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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I'm really liking this series. The writing is quality and even though it's a simple traditional boy meets girl romance, the characters are well written and interesting. I'm sucked into the stories quickly and just plain enjoy the ride.
From the first book is was pretty obvious that Dell and Jade were going to be the couple for book two. Diving in with these two though wasn't the ride I expected. It was super sweet. Jade is torn between the life she ran away from and the life she's developed in Idaho. She has found a happy place for herself, but she feels obligated to return to the life she left due to the trauma she suffered. Dell only knows he's intrigued by his office manager. The attraction is there but he was sure he was never going to get serious about anyone. That is until he just can't help himself with Jade, even though she's stated she's leaving.
This story was sweet, and a little angsty as Jade and Dell figured out what they really wanted and how they could make that work. I love the fact that Dell is such a caring vet and that Jade has really found something that she's not only good at but that she also really enjoys. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
From the first book is was pretty obvious that Dell and Jade were going to be the couple for book two. Diving in with these two though wasn't the ride I expected. It was super sweet. Jade is torn between the life she ran away from and the life she's developed in Idaho. She has found a happy place for herself, but she feels obligated to return to the life she left due to the trauma she suffered. Dell only knows he's intrigued by his office manager. The attraction is there but he was sure he was never going to get serious about anyone. That is until he just can't help himself with Jade, even though she's stated she's leaving.
This story was sweet, and a little angsty as Jade and Dell figured out what they really wanted and how they could make that work. I love the fact that Dell is such a caring vet and that Jade has really found something that she's not only good at but that she also really enjoys. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Town vet Dell Connelly is content with his womanizing ways. If he is always the one who leaves, no one can ever leave him first. He has his brothers Adam and Brady, he really doesn’t need anything else. Dell has never been tempted to want anything more. Until the day he hired Jade a year and a half ago to run his front desk. She swept into his life with next to nothing to her name and the resolve to only be temporary. Sure was elusive and challenging and Dell instantly craved her. Now she has told him she’ll be going home soon. Faced with her leaving, Dell will need to face what he’s been running from for months. His feelings for Jade.
Jade knows she needs to get over the past and on with her life. An attack 18 months ago sent her running straight into Sunshine and essentially into Dell’s arms. But it’s time to go home. Leaving the place she has found to be her home is hard enough without suffering the debilitating flashbacks shes been having lately. Leaning on someone for support is something she has never done before and definitely not with her man candy boss, Dell. Something about him is slowly wearing down her resolve to be distant, to hide behind her snarky exterior and she is coming to find, alone is not always the safest solution.
I enjoyed Animal Attraction just as much as I enjoyed the first book in the series, Animal Magnetism. Jill Shalvis is one of my go to authors when I want to read a fun, quirky, contemporary romance. Animal Attraction was no exception to this. I found the slow simmer of Dell and Jades love to be exquisitely wrote and the story line to be excellently completed. I love the setting of a veterinary hospital, partly because I love animals and also because it’s a place where townspeople go..where we, as the reader, can meet all kinds of different people.
The camaraderie between the characters, mainly the brothers Brady, Dell and Adam, has an excellent emotional connection. These brothers love each other immensely and they are constantly not only looking out for each other, but also telling each other when to get their heads out of their asses. I loved their dialogue with each other…loving and yet snarky. But you know they will have each other if they have no one else. In the last book we met Lilah and she makes appearances throughout this one as well. I really liked her ability to weasel into Jades defenses and finally break her down a bit.
Dell has issues with abandonment and those make his relationship abilities very short lived. He wants to be the one to do any leaving. That way he can protect his heart behind an unseen wall. Being left by his and Adams own mother has been something he could never get over. Not that I blame him really. He doesn’t want to live like a monk though so he engages in relationships that mean nothing…until Jade. Jade has been something he couldn’t understand. She has seemed immune to his flirtatious behavior. And recently she has been on edge, taunt with worry he doesn’t understand. Yet he can’t get her to trust him…to confide. I wanted him to give into his emotional attachment to Jade sooner then he did. To confide in her a bit in order to gain her trust in him.
