Review: Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis.

Posted June 25, 2009 by Rowena in Reviews | 65 Comments


Rowena’s review of Instant Gratification (Wilder Adventures Series, Book 2) by Jill Shalvis.

Hero: Stone Wilder
Heroine: Emma Sinclair
Grade: 4.5 out of 5

The Doctor Is In Deep

Wishful, California, is 3000 miles from Dr. Emma Sinclair’s last job in a New York City ER. It may as well be another galaxy. Here, running her father’s clinic for a summer, Emma treats bee stings, stomach flu, and the occasional pet cat. Plus, she has to contend with patients like Stone Wilder: gorgeous, laid-back, and irritating beyond belief. The man laughs at her. A lot. And Emma loathes him. All except that tiny part of her that wants to throw him on her examining table and break every doctor-patient rule in the book…

When Stone tries to help Emma learn to loosen up a bit, he pictures white-water rafting or scenic mountain hikes. Not a mind-blowing affair that shakes them both to the core. Emma’s sure she has no place in a town like Wishful, but Stone knows different. Emma belongs here—in this town, in his life. And convincing this strong-minded, stubborn, sexy woman of that fact will be a challenge no Wilder man could resist…

This is the second book in the Wilder Adventures Series by Jill Shalvis. Jill Shalvis writes those contemporary romances that make you laugh all throughout the book. Her stories are always light, funny and absolutely perfect for me. I haven’t come away from a Jill Shalvis book that I haven’t enjoyed in one way or another and I really don’t see that changing any time soon. She does a great job of grabbing my attention with the witty dialogue and her lively cast of characters.

This book is the second brother’s story, Stone Wilder. Stone is the laid back, lackadaisical brother who runs the family business. He’s the one that runs the day to day things as well as lead treks and hikes and that sort of thing. He’s the go to guy, the guy who can and does do everything. He’s a guys guy and I fell hard for him.

Call me a hooker because I love Stone just as much as I loved Cam in Cam’s story and I have a feeling that I’m going to love TJ more.

Oy, those Wilder men.

What I really enjoyed about this story was the way it was written. It was written in a way that just flowed so well and so naturally that it felt like I was apart of the story and not merely reading about it. I saw the story unfolding and I felt like I was up there on that trail, helping Emma deliver that baby or sitting in that jeep with TJ, teasing Stone for being a little crybaby at the doctor’s office. It was such a fun story that I was sad to see it come to an end.

Stone was a great hero, he was one of those keep it together kind of heroes that everyone loves and I just loved getting to know him. He was the Wilder brother that put his dream on hold to make sure that the family business stayed afloat and he’s the Wilder brother that stayed behind while his brothers went off on the wild adventures. He dealt with the paperwork and he kept the peace and he was the good, solid, grounded brother….who was extremely hot. What I liked most about Stone was that he was such a normal guy, he wasn’t this mega rich guy who lived in a mansion, he lived in a cabin and drove a truck. He cared about the people in his small town and he showed he cared by being there for everyone. He was there for the old doctor who needed his help, he spent time with foster kids to keep them out of trouble and he had his hand in just about everything going on with the different members of his family. He was so big, strong and oh so capable but he got weak in the knee and a little queasy at the sight of needles (boy do I feel his pain on this one). He hated the doctor’s office and his answer to everything was a band aid. HA! I loved this man, he wasn’t annoyingly perfect because there were times throughout the book where I thought he was a bonehead but more often than not, he was great!

Emma was a good heroine but she got on my nerves more than anyone else in this story. I liked her well enough but the way she handled her Dad and then the way she handled the whole Stone situation got on my nerves. She was this big bad ass doctor from the big city and she didn’t want to live in the small town and she didn’t want to live the small town life, fine…I got it but after a while her excuses for why she couldn’t stay in Wishful fell flat for me and then I rolled my eyes after all the excuses still rolled off Emma’s tongue. I was annoyed with Emma at the end but not enough to hate her or wish she didn’t end up with Stone because her indecision and her inability to make up her mind made her more human to me so I was able to look past Emma’s hesitation because she made it right in the end and that’s what mattered most to me.

I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed seeing everyone again. It was like coming home for a visit and seeing everyone you haven’t seen in a long time, I enjoyed the reunion and even though Cam and Katie weren’t in this book, only mentioned or on the phone, I still enjoyed the little bit that they were in it. This book is still fun, loaded with laughs and a great summer read. Jill Shalvis fans will be pleased with this addition to the Wilder Adventure series and I don’t think this book will disappoint anyone, it certainly didn’t disappoint me and I am already itching to read TJ’s book. I really enjoyed TJ in Stone’s book and I can’t wait for more between him and Harley.

Reading Order:

This book is available from Brava. You can buy it here in print, here in Kindle format.

*GIVEAWAY ALERT: Here at Book Binge, we’re going to be giving away a copy of Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis so if you want to win a copy for yourself, be sure to drop us a line on this review, telling us why you’re looking forward to reading this book so much.


Also, have you guys checked out Jill’s blog lately? She put up the cover of TJ’s book, Instant Temptation and I love it! She’s also got a short excerpt up on her site so be sure to check it out by clicking HERE.

There’s so much to look forward to from Jill Shalvis next month, it’s going to be a really good reading month for all of you Jill Shalvis fans out there because DOUBLE PLAY comes out next month as well and you don’t want to miss that because there’s sexy baseball players, YUM!


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65 responses to “Review: Instant Gratification by Jill Shalvis.

  1. Lisa N.

    This sounds like a great book! I am a big fan of Jill Shalvis books, but I haven’t had a chance to read the Wilder books yet. I’d love to win a copy of this book to help me catch up!

    rocket_kay at hotmail dot com

  2. I’m on a total Jill Shalivs glom at the moment. Right now I am acquiring all her old Silhouettes and Tempatations and Blazes so I can have a massive Shalvis marathon.

    I loved the first of this series. I’m sure I’m gonna love the next.

  3. Tabitha

    I have been anxiously awaiting this book since Cam’s story. Stone is my kind of guy. 😀

    I am so glad you did a review on this book but, boy, you’re not making it easy to wait the release!

  4. I read instant attraction a few months ago and I wasx soo happy that I wouldn’t have to wait too long for the release of the next installment of this series.
    I’d love to win a copy!

  5. Great Contest! I have been WAAIIITING for this book to come out! Count me in! I loved Stone in book#1, I wanted to see him happy but I wanted to know all the juicy details on how he finds that happiness with the doc.
    brandewaldron(at)yahoo(dot)com

  6. I’ve been waiting for the next in the Wilder series since I read (and enjoyed!) Instant Attraction. This sounds like another winner! 🙂

  7. mph

    OMG, that is one beautiful face. Sorry, got distracted by “JT’s” cover. *drool*

    OK, read Instant Attraction and can’t get over the drunk scene. It was hysterical! I’m up for more Wilders but really, it’s the author’s sense of humor I’m drawn to.

  8. This sounds like another winner for Jill. I love her books. I am really looking forward to reading Instant Gratification because I think I am already in love with Stone! 😉

  9. Anonymous

    love her books whooo
    cant wait to read them
    congrats o n the great reveiws and cover

    watne to read leslie kelly thirllers and hot summer read

    kh

  10. maered

    I’ve read a few of her Harlequin books which were very good, so count me in for the contest!!

  11. Having read the fabulous ‘Instant Attraction’ how could I resist entering this contest?! Jill is a gifted writer.

  12. LOVED the 1st in this series. Can’t wait for this one!!!!! These were the first Jill Shalvis books I’ve read but they won’t be the last!!!!

  13. Oooh! Great review, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading it myself! All Jill’s books have been pretty gratifying, and I’m looking forward to the next dose of her trademark sexy, fun romance! Just the thing for a summer read! Please count me in!

  14. I pimped this book over on the Dear Author July open thread, because it is one of the books I’m really looking forward to this summer. I loved the excerpt I read featuring Emma delivering a baby — it was laugh-out-loud funny but aso very sweet and tender.

  15. Anonymous

    As a Jill fan, I always look forward to reading her books. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and can’t wait to learn more about the other brothers.

    Diana

  16. I’m trying to read a few more contemporaries and a couple of friends recommended this series, and I’m liking what I see in reviews.

  17. Jane

    Great review. The Wilder Adventure series sounds awesome. I’m looking forward to these books because Jill’s books are hot.

  18. MJ

    I haven’t read any of her books. This sounds like a delightful summer read.

