C2’s review of Accidentally on Purpose (Heartbreaker Bay, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 24 Jan 17
Greetings, Faithful Reader! I know, I’m the worst. *hangs head* I’ve been missing in action, but I’m trying to do better! Computer issues can’t keep me down! I don’t know what order things will be posted in, so by the time you see this I might not have been missing in action. Yay?
Anyhoo, do you ever read a series of books and get jealous of the group of friends? Because they seem to be so close knit and have so much fun and stuff? Even introvert me can see the appeal. LOL Some authors are especially good at writing those groups and Jill, Shalvis is one of them. So I was very glad to get the chance to review her newest installment in the Heartbreaker Bay series, Accidentally on Purpose. Onward!
Elle Wheaton loves to be in charge of everything in her life and she’s good at it. Elle likes to be in control of things because her childhood was less than stellar. Her mother was a small-time con artist, and Elle and her sister were in and out of foster care until they learned how to avoid getting caught by child services. Elle finally escaped that life after one unfortunate night when she got caught up in a police sting. She wasn’t even supposed to be in the area, but she would have been arrested with everyone else if a rookie cop hadn’t intervened. After that, she managed to straighten out her life, get away from bad influences, and make something of herself.
Currently, she is the building manager for the Pacific Pier Building in San Francisco. It’s owned by her friend Spence (although most people don’t know that). Along with her job, she is also finishing up an accounting degree (an aside…I loathed my accounting classes, so bless those who enjoy it). The building has both apartments and office space – and a famous fountain in the courtyard, but that’s a story for another time. One of the offices houses Hunt Investigations, owned by Archer Hunt. Coincidentally (or is it??), Archer was that rookie cop who helped Elle out of that bad situation years ago.
Elle and Archer have a…combative relationship. But they also have chemistry to burn. Both have their reasons for not wanting a relationship, but they can’t quite avoid being emotionally entangled. And when her sister, Morgan, shows up – dragging some stuff from the past with her – Elle and Archer have no choice but to deal with each other to help straighten out the situation.
Ah, Reader…I enjoyed this book. It might be my favorite of the series so far. You know I enjoy banter and there is banter in spades here. Both Elle and Archer have what they think are Very Good Reasons to stay apart, but, of course, neither of them really wants that. And sometimes it’s hard to convince yourself to take what you really want.
So, does this book stand alone? Pretty much. Your enjoyment will certainly be enhanced if you have read the previous books in the series – for background, etc. – but it isn’t absolutely necessary. But you know my thoughts on this by now, don’t you, Faithful Reader? Do the right thing – read the series in order!
Grade: B
Summary:
There’s no such thing as a little in love . . .
Elle Wheaton’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .
There’s no such thing as a little in lust . . .
Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco earthquake and he craves her 24/7, but Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .
There is such a thing as . . .
As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along . . .
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
