Review: The Family You Make (Sunrise Cove #1)

The Family You Make (Sunrise Cove #1)

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst...but can't bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother's lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he's happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend--right before his phone dies.

But Levi and Jane do not.

Now Levi's family is desperate to meet "The One." Though Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, she's nervous. After a traumatic childhood, Jane isn't sure she knows how to be around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. She's terrified, and a little jealous. But an unexpected series of events and a host of new friends soon show Jane that perhaps this is the life she was always meant to have.

As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can't live without the man she's fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of.

Themes:  Cotemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Wow, two people meeting for the first time and almost dying together can really lead to some interesting and varied experiences it seems.  Jill Shalvis strikes again with a new series and the series begins with a terrifying story of two people that are about to die and find a way to connect in the most unexpected of ways. Levi Cutler is home to visit family and decides to make a quick stop at the ski-slopes before heading there. He never imagined that he would find his life would be in mortal danger when the ski-lift collapses under the weight of ice and snow, with him and his new gorgeous companions Jane taped together.  Jane has hoped to make it safely off the mountain before the worst of the storm hit, but instead of trapped in the gondola with the sexy Levi and their connection builds as they face their deaths. When Levi calls his parents, as a goodbye and introduces her as his girlfriend, neither of them understand the consequences when they are saved and have to face the future.  Jane agrees to pretend to be his girls for dinner, but soon finds herself falling for Levi and his family and wonders if they might be able to have something real.  Levi and Jane spend more and more time together but can they come to terms with their feelings and embrace their new relationship or will they walk away from one what fate has dropped into their laps.  Levi was an amazing character and one that I found myself instantly drawn too.  He was able to maintain his humor and cool in even the most terrifying and deadly of situations and he even managed to keep Jane calm when she was losing it.  I loves that his first instinct was to reach out and say goodbye to his loved ones, but not to let them know that was what he was doing, making it clear he was a loving and devoted son and knew the importance of family.  Jane has had a rough life, and been alone for far too long, but even she can see how great Levi’s family is and knows that she owes him a little bit for the way he offered his care when they were on the brink of death. She was sweet and so lost as she was embraced by Levi’s family, and I loved watching her find a way to enjoy the love they so freely offered her.  This story was one filled with pain, laughter, and love in all its forms and I am looking forward to seeing when Jill takes us in this all new series about small towns and the love that is so prevalent in them. 

*eARC provided by publisher (via NetGalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.