First and foremost I admit that I greedily nab anything by
Jill Shalvis. I review hundreds, if not thousands by now,
books by a varied collection of authors, topics and genres.
I know what I like, and I covet any and all works by this
amazing woman whose stories reach deep into your heart and
stay forever. Perusing the list of Jill Shalvis books is
like revisiting old friends. Each and every title brings
back a treasured memory and admittedly a broad smile. MY
KIND OF WONDERFUL is another Jill Shalvis creation and
will undoubtedly become a dog eared favorite of many.
Shalvis had me by the middle of chapter three -- okay --
she
had me at page onem but I was totally hooked midway through
three.
People have issues and problems. Families deal with these
every day. Some crumble and others actually come out
stronger. MY KIND OF WONDERFUL centers on wonderful loving
warmhearted people who are trying to muddle their way
through what life throws at them. Shalvis shows us
there is great strength in love, and good family and
friends
are what gets us through life—hopefully landing on
our feet
most of the time. MY KIND OF WONDERFUL is a story about
tenacity.
Hudson Kincaid had dreams but his responsibilities to his
mother and siblings came first—always. His ski patrol
job
required great strength, endurance, patience. Caring for
his wonderful mother who now sufferes from dementia needed
those same qualities.
Bailey Moore was intent on living life. Her ongoing bout
with illness left her rather fragile but determined to live
each day to its fullest. Every life is precious, and as
someone who battled for hers, Bailey wanted to experience
things she missed—kind of a bucket list for living in
her
case. She won her battle and now to the spoils of war.
Nothing in life is definite. Bailey knows that better than
most.
Hudson's mother Carrie hires Bailey to paint a mural at the
family resort. Hudson feels this is another crazy
notion from his mother, who candidly thinks of him as still
a
school age boy. He is conflicted with defying his mother
who he absolutely adores. But they can't afford this
foolhardy idea even though Carrie seems to have a clear
idea of what she wants and why.
Bailey decides to go ahead with the mural—at her own
expense—on her own time. Memories are so important to
her
and somehow she gets the feeling that they are to the
Kincaid family, too.
Life is too precious to put it on hold waiting for the
ideal moment. Bailey is determined to live her life to the
fullest and having time with Hudson who has caught her eye
would be a bonus. There are no expectations. Bailey is
somewhat of a realist—but there is still a part of a
dreamer in her. And that's the part you will fall in love
with. Bailey and Hudson have tenacity and they both are
survivors. They have the strength and determination to
forge ahead in spite of the hand they were dealt.
MY KIND OF WONDERFUL is a love story—the best kind in
my
estimation. Jill Shalvis fashions real down to earth folk
that touch your heart; at times making you smile and others
time quite wrenching. Her writing style is infectious and
her stories grab your interest with their truth, honesty
and recognized attention to detail.
Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she's determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn't realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn't want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn't the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she's not planning to stick around.
As head of ski patrol at his family's resort, Hud thinks he's seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he's been missing far too long. Now he'll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.