4⭐️

I really liked this book and read most of it in one day

The characters were lovable and written well, with developed character arcs and a story that included some deeper issues.

The plot was interesting, with a couple of predictable twists - also that didn’t detract from the story. For the most I liked all the characters, although some of the more background chapters were a bit more annoying.

I would say that I felt that some of the writing didn’t seem to flow correctly or the way the characters spoke to each other didn’t seem to fit with my expectations of how two people in their position would speak to one another in real life. And occasionally I got a bit confused with the timeline and whether what was happening was just after the previous scene had ended or if it was the next day

Overall I think the book was really good, a nice found family read with a pinch of spice

Harper has been hurt in the past, let down by those who were supposed to love her, so she decides to go back to the last place she was truly happy. To open a bakery and live a life that her mother could be proud of her for. She’s a little prickly, a lot wounded, but she craves the love that the people of Sunrise Cove can give her.

Ivy has been let down by her own mother more times than she can count so she runs away. A pitstop in Sunrise Cove has her reevaluating her plan … and, with the help of Harper, Bodie, and all their friends & family, maybe making choices that she didn’t plan on.

I really enjoyed getting to know the big, boisterous, oh-so-loving Campbell clan. They can be loud and pushy but also have big hearts and only want the best for those they care about, family or not. I kinda wish there’d been a series about all the brothers because I’d love to see more of this group.

With her newest, I think Shalvis straddles a line between women’s fiction and romance. While I really enjoyed Harper and Bodie getting to know each other and learning to open up, to take a chance on giving away their hearts, The Sweetheart List is really a family story at its heart. There’s a lot here about finding the place you belong and the people who will support you.

(Part of a series but … not really? I think these are more like unconnected books set in the same place.)

Shalvis's newest work in the Sunrise Cove series has all the things I love about a heartwarming romance.
Following Harper as she navigates a new life for herself, Brodie as he works to find himself in his life, and Ivy as she seeks out the father she never knew, The Sweetheart List tugs at the heartstrings, made me laugh and cry for and with all of the characters.
While predictable at times in the best way, I really loved this book. It is the perfect summer read!
The writing is done well, the setting leaps off the page, and the characters are well-developed and full of life.

If you love light spice romance, characters full of emotion and struggling to overcome hardships of the past, and a book that takes you away to the setting of the story then rush to get this newly published work by Jill Shalvis.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the DRC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

3.5

After her long-term boyfriend unceremoniously dumps her, Harper decides that it's time for a change. So, she heads to Sunrise Cove to open a bakery. It's the last place she remembers feeling truly happy as it was a regular vacation destination for Harper and her parents. Before her mother got sick and died and her father forgot she existed.

Bodie, a former ATF agent, is back in Sunrise Cove after an op went terribly wrong and found Bodie in the hospital struggling to survive and his partner dead. Even though he's back home with his family, Bodie still holds himself apart.

I always enjoy Jill Shalvis. I've particularly liked this Sunrise Cove series. Right from the start Harper is a character that is easy to like and to empathize with. She's had some terrible things happen to her in life, but she's still going strong. With the past year she's had, it would be extremely easy to kind of give up a little bit, wallow in self-pity. Harper keeps on moving. I liked her optimism in the face of having her world upended the way it was when her boyfriend called it quits.

Bodie is kind of the complete opposite from Harper. He turns inward and closes himself off. I think that Harper and Bodie are perfect, not necessarily foils to one another, but they're like two sides of the same coin. They've both experienced tragedies and being thrown off their predicted trajectory in life, but they've dealt with it in completely different ways.

Innerspersed with Bodie and Harper's story we also meet Ivy. A teenage runaway who has come to Sunrise Cove for reasons that aren't immediately apparent, but are revealed over the course of the story. Of course Ivy runs into and interacts with both Harper and Bodie and, again, she's a child who has had similar experiences to them both. Especially Harper in regards to having a parent who doesn't seem to see you.

I like the heart-warming idea of found-families and that's exactly what The Sweetheart List is for me in a nutshell.

Now, there were some things that didn't work so well for me. There was an added conflict tied into Ivy's story - being slightly vague so as not to spoil anything - where we see a contrast to her situation. Like we're supposed to see what could have happened to Ivy if she hadn't happened upon Bodie and Harper. I think it was too much. This element didn't need to be included to understand what a perilous situation Ivy was in before coming to Sunrise Cove.

Also, the story is alternatively told from Ivy, Bodie, and Harper's points of view. The main secondary characters revolve around Bodie because it's in his hometown to which Harper and Ivy find themselves. A secondary story involving Bodie's brother almost at times overshadowed one or more of the main three and there were moments where I wish we had gotten that story thread despite the fact that it didn't really fit the overall theme as well as Harper, Bodie, and Ivy's individual stories coming together.

