Ravishing Romances: At Last (by Jill Shalvis)

At Last rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Release Date: June 26, 2012

Lucky Harbor series rating: N/A (haven't read them all)

At Last is book 5 in this series and can be read in order or as a stand alone novel.

How are the sex scenes?

Perfectly timed (the characters hopping into bed together always seemed like the next step to me) and semi-descriptive (you read about the main parts, but Shalvis isn't writing six page erotic love scenes).

How are the story lines?

Interesting and believable. At Last is a plot-driven novel (except for one terrified, stubborn, teenage secondary character who drives much of the plot all on her own).

Would you read it again?

Yes, it's my favorite book of this series.

Summary

Amy Michaels is a waitress at Lucky Harbor's Eat Me diner and an all around tough girl who is following her grandmother's journal through the mountains to rediscover what her grandmother had found long ago: hope, peace and heart.

Matt Bowers is Lucky Harbor's forest ranger who goes beyond the call of duty, watching over Amy when she gets lost in the woods.

Having circled each other for months, their impromptu camping trip forces Amy and Matt to confront their attraction. Neither wanting relationships and both having commitment issues, they struggle to not want - and need - the other while fighting to overcome their pasts and earning their right to be loved.

Review

At Last by Jill Shalvis is a contemporary romance novel set in fictional Lucky Harbor, Washington.

I've read Lucky in Love, At Last and Forever and a Day of this series and At Last is my favorite.

The Chocoholics are still in action with Mallory (Lucky in Love's heroine) living happily ever after with Ty and Grace (Forever and a Day's heroine) still piecing together jobs to pay her rent. Instead of meeting over chocolate cake they've upgraded to The Chocoholics' Brownies-to-Die-For and, of course, the recipe is included with the book.

And they rock. I know, because I baked them. (See my proof.)

Amy is the perfect heroine. She has a sad and dark past that's led her to Lucky Harbor in search of a fresh start. She's tough and resilient with a large heaping of pride and is possibly one of the most stubborn, independent female characters I have ever read.

Matt is the classic alpha male hero who pursues Amy enough to show he's determined to go after her but not enough to be a pushover. When Amy messes up he doesn't always automatically forgive her without question. I like that. That's realistic.

Much of the story takes place in the forest/mountains and the novel benefits from it. The secluded location intensifies the characters' interactions, letting their "relationship" take strides in just a few hours. (In a city scene there are cars and people passing by. The forest is private, sheltering the intimacy of each moment.) A camping trip has never been so steamy.

I'd also like to point out something that somehow escaped me in Shalvis's previous novel (Lucky in Love) - holy $**! this girl can write.

I laughed out loud before finishing the first page. Shalvis has mastered the art of clever wording, writing so many great one liners and plays on words that I began this review mid-book just so I didn't forget to mention them. Case in point:

"...backed up a step, and then another, until she bumped into a brick wall and nearly screamed. "Just a brown bear," said the brick wall that was Matt."

"I don't suppose you know which way?" she asked [Mr. Squirrel]. His nose twitched, then he turned tail and vanished in the thick woods. Well, that's what she got for asking a guy for directions."

At Last is a witty, sexy novel that reads smooth and easy while still reminding me of a young adult romance novel. Again, with sex.

Comment About It

What's your favorite Shalvis book so far? Is it from the Lucky Harbor series or another? Please share you thoughts!

Learn more about Jill Shalvis and her upcoming titles on her webpage and Facebook.