Review: It’s In His Kiss

by Jill Shalvis
Rating: 4/5

ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now’s her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam’s eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile. Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can’t resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca’s heart?

It’s In His Kiss is the tenth full-length book in the Lucky Harbor and the start of the fourth ‘trilogy’. Unlike the previous trilogies which focused on three different women and their lucky men this one will be focusing on three men and their lucky women. Specifically Sam, Cole and Tanner, the men of Lucky Harbor Charters.

It’s In His Kiss is Sam and Becca’s story. Becca has just moved to Lucky Harbor to escape a mysterious incident involving her brother. She’s moving into one of three cheap apartments in a converted warehouse which just happens to be next door to the LHC office. The mess with her brother and her last relationship have left her commitment phobic, She wants to succeed at her chosen career in music.

Sam, also known appropriately as Sexy Grumpy Surfer Guy is dealing with his moochy father. His father was irresponsible and from Sam;s childhood would request things of Sam he had no right to do so (asking for Birthday money to buy beer, for example) and tack on ‘love ya’ at the end. This has left him unable to believe the words.

Becca is a commercial jingle writer. She tries to get a waitressing job to help make ends meet but fails because she is a terrible waitress. However LHC need an office admin and Becca is actually a brilliant organizer and she gets the job over Sam’s protests (he doesn’t want to work with someone he is interested in).

Becca and Sam have some intense chemistry from the moment they meet, and they are good together and for each other.

As for the book in the series context? I’m going to say something I rarely do. It can be read as a standalone. Apart from the setting only three characters from previous books appear, two as background characters and the one who is a character. The familiar Lucky Harbor is as wonderful as ever although I am disappointed that Lucille’s pinterest doesn’t really exist.

Final Verdict: This is as good as ever, Jill Shalvis has packed this with sexual tension and far too few moments of three ripped men being watched as they work out, or just general shirtless-ness.

** I received this book as an ARC from Jill Shalvis via NetGalley **

Currently Listening: Until I Leave – Boys Will Be Boys