by Jill Shalvis
Series: Cedar Ridge #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
SOMETIMES YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN… After an overseas mission goes wrong, Army Special Forces officer Jacob Kincaid knows where he must go to make things right: back home to the tiny town of Cedar Ridge, Colorado. All he needs to scrub away his painful past is fresh mountain air, a lakeside cabin, and quiet solitude. But what he discovers is a gorgeous woman living on a boat at his dock. Sophie Marren has nowhere else to go. She’s broke, intermittently seasick, and fighting a serious attraction to the brooding, dishy, I’m-too-sexy-for-myself guy who’s now claiming her dock. Something about Jacob’s dark intensity makes her want to tease—and tempt—him beyond measure. Neither one wants to give any ground . . . until they realize the only true home they have is with each other
Psst…. Until Nobody But Me, I had never read a Jill Shalvis book. *blinks* I know crazy right. Peeps kept telling me how wonderful her books were. So yes, I jumped in on book three of the Cedar Ridge books. Sometimes you just have to take the plunge. Nobody But You was a delicious book to try with swoon-worthy characters are just the right amount of heat.
Nobody But You takes place in Cedar Ridge Montana and introduces us to Army Special Forces officer Jacob Kincaid and local resident Sophie Marren.
Sophie has recently divorced her cheating, controlling husband and is living on his boat. She only has a few problems. 1. She hates boats and suffers from seasickness. 2. She is broke and working a string of temporary jobs from dog grooming to organizing events. 3. She has no place to dock her boat. Meaning she spends each night she tries to outrun the Lake Patrol by parking her boat at vacant lakeside homes. 4. She is never ever going to fall in love again.
Jacob Kincaid left Cedar Ridge as soon as he turned eighteen eager to put distance between himself and folks in town. This involved not seeing his twin brother. He went off and joined the Special Forces, sneaking back once a year to visit his Momma. When he loses his brother in arms, he realizes that he misses his brother and half-siblings. He comes home on leave to set things right. Jacob is hurting, suffering survivors’ guilt and not at all looking for love.
The story that unfolds while predictable offered a romance filled with delicious chemistry, laughable moments, wicked banter and two characters you cannot help but fall in love with. Sophie is funny, determined and scared to trust anyone especially with her heart. Therefore, when it is obvious she is attracted to Jacob she makes him agree not to fall in love with her. I thoroughly enjoyed watching their romance unfold and lost myself within the story.
While I missed the earlier romances between some of the Kincaid siblings, Shalvis did a wonder job bring me up to speed and I love the threads surrounding the siblings, Jacob’s mother, and even Sophie’s nasty ex. Annd of course you know I now want to read the first two books in the Cedar Ridge series!
Nobody But You was a heart-warming, curl your toes romances that left me grinning and adding Shalvis to my must read list.
Read an Excerpt
Smart woman.
She took the Scotch and drank. Her eyes watered and she coughed as she handed it to him. With a sigh, she leaned back to study the night sky. Her bared throat was slim and creamy smooth. An unexpected temptation. Remembering the flash of pain and vulnerability she’d unwittingly revealed, and that for whatever reason he’d somehow added to it, he spoke. “I’m sorry.”
She glanced at him as if she’d never heard a man apologize before in her life. “For…breathing?” she asked. “Having a penis? What?”
“You were upset because you didn’t know I was a Kincaid.”
She sighed. “That was just me looking for a reason to be mad at you so I wouldn’t…”
She bit her lower lip, clearly not wanting to go on.
But now he had to know. “So you wouldn’t what?”
“Nothing,” she said. “It’s just that I’m trying to make better choices.”
“Of which I wouldn’t be one.”
“It’s not necessarily your fault,” she said. “It’s that you’re a man.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“And I’m off men right now.”
“And on…women?” he asked with admittedly more than a little fascination.
She rolled her eyes. “I’m on no one, but thank you for proving my point on men.”
“I get that,” he said. “But being off men doesn’t seem to be making you very happy, or sound like a whole lot of fun.”
“Maybe I don’t need fun.”
