Limecello’s review of Instant Temptation by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary romance released by Brava 30 Mar 10

Jill Shalvis is now one of the authors whose new releases I keep an eye out for. I’m quite curious as to her next books. (Hopefully I’ll love them as much as I liked the Wilder brother’s books.) Instant Temptation is T.J.’s book, and I’d been waiting for it since the first book, Instant Attraction. This book has so many things I like about it. The story is based on a friends to lovers issue – a girl who is trying to move on with her life, a guy who is essentially running away from his… it’s good stuff.

Harley is not quite the heroine I was expecting. First of all, she’s a mechanic. In the previous books, she’s generally wearing dirty coveralls. Harley is also a student, but we’ve mostly met her in work mode, not science mode, and, well, this is stereotyping, I suppose, but with a name like Harley… she’s not entirely a tom boy, but doesn’t shy away from girly girl stuff either. (I distinctly remember nail polish, and girly magazines.)

I like that Harley is trying to do something with her life, and that she feels responsible for her family, but while it’s stressful for her, she doesn’t resent them. It shows great emotional depth and that she’s a very generous and loving person – and that she and her family are close. (Her family also doesn’t wish to be a burden, which helps.) Harley is a strong and likable character, and I’m glad that things end up nicely for her.

T.J. seems to be the most elusive, least friendly Wilder brother. Of course he’s also hot, and a really good guy – just not that approachable. He and Harley have always had chemistry or a spark, but they’ve always been dating other people. In fact, at the beginning of the book, Harley has a boyfriend. (Admittedly, I love that – it adds so many complex dynamics to a developing relationship, and really forces the hero to be introspective, and proactive.) I like that T.J. cares so much for Harley, and it’s entertaining how entirely blindsided he is by his emotions and what he now wants.

Friends to lovers stories are some of my favorite romance novel premises- and Harley and T.J. actually have a past as well. I really like how Ms. Shalvis deals with it – both when revealing what had happened – and why Harley is so curt with T.J., and how he reacts. Of course the chemistry is incredible between T.J. and Harley, and yet it’s a lot of fun too. This is a humorous, sexy, well written story. (I hate spoilers so I’m purposefully vague.)

I also enjoyed the cameo appearances by the other characters from the previous books – and feel that the series ended nicely. I like all three books in this trilogy, but I will say that Instant Gratification is my favorite – in fact it is one of my favorite books of 2009. Instant Temptation and Instant Attraction are close seconds. I’m sad to see it end, and I know I’ll be re-reading all of these books. I definitely recommend you read the Instant trilogy – and especially Stone’s book (Instant Gratification). I also know I’ll be reading Ms. Shalvis’s future books- and likely catching up on her back list when I get a moment.
Grade: A–

T.J. Wilder is the perfect package of breathtaking adventure and raw sex appeal. Even better, he’s about to reconnect with the one woman he’s never been able to forget…

Get Your Pulse Racing

To Harley, the landscape around Wishful, California, is exhilarating, untamed, and more than a little dangerous. The same could be said for T.J. Wilder, who’s invited himself along on her trek to study a rare coyote. Harley’s career is riding on this trip, and she doesn’t need a stubborn, incredibly sexy distraction. But T.J. is a professional guide who knows when to stay back and when to provide invaluable expertise–just like he’s done since they were in high school. And Harley, as usual, is torn between throttling him and giving in to the raw attraction that’s been smoldering all these years.

T.J. knows how proud and capable Harley is, but he’s damned sure not letting her put herself at risk when there are illegal hunters in the area. She needs him, with the same soul-stirring urgency that he’s always craved her. And here, in this beautiful place days from civilization, he’ll finally have a chance to prove it–over and over again. . .

Read an excerpt here.