Review: The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis





THE FAMILY YOU MAKETHE FAMILY YOU MAKEby Jill Shalvis  
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.


*****

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


21 comments

  1. So heartwarming, right? I am happy dancing because you enjoyed your first Shalvis.

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  2. I haven't read Jill Shalvis yet, but I'm hoping to make this my first one! I've seen so many good reviews.

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    1. This was my first by Shalvis but I'm sure I'll read more. And I'll certainly continue this series.

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  3. My request is still pending on Netgalley for this one, just a few days before release. I'm really looking forward to the story and I love the setup. I'll get to it eventually. I've already put in my library request. Nice to see you enjoyed it, Tanya!

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    1. Oh wow, crazy that it's still pending. I hope you'll enjoy it when your hold comes in. I was really pleasantly surprised.

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  4. You're the second person I follow who has read and enjoyed this book. I used to read every Jill Shalvis book as soon as I could get my hands on it but I've not enjoyed the last couple of tried, possibly because of mood reading. This sounds promising, definitely a book I'm going to check out because I know Shalvis writes characters who are easy to love and I think the set up for this one sounds perfect for me.

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    1. This was actually my first by Shalvis. I always found her backlist intimidating because there are so many books and so many series. But getting in with the first book in a new series seemed do-able. :)

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  5. It's been so long since I've read a book by Shalvis, but you're making me want to read this one! I'm really interested in all of the family dynamics.

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    1. I loved all the family dynamics in this one. Between Levi and Shane there were plenty of family issues to go around.

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  6. This sounds like such a heart warming story. Shalvis is an author I've been meaning to try for a couple of years now but just haven't gotten to yet. I may start with this one though since it's the first in a series and sounds so wonderful.

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    1. That's what had me giving this one a try, too. It being the first in a series. Otherwise her backlist is pretty intimidating with so many books and series! I definitely recommend this one.

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  7. I really enjoyed this one too! My review will be posted tomorrow. I thought that first scene was perfect and I fell in love with both Levi and Jane pretty quickly.

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    1. Same here, Carole! Can't wait to read your review tomorrow.

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  8. I've been seeing this one around a wee bit and everyone seems to like it!

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    1. It was my first by Shalvis and I was surprised at how emotional it was.

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  9. I love that you were teary-eyed several times too! And with her grandfather, oh my heart, same! This had a very different feel from her Heartbreaker Bay Series, were I started out reading her books. But I enjoyed this story so much.
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. Yes, the grandfather those were the scenes that really got me choked up.
      Now I'm curious about how this differs from her Heartbreaker Bay series.

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    2. So while this was an adult romance, it had povs from their two friends throughout the story, which doesn't happen in her others books I've read. Plus like her Heartbreaker Bay books were steamy and descriptive from what I remember :). And that other series is revolving around a group of friends and seems to have more romance per say then this being focused on their personal growth too? Idk, I'm not explaining myself good lol. But it just has a different feel to it.

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    3. LOL You explained yourself just fine. :) It sounds like the Heartbreaker was more straight romance and this one is a blend of romance and women's fiction. I might give the other series a try!

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    4. Yes, those genres explain it perfectly! Those were the words I was looking for.

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