I just oftentime felt like this story wasn't telling me, or revealing to me, anything new as it progressed that I hadn't already figured out. So it was a fine read, but I wish there was a bit more depth to everything.

Overall, I felt like it was one of those comfort reads. Where the stakes are not super high so you can kind of comfortably cruise along and know that everything will turn out how it's supposed to. I'm not knocking the story by any means. I've really enjoyed this series, but right now, The Backup Plan remains my favorite so far. And this one in my eyes just can't compare.

I didn't realize the Sweetheart List was part of a series until I logged into NetGalley to give my review.

This was a sweet contemporary romance with "warm" levels of romance scenes. The characters are likable and real. The storyline was mostly believable I mean it's fiction, it can be a little far-fetched. And I, of course, loved the Lake Tahoe setting.

Great summer read!

I am in the minority but I was not in love with this book. I feel like lately there have just been so many angry, immature leads and I am over it. Where are the mature, emotionally stable leads? Harper arrives in town and is immediately hostile to Bodie. There is being protective of yourself and there is rude. Both of these characters, Bodie and Harper, are supposed to be jaded and don't want anything to do with a relationship but can't seem to control themselves around someone from the opposite sex they've known less than a week. What? They were like two horny teenagers. Also, they were supposed to be so guarded but spilled their "secrets" to one another so very quickly. It didn't really make sense. Every character says they don't trust easily and aren't going to tell others something and then literally spill it in the next one or two paragraphs. Also, I understand needing to get certain history to the reader but when people speak in real life, they don't recap someone's past to them to let them know why they are concerned. This is not realistic.

Don't get me started on Shay. She was so rude and unlikeable. There is NO excuse for rudeness, no matter what circumstances your life has put you in, especially to someone who is kind to you. I didn't really understand her being with a guy for years, since high school, but panicking when he wants to put a label on it. You are exclusive for years, in love, but him thinking about marriage is shocking?

Also, so many other reviews said this was a "light, clean" read but why was there so much language? Given the plot and people, it just felt out of place. It was like reading a Hallmark movie with cussing.

So many things just didn't add up for me. Last but not least, the two year old spit up. What?! I went back and checked to make sure the age was right. She's holding a TWO YEAR OLD and says he just spit up. This needs to be changed to a different age or a different bodily fluid because what did he spit up??

I pushed through since this was a book to review, and thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, but this was not the story or writing style for me.

The Sweetheart List is the latest romance from the master storyteller Jill Shalvis. It is a sweet romance about finding yourself, finding family, and learning to trust again, all wrapped up into one amazing story.
This moving romance had me laughing and crying, and I loved every bit of it. I highly recommend this romance to anyone who is looking for a story full of great relatable characters and a moving story that will suck you in from the very first page. Once again Jill Shalvis proves why she is one of the greats in the romance genre with this masterful tale.

thank you to the author and netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

this was adorable and felt like summer in a book. harper and bodie were ADORABLE and i loved their dynamic throughout the entirety of the book. i also loved ham (the best character in my opinion, iykyk) and i loved how ivy fit into the storyline and her story was just really amazing. the campbell family was great, and i can imagine their chaotic little family. the only thing that i didn't like is that i felt like the book kinda strayed from harper's original intent and focused more on the romance, but as an avid romance lover im not complaining. overall 5/5⭐

I absolutely loved this story and it was one I couldn’t put down. Harper is determined to start over at the once place that she has happy memories. What she didn’t bargain for was snow in July where she was going. She is trying to make it the last few feet and ends up sliding on ice and hitting a bush. A hot man comes over to offer her help and she tells him numerous times she is good and can fix it on her own. Bodie knew just by the few minutes talking to Harper he was going to have an interesting change in his life. You will love the huge family dynamic and laugh your way as your read.

I have long been a fan of this author and the witty dialog between the warm and genuine characters along with the heartwarming story, made this truly an enjoyable read. Harper Shaw lost her mother to cancer and her almost fiancé is gone. It is time she finds her own life and so she heads to Sunrise Cove, one of her happy places. She is going to open the Sugar Pine Bakery and do away with all of the “lists” that consumed her life. Almost immediately she meets Bodie Campbell, a former ATF agent, who has returned home after barely surviving a horrific mission. Neither Bodie or Harper are ready for a relationship, but he is attracted to the sunshine that she brings into his life. On her first night in town a teen runaway, Ivy, finds solace in Harper’s “not quite ready” home. Harper and Ivy are soon drawn into the boisterous Campbell family, but Ivy is hiding her reason for coming to Sunrise Cove. Will she find what she has been longing for? I want to visit the Sugar Pine Bakery and sample a few of the marvelous desserts mentioned. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Looking for a new start, Harper opens a bakery at the last place she ever felt happy. She quickly falls for ex-ATF agent Bodie and runaway teen Ivy. Will her new home give her the sense of family she lost?

