C2’s review of Lucky in Love (Lucky Harbor, Book 4) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance released by Forever 22 May 12

It’s time to go back to Lucky Harbor and see what’s shaking with the quirky residents.  During this visit we find out what happens when the town’s favorite “good girl” has a stormy encounter with a man known only as “Mysterious Cute Guy.”  It might be time for the good girl to take a walk on the wild side.

Mallory Quinn is one of Lucky Harbor’s good girls.  Mallory is always around to lend a helping hand and does her best to take care of everyone – she’s a nurse, for crying out loud!  And like all good girls, Mallory is looking for Mr. Right.  Unfortunately, the last couple of Mr. Rights turned out to be all wrong.  So when her best friend tells Mallory maybe it’s time to have some fun with a Mr. Wrong, it doesn’t sound like such a bad plan.  All Mallory really wants is a date for an upcoming charity auction…she never expected for Mr. Wrong to literally fall at her feet.

Ty Garrison is a former Navy SEAL.  After he was the only survivor of a crash that killed the rest of his squad, he left the military and has been working for an independent contractor. Ty still goes out on missions and gets the adrenalin rush but has a bit more control over his assignments.  He is in Lucky Harbor recuperating from an injury he got during his most recent job.  One of Ty’s military buddies is now living in Lucky Harbor and has found him a house to rent and hooked him up with a local doctor to oversee his recovery.  Ty is ready to be back on the job – he is pushing himself too hard and his doctor knows it, though.  The last thing Ty expects is a tree to fall on him during a freak snowstorm – and one of his “rescuers” to set him up on a date with one of the others.

Mallory and Ty have instant chemistry – even though she doesn’t even know his name until he has to introduce himself to the very nosy auction-attending crowd – and spend part of the evening flirting.  When Mallory has to go to a storage area to look for a missing auction item, Ty goes along and – what do you know – there is a sofa conveniently in the storage area.  Just waiting for them to put it to good use, of course.  Wheeeeeeeee!

Ty knows Mallory is a good girl and that he should stay far from her, but being with her makes him feel different than he has in ages – more alive.  Mallory knows she should stay away from Ty, too.  He is only in Lucky Harbor for a little while and she has never been anywhere else, but doesn’t she deserve something that makes her feel good, even if it isn’t something a good girl would choose?

Oh, faithful reader, I love this kind of story!  When the hero and heroine know exactly why a relationship between them should never work but can’t resist.  Playing with fire FTW! Also?  Fire is hot and so is this book…it’s sweet, too.  Ty becomes more and more involved with the good folks of Lucky Harbor, whether he wants to or not.  And Mallory finally starts to show people who she really is – maybe not always the good girl but a strong woman.

Does this book stand alone?  It does, actually.  Certainly, if you’ve read the other Lucky Harbor books, your reading will be enhanced, but it isn’t strictly necessary – but read them, why don’t you?  It’s a very enjoyable series.  🙂  Also, this book is the first of a trio of connected books – each of the other Chocoholics gets her Happily Ever After very soon.  If you’re looking for a sweet, sexy, entertaining small-town romance, look no further.  Ms. Shalvis is a master.

Grade: A-

Summary:

Mallory Quinn has had enough of playing it safe. As a nurse and devoted daughter, she takes care of everyone but herself. And as the local good girl, she’s expected to date Mr. Right. But for once, she’d like to take a risk on Mr. Wrong. And who could be more wrong than Ty Garrison? The mysterious new guy in town has made it clear that he’s only passing through, which suits Mallory just fine. Besides, his lean, hard body and sexy smile will give her plenty to remember once he’s gone…

For the first time in his life, Ty can’t bear to leave. Helping this sexy seductress-in-training walk on the wild side is making him desire things he shouldn?t?including leaving the military for good. As their just-for-fun fling becomes something more, Mallory and Ty wonder if they could really be this lucky in love. After all…anything can happen in a town called Lucky Harbor.

Read an excerpt!

Other books in the series: