REVIEW: One in a Million by Jill Shalvis

In One in a Million (Lucky Harbor #12) by Jill Shalvis, Callie Sharpe is back in her hometown of Lucky Harbor to check up on her grandmother Lucille, who has been causing a ruckus in town with her crazy antics. While there, she makes new friends with her neighbors Olivia and Becca, learning that her high school crush, Tanner Riggs, works with their boyfriends right across the street at the marina. But Callie’s first encounter with Tanner doesn’t go so well, what with her choking on her donut at the local bakery and making a fool of herself. Of course that isn’t as humiliating as when she was left at the alter a few years ago. Tanner soon makes it clear that he’s interested in at least a physical relationship, which is all that Callie can commit to. She wants to leave her heart out of the equation. But that proves to be extremely difficult with a hunky ex-navy SEAL who is quite possibly the perfect match for her.

‘…She knew she’d always held back, always kept a part of herself safe. Just in case. But love wasn’t safe. You had to take the plunge and hope for the best.’

Tanner Riggs had to grow up fast during his days in Lucky Harbor. He had to be the man of the house after his father took off, then he himself became a father as he turned eighteen. Years in the military and working on dangerous oil rigs has left him physically and mentally scarred. But he’s still trying to do the best he can by those close to him. Especially his son Troy who just arrived in town. Tanner definitely isn’t looking for a relationship when he spots Callie Sharpe. But he can tell this has the potential to be something much more as he gets to know her. With so much going on in his professional and personal life, he shouldn’t take time to explore what’s happening between them. Yet Tanner doesn’t think he can let Callie walk away.

“So you’ll at least concede that what we’re doing here is a relationship,” he said.
She stared at him. “Maybe. But it’s not love, and it’s not going to be.”
He stared back, not sure how to argue that one.
“Is it enough for you?” she asked softly.
No. Hell, no.

I am so sad to see this series end, but at least Jill Shalvis gave us one last perfect Lucky Harbor couple to fall in love with here in One in a Million.

With every new installment, I think to myself ‘it can’t possibly get better than this’. But I think Ms. Shalvis saved the best for last with Tanner and Callie. I mean, how can you not love these two people who constantly take care of everyone around them, being so selfless and kindhearted? I thought it was so perfect that Callie and Tanner found their way together. And the fact that she had a huge crush on him in high school made this feel like they had come full circle, with things working out the way they should have.

I’m so glad we got a lot more up-close-and-personal time with the hysterical Lucille, Lucy Harbor’s resident matchmaker/troublemaker. Behind all the craziness was a truly lovely and extremely smart lady who had her own special surprise in the story. Of course this being a Jill Shalvis book, there was that wonderful easy humor I crave, as well as a lot of sexy love scenes. But what I was pleasantly surprised by this time was Tanner and his son Troy’s relationship. Watching Tanner be awed by the moments when he really connected with Troy, plus seeing him do right by his son, made me love Tanner that much more.

Even though he was the “darker, more badass” guy of the bunch between himself, Cole, and Sam, Tanner showed he had a tender side which Callie (and I) loved. She herself was a character I easily connected with. I completely understood why she held back from friendships and relationships alike after being hurt so badly. And I loved that her new friends in Lucky Harbor didn’t let her run away in retreat. Neither did Lucille. Actually, Callie and Lucille’s scene towards the end, the come-to-Jesus-moment, was so funny and so touching that it is arguably my favorite scene in the book.

I hope you enjoy every page of Tanner and Callie’s romance as much as I did. And…even though there won’t be any more full length books in the series, *sniff sniff*, I’m sure I’ll be revisiting the folks from Lucky Harbor whenever I need a good laugh and that warm & fuzzy feeling these characters always provide.

Book Info:

Published October 14th 2014 by Grand Central Publishing | (Lucky Harbor #12)

As the brains behind wedding site TyingTheKnot.com, Callie sees it all: from the ring to the dress, the smiles . . . to the tears. It’s that last part that keeps her single and not looking. Getting left at the altar will do that to a girl. But when Callie returns to her old hometown, she finds that her sweet high school crush is sexier than ever. And he makes it hard to remember why she’s sworn off love . . .

Tanner is a deep-sea diver with a wild, adrenaline-junkie past—and now his teenage son is back in his life. How can Tanner be a role model when he’s still paying for his own mistakes? It’s hard enough that gorgeous Callie has appeared in town like a beautiful dream, challenging his best-laid plans to keep his heart on lockdown. Though there’s something about being around her again that makes him feel like he can be the man she—and his son—deserve. Little Lucky Harbor holds their past; can it hold a beautiful new future?