This book is so warm and welcoming, I want to live inside it. "Found family" is my jam, and no one does it better than Jill Shalvis. Harper is sweet without being syrupy, while Bodie is edgy but full of heart. If you want all the feels, don't miss this book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was a great, romantic story with characters that quickly pulled me in and welcomed me to Sunrise Cove.  It was not a bed of roses.  It was raw.  It was messy and it was realistic, which drew me into the characters and their emotions and Harper's trust issues.  I fell in love with the characters, Harper and Bodie.  They were both dealing with their pasts and I liked how giving they were towards others,  I also liked how Bodie was able to tear down some of the walls Harper had built around her heart.  I enjoyed laughing at some of the fun events in the story and learning about the runaway, Ivy and her connection to Sunrise Cove.  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

This book is about a woman searching for the joy in her life by moving to a new town to open her own bakery, finding new friends and a chance at love with her hot landlord. As always, Jill Shalvis introduces us to complex yet relatable characters with real issues. This was a sweet mostly clean small town romance with all the feels, the perfect beach read romance for the summer.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I adore Jill Shalvis’ books and have been a fan of hers for years. The Sweetheart List was such a heartwarming, lovely story that I loved from beginning to end. Harper, Ivy, and Bodie’s stories wove together so beautifully - and the whole Campbell family was such a treat! I’ve loved visiting Sunrise Cove over these past four books and would love to see additional books in the series. While they are connected by location, the characters are not connected - so they all work as complete standalones. I recommend this to fans of Shalvis and other authors of heartfelt, swoony romances. Note- I received an advanced review copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

This is a light hearted, delightful story featuring a 125 pound puppy who thinks he’s a lap dog, a teen age runaway trying to find herself, and lots and lots of cookies.

Exhausted, discouraged and feeling unfilled with her life, Harper decides it’s time to make a change. Gathering her best friend, her Burnese Mountain dog, Ham, and those few things that mean the most to her, she heads to Lake Tahoe, the last place she can remember being truly happy.

Still recovering from injuries suffered when an op went wrong, Bodie has returned to his home in Tahoe and the cradle of his family. Carrying a truckload of guilt and dealing with the fallout from the op, he just wants to be left to wallow. He resists his brother’s efforts to break through the walls he’s built around himself. Until Harper slides into his life.

Harper’s new start includes having rented shop space site unseen from Bodie and his brothers where she plans to open her new bakery. Despite the fact her space isn’t quite move in ready, nothing is going to curb her enthusiasm. Not the big, overly friendly brothers who are her landlord’s, or Ivy, the young, skittish girl who is obviously on the run, but who Harper is determined to befriend.

Harper went looking for happiness. She found so much more.

This is a story of trust, friendship, family, and self discovery. Harper, Bodie and Ivy make the perfect trio. Harper is dead set on proving to herself that she doesn’t need anyone, but she’s there to take care of everyone else. She’s the support and sounding board Ivy needs giving her the push to do what she came to Tahoe to do. She’s the caring ear for her new found friend Shay and just being her helps Bodie loosen up. But she discovers that in the giving, she gets so much back. Harper finally rediscovers the joy she lost.

In trying to decide the best way to describe this book one word kept coming to mind. This book left me smiling and made me happy.

This was such a wonderful book. It gave me all the feels. I loved the interaction between the characters. So much happens in this book. There's a main story and a couple of side stories, and they all intertwine. I was kept thoroughly entertained. I literally read this book in one sitting. I did not want to put it down.
Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Avon Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

Lately, I have felt Jill Shalvis has been leaning more toward women’s fiction rather than contemporary romance. I love her books that are firmly in the romance category, such as her Heartbreaker Bay or Animal Magnetism series. This story felt much more like the Jill Shalvis I first fell in love with. Not quite the same level of humor, but enough humor infused to lighten the mood. And lots of warm fuzzies with a central love story.

Bodie and his family are amazing. There was warmth and love amongst the Campbell family as well as the usual familial spats. For someone like Harper, who hasn’t felt she belong to a family since her mom died almost 20 years ago, it’s almost too hard to resist the pull of that warmth. Throw into the mix Ivy, a teenage runaway with whom Harper feels a connection, and this story is full of comfort and angst, kindness and uncertainty, tenderness and doubt. Bodie has a natural patience with Harper and Ivy that surprises even him, he wants to take care of them but also give them room for independence.

