Accidentally On Purpose by Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #3
Published by Avon on January 24, 2017
Pages: 353
Source: Library
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There’s no such thing as a little in love . . .

Elle Wheaton’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .

There’s no such thing as a little in lust . . .

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco earthquake and he craves her 24/7, but Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .

There is such a thing as . . .

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along . . .

Review:

I’ve been dying to read Accidentally On Purpose by Jill Shalvis since I started binge-reading the Heartbreaker Bay Series last week. I’ve read all of the books and novellas so far, in order, with the exception of this one because I’ve enjoyed Elle and Archer so much throughout the series. I have to say that while I liked this book (it’s Jill Shalvis, so duh), it wasn’t everything I hoped it would be.

Elle and Archer two have had the best tension in the previous books. ALL of their friends could tell that they belong together and have feelings for one another except for these two. Surely they know it and are just faking it? Or maybe they’ve already got a little something going on and are keeping it a secret? I’ve been DYING to find out.

They do actually have a history together, but isn’t a romantic history. Archer has worked in security for years and before that he was a policeman, so their shared history is more along the lines of victim-protector. If you’ve read any of the previous books, it makes complete sense now why Elle is such a hardass and why Archer acts like he can’t stand her. Neither of these things are actually true, but there is a backstory that explains it all. And it is a good one.

I wish the backstory had been a little more developed, or I wish more time had been given to showing how the backstory has affected their relationship now. Instead, I find myself frustrated with the amount of page time given to Elle’s sister showing up and creating a stir between Elle and Archer and at Archer’s office. Morgan is a distraction for Elle and Archer (not romantically, but she actually keeps them from spending romantic time together because Elle doesn’t want to have sex while Morgan is staying with them and the she also knocks on the door while the two are being physical, which kills their mood) which frustrated me so much because I felt like it slowed the progression of their relationship and gave their romance less of the precious page time.

I love that the same cast of characters continues to be present. They’re so fantastic. I like the premise of the story; I just think it wasn’t as strong as I had hoped. This is a great series, though, and I’ve had the best time with the binge-read over the past week. I’m hoping that now I can keep up with all of the books as they’re released.

Check out my other reviews in the Heartbreaker Bay Series:

Sweet Little Lies | The Trouble with Mistletoe | One Snowy Night | Accidentally On Purpose
Chasing Christmas Eve | Holiday Wishes | About That Kiss
Hot Winter Nights | Playing For Keeps | Wrapped Up In You | Twist Of Fate