Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis Narrator: Vivienne Leheny
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #6
Published by Avon, HarperAudio on September 25, 2018
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 384
Length: 9 hours, 2 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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Most people wouldn’t think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn’t most people, and she could really use a distraction from the fantasies she’s been having since spending the night with her very secret crush, Lucas Knight. Nothing happened, not that Lucas knows that—but Molly just wants to enjoy being a little naughty for once . . .
Whiskey and pain meds for almost-healed bullet wounds don’t mix. Lucas needs to remember that next time he’s shot on the job, which may be sooner rather than later if Molly’s brother, Joe, finds out about them. Lucas can’t believe he’s drawing a blank on his (supposedly) passionate tryst with Molly, who’s the hottest, smartest, strongest woman he’s ever known. Strong enough to kick his butt if she discovers he’s been assigned to babysit her on her first case. And hot enough to melt his cold heart this Christmas.
Everything Jill Shalvis writes is my favorite. The entire Heartbreaker Bay series is excellent. This couple is a special one. They both have had past hurts and aren’t really interested in giving their hearts again.
Molly is fiesty and smart and independent. I love that. I do wish she could have been a little nicer to Lucas though. She was a tiny bit TSTL as far as her safety. She was able to handle herself and deserved the chance. Their case was funny and terrifying.
Poor Lucas. He’d been shot and sidelined. Then he is between a rock and a hard place with Molly and Archer on this case. I have to say I think he made the right choices which allowed Molly to shine while still being there to back her up. View Spoiler »
I loved their growth and journey as they worked the case. Lucas was always there for Molly. His confidence was sexy but not so much as to be obnoxious. I really enjoyed the interactions with both Lucas’ family and with Molly’s dad. Joe is another can of worms but kudos to Lucas for sticking up for Molly with him. Yeah, I’m a big fan of Lucas.
I can’t imagine not reading every Heartbreaker Bay novel and plan to always read everything by Jill Shalvis.
Excerpt:
It took Lucas Knight longer than it should have to realize he had a woman in his bed, but to be fair, he had a bitch of a hangover. Even worse than that, last night was a blur, prompting him to take quick stock. One, there was a bundle of sweet, soft curves against him. Two, his head was currently threatening to secede from the United States Of Lucas. And three, his side hurt like … well, like he’d been shot.
It’d been two weeks since he’d gotten caught in some crossfire on the job and he hadn’t yet been cleared for more than light duty – something he’d obviously managed to ignore last night given that he was palming a nice, warm, feminine ass.
Think, man.
Straining his brain, he remembered taking a pain med before going to O’Riley’s Pub to meet up with some friends. A client had been there, someone he’d recently helped save from a multi-million dollar corporate espionage. The guy had ordered shots to toast to Lucas and … shit. Knowing better than to mix pain meds and alcohol, he’d hesitated, but everyone had been waiting on him, glasses hoisted in the air. Thinking just one shot couldn’t hurt anything, he’d knocked back the drink.
Clearly, he’d been wrong and it’d been enough to mess him up big time, something he hadn’t been in years, not since his brother Josh had been killed. Shoving that away for another time – or never — Lucas cracked open one eye, but when his retina was stabbed by a streak of sunlight glaring in through the window, he immediately slammed it shut it again. Taking a deep breath, he told himself to suck it up and opened both eyes this time, learning two additional facts.
He was naked and completely uncovered.
And the woman snugged up at his side was rolled up in his comforter like a burrito.
What. The. Hell.
Narration:
This narration was a shock. I’ve listened to many of this series on audio and I think they were all a different narrator.
Vivienne Leheny was a new to me narrator and I quickly adjusted to her at my usual 1.25x speed. Her voice for Molly felt natural but I loved her voice for Lucas, especially his sexy voice. Her performance of the snark and humor added to the fun. She brought real emotion for me.
Listen to a clip here:
Giveaway:
About Jill Shalvis
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2018 Audiobook Challenge
- 2018 New Release Challenge
Wait… Karen White doesn’t narrate this series? Or did they switch narrators mid-series? I have only read these.
I was put off by Molly’s teasing at the beginning, so I was glad when that part was put to rest and the couple worked together. It was cute.
Yes I didn’t like Molly’s treatment of Lucas at times. But it all came together.
I have listened to most of these and this was a change of narrator. I think it worked for this one, although I am a fan of Karen White.
Ooh, I like this narrator!! Deep, throaty voice. I’m really glad I have the audiobook edition. I also agree with you about Shalvis…auto read!
Yes, it was a good fit for this book. I love everything Jill Shalvis.
I don’t read very much romance right now, but have read Jill Shalvis in the past and enjoyed her. The one time I like to read some romance is during the Christmas season. So I’m going to take a look at this book.
I’m also reading less straight contemporary romance without suspense or anything, but Jill Shalvis is an auto-read. She is always great. There are some others in this series with a holiday theme like Chasing Christmas Eve, and also Holiday Wishes and The Trouble with Mistletoe. Thanks for visiting.
Always like finding a good new to me narrator. I’ve not read her other than half a book that is lost somewhere in this house. I did like it and I know she is a well loved author. Glad she’s your favorite!
For contemporary romance she is at the top. I enjoy many of her series.
Completely agree with your spoiler.
I know right? I just thought she was so obstinate with him more than she needed to be and not quite honest with him or herself at times. And she knew it. She was just fighting it. You can control your actions, of course, but not what you feel.
I have this on my list to read. Now I’m thinking it would be better as an audible. So glad you enjoyed it:)
I like this series both ways. This narrator was new to me but I thought she did very well.
Oh yes I always love the romances by this author. Always so sweet!
Sweet and funny.
I have read the first few books in this series, but haven’t read the later ones yet. This sounds like a great couple and Lucas sounds like a likeable hero.
Yes, I fell hard for Lucas. Also Spence in Chasing Christmas Eve. I’ve loved every book in this series. I hope you enjoy them too.
I haven’t read the Heartbreaker Bay series or any of Jill’s other series yet.
Jill Shalvis is one of my go-to authors for contemporary romance. I love everything she does. You should try one.