The conflict is unsurprising, but it still broke my heart. Harper has just come to expect nothing of anyone around her because she has never gotten anything from those who should have been protecting and loving her growing up. She sees herself in Ivy, which causes her to not always make the right decisions regarding the teenager. Yet for the most part, Harper makes the best decisions. She was bound to let her heart lead over her head eventually.

This story fully engaged me and has me hopeful we’ll be seeing more of the “classic” Jill Shalvis charm in future books.

I’ve read many books by Ms. Shalvis through the years, and she never fails to entertain. Her characters are well-developed, interesting characters and the story is full of romance, family and witty banter.

I love her settings and the description of the landscape and buildings are detailed where I can almost visualize the town. She knows the area as she has mentioned Tahoe, Truckee and bears in her various posts about where she lives, writes and hikes.

The main characters Bodie, Harper and Ivy all have history of various types of pain through loss and/or neglect and I could feel their pain but also the joy as they moved forward in their lives. The various other characters were entertaining, especially Abuela and her dog, Hambone. She tends to have a lot of conversations with Hambone!

I look forward to reading more of her work. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this new work.

This was a great book and I really enjoyed reading it. Although I’ve heard of Jill Shalvis’ books, I believe this was my first time reading her work. The Sweetheart List is a bit of a romance but it’s also about finding family when you didn’t know they existed. Harper comes to Sunrise Cove looking to start over after being dumped by her boyfriend. She wants to open a bakery in the only place she ever remembers feeling happy. Bodie is the guy next door who runs the bar but he’s also Harpers landlord. Ivy is a runaway that breaks in to Harpers bakery looking for a place to shelter down for the night. It’s these 3 characters that are the center of the story but the secondary characters really add to the storyline as well. Like Shay, she brought so much humor to the story that it made it fun to read. In this book, you really learn the meaning of family and the importance of being there for each other. If happy endings are what you’re looking for, then this is the book for you. I loved reading it and I will be recommending it to others. I’d like to thank NetGalley for the arc. I’m happy that I found another author to read and I’m giving this a 4 star rating. I hope to read more by Jill Shalvis very soon!

Connection. It's a facet of her books that Jill Shalvis does exceedingly well. In The Sweetheart List, those connections come in the form of biological family, friendships formed, romantic relationships, chosen family, and, yes, even pets and humans. In this case, that animal connection comes in the form of Hambone, a huge, goofy, Bernese Mountain Dog with a weakness for treats, belly rubs, and the people to whom he happily gives his heart. He's a lovable scene stealer who I absolutely adored.

Shalvis has the ability to create a cast of multi-layered, complex characters, bring them together, then slowly, carefully, begin to unravel all the complications that are keeping them apart. There are heart-tugging emotions, life-changing revelations, steamy desire, and hopeful new beginnings on the horizon. If the characters are brave enough to reach for them. There are poignant moments throughout but also plenty of perfectly placed humor. Kudos to those authors who can make me laugh, cry, and sigh with happy satisfaction when I turn the final page.

There's a wonderful secondary cast in this book who all add dimension and texture to the overall story. I fell hard for the Campbell family, those characters born into it and those invited to be a part of it. Shalvis nailed the dynamic among the brothers as well as the love and respect they all have for their petite but powerful mother. There's absolutely no doubt about who rules this family with a loving hug and an iron resolve.

Harper, Bodie, and Ivy all found a place for themselves in my heart. I was in each of their corners all the way through to their hard-won happy endings. Harper's kindness reeled me in, just as it did to everyone else she meets in Sunrise Cove. Ivy's tough outer layer that hides a vulnerable center aching for love had me in tears more than once. And Bodie. He's such a good guy. Dealing with issues, still a bit of a grump (but with a heart that is always in the right place), slowly healing and opening himself up to those who love him. I won't be forgetting any of them anytime soon.

Also, I want to be the next one to live in the apartment above Harper's bakery (without raccoons, please). Just the thought of waking each morning to the aroma of her cinnamon rolls has my taste buds happy dancing, not to mention her chocolate and mint cookies, and her special blend of coffee, and her Red Velvet cake, and...and...and... Yes, well, you get the idea.

The Sweetheart List is book four in the Sunrise Cove series but is a standalone story as is each book in the series. I enthusiastically recommend adding this warm hug of a book to your summer reading list.

*Advance copy received from publisher. Fair and unbiased review.