lolasreviews's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through edelweiss and voluntarily reviewed it.
I really am enjoying this series so far and was excited to start this book and a bit hesitant as well as I wasn't sure if I would like Elle and Archer as much as the others as main characters. And it turns out I was right to be a bit hesitant as while this was still a very good book, these two weren't my favorite couple. The whole fight and then kiss type of relationship doesn't quite work for me.
Elle and Archer have a bit of a past, what exactly happened back then when they first met we slowly find out over the course of this book. They can't stand each other and always fight and argue when they are together. But both are very stubborn characters who hide their vulnerabilities behind a shield. Elle describes herself as a ice queen one time and that fits and Archer is a rock who never shows emotions and is very distant with Elle. But beyond the exterior they actually care about each other a lot, they just don't show it, until that slowly changes.
My main issue with this book was that I didn't care as much for Elle and Archer as the previous main characters. Elle and Archer are both were the type of characters who got on my nerves at times. They were fighting and saying mean things (mostly Elle did this) to each other and while I knew that was a shield, I just wanted them to be nice to each other for a change as well. It just isn't the type of romance that I prefer to read about. From about the halfway point things did improve a bit and we did got some touching scenes between them, but for most of the book they are in this pretend to hate each other while they love each other part.
Fighting and arguing is what they do best, but they kinda like that. I don't know it's just not my type of romance. It's a bit of an enemies to lovers type of romance, even though they never really hate each other, just pretend to do so and they do get angry at each other at times. Especially Elle at Archer and she jumps at conclusions and starts yelling and being angry at him without hearing his side of the story. She also says some pretty mean things to him at times. And yes I know she really did care about him beyond that, but she also did mean those things when she said them. At times I wondered why Archer didn't get enough from that. Well because he cared for her I guess.
But even though I had a bit of an issue with the two main characters and their romance I still mostly enjoyed this book. The way Jill Shalvis writes her books always sucks me in and I still easily read through the book. The pace was well done and I like her writing style. I also like how we get to see more of Spence in this book and I am so excited to hear he will get his own book as I really like his character so far. The other side character mostly stayed to the side. I had hoped to see a bit more of the, but the focus really is on the main couple. I also was a tad confused about how we hardly saw Haley in this book, but did saw a new character Kylie with her dog Vinnie. Or did I just not remember her from previous books? That's possible too, as the focus always has been on Pru, Will and Elle mostly.
There is a tiny bit of suspense, but I wouldn't categorize it as a romantic suspense. It's still firmly a contemporary romance book, the suspense plot line is only a very small bit and to be honest I would've liked to see it expanded a bit or not be there at all as now it just was there, but it was so small of a part that it just felt a tad off. The plot line with Morgan was interesting, although I would've liked to see more of how things ended up with her. Also sadly there was no pet in this book that played a big role like in the previous books.
To summarize: this was an another well written book in this series. I really like Shalvis her writing style and did enjoy this book despite some of the issues I had with it. I didn't really care as much for Elle and Archer as I did about the previous couples and the fight and then kiss type off relationship they had didn't quite work for me. Most of the book they pretended to hate each other to cover up their real feelings. It's armor or shield they sue to protect themselves, but I am not a big fan of those type of romances and found it hard to fully feel the romance because of that. I also felt we got to see less of the side characters in this book and the focus was more firmly on the main characters and a few new side characters. It is very well written and I easily read through this book. I also liked how we got to see more of Spence in this book as he is close to Elle. And I am so excited his book will be next as I really like his character.
I really am enjoying this series so far and was excited to start this book and a bit hesitant as well as I wasn't sure if I would like Elle and Archer as much as the others as main characters. And it turns out I was right to be a bit hesitant as while this was still a very good book, these two weren't my favorite couple. The whole fight and then kiss type of relationship doesn't quite work for me.
Elle and Archer have a bit of a past, what exactly happened back then when they first met we slowly find out over the course of this book. They can't stand each other and always fight and argue when they are together. But both are very stubborn characters who hide their vulnerabilities behind a shield. Elle describes herself as a ice queen one time and that fits and Archer is a rock who never shows emotions and is very distant with Elle. But beyond the exterior they actually care about each other a lot, they just don't show it, until that slowly changes.