I really felt for Jade. Being attacked has got to be a terrible thing, and something a person doesn’t just “get over”. I totally understood her need to flee Chicago. To try and find a sense of normalcy, even though 18 months later she was still looking over her shoulder all the time. I wanted her to be able to trust this man she’d worked for. She knew him, his family, his friends, she even felt “at home” and yet she couldn’t get herself to open up. Her flashbacks were horrible and I can only imagine the anguish they produced for her. Her need to feel strong was completely justified. Dell’s ability to teach her how to feel safe was well timed and I thought it really helped to break down those social walls she had built around herself.
The only thing I would have to say about Animal Attraction is that I thought, having built up the story of vet clinics being broken into, that something dealing with that would have happened. It seemed silly to me to keep talking about it only to tie it up in a neat bow without ever dealing first hand with it. Especially taking into account Jade having issues with break ins and attacks. I was a bit disappointed that that got wrapped up without any action.
Can I also say Jill Shalvis manages to make me crack up with each book she writes. Her comedic timing is spot on and her characters feel as real as you and me. At Dell’s animal clinic there is a parrot…a parrot that mimics saying heard around the office. One that has learned the word “boner” and says it as often as possible. I loved it! Couple with the comedy peppered throughout the characters dialogue and you have a winner each and every time for me. When I read contemporary the biggest thing for me is to feel like I cold be there, in the thick of it. I haven’t been let down by Shalvis yet!
I give Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis 4.50 stars!
Jade knows she needs to get over the past and on with her life. An attack 18 months ago sent her running straight into Sunshine and essentially into Dell’s arms. But it’s time to go home. Leaving the place she has found to be her home is hard enough without suffering the debilitating flashbacks shes been having lately. Leaning on someone for support is something she has never done before and definitely not with her man candy boss, Dell. Something about him is slowly wearing down her resolve to be distant, to hide behind her snarky exterior and she is coming to find, alone is not always the safest solution.
I enjoyed Animal Attraction just as much as I enjoyed the first book in the series, Animal Magnetism. Jill Shalvis is one of my go to authors when I want to read a fun, quirky, contemporary romance. Animal Attraction was no exception to this. I found the slow simmer of Dell and Jades love to be exquisitely wrote and the story line to be excellently completed. I love the setting of a veterinary hospital, partly because I love animals and also because it’s a place where townspeople go..where we, as the reader, can meet all kinds of different people.
The camaraderie between the characters, mainly the brothers Brady, Dell and Adam, has an excellent emotional connection. These brothers love each other immensely and they are constantly not only looking out for each other, but also telling each other when to get their heads out of their asses. I loved their dialogue with each other…loving and yet snarky. But you know they will have each other if they have no one else. In the last book we met Lilah and she makes appearances throughout this one as well. I really liked her ability to weasel into Jades defenses and finally break her down a bit.
Dell has issues with abandonment and those make his relationship abilities very short lived. He wants to be the one to do any leaving. That way he can protect his heart behind an unseen wall. Being left by his and Adams own mother has been something he could never get over. Not that I blame him really. He doesn’t want to live like a monk though so he engages in relationships that mean nothing…until Jade. Jade has been something he couldn’t understand. She has seemed immune to his flirtatious behavior. And recently she has been on edge, taunt with worry he doesn’t understand. Yet he can’t get her to trust him…to confide. I wanted him to give into his emotional attachment to Jade sooner then he did. To confide in her a bit in order to gain her trust in him.
I really felt for Jade. Being attacked has got to be a terrible thing, and something a person doesn’t just “get over”. I totally understood her need to flee Chicago. To try and find a sense of normalcy, even though 18 months later she was still looking over her shoulder all the time. I wanted her to be able to trust this man she’d worked for. She knew him, his family, his friends, she even felt “at home” and yet she couldn’t get herself to open up. Her flashbacks were horrible and I can only imagine the anguish they produced for her. Her need to feel strong was completely justified. Dell’s ability to teach her how to feel safe was well timed and I thought it really helped to break down those social walls she had built around herself.
The only thing I would have to say about Animal Attraction is that I thought, having built up the story of vet clinics being broken into, that something dealing with that would have happened. It seemed silly to me to keep talking about it only to tie it up in a neat bow without ever dealing first hand with it. Especially taking into account Jade having issues with break ins and attacks. I was a bit disappointed that that got wrapped up without any action.
