Jen’s review of Rumor Has It (Animal Magnetism #4) by Jill Shalvis
He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…
Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.
Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.
To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…
As a huge Jill Shalvis fan, I could not wait to read the newest book in her Animal Magnetism series, and I wasn’t disappointed. Rumor Has It is really Shalvis at her best!
The book once again visits Sunshine, Idaho. This time, we meet Griffin (Grif) Reid, who is the brother of Holly and best friend of Adam, the couple from book 3 of the series. Grif has returned home for Holly’s wedding after being injured in an explosion during a military operation, though he hasn’t told anyone at home about his brush with death or exit from the military. He’s doing better, but he still gets debilitating migraines and other symptoms, and he’s feeling a bit lost now that the direction of his life has changed. Kate Evans is Holly’s best friend and maid of honor. She’s an elementary school teacher and a classic “giver.” She spends her life doing for others, especially helping her dad care for her two younger siblings, leaving little time for her own needs or goals. She’s had a crush on Grif since she was young, and once he’s back in town she quickly decides she wants to pursue a fling.
Kate is a fantastic character, one of my new favorite Shalvis heroines. She’s funny and quirky, but not over-the-top. I love that she spouts science facts when she’s nervous, which of course happens often around Grif. (She also gave me my new favorite term, “social orgasm.” That had me giggling out loud in a doctor’s office waiting room, earning strange looks.) Kate is a bit naive in that she’s never done much but stay in Sunshine and take care of her family. She’s only had one serious boyfriend; she’s never even left the state. But I love that she doesn’t seem like a child just because her life has been centered on her hometown. Kate’s still curious, smart, and independent. For example, despite the fact that she is not as sexually experienced as Grif, she is the one who pursues him, without pretense or silly games. She’s not clingy or needy, and she doesn’t collapse in a heap when Grif rejects her. She is a damn good teacher, too, and it’s clear that she’s not just in it because it’s safe but because she excels at and enjoys it. She has dreams, such as accepting the scholarship for a year-long science education program that she’s been offered, but those dreams aren’t symptoms of how much she hates her life, just other things she’d like to do. There is no whining or even a big freak out like you sometimes see in books with an overstretched heroine. I appreciate that she’s flawed in a way that feels relatable and realistic.
Normally the military men aren’t really my first choice for heroes, but Grif worked for me. He’s stereotypically the stoic, silent type, but I felt like he was a bit more in touch with his feelings that the stereotype suggests. He resists Kate because he’s “not good enough,” but that doesn’t get drawn out forever. He quickly realizes that he can offer her something in return, and while he still feels insecure he tries to be his best for her. He is a great foil for Kate. He needs some TLC (which Kate is of course an expert in), but he isn’t so broken that he can’t give her the same. Their interactions were heart-meltingly sweet at times and full of well developed sexual tension at other times, and that combo made Kate and Grif irresistible for me.
The story wasn’t completely perfect. I wanted to see a bit more of Kate and Grif really talking about their lives, including Grif’s injuries, his relationship with his dad, and Kate’s scholarship opportunity. I would have liked to see a little more emotional intimacy to go along with their physical intimacy. I also felt there should have been a little more resolution of Grif’s issues with his dad. The choice Grif makes once he realizes he wants Kate seemed abrupt. I kept wondering how it would impact his relationship with his dad and sister–a little clearer explanation/resolution would have been nice.
Still, these are very minor quibbles. My hands-down favorite book in this series is book #2, Animal Attraction, and while Rumor Has It doesn’t quite reach that same height for me, it comes close. It hits all the right notes Shalvis does so well–humor, tenderness, snappy dialogue, and characters you wish you could meet in real life. Despite some imperfections, I’m giving this a perfect score because the overall package is just so strong.
Grade: 5 out of 5
The Series:
This book is available from Berkley. You can purchase the book here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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