The Sweetheart List, by Jill Shalvis, is the fourth book in the Sunrise Cove series, but easily can be read as a standalone. This is an absolutely delightful, feel-good romance with a hearty dose of found-family and inspiring familial bonds. I loved everything about this story, with the exception of the spice, which is purely personal preference.

In this story we follow Harper Shaw, who after heartbreak, bravely finds her way back to the last place she was happy. She is planning on starting her own bakery, but first has a less than warm-hearted meet cute with the closed-up, brooding Body, tavern owner and member of the larger-than-life Campbell clan. She also unexpectedly comes across, Ivy, a 16 year old runaway with a secret mission of her own.

I loved the main female protagonist, the newly forged friendships, the story of sweet, temporarily homeless Ivy, her backstory, and the family members who embraced them. There was a lot to this novel that either made you pause and consider, or made you smile and sigh. And I suppose the highest compliment is that I wanted to stay and be a part of this world with these people, and hated to see their stories end.

This is my first Jill Shalvis book, but it won’t be my last. This rom-com has a little bit of everything you expect: new girl in town, brusk hunky guy, second chances in life and love, and romance with its problems. At first I thought it was slow and predictable, however, once it picked up I couldn’t put it down. Second chance romance with a couple of twists and turns…and I can’t wait to read the ones before this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Jill Shalvis for the opportunity to read this ARC. 4 stars and recommend to those who love romance, second chances, and family. All opinions are mine alone.

It has been a few years since I have read a Jill Shalvis novel. Such a great book! I don't know why I let this author slip off of my must-read all-new releases list. This story featuring Harper is such a delight. Great relationships develop in this small-town atmosphere. I loved the grumpy Bodie and the teenager, Ivy as well as the best friend Shay. All in all a great romance with lots of friendship, love, and humor. Highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a nice feel-good book. There is some spice, and the characters are well aware of their past trauma, which feels a little unrealistic at times. However, nothing is too far-fetched in my opinion - it would be amazing if this is how much self-awareness we all had. I enjoyed learning about Harper, Bodie, and Ivy - I’m intrigued enough to check out Jill’s backlist of the Sunrise Cove series!

Harper’s life has fallen apart, and she decides to start life over, eliminating anything that doesn’t give her joy. She takes off to Lake Tahoe to open her own bakery, which was the last place she was happy. Things do not start off well. The bakery is not ready, she has practically no money and one of her landlords is particularly grumpy. She decides to spend her first night in the bakery apartment with no water, heat or electricity. However, she does have a family of raccoons in her bathroom! As she settles in for the night, she hears someone trying to break in. Upon investigation, it turns out to be Ivy, a teenage runaway. Unable to turn her away in the cold, she allows Ivy to spend the night. As they got to know each other, Harper began to see a lot of herself in Ivy. But Ivy has some big secrets that change everything. I enjoyed these characters and the storyline. It’s part of a series, but I hadn’t read the other books. I will go back and read them now!

Also reviewed on B&N under 1IrishEyes430 and Kobo under IrishEyes430

The Sweetheart List made me want to move to Sunrise Cove to meet these fabulous people! This was my first Sunrise Cove books but I know it will not be my last. I so appreciated all the unique connection between these characters, particularly the connection between Harper and Bodie as children. Each character’s story came a.I’ve and felt so very real, even the stories of Bodie’s family. Jill Shavis has the knack of showing connections between characters as opposed to just telling them, thereby placing the reader within the heart of the story instead of being a passive observer. I felt a connection to each and every character. Loved the first meeting between Harper and Bodie. Also the first meeting of Ivy and Harper. The smells of cinnamon wafting through the air and the vision of burgers and fries jump off the pages and into your brain, making me wish I could visit the Sugar Pine Bakery and Bodie’s bar. Some day soon I hope to return to Sunrise Cove.
A perfect summer read that will make you feel warm and cozy and appreciative of second chances and the power of love.
Many many thanks to Jill Shalvis, Avon, and NetGalley for affording me the absolute pleasure of reading an arc of this recently published gem.

Whenever I start a Jill Shalvis book, I know I'm going to get a sweet story with likable characters. And there's also the emotional content -- it's always there with this author. The Sweetheart List was a sweet little story of three people trying to find their place in the world... and there's a dog, too.

Harper Shaw packs up her belongings and moves to Sunrise Cove in Lake Tahoe for a new start. Her last relationship didn't work out and her father doesn't even know she's around. So she sets out for the last place she was happy and decides to start a bakery business. The first person she meets is Bodie Campbell, who happens to be one of her landlords and a local business owner.

Bodie has some problems he's working through as well. A former ATF agent, he's working through some serious losses from his last mission and adjusting to a new life. His family is there for him, and they are a rowdy bunch of siblings who keep Bodie from losing it. The banter between among the siblings is just terrific and provides some nice humor.

When Bodie Encounters a young runaway named Ivy at his bar, he is immediately worried about eher. What he doesn't know yet is that Ivy has a secret that involves Bodie and it's a doozy.

