It's in His Kiss (Lucky Harbor Book 10)

It’s in His Kiss is Sam and Becca’s story. Sam owns a charter company in the small Washington state coastal town of Lucky Harbor with his two best friends Cole and Tanner. While the company is successful, the “office” (which is housed in a hut), scheduling, and reservations are very chaotic because none of the guys have the time or temperament to deal with that end of the business. All of them hate to answer the phone and ignore its ringing as often as they can get away with it, passing the buck to one of the others. All of them would rather be out on the water or underwater with clients. In Sam’s case, he also finds it soothing to retreat to his Man Cave (a warehouse) when possible to work on crafting boats. Sam is a very private person. He has a warm heart and is an excellent friend, but very rarely opens up to other people and finds it difficult to express his emotions. This stems from his troubled childhood and dysfunctional relationship with his father (his mother died when he was young).Becca moves to Lucky Harbor because she is trying to escape her own turbulent past. Because it’s cheap, she moves into one of three apartment units in a warehouse across from the charter company. She meets Sam the very first day she comes to town and, although he tries to brusquely brush her off per his usual modus operandi, the attraction between them is immediate and intense. They spend an amazing night together early on, but their relationship takes a detour when Becca (over Sam’s objections) is hired to work in the charter office. He insists that they can’t have a sexual relationship if she is an employee.It’s gradually revealed that Becca is a gifted pianist, but has fled from a musical career and is now trying to survive by writing jingles for various products. She has a brother, also a pianist, whom she considers a musical genius, and two living parents, all of whom she is trying to avoid (she doesn’t even want them to know where she is), as well as a mysterious ex-boyfriend who also figures into her reasons for fleeing across the country. Becca’s family and background are also dysfunctional, but her past is revealed much more slowly than Sam’s.Sam and Becca are two wounded souls who through stops, spurts, stops, and obstacles find their way to each other and a future together. I absolutely loved Sam! He is a true alpha male who quickly becomes very protective of Becca, even when he doesn’t know all of the issues she is battling. Some characteristics of his that are so realistic and typically male are that he found it much easier to show his feelings through actions rather than words and that he got so frustrated with Becca at times because he’d want her to do (or not do) certain things (such as concerning his father), but she stubbornly followed her own mind and inclinations anyhow. Sam frustrates Becca, too, because he keeps pushing her to tell him about her past, but doesn’t like to answer questions about his own.This is a highly enjoyable romance. There are touching scenes, humor (for example, Lucille is at it again!), and a great camaraderie between Sam, Cole, and Tanner. I’m eagerly looking forward to Cole’s and Tanner’s stories.

It's In His Kiss is book #10 in Jill Shalvis's Lucky Harbor series. While this is less lighthearted and deals with deeper issues than previous books, it's still a great read and introduces more awesome characters into the world of Lucky Harbor.Becca is new in town, having moved from New Orleans. Trained as a concert pianist who performed with her brother, she has left that career after a disastrous performance due to extreme stage fright and panic attacks. In the meantime, she's working as a jingle writer for an advertising agency. Becca is hoping that a change of scenery and pace will help her regroup and find her muse again.Not long after she arrives in town, Becca meets her new neighbor, boat builder Sam (aka Sexy, Grumpy Surfer). Sam is one of my favorite Shalvis heroes. He's just the right mix of moody yet lovable. At first, he doesn't want to open up to Becca but it's not long before she gets him to talk to her. It's also not long before they realize they have a strong attraction and chemistry.After they hook up, things get a little awkward when Becca starts working part time as an admin assistant for Sam and his partners, Cole and Tanner. Sam doesn't want to mix business with pleasure, but Becca is a whiz at her job and helps the guys run their business much more smoothly. In the midst of all this, Sam and Becca find their attraction growing more every day.There's a lot of family drama in this book involving Becca's brother as well as Sam's dad. So they each have emotional baggage that they're dealing with in regard to relationships. Additionally, Becca has some trauma from her past that's still affecting her in the present.I adored Sam as well as his best friends/business partners, Cole and Tanner. Their banter made me laugh multiple times and I'm looking forward to reading their individual stories next. I also liked Becca's neighbor, Olivia, and I'm interested to learn more about her big secret.While this book deals with more serious subjects and isn't the usual lighthearted Lucky Harbor book, it's a nice change of pace for the series while still remaining true to the formula. It's another story with memorable characters and a simultaneously sweet and sexy romance that I recommend.

★★★★ 4.5 StarsI loved going back to visit Lucky Harbor (this is book #10 in the series) I remember glimpses of Sam from Ben's book.. and I was happy to read his story. It started a bit quick for me- as in the character's seemed too close for just meeting, but I could over look it, as they worked so well together... Sam was definitely the "Sexy Grumpy Surfer" that Becca dubs him right off in the book. I enjoyed his surliness. Becca was a strong New girl to town. She was a great match for Sam. I did take away half a star as I didn't like how Sam wouldn't stop enabling his father.. and it kinda got tiresome for me to watch. And then Becca to kinda do the same.. just my opinion there.. I am looking forward to the next in this series... can't wait to read about Cole!

Oops, it is afternoon and I haven’t gotten out of bed - that’s how good this book is. This one will make you smile

Auch dieses Buch aus der Lucky Harbor Reihe ist absolut lesenswert und so richtig schön! Für manche Menschen ist es vielleicht zu viel Gefühlsduselei, die Beschreibungen der Personen wiederholen sich häufiger, aber das tut dem Ganzen keinen Abbruch. Im Gegenteil: nette Charaktere, viel Liebe und so herrlich schön zum Seufzen! Ein tolles Buch für gemütliche Stunden!

I love this whole series and It's in His Kiss is right up there with my favourites. I just loved Sam and Becca, gorgeous characters who you want to find their HEA. Hot, romantic and funny what's not to like?!

Lucky Harbour novels are always a first pick for me, and this one didn't disappoint. Always good, you can't go wrong with Jill. Excellent!