars!

What can I say about Jill Shalvis, that hasn’t already been said. I consider myself lucky in that I only discovered her writing this year, what makes me lucky? I have dozens and dozens of books by this author that I can now take my time and immerse myself in, and nothing gets this reader more excited than a series, and Jill has certainly got quite a few of those on the go that I have some serious catching up to do with.

”I don’t need options… I just need you.”

I fell in love with this authors writing with the first book in the Cedar Ridge Series, and I didn’t think any of Jill’s other guys could top Aidan Kincaid from Second Chance Summer, but he has just been slightly pipped by his brother Hudson.

She’d fallen in love with Cedar Ridge, with the people in it, with the life she’d made for herself here… With Hudson Kincaid.

I think what makes books by this author so easy to read is that although the characters are all dealing with their own sets of problems and dramas, Jill never takes it to the point that you get ground down by angst. Bailey for instance, is living to the fullest due to having spent a large part of her life so far dealing with a debilitating illness that meant she never had the chance to experience much of anything. Enter ’The List’ and Bailey’s reasons for being in Cedar Ridge.

”You have no idea what you’re doing right?”

“When it comes to you?
Hell no…
With you I’m so far out of my league, I can’t even see the league.”

Hud is the same, dealing with being the main carer for a parent with mental issues and the feelings and emotions attributed to not knowing where his twin brother is and how he is doing. These things could lead to major angst and drama overload, but Jill pitches it all just right, and you come away with the positives of the situations and not all depressed about everything.

Romantic. Feel-good. Wholly entertaining. This couple had it all, and were just and absolute pleasure too read together, and separately as they both work out that you can have something you want, even if it doesn’t necessarily fit into the plans that you had originally laid out for yourself.

”Love is worth it.”

I have fallen for the residents of Cedar Ridge and even more-so for the Kincaid family in general, the banter, the kinship and just the total family togetherness makes this series and each book so far, not-to-be-missed books to add to your TBR.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

This book is a swoonfest of swoonfestivity ( are those real words or did I just make them up?). It is a sad, happy, loving, flirtatious fun book. Basically a bit of curl up swoonability ( oops, I'm at it again )