Can I also say Jill Shalvis manages to make me crack up with each book she writes. Her comedic timing is spot on and her characters feel as real as you and me. At Dell’s animal clinic there is a parrot…a parrot that mimics saying heard around the office. One that has learned the word “boner” and says it as often as possible. I loved it! Couple with the comedy peppered throughout the characters dialogue and you have a winner each and every time for me. When I read contemporary the biggest thing for me is to feel like I cold be there, in the thick of it. I haven’t been let down by Shalvis yet!
I give Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis 4.50 stars!
One word to describe this book: wonderful.
It’s no secret that I love Jill Shalvis. When I’m in the mood for something light and funny, she’s my go-to author. I loved the first book in this series, Animal Magnetism, and I really enjoyed this addition to the series.
Animal Attraction follows Jade and Dell, who we meet in Animal Magnetism. Dell is a vet and Jade is the receptionist at his office. Jade and Dell are both tricky characters. They’re both closed off and never let anyone in. Jade because she’s trying to hide what happened to her at her old job, and Dell because he has had a rough past.
Animal Attraction isn’t heavy on the romance. It’s a key element, but not the major element. The main story line is how these two broken and damaged people can help each other heal and move on from what has hurt them. It’s about how Jade and Dell find their happiness. I LOVED their relationship.
There was a little bit of miscommunication between Jade and Dell. They had trouble finding their way to each other. That frustrated me at times. The signs were there for both of them to make a move, and they just wouldn’t. Finally, it happened. And it was amazing. All of the frustration that I felt was worth it when they finally got together and started opening up to each other.
The Conclusion:
Animal Attraction is a very good story about two people who have had rough pasts finding their happiness. It’s a tad bit emotional, funny at times, and steamy. You won’t be confused if you don’t read Animal Magnetism first.
Recommended To:
Fans of Jill Shalvis. Also, readers who like heartwarming stories and are looking for a fast read that pulls on your heartstrings and makes you laugh-out-loud.
Some quotes from Animal Attraction:
“Don’t ever be sorry for being who you are. Most of us go our whole lives not really getting it right, just settling.” He tugged a strand of her hair. “Do you have any idea the strength it takes to not settle? To keep pushing and seeking for what works?”
“What? Get tired of the way he looks at me as if I’m his entire life? Get over the fact that for the first time ever, someone wants me for me? That the man somehow actually enjoys making me happy?”
Jade stared at her. “The ice cream…”
“I’ll buy a lifetime supply of ice cream. Hell, I’ll even pretend he’s right some of the time… it’s worth it. He’s worth it. And you know what? So am I.”
It’s no secret that I love Jill Shalvis. When I’m in the mood for something light and funny, she’s my go-to author. I loved the first book in this series, Animal Magnetism, and I really enjoyed this addition to the series.
Animal Attraction follows Jade and Dell, who we meet in Animal Magnetism. Dell is a vet and Jade is the receptionist at his office. Jade and Dell are both tricky characters. They’re both closed off and never let anyone in. Jade because she’s trying to hide what happened to her at her old job, and Dell because he has had a rough past.
Animal Attraction isn’t heavy on the romance. It’s a key element, but not the major element. The main story line is how these two broken and damaged people can help each other heal and move on from what has hurt them. It’s about how Jade and Dell find their happiness. I LOVED their relationship.
There was a little bit of miscommunication between Jade and Dell. They had trouble finding their way to each other. That frustrated me at times. The signs were there for both of them to make a move, and they just wouldn’t. Finally, it happened. And it was amazing. All of the frustration that I felt was worth it when they finally got together and started opening up to each other.
The Conclusion:
Animal Attraction is a very good story about two people who have had rough pasts finding their happiness. It’s a tad bit emotional, funny at times, and steamy. You won’t be confused if you don’t read Animal Magnetism first.
Recommended To:
Fans of Jill Shalvis. Also, readers who like heartwarming stories and are looking for a fast read that pulls on your heartstrings and makes you laugh-out-loud.
Some quotes from Animal Attraction:
“Don’t ever be sorry for being who you are. Most of us go our whole lives not really getting it right, just settling.” He tugged a strand of her hair. “Do you have any idea the strength it takes to not settle? To keep pushing and seeking for what works?”
