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Lucky Harbor #6
Flirt voor even
Als dochter van succesvolle wetenschappers weet Grace wat er van haar verwacht wordt: ze moet iets bereiken in haar leven, en het liefst iets hoogs. Een tijdlang heeft ze een goedlopende carrière bij een bank, totdat ze ineens op straat staat. En nu is ze hondenuitlater in Lucky Harbor! Gelukkig heeft het werk ook voordelen, zoals haar sexy baas, dokter Josh. Kussen met hem blijkt een uitstekende manier om de tijd door te komen tot ze weer een 'echte' baan in de grote stad heeft!
Met zijn drukke baan en de zorg voor Toby, zijn zoontje, en Anna, zijn opstandige zus, heeft Josh amper tijd voor andere dingen. En al helemaal niet voor het uitlaten van Toby's onooglijke mopshondje. Hij is dan ook dolblij met de hulp van Grace. Dat ze erg leuk en sexy is, is een fijne bijkomstigheid. Hij moet alleen oppassen dat hij haar niet té leuk en sexy gaat vinden...
Dit verhaal is afzonderlijk leesbaar.
Met zijn drukke baan en de zorg voor Toby, zijn zoontje, en Anna, zijn opstandige zus, heeft Josh amper tijd voor andere dingen. En al helemaal niet voor het uitlaten van Toby's onooglijke mopshondje. Hij is dan ook dolblij met de hulp van Grace. Dat ze erg leuk en sexy is, is een fijne bijkomstigheid. Hij moet alleen oppassen dat hij haar niet té leuk en sexy gaat vinden...
Dit verhaal is afzonderlijk leesbaar.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2012
356 people are currently reading
5792 people want to read
About the author
Jill Shalvis
388 books13.8k followersJill Shalvis is a NYT, USA Today, and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of small-town romance and romcoms, known for big feels, found family, and plenty of shenanigans.
If you love small-town chaos, meddling friends and neighbors, sizzling chemistry, and heroes who fall hard for the one woman they absolutely did not plan on, you’re in the right place. Jill’s books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional gut punches, slow-burn tension, and deeply earned happily ever afters.
She writes the stories she loves to read: small-town romance and romantic comedies packed with heart, heat, second chances, grumpy/sunshine sparks, and the kind of found-family vibes that make you want to move right into the pages. Many of her series are perfect for binge-reading, and a number of her books are available in Kindle Unlimited and at major retailers.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably plotting new ways to torture her characters, avoiding laundry, or daydreaming about fictional men and the strong, complicated women who bring them to their knees—and then making them work for it.
You can follow Jill here on Goodreads to keep up with new releases, add her books to your shelves, and discover which small town you want to get lost in next.
If you love small-town chaos, meddling friends and neighbors, sizzling chemistry, and heroes who fall hard for the one woman they absolutely did not plan on, you’re in the right place. Jill’s books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional gut punches, slow-burn tension, and deeply earned happily ever afters.
She writes the stories she loves to read: small-town romance and romantic comedies packed with heart, heat, second chances, grumpy/sunshine sparks, and the kind of found-family vibes that make you want to move right into the pages. Many of her series are perfect for binge-reading, and a number of her books are available in Kindle Unlimited and at major retailers.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably plotting new ways to torture her characters, avoiding laundry, or daydreaming about fictional men and the strong, complicated women who bring them to their knees—and then making them work for it.
You can follow Jill here on Goodreads to keep up with new releases, add her books to your shelves, and discover which small town you want to get lost in next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 932 reviews
September 14, 2013
Forever and a Day is the sixth book in the Lucky Harbor series and just like the first five stories... amazing! In all my reviews of Jill Shalvis’ books I use the same words: sexy, passionate, beautiful, wonderful, heartwarming, feel good, magical… and all of those words apply to this story, too.
Love can happen in a heartbeat.I absolutely adore this story… the entire series, in fact. But of the last three books, this is my favorite. There was something special about Grace, something I didn't notice in the earlier books, but something I deeply admired and appreciated. Her strength, her compassion... incredible. But the way she gave Josh whatever he needed, whether he realized he needed it or not? Well, that unconditional devotion made her one of my favorite heroines in the series. And Josh, a man who cared for others, selflessly, even to his own detriment. But a wonderful father, brother, lover... and so, so real. Not a commando or black ops specialist... just a normal guy. The kind of man you really could meet in the grocery store or dropping kids off at school, and I loved that about him! An everyday Hero, but just as hot and sexy as any "dangerous" hero I've read before.
Grace never thought she’d be starting her life over from scratch. Losing everything has landed her in Lucky Harbor, working as a dog walker for overwhelmed ER doctor Josh Scott. But the day his nanny fails to show up, Grace goes from caring for Josh’s loveable mutt to caring for his rambunctious kids. Soon Grace is playing house with the sexy single dad…
With so many people depending on him, Josh has no time for anything outside of his clinic and family–until Grace arrives in town. Now this brainy blonde is turning his life inside out and giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “good bedside manner.” Josh and Grace don’t know if what they have can last. But in a town like Lucky Harbor, a lifetime of love starts with just one day…
The bottom line: Yep, no surprises here! Jill Shalvis has done it once more. With a great story and amazing characters she made me fall in love with Lucky Harbor all over again. If there's really such a place, someone please let me know, because I'd be there in a heartbeat. Who doesn't want that kind of magic in their life?
My sincerest thank you to netgalley.com and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. As always, it's been a pleasure.
March 27, 2015
:•:•: 3.5 Stars :•:•:
Sex first, love later…
I was searching for a light, fun, happy romance with just a bit of steam, and Forever And a Day delivered exactly that.
Grace comes to Harbor Falls looking to have some fun, and not much more. In need of some extra cash, she agrees to dog-sit for the town’s gorgeous doctor, Josh Scott, who also happens to be a single father and the caretaker of his handicapped younger sister.
Josh and Grace seem to get off on the wrong foot, but that doesn't stop the sparks from flying between them. A sexual relationship ensues, but Josh has no time for a girlfriend, and Grace is intent on keeping things casual since she has no plans to remain in town for long.
This was my first book by Jill Shalvis, and although I enjoyed it for the most part, the writing didn't necessarily wow me. I did adore the playful connection between Josh and Grace, but the relationship between Grace and her “besties” felt slightly forced and, at times, corny.
The plot was simple and quite predictable, but did manage to hold my interest. The romance between the hero and heroine sizzled and I had fun watching it blossom into more.
The tribute to “cupcakes” was adorable, but eventually headed into overkill city—even for this die-hard cupcake lover. Every chapter kicked off with a quote about chocolate, and each low moment in the story was handled by eating cupcakes. I’m unsure as to whether or not this is a theme in the series since I haven't read the previous books, and as cool as it was (I really do love cupcakes), I did find it sort of random.
That said, this was a sweet read that made me smile, and we can all use that every now and again!
Book Stats:
▪ Genre/Category: Contemporary Romance
▪ Steam Caliber: Fairly steamy
▪ Romance: Sweet and slow
▪ Characters: Hero is a busy doctor, heroine becomes his dog walker.
▪ Plot: Sex first, love later
▪ Writing: Decent
▪ POV: 3rd Person Perspective
▪ Cliffhanger: None. May be read as standalone
▪ Next Installment: Ali & Luke
▪ HEA?
Sex first, love later…
I was searching for a light, fun, happy romance with just a bit of steam, and Forever And a Day delivered exactly that.
Grace comes to Harbor Falls looking to have some fun, and not much more. In need of some extra cash, she agrees to dog-sit for the town’s gorgeous doctor, Josh Scott, who also happens to be a single father and the caretaker of his handicapped younger sister.
Josh and Grace seem to get off on the wrong foot, but that doesn't stop the sparks from flying between them. A sexual relationship ensues, but Josh has no time for a girlfriend, and Grace is intent on keeping things casual since she has no plans to remain in town for long.
This was my first book by Jill Shalvis, and although I enjoyed it for the most part, the writing didn't necessarily wow me. I did adore the playful connection between Josh and Grace, but the relationship between Grace and her “besties” felt slightly forced and, at times, corny.
The plot was simple and quite predictable, but did manage to hold my interest. The romance between the hero and heroine sizzled and I had fun watching it blossom into more.
The tribute to “cupcakes” was adorable, but eventually headed into overkill city—even for this die-hard cupcake lover. Every chapter kicked off with a quote about chocolate, and each low moment in the story was handled by eating cupcakes. I’m unsure as to whether or not this is a theme in the series since I haven't read the previous books, and as cool as it was (I really do love cupcakes), I did find it sort of random.
That said, this was a sweet read that made me smile, and we can all use that every now and again!
Book Stats:
▪ Genre/Category: Contemporary Romance
▪ Steam Caliber: Fairly steamy
▪ Romance: Sweet and slow
▪ Characters: Hero is a busy doctor, heroine becomes his dog walker.
▪ Plot: Sex first, love later
▪ Writing: Decent
▪ POV: 3rd Person Perspective
▪ Cliffhanger: None. May be read as standalone
▪ Next Installment: Ali & Luke
▪ HEA?
July 31, 2012
Forever and a Day tells the story of Grace Brooks who came to Lucky Harbor when her banking career went kaput and a job interview called for "fringe services" she wasn't willing to offer, so she got stranded in Lucky Harbor in a storm and has been there for the past four months, forming the Chocoholics along with Mallory and Amy.
Both her friends have their life sorted now but Grace is still applying for jobs and her savings are soon dwindling and she is doing everything she can.
She likes the town of Lucky Harbor and its residents but it cannot give a her a high flying career in her field, which she needs because she was adopted by the Brooks family and both her parents are successful in their field, her mother is a rocket scientist and somehow she has always felt that she doesn't fit the Brooks name and has to be something to pay her parents. It isn't something that comes from the side of Grace's parents but from her, so she is lying to her parents, telling them that she took the job she interviewed for in Seattle. Grace isn't normally one for deception but when she gets a call from someone offering her a dog walking job, mistaking her to be someone who put up a flyer, she agrees and runs into disaster because the puppy "Tank" seems to be a monster who runs away and makes her call the owner, who turns out to be "McHottie" Dr. Josh Scott.
Josh is the Lucky Harbor good guy and hot as hell and over-run. He has an eighty hour a week work-day, working at the E.R., his love, volunteering his time at HSC as well as running his father's private practice, that doesn't leave him much time to spend with five year old son Toby as well as dealing with his trouble-maker 21 year old sister Anna, whose only job in life seems to be making his life hell, first with her good for nothing boyfriends, bunking her classes at the junior community college and then getting Tank, the menace. Five years ago fresh out of residency, Josh, a former nerd, had his first one night stand, leaving him with Toby since his mother ran out and then a month later his parents died, leaving him with a confused sixteen year old sister who survived but was a paraplegic.
