Lately, I have felt Jill Shalvis has been leaning more toward women’s fiction rather than contemporary romance. I love her books that are firmly in the romance category, such as her Heartbreaker Bay or Animal Magnetism series. This story felt much more like the Jill Shalvis I first fell in love with. Not quite the same level of humor, but enough humor infused to lighten the mood. And lots of warm fuzzies with a central love story.

Bodie and his family are amazing. There was warmth and love amongst the Campbell family as well as the usual familial spats. For someone like Harper, who hasn’t felt she belong to a family since her mom died almost 20 years ago, it’s almost too hard to resist the pull of that warmth. Throw into the mix Ivy, a teenage runaway with whom Harper feels a connection, and this story is full of comfort and angst, kindness and uncertainty, tenderness and doubt. Bodie has a natural patience with Harper and Ivy that surprises even him, he wants to take care of them but also give them room for independence.

The conflict is unsurprising, but it still broke my heart. Harper has just come to expect nothing of anyone around her because she has never gotten anything from those who should have been protecting and loving her growing up. She sees herself in Ivy, which causes her to not always make the right decisions regarding the teenager. Yet for the most part, Harper makes the best decisions. She was bound to let her heart lead over her head eventually.

This story fully engaged me and has me hopeful we’ll be seeing more of the “classic” Jill Shalvis charm in future books.

I’ve read many books by Ms. Shalvis through the years, and she never fails to entertain. Her characters are well-developed, interesting characters and the story is full of romance, family and witty banter.

I love her settings and the description of the landscape and buildings are detailed where I can almost visualize the town. She knows the area as she has mentioned Tahoe, Truckee and bears in her various posts about where she lives, writes and hikes.

The main characters Bodie, Harper and Ivy all have history of various types of pain through loss and/or neglect and I could feel their pain but also the joy as they moved forward in their lives. The various other characters were entertaining, especially Abuela and her dog, Hambone. She tends to have a lot of conversations with Hambone!

I look forward to reading more of her work. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this new work.

This was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. Although I’ve heard of Jill Shalvis’ books, I believe this was my first time reading her work. The Sweetheart List is a bit of a romance but it’s also about finding family when you didn’t know they existed. Harper comes to Sunrise Cove looking to start over after being dumped by her boyfriend. She wants to open a bakery in the only place she ever remembers feeling happy. Bodie is the guy next door who runs the bar but he’s also Harpers landlord. Ivy is a runaway that breaks in to Harpers bakery looking for a place to shelter down for the night. It’s these 3 characters that are the center of the story but the secondary characters really add to the storyline as well. Like Shay, she brought so much humor to the story that it made it fun to read. In this book, you really learn the meaning of family and the importance of being there for each other. If happy endings are what you’re looking for, then this is the book for you. I loved reading it and I will be recommending it to others. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc. I’m happy that I found another author to read and I’m giving this a 4 star rating. I hope to read more by Jill Shalvis very soon!

Connection. It's a facet of her books that Jill Shalvis does exceedingly well. In The Sweetheart List, those connections come in the form of biological family, friendships formed, romantic relationships, chosen family, and, yes, even pets and humans. In this case, that animal connection comes in the form of Hambone, a huge, goofy, Bernese Mountain Dog with a weakness for treats, belly rubs, and the people to whom he happily gives his heart. He's a lovable scene stealer who I absolutely adored.

Shalvis has the ability to create a cast of multi-layered, complex characters, bring them together, then slowly, carefully, begin to unravel all the complications that are keeping them apart. There are heart-tugging emotions, life-changing revelations, steamy desire, and hopeful new beginnings on the horizon. If the characters are brave enough to reach for them. There are poignant moments throughout but also plenty of perfectly placed humor. Kudos to those authors who can make me laugh, cry, and sigh with happy satisfaction when I turn the final page.

There's a wonderful secondary cast in this book who all add dimension and texture to the overall story. I fell hard for the Campbell family, those characters born into it and those invited to be a part of it. Shalvis nailed the dynamic among the brothers as well as the love and respect they all have for their petite but powerful mother. There's absolutely no doubt about who rules this family with a loving hug and an iron resolve.

Harper, Bodie, and Ivy all found a place for themselves in my heart. I was in each of their corners all the way through to their hard-won happy endings. Harper's kindness reeled me in, just as it did to everyone else she meets in Sunrise Cove. Ivy's tough outer layer that hides a vulnerable center aching for love had me in tears more than once. And Bodie. He's such a good guy. Dealing with issues, still a bit of a grump (but with a heart that is always in the right place), slowly healing and opening himself up to those who love him. I won't be forgetting any of them anytime soon.

