ARC Review: Once In a Lifetime by Jill Shalvis

It’s no secret that Jill Shalvis’s books are my contemporary romance crack. Her books are the perfect combination of humour, heart, heat, and small-town charm topped off with deliciously sexy brooding heroes with just the right amount of alpha and the delightfully quirky and genuinely likeable heroines that bring them to their knees. I’m always impressed with how she can keep each new book fresh and engaging whilst writing two similarly-themed small-town contemporary romance series. ONCE IN A LIFETIME is the ninth entry in her acclaimed Lucky Harbour series—but Shalvis newbies should not be discouraged: the series is written as a set of mini-trilogies that are essentially independent of each other. Each mini-trilogy focuses on a new trio of women and how they each find love and a sense of belonging. Though each book within the trilogies is a standalone story, readers will derive much more enjoyment from reading each book in order because Jill writes both fantastic bromances and great female friendships that develop and mature over the course of each mini-trilogy.

I’ll admit that, whilst still thoroughly enjoyable and chock-full of vintage Shalvis wit and sexytimes that had me feeling the usual Lucky Harbour warm fuzzies, the first two entries in this latest mini-trilogy had been my least favourite of the series. But ONCE IN A LIFETIME just clicked with me on every level and really brought the whole thing together. I did not want to put it down, eager to see hero Ben McDaniel and heroine Aubrey Wellington get their much-deserved HEA. I really liked what Jill did with Aubrey. We’ve caught glimpses of her in previous books and she’s come across as a snob and a bitch—not a very likeable character for readers so far, and not well-liked in her hometown of Lucky Harbour at all either. So I was keen to see how Jill would get us to empathize with and care for her, especially as we learn some of the truly mean-spirited things she did in high school. The answer: a pretty heartbreaking backstory of loneliness & abandonment and a lifelong crush on Ben manifesting as bitchiness. Aubrey has come a long way from her mean girl days and is determined to prove it and make it up to those she wronged in her youth—including Ben. Doing that takes a brass set of laydballs, especially with the town set on believing the worst of her and literally slamming doors in her face. I’m not sure I would’ve had the courage to do what Aubrey did—especially when it has the potential to ruin her burgeoning relationship with Ben, the one thing she’s always wanted—so I really, really respected her and found myself really connecting with and liking her, and wanting to punch a few people on her behalf. Well played, Jill, well played.

What is there to say about Ben? Jill has a knack for crafting brooding, sexy heroes with the right touch of angst (without being depressing) and the perfect amount of alpha that oozes testosterone but isn’t domineering and overbearing… and Ben is the embodiment of all that. Dumped by his own mother at his aunt’s doorstep as a kid, he’s grown up to be Lucky Harbour’s favourite son, so everyone is convinced Aubrey is all wrong for him. After losing his high school sweetheart wife five years ago, Ben’s tried to escape his grief by throwing himself into being the front-line man designing water systems in war-torn countries. After one too many close calls, he’s back in Lucky Harbour looking for some peace and quiet and nothing remotely resembling a committed relationship. While the “I-lost-the-love-of-my-life-and-I’ll-never-love-again” trope isn’t a new one for a hero, it works perfectly for Ben. Watching him fall for Aubrey and learn to open up again is heartwarming… even (perhaps especially) when he uses her big reveal to run away from all he feels for her. Ben may have a major moment of wankerdom, but I absolutely loved how he came to his senses and groveled. That ending scene? Be still, my heart! Ben and Aubrey are a delightful, realistic couple with a sexy push-and-pull dynamic and chemistry you can feel a mile away.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME is Jill Shalvis at her best: a lovely romance between two thoroughly enjoyable characters full of humour and sexytimes that will have you alternately laughing out loud and awww-ing. Jill’s books are my comfort reads because I’m guaranteed a swoon-worthy hero, a heroine I’d want to be friends with, hilarious shenanigans at the hands of her small town’s denizens, and a lighthearted story with just the right touch of seriousness to make an emotional impact. ONCE IN A LIFETIME delivers on all counts, and I cannot recommend the Lucky Harbour series enough to contemporary romance fans! Is it time for the next instalment yet??

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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