So, Josh is barely surviving and the last thing he needs is a woman in his life, then he sees Grace all drenched in water because of Tank, which makes his body very happy, but he sends her packing. Grace too isn't looking for something, for one she isn't staying, another Josh is too perfect and she has spent her life striving to be that, so she doesn't want to be with someone like that plus her heart has been broken enough.
Then circumstances change and Josh needs her back to walk the dog but he has to apologize to her first and this apology takes place when Grace is posing for all the senior citizens of Lucky Harbor, including Lucille, Grace makes him squirm and says she will do it for a kiss, a kiss which makes them both shiver and is captured on camera.
This book brought a smile to my face, it was that good. I liked Grace a lot, she had spunk and was amazing. She somehow managed to connect with Toby, when she is handed the temporary job of baby-sitting him, making him speak in English instead of his doggy language and even connected with Anna, not treating the girl like glass instead talking to her straight, about how she deserved better than her loser boyfriend and how her life isn't over just because she is a paraplegic and that she could still learn whatever she wanted to. Grace didn't mind speaking up to Josh either when it came to Anna and soon kind of formed a family unit with them.
Josh too was an incredible hero, dedicated to his profession as well as grappling with what he felt he owed his father, so it took him a while to let go off the practice to carve out more time for his son, Toby. He was a great father as well despite not getting as much time with Toby as he wanted and a concerned brother, even if he didn't know how to get to Anna.
I totally loved the romance between Josh and Grace, it was sweet and sexy and it wasn't casual at all. It was so frustrating that these two always got interrupted when they were right in the middle of things especially poor Josh.
I consider a book awesome when by the end of the book I still have a smile on my face and this book accomplished that. There were so many awesome moments in the book, like when Grace took care of Josh in more way than one when he was drunk, then also when Josh fell down and Grace kept on waking him up and the moment outside when these two finally do it and Anna arrives, also when they both can't wait to get home and everyone keeps stopping them, all of these and more such moments were truly memorable. I found Toby adorable as well, like how he wanted to be the best Jedi, so that he could get a mother and even Anna grew on me since she was just so confused and acting out of pain.
The romance was totally swoon-worthy and I loved the last chapter set a year later. This may by far be the best book in the series, it made me laugh, cry and root for Josh and Grace, they were just so perfect together, they grew as individuals as well with Grace finally finding herself and Josh letting go of some things and they were a perfect fit.
ARC provided by the publisher courtesy Netgalley.
Both her friends have their life sorted now but Grace is still applying for jobs and her savings are soon dwindling and she is doing everything she can.
She likes the town of Lucky Harbor and its residents but it cannot give a her a high flying career in her field, which she needs because she was adopted by the Brooks family and both her parents are successful in their field, her mother is a rocket scientist and somehow she has always felt that she doesn't fit the Brooks name and has to be something to pay her parents. It isn't something that comes from the side of Grace's parents but from her, so she is lying to her parents, telling them that she took the job she interviewed for in Seattle. Grace isn't normally one for deception but when she gets a call from someone offering her a dog walking job, mistaking her to be someone who put up a flyer, she agrees and runs into disaster because the puppy "Tank" seems to be a monster who runs away and makes her call the owner, who turns out to be "McHottie" Dr. Josh Scott.
Josh is the Lucky Harbor good guy and hot as hell and over-run. He has an eighty hour a week work-day, working at the E.R., his love, volunteering his time at HSC as well as running his father's private practice, that doesn't leave him much time to spend with five year old son Toby as well as dealing with his trouble-maker 21 year old sister Anna, whose only job in life seems to be making his life hell, first with her good for nothing boyfriends, bunking her classes at the junior community college and then getting Tank, the menace. Five years ago fresh out of residency, Josh, a former nerd, had his first one night stand, leaving him with Toby since his mother ran out and then a month later his parents died, leaving him with a confused sixteen year old sister who survived but was a paraplegic.
So, Josh is barely surviving and the last thing he needs is a woman in his life, then he sees Grace all drenched in water because of Tank, which makes his body very happy, but he sends her packing. Grace too isn't looking for something, for one she isn't staying, another Josh is too perfect and she has spent her life striving to be that, so she doesn't want to be with someone like that plus her heart has been broken enough.
Then circumstances change and Josh needs her back to walk the dog but he has to apologize to her first and this apology takes place when Grace is posing for all the senior citizens of Lucky Harbor, including Lucille, Grace makes him squirm and says she will do it for a kiss, a kiss which makes them both shiver and is captured on camera.
This book brought a smile to my face, it was that good. I liked Grace a lot, she had spunk and was amazing. She somehow managed to connect with Toby, when she is handed the temporary job of baby-sitting him, making him speak in English instead of his doggy language and even connected with Anna, not treating the girl like glass instead talking to her straight, about how she deserved better than her loser boyfriend and how her life isn't over just because she is a paraplegic and that she could still learn whatever she wanted to. Grace didn't mind speaking up to Josh either when it came to Anna and soon kind of formed a family unit with them.
Josh too was an incredible hero, dedicated to his profession as well as grappling with what he felt he owed his father, so it took him a while to let go off the practice to carve out more time for his son, Toby. He was a great father as well despite not getting as much time with Toby as he wanted and a concerned brother, even if he didn't know how to get to Anna.
I totally loved the romance between Josh and Grace, it was sweet and sexy and it wasn't casual at all. It was so frustrating that these two always got interrupted when they were right in the middle of things especially poor Josh.
I consider a book awesome when by the end of the book I still have a smile on my face and this book accomplished that. There were so many awesome moments in the book, like when Grace took care of Josh in more way than one when he was drunk, then also when Josh fell down and Grace kept on waking him up and the moment outside when these two finally do it and Anna arrives, also when they both can't wait to get home and everyone keeps stopping them, all of these and more such moments were truly memorable. I found Toby adorable as well, like how he wanted to be the best Jedi, so that he could get a mother and even Anna grew on me since she was just so confused and acting out of pain.
The romance was totally swoon-worthy and I loved the last chapter set a year later. This may by far be the best book in the series, it made me laugh, cry and root for Josh and Grace, they were just so perfect together, they grew as individuals as well with Grace finally finding herself and Josh letting go of some things and they were a perfect fit.
ARC provided by the publisher courtesy Netgalley.
July 1, 2012
Full review now posted.
5/5 Stars
If I could have given this 6 stars then I would have - for me it is one of the best Lucky Harbor books.
When we first read about Josh in the some of the previous stories I thought he would be ok, but I wasn’t really raving about him as he didn’t seem to dazzle as much as Ty & Matt, his two friends. But my mind was sure changed quick, Josh is just as sexy and confident as the others and is witty and sweet to go with it. Dr. Joshua Scott is a single parent who is struggling to work shifts at the hospital whilst working in his fathers practice, bring up his very active and boisterous five year old son and look after his 21 year old sister who was sadly crippled at the age of 16 in the same car accident that killed their parents. Needless to say he struggles to keep nannies to look after his son and turns to Grace for help.
Grace Brooks is the new girl to Lucky Harbor who is desperately trying to find her way. She is the adopted daughter of two exceptionally gifted scientists but always feels that she is not good enough to carry the family name as her IQ can never be as high as theirs. We do learn that her parents do expect great things of her but they do love her and that it is mainly pressure she puts on herself that causes the problems. Here in Lucky Harbor she starts to learn who Grace is, and accepts her and along the way accepts that Josh is the man for her.
Right from the start the sexual tension between the two of them was beyond hot and when they finally got to the actual act it was ramped pretty high. Ms. Shalvis sure has heated up sex scenes in her stories as some of them are seriously hot!
ARC kindly provided by Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley
5/5 Stars
If I could have given this 6 stars then I would have - for me it is one of the best Lucky Harbor books.
When we first read about Josh in the some of the previous stories I thought he would be ok, but I wasn’t really raving about him as he didn’t seem to dazzle as much as Ty & Matt, his two friends. But my mind was sure changed quick, Josh is just as sexy and confident as the others and is witty and sweet to go with it. Dr. Joshua Scott is a single parent who is struggling to work shifts at the hospital whilst working in his fathers practice, bring up his very active and boisterous five year old son and look after his 21 year old sister who was sadly crippled at the age of 16 in the same car accident that killed their parents. Needless to say he struggles to keep nannies to look after his son and turns to Grace for help.
Grace Brooks is the new girl to Lucky Harbor who is desperately trying to find her way. She is the adopted daughter of two exceptionally gifted scientists but always feels that she is not good enough to carry the family name as her IQ can never be as high as theirs. We do learn that her parents do expect great things of her but they do love her and that it is mainly pressure she puts on herself that causes the problems. Here in Lucky Harbor she starts to learn who Grace is, and accepts her and along the way accepts that Josh is the man for her.
Right from the start the sexual tension between the two of them was beyond hot and when they finally got to the actual act it was ramped pretty high. Ms. Shalvis sure has heated up sex scenes in her stories as some of them are seriously hot!
ARC kindly provided by Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley
August 27, 2012
I read a review of this book on a popular blog that was rather critical. So, even though I had it on my Kindle (because Jill Shalvis is an auto-buy for me) I put off reading it.
Well, let this be a lesson to me!!! A review is one person's opinion. And my opinion of this book is vastly different than the other reviewer's.
I loved it and will go as far as to say it may just be my favorite of the series.
I'm sorry I ever doubted you, Jill!!!
Well, let this be a lesson to me!!! A review is one person's opinion. And my opinion of this book is vastly different than the other reviewer's.
I loved it and will go as far as to say it may just be my favorite of the series.
I'm sorry I ever doubted you, Jill!!!
September 21, 2025
3.5 stars
The first half of this book was, for me, akin to being trapped in the 7th ring of hell. Everything was cute. The small town of Lucky Harbor was cute. The gal pals telling the heroine all she needed was to “get some” were cute. The exhausted, overextended hero being hit on by every woman in town was cute. The pug dog named Tank and the little boy swinging a lightsaber in Star Wars pajamas was cute. The slapstick mishaps were cute. The drawing class was cute.
I hate cute.
The book improved considerably after it got past its cute phase and started its horny phase. It even relaxed enough to slip in fairly creditable scenes dealing with feelings, especially between the hero and his family, between the heroine and the hero’s family, and even occasionally between the hero and the heroine.
But the author stuck its main characters into plot straitjackets in the beginning and they stayed locked up way too long. The heroine only wanted to have some “fun” (sex) before she left Lucky Harbor for her next parent-approved high-paying corporate job. The hero had tried a relationship once before and it failed so never again, and he didn’t have time for a private life anyway, overworked doctor that he was. It wasn’t a bad place to start their story but when they hadn’t moved beyond it by the 2/3rds point, I was begging the heroine to grow up and the hero to loosen up.
If a reader likes light, contemporary rom-coms, I dare say this is one of the better ones. Unfortunately, it seems I don’t.
