Book Review: The Family You Make by Jill Shalvis

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This is the first book in a new series of contemporary romance fiction by Jill Shalvis... The Sunrise Cove Series. There are two more that I know of. I am currently reading the second. I haven't gotten my hands on the third yet. ~~~~ 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 down to 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 [die]. 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. If only Jane can admit to herself she can't live without the man she's fallen in love with and the family she has always dreamed of. ~~~~ What was so unique about this story is that there were two "reluctant" love stories. Nothing better than a subplot being another romance. I love the way Jill Shalvis wrote this story. I'm not a fan of enemies to lovers but I like the fake romance trope. The subplot was a little enemies to lovers, but only because there was a reluctance. Both female interests in this story had put up walls and were determined never to fall in love. One of the reasons Jane was reluctant to fall in love was because she is a travelling nurse and was scheduled to leave when the winter ski season was over. There was more than one thing that was holding her back and I did actually predict the one incident was coming. But no harm. Sometimes it feels good to be right. One book. Two romances. What a great story. And it was a very easy read. (I almost gave this 4 stars because I really need to be wowed to give 5 stars, but I don't see any way to make this story better. I loved it.)