Animal Magnetism (An Animal Magnetism Novel) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jill Shalvis (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 2011 | Series: An Animal Magnetism Novel (Book 1)

Read Jill Shalvis's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community.

Co-owner of the town's only kennel, Lilah Young has lived in Sunshine, Idaho, all her life. Pilot-for-hire Brady Miller is just passing through. But he soon has Lilah abandoning her instincts and giving in to a primal desire.

It's Brady's nature to resist being tied down, but there's something about Lilah and her menagerie that keeps him coming back for more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Shalvis kicks off a new contemporary series with this entertaining smalltown tale. Lilah Young has given up on finding Mr. Right in Sunshine, Idaho. Fortunately, when she rear-ends a truck, its owner turns out to be handsome out-of-towner Brady Miller. Lilah, a junk-food–loving animal enthusiast, is focused on her work at an animal kennel. Brady is a pilot-for-hire and photographer who's just in town to help out his foster brothers. Brady and Lilah give in to their chemistry while telling each other their relationship is finite, but soon their passion deepens. There's plenty of sizzle but not much action, and there's never really any doubt that Lilah and Brady will overcome their hangups. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining read and a good choice for readers who like cooing over cute animals as well as a cute romance. (Feb.)
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From Booklist

*Starred Review* Lilah Young is as poor and as proud as the day is long. Co-owner and operator of Sunshine’s only kennels and the area’s designated animal rescuer, she is now taking online classes, so her days begin before dawn and end after midnight. When she literally runs into newcomer Brady Miller’s truck one morning, she’s further mortified to discover that he’s in town at the request of her neighbors Adam and Dell. Shalvis consistently delivers superlative contemporary romances, and the relationship developing between this imperturbable, commitment-shy former army special forces pilot who doesn’t understand what it means to have a home and the gutsy, tenderhearted woman who asks nothing but offers all and consequently has many champions is no exception. Shalvis combines her genuine appreciation for Idaho’s majestic Bitterroot mountain range and its stalwart residents with a deft gift for dialogue, sensual descriptive passages, and a fast-paced storyline as she introduces a new series set in and around the Belle Haven veterinary clinic, where three unwanted foster children became men under a rugged cowboy’s tutelage. --Lynne Welch

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (February 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425239810
• ISBN-13: 978-0425239810
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times Bestselling author Jill Shalvis wrote RESCUE MY HEART and FOREVER AND A DAY, along with many other romance novels including her acclaimed Lucky Harbor series. The Rita winner and 3-time National Readers Choice winner makes her home near Lake Tahoe. Visit her website at http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog, and http://www.facebook.com/jillshalvis for other news.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#31 in Books > Romance > Contemporary

#35 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary

#50 in Books > Romance

#55 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#31 in Books > Romance > Contemporary

#35 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary

#50 in Books > Romance

#55 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A romance for animal lovers February 1, 2011

By J. Emerson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have read many novels by Jill Shalvis, but this one is my favorite by far. Of course, being a huge animal lover probably added to my delight with this romance, but the strength of the story comes from her creation of such remarkable and believable characters. Lilah was a joy throughout the novel and what's not to love about Brady. I really appreciated that Ms. Shalvis did not use any contrived plot devices to separate the couple so that she could bring them back together, instead she depended on honest emotions. Don't miss this well-written novel that had me both laughing and crying.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not much plot which can be ok. Small town girl is dating a hot guy who's hard to get. Lots of loving interaction with pets. February 6, 2011

By Jane TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

STORY BRIEF:
Lilah left college to care for her grandmother until she died. Lilah has no other relatives. She turned her grandmother's property into a kennel/animal shelter. Her neighbors are Dell and Adam, two attractive Native American guys who were brothers in the foster care system. Dell is a veterinarian. Adam trains search and rescue dogs. Adam also trains people with their pets. Brady spent two years as a teen with Dell, Adam, and foster dad Sol. Sol later died. The three guys consider themselves family. Brady has been in the Army and Special Forces for many years. He is now a pilot for hire - somehow still working with the military. He takes a month off to visit his brothers. They have a used helicopter they want him to repair and fly. They also want Brady to live there and work with them. Brady is handsome and generates a lot of interest from women in the area. He and Lilah meet. They are lustfully attracted to each other. He tells her he doesn't do relationships and he never "stays" in one place. She tells him he doesn't need "to stay." She just wants to have some fun sex for a while, and she won't be hurt when he leaves.

A sample of their conversation page 132: After their first night of sex, Brady feels guilty. Lilah says "Don't worry. I'm not going to ask you to go steady. This is light and easy remember? You're in the clear, so you can breathe now." She was right, he wasn't breathing. He drew in some air. "You really are different, you know that?"

REVIEWER'S OPINION:
The story brief above is what we learn in the beginning of the book. But by the end not much else seems to have happened - other than answering the big question of will he stay or will he go. What fills the book is ordinary, everyday events like buying donuts for breakfast, having Brady take care of a puppy for a while, Brady and Lilah going on a dinner date, and having a lengthy discussion about their pasts. It's like dating someone in a small town with a variety of animals interrupting you.

The story is character driven rather than plot driven which is ok, but I would want something different, unusual, quirky, weird, or "something" about one or more of the characters. All these characters were normal regular likeable people with good motivations, which is nice but doesn't take it to four stars for me.

Something minor bothered me. Lilah's arm was hurt requiring 18 stitches. A few days later she goes swimming in the lake. I'm shaking my head. Irresponsible! Infections! No doctor would allow this.

The first sex scene was not passionate enough. There was too much conversation taking me out of the moment. Other sex scenes were ok, somewhat hot.

DATA:
Story length: 295 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes:10. Estimated number of sex scene pages: 21. Copyright: 2011. Genre: contemporary romance.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly charming, Animal Magnetism is a fun read and a must for animal lovers like me. February 1, 2011

By Bookaholics Reviewer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance - Feb. 1st, 2011
3 1/2 stars

Lilah Young is the co-owner of the only kennel in Sunshine, Idaho. While trying to keep the kennel afloat, she also rescues strays and spends her night taking online classes to get her degree in veterinary science. Brady Miller, a freelance pilot, stops by Sunshine to visit his brothers, never intending to stay long...until his truck is rear-ended by Lilah's jeep. Soon Brady is fighting his attraction to Lilah, resisting his brothers' pleas to stay in Sunshine, and adopting a dog with the most ridiculous name. But can Brady resist Lilah's infectious charm? Will Lilah convince Brady to stay?

Funny and endearing, Animal Magnetism is a fun and cheerful romance. Lilah is one of the most unconventional heroines. She loves junk food and swears way too much, but you can't help but like her. She's the perfect antidote to Brady's serious side. Plus, Twinkles, Brady's dog, is so adorable. The scene where Brady tries to get Twinkles to sleep is hilarious!

Downright adorable, this is the perfect book to read when you want something light and breezy. Thoroughly charming, Animal Magnetism is a fun read and a must for animal lovers like me.

Reviewed by Pauline from Bookaholics Romance Club