Also, I want to be the next one to live in the apartment above Harper's bakery (without raccoons, please). Just the thought of waking each morning to the aroma of her cinnamon rolls has my taste buds happy dancing, not to mention her chocolate and mint cookies, and her special blend of coffee, and her Red Velvet cake, and...and...and... Yes, well, you get the idea.

The Sweetheart List is book four in the Sunrise Cove series but is a standalone story as is each book in the series. I enthusiastically recommend adding this warm hug of a book to your summer reading list.

*Advance copy received from publisher. Fair and unbiased review.

I can always count on a book by this fabulous author for a great read. There will be great characters, a little bit of tumult, a gentle emotional ride, some serious topics handled in a kind manner, love, humor and a fabulous love filled happily ever after. This book absolutely reinforces that fact. I devoured it in one day and enjoyed each and every moment. Harper has been disappointed by almost everyone in her life after the loss of her beloved mother. She decides to pack everything up her life and head back to the last place she was happy. She heads out with her beloved adorable canine BFF Ham, to Lake Tahoe to open a a bakery and create a new life for them both. It’s a terrific read that will have you doing what I have already done and pre-ordering “The Bright Spot” yourself. If you need a feel good book get yourself a copy of this one now! You wont be disappointed.

If you are looking for a sweet romance that is easy to read, Jill Shalvis is the author for you. The Sweetheart List is exactly what I was hoping for when I picked up my copy. The characters are real and relatable. The storyline is easy to follow and to feel a part of. The romance is sweet, steamy, and realistic. There are hiccups in the relationships, the families argue, but above all the family and friendships are strong and true.



I love Harper. She knew that she needed to change and went for it. Even when Bodie enters her orbit she still stays true to herself and makes the choices she needs to accomplish her goals. Her relationship with Ivy is so wonderful, she knows that she has to be careful but she also knows that she has to keep Ivy on track to make positive decisions.



Harper and Bodie are both not looking for love but it is amazing that what you think you do not want is what you need the most. I enjoyed watching Bodie’s family stick their nose in everything Harper/Bodie. It showed exactly how much love and support he had behind him.

Harper has decided to move to the last place she was happy. So, she packs up and puts all her revenue into a new business in Lake Tahoe. She is not looking for a relationship with anyone. She just wants to start her business and live a life free of entanglements. But, her first night there, she takes in a runaway named Ivy. Little does Harper know, Ivy has quite a few secrets.

I love Harper and her big heart. She takes Ivy in with no qualms and helps to keep her safe. Then there is Bodie….OOOOLALA! These two characters are fabulous together and I love how Bodie interacts with his family. I swear…this is me and my brother growing up. Everyone can relate to the fights, jokes and snide comments.

And then there is Ivy. She will break your heart. She is a tough but scared 16 year old. She is looking for a home. She has one, but it is not one to her liking. (You will have to read this to find out the twist!). But, she may have discovered everything she has been looking for!

Lord have mercy…I LOVE JILL SHALVIS. She is my go to romance writer. I can immerse myself in her books and never look up. And this tale is no different. Plus, she is the best snarky writer out there!

Need a wonderful romance which will have you crying and laughing all in the same sentence…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

A book that grips me from the start is hard to find, but this book did. Bodie comes across gruff and stand-off(ish). Harper is starting her life over and wants to prove that she can things on her own. When they first meet things are tense and I couldn’t tell if they liked each other. Ivy is a teenager who is in Bodie’s family’s bar and ends up becoming close to Harper.

Three lives that intersect and give meaning to the others, even if they don’t realize it right away. Bodie has a great family, but he is kind of lost, until Harper turns his life upside down. Harper doer want a man, but she can’t seem to stay away from Bodie. Ivy is a teenager who is wise beyond her years and unbelievably hurt due to her mom.

I loved the fact that they each had secrets but they all meshed together. His extended family was great and the epilogue gave just enough insight into the future that it left me satisfied, even though I might want an update in the future.

I received an ARC and this is my honest, voluntary review.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and the setting. I was glad that Bodie and Harper worked things out with a happily ever after ending. I was surprised that Ivy “learned” her lesson with the party and that there wasn’t more teenage shenanigans added into the plot. I also enjoyed Shay and Mace as a little side story woven in too.

I loved all of the characters in this not so simple story of starting over. Harper risks it all and comes to open a bakery in the last place she remembers being happy, Lake Tahoe. She is pretty broken from a recent break up and lack of self worth. She meets the very sexy Bodie, one of 3 brothers who are her landlords. She also rescues a teenager named Ivy. The heartwarming, delightful story of the 3 of them and their families is so good, I could not put it down. So happy with the ending. Definite warm feelings, just as in Virgin RIver series of books by Robyn Carr. I am going to read all the books in this series, for sure!