My main issue with this book was that I didn't care as much for Elle and Archer as the previous main characters. Elle and Archer are both were the type of characters who got on my nerves at times. They were fighting and saying mean things (mostly Elle did this) to each other and while I knew that was a shield, I just wanted them to be nice to each other for a change as well. It just isn't the type of romance that I prefer to read about. From about the halfway point things did improve a bit and we did got some touching scenes between them, but for most of the book they are in this pretend to hate each other while they love each other part.
Fighting and arguing is what they do best, but they kinda like that. I don't know it's just not my type of romance. It's a bit of an enemies to lovers type of romance, even though they never really hate each other, just pretend to do so and they do get angry at each other at times. Especially Elle at Archer and she jumps at conclusions and starts yelling and being angry at him without hearing his side of the story. She also says some pretty mean things to him at times. And yes I know she really did care about him beyond that, but she also did mean those things when she said them. At times I wondered why Archer didn't get enough from that. Well because he cared for her I guess.
But even though I had a bit of an issue with the two main characters and their romance I still mostly enjoyed this book. The way Jill Shalvis writes her books always sucks me in and I still easily read through the book. The pace was well done and I like her writing style. I also like how we get to see more of Spence in this book and I am so excited to hear he will get his own book as I really like his character so far. The other side character mostly stayed to the side. I had hoped to see a bit more of the, but the focus really is on the main couple. I also was a tad confused about how we hardly saw Haley in this book, but did saw a new character Kylie with her dog Vinnie. Or did I just not remember her from previous books? That's possible too, as the focus always has been on Pru, Will and Elle mostly.
There is a tiny bit of suspense, but I wouldn't categorize it as a romantic suspense. It's still firmly a contemporary romance book, the suspense plot line is only a very small bit and to be honest I would've liked to see it expanded a bit or not be there at all as now it just was there, but it was so small of a part that it just felt a tad off. The plot line with Morgan was interesting, although I would've liked to see more of how things ended up with her. Also sadly there was no pet in this book that played a big role like in the previous books.
To summarize: this was an another well written book in this series. I really like Shalvis her writing style and did enjoy this book despite some of the issues I had with it. I didn't really care as much for Elle and Archer as I did about the previous couples and the fight and then kiss type off relationship they had didn't quite work for me. Most of the book they pretended to hate each other to cover up their real feelings. It's armor or shield they sue to protect themselves, but I am not a big fan of those type of romances and found it hard to fully feel the romance because of that. I also felt we got to see less of the side characters in this book and the focus was more firmly on the main characters and a few new side characters. It is very well written and I easily read through this book. I also liked how we got to see more of Spence in this book as he is close to Elle. And I am so excited his book will be next as I really like his character.
farisainherfeels's review against another edition
2.0
I went into this book wanting to like it, I really did, but what I got was betraying body syndrome & a heroine who's been celibate for 2 years pining after the hero. The hero has ZERO angsty moments over the heroine being with another man, just conveniently sabotages her dates. Also the heroine is hung up over the fact that the hero rejected her offer to "pay him back" with sex when she was SIXTEEN & he was a full fledged adult at twenty-two?? There's also a moment where the heroine talks about how babies might not be for her and the heroine of the first book basically goes "oh no you'd be a great mother" like as if not wanting children isn't a completely valid choice for a woman. (The last part is addressed between the protags of the book but it doesn't sit well with me that the protag of a different book would say something like that.)
alinaborger's review against another edition
A quick read—tough girl cracks tough boy for happily ever after. A little too much will they/won’t they and the reasons weren’t always clear, but steamy as heck.
barkylee15's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. It felt a bit rushed at the end, and a few transitions were off, but this was by far my favorite in the series so far. The chemistry and sexual tension between these two was electric - loved it!
sandylovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know how it happened but I ended up reading two Jill Shalvis' books at the same time. I try and read two different genres because, for obvious reasons, I get things mixed up reading the same type of book at the same time. But I love Jill Shalvis' books and thought it would be fine. The other book I read was an ARC of Lost and Found Sisters and I finished it first and loved it so much. And I did like Accidentally On Purpose but I think I found it a little over the top.
