Shannon M
4.5* This was only the third book in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Ms. Shalvis that I’ve read, and so far it’s my favorite of the three. I don’t recall if there was mention of Molly or Lucas in the two previous books I read, but even if there was this story developed in such a way that I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. That’s what I love about series like this- even though I usually prefer to read in order, I like that I can just jump in anywhere and know that the story I’m reading will be able to stand on its own. Hot Winter Nights was a sweet and fun, sexy, and suspenseful story. I really loved Molly and Lucas. They are both such strong characters, yet left vulnerable from past events. Neither of them is really looking for a relationship, but as they work together on Molly’s first case the spark between them ignites, once they decide to let their guards down. This was a really heart-warming story. It was great seeing Lucas and Molly open up to each other and share the the tough parts of their lives. The Bad Santa case that Molly takes on added an entertaining and suspenseful aspect to the story. It turned a little darker than I expected, but the quirky cast of characters kept it from getting too deep. I love when a book has the perfect mix of romance, humor, and mystery to keep you on your toes, and Hot Winter Nights had an abundance of all three. And now I think it's time to go back and read the rest of the books in the series that I've missed out on!
Lenore Kosinski
4.5 stars — I’ve been wanting to read this one since last Christmas, and I loved the blend of holiday, romance and suspense! This was my first time listening to Vivienne Leheny, and she was solid. She had a great emotional range, and her voices were consistent. I didn’t even mind that she narrated both POVs, because there was enough variation to tell the difference. The only little twig I had was that occasionally her voice sounded…slightly computery…like the Alexa voice or something. It wasn’t overt, but I did notice it. Thankfully mostly only when she was listing the hashtags at the beginning of the chapters. Not enough to detract from my enjoyment. Now on to characters! Molly could be frustrating as all hell with her stubbornness and her inability to tell the difference between empathy and pity. But on the other hand she was feisty, independent, fierce, smart, and hardworking. And the thing is, given the way she grew up, and the trauma in her past, I got why she was the way she was. Lucas was actually the perfect foil for Molly, because he’d experienced loss and heartache in his past as well, so he could understand her. And not only that, but he needed her to help him live again. I loved that he saw all of her, and that he wanted to help her prove herself instead of holding her back. He was also smart, hardworking, and caring. I loved seeing both of them with their families, and while they were SOOOOO incredibly different, you felt the love in each situation. And Lucas’s Mom was hilarious with her meddling. I even expected one thing from Molly’s Dad, and got something else instead, which is always delightful. The chemistry between Lucas and Molly was definitely smoking hot, and I appreciated the way they became more and more intimate as they connected and shared their own secrets and vulnerabilities. I’m really enjoying listening to this series, and I can’t wait to go back and listen to Archer’s and Joe’s after this story.
