You may want to clear your schedule before you start this one. Because you’re not going to want to put it down. Bodie and Harper might appear to be incompatible at first. After all, he’s a bit broody and grumpy, while she’s optimistic and sweet. He’s determined to keep the city girl out of his head, while she’s just as determined to find her future in the last place she was truly happy. Add in a possible runaway, siblings who relish tormenting each other, an ex who never should’ve ended up that way, and an abuela determined to show the new girl love in her in-your-face manner, and you have a whole host of people to keep you company. I didn’t even factor in the behemoth of a dog, who will gain a special place in your heart from the first page.

Even though there are secrets to be kept, shared, and worked through, the love that is being taught and shared help to make it all work out. And even though Harper and Bodie seem meant to be, can they work in the long run? I worried a few times that misery could be the future for them, but I knew that this author wouldn’t steer me wrong. And I also had a few guesses about what could tie everyone together in the end. I’m glad to say that even with those guesses, and a few being correct, I was still surprised by how it all worked out and how much is learned about families in this story. Dysfunctional, loving, and distant. Each family taught a lesson and each family helped to bond everyone together.

You don’t have to read the rest of the series to understand where we’re at with everyone in this book, so grab a comfy spot, your reading method of choice, and follow Bodie and Harper on their path to love and forever.

I have always loved Jill Shalvis and her books! She is such a delight on social media, and her books always make me smile! But there is something special about this series … I loved all of them so much! Her characters in The Sweetheart List are so likeable … the standout however is Ham the dog. The story just digs in your heart … and you root so much these folks. It’s one you just want to cuddle in and read all day, except, then it’s all over. I’m really looking forward to the next in this series. It’s just going to be a long wait. If you want a great series … give Sunrise Cove a try.

A good solid Jill Shalvis book. I liked the setting and the characters. I'm glad the dog wasn't featured as a character, I think that is a tired plot line.

Jill Shalvis is a go to author and a one click buy. I found this to be a beautiful story with compelling plot and fantastic characters. I enjoyed this story and look forward to recommending this book to others.

I'll be honest, when I first started "The Sweetheart List" I thought it was going to a very slow read. It only took a few pages to change my mind. I mean, who couldn't fall in love with the main character, Harper Shaw? Hurt in the past, she decided to move to Lake Tahoe and make a fresh start by becoming her own boss and do something she had never done before by opening her very own bakery. Of course, things like that are never easy and she got off to a rocky start when she met her new landlord Bodie Campbell. Throw in meeting Ivy, a runaway girl whom Harper ends up taking under her wing and the story immediately began to get interesting! "The Sweetheart List" had just the right amount of romance, intrigue, laughter and the occasional plot twist to keep me glued to the pages. Jill Shalvis did an excellent job of combining all the elements and characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Harper Shaw is looking for a fresh start, a place that will spark joy for her, and decides to move to Lake Tahoe as this was the last place she found she was happy. She has aspirations to open a bakery in this town, which is located next to a tavern owned by Bodie Campbell, a grumpy, rough-and-tumble man, and a bookstore, owned by a woman, Shay, that ends up becoming her best friend. Harper feels like this is the place in which she will finally find happiness.

She meets a runaway teenager, Ivy, on her first night living in the bakery/apartment (her apartment is infested with rodents, so she decides to sleep in her unrenovated bakery). Harper has a soft spot for her and takes her in, not knowing the reason why Ivy came to Sunrise Cove in the first place. Secrets intertwine between Harper, Ivy, and Bodie, and it changes Harper in ways she didn't expect.

I thought that the tropes in the story were cute, if not maybe a little overplayed. The main character runs away from her life for a fresh start and a shoddy previous relationship; then, she finds a man that makes her believe in love again. Some books do this well (I've read one recently that did this in a way to keep me engaged), but I didn't think this one did. While I understand the intersection between the characters, I felt like Harper's story didn't have enough depth, so the author had to focus more on Ivy and Bodie's relationship. I was under the impression that Harper was the main character, not Ivy and Bodie.

I also felt like the writing was a little disjointed. There was some awkward transitions and the way in which the author narrated the story was a little cringy. It definitely could have afforded another editing round before going to print. I really wish that this would have been told in first-person instead of third-person with multiple perspectives as well. I liked having a well-rounded understanding of the story, but gaining empathy for each character from their own mouths may have kept me more interested.

That being said, once I found the motivation to pick up the story, it was an intriguing one for the most part. This isn't your typical romance necessarily. It is a combination between women's fiction and romance and leans more on familial love instead of romantic love.

I would still recommend this to someone looking for a beach read this summer despite my reservations. It's a light read that will keep you engaged once you pick it up, but don't expect your romance to be front-and-center in the story.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Harper decides to move to a town where she had the best memories of her mom. She meets Brodie who is her landlord, and owner of a neighboring bar. The more 1time she spends with him, the greater their attraction for each other grows. This book was great.

As usual, Ms Shalvis wrote another book of family, fun, and frivolity. I especially enjoyed the backstories of all the characters, but especially of Ivy, a teen who is in need of a family to unconditionally love her. This book was a delight to read.

How is it that Jill Shalvis can continue to write these 5 star stories every single time?!?! The Sweetheart List is another winner! Harper comes to Lake Tahoe to start over and meets Brody on her first night in town. They are both not looking for a relationship and have so much past baggage. Enter Ivy, a runaway who meets them both and worms her way into their lives and hearts. I love the twist at the end of the story. It was perfect! If you love stories with relationship drama, family drama, love and of course, a cute pouch, then Jill’s stories are for you!

Daniel sounds like a prince.

Sheesh, he's just trying to help!

I love Shay already.

Jeez, what kind of woman leaves her kid like that?

Aw, Zeke is a good husband.