I wasn't a fan of the main characters in this book. I liked them well enough but not as much as Willa and Keane from The Trouble with Mistletoe. Elle just seemed too much like a little kid who wanted to do everything for herself. And Archer was too much the strong silent type who kept getting hurt and telling the doctor to just put a band-aid on it, I'll be fine. And too many pages throughout the book of them not liking each other but loving each other.
Notes I wrote while reading this book:
pg 30 - typo - Chuck hopped "of" his stool. (I know, no big thing)
pg 50 - thank you Jill Shalvis for writing "he could almost feel her smile". Not saying he could hear her smile. (a big pet-peeve for me)
pg 62 - the boys went camping and Elle says she requires electricity and a flushable toilet. Yes, me too.
pg 103 - Elle crosses the line by going out with one of Archer's clients. How is that crossing the line? They aren't together, what's the problem?
pg 121 - another typo - "Hey, 'what' a minute. What's wrong?"
pg 180 - heard this word a few times now. Grifter
pg 208 - "...he lost himself in her. When he was with her like this, he found himself." Which is it, are you lost or found?
pg 279 - OK we get it. She's (Elle's sister, Morgan) a grifter. She's in the family business of grifting.
pg 287 - I didn't realize nipples could do these things. Nipples can get happy. And earlier in the book her nipples did a happy dance.
pg 291 - Grift. I stopped counting.
pg 298 -Archer slathers butter on some Italian bread with one hand and spoons chicken parm onto his plate with his other hand. That's talented.
pg 308 - GRIFTER!!
Don't get me wrong. I did like the book and gave it 4 stars but some of it was just too cliche'. But it won't keep me from reading her other books because she is one of my go-to authors for romance.
I wasn't a fan of the main characters in this book. I liked them well enough but not as much as Willa and Keane from The Trouble with Mistletoe. Elle just seemed too much like a little kid who wanted to do everything for herself. And Archer was too much the strong silent type who kept getting hurt and telling the doctor to just put a band-aid on it, I'll be fine. And too many pages throughout the book of them not liking each other but loving each other.
Notes I wrote while reading this book:
pg 30 - typo - Chuck hopped "of" his stool. (I know, no big thing)
pg 50 - thank you Jill Shalvis for writing "he could almost feel her smile". Not saying he could hear her smile. (a big pet-peeve for me)
pg 62 - the boys went camping and Elle says she requires electricity and a flushable toilet. Yes, me too.
pg 103 - Elle crosses the line by going out with one of Archer's clients. How is that crossing the line? They aren't together, what's the problem?
pg 121 - another typo - "Hey, 'what' a minute. What's wrong?"
pg 180 - heard this word a few times now. Grifter
pg 208 - "...he lost himself in her. When he was with her like this, he found himself." Which is it, are you lost or found?
pg 279 - OK we get it. She's (Elle's sister, Morgan) a grifter. She's in the family business of grifting.
pg 287 - I didn't realize nipples could do these things. Nipples can get happy. And earlier in the book her nipples did a happy dance.
pg 291 - Grift. I stopped counting.
pg 298 -Archer slathers butter on some Italian bread with one hand and spoons chicken parm onto his plate with his other hand. That's talented.
pg 308 - GRIFTER!!
Don't get me wrong. I did like the book and gave it 4 stars but some of it was just too cliche'. But it won't keep me from reading her other books because she is one of my go-to authors for romance.
sierra_erwin's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chantal_readingwithcat's review against another edition
5.0
Jill Shalvis schreibt tolle Liebesromane und ich wusste schon vor dem Lesen, dass auch dieses Buch genauso sein würde.
Elle ist durch nichts aus der Ruhe zu bringen, außer durch den Security Typen Archer Hunt. Sie haben den gleichen Freundeskreis und arbeiten im gleichen Gebäude, aber sonst haben sie nicht viel miteinander zu tun. Doch sobald sie aufeinander treffen, dann wird es explosiv. Doch obwohl sie ihn eigentlich nicht will, kann sie nicht aufhören an ihn zu denken und versucht sich daraufhin mit Dates abzulenken. Doch auch Archer will mehr von Elle, als er es sich eingestehen möchte und fängt an ihre Dates zu torpedieren.
