Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Rumor Has It Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

RUMOR HAS IT
Animal Magnetism #4
Jill Shalvis
Adult Contemporary Romance
304 pages
Berkley
Available now
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
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…


MY THOUGHTS
Rumor Has It is an absolute gem of a contemporary romance, filled with sexual tension and romantic sparks galore in addition to humor and charm, starting us off with a smile that never once slips from our faces as Kate and Griffin find their happy ending. Those who haven’t read the first three books in this series (like myself) will have absolutely no trouble settling into the story, Kate and Griffin’s romance something that easily stands on its own, the only thought we have with regard to the books that came before it is the mistake we made in not trying them sooner.

Many times with romances of any genre it’s the hero who is the standout, the one we female readers swoon over and pine for, wishing against all the laws of physics and the universe that the heroine’s shoes might magically fit on our feet so we can slide into them for real in order to bask in the attention of the alpha, beta, nerd, warrior, or any other type of delicious hero. While Griffin is no doubt worthy of an increased heart rate and rapid breathing, it’s Kate who is the highlight of this story; a woman so adorably awkward when she’s nervous that we fall in love with her instantaneously. Where some of us freeze in the presence of a good-looking man or perhaps even run away with all haste, Kate blurts out random and little-known science facts that have us wincing in sympathy for her even as we can’t help but smile at how cute she is.

In addition to her nearly uncontrollable tendency to regurgitate factoids whenever in Griffin’s presence, she is also extraordinarily low key, something we are eternally grateful for as we know with her leading us through this story we’ll never have to worry about dramatic meltdowns or gross overreactions. She’s upfront about what she wants with Griffin and is the first to give voice to her feelings, never really expecting anything from him in return but rather just putting them out there so he knows where she stands. When he fails to communicate (which to his credit isn’t often) or hurts her, instead of trying to hurt him in return or covering her hurt with attitude, she simply states her case about why she thinks he’s making a mistake. She’s never argumentative or confrontational, which is not to say she’s a pushover or a saint in any way, she undeniably has her own flaws, but she handles the murky waters of emotional attachment with far more grace than she does situations that make her nervous.

Overall, Rumor Has It is funny and light-hearted, with enough chemistry between Griffin and Kate to keep us devouring chapter after chapter, ravenous for the addictive happiness we feel whenever they’re together.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Jill:


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Q+A

As part of the promotional tour for Rumor Has It, Jill answered a variety of questions about romance, writing and of course this newest Animal Magnetism book, but there was one question in particular that jumped out at me and I simply had to share it with all of you. Jill and her husband are eerily similar to Kevin and me if the below conversation between them is any indication. I think we're pretty much the exact same couple ;-)

The interactions shared between you and Alpha Man always entertain; what is a recent “He Said, She Said” between you and Alpha Man that we may not have heard yet?
 

Me: What are you eating?
 

Him (mouth full): Nothing
 

Me: It smells like Oreos.
 

Him: …
 

Me: Are you … eating Oreos? I thought we were out of cookies!!
 

Him: There’s only four left.
 

Me: I need two.
 

Him: I’ll give you one.
 

Me: No! You can’t eat just one cookie!!! There’s a rule!!!
 

Him: Show me the book where this rule lives.

Me: I’LL WRITE YOU THE $%#!#$!@ book, give me a second cookie and no one gets hurt!
 

Him: Is it possible that you need something to go with that cookie?
 

Me: Milk?
 

Him: I was thinking Midol…


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GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the extraordinarily generous team at Berkley, I have one copy of Rumor Has It to give away on the blog today. To enter, please just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway is open to US residents only.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

45 comments:

  1. I read the first book in Shalvis's Lucky Harbor Series and loved it, so I'll have to look out for this series as well. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Jenny!(:

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    1. I adore the Lucky Harbor series Keertana! So good. I really enjoyed this one as well, her books are just fun reads.

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  2. Thanks for the post, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this book. I am very excited for this release and have been looking forward to it since the skype scene in Rescue My Heart! Thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. I need to go back and read the first 3 for sure!

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  3. I won't lie...that cover made me giggle, but the story itself sounds really sweet and fun! I love it when a novel is straightforward but offers up romance and fun, too. Wonderful review, Jenny! :)

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    1. It's a bit cutesy for sure. But I kind of want to scoop those little puppies up and snuggle them:)

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  4. I do adore Jill Shalvis's stories. Her characters are just so likeable -- people you could hang out with and have a drink, no problem. No massive drama, just enough trouble to make it interesting. And this story is no exception!

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    1. Exactly! I just had fun reading this book. I didn't stress or have to get up and walk away from it, I could just sit and enjoy:)

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  5. This sounds way fun. Great review. Thanks for the contest sugar. Count me in.

    That excerpt is awesome btw.

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    1. You're welcome! And I love that snippet between her and her husband. I can so relate:)

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  6. Lovely review, Jenny. I don't see you reviewing many contemporary romances on your blog, so I'm glad that you enjoyed this one. It sounds adorable and the female character sounds like she made an impression. Plus, the romance sounds good.
    I should definitely check this one out. Great review!

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    1. Contemporary romance isn't typically my genre, you know I love all things paranormal, but sometimes it's really nice to switch things up and take a break from my norm:) This hit the spot perfectly!

