The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis is the first novel in the Sunrise Cove series and I couldn’t wait to dive in. Shalvis did not disappoint. You’ll want to curl up with a cup of hot cocoa and slip into this one.
by Jill Shalvis
Series: Sunrise Cove #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Heat Level:
Beloved New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis begins a new series--Sunrise Cove--set near beautiful Lake Tahoe, with a heartwarming story of found family and love.
During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst...but can't bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother's lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he's happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend--right before his phone dies.
But Levi and Jane do not.
Now Levi's family is desperate to meet "The One." Though Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, she's nervous. After a traumatic childhood, Jane isn't sure she knows how to be around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. She's terrified, and a little jealous. But an unexpected series of events and a host of new friends soon show Jane that perhaps this is the life she was always meant to have.
As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can't live without the man she's fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of.
What a wonderful welcome to Sunrise Cove. From their first meet event to the last page, I love The Family You Make. It has characters you’ll want to root for and is filled with moments of joy and sorrow. We are treated to one romance and see the beginnings of a second in this wonderful novel.
Set near Lake Tahoe, the tale takes place in the winter during a freak snowstorm that kicks up without warning. Levi Cutler finds himself stranded on a ski lift with a Jane, a traveling nurse. The two are trapped and fearing death when he makes a call to his mother to say goodbye. Only he can’t do it. Instead, he tells her what she has wanted to hear since he lost his first love and moved away. He has fallen in love and she makes him very happy. In fact, he is with her now and her name is Jane.
His phone dies, and they do not. Now his family wants him to stay, at least until their parents’ anniversary dinner. Oh, and they want to meet Jane, the love of his life. Oops. Truth is, he hasn’t stopped thinking about her and the tale that unfolds will pull at your heartstrings and make you fall in love.
I absolutely loved the characters. Jane is terrified of love because people always leave you, and her landlord slash bestie Charlotte. The men are equally wonderful. Levi is a numbers nerd and hot damn, he makes math sexy. I want to see his spreadsheets! Then we have his best friend, the hot doctor who cannot stop thinking about Charlotte, the one nurse who turned him down. Thier back-and-forth banter was delightful.
The story has reunions, heartbreak, character growth and flowed wonderfully. Levi and Jane’s arrangement and their non-dates made me laugh and swoon as they got to know each other. I loved the buildup, the concessions and the ultimate realizations. It was magical.
The second romance had a hater to lovers vibe, but there is so much more and even though this was a side thread, I was emotionally invested. I closed the book as I swiped a tear and grinned like a fool. I cannot wait to return to Sunrise Cove.
Jill Shalvis delivers heartfelt, swoon-worthy romances with a small-town vibe that I love. You’ll want to add The Family You Make to your bookshelf STAT.
The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis is the perfect romance to curl up by the fire with. #NewRelease #SunriseCove #Romance Share on XAbout Jill Shalvis
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras with her family and far too many assorted quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's latest, ONE IN A MILLION, on shelves and e-readers now, and get all her bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold.
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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
Anne - Books of My Heart
Excellent review! I love everything Jill Shalvis. She never disappoints me. She has moved a bit to the life fiction style rather than regular contemporary romance, which is a fuller plot. I waited for audio for this one.
MarthaE
This definitely sounds like one I would like! (One of my fav movies is While You Were Sleeping and she falls in love with the brother and the family.)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Carole @ Carole's Random Life
Oh, I just loved this one too. Levi and Jane were great together and I was glad to see a second romance worked into the story.
Katherine
This sounds amazing and Shalvis has been one of my favorite authors for years. This one is already on my TBR and I can’t wait to read it!
Nadene
I can’t wait to read this one. It is on January reading list.
Debbie Haupt
Oh this is definitely going on my list Kim, it’s been way too long since I read her and I absolutely love her characters too, plus there are dogs!!
Thanks for the great review
Wendy
I enjoyed your review! I’ve read this also and really enjoyed it. You can’t go wrong with a Jill Shalvis book IMO.
Bookworm Brandee
JShalvis is a master of small town romance, isn’t she? This one is on my watch list, Kim, so I’m happy to see it was a winner for you. 🙂
Tanya @ Girl Plus Books
This was actually my first by Shalvis and I enjoyed it so much. I was surprised by how emotionally invested I was. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.
Ailyn Koay
gotta say, that’s a mean joke cupid!
Melliane
Her books are always so nice!
Sophia Rose
Ugh, another one I really want to read. You’re such a book temptress!