The first half of this book was, for me, akin to being trapped in the 7th ring of hell. Everything was cute. The small town of Lucky Harbor was cute. The gal pals telling the heroine all she needed was to “get some” were cute. The exhausted, overextended hero being hit on by every woman in town was cute. The pug dog named Tank and the little boy swinging a lightsaber in Star Wars pajamas was cute. The slapstick mishaps were cute. The drawing class was cute.
I hate cute.
The book improved considerably after it got past its cute phase and started its horny phase. It even relaxed enough to slip in fairly creditable scenes dealing with feelings, especially between the hero and his family, between the heroine and the hero’s family, and even occasionally between the hero and the heroine.
But the author stuck its main characters into plot straitjackets in the beginning and they stayed locked up way too long. The heroine only wanted to have some “fun” (sex) before she left Lucky Harbor for her next parent-approved high-paying corporate job. The hero had tried a relationship once before and it failed so never again, and he didn’t have time for a private life anyway, overworked doctor that he was. It wasn’t a bad place to start their story but when they hadn’t moved beyond it by the 2/3rds point, I was begging the heroine to grow up and the hero to loosen up.
If a reader likes light, contemporary rom-coms, I dare say this is one of the better ones. Unfortunately, it seems I don’t.
October 6, 2019
O veșnicie și o zi îi are ca protagoniști pe Grace și Josh, doi tineri care luptă din greu pentru ceea ce își doresc.
Grace a descoperit că ceea ce își dorea pentru a-și mulțumi părinții și ceea ce o face cu adevărat fericită sunt două lucruri complet diferite.
La Josh situația este complet diferită: are un copil de 5 ani și se îngrijește și de sora lui invalidă, după ce părinții i-au murit într-un accident de mașină... Și asta nu este tot, este medic, iar profesia aceasta îi ocupă tot timpul.
Apariția lui Grace în viața lui și a familiei sale îi schimbă perspectiva. Realizează că e bine să aibă cineva grija lui, nu doar el să fie cel puternic.
O lectură plină de emoții, cu multe zâmbete.
Grace a descoperit că ceea ce își dorea pentru a-și mulțumi părinții și ceea ce o face cu adevărat fericită sunt două lucruri complet diferite.
La Josh situația este complet diferită: are un copil de 5 ani și se îngrijește și de sora lui invalidă, după ce părinții i-au murit într-un accident de mașină... Și asta nu este tot, este medic, iar profesia aceasta îi ocupă tot timpul.
Apariția lui Grace în viața lui și a familiei sale îi schimbă perspectiva. Realizează că e bine să aibă cineva grija lui, nu doar el să fie cel puternic.
O lectură plină de emoții, cu multe zâmbete.
March 18, 2018
Hands down, the best contemporary romance series I have ever read.
July 18, 2012
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
“…First of all, he’s a doctor. He gets a lot of points taken off for that.”
“People usually add points for doctors,” Mallory said.
“Not me,” Grace said. “I was raised by a few of them, remember? Trust me, they don’t make good relationship material.”
Mallory squeezed her hand. “Honey, Josh isn’t like your family. He’s warm and loving.”
“Not to mention hot as hell,” Amy added.
Grace shook her head. “Sorry, the points are already deducted. And taking into account his schedule, and then the standard deviation from the average man’s schedule, I figure ninety percent of his time would go elsewhere. I’d never get uninterrupted coitus.
“Penis math,” Amy said. “Impressive.” She looked at Mallory. “See, this is why a guy shouldn’t date an accountant.”
I simply adored this book. As a fan of the Lucky Harbor series, I’ve enjoyed all the stories and couples, but FOREVER AND A DAY shot to the top of my favorites list. It has everything I love in a contemporary romance – humor that had me laughing out loud, a story that flowed so well from the first to last past and characters that I fell hard for and truly cared about. Josh and Grace have such a presence on page and their chemistry was immediate. Add in Josh’s young son, his angry sister and devil dog and you’ve got a story that ranges from crazy-funny to very sweet to heartbreaking and emotional.
Josh and Grace have that relationship banter that makes all their scenes together pop. The rapid fire back and forth conversation, with little side details added in (think Lucielle and her friends heads doing the tennis match back and forth between Josh and Grace during one hilarious scene). Grace is struggling professionally, interviewing for jobs in her profession that aren’t working out, so she’s taking odd jobs around Lucky Harbor to make ends meet. Flower delivery person, modeling for a drawing class and when the story opens, she accepts a job as Josh’s dog walker for his insane pug puppy. Dog walking for Josh turns into babysitting his sweet 5-year old son, Toby, and Grace quickly realizes that while the good doctor tries to be there for everyone in his life, his family, patients, no one is there to be his support and to offer him any help.
Josh’s life is insane. He keeps crazy hours at his medical practice and ER shifts, he’s a single dad and takes care of his younger sister, Anna, who was paralyzed in a car accident that killed their parents. Josh has zero free time and most days can barely keep things together. Anna doesn’t help matters – she’s pissed at the world and takes it out on Josh. They struggle with communication and she rebels against everything Josh asks of her. Josh takes everything so hard – he tries to be there 100% for his patients but that means often times he’s not there to tuck Toby in at night, then he feels like a failure to his son. It’s a struggle for him, but it’s something that gets put into perspective with Grace now in his life. He starts letting go of other people’s expectations and starts making decisions that are good and right for his life, right now.
Grace, too, slowly starts to let go of her parents expectations of her and makes decisions based on what she wants. She’s never felt like she had her own home, never had close friends or a feeling of community, but she has all that in Lucky Harbor. The issue for her to overcome is taking a chance on doing something different, something that makes her happy, regardless of what that ends up being.
“There’s one last thing,” he said.
She wondered if he looked as good without his clothes. “What?”
“That ship has sailed?” he asked, repeating her earlier words to Anna.
Again she tilted her head up. “I just meant we’ve been there, done that. We already kissed, remember?”
His gaze heated. Yeah, he remembered.
“And it was…fine.”
He’d probably shaved that morning but he had a shadow coming in. And his eyes. Fathomless dark pools, as always, giving nothing away of himself or his secrets. “The kiss was…fine,” he repeated, eyes narrowed.
“Well, yeah.” Fine plus amazing times infinity.
He just looked at her.
“Okay,” she admitted, sagging back against the door. “So it was a little better than fine. But I’m not looking for this. For a guy like you.”
“Like me,” he said slowly, as if the words didn’t quite compute any more easily than “fine” had. And probably they didn’t. Look at him. He could have chemistry with a brick wall.
The relationship between Josh (Dr. McHottie – thanks Lucille) and Grace is so incredibly enjoyable. They have wonderful humor and banter, insane sexual chemistry and an overall sweetness that left me sighing through many of their scenes. They don’t fall into “normal” angsty traps that many other book couples do. Sure, they argue, but they still stick. They calm down, talk and don’t let a disagreement impact the strong relationship they’re working to build. I love that. I loved that they didn’t let anything silly come between them, and along the same thought – Toby’s mom. She’s discussed and Toby wanting a mom is a very big deal for this little boy but I’m so happy Jill Shalvis didn’t go down a storyline road that many books might have taken with the biological mom who’s absent at the start of the story. Josh certainly had enough on his plate already to deal with he didn’t need any added angst!
(After Toby catches Grace in Josh’s bed):
She rolled to her feet. “I was in your bed! We could have scarred him for life!”
“Grace, we weren’t doing anything. Well, I wasn’t. You were snoring.”
“I don’t-“ She smoothed her dress down and searched out her sandals, shoving her feet into them. She glanced at herself in the mirror over his dresser and groaned. Hair, wild. Lips, swollen. Face, flushed.
Nipples, hard.
“Dammit!” She clapped her hands over them. “It’s like they’re broken!”
Josh let out a low laugh. “They just like me more than your other parts.”
She didn’t know about that. Her other parts like him, too, a lot.
Lucky Harbor continues to be its own charming character: Lucille and her Facebook updates, Grace’s best friends now turning their energies on her and her love life, Grace dealing with Josh’s puppy, Tank, who really is possessed by the devil. The entire cast of supporting characters adds so much to the story, but never steals the spotlight from Josh and Grace. It was the perfect combination.
Forever and a Day is one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read this year, if not the best. Grace and Josh have captivating conversation and chemistry that simply came to life on page. I couldn’t put the book down and will recommend this story to all romance readers. I only hope that Shalvis has another trilogy planned for this series, as I’m not ready to say goodbye to Lucky Harbor.
A simply wonderful read.
“…First of all, he’s a doctor. He gets a lot of points taken off for that.”
“People usually add points for doctors,” Mallory said.
“Not me,” Grace said. “I was raised by a few of them, remember? Trust me, they don’t make good relationship material.”
Mallory squeezed her hand. “Honey, Josh isn’t like your family. He’s warm and loving.”
“Not to mention hot as hell,” Amy added.
Grace shook her head. “Sorry, the points are already deducted. And taking into account his schedule, and then the standard deviation from the average man’s schedule, I figure ninety percent of his time would go elsewhere. I’d never get uninterrupted coitus.
“Penis math,” Amy said. “Impressive.” She looked at Mallory. “See, this is why a guy shouldn’t date an accountant.”
I simply adored this book. As a fan of the Lucky Harbor series, I’ve enjoyed all the stories and couples, but FOREVER AND A DAY shot to the top of my favorites list. It has everything I love in a contemporary romance – humor that had me laughing out loud, a story that flowed so well from the first to last past and characters that I fell hard for and truly cared about. Josh and Grace have such a presence on page and their chemistry was immediate. Add in Josh’s young son, his angry sister and devil dog and you’ve got a story that ranges from crazy-funny to very sweet to heartbreaking and emotional.
Josh and Grace have that relationship banter that makes all their scenes together pop. The rapid fire back and forth conversation, with little side details added in (think Lucielle and her friends heads doing the tennis match back and forth between Josh and Grace during one hilarious scene). Grace is struggling professionally, interviewing for jobs in her profession that aren’t working out, so she’s taking odd jobs around Lucky Harbor to make ends meet. Flower delivery person, modeling for a drawing class and when the story opens, she accepts a job as Josh’s dog walker for his insane pug puppy. Dog walking for Josh turns into babysitting his sweet 5-year old son, Toby, and Grace quickly realizes that while the good doctor tries to be there for everyone in his life, his family, patients, no one is there to be his support and to offer him any help.
Josh’s life is insane. He keeps crazy hours at his medical practice and ER shifts, he’s a single dad and takes care of his younger sister, Anna, who was paralyzed in a car accident that killed their parents. Josh has zero free time and most days can barely keep things together. Anna doesn’t help matters – she’s pissed at the world and takes it out on Josh. They struggle with communication and she rebels against everything Josh asks of her. Josh takes everything so hard – he tries to be there 100% for his patients but that means often times he’s not there to tuck Toby in at night, then he feels like a failure to his son. It’s a struggle for him, but it’s something that gets put into perspective with Grace now in his life. He starts letting go of other people’s expectations and starts making decisions that are good and right for his life, right now.