The pace here was great for me, I was able to finish this story in a day. The writing is smooth and just flows, and before I knew it, I was 75% through the story. Harper, Bodie and Ivy's lives are intertwined and there are a few roadblocks caused by some incorrect assumptions that need to be taken care of before they can all find their HEA.

The Sweetheart List was a very pleasant story about new found friends and the beginnings of love in Sunrise Cove. The characters are very likable and the story moves along at a good clip to keep things interesting. I really enjoyed this story -- it was perfect read for sitting out in the sun on a hot summer day.

This is a very enjoyable book about starting over and second changes. It focuses on family relationships and their importance in life.

After being dumped by her fiancee, Harper moved to the last place she was truly happy, Lake Tahoe. This is the story about her starting over and meeting and trusting new people. You can't help but root for all of the characters in this story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

“Sunrise Cove” is an enchanting novel that effortlessly blends heartwarming moments with unexpected twists. Jill Shalvis masterfully crafts characters that resonate with readers, and Harper Shaw's journey is no exception. Through her vivid storytelling, Shalvis evokes a sense of warmth, humor, and vulnerability that invites readers to connect with the characters on a deep emotional level.

The picturesque setting of Lake Tahoe serves as more than just a backdrop; it becomes a character in its own right, providing a sense of serenity and renewal. Shalvis's skillful descriptions transport readers to the breathtaking landscapes and charming community of Sunrise Cove.

The relationships within the novel are beautifully nuanced, showcasing the intricate dynamics of friendship, romance, and self-discovery. The evolving bond between Harper and Ivy tugs at the heartstrings, and the chemistry between Harper and Bodie adds a delightful touch of romance to the narrative.

“Sunrise Cove” reminds us that no matter how challenging life becomes, there is always hope for a fresh start. Jill Shalvis's uplifting storytelling, endearing characters, and heartfelt exploration of love and redemption make this novel an irresistible read for fans of heartwarming contemporary fiction.

This is a delightful and emotionally resonant book that will leave readers with a renewed belief in the power of second chances and the magic of true love. Jill Shalvis once again proves her ability to captivate audiences with a charming story that will stay with them long after the final page is turned.

Shalvis is a reader favorite (mine too) and this book is exactly why. She deals with serious issues, but at the end of the page you believe that everything is going to be okay. I loved the entire Campbell clan and am somewhat disappointed that they all had their story in this book as I’d love to revisit them. If you need a reminder about the good in the world, this is the perfect read.

I love getting to visit Sunrise Cove again. The Campbell family is the best & this is focused on Bodie's story. He is home after getting injured on the job & doesn't want to get close to anyone. Harper has made her way to Sunrise Cove because she says it's the last place she was happy because she used to come with her mom who dies when she was 12. She feels like she has learned from her previous longterm relationship & doesn't plan on getting into another one. We all know how those stories go. :-) When Harper makes it to town, she meets Ivy, a 16 year old runaway, who's trying to break into her bakery because she wants to get warm. Of course Harper doesn't turn her away and instead helps her out. Highly recommend reading this story to see how it really plays out. Well worth it!

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for free advanced copy, and I am leaving my review freely

I really enjoyed this book that was a lovely mix of romance, new beginnings, relationship and family secrets and angst, and a nice dose of humor. The two main characters, Harper and Bodie, are total opposites in some ways, yet have some very basic experiences in common. They're surrounded by gorgeous geography, quirky friends and family members, and (yay!) an awesome dog. The only thing missing is recipes for the yummy things Harper bakes up in her newly established bakery and Bodie's bar food. Yes, this book made me hungry! Somehow I've missed reading any of Jill Shalvis' books up to now, but now I want to go back and read the previous books in this series, and get into her backlist as well.
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. I debated between 4 and 5 stars and rounded up to 5 because 4 was too low.

I admit to being a Jill Shalvis fan, but I’ve “cheated” on her with a lot of other authors. I would religiously read any new book when it came out and spent too many hours reading all her back stories. Then I got caught up in the shiny new of other authors and her books fell into the “I need to read those” pile and never got around to it. When I received this ARC, I said no excuses and started reading.

I forgot how effortlessly JS weaves a story and hooks you into her characters and storyline. The H, Bodie, is the typical dark, sexy, stoic hero who is back home licking his wounds and trying to figure out what is next after his last job blew up his life. His family welcomes him home with equal parts of love, nagging, and hovering. The scenes between the family and especially the three brothers are JS at her best.

Harper’s got her own proverbial wounds she’s trying to recover from. This woman…. I want to be BFFs with her. What she’s gone through but the open heart and good will she has is what makes you want to hang out at her bakery every single day, all day. Cookies, pastries, need I say more?

Bodie and Harper together just makes sense. The attraction, chemistry is there from the beginning. The quid pro quo they have going on made me root for both to get it together individually and as a couple. Bodie as a H has his faults but he’s more aware than he gives himself credit for. He’s Harper’s support but walks that line of knowing she wants to succeed stubbornly on her own. And Harper standing on her own two feet and realizing she deserves to succeed and be happy is what I want to read.