Elle ist stark und unabhängig. Sie würde das Haus nie ungestylt verlassen und lässt niemanden hinter ihre Maske schauen. Niemanden lässt sie nah genug an sich ran, da sie nicht verletzt werden will. Sie hat immer alles Kontrolle, nur nicht das, was zwischen ihr und Archer ist und was er in ihr auslöst.
Archer ist groß, stark und durch nichts aus der Ruhe zu bringen. Es sei denn es ist Elle. Ihr gegenüber hat er einen großen Beschützerinstinkt und würde nie etwas tun, was sie verletzt oder in Gefahr bringt. Er ist aber so stur, dass er genau das Nichtstun ist, was Elle verwirrt und auch verletzt. Ich hätte ihn manchmal gerne geschüttelt, damit er endlich begreift, was alle schon wussten.
Man kennt Elle und Archer bereits aus den ersten beiden Heartbreaker Bay Bändern und ich war schon sehr gespannt auf die beiden. Sie sind wie Feuer und Wasser, sie argumentieren und streiten die ganze Zeit, aber man kann nicht bestreiten, dass Spannung in der Luft liegt. Es war aber absolut unterhaltsam dabei zuzusehen, wie sich die beiden an die Gurgel gehen. Die Streits der beiden fand ich schon in den Vorbändern packend und witzig. Beide sind schlagfertig und dazu knistert es noch gewaltig. Sie haben eine gemeinsame Vergangenheit, die erst im Laufe der Geschichte aufgedeckt wird. Es war interessant immer mehr zu erfahren und aufzudecken, wie sehr die beiden verbunden sind.
Man trifft auch auf Finn und Pru, Keane und Willa und die anderen der Clique. Vorallem Spencer hat mir sehr gut gefallen, da man ihn schon ein wenig kennen lernt und es um ihn im nächsten Teil gehen wird.
Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass mich dieses Buch so umhaut, aber Traummänner und andere Wundertüten ist bisher mein Favorit aus der Heartbreaker Bay Reihe. Es war heiß und die Spannung zwischen den beiden fast greifbar. Ich konnte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen, denn es war einfach nur WOW. Es war wunderschön, emotional, ein bisschen dramatisch und auch an Spannung hat es nicht gefehlt. Einfach die perfekte Mischung für jeden Liebesromanfan.
Elle ist durch nichts aus der Ruhe zu bringen, außer durch den Security Typen Archer Hunt. Sie haben den gleichen Freundeskreis und arbeiten im gleichen Gebäude, aber sonst haben sie nicht viel miteinander zu tun. Doch sobald sie aufeinander treffen, dann wird es explosiv. Doch obwohl sie ihn eigentlich nicht will, kann sie nicht aufhören an ihn zu denken und versucht sich daraufhin mit Dates abzulenken. Doch auch Archer will mehr von Elle, als er es sich eingestehen möchte und fängt an ihre Dates zu torpedieren.
Elle ist stark und unabhängig. Sie würde das Haus nie ungestylt verlassen und lässt niemanden hinter ihre Maske schauen. Niemanden lässt sie nah genug an sich ran, da sie nicht verletzt werden will. Sie hat immer alles Kontrolle, nur nicht das, was zwischen ihr und Archer ist und was er in ihr auslöst.
Archer ist groß, stark und durch nichts aus der Ruhe zu bringen. Es sei denn es ist Elle. Ihr gegenüber hat er einen großen Beschützerinstinkt und würde nie etwas tun, was sie verletzt oder in Gefahr bringt. Er ist aber so stur, dass er genau das Nichtstun ist, was Elle verwirrt und auch verletzt. Ich hätte ihn manchmal gerne geschüttelt, damit er endlich begreift, was alle schon wussten.