Grace, too, slowly starts to let go of her parents expectations of her and makes decisions based on what she wants. She’s never felt like she had her own home, never had close friends or a feeling of community, but she has all that in Lucky Harbor. The issue for her to overcome is taking a chance on doing something different, something that makes her happy, regardless of what that ends up being.
“There’s one last thing,” he said.
She wondered if he looked as good without his clothes. “What?”
“That ship has sailed?” he asked, repeating her earlier words to Anna.
Again she tilted her head up. “I just meant we’ve been there, done that. We already kissed, remember?”
His gaze heated. Yeah, he remembered.
“And it was…fine.”
He’d probably shaved that morning but he had a shadow coming in. And his eyes. Fathomless dark pools, as always, giving nothing away of himself or his secrets. “The kiss was…fine,” he repeated, eyes narrowed.
“Well, yeah.” Fine plus amazing times infinity.
He just looked at her.
“Okay,” she admitted, sagging back against the door. “So it was a little better than fine. But I’m not looking for this. For a guy like you.”
“Like me,” he said slowly, as if the words didn’t quite compute any more easily than “fine” had. And probably they didn’t. Look at him. He could have chemistry with a brick wall.
The relationship between Josh (Dr. McHottie – thanks Lucille) and Grace is so incredibly enjoyable. They have wonderful humor and banter, insane sexual chemistry and an overall sweetness that left me sighing through many of their scenes. They don’t fall into “normal” angsty traps that many other book couples do. Sure, they argue, but they still stick. They calm down, talk and don’t let a disagreement impact the strong relationship they’re working to build. I love that. I loved that they didn’t let anything silly come between them, and along the same thought – Toby’s mom. She’s discussed and Toby wanting a mom is a very big deal for this little boy but I’m so happy Jill Shalvis didn’t go down a storyline road that many books might have taken with the biological mom who’s absent at the start of the story. Josh certainly had enough on his plate already to deal with he didn’t need any added angst!
(After Toby catches Grace in Josh’s bed):
She rolled to her feet. “I was in your bed! We could have scarred him for life!”
“Grace, we weren’t doing anything. Well, I wasn’t. You were snoring.”
“I don’t-“ She smoothed her dress down and searched out her sandals, shoving her feet into them. She glanced at herself in the mirror over his dresser and groaned. Hair, wild. Lips, swollen. Face, flushed.
Nipples, hard.
“Dammit!” She clapped her hands over them. “It’s like they’re broken!”
Josh let out a low laugh. “They just like me more than your other parts.”
She didn’t know about that. Her other parts like him, too, a lot.
Lucky Harbor continues to be its own charming character: Lucille and her Facebook updates, Grace’s best friends now turning their energies on her and her love life, Grace dealing with Josh’s puppy, Tank, who really is possessed by the devil. The entire cast of supporting characters adds so much to the story, but never steals the spotlight from Josh and Grace. It was the perfect combination.
Forever and a Day is one of the best contemporary romances I’ve read this year, if not the best. Grace and Josh have captivating conversation and chemistry that simply came to life on page. I couldn’t put the book down and will recommend this story to all romance readers. I only hope that Shalvis has another trilogy planned for this series, as I’m not ready to say goodbye to Lucky Harbor.
A simply wonderful read.
August 2, 2012
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
Books from Jill Shalvis always make me feel like I'm visiting really good friends. There is true comfort, a sense of camaraderie and just plain silly joy that comes from reading one of her stories. I could add that I'm a big fan, but that's probably glaringly obvious at this point.
That said, Forever And A Day, while it still managed to hook me early and reel me in, did not end up being a favorite, as the other books in this series have.
Grace Brooks found her way to the charming seaside town of Lucky Harbor after the disappointment of what should have been a new job and a new start in Seattle. After four months in Lucky Harbor, her finances were dwindling and she was despairing of ever finding a job in her field. Taking on temporary jobs around town meant she eventually found her way into the life of Dr. Josh Scott, single father, caregiver to a handicapped sister and town heartthrob. What's a girl to do when a temporary job suddenly becomes so much more?
Dr. Josh Scott worked, worked...and then worked some more. In between, what little time he had was devoted to his five year old son and his twenty-one year old sister, who was confined to a wheelchair after a car accident which killed their parents years before. A new puppy for his son, nicknamed the Antichrist, and a slight mix-up with flyers, meant the lives of Dr. Josh Scott and Grace Brooks were about to collide. What's an overworked single dad to do when his dog walker/nanny suddenly becomes so much more?
Forever And A Day was a sweet, snappy, sexy, fast-paced read. Josh and Grace were an engaging couple, one the reader could feel for and cheer on. The story was simple, but lovely and easy to read. I have to add that this was a very good story about family, responsibility and knowing when to say when. We also saw some old friends in this installment, and fell a little more in love with the town of Lucky Harbor
So, then, why only four stars? Why not five? For me, personally, I was not overly fond of reading the rather caustic relationship between Josh and his sister Anna. I could understand it, but it got old after only a short time. Mostly, though, my main disappointment was the lack of the author's special brand of humor. Don't get me wrong. There were some humorous moments in this book. However, when Jill Shalvis is 'on', her sparkle, her whit, can light up a story. It leaps out at you with abandon. For me, this story just didn't leap with that much-loved abandon. The sparkle was somewhat toned down. It may be that I'm in the minority on this, and that's okay. The great thing about reading is that it allows for a whole variety of opinions.
I will say, though, in the end, even when, in my opinion, this author isn't *quite* on, she still manages to give us a book that is so worth reading.
Thankfully, we have at least three more stories to come in this series. And, with Jill Shalvis writing them, I know we're all set to continue this wonderful visit with old and new friends alike!
4 Happy Stars!!
Books from Jill Shalvis always make me feel like I'm visiting really good friends. There is true comfort, a sense of camaraderie and just plain silly joy that comes from reading one of her stories. I could add that I'm a big fan, but that's probably glaringly obvious at this point.
That said, Forever And A Day, while it still managed to hook me early and reel me in, did not end up being a favorite, as the other books in this series have.
Grace Brooks found her way to the charming seaside town of Lucky Harbor after the disappointment of what should have been a new job and a new start in Seattle. After four months in Lucky Harbor, her finances were dwindling and she was despairing of ever finding a job in her field. Taking on temporary jobs around town meant she eventually found her way into the life of Dr. Josh Scott, single father, caregiver to a handicapped sister and town heartthrob. What's a girl to do when a temporary job suddenly becomes so much more?
Dr. Josh Scott worked, worked...and then worked some more. In between, what little time he had was devoted to his five year old son and his twenty-one year old sister, who was confined to a wheelchair after a car accident which killed their parents years before. A new puppy for his son, nicknamed the Antichrist, and a slight mix-up with flyers, meant the lives of Dr. Josh Scott and Grace Brooks were about to collide. What's an overworked single dad to do when his dog walker/nanny suddenly becomes so much more?
Forever And A Day was a sweet, snappy, sexy, fast-paced read. Josh and Grace were an engaging couple, one the reader could feel for and cheer on. The story was simple, but lovely and easy to read. I have to add that this was a very good story about family, responsibility and knowing when to say when. We also saw some old friends in this installment, and fell a little more in love with the town of Lucky Harbor
So, then, why only four stars? Why not five? For me, personally, I was not overly fond of reading the rather caustic relationship between Josh and his sister Anna. I could understand it, but it got old after only a short time. Mostly, though, my main disappointment was the lack of the author's special brand of humor. Don't get me wrong. There were some humorous moments in this book. However, when Jill Shalvis is 'on', her sparkle, her whit, can light up a story. It leaps out at you with abandon. For me, this story just didn't leap with that much-loved abandon. The sparkle was somewhat toned down. It may be that I'm in the minority on this, and that's okay. The great thing about reading is that it allows for a whole variety of opinions.
I will say, though, in the end, even when, in my opinion, this author isn't *quite* on, she still manages to give us a book that is so worth reading.
Thankfully, we have at least three more stories to come in this series. And, with Jill Shalvis writing them, I know we're all set to continue this wonderful visit with old and new friends alike!
4 Happy Stars!!
July 10, 2012
4.00 Stars - Contemporary/Small Town Romance.
Josh
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Every time I read Jill Shalvis I’m reminded just how much I love to read anything she has to write. Be sure to lay this one on the reading list followed by your keeper shelve. It has everything ranging from an extremely capable hero of a doctor and sweetheart heroine, an adorable five year old and his rebellious aunt, and a puppy to fill up the equation. Once again Jill Shalvis tells story of everyday people we know, living everyday live that we live but somehow making them larger than life with her exquisite story-telling ability.
The story focused on Dr Josh Scott, with a well-to-do but awfully demanding medical career and on Grace Brooks, a somewhat messed up new in town, who is, sort of, spending a gap year in Lucky Harbor to have some ‘fun’ before landing on the best career option. These two are pretty much across the tracks. Josh has no time for sleep or to live a normal life in between running the ER, his dad’s practice, his five year-old son and his twenty-one year old rebellious sister. On top of that, thanks to his sister, added to his dependant list, he now has a very willful puppy that urgently needs a skilled dog walker. Not only that, he finds himself in deficit of a nanny since all the previous ones bolted. By accident or more coincidence he managed found himself both a nanny and a dog walker in disguise of a beautiful willowy blond, Grace, whom he thought has seen in various town occasions previously, but as yet never got acquainted with. They meet in the first chapter which is pretty much one of the highlights of the book.
Of lately, Grace was sporting a tighter purse thanks to her current employment status as sometimes of a flower girl and occasionally as a model for the town’s art class. As a result she needs to seriously apply to some real sophisticated jobs, located outside Lucky Harbor. It is what she has been brought up for AND is accordingly expected of by her high-achieving rocket scientist parents. But suddenly she established herself temporarily hired as a dog walker and a nanny for the handsome and athletically built town hottie of a doctor, who is indeed very hard to say no to. In every sense that is. But falling in love with a workaholic doctor takes courage and lot of time and patience which both of our beloved protagonists are in shortage of. Soon question arises like how hard it is for two people, who are not in a position to fall in love, refuse to give in to temptation? How easy can it be to mess things up forever and ruin a chance of life and loose the ever desired happily ever after?
I loved the relationship between the two. They were two different people from two very different worlds who needed someone in their lives to fill up the surplus gaps in each other. They suited well and their conversations were written in a way to give their relationship a strong leverage amid very few words in a very short time. The love scenes were delightfully choreographed and were decidedly sizzling. They were passionate, sweet, flirty and solemn all at the same time. They needed to be intense since a lot depended on those scenes which leaded up to the wonderful and believable ending of two adults taking very important decisions and changing their lives for good.
