#Audio #Review: Sweet Little Lies by Jill Shalvis - 5 Wine Glasses

Title: SWEET LITTLE LIES
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #1
Author: Jill Shalvis
Narrator: Karen White
Format: Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hours and 35 minutes
Published: June 28, 2016 (Harper Audio)
ISBN: ASIN: B01EM40I24
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Harper Audio
Rating: 5 out of 5 Wine Glasses

Choose the one guy you can’t have . . .

As captain of a San Francisco Bay tour boat, Pru can handle rough seas—the hard part is life on dry land. Pru loves her new apartment and her neighbors; problem is, she’s in danger of stumbling into love with Mr. Right for Anybody But Her.

Fall for him—hard . . .

Pub owner Finn O’Riley is six-foot-plus of hard-working hottie who always makes time for his friends. When Pru becomes one of them, she discovers how amazing it feels to be on the receiving end of that deep green gaze. But when a freak accident involving darts (don’t ask) leads to shirtless first aid, things rush way past the friend zone. Fast.

And then tell him the truth.

Pru only wants Finn to be happy; it’s what she wishes for at the historic fountain that’s supposed to grant her heart’s desire. But wanting him for herself is a different story—because Pru’s been keeping a secret that could change everything. . . . 

Linda's Thoughts:
"Feel free to kiss it better."

SWEET LITTLE LIES by Jill Shalvis and narrated by Karen White is the utterly fabulous debut of Jill's new Heartbreaker Bay series. I'm positively addicted to Jill's books and beyond excited about this new Jill Shalvis series to obsess over. SWEET LITTLE LIES is the story of all-work-and-no-play Finn O'Riley and fun-whisperer Pru accompanied by a merry, doting supporting cast! Even though the tale is set in picturesque San Francisco which is not a small town, the story still has a small town feel because it revolves around the fun atmosphere of Finn O’Riley’s neighborhood bar and the cast of characters is small and close-knit.

As the story opens, we meet Pru. She works as a boat captain of a San Francisco tour boat company and lives in an apartment building across from O'Riley's bar. The pub is a place for the friends to get together, chill and feel like they were at home. Outside the bar, there's a tourist-trap wishing fountain.

Early on in the tale, even though Pru didn't believe in true love or the magical ability of fountains, Pru used the fountain to make a selfless wish for true love - not for herself - but for Finn. This is because Pru carries a heavy burden of guilt for something that wasn't her fault and  has made it her life's purpose to right the wrongs done to the victims of which Finn was one. Despite Pru's belief that she's undeserving, the fountain may have other ideas.

I loved both Pru and Finn! Pru is sweet and caring and really does try to fight her attraction to Finn; but, it's not her fault she couldn't resist. No woman could! Because "six-foot, broad-shouldered, dark eyes, dark smile" Finn is HOT, HOT, HOT and sweeter than sweet. He's also loyal and responsible and has spent his life raising his younger brother. He says some of the sexiest things too. He's one of my favorite heroes ever - most definitely major swoon-worthy material.

This book is teeming with too many favorite scenes to mention just one. I laughed out loud when Pru got an accidental Brazilian while on a girls' night out - and, then, when Finn discovered it, oh my! Also... Pru has a celebrity thing for guys named Chris - so watch for hilarious mentions of Chris Pratt and Chris Evens. Then... there was the can't miss dart to the chest incident. Finally, my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest when Finn was there for Pru when she got sick. (Need I repeat that Finn is Mr. Awesomeness personified?) Oh... AND did I mention Thor, Pru's misfit dog? The scenes with him were too cute. Trust me... Just read the book and enjoy all the great scenes yourself!

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from this highly entertaining read:

Finn was different.
And he was different because she wanted him in her life in a way she hadn't wanted anyone for a very long time.
Maybe ever.
---

With her hands still fisted in his shirt, she gave a gentle tug until he bent enough that she could kiss him softly. And then not so softly.
“What was that for?” he asked when she pulled free, his voice sexy low and gruff now.
“For being the kind of guy who can admit he has emotions.”
He cupped her face. “We don’t have to tell anyone, right?”
She smiled. “It’ll be our secret.” But then her smile faded because she wasn’t good at secrets.
Or maybe she was too good at them . . . “I’m not helpless,” she said. “I want you to know that.”
“I do know it.” He paused, looking a little irritated again. “Mostly.”
“Good,” she said. “Now that’s settled, you should know, the caveman thing you just pulled . . . it turned me on a little bit.”
He slid her a look. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Looking a little less like he was spoiling for a fight, his hands went to her hips and he pulled her in tighter.
What the hell was she doing? Clearly, she wasn’t equipped to stay strong, and who could? The guy was just too damn potent. Too visceral. Testosterone and pheromones leaked off of him. She dropped her head to his chest. “Ugh. You’re being . . . you.”
“Was that in English?”
“This is all your fault.”
“Nope. Definitely not English.”
“You’re being all hot and sexy, dammit,” she said. She banged her head on his chest a few times. “And I can’t seem to . . . not notice said hotness and sexiness.”
He smiled. “You want me again.”
Again. Still . . . She tossed up her hands. “You wear your stupid sexiness on your sleeve and you don’t even know it.”
---

“I’m not a lot of trouble,” she said.
His gaze slid to her mouth. “You sure about that?”
“Completely.” And then she flashed him an indeed trouble-filled smile.
And that’s when he knew. He was the one in trouble. Deep trouble.”
---

“Finn smiled and blew half her brain cells.
“You going to teach me how to have fun, Pru?” he asked in that low, husky voice.”

SWEET LITTLE LIES is narrated by Karen White. She is hands-down one of my very favorite narrators. I've gotten to where I'll try just about anything she voices and I've discovered new favorite authors because she narrated their works. The pairing of Jill Shalvis and Karen White is nothing short of exquisiteness. Karen's voice is clear. She seamlessly differentiates between characters. Her pacing is right on and her tones and inflections are perfection! She really nails the humor, charm and sassiness that are inherent in Jill's writing. If you haven't listened to one of Karen's performances, I highly recommend that you do... soon!

I loved every minute of SWEET LITTLE LIES. I'm thrilled as it appears that the supporting cast of SWEET LITTLE LIES are in line to have their stories told in future installments. I can't wait for Willa's story in THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE coming this fall I've even read that there will be a grumpy cat who will wrap our hero around her finger in it. Then... it's Elle's & Archer's story in ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE coming early next year! (Elle was involved with that Brazilian! Oooh la la!) If you love your romances yummy, ultra sexy, fun and quirky, you've hit the jackpot with SWEET LITTLE LIES! I cannot recommend the audio edition enough!



Suggested Reading Order:
Sweet Little Lies (Book #1)
The Trouble With Mistletoe (Book #2) - coming Sept 2016!
One Snowy Night, a novella - coming Nov 2016!
Accidentally On Purpose (Book #3) - coming Jan 2017!