“What? Get tired of the way he looks at me as if I’m his entire life? Get over the fact that for the first time ever, someone wants me for me? That the man somehow actually enjoys making me happy?”
Jade stared at her. “The ice cream…”
“I’ll buy a lifetime supply of ice cream. Hell, I’ll even pretend he’s right some of the time… it’s worth it. He’s worth it. And you know what? So am I.”
Check out my other listens at Eargasms Audiobook Reviews
This is the second book in the Animal Magnetism series. Like the first book it is more of a light and carefree romance. Sure they each have past issues, that are kinda deep, but that is all they really have to overcome. This is what I like about the series. Sometimes you just want a happy go lucky love story.
Dell is a big goofball, who isn't tough to fall in love with. He is the perfect match for Jade, who makes lists of how to relax, the girl is strung tight! They are a great pair and I loved their whole dynamic. She gives him depth and he makes her loosen up.
There is plenty of naughty steam thrown into the mix. I love a couple who are playful in the bedroom! The bedroom door is wide open, but not quite as detailed as an erotic. Gotta say I do not hate the way Dell is all Alpha in the bedroom. Sigh, makes a girl dream!
it is a mixed narrative, switching between the two leads POV. This is great for really seeing what they think and feel. I love it when a player falls in love with a friend, sneaky Cupid! And it was great seeing Jade's struggle to maintain order in the relationship.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Karen White, who is always delightful. She does a wonderful job with all the voices, keeping them consistent throughout the read. I love her quick pace, I prefer a fast narration but you can slow things down if are not a fan of speed. I love the energy she instills into the read. So much emotion is conveyed in her sweet tone, and a touch of snark as well.
Overall I really like this series. Not too taxing but still delivering an engaging story. A sweet and funny romance that takes you away from the major woes of life. I definitely need to pick up the rest of the series!!
This is the second book in the Animal Magnetism series. Like the first book it is more of a light and carefree romance. Sure they each have past issues, that are kinda deep, but that is all they really have to overcome. This is what I like about the series. Sometimes you just want a happy go lucky love story.
Dell is a big goofball, who isn't tough to fall in love with. He is the perfect match for Jade, who makes lists of how to relax, the girl is strung tight! They are a great pair and I loved their whole dynamic. She gives him depth and he makes her loosen up.
There is plenty of naughty steam thrown into the mix. I love a couple who are playful in the bedroom! The bedroom door is wide open, but not quite as detailed as an erotic. Gotta say I do not hate the way Dell is all Alpha in the bedroom. Sigh, makes a girl dream!
it is a mixed narrative, switching between the two leads POV. This is great for really seeing what they think and feel. I love it when a player falls in love with a friend, sneaky Cupid! And it was great seeing Jade's struggle to maintain order in the relationship.
I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Karen White, who is always delightful. She does a wonderful job with all the voices, keeping them consistent throughout the read. I love her quick pace, I prefer a fast narration but you can slow things down if are not a fan of speed. I love the energy she instills into the read. So much emotion is conveyed in her sweet tone, and a touch of snark as well.
Overall I really like this series. Not too taxing but still delivering an engaging story. A sweet and funny romance that takes you away from the major woes of life. I definitely need to pick up the rest of the series!!
Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
It’s no secret that I love a strong alpha man. Who doesn’t? Take that alpha, make him a vet who will do anything to take care of any animal that comes his way, be it puppies, horses, kittens – he helps them all and puts them at ease. Jade, his receptionist, stands no chance against Dell, the man she’s worked the past 18 months for and who she describes as a “…dog whisperer, cat whisperer, horse whisperer, and known woman whisperer.”
Jade’s incredibly private, which is hard to be in a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. But she’s kept to herself, letting only a few people get close enough to call her a friend, and she’s struggling to put her life back together and start living again. She ran away from home after an attack at her old job and has been trying to deal with it on her own for months. It takes the smallest thing to trigger the bad memories for her and Dell realizes that she’s hurting and putting on a brave face through living a very OCD-like life; spreadsheets are her lifeline, order and neatness, Jade is Ms. Organized. Dell starts teaching her to defend herself by using self-defense moves and slowly Jade starts gaining her confidence back and starts to see Dell in a different light. They’d always had a little zing of attraction between them, but once they both stop fighting it, it explodes and their story was full of fun, back and forth banter, animals that add to the book’s personality and a sweet love story.
