They say animals are the best judges of character and Jill Shalvis uses this statement or belief to prove a point in THEN CAME YOU. People that devote their lives taking care of all varieties of furry creatures as well as many other varieties are special. The characters in THEN CAME YOU are some of Jill Shalvis' most special. THEN CAME YOU is part of Jill Shalvis Animal Magnetism series but truly stands on its own. Any book you read from this very prolific author is sure to make you a fan.

The two main characters in this latest addition to the series are searching for a life that fits very specific specifications. Have to sort of follow the rules. But nothing in life really goes by a rule book. Everyone knows that but for some having that rule book keeps them grounded.

Emily has such a rule book and she is sticking to it no matter what. Even if lust and if she is honest with herself -- her heart -- are steering her in another direction. She wants more. She feels like she needs more. In her life so far Emily has devoted much of herself to taking care of her mother, father and sister. A job at a lucrative vet clinic in a monetarily successful area will finally give her the means toward that life. So just what is she doing interning in a small town veterinary practice in a place called Sunshine. To Emily this is just a short detour.

To Wyatt Sunshine is home. It's where his people are and where he aspires to build his future and life. He is fully enmeshed in the lives of his sisters and is just beginning to realize that he needs to set his own life plan. This is a difficult move for Wyatt since he understands how much his sisters depend on him. After all they all live together in a house they inherited that candidly is little more than a money pit at this point.

Wyatt doesn't trust very easily. He loves with his whole heart but is constantly on the look-out for the exit strategy of people he begins to care for. With the exception of his two sisters and his partners and friends at the clinic Wyatt hasn't had much luck with staying power in relationships.

Even though the attraction between these two is hot and sizzling, each is just waiting for the inevitable end. Emily has been honest from the beginning that Sunshine doesn't fit her plans. Wyatt has absolutely agreed with Emily that this is not a relationship. Just a sizzling hot fling.

Problem is -- neither one is ready to acknowledge when that fling changed into something much more.

If you are an animal lover than you will absolutely get the devotion and caring described in THEN CAME YOU. Hard to tell which are the stars in this latest in the series from Jill Shalvis. Often times the people take a back seat to the pets. But once again Shalvis has penned a beautiful thoughtful story about people getting their priorities straight.