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  7. You know how much I love my romances, this is going to be a must read for sure!! Wonderful review Jenny!!

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    1. It was really cute Ali, I definitely recommend!

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  8. I need a good romance! And you know how much I love HEA and Love, love, love! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  9. Alaso, I now have that song "rumor has it" in my head :)

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  10. I love this series! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the book so much - I'll have to check it out!

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    1. I hope you do, especially if you're a fan of the series!

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  11. I think I would definitely be a big fan of Kate! I love the awkward girl in books and she usually steals the show for me as well. This sounds really sweet and how great is it that you were able to get right into it even though you haven't read the other books in the series. Great review, Jenny!

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    1. I could just so relate to Kate and how flustered she got around Griffin. I just wanted to hug her the whole time:)

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  12. Oh this book so adorable and right up my alley. I'm trying to beef up the romance collection for my library so I'll definitely will check this book out. Thanks for putting this on my radar, Jenny!

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    1. I think this would be a great addition to the romance section. As would her Lucky Harbor series:)

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  13. Finally a main character that seems well normal. Straight-forward but at the same time cute is always a win. I haven't heard of this one before but it sounds like a really funny and light read. We all need those from time to time. Great review, Jenny :)

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    1. Definitely. This book was such a nice break from some of the darker stories I'd been reading:)

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  14. Yes! I loved Kate, she just made me laugh. I had no trouble with this one despite not having read the first 3, there didn't seem to be any backstory or anything I was missing out on so that was really nice.

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  15. Yay! I hope you like it! Kate just made me laugh. When I get nervous I either say nothing or ramble, so I could relate to her just spitting out facts left and right when Griffin's nearby.

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  16. Yay! I love it when the heroine stands out, and I can develop a friend crush in addition to a full on swooning crush on the guy. :-) I also love when couples talk about their feelings instead of relying on unspoken words and confusion to drive the story. This sounds like a sweet, happy read that will put me in a good mood. Thanks for your lovey review!

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  17. I don't have this book, but I have one from the series from BEA. Can they be read out of order? You're so right that we're almost always drawn to the hero and neglect the heroine. BUT I love that this one stood out to you! That makes this book stand out to me. Thanks for the review!

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  18. Writing these awkward, quirky heroines just right, enough to make them instantly likeable and hilarious without turning them into cliches is incredibly difficult, I think. But when an author achieves it, it's a must read.
    So I've concluded that I absolutely must meet Kate - the sooner the better. I've added this to my tbr.

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  19. Love the sound of the characters in this one. Nothing frustrates me more in a contemp romance than when the 2 don't communicate at all. I know that happens IRL, but it is so frustrating. Love that they state what is going on. Plus the pups on the cover don't hurt.

    I just want to know if her husband survived that conversation below the review? LOL

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  20. OHH!! Look at those cute dogs on the cover. I'm such a dog person, as are you what with your lovely dogs:), and I just love that cover! "Many times with romances of any genre it’s the hero who is the standout, the one we female readers swoon over and pine for, wishing against all the laws of physics and the universe that the heroine’s shoes might magically fit on our feet so we can slide into them for real in order to bask in the attention of the alpha, beta, nerd, warrior, or any other type of delicious hero." --YES, Jenny! I know exactly what you mean. I'm glad that it's the female MC who actually shines in this pretty. Reminds me a little of Bliss from Losing It:) Haha, I can't not think about Griffin from Thoughtless series by S.C. Stephens whenever I encounter the name. He's hilarious and I'm glad that this Griffin right here isn't exactly a disappointing character either. Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention, Jenny! AND LOL at the Q+A :D

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  21. Awww it looks so cute! I would want it just cos of that

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  22. That Oreo dialogue is too cute! THis sounds like a great little pick me up read. I have been wanting to try this author and this looks like a lot of fun. I think that whole bursting out scientific facts sounds adorable.

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  23. Jenny this sounds wonderful. I love military men, and Kate sounds so sweet. I love this type of female character and no exactly what you mean. The banter sounds delightful. Totally adding this to my list!!!

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  24. I Love Jill's books. You are never disappointed with her humor and heart, not to mention great characters. I've been looking forward to this book for months.

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  25. I love strong characters like Kate and sometimes more emotional ones, but I'm glad to hear about a strong female character and a fantastic contemporary. Its always great to see good characters do have flaws and overcome anxiety. Terrific review!

    Love Jill's and her husbands cookie convo. <3

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  26. I love Jill's books! Thanks for the great review and giveaway!

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  27. This isn't one I would have considered reading on my own but I have to admit that your review has me very curious. And that little conversation was very fun!

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  28. I can't wait for this one, every review I read just makes me want to read it even more!

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  29. This sounds so good! I haven't read Jill Shavis but I have been DYING to!
    THanks for the giveaway!

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  30. Thanks for the lovely review! So glad you enjoyed Kate and Grif! Jill

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  31. Thank you for the review. I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance!

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  32. I loved the interaction! This was great!

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  33. This sounds right up my alley, Jenny! I love romances with humor. Kate sounds adorable and the angst sounds low. Yes! I like the fact that you don't have to pick up the others to enjoy this. I'll have to pick this up! Wonderful review!

    This Alpha convo reminds me of your "Kevin" conversations! Love it. :)

    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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