I loved the set-up, I loved the characters. They were good, funny and real people. I just love Jill Shalvis. You pick this book up, you feel good, you find it easy to read without any pain, you finish it on a whim, and you feel life is good. All in one package!
Every contemporary reader should decide reading this one and should try starting this series if you haven’t yet. You won’t be disappointed.
(ARC courtesy - Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing)
Josh
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Every time I read Jill Shalvis I’m reminded just how much I love to read anything she has to write. Be sure to lay this one on the reading list followed by your keeper shelve. It has everything ranging from an extremely capable hero of a doctor and sweetheart heroine, an adorable five year old and his rebellious aunt, and a puppy to fill up the equation. Once again Jill Shalvis tells story of everyday people we know, living everyday live that we live but somehow making them larger than life with her exquisite story-telling ability.
The story focused on Dr Josh Scott, with a well-to-do but awfully demanding medical career and on Grace Brooks, a somewhat messed up new in town, who is, sort of, spending a gap year in Lucky Harbor to have some ‘fun’ before landing on the best career option. These two are pretty much across the tracks. Josh has no time for sleep or to live a normal life in between running the ER, his dad’s practice, his five year-old son and his twenty-one year old rebellious sister. On top of that, thanks to his sister, added to his dependant list, he now has a very willful puppy that urgently needs a skilled dog walker. Not only that, he finds himself in deficit of a nanny since all the previous ones bolted. By accident or more coincidence he managed found himself both a nanny and a dog walker in disguise of a beautiful willowy blond, Grace, whom he thought has seen in various town occasions previously, but as yet never got acquainted with. They meet in the first chapter which is pretty much one of the highlights of the book.
Of lately, Grace was sporting a tighter purse thanks to her current employment status as sometimes of a flower girl and occasionally as a model for the town’s art class. As a result she needs to seriously apply to some real sophisticated jobs, located outside Lucky Harbor. It is what she has been brought up for AND is accordingly expected of by her high-achieving rocket scientist parents. But suddenly she established herself temporarily hired as a dog walker and a nanny for the handsome and athletically built town hottie of a doctor, who is indeed very hard to say no to. In every sense that is. But falling in love with a workaholic doctor takes courage and lot of time and patience which both of our beloved protagonists are in shortage of. Soon question arises like how hard it is for two people, who are not in a position to fall in love, refuse to give in to temptation? How easy can it be to mess things up forever and ruin a chance of life and loose the ever desired happily ever after?
I loved the relationship between the two. They were two different people from two very different worlds who needed someone in their lives to fill up the surplus gaps in each other. They suited well and their conversations were written in a way to give their relationship a strong leverage amid very few words in a very short time. The love scenes were delightfully choreographed and were decidedly sizzling. They were passionate, sweet, flirty and solemn all at the same time. They needed to be intense since a lot depended on those scenes which leaded up to the wonderful and believable ending of two adults taking very important decisions and changing their lives for good.
I loved the set-up, I loved the characters. They were good, funny and real people. I just love Jill Shalvis. You pick this book up, you feel good, you find it easy to read without any pain, you finish it on a whim, and you feel life is good. All in one package!
Every contemporary reader should decide reading this one and should try starting this series if you haven’t yet. You won’t be disappointed.
(ARC courtesy - Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing)
August 11, 2012
Posted on Under the Covers
Dear Sawyer,
You had me head over heels in love with you but there is a new hottie that has caught my eye.
He’s a doctor, you know. That’s a checkmark in his favor.
He’s also got a hot bod. Another checkmark.
Let’s not forget the sexy things he likes to say. Check. Mark.
Sorry, but I think I’m going to stay with Dr. Scott for a little bit. Please don’t shoot me.
Love, Ann
Yep, I’m a hussy, but you can’t blame a girl when Dr. Josh Scott is the sexiest thing to grace one of Jill Shalvis’s pages! All the heroes of this series have been downright delicious. Shalvis writes the best contemporary heroes out there, but Josh has topped them all in my eyes.
I was hesitant to start this book because readers don’t really know much about Josh. We got glimpses of his personality in the other books but he seemed like an overworked doctor most of the time. It wasn’t until this book, FOREVER AND A DAY, that we really see Josh’s life.
Josh lives with his adorable son, Toby and his twenty-one year old sister named Anna. Anna is a high functioning paraplegic who has a slight um, anger management problem? She is bitter and likes to feel sorry for herself. She underachieves and even after several years have passed, she still grieves for her parents who died in the car crash that left her without her own legs. Add a hellion dog named Tank and you’ve got the busy life of Dr. Scott.
Josh is feeling like he is being drowned. Life just keeps on going and he is just trying to keep up. The same goes for Grace who came to Lucky Harbor to escape the life she had. Her bank account is dwindling and she is just keeping herself afloat by taking on small jobs here and there to support her. Sooner or later, her savings will dry up and she needs a steady job that will support her. But in the meantime, she is looking for anything to keep her head up.
When Josh accidentally calls Grace to be his dog walker, things get out of hand pretty quickly. This book has the most fun! Shalvis has never failed to make me smile or laugh in one of her books, but this one just seemed to brighten up my day. Hell, my entire weekend! Josh and Grace sizzle off the pages! The chemistry is front and center in this book and doesn’t let up until you flip that last page.
FOREVER AND A DAY is a perfect 10, and the Lucky Harbor series is a tantalizing dessert – a delicious and decadent read that readers will devour!
*ARC provided by publisher
Dear Sawyer,
You had me head over heels in love with you but there is a new hottie that has caught my eye.
He’s a doctor, you know. That’s a checkmark in his favor.
He’s also got a hot bod. Another checkmark.
Let’s not forget the sexy things he likes to say. Check. Mark.
Sorry, but I think I’m going to stay with Dr. Scott for a little bit. Please don’t shoot me.
Love, Ann
Yep, I’m a hussy, but you can’t blame a girl when Dr. Josh Scott is the sexiest thing to grace one of Jill Shalvis’s pages! All the heroes of this series have been downright delicious. Shalvis writes the best contemporary heroes out there, but Josh has topped them all in my eyes.
I was hesitant to start this book because readers don’t really know much about Josh. We got glimpses of his personality in the other books but he seemed like an overworked doctor most of the time. It wasn’t until this book, FOREVER AND A DAY, that we really see Josh’s life.
Josh lives with his adorable son, Toby and his twenty-one year old sister named Anna. Anna is a high functioning paraplegic who has a slight um, anger management problem? She is bitter and likes to feel sorry for herself. She underachieves and even after several years have passed, she still grieves for her parents who died in the car crash that left her without her own legs. Add a hellion dog named Tank and you’ve got the busy life of Dr. Scott.
Josh is feeling like he is being drowned. Life just keeps on going and he is just trying to keep up. The same goes for Grace who came to Lucky Harbor to escape the life she had. Her bank account is dwindling and she is just keeping herself afloat by taking on small jobs here and there to support her. Sooner or later, her savings will dry up and she needs a steady job that will support her. But in the meantime, she is looking for anything to keep her head up.
When Josh accidentally calls Grace to be his dog walker, things get out of hand pretty quickly. This book has the most fun! Shalvis has never failed to make me smile or laugh in one of her books, but this one just seemed to brighten up my day. Hell, my entire weekend! Josh and Grace sizzle off the pages! The chemistry is front and center in this book and doesn’t let up until you flip that last page.
FOREVER AND A DAY is a perfect 10, and the Lucky Harbor series is a tantalizing dessert – a delicious and decadent read that readers will devour!
*ARC provided by publisher
![Profile Image for Michelle [Helen Geek].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1448463806i%2F5557851._CR0%2C13%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 11, 2012
5 Stars
Forever and a Day is an absolute joy to read. This is Jill Shalvis at her best. Loved the characters and the story flowed so smoothly. Grace is trying to figure out what and who she wants to be. Josh is trying to be everything he needs to be for everyone and in the end they find each other and it works beautifully. Almost magical.
Grace stumbled upon Lucky Harbor looking for her next career move. She lost her job at an investment banking firm when the economy crashed and she refused to sleep with her boss. She never really liked her job, but was trying to be who her “over achieving” parents wanted her to be. Does she have the courage to find happiness, even if it isn’t the exact prescription her parents planned for her?
Josh is a doctor. He works 80+ hours a week. He has taken over his fathers practice, he works hours in the ER, he has a sister who is physically challenged in an accident that killed their parents, is the lone parent of a 5 year old and a new pug puppy. He has so much pulling at his time he has forgotten who he is. Will he find himself and when he does, will he have the courage to be the person he finds, or, will he muck it all up? Grace becomes his puppy walker, she then becomes his temporary baby sitter. She starts to be someone he depends on to provide him the peace sought at the end of a day. He becomes her rock. It is truly magical watching these two figure it all out.
What did I like about this book?
1 – Absolutely loved Grace. What a ballsy lady. She is willing to try and fail most anything. She doesn’t seem to be afraid of much at all. Her only weakness seems to be her parents. She is adopted and has always felt a bit less when she compares herself to them. Not because they make her feel this way, but just because. She wants to be who she thinks they want her to be. She is Josh’s rock. She helps with the puppy, she loves and cares for Toby, she is the “in your face … do you see what I see” factor for sister Anna. She can be tough as nails, but so warm and gentle. Just loved her.
2 – Josh. He is trying so hard to be everything to everyone. He is in true danger of losing bits of himself. He is exhausted and it isn’t getting any easier until Grace comes along. He resists her because he doesn’t need one more thing to take care of. He eventually figures out she doesn’t need him to take care of her and maybe, just maybe, she can take care of him while he is taking care of the world.
3 – The cast of secondary’s; Tank, Toby, Anna. Josh’s extended family is an absolute riot and an absolute mess. We have the puppy who has no manners at all. He is exactly what the little boy, Toby, needs, but he is a handful. We have Toby who is trying to find his mother and asks most any woman, “are you my mother” … rather like the children’s story of the same name. It is so sad, but it is funny at the same time. Then there is Anna. She has been in a wheelchair for the last 5 years. She is 21 and is wanting some independence, but acts like a rebellious 15 year old. She has an asshat for a boyfriend and watching this evolve and how Grace and Josh handle it, really helps us love these characters. Anna is perfect. She has such courage.
I just loved this installment in the Lucky Harbor series. It was well thought out and the characterizations are what we’ve come to expect from this author. They warm your heart and make you do the “happy dance”. A lovely Sunday afternoon read.
Happy Reading!
Thanks to the Netgally ARC provided by Hachette Book Group on 06/07/2012.
Forever and a Day is an absolute joy to read. This is Jill Shalvis at her best. Loved the characters and the story flowed so smoothly. Grace is trying to figure out what and who she wants to be. Josh is trying to be everything he needs to be for everyone and in the end they find each other and it works beautifully. Almost magical.
