Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Cedar Ridge (Book 1)
Format: Paperback; 368 pages
Publisher: Forever (March 19, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1538748819
ISBN-13: 978-1538748817
Author's Website: https://jillshalvis.com
Notes: I received a copy of the book from the publisher for review purposes. This in no way affected my review.
A decade ago Lily Danville left home and never looked back. Once the mountains of Colorado called to her soul and had been her playground. She'd loved everything about them. Now, when she looks upon those majestic peaks all she feels is guilt and regret. Everything changed when her sister died attempting to climb one of the areas deadliest peaks. A feat Lily, a more experienced climber, had accomplished earlier that same year. The tragedy was compounded when her father died of a heart attack at the funeral. Half her family was gone within a week's time. Now, she's finally going home in need of a job after being blackballed from the San Diego area's finest salons due to an "incident" of her boss' making. Her best friend, Jonathan, has offered her a temporary position at his salon in Cedar Ridge until something more permanent comes along.
The mountains, her best friend, and painful memories, however, weren't the only things Lily left behind ten years ago. There had also been Aidan Kincade...
Aidan Kincade is known as something of a bad boy in Cedar Ridge. He's said to be the type who will never settle down, but most don't truly know the man. Years ago Aidan gave his heart away, only Lily never knew it. He'll do everything in his power to make sure she knows it now, and convince her not to leave him a second time...
I must confess, this story didn't immediately draw me in. The first chapter had me rolling my eyes and shaking my head. It was meant to serve as a humorous look into Aidan's day-to-day life. It was funny, but I also found it to be a bit cheesy. Once Lily enters the picture in chapter 2, however, things immediately get more interesting and start to heat up. The moment I knew I was hooked was when Aidan texted Lily, "If you're looking for something bad for you, try me instead." One of the BEST LINES EVER. *grin*
Aidan is a firefighter who volunteers for the local search-and-rescue team, and helps out at his family's ski resort at Cedar Ridge. He's all about family and would do anything for a person he loves and/or cares about, but he doesn't give his heart away easily. Lily has no idea what affect she had on him all those years ago, but she's about to find out.
Lily is a complicated person. She's a strong individual (although she doesn't currently see herself that way) who loves deeply. Since the tragic death of her sister followed by her father's heart attack, however, she's locked down her heart, never allowing anyone too close. Truth be told, she had no idea of how strong Aidan's feelings for her were when she left as their relationship had just been in its initial stages of romance. If anyone had asked her about it, she'd probably have said they were just friends.
I loved watching these two attempt to deny their feelings. I enjoyed seeing them try to pussyfoot around one another while everyone else could see the sparks igniting whenever these two came into close proximity of one other. I liked how Aidan slowly eased his way back into Lily's life while gradually gaining her trust and breaking down her walls. Once Aidan decided on what he wanted, he all but wore his heart on his sleeve.
Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a sweet, charming, and sexy little romance. I liked seeing how Lily came to terms about what happened years ago with the help of Aidan. I kind of hope Lily's story isn't entirely over. I would love to see a little karmic justice served in a future book over the "incident" which led to Lily going back home, I do so love it when karma comes back to bite someone in their well deserving proverbial backside. I'm crossing my fingers. On the Lisarenee Romance Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I'm looking forward to seeing where Ms. Shalvis will take this one. I especially look forward to seeing how the Kincaid family will solve the predicament they find themselves in.
Order of the Cedar Ridge series:
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