Review: The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

THE FAMILY YOU MAKETHE FAMILY YOU MAKEby Jill Shalvis  

THE FAMILY YOU MAKE

Jill Shalvis

Series: Sunrise Cove #1

Publication date: January 11, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction

Source: William Morrow & Netgalley

4 stars

During the snowstorm of the century Levi Cutler is stranded on a ski lift with a beautiful stranger named Jane. After strong winds hurl the gondola in front of them into the ground, Levi calls his parents to prepare them for the worst…but can’t bring himself to say goodbye. Instead, wanting to fulfill his mother’s lifelong wish, he impulsively tells her he’s happily settled and Jane is his girlfriend—right before his phone dies.

But Levi and Jane do not.

Now Levi’s family is desperate to meet “The One.” Though Jane agrees to be his pretend girlfriend for just one dinner, she’s nervous. After a traumatic childhood, Jane isn’t sure she knows how to be around a tight-knit family that cherishes one another. She’s terrified, and a little jealous. But an unexpected series of events and a host of new friends soon show Jane that perhaps this is the life she was always meant to have.

As Jane and Levi spend more time together, pretend feelings quickly turn into real ones. Now all Jane has to do is admit to herself she can’t live without the man she’s fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of.

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*****

When in a life-threatening situation with a stranger, Levi Cutler makes what he assumes is a final call to his mother. Instead of saying his goodbyes, he tells her what she most wants to hear: that he has a woman in his life and is happy and settled. When the worst doesn’t happen, naturally his family is desperate to meet the woman who has captured Levi’s heart.

Jane is hesitant to pose as Levi’s girlfriend, but when he returns the locket that she’d thought was lost to her forever, a precious reminder of her beloved grandmother, she feels led to help. When one “pretend” date - just to get to know one another, of course – leads to another, Jane finds herself feeling more and more drawn to Levi. But Jane doesn’t do relationships, she doesn’t get close, and she doesn’t put down roots. After a childhood of being shuffled from one relative to another, feeling unwanted and unloved, Jane keeps everyone at arm’s length. Her ever-present fear of rejection equates to a solitary life and a strong determination to keep it that way.

It was easy to be quickly drawn into The Family You Make. From the first scene where Levi and Jane are thrown together in a terrifying situation, to getting to know the likable cast of characters, I fell right into the lives of Levi and Jane and pulled for them to overcome their obstacles. Jane’s reticence was understandable and Shalvis did a wonderful job in revealing the small cracks in Jane’s resolve as she began to open herself up to Levi and those around her. I loved seeing Jane take those small steps in forming lasting connections. I was surprised at the emotional depth Shalvis created and found myself teary-eyed several times, especially scenes between Jane and her estranged grandfather.

The Family You Make was a heartwarming story of family, both biological and chosen. I’m already looking forward to another visit to Sunrise Cove and the characters I came to care so much about. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary