4.75 out of 5 stars
All I Want
by Jill Shalvis is part of the ‘Animal Magnetism’ series and centers
around Zoe Stone, who is trying to be happy that her siblings have found their
perfect mates but is dealing with her staggering debt and her lonely and
dilapidated house. She is somewhat
content with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Oreo, and her career as a pilot, but her
inability to effect repairs around the house and her dissatisfaction with her
dating life has led her to trying blind dates…which leads to the unconventional
introduction to her brother’s friend, Parker James. Parker has plenty of challenges in his own
life, not least of which is the thirst to avenge the death of his colleague by
taking down the leader of a major poaching ring.
I love contemporary romances that combine humor, passion,
and a bit of danger, and this story fits the bill delightfully. This is the kind of book that you are likely
to be embarrassed to read in public because of your tendency to burst into laughter
at inopportune times, but you can’t put down because you want to know what is
going to happen next. Despite the fact
that it is part of a delicious series, it can be read as a stand-alone title,
although the glimpses of characters from the previous books will undoubtedly
make you want to read their stories if you haven’t yet had that pleasure.
Small-town romances have the advantage of a small pool of
characters who tend to know each other, with plenty of history between them and
meddlesome interactions. The charm of
being able to feel the warmth and caring that is characteristic of this
environment is a testament to the talent of this author, and it is always
wonderful to visit the town of Sunshine, Idaho and catch up on the doings of
its inhabitants. I love the interaction
between the fierce (lol) guard dog, Oreo, and the irrepressible kittens, and
the beauty of Parker’s relationship with his beloved younger sister, and I
constantly giggled at the repair attempts that seem to be such a challenge to
Zoe. The touching descriptions of the
love that she has for so many of the beings in her life really bring her to
life for me and the intensity, focus, and compassion that Parker displays makes
him an irresistible hero to me and their reluctant romance kept me enthralled
and rooting for them. There’s so much to
enjoy in this story, find a comfy spot, a tasty libation, and enjoy the trip to
Sunshine!
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
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