He understood that. He’d felt the same way since Brett died. “What do you need?” he asked, honestly wanting to know more about her.
Instead of answering, she reached for the bottle. He waited until she met his gaze before letting go.
“Nothing,” she said a little too quickly. “Everything’s…perfect.”
“And your glass is half full,” he said. “So you’ve said.”
But he didn’t believe her. “How about a game?”
“I don’t play games.”
Now, that wasn’t exactly true. Whether she knew it or not, she’d been playing with his head since he’d first laid eyes on her. “Three truths and a lie,” he said.
She stared at him. “As in you tell me three truths and a lie, and I pick out the lie?”
“Yes.”
She considered this. “What do I get if I win?”
“What do you want?”
For the briefest of beats, her gaze dropped to his mouth.
Oh, hell yeah, he thought. Want me…
“My first boyfriend taught me that game,” she said.
“What did the winner get?”
“A kiss.”
Definitely still playing with his head… “Is that what you want, Sophie? A kiss?”
Again she stared at his mouth before dropping eye contact and wrapping that eye-stopping pink robe tighter around her body. “Do you?” she asked.
“Hell yes.”
Her gaze flew to his.
“Problem is,” he said conversationally, “if I kissed you, I don’t think I’d be able to stop.”
Her mouth literally fell open. The pulse at the base of her throat jumped. And she seemed to lose her words.
He went on. “But you should know, I don’t lose. That means you’ll have to tell me three truths and a lie.” And he’d hopefully get to know more about her.
She closed her mouth to bite her lower lip in what could’ve been indecision or excitement. Obviously he was hoping for the latter. “But hey, if you’re not sure you can handle losing, we can just forget about it,” he said.
The challenge lifted her chin and put sparks in her eyes. That’s it, babe. Show me what you’ve got.
“Bring it,” she said.
MarthaE
Great review. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters too.
Lark
Between your review and several others, plus reviews of earlier Shalvis books, I’m beginning to think I’d better take the plunge and start one of her series!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, yeah I am going to try some too 🙂
Dani Chapman
Wow! I cannot believe that this was your first Jill Shalvis book! I love her books and plan on reading this one this week. 🙂 Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
Right. I am so glad that I did, and I like that she adds a little heat 🙂
Wattle
This sounds like a fun, light read (if a little predictable, but there is really nothing wrong with that when it comes to these types of books!) I’m glad you liked it 🙂 I will have to keep it in mind for when I’m out of my reading slump!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree, most of my favorite authors stories in this genre are predictable. It is the getting there and characters who make it 🙂
Tressa
I’m glad you liked this one! I meant to read it last week, but didnt’ get to it. I really need to work at reading ahead… Anyway, great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you enjoy it Tressa!
Lorna
I’ve never read her either, but your review makes wonder if I should try one. This one sounds good! Glad you enjoyed it:)
kimbacaffeinate
I was really happy I took the chance but of course I want to go back and read the first two!
Nise'
I am a latecomer to her books and am giddy with her backlist! Liked this series too.
kimbacaffeinate
YAY.. so glad to hear you are enjoying them Nise’
Karen
I’m glad you finally gave Shalvis a try. I love her books. I haven’t read on in awhile though.
Karen @For What It’s Worth
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad too Karen 🙂
Ksenia
I haven’t read anything by Jill Shalvis, too. The romance sounds absolutely delicious. Wonderful review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you and it was delicious.. I hope you try her 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
Psst… I’ve NEVER read a Shalvis book. I have a few of her books, haven’t touched them. Shame really because y’all are saying she’s awesome at writing romances. Sigh
Happy weekend
kimbacaffeinate
Bwahaha..apparently I wasn’t the only one. I was quite surprised, and she packs a little heat into her stories too 🙂
The Bibliophile Babe
I still need to give this author a try! Glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate
I am glad I did. I enjoyed her writing with the small town feel, but liked that the romance had some heat to it.
