4.5 Wine Glass #Audio #Review for Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis

Title: Accidentally on Purpose
Series: Heartbreaker Bay # 3
Author: Jill Shalvis
Narrator: Karen White
Format: Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hours and 33 minutes
Published: January 24, 2017 (Harper Audio)
ISBN: ISBN-10: 1470854015
ISBN-13: 978-1470854010
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Audible | Audiobooks.com
Reviewer: Linda
Source: Audiobooks.com
Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 Wine Glasses

There’s no such thing as a little in love…

Elle Wheaten’s priorities: friends, career, and kick-ass shoes. Then there’s the muscular wall of stubbornness that’s security expert Archer Hunt—who comes before everything else. No point in telling Mr. “Feels-Free Zone” that, though. Elle will just see other men until she gets over Archer . . . which should only take a lifetime . . .

There’s no such thing as a little in lust…

Archer’s wanted the best for Elle ever since he sacrificed his law-enforcement career to save her. But now that she’s earned happiness and success, Archer just wants Elle 24/7. Their chemistry could start the next San Francisco Earthquake, and Archer doesn’t want to be responsible for the damage. The alternative? Watch her go out with guys who aren’t him . . .

There is such a thing as…

As far as Archer’s concerned, nobody is good enough for Elle. But when he sets out to prove it by sabotaging her dates, she gets mad—and things get hot as hell. Now Archer has a new mission: prove to Elle that her perfect man has been here all along…

Linda's Thoughts:
"Whatever you need… Always."

In Accidentally on Purpose by Jill Shalvis, readers are treated to the long-awaited tale of Elle Wheaten and Archer Hunt, two favorite quint-essentials in the author’s Heartbreaker Bay series. Even though the series is set in picturesque San Francisco, which is not a small town, the stories in the series still have a small town feel because they revolve around the fun atmosphere of Finn O’Riley’s neighborhood bar and the cast of characters is small and close-knit. Each book in this series has been delightful with the magical wishing well situated near Finn O’Riley’s, the close-knit friends, and, of course, the romances.

All the books in this series work well as a standalone read if that is your preference. So feel free to jump in anywhere. You will feel right at home.

As the story opens, Elle has started dating. But, her dates keep getting sabotaged which she tracks down to Archer’s doing. She sees it as Archer being over-protective and still seeing her as the sixteen-year-old-girl that he had once saved. But, he doesn’t believe any of the men she was to date were good enough for her. Regardless, now there’ll be hell to pay…

Elle can rock four-inch heels looking beautiful and quickly scale a ladder while doing so. Archer is strong and big. The chemistry between them has been volcanic from the first. Neither is willing to open up to the other and risk their heart. They’re both headstrong to a fault and each hides behind a facade. Archer reminds her of the person she once was and the person she never wanted to be. In Archer’s mind, no man – including himself – is good enough for Elle. Yet, they’ve been ruined for other relationships from the moment they met.

In the previous books, fans have witnessed the frosty relationship between Elle and Archer. Now we get to see what happened in their past to start the ice age between them and tag along for their tumultuous journey to an HEA. You won’t want to miss the camping rescue nor Carl’s kibble-and-bits episode.

Following please find a few of my favorite quotes from Accidentally on Purpose:

"I want in your life, Elle. All the way in."
--- 

“I’m putting a temporary hold on the ‘stay away from me’ thing,’” she said. “just for a minute while I yell at you, and then we’re definitely going right back to it.” 
--- 

“Fine. It’s your life, but—” 
“But you’re still going to tell me what to do?” he asked, a small smile on his lips. 
She went into defense mode at his amused tone. “Well, I’m sure as hell not going to be quiet about it.” 
“Duly noted,” he said dryly. “And for the record? I never want you to be quiet, Elle. 
--- 

Her heart just about stopped. “Us?” she asked in shock. “There is no us. There’s a you. And there’s a me. And okay, so sometimes we get crazy and become a very momentary us but it’s not real.”
 “It could be,” he said. She gaped at him, completely gobsmacked. 

Karen White returns to narrate Accidentally on Purpose. She never fails to deliver a polished production and bring Jill’s wonderful characters to life. She aces all the voices – male, female and animal. Anytime I see that Karen has narrated a book that I want to read, I always elect to listen rather than read as I know that Karen will enhance my enjoyment of the story.

Jill posted on her Facebook page that Accidentally on Purpose is her 101st published work! That’s quite an accomplishment! My goal is to stick around to read her next hundred books as I know that I can count on Jill’s storytelling magic to add a blue sky to a rough day. Her characters never fail to capture my heart and mind. I also know that there will be a heart-fluttering happy ending that will leave me with a huge smile on my face no matter how much angst her characters suffer until then. Her books are my comfort reads and I don’t want to think about where I’d be without them.

I laughed, swooned and spilt a few tears while being swept away by Jill’s storytelling and Karen’s performance in Accidentally on Purpose. I highly recommend this book – indeed this whole series - to anyone who enjoys well-written, highly entertaining contemporary romances featuring likable, stubborn and sexy characters. With three new books announced in the series – including two holiday-themed, I’m flying high!



Suggested Reading Order:
Sweet Little Lies (Book #1)
The Trouble with Mistletoe (Book #2)
One Snowy Night (Book #2.5)
Accidentally on Purpose (Book #3)
Chasing Christmas Eve (Book #4) – Coming Sept 26, 2017!
Holiday Wishes (Book #4.5) – Coming Nov 7, 2017!
About That Kiss (Book #5) – Coming Jan 30, 2018!