Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis Narrator: Erin Mallon
Series: Sunrise Cove #1
Published by HarperAudio on January 11, 2022
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Length: 9 hours, 33 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst…but can’t bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother’s lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he’s happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend—right before his phone dies.
But Levi and Jane do not.
Now Levi’s family is desperate to meet “The One.” Though Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, she’s nervous. After a traumatic childhood, Jane isn’t sure she knows how to be around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. She’s terrified, and a little jealous. But an unexpected series of events and a host of new friends soon show Jane that perhaps this is the life she was always meant to have.
As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can’t live without the man she’s fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of.
Jill Shalvis never fails to write a story which is heartwarming, with characters I am wanting to grow and succeed. They are often holding themselves back from any relationships either to not get hurt again or because they are guilty and feel they don’t deserve love.
Jane is definitely in the first camp, having experienced hurt and not wanting to be rejected again. Levi is slightly more in the second camp. Both needed to get out from their families to some degree and make their own way in their career and have some success as their own person. They can both be proud of their skills and accomplishments.
Their meet-cute is more like meet- disaster but it allowed them to get a sense of each other. It also set up Jane as Levi’s fake girlfriend. As things get real, it makes it harder for both of them to convince Jane it’s real.
I enjoyed all the supporting characters. There were plenty since they both have family living in Sunrise Cove. Levi grew up here and knows many people. Jane has a good group of co-workers including Charlotte and Levi’s childhood best friend, Matteo, who have their own budding relationship. It’s a quirky but caring group. There is a thread of humor in Shalvis’ books as well.
As always, I loved how they fought for each other, supporting the other even if they didn’t get what they wanted themselves. The Family You Make has people I want to see more of as the Sunrise Cove series continues.
 Narration:
Erin Mallon is the voice of this series which I am enjoying on audio. Her male and female characters are differentiated in each book. The male and female voices do sound the same as characters from other books though. I really enjoy the husky quality of her male voices. I was able to listen chose to listen at usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:Â Â
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About Erin Mallon
Erin Mallon is an actor, writer and voice artist in NYC. Her naturally warm personality and youthful sound have proven excellent tools for the many young adult and romance titles she narrates. She has originated roles in the theater with Ensemble Studio Theater’s Youngblood Company, The Drilling Company, Mabou Mines, Incubator Arts Project and many more. Erin is a devoted volunteer at The 52nd Street Project, the voice of many TV and radio commercials, and was one of BACKSTAGE’s “Career Dispatch” columnists for 2012.
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.
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:
- 22-COYER
Another winner! I can’t wait. Wonderful review, Anne💜
Jill Shalvis is always a win for me. She never disappoints me.
Oh it has been too long since I read her and I want this. Thanks for sharing
Debbie, she is a favorite, always read for me. You can jump right in here at the start of a new series. I also highly recommend her Wildstone series which is a bunch of standalones set in the same town.
Great review. I love JS’s characters and settings. I love the friendships. I haven’t read anything from her since the series set in the condo complex out in San Fransisco. I need to add this to my list. Thanks.
Both this and the Wildstone series are highly recommended by me, but Shalvis is a long-time favorite. These series are more standalone and share just a setting. They also lean to life fiction. I love them.
Jill Shalvis does write some very fun books! This one’s on my TBR list. 🙂
She’s a favorite author of mine.
There’s something about Jill Shalvis’ books that I I enjoy so much. I am glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I will definitely be checking it out.
I highly recommend all her books! Enjoy.
pretty cover and i know i can use some ‘warming’ up. 🙂
She’s a favorite and her books are always heartwarming.
Wonderful review – I had my eye on this already so will definitely give it a try.
Thank you Louise. Shalvis is a favorite author.
Shalvis writes such great characters. Their meeting was pretty intense, wasn’t it? I am so glad you enjoyed this one!
I tend to love all her books because of the characters and the touch of humor.
Jill Shalvis is on my list of authors I really need to try this year and I think I’m going to start with this book since it’s a new series. It sounds so heartwarming.
I highly recommend Jill Shalvis. I’ve enjoyed all her series over the years. She’s an auto read for me. I hope you love it. She creates amazing characters with a touch of humor.
Lovely review, Anne! I read/reviewed this one recently and it was actually my first by Shalvis. I was drawn in from that harrowing first scene and really pulled for Jane and Levi. I really like Erin Mallon so I’m sure the audio version was great.
Thank you Tanya! I highly recommend Shalvis. I read everything she writes for the heart and humor. The people are realistic and they often have pets I enjoy. Her backlist is beloved too, like the Lucky Harbor books.