The third character, Ivy, is critical to the story. No love triangle but a teenager much like Bodie and Harper trying to determine where she belongs and looking for family and love. The three together, Bodie, Harper, and Ivy, were the extra cherry on top of a sweet story.

Steam level: implied, not too explicit
HEA: heck yes
Cheating: no
Angst: some but nothing that is endless
Dark: no

You know when you start reading a book and you know you are just going to devour it in hours? Well, that was definitely me reading The Sweetheart List.
I can’t recommend this book enough!
Perfect summer reading….you will be laughing, crying and smiling throughout the book.
Definitely a favorite read for me!
You need to go get this book now!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the wonderful opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the fourth book in the Sunrise Cove series – and whilst I definitely think that you should start at the beginning, you would find this a great story even as a standalone. There are a group of lovely characters in this book, but you really would find it hard to beat Bodie, Harper, and Ivy for being totally engaging and wonderful people. Jill Shalvis is so talented at writing about relatively normal parts of life and making them meaningful. It makes every story seem like it really could happen in the next town over – I love her style!

I loved Harper's theory about solving many issues with an offer of her homemade cookies. It was definitely something that smoothed ruffled feathers a few times. I am not going to reveal the plot but be ready for some very moving moments. There has been real hurt in these lovely people's lives, and it has made them cynical and hardened to love. Watching them give love, even when wary of accepting it, is a testament to how special they are. When Bodie and Harper give themselves a chance at being together, she discovers passion in a way that she had not realised was possible before.

Lovely ending, and definitely there are some other brothers who need to find their happily ever afters too!

Harper needs a change. Her fiancé dumps her, her job fails to bring joy, and her father barely acknowledges her existence. So, she decides to take life by the horns and move to the last place she was happy: Sunrise Cove, a town by Lake Tahoe. She’s going to go forward with her dream of running her own bakery and as luck would have it one of the downtown shops is up for lease. It’s a little run down but with some work it will be quaint and cute. Harper doesn’t expect help, doesn’t expect to make friends so quickly, but she’s but she’s gifted with both. Romance is far from her mind, but of course when you least expect it is when you fall hard.

Bodie, her landlord isn’t looking for romance either, he’s just home to run the family bar after his dad’s unexpected death. But sweet and kind Harper is hard to resist.

Ivy, a teenager with a mission, has nowhere to stay so she sneaks into Harper’s shop for a night to sleep safe and out of the cold, thinking the place empty. Instead, she’s surprised by Harper who doesn’t kick her out. Harper’s an unexpected refuge and friend.

I love the thought of picking up and moving if a place is not bringing you happiness. Something I did a year ago, and coincidentally, to a place very close to the setting of Truckee/Lake Tahoe! I kept picturing downtown Truckee because it sounded so like the cute downtown area described.

There were some bumps in the road from Ivy’s past and just from being a teenager! I thought she was pretty darn lucky because Harper and Bodie were so lovely to her.

The Sweetheart List was a feel-good romance full of love, friendship, and laughs! Loved that little surprise twist in the epilogue!

This was my first Jill Shalvis book and it was quite a delight. I didn't feel as if I missed anything not having read a previous book by this author or in this series. The character building was great and the story was sweet. It was a perfect, simple, summertime read that struck at the heart of family and what makes a family work, difficulties and all.
Harper arrives in Tahoe, one of the last places she remembers being happy, to start her own bakery. On her first night she has car troubles and meets a man trying to help her out, only to find out he's the one she's leasing her new bakery from. In the same breath, she meets a run away named Ivy and quickly builds a relationship with her, while she tries to earn Ivy's trust and make sure she's okay. The links between each of these characters keeps the pages turning. The thoughtful way of working through difficulties is touching, Discovering all of the ways a family loves each other, even through times of self doubt and insecurity, reminds us of important moments and relationships in our life. This was a great book set in one of the most wonderful summer backgrounds in the nation.

The Sweetheart List by Jill Shalvis is the 4th in the Sunrise Cove series but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I loved the sense of adventure, the fresh starts for several of the characters, the romance, and especially the sense of humor. Sweet, touching, and humorous … a perfect summer read.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me through NetGalley. This book was just absolutely wonderful. It was just so easy to get lost in and I just couldn’t put it down. I just lost myself within this amazing story. I most definitely will read more by this author.

Duuuuude! Jill Shalvis has written an awesome book and you won't want to miss it! This book is definitely on my beach read must read list for all my friends! Fantastic characters with a depth of emotions and written to be fully alive on the page! You'll seriously feel like you are making new friends rather than just reading a story. It's a story of second chances, overcoming self-doubt and starting over to make a life that you can find your happiness in with a dash of romance to make all of us swoon a bit! It's also a story of finding your place in the world and making a family of the people around you whether you are related or not. I'm definitely going to have to look for more Jill Shalvis books, how have I been missing this author! This book is definitely a heart grabber and you won't want to leave the Tahoe area after reading it!