Unwrapping a Review of HOT WINTER NIGHTS, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. In an attempt to make up for my neglect, I have been offering up guest reviews for you to enjoy by my dear friend, Connie Fischer. I hope you have been following them.

However, today I am actually sharing a review of mine of a book I actually got to read albeit a couple of months ago…yay! – HOT WINTER NIGHTS, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis.

***print copy provided to me by the publisher but I am sharing an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for HOT WINTER NIGHTS:

Who needs mistletoe?

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.

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My Review:

After being shot on the job, Lucas Knight is eager to get back to work but his boss is being stubborn about it. Still on painkillers, he makes the mistake of mixing whiskey with them and when he wakes in the morning, he discovers himself in bed with the one person who has always been off limits to him—his best friend's little sister, Molly Malone. Worst of all, he doesn’t remember anything—at all.

The brunette was still in his bed.

At the bright light flooding the room, she gasped and sat straight up, clutching the sheet to her chin, her hair a wild cloud around her face.

And not a stranger’s face either.

Molly’s face.

Molly was in his bed and first thought was oh shit. His second thought tumbled right on the heels of that—he was going to die today, after all, slowly and painfully.

So now Lucas has to worry about Joe finding out he spent the night with his little sister while trying to resist her with the added trouble caused because Archer has put him on babysitting duty to watch over Molly as she attempts to help out some elderly elves who claim Santa Claus is a crook. All of this throws them together in far too close proximity. Yes, he begins to feel his life is quickly coming to an end.

Molly Malone has worked for Hunt Investigations for some time now and wants to do more than fetch coffee, answer the phone, do paperwork, and get patted on the head by her brother, her boss, as well as the sexy Lucas Knight and told to run along. She wants to be out there solving crimes and bringing in the bad guy. She’s been watching, learning, and training in self-defense not only because she needs it but it helps her compensate for the pain and numbness in her leg which could be unpredictable and a hindrance. When she broached a case she wanted to work to Archer, he shot her down and to make matters worse, her brother backed him instead of supporting her. So, she decides to work the case off the books and without their help. When Lucas suddenly volunteers to assist her, she wonders if he has ulterior motives but decides something is better than nothing as long as she’s in charge.

I always enjoy Jill Shalvis’s take on people, their pain and conflicts, whether obvious or hidden, because her characters are so three dimensional they could easily be my friends. Lucas and Molly are two such characters. They are both suffering physical pain but each has their own personal pain which they’ve buried deep and are not willing to show to anyone—yet. I love how each of them gains the strength to finally open up from each other. I especially appreciated how Lucas came to Molly’s defense and supported her as the excellent investigator he discovers her to be…even at the risk of turning his best friend and partner against him. That’s a good man.

HOT WINTER NIGHTS is book six in the Heartbreaker Bay series and I know I’m a tad out of order but that’s okay because each reads very well on its own. As usual, the banter is excellent, the sexual tension palpable, and the happily ever after so satisfying don’t be surprised if it brings a happy tear to your eye. I even surprised myself reading a Christmas themed book in the heat of summer. I usually have to be in the mood for holiday-themed stories, but it really was less about Christmas and more about Lucas and Molly getting naughty and nice.

I highly recommend reading HOT WINTER NIGHTS by Jill Shalvis and if you haven’t delved into the wonderful friendships in the Heartbreaker Bay series yet—please do! I think this is her best ever series.

Happy Reading Everyone!!

HOT WINTER NIGHTS, a Heartbreaker Bay novel by Jill Shalvis, Avon Books, available now in print, ebook, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.