Early Book Review: Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis

Christmas in Lucky Harbor by Jill Shalvis is a compilation of two previously published novels, Simply Irresistible and The Sweetest Thing. It is due to be released on November 1 2011. Both stories revolve around three half-sisters coming together after the death of their mother to take charge of the inn left to them in the will. Tara, Maggie, and Chloe barely know each other, and come to town bearing secrets and wounded hearts and very different goals. The town residents already feel like they know the girls through their mother's stories. Maggie is the sweet one, the mouse. Tara is the tough one, a steel magnolia. Chloe, the youngest, is a wild child that takes after their mother's free spirited ways the most.

In Simply Irresistible the middle sister Maggie has nothing left to lose. She is looking to start over after losing her job and leaving an abusive relationship in one fell swoop. The run-down inn and small town of Lucky Harbor just might hold what she needs, if she can convince her sisters to stay and let go of her fears enough to give love a chance. Jax is the local contractor, and much more, that gets Maggie to consider what she is afraid of, what she needs, and what she wants. In The Sweetest Thing we get to know Tara, the oldest sister better. Tara is known as the Steel Magnolia of the group, and has more in her past and guilt than she would like everyone to believe. She had stayed in Lucky Harbor as a teen, and made some big mistakes during that tough year. Ford, a sexy sailor, played a major role in that summer and is determined to get back into her life. However, Tara is afraid of giving too much and not receiving enough in return. Just as things seem to start going right, her ex-husband comes to town determined to win her back. Tara needs to face her past, herself, and the possibilities for the future.

What I love about Christmas in Lucky Harbor, and Shalvis's writing in general, is the characters. Even when they are going in mental circles about what they have done wrong or been through in the past they are trying to move forward and the story does not stagnate. Some books that include relationship challenged individuals get trapped in a cycle of such thinking and become repetitive and stagnant, making me care much less about the characters. Shalvis avoids this, and keeps her characters realistic, sharp, and distinctive. Maggie, Chloe, and Tara are all solid characters that have spunk and sass despite the issues they might have. The men are not left out, readers get to see the relationship through their eyes as well, and they are just as realistic and intelligent as the women. Maggie deals with the results of being in an abusive relationship, and Jax has to face some issues of his own. Tara and Ford need to deal with the consequences of their summer together, and the way they interact with the people closest to them. No one is perfect, but no one is completely unlikeable either, leaving them as realistic characters.

I recommend Christmas in Lucky Harbor to fans of Jill Shalvis, those that love romances that deal with realistic difficulties, and those that like the feel of fiction set in small towns. Christmas in Lucky Harbor is fun, witty, and occasionally a little steamy. What else could you want for a cozy weekend at home, or for holiday reading? Just remember that the two stories here have been previously published, so if you have already read everything by Shalvis, then this would be a repeat for you. Although, these two stories might be just as good the second time around. The third story from this series, Head Over Heels, which tells Chloe's story. It is set to be released in December 2011. I look forward to seeing how everything ties together, and Chloe getting her man.