t woods
Generally love this author's work. I liked the premise of the book because of its originality. But it is always tough for me to overcome annoying heroines. Pru never really grew on me. I couldn't understand why the gang was so open to her. And the heavy hand with painting slacker brother to help explain our hero's -- well, hero complex was like, "OK, I get it!" But Finn, I loved. I totally identified with him and his happiness is the only reason I could root for them as a couple.
A Google user
I love, love, love Jill Shalvis' books, every single one of them. When I hear that a new one is coming out, there's no question that I will be reading it. New book in a beloved series? Great. New series? Awesome. If Jill's written it, I'm reading it. SWEET LITTLE LIES is the first book in Jill's Heartbreaker Bay series. Set in San Francisco, and full of the quirky and lovable characters that are part of all of Jill's books, this one had me from word one. Pru Harris is the do-gooder to end all do-gooders. Feeling responsible for something that happened years before, something that changed the course of many lives, Pru has made it her mission in life to right what she sees as the wrongs done to others by giving them something back to make up for their losses. Finn O'Riley is one of those people. He doesn't know what Pru's about, he just knows that he's never met anyone like her, and wants to know her a lot better. "You've got an interesting job..." "Yes...Interesting. And fun, too." "Fun." Finn repeated the word like it didn't compute. "Now there's something I haven't had in a while." "You know, in some circles I'm known as the Fun Whisperer." One of the things that I love most about Jill's books is the dialogue. Sassy, snarky, often sexy, but never boring. Jill has mastered the art of the verbal, and I love seeing the words that flow between the characters, as well as the interior dialogue, because it never disappoints. Pru and Finn are perfectly matched here, and the whole cast of supporting characters keep right up with them. This, along with the relationships of the tightly-knit community in Heartbreaker Bay, made me feel like being surrounded by a group of people that are the best kind of folks to hang out with. Another thing that Jill does extremely well is sexy time. Finn is one hot ticket, and, if Pru is the Fun Whisperer, then he is the Panty Whisperer. Spark, sizzle, intense combustible chemistry, call it what you will, but these two have it in abundance. It is a true pleasure watching their relationship unfold. 5 stars for SWEET LITTLE LIES and the residents of Heartbreaker Bay. I am really looking forward to spending more time with Finn, Pru, and the rest of the gang, and can't wait for THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, coming this fall.
2 people found this review helpful
Nancy Stopper
Sweet Little Lies is a great first book in a new series from Jill Shalvis. It has a great ensemble cast which form a tight-knit group of friends but also tease the reader with a lot of wonderful stories yet to come. Finn is a wonderful hero, feeling the need to take care of everyone after the death of his parents. He and Pru are alike in that way, although Pru's need to take care of people is focused on a select few and driven by her guilt. Pru and Finn's relationship follows a winding path to happily-ever-after, with a lot of potholes on the way, funny antics by their friends, and hilarious misunderstandings which lead to their eventual happily-ever-after. The city of San Francisco and the building Pru lives in set the stage for a wonderful story and the city itself is as much a character as the actual characters are. It reminded me much of the movie Singles, with a cast of twenty-somethings living in and working in a building which throws them together and forces them to feel what they sometimes don't want to feel. I look forward to future releases in the Heartbreak Bay series. Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
