Book Review: Rumor Has It

Author: Jill Shalvis
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Animal Magnetism #4

He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…

Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.

To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…

Griffin gave a playful tug on an escaped strand of her hair. “You never disappoint,” he said. “Good to see you again.”

Men didn’t grow on trees in Sunshine, and she’d never been all that good at the serial-dating thing.

“Or maybe you’re happy being the spinster teacher…”

I must admit firstly that this is the first book in the Animal Magnetism series that I have read; however, I felt that it stood perfectly fine on its own and I really enjoyed the setting and detail that Shalvis added in for first time readers! This is not the first book by Shalvis that I have read, and I must say that I am always pleased by the pure enjoyment I find in her writing. She can make me cry, laugh, and swoon all at once. I am such a huge animal lover, so I do not know how I have never stumbled on this series before. I must say that now that I have found this series, I will go back and read the others.

This story follows Griffin Reid, as he has been medically discharged from the army and has found his way back to his hometown of Sunshine. Kate Evans, a second grade teacher, has always had a slight crush on Griffin and her heart skips a beat at the mention of his return to Sunshine. Griffin and Kate’s reunion was slightly embarrassing for both characters, especially Kate, but from that point I knew that their chemistry would eventually overtake Kate’s awkwardness and shyness. I liked the fact that they were both such different character; this story embodies the old saying “opposites attract” perfectly.

Griffin was an incredibly attractive character, especially with his whole “bad boy” façade, but I must admit that my heart lies with Kate Evans. From the first nerdy, random scientific fact she blurted out, I knew that she would steal the show. She was adorable and completely charming! Plus she was an educator, so of course my heart goes out to her. She has recently gone through some pretty rough times in her life, so I very much enjoyed seeing things turn around for her!

***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley in exchange for my honest review***