Tuesday, October 29, 2013

[ARC Review]: "Rumor Has It"


Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Berkley (November 5, 2013)

Series: Animal Magnetism, 4
Genre: Contemporary Romance

He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…

Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.

To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…




Where to Buy*:
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My Review:






This review may not be based so much on the actual story or the writing, though both were very good.  I loved this book, for various reasons, but mainly because I adored Kate, and connected with her character on a very personal level. For me, Kate was very real, and her character was beautifully written. Why did I connect so strongly with her? Because she's me. Many of the emotions and responsibilities she has are the same as mine. Her fear of leaving her family and starting her own life? That's me. Her fear that her family will not be able to make it without her? That's me as well. The fact that she's so busy trying to do everything for her father and siblings, but not taking the time to do anything for herself—that's me, too. Needless to say, this story touched me. Perhaps other readers won't have that same experience while reading it, and that's okay. But for me, Rumor Has It was a very emotional read, because it hit so close to home.



I loved Griffin, too. He was a wonderful hero, very much like any good romance hero should be; he's strong, he's sexy, he's a bit stubborn and perhaps jerk-ish a few times, but overall he's a good man, and one that I found myself caring for. I was worried about him just like Kate and his friends, wanting nothing more than to help take care of him when his horrible migraines started. I loved that about him, too; the fact that he was not perfect, he was flawed, in both characteristics and physically, but those flaws did not make him any less of a man. He tried so hard to hide his injury, to ignore it, but at times he was powerless to do anything but curl up in a ball and hope it would soon pass. I admired him for that.




There was something about this scene that I loved—it's simple, in a way, but it was both very sweet and  (very lightly) funny. This conversation takes place while he's having one of his migraines.



“Griffin--”

“You always say my full name,” he said softly, pressing his face between her breasts just as he shifted his hand northward and let his thumbs scrape over her aching nipples. “Like you're going to put me in the corner.”

She had to lock her knees. It took her two tries to speak.

“That's not where I'm thinking of putting you right now.”

He smiled, but it faded fast. So did the color form his face.

“Oh, Griffin,” she whispered.

“You're the only one who ever calls me that. The only one....”




The banter and conversations in this book were great, witty and unique, and many passages brought a smile to my face. I found Kate's random science facts added a bit of fun to any scene. I liked Kate's little brother, and thought that his character was pretty well developed, were as her father and sister were a bit more blurry.






Rumor Has It  is definitely a keeper, and one that I will be buying my own copy of to read again. Charming and fun, sexy and sweet, real and emotional, this is one book I will not be forgetting anytime soon! I did not read the previous 3 books in this series, but after loving this one so much, I'll be going back and catching up on this small town. I've only read a few of Shalvis' books, but I've noticed the same thing with each one—she has a talent for writing, and it shines through, drawing the reader in and inviting them to wander around in these small towns she has so lovingly created. For me, Rumor Has It was pure perfection—really, do I need to say anything more?


4 1/2 STARS! 


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I received an e-ARC of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion. 

*Note: The quote used belongs to Jill Shalvis; TBQ's Book Palace does not claim it.

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Have you read Jill Shalvis before? Do you have a favorite book of hers? Or how about the last book that touched you, on a personal level? :) 





Enjoy!

Until Next Time,

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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

2 comments :

Angela Ingham said...

I do love Jill shalvis books she is one of those authors where i can auto buy but then i worry about reading it because once ive read it .. ive read it, i also tend to go back and re read her work as it all tends to be lighthearted and i laugh a alot makes you feel good.

The_Book_Queen said...

Very true, Angela! :) I'll definitely be rereading this one, and I'm glad I was able to snatch up book 3 when it was on sale this past week. I'm holding off on reading it for when I need something to cheer me up and help me escape!


Enjoy,
TBQ