I'm truly impressed with my introduction to Jill Shalvis. Her characters have depth and heart and realism that kicks you in the teeth.

Amy had a troubled youth. When her step father makes inappropriate advances, it is the last straw before she takes her life into her own hands at the age of 16. Years later, she lands in Lucky Harbor, a small town that embraces their own.

Likewise, Ranger Matt is running away from his life, too. An ex Navy, ex Chicago SWAT, he's looking for a more solitary existence, until he runs into Amy.

Two people determined to be alone, closed off from feelings and unable to trust, they give in to their attraction, expecting to keep it purely physical, but a runaway in town opens Amy's old wounds and shows Matt that there will always be someone out to get him and some things are more important.

Gritty, sexy, touching, tender. ( )

Amy has had a rough life and is in Lucky Harbor to retrace her Grandma's journey, she's not interested in a relationship. Matt has been interested in Amy for months and even though he isn't looking for a relationship either the sparks fly between these two. After rescuing her in the mountains, things ramp up. Another sweet and funny read.
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I am thoroughly enjoying this series! I love when the authors write from the Hero's point of view, and Shalvis does this about 50% of the time Which is awesome in my book! She matches the character's up well and I just can't wait to continue the series! ( )

This latest book in the Lucky Harbor series is a little more serious than some of the others.

Amy Michaels (a waitress at Eat Me)is the most cynical of the 3 friends. We find out she made her way to Lucky Harbor because of her Grandmother's journal. Amy desperately wants what her Grandmother found in Lucky Harbor, hope for the future. She follows instructions from the journal hoping to find the places she mentions in the forest and mountains. Of course, she gets herself lost and has to call Mallory for help. What she doesnt expect is for her friend to send the last person in the world she wanted to see, Sexy forest ranger Matt Bowers.

After a very humorous overnight stay in the forest things get kinda serious from there.

We find out about Amy's past. She had basically been a runaway since she was 16 after have a promiscuous childhood in rebellion to her grandmother dying and having to live with her mother that ended with her mother's latest husband at the time trying to rape her. She had done lots of things she isn't proud of and she struggles with her self-esteem over this but it has also made her leery of trusting others, especially men.

Matt came to Lucky Harbor after his job in Chicago in SWAT and his marriage imploded. Those things has also made him leery of letting anyone to close but Amy has always been someone he just cant make himself stay away from.

Matt finds a 18 year old runaway living in the forest and ask for Amy's help with her. Turns out Amy and this girl have alot in common and it brings up alot bad memories for Amy but she also know what it feels like to be in Riley's shoes and wants to give her that break she knows she needs to get herself on the right path in life.

Matt and Amy were in my opinion perfect for each other. It took them getting around a few bumps in the road to see this but they finally got there.

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This is the first of the Lucky Harbor books I read and it started my downfall to all things Lucky Harbor. I read this one back in June so again this will be a brief overview.

I liked:
- Amy and Matt. They both have their own unique angst so it's nice.
- I love how Amy is her own woman and she makes no apologies for that.
- The story line was solid and there is nothing I didn't like about this book. ( )