You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Second-chance and grumpy-sunshine romance with the female being the grumpy, guarded one. 2nd book in the Sunrise Cove series set in gorgeous Lake Tahoe.
Tae and Riggs met in high school where he was the popular football jock and she was the emo goth chick who was bullied and beaten. They had one night’s passion and then never spoke to each other again although he’d considered her his only real friend. Right after graduation, he joined the military and spent the next 12 years in service. When he gets out, his older brother asks him to spend the summer in Lake Tahoe, helping to run their jointly-owned adventure camp which caters to the disabled and wounded warriors. On his first night home, he reconnects with Tae, but she has her walls up. His solution? A friendship pact which protects them both but keeps her in his life. But will the intense chemistry between them ignite and, if it does, will they be able to keep it casual?
Both main characters have heavy baggage. Tae was raised by a loving single mother who had her at age 15, but there was incredible deprivation. She was told her father died in battle, but certain things don’t add up. Riggs’ mother died when he was young, and his father was an abusive alcoholic who beat on both sons, making them feel worthless. So both Tae and Riggs are understandably distrustful and afraid of love. The relationship between Riggs and Jake is definitely strained, mostly because Jake, paralyzed after an IED explosion, doesn’t want his brother’s pity and lashes out cruelly both to protect himself and to knock some sense into Riggs who has hardened his heart. Tae and her mother April’s relationship is loving, but very co-dependent. Shalvis has done a good job of portraying the hurt loved ones can unintentionally cause, often due to generational trauma. Fortunately, there isn’t an intense amount of angst; just enough to move the story along. Recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Tae and Riggs met in high school where he was the popular football jock and she was the emo goth chick who was bullied and beaten. They had one night’s passion and then never spoke to each other again although he’d considered her his only real friend. Right after graduation, he joined the military and spent the next 12 years in service. When he gets out, his older brother asks him to spend the summer in Lake Tahoe, helping to run their jointly-owned adventure camp which caters to the disabled and wounded warriors. On his first night home, he reconnects with Tae, but she has her walls up. His solution? A friendship pact which protects them both but keeps her in his life. But will the intense chemistry between them ignite and, if it does, will they be able to keep it casual?
Both main characters have heavy baggage. Tae was raised by a loving single mother who had her at age 15, but there was incredible deprivation. She was told her father died in battle, but certain things don’t add up. Riggs’ mother died when he was young, and his father was an abusive alcoholic who beat on both sons, making them feel worthless. So both Tae and Riggs are understandably distrustful and afraid of love. The relationship between Riggs and Jake is definitely strained, mostly because Jake, paralyzed after an IED explosion, doesn’t want his brother’s pity and lashes out cruelly both to protect himself and to knock some sense into Riggs who has hardened his heart. Tae and her mother April’s relationship is loving, but very co-dependent. Shalvis has done a good job of portraying the hurt loved ones can unintentionally cause, often due to generational trauma. Fortunately, there isn’t an intense amount of angst; just enough to move the story along. Recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Avon through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Not a single “twist” I didn’t see coming, but a nice smooth brain read none the less.
Rounded up because I really appreciated the portrayal of troubled youths.
Tae was raised by her single mother, who was turned out by her parents when she got pregnant at 15. They survived, though there was a lot of couch surfing, moving, going hungry.... At 28 Tae now has her own successful business and has a current client that is an adventure company working with the disabled and a lot of wounded warriors, and who she convinces to add at risk/troubled youths. However, she is also confronted with her high school one night stand who says he just wants to be friends.
Tae was raised by her single mother, who was turned out by her parents when she got pregnant at 15. They survived, though there was a lot of couch surfing, moving, going hungry.... At 28 Tae now has her own successful business and has a current client that is an adventure company working with the disabled and a lot of wounded warriors, and who she convinces to add at risk/troubled youths. However, she is also confronted with her high school one night stand who says he just wants to be friends.
I won this as a Goodreads sweeps, my opinions are my own.
I've loved many of Jill Shelvis' books, this one wasn't one of my favorites. Tae and Riggs just never really "came off the page" for me, and their relationship felt rather stale and boring. The story took a long time to get started, roughly half the book before actual progress was made.
Gotta say, the drama between Tae and her mom, April, definitely made me tear up, thinking about my own teen-motherhood relationship with my own Tay (not even joking about that). That was probably the best part, watching these two women learn to be adults together and relate to each other on a grown-up footing.
I've loved many of Jill Shelvis' books, this one wasn't one of my favorites. Tae and Riggs just never really "came off the page" for me, and their relationship felt rather stale and boring. The story took a long time to get started, roughly half the book before actual progress was made.
Gotta say, the drama between Tae and her mom, April, definitely made me tear up, thinking about my own teen-motherhood relationship with my own Tay (not even joking about that). That was probably the best part, watching these two women learn to be adults together and relate to each other on a grown-up footing.
Jill Shalvis and these adorable covers with dogs. I think this may be my favorite.
At the beginning of every Jill Shalvis book I find myself excited to meet or get to know her characters. No two are alike and I was very taken in by the little hamlet if Sunrise Cove from book one, The Family You Make. Like book one, The Friendship Pact delves into family secrets and the possibility of a second chance at love.
I'm pleased to say that our central characters, Tae & Riggs share a wonderful connection. Despite their "no commitment clause", these two can't help but fall in love. Their path is both fun and sexy, and a little rocky as they navigate trust boundaries and self-protection. The story is punctuated by Tae's life altering discovery surrounding what she knows and does not know about her family. This will test the bonds she has with her mother, but ultimately makes them all stronger. 4 Stars and recommendation.