Jade’s cell phone rang, and shock, it was Dell
Since he wasn’t going to give up, she answered with, “Jade’s unavailable at this time. Go away.”
“Jade – “
“Leave a message at the beep,” she whispered, trying for sarcastic wit, which is where she felt the most comfortable while completely coming undone.
“I want to talk to you.”
“Sorry, you’ve been rerouted to the Office of Too Freaking Bad.”
He hung up on her and she breathed a sigh of relief. Which turned out to be too soon because his voice came through the door. “Open up.”
His voice was low. Calm, assertive. And she actually turned to face the door before she stopped herself. Don’t be the horse that needs taming! “Stop woman-whispering me.”
Dell lives for taking care of people. He doesn’t lean on anyone, and this fits perfectly with his career as a vet. If an animal is in need, he helps it. If he sees people struggling, he does what he can to help. He’s a rock, he’s playful and he’s hard to resist. I love reading about heroes like this. He’s a tough guy on the outside, but Jade finally, finally, gets him to reveal, little by little, pieces of his past that show he’s just as vulnerable as Jade feels and she wants to be needed by him.
Without being consciously aware of moving, she scooted closer, setting her head on his shoulder.
For a moment he didn’t move, then slowly he shifted and leaned into her. She slipped her arm around his waist and he shifted even more, turning into her, pressing his face to the crook of her neck.
She went still as her heart squeezed. Always it’d been him offering her comfort, safety, whatever she needed, but now for the first time he was taking those things from her.
Jade is a woman after my own heart…my own spreadsheet/Excel loving heart. There is nothing wrong with making lists of your lists. Nothing! She loves order, and the control that comes with having everything just so, but she’s not obnoxious about it. Even as she starts to gain more confidence and opens up to her friends, she still keeps that order and neatness in her life, that’s just the kind of person she is, and I was glad to see her maintain that, even with Dell helping her to learn to let go a little bit.
Dell and Jade were so hot together, but there was a little too much of the back and forth. They wanted to be with each other, but they were making it hard on themselves. There was nothing outside of the two of them that was keeping them apart or making them doubt the other person, it was just these two stubborn people who wouldn’t stop and see what was right in front of them. But I had so much fun reading this book, I didn’t care that they couldn’t get their acts together until the last few pages.
We get to see Dell’s brothers throughout the story, especially Adam and Lilah plays the part of Jade’s best friend and her eccentricities just make me want to reread Animal Magnetism again, her and Brady’s story, pet duck and all. You don’t have to be animal lover to enjoy the supporting role all the critters play throughout. From the orphaned kitten Beans that Jade takes in, to Dell’s dog Gertie, they add to the fun and even heartbreak for Dell (tissues, please) and I’m just a sucker for puppies, period.
I really enjoyed reading this book and getting lost in the small town of Sunshine. Dell and Jade are both so likable, they made me smile throughout, from start to finish.
It’s no secret that I love a strong alpha man. Who doesn’t? Take that alpha, make him a vet who will do anything to take care of any animal that comes his way, be it puppies, horses, kittens – he helps them all and puts them at ease. Jade, his receptionist, stands no chance against Dell, the man she’s worked the past 18 months for and who she describes as a “…dog whisperer, cat whisperer, horse whisperer, and known woman whisperer.”
Jade’s incredibly private, which is hard to be in a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. But she’s kept to herself, letting only a few people get close enough to call her a friend, and she’s struggling to put her life back together and start living again. She ran away from home after an attack at her old job and has been trying to deal with it on her own for months. It takes the smallest thing to trigger the bad memories for her and Dell realizes that she’s hurting and putting on a brave face through living a very OCD-like life; spreadsheets are her lifeline, order and neatness, Jade is Ms. Organized. Dell starts teaching her to defend herself by using self-defense moves and slowly Jade starts gaining her confidence back and starts to see Dell in a different light. They’d always had a little zing of attraction between them, but once they both stop fighting it, it explodes and their story was full of fun, back and forth banter, animals that add to the book’s personality and a sweet love story.