The Sweetheart List, book four in the Sunrise Cove series, is no exception to the fact that every time I read a book by Jill Shalvis I fall in love with the characters she creates. This story exemplifies Shalvis’ sense of humor, the personalities she gifts unto her characters, allowing the reader to connect with each of them. This is a heartwarming story of family ties, both blood and found family, with a side of romance.

Harper had finally decided to move on with her life, moving to the last place she remembered being truly happy, and opening her own bakery. Things were not going her way when she arrived in Sunrise Cove; not only was it snowing in July, the place she had rented for both her bakery and apartment wasn’t ready yet. Then there was the visitor, late that evening, Ivy, a runaway, who
claimed to have emancipated herself; but she was on a mission to find her sperm donor. Harper invited Ivy to stay with her and started teaching her how to bake. Harper and Ivy became close and trusting due to the similarity of their lives; despite their age difference. While Harper was getting to know Ivy and learn more about her situation, she also became acquainted with Bodie, the hot bartender; one of her three landlords. Despite having sworn off men, there was a definite attraction to him; that chemistry and magnetic attraction kept pulling them together. Bodie had never really thought that much about love, but he felt that same attraction. Bodie’s entire family was supportive, helpful, and had each other’s back; modeled by their mother how to be amazing and caring people.

An attempt at healing a broken relationship between Shay and Mace ran through this story. These two had been dating since high school but Shay had trust issues thanks to the way her parents treated her and abandoned her with her grandma. Her grandma is a kick. She’s pushy and forceful, finding a way to get what she wants. Mace just wants to love Shay.

This story hits so many touching areas. Shalvis takes on tender subjects with grace and care. Her characters are real, compassionate, warm, loving, and humorous; people you want to know and become. Her stories are the definition of heartwarming. I highly recommend The Sweetheart List to other readers and look forward to what’s next in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This was such a fun summer read! I loved Harper and Ivy and Bodie and all the rest of the Campbell family. My favorite character was Hambone, the Bernese Mountain Dog who regularly stole the scene.

One of my favorite tropes is the found family and I also love books that feature family dynamics. This has a wonderful mix of both with almost all the characters at loose ends for one reason or another and all looking for somewhere to belong as well as sort out varying degrees of family dynamics. I really liked that Harper's and Ivy's family situations are tricky at best and terribly strained at worst and that's contrasted with the close family of the Campbells and Shay and her Abuela. But at the same time even the close families are finding their way with each other and love and family bonds don't make for a magic wand that makes all the troubles go away. The relationship between Harper and Ivy was a trifle unrealistic but so wonderful that I couldn't resist falling for it and I loved the give and take dynamic of Harper and Bodie's conversations as they got to know each other. I really loved the romance and rooted for them but what really sold the book for me was the nonromantic connections between all the different characters.

This is the 4th Sunrise Cove book but only the 2nd that I have read and it is completely not an issue. The books are only linked by the loosest of connections. I'm so glad I picked this one up and am so looking forward to reading more from Jill Shalvis and seeing more of Sunrise Cove.

Book #4 in the Sunrise Cove series (though it can be read as a stand alone). Harper returns to open a bakery, find a fresh start, and escape a life back home. Along the way she meets and falls for the handsome Bodie, and Ivy who too is looking for place to belong. This gentle romance is the perfect summer read with a glass of iced tea or lemonade at your side. Jill Shalvis' devoted following will anxiously await their turn to read. Perfect for public libraries.

Highly entertaining from beginning to end with characters that jumped off the page into my heart! Harper Shaw has decided to start her whole life over by opening her own bakery in a small town near Tahoe. Little does she know that her new beginnings will include a grumpy bar owner named Brodie, a teen runaway named Ivy and a book loving bookseller named Shay who gives practical tongue-in-cheek advice for free. All of the characters were relatable, lovable and dynamically charming. I especially liked Shay, Mace’s ex-girlfriend, who is quick to give advice and wary of relationships since Mace broke up with her. I also fell in love with Hambone, Harper’s dog with an appetite for love and any kind of food at any time. The plot moved swiftly and at just the right pace to keep me thoroughly engaged. The humor in the story was a welcome addition to some of the deeper parts about the pasts that Harper and Brodie are escaping. I liked the small-town feel, the family relationships and the entire idea that you can start over, with a little help from new friends.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

I’m pretty sure I mention this in every Jill Shalvis book I review, but…. This was a fabulous, solid, wonderful, exactly what I expected. If that sounds bad or mean, it absolutely is not supposed to. Goodreads doesn’t have the most read author feature anymore (sob) but Jill Shalvis is easily in my top 2 (Ilona Andrews is the other!) so obviously I adore her books. I love that I know what I’m going to get overall, but the little details are always different. This one hit the exact spot I expected it to. I loved Bodie and Harper. I loved Ivy. I loved Bodie’s family. I love this series. I love Jill Shalvis. The end.

