The Good Luck Sister by Jill Shalvis
Series: Wildstone #1.5
Published by William Morrow on May 1, 2018
Pages: 144
Source: the publisher
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After a difficult few years, Tilly Adams is ready for life to start going right. Though she has a case of first-day nerves teaching art at the local community college, she knows it isn’t anything a few snuggles from her rescue puppy won’t cure. Until she sees Dylan Scott again, her one-time BFF and first love sitting in the front row. Dylan knows he should’ve left well enough alone, but when he sees Tilly living her dream, he can’t help but make contact. Ten years ago, he left Wildstone and everything in it behind, including Tilly. He had his reasons, but now he wants her back in his life, anyway he can get her. When Tilly agrees to design the logo for Dylan’s new helicopter touring company, it’s business only . . . until she finds herself falling into his arms once again. Can she possibly open her heart back up to the only man who’s ever broken it? But soon they’re both realizing the truth—love always deserves a second chance.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review:

Oh my goodness, this was fantastic! I LOVED Tilly and Dylan in this novella. They’re both featured in the first book in this series: Lost and Found Sisters. Tilly is sister to the main character, Quinn. Dylan is her neighbor and the object of her affection. Both are about fifteen or sixteen years old when the first book takes place.

The Good Luck Sisters revisits and features Tilly and Dylan about ten years later. Tilly is now about 25 years old and an art teacher, living and working in Wildstone, California. The story opens with Tilly still lost over Dylan, her first love, and wondering why he left her so many years ago — when suddenly he shows up in the front row of one of her art classes, enrolled as a student. Dylan has returned to Wildstone with his two best friends in tow. The three friends are opening a business and Dylan needs Tilly to help him design the logo. Plus, honestly, he just wants to see her.

Naturally, Tilly has some major feelings. Hurt, embarrassment, anger. Why did he leave without even saying goodbye years ago? And why hasn’t he called since? Dylan has reasons, and they’re good reasons, although I have to admit that I’m right with Tilly in thinking that it was an incredibly hurtful move on his part.

Watching these two work past this hurt and be honest about what they’re feeling is PERFECT and A DELIGHT and every single thing that I love about Jill Shalvis’ stories. There are awkward times, there is fun banter, and there is some swooning. I was pulling for Tilly and Dylan so hard. I loved them both so much in the first book – they were my favorite characters, to be honest. So to see them finally get a chance to have a go at a relationship had me cheering.

I love the way Ms. Shalvis structured this novella. First of all, the story alternates between present day and ten years ago, which is wonderful for understanding the background to Tilly and Dylan and their previous relationship. Those that have already read the previous book will recognize some of the story from the ‘ten years ago’ parts, but I promise you, you won’t mind reading those parts again. Also –

– often when I read novella-length stories, the story is so wonderful but only take up a small portion of the ebook digital file, which frustrates me so much. I never ever read any of the filler or previews that is included in any book or novella, so I really detest when I get tricked into thinking a short-sized story is longer. It’s so disappointing. HOWEVER! That wasn’t really the case with this one. Now, granted, I was reading an advanced ebook file, so things could potentially change – but I love that the actual story took up a whole 80% of the file. According to Goodreads and Amazon, this novella is around 144-147 pages, so that makes this novella pretty lengthy compared to many that I read. YESSS!

ALSO: while the previous book had a more distinctly women’s fiction feel to it, meaning the romance shared the page space pretty equally with the other story lines, The Good Luck Sister felt more like a straight-up romance. It felt more like what I’m most used to from Ms. Shalvis. Both types of her stories are wonderful, but this one was just utterly delightful.

It was great to see Quinn and Mick from the first book and to have a peek into their lives, now ten years later than the first book. Glad to see how their lives have progressed and changed! Also, I’m so excited to have met two of Dylan’s friends, Penn and Ric. I hope we get more from them in the books to come.

Love love love this one from Jill Shalvis, as always. I literally have never felt anything other than happy when I finish her stories!

I am thrilled to be able to offer ONE EBOOK COPY to ONE WINNER! This giveaway is open to US/Canada residents only. Giveaway is open from the time this article is published and will run until midnight EST on Sunday May 6th. I’ll announce a winner shortly after that. Good luck!

This is one you guys want, I promise! 

 

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