The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis @JillShalvis @WmMorrowBooks @NetGalley #contemporaryfiction #fiction #bookreview #bookblogger

Susanne’s Review:

Just Right.

I’ve always believed that family is what you make of it, thus the new series by Jill Shalvis, The Family You Make, struck a chord with me.

Jane is a woman who has never stayed in one place  A nomad who has moved around, she grew up in Sunrise Cove and will always love it. Levi is from Sunrise Cove. Though he has never felt as though he belonged, he calls it home.

These two form a bond when Levi’s life is put in danger and Jane, a traveling nurse, comes to his rescue. Thereafter, the two pretend to date, for the sake of Levi’s family and of course, can’t find those loving feelings.

Jane has been alone forever. She doesn’t know how to be anything else. Yet somehow she can’t ignore Levi, try as hard as she might.

Charlotte is a physician who is Jane’s closest friend. These two lean on each other through thick and thin. Charlotte has been through hell and back and has never really let anyone in, until now. Mateo is an ER doc who lives next door to Charlotte. Mateo has been in love with Charlotte forever. A man who goes out of his way for the woman he loves, he will do whatever it takes to break down those walls.

This is a story that centers mainly around Jane and Levi, though admittedly, I enjoyed the story of Charlotte and Mateo much more.  If I had to put my finger on why I’d have to say that I felt as though Jane and Levi’s relationship felt forced whereas Charlotte and Mateo’s was quite easy and natural. That said, all in all, I enjoyed The Family You Make and so agreed with the sentiment shared at the end of the book. I started reading Jill Shalvis’ novels in the middle of last year and quite enjoy them and am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to William Morrow and Custom House for the arc via NetGalley.