Jade’s cell phone rang, and shock, it was Dell
Since he wasn’t going to give up, she answered with, “Jade’s unavailable at this time. Go away.”
“Jade – “
“Leave a message at the beep,” she whispered, trying for sarcastic wit, which is where she felt the most comfortable while completely coming undone.
“I want to talk to you.”
“Sorry, you’ve been rerouted to the Office of Too Freaking Bad.”
He hung up on her and she breathed a sigh of relief. Which turned out to be too soon because his voice came through the door. “Open up.”
His voice was low. Calm, assertive. And she actually turned to face the door before she stopped herself. Don’t be the horse that needs taming! “Stop woman-whispering me.”
Dell lives for taking care of people. He doesn’t lean on anyone, and this fits perfectly with his career as a vet. If an animal is in need, he helps it. If he sees people struggling, he does what he can to help. He’s a rock, he’s playful and he’s hard to resist. I love reading about heroes like this. He’s a tough guy on the outside, but Jade finally, finally, gets him to reveal, little by little, pieces of his past that show he’s just as vulnerable as Jade feels and she wants to be needed by him.
Without being consciously aware of moving, she scooted closer, setting her head on his shoulder.
For a moment he didn’t move, then slowly he shifted and leaned into her. She slipped her arm around his waist and he shifted even more, turning into her, pressing his face to the crook of her neck.
She went still as her heart squeezed. Always it’d been him offering her comfort, safety, whatever she needed, but now for the first time he was taking those things from her.
Jade is a woman after my own heart…my own spreadsheet/Excel loving heart. There is nothing wrong with making lists of your lists. Nothing! She loves order, and the control that comes with having everything just so, but she’s not obnoxious about it. Even as she starts to gain more confidence and opens up to her friends, she still keeps that order and neatness in her life, that’s just the kind of person she is, and I was glad to see her maintain that, even with Dell helping her to learn to let go a little bit.
Dell and Jade were so hot together, but there was a little too much of the back and forth. They wanted to be with each other, but they were making it hard on themselves. There was nothing outside of the two of them that was keeping them apart or making them doubt the other person, it was just these two stubborn people who wouldn’t stop and see what was right in front of them. But I had so much fun reading this book, I didn’t care that they couldn’t get their acts together until the last few pages.
We get to see Dell’s brothers throughout the story, especially Adam and Lilah plays the part of Jade’s best friend and her eccentricities just make me want to reread Animal Magnetism again, her and Brady’s story, pet duck and all. You don’t have to be animal lover to enjoy the supporting role all the critters play throughout. From the orphaned kitten Beans that Jade takes in, to Dell’s dog Gertie, they add to the fun and even heartbreak for Dell (tissues, please) and I’m just a sucker for puppies, period.
I really enjoyed reading this book and getting lost in the small town of Sunshine. Dell and Jade are both so likable, they made me smile throughout, from start to finish.
I was delighted by this book. Once again the writing, voice, pacing, and personalities were tight and consistently represented throughout the story. I was enamored of the heroine and found myself in that weird headspace of envisioning myself in her place probably far more often than I should admit. It was more than simply losing myself in a good story. Her OCD, project management skills, and humor closely meshed what I sometimes perceive as my own quirks and habits that I found it easy as pie to place myself in her shoes (and oh what lovely shoes they must be). The resolution to all of the storyline was satisfying and complete and once again I have the desire to find out more about the ancillary characters.
It's probably worth noting that every time I finish a Jill Shalvis contemporary romance I message my fellow authors and say "I want to be like Jill Shalvis when I grow up." Their responses invariably indicate universal accord.
It's probably worth noting that every time I finish a Jill Shalvis contemporary romance I message my fellow authors and say "I want to be like Jill Shalvis when I grow up." Their responses invariably indicate universal accord.
3.5 A bit of a frustrating read because the H/h danced around each other A LOT. To the point of annoyance for me. Both had issues but really should have learned to rely on each other way before they actually did. Enjoyed seeing Lilah/Brady again. I hope Adam's book is not as frustrating as this one.
Solid fun read. Of course it's heartwarming. The leaving then coming back thing is getting a bit old.