Grace stumbled upon Lucky Harbor looking for her next career move. She lost her job at an investment banking firm when the economy crashed and she refused to sleep with her boss. She never really liked her job, but was trying to be who her “over achieving” parents wanted her to be. Does she have the courage to find happiness, even if it isn’t the exact prescription her parents planned for her?
Josh is a doctor. He works 80+ hours a week. He has taken over his fathers practice, he works hours in the ER, he has a sister who is physically challenged in an accident that killed their parents, is the lone parent of a 5 year old and a new pug puppy. He has so much pulling at his time he has forgotten who he is. Will he find himself and when he does, will he have the courage to be the person he finds, or, will he muck it all up? Grace becomes his puppy walker, she then becomes his temporary baby sitter. She starts to be someone he depends on to provide him the peace sought at the end of a day. He becomes her rock. It is truly magical watching these two figure it all out.
What did I like about this book?
1 – Absolutely loved Grace. What a ballsy lady. She is willing to try and fail most anything. She doesn’t seem to be afraid of much at all. Her only weakness seems to be her parents. She is adopted and has always felt a bit less when she compares herself to them. Not because they make her feel this way, but just because. She wants to be who she thinks they want her to be. She is Josh’s rock. She helps with the puppy, she loves and cares for Toby, she is the “in your face … do you see what I see” factor for sister Anna. She can be tough as nails, but so warm and gentle. Just loved her.
2 – Josh. He is trying so hard to be everything to everyone. He is in true danger of losing bits of himself. He is exhausted and it isn’t getting any easier until Grace comes along. He resists her because he doesn’t need one more thing to take care of. He eventually figures out she doesn’t need him to take care of her and maybe, just maybe, she can take care of him while he is taking care of the world.
3 – The cast of secondary’s; Tank, Toby, Anna. Josh’s extended family is an absolute riot and an absolute mess. We have the puppy who has no manners at all. He is exactly what the little boy, Toby, needs, but he is a handful. We have Toby who is trying to find his mother and asks most any woman, “are you my mother” … rather like the children’s story of the same name. It is so sad, but it is funny at the same time. Then there is Anna. She has been in a wheelchair for the last 5 years. She is 21 and is wanting some independence, but acts like a rebellious 15 year old. She has an asshat for a boyfriend and watching this evolve and how Grace and Josh handle it, really helps us love these characters. Anna is perfect. She has such courage.
I just loved this installment in the Lucky Harbor series. It was well thought out and the characterizations are what we’ve come to expect from this author. They warm your heart and make you do the “happy dance”. A lovely Sunday afternoon read.
Happy Reading!
Thanks to the Netgally ARC provided by Hachette Book Group on 06/07/2012.
April 25, 2012
It's no secret that I love Shalvis novels. I think she writes fun contemporary romances with just the right blend of humor and emotion. But this, well, this is probably the best Shalvis I've read to date.
As I was reading, I was reminded of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, with the dialogue and depth of emotion. Not to mention the humor. I literally laughed out loud on several occasions.
I plan to write a more in depth review closer to the release date. For now I think I can sum it up by saying I loved this book.
As I was reading, I was reminded of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, with the dialogue and depth of emotion. Not to mention the humor. I literally laughed out loud on several occasions.
I plan to write a more in depth review closer to the release date. For now I think I can sum it up by saying I loved this book.
December 21, 2020
Yine harikaydı.😍Seriyi karışık olarak okuyorum böylesi daha eğlenceli geliyor.😀
February 5, 2021
Unutmuşum yine komple. Bir ara tüm seriyi baştan yeniden okuyayım 😊
June 30, 2012
****4 1/2 stars****
Forever and a Day has now become my new favorite book in the Lucky Harbor series, which is surprising as I was least excited for Josh and Grace's book.
Dr. Josh Scott is on the verge of a complete meltdown. First of all, he is a single dad raising a 5 year old son. Secondly, Josh's parents were both killed tragically in a car accident, and now his emotionally wounded, paraplegic sister has also become his responsibility. Lastly, Josh is a talented doctor who cares deeply for his patients, puts in incredibly long hours, and is burning out quickly. For all these reasons, I loved Josh. He is the classic individual who cares for others at the expense of himself. My heart broke for Josh and it was clear that he desperately needed help.
Grace is in trouble. She is in desperate need of a job (and money)! Josh reaches out for help with walking his dog, and gets much more than that! Grace storms into the Scott family's life and begins to fill in all the empty spaces. Although Grace's character wasn't developed quite as well as Josh's was, she was a true gem and I loved her tenacity and her heart.
As with all the Lucky Harbor books, the chemistry between this couple is explosive. What I loved so much about this book, and what has made it my favorite book of this trilogy is the "family factor". There are so many relationship arcs in this book. Toby, Josh's five year old, and his Josh's sister, Anna, add so much depth to the story. The "guys" get more page time which I definitely look forward to, and the chocoholics are also included within these pages. It's so nice to catch up with the couples from the previous two books and see how they are doing.
This book contains an awesome epilogue that perfectly wraps up this trilogy and I closed this book happy and very satisfied. This was an incredible series and completely worth the investment of time and money! Highly recommended.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley for providing this ARC!
Forever and a Day has now become my new favorite book in the Lucky Harbor series, which is surprising as I was least excited for Josh and Grace's book.
Dr. Josh Scott is on the verge of a complete meltdown. First of all, he is a single dad raising a 5 year old son. Secondly, Josh's parents were both killed tragically in a car accident, and now his emotionally wounded, paraplegic sister has also become his responsibility. Lastly, Josh is a talented doctor who cares deeply for his patients, puts in incredibly long hours, and is burning out quickly. For all these reasons, I loved Josh. He is the classic individual who cares for others at the expense of himself. My heart broke for Josh and it was clear that he desperately needed help.
Grace is in trouble. She is in desperate need of a job (and money)! Josh reaches out for help with walking his dog, and gets much more than that! Grace storms into the Scott family's life and begins to fill in all the empty spaces. Although Grace's character wasn't developed quite as well as Josh's was, she was a true gem and I loved her tenacity and her heart.
As with all the Lucky Harbor books, the chemistry between this couple is explosive. What I loved so much about this book, and what has made it my favorite book of this trilogy is the "family factor". There are so many relationship arcs in this book. Toby, Josh's five year old, and his Josh's sister, Anna, add so much depth to the story. The "guys" get more page time which I definitely look forward to, and the chocoholics are also included within these pages. It's so nice to catch up with the couples from the previous two books and see how they are doing.
This book contains an awesome epilogue that perfectly wraps up this trilogy and I closed this book happy and very satisfied. This was an incredible series and completely worth the investment of time and money! Highly recommended.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley for providing this ARC!
June 18, 2012
My FAVORITE of this trilogy set in Lucky Harbor! I came into this one knowing the least about Grace--I knew Mallory was the good girl and Amy was the bad girl, but Grace was a mystery. Grace is searching for a full time job in banking to impress her parents, both rocket scientists who think that she isn't quite living up to their ambitions for her. So, she takes a temporary job nannying for sexy Dr. Josh Scott's five year old son Toby which puts her in close proximity to the hot doctor himself! I really loved the way that the relationship between Grace and Josh kind of snuck up on both of them. They both had reasons for not getting involved, but before they knew it they were involved. Seeing Grace, who had grown up the only adopted child of less than demonstrative parents, soak up the warmth and love of Josh's little family was wonderful. So was seeing Josh learn that he could rely on Grace, both as a woman and as a caretaker for his son and his sister. I also really appreciated the character of Anna, who despite being wheelchair bound was every bit as capable and strong as any other girl. And every bit as bull-headed and headstrong. Jill Shalvis has really made these characters live for me. I hope she has more trips to Lucky Harbor planned for the future. It's a trip I'd love to be a part of.
July 23, 2012
Lee's review posted on Guilty Pleasures
Jill Shalvis has hit another one out of the park with her latest in the Lucky Harbor series. After spending so long with the Chocoholics I’m so happy to finally be getting to the story of Grace and the sexy Doctor Josh Scott.
I have been waiting to see what was going to play out for these two and was so thrilled with how their love story unfolded. Josh’s whole adult life has been about taking care of everyone but himself and Grace the the PERFECT companion for him. With her straight forward, no nonsense attitude, she is able to put him in his place at a moments notice. But when push comes to shove she is able to be the caring shoulder for him to lean on.
I loved watching how things played out between these two. Shalvis has a gift for writing her characters in a way where you can’t help but love them… and some of the one liners that she comes up with are beyond hilarious!
I have been a fan of Lucky Harbor from book one, and 6 books late, have yet to be disappointed!
Jill Shalvis has hit another one out of the park with her latest in the Lucky Harbor series. After spending so long with the Chocoholics I’m so happy to finally be getting to the story of Grace and the sexy Doctor Josh Scott.
I have been waiting to see what was going to play out for these two and was so thrilled with how their love story unfolded. Josh’s whole adult life has been about taking care of everyone but himself and Grace the the PERFECT companion for him. With her straight forward, no nonsense attitude, she is able to put him in his place at a moments notice. But when push comes to shove she is able to be the caring shoulder for him to lean on.
I loved watching how things played out between these two. Shalvis has a gift for writing her characters in a way where you can’t help but love them… and some of the one liners that she comes up with are beyond hilarious!
I have been a fan of Lucky Harbor from book one, and 6 books late, have yet to be disappointed!
February 24, 2016
Awesome wrap up to this trilogy! Josh and Grace was a wonderful couple. Grace was having trouble finding a job and sexy Dr. Josh was looking for a dog walker for his recently acquired devil puppy. So he hires Grace all the while suspecting that she wasn't as quite as skilled as she is letting on. Of course within the first 15 minutes, she manages to lose Tank. There was some laugh out load moments in this one. Josh is flat out crazy busy between his practice, the hospital and his son and handicapped sister.
Grace steps into Josh's world and realizes that she is seeing a man on the edge of a breakdown. She sets out to provide a little relief from his la Vida loca. However along the way she realizes that her feeling for Josh go deeper than just a employer. Josh, on his part realizes that his new tenant fills out his empty arms extremely well as well as the empty places in his soul.
The ending was extremely sweet and unexpected. I loved seeing all of our couples from the trilogy and hope to continue to see more of the Lucky Harbor series.
Grace steps into Josh's world and realizes that she is seeing a man on the edge of a breakdown. She sets out to provide a little relief from his la Vida loca. However along the way she realizes that her feeling for Josh go deeper than just a employer. Josh, on his part realizes that his new tenant fills out his empty arms extremely well as well as the empty places in his soul.
The ending was extremely sweet and unexpected. I loved seeing all of our couples from the trilogy and hope to continue to see more of the Lucky Harbor series.
