C2’s review of Chasing Christmas Eve (Heartbreaker Bay, Book 4) by Jill Shalvis
ContemporaryRromance published by Avon 26 Sep 17
It’s beginning to look a lot like…procrastination? Ah, Faithful Reader, do you ever struggle to accomplish something? Not something hard, not something labor intensive. Just a struggle for whatever reason. That’s where I was with this review. I always enjoy Ms. Shalvis’ work – her characters are fun, the stories usually move quickly and are heartwarming. She’s a comfort read, ya know? Why, then, was I so late with this review?? Who knows! Let’s just slink along and hope no one notices. Onward!
Chasing Christmas Eve takes us back to the Pacific Pier Building in San Francisco – a building secretly (or not-so-secretly) owned by our hero, Spencer Baldwin. Spence has just been named one of San Francisco’s most eligible bachelors, so the women are coming out of the woodwork (and he’s a pretty popular guy already). Who doesn’t love a gorgeous geek…with money?? Spence is hung up on a work problem and needs to clear his head. While he’s walking an unruly dog (to help a pal, ’cause he’s a good guy), Spence meets Colbie Albright, runaway author. (An aside – I find it awkward when the heroine is an author, no matter what sort of books she writes. Just me?? Maybe.)
Colbie lives in New York and rides herd on an overly-dependent family, while trying to maintain being a successful author. When deadline pressure gets to be too much, she runs away to the opposite coast, determined to hide out and finish the darned book. Of course, fate has other plans…hot, geeky plans. After being knocked into a fountain by Unruly Dog, Spence insists on helping Colbie out with some dry clothes and a place to thaw out – unusual for our reclusive inventor.
And we’re off! Into a sweet, fun – if somewhat standard – read. There are several stereotypes at play here…the hot geek, the author who talks to herself, the needy family that depends on someone else to take care of everything. But the story is still engaging. I don’t mind stereotypes, if they are well done. Sure, there are bits that nag – the non-cursing is a cutesy bit that went on too long, for example. The secret-keeping isn’t so necessary – there are plenty of issues to deal with, without that added in.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next installment in the series. Sometimes you just want to hang out with friends for a while and these books totally fill that bill for me. Should you read it? If you’re a fan of Ms. Shalvis, you will enjoy. Of course, I always recommend starting at the beginning of a series and that is true here, as well. If you’ve never tried one of Ms. Shalvis’ books? Well, I’m not sure this is the one to start with – better to begin at the beginning of the series, if it appeals. Or try her Lucky Harbor series – it’s very good.
Grade: C+
Summary:
Meet cute…
Run for the hills—temporarily. That’s Colbie Albright’s plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie’s so over it that she’s under it. She’s also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she’s pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won’t be a stranger for long.
Make merry…
Spence’s commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn’t have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot—chemistry he’s got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself… just because she’s gorgeous and a great listener…just because she “gets” Spence immediately doesn’t mean he won’t be able to let Colbie go. Does it?
…and hope for a miracle.
Now the clock’s ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a .lifetime.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in series:
