Rowena’s review of The Heat is On by Jill Shalvis.
Hero: Jacob Madden
Heroine: Bella Manchelli
Oh, dear. Bella Manchelli is so not having a good day. First, she’s deliciously exhausted from last night’s sizzling one-night stand. Second, there’s a (gulp) dead body at her back door. Third…um, that scrumptious one-nighter is at her front door… and he’s wearing a badge! Police Officer Jacob Madden is all about duty. Until he shows up looking for a homicide…and runs right into last night’s slice of sexy heaven! Damn, he just can’t think straight when he’s around Bella. All he wants to do is lick her up one side and down the other…. Can duty and smoking-hot sex blend for a while? Definitely! Until Jacob discovers that several of the guys Bella’s dated have turned up dead. Jacob loves being around Bella. But is he ready to be used as target practice?
This is the second story in the Madden brothers series. This book covers Jacob Madden’s story and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s funny that this is such a short story because it didn’t feel like one. The story flowed so well and was totally complete that when I finished it, I was surprised that it was so short because it felt like anything but. Talk about pack a punch, Jill Shalvis did a wonderful job of sucking me into this story and making me fall in love with the characters.
This story follows Jacob Madden and Bella Manchelli as they find their way toward true love. Bella is a drifter. She drifts from place to place, looking for a place to call home and up until now, she hasn’t found it. She’s a pastry chef who works at a small bakery and after being talked into attending a blind date thingy called Eight Dates in Eight Days and after seven dates, she didn’t find what she was looking for…until date eight. Date eight was with Jacob and to say that he rocked her world is putting it lightly since not only was he date eight but he was a one night stand.
She leaves him early in the morning because she has baker hours and she goes to work. Once there, she’s so busy that it takes a while for her to notice that there’s a dead body outside the shop. Once she discovers the dead body, she calls 911 and the one guy that she doesn’t think she’d ever see again, shows up on her doorstep and is the detective assigned to the case.
This dead body thing brings about a lot more shootings and we’re finding out that these guys that are getting shot at are guys that Bella went out during her eight dates in eight days brings Jacob and Bella a lot closer than they ever thought and watching these two fall in love with each other made for such a delightful read.
This was classic Jill Shalvis goodness, great characters, a steamy romance and the laughs packed into a great story. My only gripe with this story was how easy it was to spot the villain. The first time we met the villain, I knew who they were. I called it and I’m not usually good at spotting them. Aside from that, it was great. The pacing was great, the story line was great and it was so easy to fall in with these characters. This story has got me antsy for Austin’s story (he IS getting one, right?) And I definitely recommend this book.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: I’m giving away three copies of this book to three lucky commenters. All you have to do is leave a comment, telling me what your favorite things about Jill Shalvis’ novels are and if you haven’t read a Shalvis before, let me know what you’re most looking forward to when you read your first Shalvis book.
Good luck and winners will be announced sometime next week.
This book is available from Harlequin Blaze. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
What’s not to like about Jill Shalvis’ books. They’re hot and fun and leave a smile on my face.
I’ve only read three of Jill’s books so far…I loved that there are hot sexy men, some LOVIN and I can laugh and not put the book down till it’s done!!! I can’t wait to read more from Jill Shalvis!!!
I’ve never read a Jill Shalvis book, but I’ve heard good things about her novel, Slow Heat. Most reviews talk about her humor.
I’m a huge Jill Shalvis fan, I just love the way she tells a story. I already have the first in this series on my reading list.
I’ve never read a book by Jill Shalvis, but I would so love to. I’ve read lots of good reviews about her books, always recommending the book because of the humor and the “hotness” ;-).
Love, love, love Jill Shalvis’ books! Her humor and sharp writing style, not to mention ability to develop realistic characters encountering realistic situations, is awesome.
I haven’t really read one of her books yet, but I have so many of them waiting for me on my wishlist. I hope to get to some soon, but I was first introduced to her through an anthology and I loved it so much I looked her other books up
june111@att.net
I’ve only read a few of her books, but the humour and just plain good writing make me keen to read more.
Her storyline is always good and most if not all her books have humor in them.
JIll is one of those writers that is predictably good — there are just no disappointments. I think she is one of those that uses the language so well that anyone who reads her stories can easily picture the characters and enter into their experience. Thanks for the great review!
Her characters are fun and she has some great settings.
I’ve only read a couple but I know she writes great and funny books, with awesome characters.
I love her characters. The last books of hers that I read were the Wilder brothers series. Cute, fun reads.
ironss[at]gmail.com
Jill’s characters and settings are awesome.
I haven’t yet read a Jill Shalvis book but have been intrigued by the blurbs & reviews of several and have them on my ‘want list’. So I’m looking forward to getting to know a new author once I finally get my hands on one of her books!
Jill’s books are fun reads with witty dialogue and steamy sex scenes. The h/h are believable couples put in realistic situations that you’re rooting for to get their HEA.
i love the wilder brothers series too. how could you not?
her characters always seem to be having so much fun!
meaghan_koci (at) yahoo (dot) com
I haven’t read any Jill Shalvis books because the library in my area only has a few books of hers and they are very popular. I am looking forward to reading her books soon!
I’ve never read a Jill Shalvis book, but I can’t wait too because everyone says they are fantsatic!
One of the things I love about Jill’s books is the humor, plus they’re quite hot and the characters are lovable.
I love Jill Shalvis – I think she writes guys and “guy talk” really well and her sex scenes are pretty hot too!
I love Jill’s writing. She has wonderful dialogue whether it be funny or romantic. There’s not too many authors out there who can write sexy/funny & do it as well as she does.
I’m sorry to say I’ve never read a book by Shalvis. And I am sorry to admit it, because I’ve heard such great things about her books. Clearly, I need to correct this deficiency!
I haven’t read a Shalvis Blaze in awhile but I know she’s one of the first I reach for when I want one.
I am currently reading Double Play and have Instant Attraction (?? the first in the series) on my TBR.
What do I like about Jill’s writing? Firstly, she’s consistent. You know you’re going to get a good read, “real” characters and some fun sex scenes.
Secondly, she tells a good tale. These are real people in believable situations. So no groaing under your breath, That couldn’t happen!
Third, there’s always some fun twist. A way to make you look at something differently. Its not just a recital of boy meets girl, boy screws up, boy gets girl. [It IS always the guy’s fault, right? 😉 ]
goddessani at gmail dot com