Happy Pub Day to The Sweetheart List!

Synopsis: What makes life sweet? When Harper Shaw's life falls apart, she knows it's time for a change. She removes everything that doesn't spark joy-from her soul-sucking job to eating kale to making lists-and sets off for the last place she was happy, Lake Tahoe (who wouldn't feel good there, right?) to fulfill her dream of opening her own bakery.
With her Sugar Pine Bakery in between a tavern, owned by sexy, grumpy Bodie Campbell, and a bookstore, run by her new BFF, she feels a peace she's never experienced since... well, forever.. Then she meets Ivy, a teenage runaway, who barrels into her heart. She sees a lot of herself in Ivy and takes her under her wing, but the teenager has secrets...
When those secrets explode, it changes Harper's new world, and she'll learn, it's never too late to start over, it's never too late to figure out your life, and best of all, it's never too late to let yourself believe in love.

What I loved:
🧁The chemistry between Bodie and Harper (grumpy vs sunshine for the win always)
🧁Small knit community
🧁Found family
🧁Campbell family dynamics
🧁The love and protectiveness Harper had for Ivy
🧁So many heartfelt moments
🧁Finding Joy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley Avon Books and Jill Shalvis for this ARC!

The Sweetheart List is the fourth book in the Sunrise Cove series and the books just keep getting better. It can be read as a stand alone story but you’ll want to read them all. Harper Shaw’s life just fell apart so she decides it’s time to rethink the whole thing. She moves to Lake Tahoe to open her own bakery because who doesn’t like a good bakery? She makes a new BFF, who runs the bookstore and meets Brodie Campbell, who runs a local tavern, when her car slides off the road. Life is good and then she meets Ivy, a runaway. Harper sees a lot of her own past in Ivy and wants to help her. When Ivy’s secrets come to light everything changes. Will Harper learn that it’s never too late to figure things out and let yourself believe in love?

Here's a delightful fast read book that takes you to Lake Tahoe. It's all about starting over and trying to find the JOY in your life, which is a them that I really like. Burnt by a bad relationship, ignored by her remaining parent, Harper decides to return to the place where she last felt happy, Lake Tahoe, to live. There she meets up with Bodie who is also struggling with his own demons of loss, trying to find his JOY. And there is also Ivy, a teen runaway,needing to belong and feel loved, searching for her birth dad. Together, they find acceptance and JOY amongst a newly formed family of friends, and the key to what makes them happy. It's a lovely romance novel about letting go and accepting what is there. It is a story of believing in yourself, such a feel-good book that is a quick read, good for a gloomy day.
Many thanks to #netgalley #jillshalvis #theseetheartlist for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“Her breath caught. ‘You’re . . . serious about me?’ ‘Very.’ He grinned. ‘Even before you let me taste your . . . cupcakes.’” 😂 🧁

I loved this book! It is the perfect summer beach read. It’s sugary sweet and the brother banter was so genuine and believable I found myself frequently smiling and chuckling and their dynamic. Just a pure and enjoyable story!

“‘Oh, honey, don’t you get it yet? No one knows what they’re doing. Even people who love each other are going to act irrational or get mad, and sometimes you’re just going to have to realize that you’—she gently poked him in the chest with her finger—‘yes, you, are the asshole.’ He choked out a laugh.” You tell him Mom!! 👏🏻😂👏🏻😂

The audio was fantastic!! With different tones for each character I was absolutely lost in this story. This book is Sunrise Cove book #4 but I had no idea it was a series, so it can absolutely be read as a stand alone. I will be adding more books by this author to my tbr asap!

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon Books, Harper Audio, and the author for the ARC and ALC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another fabulous story by Jill Shalvis. I have been reading her books for years now, and they just keep getting better. She puts so much emotion into her stories. Harper, Bodie, and Ivy are all wounded souls who come together in Lake Tahoe. Bodie Campbell and his family have lived there for years. He was an ATF soldier, got hurt and had to leave the company. Harper came to Lake Tahoe because it reminded her of her happy place she came to with her mom. Ivy was looking for her dad and running away from her neglecting mom. How they all come together makes this story. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own