I'm pleased to say that our central characters, Tae & Riggs share a wonderful connection. Despite their "no commitment clause", these two can't help but fall in love. Their path is both fun and sexy, and a little rocky as they navigate trust boundaries and self-protection. The story is punctuated by Tae's life altering discovery surrounding what she knows and does not know about her family. This will test the bonds she has with her mother, but ultimately makes them all stronger. 4 Stars and recommendation.
Tae is an amazing character. Her spunk for life, her love for her mom, and her hard work making her company a success made her a character that I was rooting for. I need her to find her soul mate, her true love, the one that would understand, support, and love her forever. Enter Riggs. He is tough, gruff, and closed off. He is the perfect match for Tae. If only the two of them would figure it out, soon.
Tae also finds out that her mom is keeping a secret. A secret concerning her father. Riggs jumps in, being the hero, and helps her when she does not even know she wants or needs the help. It was great to see Riggs open his heart and help Tae, even she really did not want his help. I like that he took the risk of helping knowing that it could push Tae away or hurt her. He did it for their own good.
With each Jill Shalvis book I know that I will get my HEA. The good part is how the characters manage to get there. There are ups and down, a lot of times they go sideways but somehow, someway Jill Shalvis writes the story to get the characters to open their hearts and find their HEA.
Tae also finds out that her mom is keeping a secret. A secret concerning her father. Riggs jumps in, being the hero, and helps her when she does not even know she wants or needs the help. It was great to see Riggs open his heart and help Tae, even she really did not want his help. I like that he took the risk of helping knowing that it could push Tae away or hurt her. He did it for their own good.
With each Jill Shalvis book I know that I will get my HEA. The good part is how the characters manage to get there. There are ups and down, a lot of times they go sideways but somehow, someway Jill Shalvis writes the story to get the characters to open their hearts and find their HEA.
4.5 Delightful, Sizzling Stars!
I loved this sweet, and emotional story about family, regrets, hope, and love. Tae's mom, April, had Tae when she was a young teen. They essentially grew up together with Tae taking on most of the responsibility. April did the best she could, and Tae loved her mom, but felt starved for affection. Riggs was popular in school, but a not so happy life at home. He was attracted to the tough, smart, and snarky Tae. They were each others firsts, but their feelings scared them and they broke apart. Now years later, Riggs is back in town after leaving the military, to help his wounded warrior brother for the summer. When Tae and Riggs meet again, the sparks explode. But neither is looking for another complication in their life. Tae wants to find her father, without hurting her mom, and Riggs wants to leave town before he gets attached, and they leave him first. With the fiery desire burning between them, they agree to a temporary benefits arrangement. As they spend time together and see the unexpected, steadfast support and selfless actions, they begin to image a future might be possible. But when a secret comes to light, Tae feels betrayed, Will she be able to forgive Riggs and trust him again, or will she push him away again, for good? I was completely captivated by Tae and Riggs' story. They challenging each other, and even though they were both warriors, they helped heal and open each others heart to family, friends, and love. I loved how strong, fun and independent Tae was, and Riggs really cared for others even as he hid behind his hard exterior. He is so swoony with a heart of gold. I also fell hard for all their quirky friends and family who added so much fun and heart to this book, especially April's heartfelt story. I loved this delightful, moving, and sizzling romance!
I loved this sweet, and emotional story about family, regrets, hope, and love. Tae's mom, April, had Tae when she was a young teen. They essentially grew up together with Tae taking on most of the responsibility. April did the best she could, and Tae loved her mom, but felt starved for affection. Riggs was popular in school, but a not so happy life at home. He was attracted to the tough, smart, and snarky Tae. They were each others firsts, but their feelings scared them and they broke apart. Now years later, Riggs is back in town after leaving the military, to help his wounded warrior brother for the summer. When Tae and Riggs meet again, the sparks explode. But neither is looking for another complication in their life. Tae wants to find her father, without hurting her mom, and Riggs wants to leave town before he gets attached, and they leave him first. With the fiery desire burning between them, they agree to a temporary benefits arrangement. As they spend time together and see the unexpected, steadfast support and selfless actions, they begin to image a future might be possible. But when a secret comes to light, Tae feels betrayed, Will she be able to forgive Riggs and trust him again, or will she push him away again, for good? I was completely captivated by Tae and Riggs' story. They challenging each other, and even though they were both warriors, they helped heal and open each others heart to family, friends, and love. I loved how strong, fun and independent Tae was, and Riggs really cared for others even as he hid behind his hard exterior. He is so swoony with a heart of gold. I also fell hard for all their quirky friends and family who added so much fun and heart to this book, especially April's heartfelt story. I loved this delightful, moving, and sizzling romance!
Shalvis breaks the heart wide open with a tale of hard truths and deep emotion. The Friendship Pact is about facing life's fears and taking hope's blessings. Tae and Riggs are a sweet blend of yearning and heartache that is not easily contained. From youthful mistakes to haunting reveals, Shalvis masters the art of breaking the heart while touching the soul.
Small town, fun character, side drama and veterans- all in! This was sweet and romantic and all kinds of feels. Tae and Riggs are both complicated puzzle pieces looking for connection but afraid of love and loss. They are beautiful characters and along with the family drama with her mother April and his brother/business partner there are just so many layers and drama to unpack.