Book Review: The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

 GOODREADS SUMMARY:

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.

TEE'S THOUGHTS:

The Family You Make was a heartwarming story that dealt with rebuilding your life and trust in love.  This contemporary romance could easily find its place on the Hallmark channel. It captivated my attention from the very first page with the tension from a freak snowstorm and near-death experience from the two main characters Jane and Levi.

One of my favorite romance tropes is fake dating, closely followed by enemies ( or friends ) to lovers, and Jill Shalvis gave me both in this book when she included the secondary story of Charlotte and Mateo.

This is the first book that I have read by Shalvis and it definitely will not be my last. The thrilling opening, and phenomenal characters that she created made this book. I love a character-driven book, and with The Family You Make I certainly got one. I loved watching the growth of Jane and how she slowly began to trust Levi more and more as the story unfolded, but also how she closely guarded her heart, due to it being a “ fake “girlfriend situation.  There was no instant- love between Jane and Levi, but there was certainly an attraction, and the attraction built through the book, which I always enjoy so much more than falling in love by chapter two.

As far as the characters in The Family You Make, they are real, with relatable feelings and flaws. I loved Levi, who was in Tahoe to help his parents out with their failing business. He was kind and patient with the ones he loved, and especially with Jane, never pushing her, but also letting her know that he was there for her. His family who had troubles of their own provided some good comedic moments, along with some very tender moments.

As much as I enjoyed the relationship between Jane and Levi, I probably loved the secondary characters Charlotte and Mateo and their story even more. Charlotte had a traumatic relationship in the past and she had refused to get involved with men since. Her exterior was tough and sometimes seemed a bit hateful toward Mateo, but the sexy doctor next door refused to give up on her.

I do not know HOW she refused Mateo for as long as he did…I am talking big-time book boyfriend material here. He had my heart melting the first time he shoveled snow from her driveway when she was gone. By the way, this made Charlotte mad and she demanded he put it all right back where he had shoveled it from!

 This book had it all…thrilling scenes, great family moments, heartbreaking moments, and of course a joyful ending. I recommend it to anyone, especially if you need a bit of uplifting in your life!