One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis

November 14th, 2016 Kimberly Review 52 Comments

14th Nov
One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis
One Snowy Night
by Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #2.5
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameOne Flame

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella!

It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl.

Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south.

They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last.

Holiday Sweet ROMANCE Small-town

One Snowy Night is a novella in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis. While this can be read as a standalone, it shares the romance of Rory Andrews and Max Stranton. It is one that has been building in the first two novels of this series. Travels home for Christmas are complicated by a snow storm, a dog, and unresolved issues.  Curl up with some cocoa as this couple resolves their issues in this friends to lovers romance.

One Snowy Night was short and sweet, but perfect for fans who have been watching the crazy attraction between Rory and Max. The two have never dated but attended high school together, and there is a history. Neither is willing to open up or take a chance, but their attraction is blatantly obvious to their circle of friends. A little meddling has Max giving Rory a lift back home for Christmas.

Mix in an adorable dog, a snow storm and close quarters and you have the makings for romance. I had fun with this story and thought it was an excellent edition. As always I would have preferred a full-length novel. This isn’t quite the 160 pages I expected. On my Kindle, it ended around page 80 and included a sneak peek at Accidently On Purpose. Still, I think it will please fans who wanted to see this couple find some happy. I enjoyed getting to know the history behind the two of them and seeing things come together. We get a little heat and heart to leave you smiling. I do wish the story had a more detailed ending as this felt abrupt. Hopefully, we will continue to see their relationship develop in the other books.

While this could have been more if it was a full-length novel, and I missed some of the magic that comes with the slower build I honestly had a good time with this

If you love animals, friends, that are close, you will enjoy reading the Heartbreakers Bay series and seeing these characters fall. Shalvis delivers heat and heart warming magic.

Despite wanting more One Snow Night by Jill Shalvis still made me smile Share on X
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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52 Responses to “One Snowy Night by Jill Shalvis”

  1. Rowena

    I completely agree. This would have been a wonderful full length novel but I still thought it was cute and fun and I adored Max’s dog. Great review Kim!

  4. Lorna

    I really hate it when you only get about half the number of pages for the actual story. At least it’s only .99 cents on Amazon though 🙂 Sounds like a sweet short story but you would have to read the others to really get the full story-at least that’s what I am thinking. Sorry it wasn’t a longer more developed story and that it had an abrupt ending!

  7. Jennifer

    Just finished this one. In fact, it was the only book I got to read for Ho Ho Ho RAT. Darn school reading! I can’t wait for the next book. I have my fingers crossed I get approved for it. If not I will stalk my library for it.

  10. Stormi Johnson

    I have listened to the first one and need to get the second. I bought this one cause it was cheap but sounds like I should wait till after I get book two as I really prefer to go in order. 🙂

  11. Genesis

    The ending really was abrupt! I wanted to know more of Rory’s family and I wanted to see Max and Rory interact more as a couple. I hope we get to read more of them in Accidentally on Purpose. Great review!
    Genesis @ Latte Nights Reviews

  12. Melissa (Books and Things)

    I think if I’m going to pick up a romance book, it should be one by her. I have one on my tbr and really need to get to it. I need one where it is just sweet and animals! 🙂 Plus the length right now might be a good thing rather than a detriment for me. 🙂

  14. Sophia Rose

    Ah, bummer you didn’t get to see some stronger development like a longer piece would have given you, but it does sound like it still keeps the cute quality at least.

  16. Kristin

    I felt the same way as you about this story and it’s length! I think the best word I have for it is “awkward” 🙂 But I still like it b/c it was Jill 😉

  17. Nick

    I felt the same, Kim. It was far too short and I needed more of Rory & Max ! They deserved a longer book. It was still a nice read though.

  18. Mary Kirkland

    I know a lot of people love her books and while I’ve read one and liked it, I don’t read many that aren’t PNR. Sounds like a good story though.

  19. Katherine

    I’m always thrilled when there’s a dog in a Jill Shalvis story. She always writes the best dogs! Despite the shortness and the lack of development this sounds fun. Plus I just love Jill Shalvis! I really need to get started on this series.

  22. Berls

    I’m determined to read this series now that I’ve discovered I too love Jill Shalvis. I’m pretty confident I’ll enjoy this one – friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and I just love road trip books! And it’s Christmas! What’s not to love? Great review Kimba 🙂

  23. Danielle Nolan

    My most recent novella would have also faired better to have been an actual novel. Sometimes it just requires more to properly convey certain stories. I saw this reviewed recently and believe they felt the same. Of course at 3am, I cannot remember who the blogger was. Awesome review as always Kimba!

  24. Melliane

    too bad yo had a lack of something here but it’s always trucky with novellas so I can understand. I still need to try this author

  25. lisa thomson

    This sounds like a really sweet story, Kim. I’m all in for romantic and festive short stories. Only thing? I hate when they end too soon.

  26. Leona

    When I saw that 3 star rating I got scared for a minute lol. But, I completely understand where you were coming from, sometimes a story works better as a full-length novel than a novella/short story.