Sophia Rose
I read one of her books and loved it. I have no idea why I haven’t read more. This one sounds sweet. I love the Prodigal returns scenario.
kimbacaffeinate
I do too, and this was sweet, but it had a nice touch of heat too 🙂
Mary Kirkland
I’ve read one book of hers that I won a while back. I really need to read more of her books.
kimbacaffeinate
Nice. I hope you try her again Mary 🙂
kindlemom1
I really do need to make more time for this author. Have a lovely weekend Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy your weekend Ali 🙂
Mckenzie
This sounds like a sad but really good one! I’m glad that even though it was predictable, you still enjoyed the story 🙂 Awesome review! Hope you have a fabulous weekend, Ms. Kimba <3
~Mckenzie
kimbacaffeinate
It did have some heartfelt moments but equal shares of funny and sweet 😉 Enjoy your weekend Mckenzie 🙂
Cyn
Ooh an all nighter! It’s been a while since I’ve picked up a Jill Shalvis book, might be time to get back into it. This one sounds lovely! Glad you enjoyed!
kimbacaffeinate
I had a blast Cyn. Enjoy your weekend
Melissa (Books and Things)
Well, you aren’t alone. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things but haven’t read a book by her… yet. 🙂 This one sounds like a good one to start. Seasick and on a boat to live. Sounds like my luck. 😀 That really puts some humor in it. Plus, set in CO! I don’t mind that it is a made up town.
kimbacaffeinate
Haha…she did have a rough go of it 🙂
blodeuedd
I tried for it on NG, but sadly no Forever for me
kimbacaffeinate
Boo. I hope you get a chance to read it later 🙂
Katherine
Yay! I’m so glad you took the plunge! I love Shalvis’ books and even though this wasn’t my favorite it does show what Shalvis can do with her characters. This was my first one in the series too I can’t wait to go back and read the others in the series. And you need need to go read the Lucky Harbor series! You really really do!
kimbacaffeinate
I plan to read the other series since everyone loves it 🙂
Heidi
I haven’t read a Jill Shalvis either, and I always see her books when I am putting together Friday Forecast. I keep thinking I should try her soon. Now you have me convinced.
kimbacaffeinate
I had fun and plan to go back to book one Heidi.
Quinn's Book Nook
You’ve finally read a Jill Shalvis! That is wonderful! I just finished this one last night and liked it a lot. I actually liked book 2 in this series the most, but I’ve loved them all. You have to look into her Luck Harbor series too. It takes a bit for that series to get extra amazing, but then it does!
kimbacaffeinate
I will look into Luck Harbor 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Happy Friday and thanks for this FAB giveaway. All of my blogger friends love her and I’ve never tried her, well this in one way to do it!:)
xo
kimbacaffeinate
I finally jumped in and I am glad that I did Debbie 🙂
Jenny
YEAH KIM!!!! So glad you finally gave Jill Shalvis a try and weren’t disappointed! Her books just always make me happy. I have yet to read this particular series though, so I obviously need to change that:) I’ve read mostly her Lucky Harbor and Animal Magnetism books and highly recommend both now that you’re on the Shalvis train!
kimbacaffeinate
I plan to try both series. I can devour these type of reads in a single sitting, so I will be making my way through them shortly 🙂
Melanie Simmons
I’ve yet to try Jill Shalvis. I keep saying that I’m going to try her because I keep hearing such great things about her books. Maybe one day. You do make it sound really good. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do. I of course am kicking myself!
Bookworm Brandee
Even if a little predictable, it was populated with fab characters and a great romance, huh?? I confess to never having read a Shalvis novel either, Kimberly. (although I read a short story in an anthology) I’m thrilled Shalvis made your plunge worth diving into the unknown. 😉 I’m crossing my fingers for the giveaway BUT I’m figuring I’ll have a little extra loot next week and I’m getting this series if I don’t win it. 😀 Happy Friday!!
kimbacaffeinate
I was so happy I tried her. I like that she has some heat to her stories
Lexxie
I’m so happy you finally took the plunge and read a Shalvis novel, Kim! You know I love her stories, and I’m glad you loved Jakob and Sophie as much as I did. You need to enter your own giveaway 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Lexxie! LOL I do!