Her father let her live in her car?!

Phew, moonshine straight? Must be bad, Shay!

Shay honey, you self-sabotaged. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Ha, nice baking puns.

I love that he figures it out in an instant and is immediately happy.

Harper really can't hold her liquor.

No fair, Bodie.

Haha, I bet it's a girl.

Awww. It was fate!

I cannot say how much I loved this book! I had all the feels!
This story is about love and relationships - all types. Families and newly discovered family members. Friends who become family. It’s a story about learning about our true selves and learning that we all deserve happiness and love. And I love the surprise ending in the epilogue (no spoilers here😉)
Jill Shalvis crafted a layered story that is engaging and entertaining.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Sweetheart List is the latest from Jill Shalvis and doesn't disappoint.

I'm a long time fan of Ms. Shalvis and reading her books, particularly her series, is like saying hello to an old friend, you just fall into the book and are comforted by her words and laugh with her as she tells her tale.

Harper is struggling when she comes to Sunrise Cove and doesn't want anything to do with Bodie when they first meet. After discovering he is her landlord, the fun begins.

As with all of Jill Shalvis' books, the secondary characters bring so much to the stories. Ivy, Shay, Mace, and Abuela add so much depth to the book that I enjoyed their story lines as much as the main characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC for me to read. I always enjoy Jill Shalvis’ writing, this was no exception. This light, happily ever after type romance is set in Lake Tahoe area, and features a big goofy dog, all positives in my opinion. The characters are likeable. I can imagine spin off books featuring some of the secondary characters. The conversational tone of writing and three different points of view keep it fast paced. If you enjoy starting over romance themes you will like this.

I enjoyed this story more than I anticipated. I love a good happy ending and this author delivered that. Her writing style also made the story a quick read. I do wish we had explored more of Ivy’s story, as I enjoyed the troubled teen character but also can see how it would have detracted from the plot. Overall, I’d toss some of the author’s other books in a bag for the beach without hesitation!

I absolutely adored this sweet, quirky, and heartwarming romance! Right from the start I latched onto these delightful and relatable characters, and loved how their stories unfolded. After so much heartbreak, Harper hit the road to start a new life in the last place that she remembers being happy in. She has always dreamed of opening a bakery and finds the perfect place in Sunrise Cove. What she didn't expect to find was a new family in the form of a sexy, rugged landlord, a young runaway girl, and a snarky new best friend. This is a heartwarming, slow-burn romance that is filled with healing, humor, and hotness! Harper is a kind, smart, and feisty woman looking for a place to belong. Bodie is sexy, and grumpy, ex military, with a need to help everyone, and crushing guilt that created thick walls that Harper and Ivy easily broke through. Ivy is a teen runaway with secrets, who is surprisingly sweet, resilient, and vulnerable, melting my heart right along with Harper and Bodie's. Their stories are so addictive, along with the relationship between her friend, Shay, and Bodie's brother, Mace. I loved the authentic growth of all the different friendships and relationships, along with the snarky banter between Bodie's brother's, followed by their unwavering support, and I especially love the small town coziness. You don't want to miss this beautiful, hilarious, and hopeful romance about letting go of the past, and finding where you belong with family, friendships, and that forever love.

“The Sweetheart List” by Jill Shalvis
A Great Read
Three characters who have lost much and are living in the turmoil of finding their way to at least a comfortable place in a wee bit of the world to call their own. A lot of growing and a lot of love sure do help make for a better future. I loved my time in this story, and yes, there were tears and chuckles, too! Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley

Thank you!!! I’ve been in a reading slump and this cute story pulled me out of it. Characters you care about and a nice story to go with them. Life and relationship lessons. People who are a bit broken. Family and second chances. Just a nice little gem that was very entertaining.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager along with Netgalley for an ARC of The Sweetheart list, in exchange for for my honest opinion.

I have never read a book by Jill Shalvis before but I knew from reading the synopsis that I would enjoy it. I was not disappointed. Needing a feel good, romance book after reading several deep, twisted, mind exhausting books, I found exactly what I was looking for.

Harper picks up her life and moves to the last place where she was truly happy. She and her mom used to visit Tahoe when she was younger, before her mom passed away. She now needs to get away from the life that she was barely living with her dad, her “almost” fiancée, and a list for everything . Opening up a bakery and unexpectedly finding people whom she finds will make a huge difference in her life.

It was cute. It made me giggle. And it definitely made me want to read more books by Jill Shalvis.

I love this book. And yes, I love every single Jill Shalvis book, but I seriously love this story…as in it is tied as first place with Accidentally on Purpose. Personally, I think the reader should go in just reading the book’s blurb before delving into longer reviews because IT IS JUST THAT GOOD! So, I will just list the basics of the story:
-POV from three main character
-Exceptional secondary characters
-LOL text message threads
The end. 🥰🤗🥰

The Sweetheart List begins as Harper Shaw's life has fallen apart. She has packed up after her long-term boyfriend has left and life holds nothing for her. It is time to make a change and decides to return to the last place she was happy. She spent several summers with her mother in Lake Tahoe before her mother's cancer took her. So, she removes everything in her life that doesn't spark joy in her life. She is no longer eating kale or making list. She is ready to open Sugar Pine Bakery and start her life but the night she arrives she runs in to Bodie Campbell who tries to help her when she slides on the ice. She wants no help from him. That night as she tries to get comfortable on a bench in her new bakery, she hears someone trying to break in. It is then she meets a teenage runaway that changes her life.
Jill Shalvis does a great job of incorporating tough subjects and adding humor that will make you laugh out loud. Shalvis provides a quick read enjoyable feel-good story while showing the importance of communication and how quickly not communicating can turn something good into a disaster.
Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, Jill Shalvis for and ARC in exchange for my honest review.