July 3, 2012
This could possibly be my favorite Jill Shalvis book. I literally laughed out loud in the first chapter, and it just gets better from there. Grace is a wonderful heroine with baggage to spare and a decided plan for her future, until Josh, that is, who turns her life upside down. Josh is a to die for hero with just too many spinning plates, a pain in the ass sister and an adorable son. Put the two of them together and you have combustible chemistry, a fun romance, smoking hot love scenes and a romance you won't soon forget. Shalvis at her absolute best. I highly recommend this book.
July 5, 2018
I'll really miss Lucky Harbor but have no doubt that I'll end up frequently rereading my favorite parts of this addictive series!
I loved the first 75% or so of Forever and a Day beyond description, but it started to get repetitive and kind of petered out to a relatively tepid conclusion. Have I mentioned that I'm a staunch believer in romance novels being about 75-100 pages shorter than they generally are?!
Still, I'm a sucker for a romance between a seemingly 'lost' free spirit who's actually smart and more together than she seems and a serious, driven guy who earnestly tries to do the right thing but needs more fun and passion in his life, so this one really worked for me. I don't usually love kids in romances, but Josh's son Toby, who's still experiencing the effects of his mother's abandonment, added a lot of heart and humor to this book for me---as did the hilariously manic Tank, one of my favorite four-legged characters ever :) (Sometimes I think this author is even better at creating animals with memorably vibrant and distinct personalities than she is at creating HUMANS with vibrant and distinct personalities!) Josh's sister Anna could be annoyingly awful, but she had her reasons, and I ended up enjoying her role in the book. The Chocaholic scenes are alternately cute and forced, as are the scenes among the male friends, but it's always nice to see the irrepressible Lucille and other Lucky Harbor staples.
Overall, it's the usual Jill Shalvis formula, especially when it comes to the basic "we're just attracted to each other and can't possibly get seriously involved beyond having sex...until we inevitably get seriously involved beyond having sex" conflict that drives nearly all of her books, but I really related to Grace's struggle with who she truly is and wants to be vs her family's expectations of her. It was enjoyable to see Josh, who I hadn't especially liked in the previous two novels, learn to take LESS responsibility for everyone and everything instead of the usual "wild, carefree party boy who needs to mature" journey that we get in a lot of other romance novels. The writing itself isn't the best, but Jill Shalvis has a breezy style that sucks me in and keeps me turning the pages even as the geeky editor in me cringes at some of the punctuation and syntax :)
So despite a few frustrations with the plot (or occasional lack thereof) and the all too typical "we can't, we can, we can't, but...maybe...we can?!" stuff that inevitably gets exhausting after awhile, this is a sweet and highly entertaining contemporary that offers relatable characters and the humor and warmth that makes Shalvis a favorite among so many romance readers. Definitely recommended as an ideal beach read!
I loved the first 75% or so of Forever and a Day beyond description, but it started to get repetitive and kind of petered out to a relatively tepid conclusion. Have I mentioned that I'm a staunch believer in romance novels being about 75-100 pages shorter than they generally are?!
Still, I'm a sucker for a romance between a seemingly 'lost' free spirit who's actually smart and more together than she seems and a serious, driven guy who earnestly tries to do the right thing but needs more fun and passion in his life, so this one really worked for me. I don't usually love kids in romances, but Josh's son Toby, who's still experiencing the effects of his mother's abandonment, added a lot of heart and humor to this book for me---as did the hilariously manic Tank, one of my favorite four-legged characters ever :) (Sometimes I think this author is even better at creating animals with memorably vibrant and distinct personalities than she is at creating HUMANS with vibrant and distinct personalities!) Josh's sister Anna could be annoyingly awful, but she had her reasons, and I ended up enjoying her role in the book. The Chocaholic scenes are alternately cute and forced, as are the scenes among the male friends, but it's always nice to see the irrepressible Lucille and other Lucky Harbor staples.
Overall, it's the usual Jill Shalvis formula, especially when it comes to the basic "we're just attracted to each other and can't possibly get seriously involved beyond having sex...until we inevitably get seriously involved beyond having sex" conflict that drives nearly all of her books, but I really related to Grace's struggle with who she truly is and wants to be vs her family's expectations of her. It was enjoyable to see Josh, who I hadn't especially liked in the previous two novels, learn to take LESS responsibility for everyone and everything instead of the usual "wild, carefree party boy who needs to mature" journey that we get in a lot of other romance novels. The writing itself isn't the best, but Jill Shalvis has a breezy style that sucks me in and keeps me turning the pages even as the geeky editor in me cringes at some of the punctuation and syntax :)
So despite a few frustrations with the plot (or occasional lack thereof) and the all too typical "we can't, we can, we can't, but...maybe...we can?!" stuff that inevitably gets exhausting after awhile, this is a sweet and highly entertaining contemporary that offers relatable characters and the humor and warmth that makes Shalvis a favorite among so many romance readers. Definitely recommended as an ideal beach read!
September 20, 2022
Wonderful! Great! Charming! Delightful! Sweet! I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the point!
I so enjoyed this book! I loved Josh and Grace separately, but together they were even better! This was a joy to read and I wish it hadn't ended. Josh had many responsibilities, not all by choice, though he wouldn't change them. He was used to taking care of others and was stunned to have someone care for him. Grace was just a sweetheart! She had been trying to live up to expectations her entire life, everyone's but her own. She had been doing this so long that she didn't even know what she wanted for herself. When they got together, they fit. It was so wonderful to "watch"! There were the added complications of an angry sister, 5 year old Jedi warrior and the puppy Antichrist - they just made the story better! And the epilogue - short, but oh so sweet! I want more!!!
I so enjoyed this book! I loved Josh and Grace separately, but together they were even better! This was a joy to read and I wish it hadn't ended. Josh had many responsibilities, not all by choice, though he wouldn't change them. He was used to taking care of others and was stunned to have someone care for him. Grace was just a sweetheart! She had been trying to live up to expectations her entire life, everyone's but her own. She had been doing this so long that she didn't even know what she wanted for herself. When they got together, they fit. It was so wonderful to "watch"! There were the added complications of an angry sister, 5 year old Jedi warrior and the puppy Antichrist - they just made the story better! And the epilogue - short, but oh so sweet! I want more!!!
July 15, 2013
4.5/5 stars
I loved this story SO much! Loved absolutely every single thing about it. I laughed out loud more times than I could've possibly counted and said awww at least a hundred times! Mini-review to come, maybe.
I loved this story SO much! Loved absolutely every single thing about it. I laughed out loud more times than I could've possibly counted and said awww at least a hundred times! Mini-review to come, maybe.
January 8, 2020
Loved it!! Favourite so far!!
July 17, 2012
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5 out of 5
Original Review Link
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single doctor in possession of a five-year-old son, a potentially evil pug, a belligerent younger sister and the schedule from Hell must be in want of a wife. Okay, perhaps not, but Dr. Josh Scott is in need of a dog walker for his son’s rambunctious puppy. A misdial of the phone lands Grace Brooks — a brainy, out-of-work beauty new to Lucky Harbor — the job. And when Josh’s nanny quits without notice, Grace takes over babysitting his son as well. For Josh, who runs his father’s medical practice as well as working in the local ER and volunteering at the town’s new clinic, having someone dependable to help out should make his life run more smoothly. Instead, being around Grace turns Josh’s world upside down. Grace isn’t going to be in Lucky Harbor much longer, but she makes Josh want things he knows he shouldn’t yearn for, not with so many people depending on him. However, each day together brings Josh and Grace closer and soon it’s impossible for them to resist their mutual attraction. Neither Grace nor Josh is looking for a forever kind of love, but is it possible they’ve found it nonetheless?
Author Jill Shalvis has made it nearly impossible to pick favorites among her LUCKY HARBOR books – every single story in this series is fantastically entertaining. That being said, FOREVER AND A DAY definitely ranks up there as one of my favorites in this fabulous series! The chemistry between Grace and Josh is off-the-charts hot, and man, does Ms. Shalvis make the most of the sexual tension between them. Yet while I enjoy the sensuality of FOREVER AND A DAY, it’s the love story interwoven with that heat which truly makes the book memorable.
Josh is a sexy as hell doctor; one who is swiftly being buried alive by his numerous responsibilities. It’s easy to see why Grace falls for him. Besides his drool-worthy good looks, Josh gives all of himself to everybody. He has a generous heart and though that’s a good thing, he’s given so much of his away that he has little left for his family and none for himself. He needs to let go and accept help in carrying the load so that he can truly live and love as he and his family deserve. Grace is his perfect match. She’s a hard worker who has spent her life trying to please her adoptive parents by being as brilliant and successful as she can possibly be. Losing her job and winding up in Lucky Harbor is the best thing that could have happened to Grace. It’s a joy watching her find herself in FOREVER AND A DAY, for she truly discovers what it is she loves to do. One of the delights of FOREVER AND A DAY is seeing Grace and Josh fully come into their own when they stop living their lives for others and start living it for themselves and their loved ones. And speaking of loved ones, Josh’s family is every bit as important to FOREVER AND A DAY as Grace and Josh are. Josh’s son Toby is too cute for words and even his pug Tank will grow on you. As for Josh’s bitter, paralyzed sister, Anna, the young woman starts off a bit abrasive but grows up enough over the course of the book that I’m hoping Ms. Shalvis plans on giving Anna her own book one day.
FOREVER AND A DAY is the sixth LUCKY HARBOR book, but it can be read as a standalone. Of course, Grace’s fellow Chocoholics and Josh’s best friends — Mallory and Ty from LUCKY IN LOVE and Amy and Matt from AT LAST — help these two along on their road to happily ever after. As does everybody’s favorite town gossip, Lucille. Fans of the LUCKY HARBOR series will undoubtedly be entertained revisiting these characters and, of course, there are a couple of cameos made by the heroes and heroines of the first three LUCKY HARBOR books, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, THE SWEETEST THING and HEAD OVER HEELS.
The LUCKY HARBOR books are sweet, funny and utterly addictive, and FOREVER AND A DAY is no exception. Grace and Josh’s romance will make you smile and want to re-read FOREVER AND A DAY over and over again. I absolutely loved FOREVER AND A DAY and I sincerely hope that this book does not mark the end of the LUCKY HARBOR series, for Ms. Shalvis has created a town so filled with warmth and welcome that I never want to leave it!
Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here courtesy of Romance Junkies.