Man kennt Elle und Archer bereits aus den ersten beiden Heartbreaker Bay Bändern und ich war schon sehr gespannt auf die beiden. Sie sind wie Feuer und Wasser, sie argumentieren und streiten die ganze Zeit, aber man kann nicht bestreiten, dass Spannung in der Luft liegt. Es war aber absolut unterhaltsam dabei zuzusehen, wie sich die beiden an die Gurgel gehen. Die Streits der beiden fand ich schon in den Vorbändern packend und witzig. Beide sind schlagfertig und dazu knistert es noch gewaltig. Sie haben eine gemeinsame Vergangenheit, die erst im Laufe der Geschichte aufgedeckt wird. Es war interessant immer mehr zu erfahren und aufzudecken, wie sehr die beiden verbunden sind.
Man trifft auch auf Finn und Pru, Keane und Willa und die anderen der Clique. Vorallem Spencer hat mir sehr gut gefallen, da man ihn schon ein wenig kennen lernt und es um ihn im nächsten Teil gehen wird.
Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass mich dieses Buch so umhaut, aber Traummänner und andere Wundertüten ist bisher mein Favorit aus der Heartbreaker Bay Reihe. Es war heiß und die Spannung zwischen den beiden fast greifbar. Ich konnte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen, denn es war einfach nur WOW. Es war wunderschön, emotional, ein bisschen dramatisch und auch an Spannung hat es nicht gefehlt. Einfach die perfekte Mischung für jeden Liebesromanfan.
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
Accidentally on Purpose is the third book in the Heartbreaker Bay series and it's quickly become one of my favorite! These characters have taken up residence in my heart with their sarcasm, wit and beauty. They are truly a family and I want to be a part of it! I've been waiting for Archer and Elle's story. I knew it was going to be explosive and it didn't disappoint! Archer and Elle have a past and we didn't know the details until know. When Archer came back into Elle's life a year ago, the feelings she had for him all those years ago came screaming back. She's always had a thing for him, but now they just argue and annoy each other. A lot. It's their foreplay. And it's off the charts hot. Archer is insanely attracted to Elle, but he keeps his feeling hidden like he keeps everything in his life. Showing emotion is a weakness. But he's quickly learning that Elle is his weakness. When a funny game of truth and dare turns steamy, Elle and Archer are forced to reevaluate their relationship. Archer wants all in, but Elle's reluctant to trust him. Can Archer show Elle they are meant to be together? Will Elle's past come back and remind her she's not worthy of him? I loved this story! Archer is so funny, sexy, hot and extra hot in his cargoes and work gear. Oh my. Elle is beautiful, smart, strong and can scare grown men with one look. I loved that Archer wanted Elle and went after her. Hard.
You know that author when you pick up one of their books you just know you are going to get sucked in and not want to put it down. You're going to laugh, cried, sigh, swoon and laugh more. Jill is one of those authors for me! I can't wait to see who's next.
"Guys think about sex every five seconds."
"Is that true?"
"I don't know you tell me."
"I mean, I think about it a lot, but I also think of other things."
"Like?"
"You."
"In what way?"
"Naked."
"Always?"
"Depends," he said.
"On…?"
"On if I'm hungry or not."
"Are you angry? Because we do some of our best naked work when you're angry."
You know that author when you pick up one of their books you just know you are going to get sucked in and not want to put it down. You're going to laugh, cried, sigh, swoon and laugh more. Jill is one of those authors for me! I can't wait to see who's next.
"Guys think about sex every five seconds."
"Is that true?"
"I don't know you tell me."
"I mean, I think about it a lot, but I also think of other things."
"Like?"
"You."
"In what way?"
"Naked."
"Always?"
"Depends," he said.
"On…?"
"On if I'm hungry or not."
"Are you angry? Because we do some of our best naked work when you're angry."
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
4.0
It can always be risky when an author teases a future pairing in a series, as expectations can often exceed reality. I'm pleased to report that Archer and Elle's book met my expectations, the romance was sweet, the obstacles to overcome from a difficult past we're believable, and the plot drivers were engaging. This book felt like a warm hug and was a perfect Christmas present to myself, I'm very glad I read it.