    Thanks!

    mj.coward[at]gmail.com

  19. Hi! Great review! I’ve been waiting to read this book since I read Instant Attraction. I had a great time reading IA,and as you mentioned in your review Jill makes laugh and happy wile reading 🙂

  20. Thanks for the review, though I am not surprised that you gave it 4.5. I read Instant Attraction and loved it. Have been eagerly anticipating the other Wilder brothers stories, and can’t wait to read Instant Gratification. I would love to win it!!!

    cldivineATyahooDOTcom

  21. Anonymous

    I have read many of Jill’s books; they are all wonderful. I also look forward to a new book of Jill’s.

    And her blog is to die for. She is soooo funny. I love reading about her and her family’s adventures.

    Pat L.

  22. Emma

    I loved the excerpt .All of Jill’s books are wonderful to read.Please enter me.Thanks for the giveaway.

  23. I can’t WAIT to read this! I read the first Wilder Brothers book and absolutely loved it. Jill is one of my favorite authors, so this is definitely on my must have list.

  24. I like a hero who is reliable and it’s always fun to read a story where a person from the city deals with small time life.

  25. I have yet to read a book by Jill that I didn’t love. What a writer! Every time I read a review I just have to get the book to read from cover to cover. Can’t wait to read this one! Here’s hoping I win 🙂

    Good luck everyone!

  26. Her books are absolutely so fun to read. I’d love a chance to win Instant Gratification. Thanks for the giveaway contest.

  27. Ginny

    I really enjoy Jill’s books and totally loved the first Wilder brother’s book (Instant Attraction), now I’m drooling for the second in the series, Instant Gratification… I’d love a chance to win a copy!! Thanks for the contest!

  28. Anonymous

    Jill’s books are super! I loved the first one, so I need to read this one. Please enter me.

    Thanks.
    Rose G.

  29. What a great review! The descriptions of Emma and Stone make me even more anxious to read their story than I was after reading the excerpt on Jill’s website. Who could resist a story where the heroine has to patch up the bloody hero?

  30. I’ve been waiting for this one since the last one came out! I was totally hooked on the Wilder brothers in Instant Attraction. Even next April seems too far away to wait for TJs story!

  31. Rosalita H.

    I enjoy reading Jill’s blog everyday. I’ve read alot of her books, too. I love Cam Wilder in his story and I know I’ll love Stone, too. Can’t wait for TJ! I’m sure he’s just as sexy.

  32. Jennifer M

    Oh, I’d love to win a copy of this one. My first stop in the morning is her blog, a great way to start the day and I love reading her books for the hours of pure enjoyment I get.

  33. I’ve never read Jill’s book but they sound like they are up my alley. I like romances with a little humor along the way.

  34. Anonymous

    I just learned about jill shalvis this week, her books look fantastic. Thanks for running this contest. I’m so glad I coudl finally get to your website.
    You’ve got a great website!
    andrea_desherb….found link thru twitter I don’t have a blogger account yet!

  35. Jill Shalvis is one of my favorites too. I got lucky at a used book store and found three of her earlier titles. That changed my plans for the rest of the weekend! Can’t wait for the wilder series to continue- too bad Wed. is a holiday here in Canada, we have to wait an extra day!!

  36. harmni@mchsi.com

    I’ve read a couple of Jill’s older books and really enjoyed them. I’d love to read some of her newer books!

  37. I’m a lover of romance books and am always looking for new authors! I happened upon Instant Attraction (thank you Amazom.com!) and absolutely loved it! It was the first book I had read of Jill’s which led to me quickly tracking down more of her books…I have now read Aussie Rules, Get A Clue, & The Trouble with Paradise and am currently reading Smart and Sexy (Strong and Sexy & Superb and Sexy to follow). I would love to win Instant Gratification! I’m definitely looking forward to reading it 🙂

  38. Jill Shalvis books are a must read for me! Whether it’s romance, mystery, comedy, suspense, or all of the above, I will grab it!

    All of her INSTANT books grabbed me from the start with their awesome covers! I would love to win her new book! Please enter me!

  39. Anonymous

    so i just finally got a copy of instant gratification, i TOTALLY agree that Emma was damn annoying rather than endearing in a way.. so GREAT review!! haha

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