Original Review Link
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single doctor in possession of a five-year-old son, a potentially evil pug, a belligerent younger sister and the schedule from Hell must be in want of a wife. Okay, perhaps not, but Dr. Josh Scott is in need of a dog walker for his son’s rambunctious puppy. A misdial of the phone lands Grace Brooks — a brainy, out-of-work beauty new to Lucky Harbor — the job. And when Josh’s nanny quits without notice, Grace takes over babysitting his son as well. For Josh, who runs his father’s medical practice as well as working in the local ER and volunteering at the town’s new clinic, having someone dependable to help out should make his life run more smoothly. Instead, being around Grace turns Josh’s world upside down. Grace isn’t going to be in Lucky Harbor much longer, but she makes Josh want things he knows he shouldn’t yearn for, not with so many people depending on him. However, each day together brings Josh and Grace closer and soon it’s impossible for them to resist their mutual attraction. Neither Grace nor Josh is looking for a forever kind of love, but is it possible they’ve found it nonetheless?
Author Jill Shalvis has made it nearly impossible to pick favorites among her LUCKY HARBOR books – every single story in this series is fantastically entertaining. That being said, FOREVER AND A DAY definitely ranks up there as one of my favorites in this fabulous series! The chemistry between Grace and Josh is off-the-charts hot, and man, does Ms. Shalvis make the most of the sexual tension between them. Yet while I enjoy the sensuality of FOREVER AND A DAY, it’s the love story interwoven with that heat which truly makes the book memorable.
Josh is a sexy as hell doctor; one who is swiftly being buried alive by his numerous responsibilities. It’s easy to see why Grace falls for him. Besides his drool-worthy good looks, Josh gives all of himself to everybody. He has a generous heart and though that’s a good thing, he’s given so much of his away that he has little left for his family and none for himself. He needs to let go and accept help in carrying the load so that he can truly live and love as he and his family deserve. Grace is his perfect match. She’s a hard worker who has spent her life trying to please her adoptive parents by being as brilliant and successful as she can possibly be. Losing her job and winding up in Lucky Harbor is the best thing that could have happened to Grace. It’s a joy watching her find herself in FOREVER AND A DAY, for she truly discovers what it is she loves to do. One of the delights of FOREVER AND A DAY is seeing Grace and Josh fully come into their own when they stop living their lives for others and start living it for themselves and their loved ones. And speaking of loved ones, Josh’s family is every bit as important to FOREVER AND A DAY as Grace and Josh are. Josh’s son Toby is too cute for words and even his pug Tank will grow on you. As for Josh’s bitter, paralyzed sister, Anna, the young woman starts off a bit abrasive but grows up enough over the course of the book that I’m hoping Ms. Shalvis plans on giving Anna her own book one day.
FOREVER AND A DAY is the sixth LUCKY HARBOR book, but it can be read as a standalone. Of course, Grace’s fellow Chocoholics and Josh’s best friends — Mallory and Ty from LUCKY IN LOVE and Amy and Matt from AT LAST — help these two along on their road to happily ever after. As does everybody’s favorite town gossip, Lucille. Fans of the LUCKY HARBOR series will undoubtedly be entertained revisiting these characters and, of course, there are a couple of cameos made by the heroes and heroines of the first three LUCKY HARBOR books, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, THE SWEETEST THING and HEAD OVER HEELS.
The LUCKY HARBOR books are sweet, funny and utterly addictive, and FOREVER AND A DAY is no exception. Grace and Josh’s romance will make you smile and want to re-read FOREVER AND A DAY over and over again. I absolutely loved FOREVER AND A DAY and I sincerely hope that this book does not mark the end of the LUCKY HARBOR series, for Ms. Shalvis has created a town so filled with warmth and welcome that I never want to leave it!
Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here courtesy of Romance Junkies.
June 24, 2012
Forever and a Day has to be my favorite story (well after Ford of course). This book really brought out the best in Jill Shalvis. I absolutely loved the characters and how the story flowed so well together. Although I wasn't a fan of the over all plot to be honest I really didn't care the story held every bit of my attention and I couldn't wait for Josh and Grace to finally realize there feelings for each other.
This story is what I love about romance. The way it was written was almost magical. The way Grace came into Lucky Harbor for a new career was done really well. I like how she tried a bunch of different jobs for the chance to find one she loved and that let her be who she wanted to be, even if it wasnt what her parents had planned for her.
Josh is a hot doctor who happens to work over 80 hours a week and doesn't really have a much of a life anymore. He has not only taking over his fathers practice but he puts in many hours at the ER, takes care of his sister and his 5 year old little boy, and lets not forget the new baby pug. With everything going on his has to question who he is and is he really wanting to take the chances that are coming at him with no warning. does he take them to finally be happy and to be the man he wants to be?
I loved Grace and how she was just willing to try new things and she wasn't afraid to actually fail at them. The only weakness I found in her was with her parents which can be expected. The way Josh and Grace become each others rock was the icing on the cake.
I even fell in love with the secondary characters. Toby was too cute the way he acted especially Tank. I found myself smiling at those memorable scenes. When Toby was asking around to , "are you my mother?" my heart broke.
This was a great addition to the Luck Harbor series. This book really reminded me why I not only love Romance but why Jill Shalvis is my go to author whenever I am in the need for a little laugh, cry and all the magic in between.
If you haven't read the Lucky Harbor series you have no idea what you are actually missing. These are a must buy for everyone who believes in finding the one.
Happy Reading!
This story is what I love about romance. The way it was written was almost magical. The way Grace came into Lucky Harbor for a new career was done really well. I like how she tried a bunch of different jobs for the chance to find one she loved and that let her be who she wanted to be, even if it wasnt what her parents had planned for her.
Josh is a hot doctor who happens to work over 80 hours a week and doesn't really have a much of a life anymore. He has not only taking over his fathers practice but he puts in many hours at the ER, takes care of his sister and his 5 year old little boy, and lets not forget the new baby pug. With everything going on his has to question who he is and is he really wanting to take the chances that are coming at him with no warning. does he take them to finally be happy and to be the man he wants to be?
I loved Grace and how she was just willing to try new things and she wasn't afraid to actually fail at them. The only weakness I found in her was with her parents which can be expected. The way Josh and Grace become each others rock was the icing on the cake.
I even fell in love with the secondary characters. Toby was too cute the way he acted especially Tank. I found myself smiling at those memorable scenes. When Toby was asking around to , "are you my mother?" my heart broke.
This was a great addition to the Luck Harbor series. This book really reminded me why I not only love Romance but why Jill Shalvis is my go to author whenever I am in the need for a little laugh, cry and all the magic in between.
If you haven't read the Lucky Harbor series you have no idea what you are actually missing. These are a must buy for everyone who believes in finding the one.
Happy Reading!
March 14, 2014
The 6th book in the series, and at the risk of repeating myself..I loved it.
Grace came to Lucky Harbour by accident, after having lost her Job in New York, heading to Seattle for a new job, only to realise sleeping with the boss was part of the job description! She tells herself she cannot stay in Lucky Harbour, she needs her high powered job, to live up to her parents high achievements!
Josh is the Lucky Harbour Dr, has his own practice, works in the ER, works in the HSC, has a 4 year old son, a 21 year old paralysed sister, and a devil dog! To say he has a lot on his plater is an understatement!
I loved DR McHotty! I think he is my favourite Male Lead of the entire series! He tried so hard to live up to expectations, be what he thought he should be, help people, be a good dad, a good Dr, a good brother.
And Grace, I loved her almost as much! She was there for him before she even barely knew him, saw how he needed help, and just offered support.
Again, and as Jill Shalvis can do so well, it is not a story just about a couple coming together! She weaves in a story about family, and how they can let go of the past, and the anger and resentment and realise that they are a family and can come through something awful and out the other side happy and as a proper loving family.
These books just make me so happy after reading, they are true feel good books, full of simmering sexual tension, friendship, love, humour and all based in the awesome town of Lucky Harbour!
Grace came to Lucky Harbour by accident, after having lost her Job in New York, heading to Seattle for a new job, only to realise sleeping with the boss was part of the job description! She tells herself she cannot stay in Lucky Harbour, she needs her high powered job, to live up to her parents high achievements!
Josh is the Lucky Harbour Dr, has his own practice, works in the ER, works in the HSC, has a 4 year old son, a 21 year old paralysed sister, and a devil dog! To say he has a lot on his plater is an understatement!
I loved DR McHotty! I think he is my favourite Male Lead of the entire series! He tried so hard to live up to expectations, be what he thought he should be, help people, be a good dad, a good Dr, a good brother.
And Grace, I loved her almost as much! She was there for him before she even barely knew him, saw how he needed help, and just offered support.
Again, and as Jill Shalvis can do so well, it is not a story just about a couple coming together! She weaves in a story about family, and how they can let go of the past, and the anger and resentment and realise that they are a family and can come through something awful and out the other side happy and as a proper loving family.
These books just make me so happy after reading, they are true feel good books, full of simmering sexual tension, friendship, love, humour and all based in the awesome town of Lucky Harbour!
July 26, 2012
"Mallory nodded and toasted a cupcake to that. Then she set the cupcake down and got serious as she turned to Grace. "Honey, just promise me something."
"What?"
"That you won't be so driven by your past that you throw away your future."
Forever and a Day is the sixth in Jill Shalvis' popular Lucky Harbor series. It's the third and final book in her 2012 trilogy and centers around Grace and Josh.
Josh, a busy doctor, struggles to find time for his young son (Toby), and his younger paraplegic sister (Anna). He hires Grace, at first as a dog-walker but before long has her picking up Toby from school and looking after him until he gets home.
Grace is taking a break from living up to her over-achieving parents' expectations. But she can't hide-out forever and will eventually need to make some tough decisions about where her life is heading.
Jill Shalvis writes uplifting and optimistic contemporary romance. Her books are light enjoyable reads that will leave you feeling good. Of the three Lucky Harbor books published this year, Forever and a Day is the stand out.
With thanks to Grand Central Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.
January 10, 2015
Im lost for words I really am...I got this stupid little smile on my face thinking about this book
I didn´t think Shalvis could do better then she already have but this is the best book she´s written so far...I would give it a lot more stars if I could..I absolutley LOVED this...I felt all their emotions hitting me whilst reading this...
I laught more, aaww:ed more and nearly cried more reading this book then any other Jill Shalvis books
I need to read the others again to compare but I don´t think they can beat this...
One of my friends went and bought the first 4 books because Ive been talking about them so much...She usually don´t read in english but they not translated to swedish so she decided to give it a go anyway...
I was lucky enough to be ARC aproved for this one courtesy of netgalley and Hachette Book Group, GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
I didn´t think Shalvis could do better then she already have but this is the best book she´s written so far...I would give it a lot more stars if I could..I absolutley LOVED this...I felt all their emotions hitting me whilst reading this...
I laught more, aaww:ed more and nearly cried more reading this book then any other Jill Shalvis books
I need to read the others again to compare but I don´t think they can beat this...
One of my friends went and bought the first 4 books because Ive been talking about them so much...She usually don´t read in english but they not translated to swedish so she decided to give it a go anyway...
I was lucky enough to be ARC aproved for this one courtesy of netgalley and Hachette Book Group, GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
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