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A review by amym84
All I Want by Jill Shalvis
5.0
In Wyatt's book, [b:Then Came You|18628672|Then Came You (Animal Magnetism, #5)|Jill Shalvis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1382410733s/18628672.jpg|26419830], I remember sister Darcy being this indelible force as a secondary character. I knew I wanted to read her book and low and behold we got Darcy's book earlier this year with [b:Still the One|22668746|Still the One (Animal Magnetism, #6)|Jill Shalvis|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1408418287s/22668746.jpg|42170953]. My point here is, while I liked Zoe's character in those books, she didn't really stand out for me. I didn't think about her being the next one to get her HEA, although when I read the synopsis for this book my first thought was "yeah that makes sense". So imagine my surprise when Zoe's book just blows it out of the water! I love it so much when I'm surprised by a book, and All I Want did just that.
After an incident on the job, US Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Parker is told to take some much needed vacation time. He circumvents this by staying in Sunshine, Idaho in the home of his friend Wyatt Stone's older sister Zoe. I say circumvent because Parker has no real intention of taking a vacation. It just so happens the trail of one of his cases points to Idaho. Always one to put work above everything else, Parker isn't prepared for Zoe Stone who makes him actually stop and think of what it would be like to really slow down a bit.
Since both her sister and brother have moved out (not to mentioned moved in with the loves of their lives), Zoe has been feelings a bit lonely. She's always been the caregiver, the big sister, since their parents didn't really understand the meaning of the word "parent" when they were growing up. Zoe's tired of being alone and she's to the point where she's ready to meet someone, even if that means going out on numerous blind dates. When Parker shows up on her doorstep she can't help but notice how attractive he is. But despite his attractiveness, Zoe quickly learns that Parker is not the type of guy to stick around, always on the move for his job. Zoe doesn't think she could take the heartbreak of getting involved with him only to lose him later, but she also just can't seem to get him off her mind either.
Zoe has the problem of always having to be the one in charge. This has come from years as having to be the responsible one in place of her parents and it's not something she can easily let go. I loved seeing Parker come into her life and pretty much force her to let go. The great thing about this is that Jill Shalvis doesn't demean Zoe's character by giving her some much needed help. Zoe doesn't suddenly move away from being this strong and stubborn woman over the course of the story just because a man comes along, she remains ever strong and stubborn, but the message here is that sometimes people need help, you can't do everything on your own. Part of remaining strong is knowing when to ask for help from other people. Although it takes Zoe a little bit before she actually "asks" she does thank Parker for helping her with odds and ends around her house.
Likewise Parker, too, is stubborn. He's stubborn about his job. He's never entertained the idea of settling down somewhere permanently where he won't constantly be on the move. Zoe actually makes him think he might want more out of his life than a string of relationships that ultimately go nowhere. It was almost heartbreaking to see Parker be so closed off at times. Not really wanting to get too close to Zoe. The times when Zoe and Parker show their vulnerabilites to one another were some of my favorites. There were times I honestly couldn't see how Jill Shalvis would give these characters there much needed HEA, but alas she pulls it off quite nicely.
The chemistry between Parker and Zoe was off the charts. These aren't characters we've seen dance around each other in secondary roles for previous books (such as Zoe's sister Darcy) and these aren't characters who obviously have a history together (such as Zoe's brother Wyatt and Emily). Zoe and Parker's relationship starts at the beginning of this book and I have to give Jill Shalvis some major props for writing such a great romance that gave the right amount of relationship building and heat, without feeling rushed and unbelievable. In reading many romances where the relationship is pretty much confined to one story, I've found often enough that author's either get it or they don't. Jill Shalvis gets it.
If you're a fan of this series already, you will not be disappointed. If you're new to this series, don't worry this book can definitely be read as a standalone. Just because it's book number 7 don't let that keep you from picking up a great romance.
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.
After an incident on the job, US Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Parker is told to take some much needed vacation time. He circumvents this by staying in Sunshine, Idaho in the home of his friend Wyatt Stone's older sister Zoe. I say circumvent because Parker has no real intention of taking a vacation. It just so happens the trail of one of his cases points to Idaho. Always one to put work above everything else, Parker isn't prepared for Zoe Stone who makes him actually stop and think of what it would be like to really slow down a bit.
Since both her sister and brother have moved out (not to mentioned moved in with the loves of their lives), Zoe has been feelings a bit lonely. She's always been the caregiver, the big sister, since their parents didn't really understand the meaning of the word "parent" when they were growing up. Zoe's tired of being alone and she's to the point where she's ready to meet someone, even if that means going out on numerous blind dates. When Parker shows up on her doorstep she can't help but notice how attractive he is. But despite his attractiveness, Zoe quickly learns that Parker is not the type of guy to stick around, always on the move for his job. Zoe doesn't think she could take the heartbreak of getting involved with him only to lose him later, but she also just can't seem to get him off her mind either.
Zoe has the problem of always having to be the one in charge. This has come from years as having to be the responsible one in place of her parents and it's not something she can easily let go. I loved seeing Parker come into her life and pretty much force her to let go. The great thing about this is that Jill Shalvis doesn't demean Zoe's character by giving her some much needed help. Zoe doesn't suddenly move away from being this strong and stubborn woman over the course of the story just because a man comes along, she remains ever strong and stubborn, but the message here is that sometimes people need help, you can't do everything on your own. Part of remaining strong is knowing when to ask for help from other people. Although it takes Zoe a little bit before she actually "asks" she does thank Parker for helping her with odds and ends around her house.
Likewise Parker, too, is stubborn. He's stubborn about his job. He's never entertained the idea of settling down somewhere permanently where he won't constantly be on the move. Zoe actually makes him think he might want more out of his life than a string of relationships that ultimately go nowhere. It was almost heartbreaking to see Parker be so closed off at times. Not really wanting to get too close to Zoe. The times when Zoe and Parker show their vulnerabilites to one another were some of my favorites. There were times I honestly couldn't see how Jill Shalvis would give these characters there much needed HEA, but alas she pulls it off quite nicely.
The chemistry between Parker and Zoe was off the charts. These aren't characters we've seen dance around each other in secondary roles for previous books (such as Zoe's sister Darcy) and these aren't characters who obviously have a history together (such as Zoe's brother Wyatt and Emily). Zoe and Parker's relationship starts at the beginning of this book and I have to give Jill Shalvis some major props for writing such a great romance that gave the right amount of relationship building and heat, without feeling rushed and unbelievable. In reading many romances where the relationship is pretty much confined to one story, I've found often enough that author's either get it or they don't. Jill Shalvis gets it.
If you're a fan of this series already, you will not be disappointed. If you're new to this series, don't worry this book can definitely be read as a standalone. Just because it's book number 7 don't let that keep you from picking up a great romance.
*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for and honest review.