THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE is book two in the Heartbreaker
Bay series by Jill Shalvis. Real estate developer, and
overall hottie, Keane Winters' life is thrown into
disarray. A somewhat solitary man, by circumstance and
by choice, Keane has a finicky cat roommate, an aunt needing
some care and kindness, and a pretty woman who gives him
the cold shoulder - even though he can't remember ever
meeting or offending her. Pet shop owner Willa Davis is
a woman who acts the loving mother she never had to her
young employees, and who is startled to see a familiar,
if not entirely welcome, handsome face at her shop door
one day. When these two forces collide, fireworks ensue.
Keane is a hero you want to pounce on, and Willa is
someone you want for a friend.
In THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, Jill Shalvis combines
romantic comedy with complex characters and honest
emotion. Willa and Keane went to high school together but
didn't run in the same circles. Some thoughtlessness on
Keane's part wounded Willa deeply, but thankfully Jill
Shalvis doesn't belabor the point and have the whole
story be about Willa's past hurt. Willa and Keane are
both grown up and Willa is smart enough to eventually see
Keane for the man he is now. The flirty dialogue between
Keane and Willa is delicious and increases the sexual
tension.
The supporting characters in THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE
add a lot of texture to the story. The friendships Willa
has -- both with the people in her inner circle as well as
employees -- help define who she is and make her more
interesting. Willa's ability to see a little of her
younger self in Rory gives that relationship a
fascinating dynamic. Pru, Elle, Hayley, Archer, and
Spence provide some humor and balance out the drama.
Seth's encounters with the kitty, and diva, Pita will
have you laughing and sympathizing with Seth at his
plight. I love how Willa has an "Elizabeth Bennet" moment
when she realizes that Seth may not be the man she always
believed him to be, but in a good way.
THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE is a ball and gives fans the
excitement, charm, and sexiness that make up a must-read
romance. Jill Shalvis does a terrific job of detailing
the flaws and problems of the main characters, without
having things get too dark or tying things up too neatly.
I can't wait to read the next book in this Heartbreaker
Bay series, and hope each of Willa's friends gets their
own story.
Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters
stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his
chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in
his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But the last
thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn’t even
remember her . . .
He’ll get nothing but coal in his stocking.
Saddled with his great-aunt’s Feline from Hell, Keane is
desperate to leave her in someone else’s capable hands.
But in spite of the fact that he’s sure he’s never seen
the drop-dead-gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems
to be mad at him . . .
Unless he tempers “naughty” with a special kind of nice .
. .
Willa can’t deny that Keane’s changed since high school:
he’s less arrogant, for one thing—but he doesn’t even
remember her. How can she trust him not to break her
heart again? It’s time to throw a coin in the fountain,
make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work .
. .