Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good book. I've been looking forward to this story since the scene in the previous book (Rescue My Heart) when Kate burst in on Holly while she was having a Skype conversation with her brother Griffin. The part where she's hiding because she stripped off her shirt before she knew he could see her was hysterical. It was obvious that she's had a thing for him for a long time, and it seems like he is looking too.
At the start of this book, Griffin has come back to Sunshine for Holly's wedding. He hasn't told anyone that he's left the military with a medical discharge, thanks to a close encounter with an IED. His plan is to use the time to recover and think about what job offer he is going to take. He doesn't plan to stay in Sunshine for long, as his memories aren't the best. He had been a troublemaker of a teen, and constantly butted heads with his father. He couldn't wait to leave Sunshine back then, but now he'd like a chance to make peace with his past. The first person he sees is Kate, who he's suddenly seeing as more than his sister's best friend. He's attracted, even though she's nothing like the women he's usually interested in. Holly warns him to leave Kate alone, but Kate herself seems to have other ideas.
Kate has lived in Sunshine all her life. After her mother's death a few years earlier, Kate became the mother figure to her whole family, putting her own needs and dreams aside. Lately she's been feeling the loneliness and has tried multiple ways to find the relationship that's right for her. Griffin's arrival just makes the feelings worse. She's still got the crush on him she's had for years, but she knows nothing will come of it. Griffin won't be staying in Sunshine and she won't be leaving any time soon. But she does talk herself into trying to seduce him into giving her a little of the fun and adventure she craves. Of course, being Kate, it doesn't go as she plans.
I loved the two of them together. Griffin is a bit on the lost side, under the tough soldier exterior that he shows to everyone. The effects of his injuries make him vulnerable, a feeling he absolutely hates. I loved seeing Kate take him in hand and give him the care he needs, even as he tries to fight it. He starts out intending to stay only long enough for the wedding, but something about Kate has him putting off his departure. He looks at her and sees how much she gives of herself to everyone else, without asking for anything for her. I really enjoyed seeing him make it his mission to help her. I loved the way he got involved with her little brother, and found himself doing things with her and for her that he never would have imagined. I loved the part where he went to her classroom for career day, and also the day he taught the kids how to be a team. As they grow closer, he starts to think that maybe staying in Sunshine wouldn't be such a bad thing, until a family secret comes out that makes him question everything about himself. Then he has to decide if he's going to run again or fight for what he wants. This part was so emotional, and I ached so much for Griffin and the pain he was going through.
Kate was adorable. She's a nurturer to her family, worried about how they would manage if she weren't there. She's a fantastic science teacher, with students that adore her. She also has an incredible opportunity that she just has to reach out and grab, but her fears are holding her back. She's had this huge crush on Griffin for years, but every time she gets near him her nerves get the better of her. I loved how she spouts random science facts whenever she gets nervous, and how much Griffin likes it when she does. She wants Griffin however she can get him. She knows he's not planning to stay, but she'll take the fun she can. As she gets to spend more time with him, she has to admit to herself that she wants more from him than just the physical. I loved seeing the way she could tell when he was getting one of his headaches and how she took care of him. She was really good at making him do what she said at those times. The closer she gets to him and the more she cares, the more she worries about what's going to happen when he leaves. Just as things start to look like she may get everything she wants, his crisis looks like it's going to tear them apart after all. I liked seeing that she had an inner strength that she hadn't suspected and wasn't going to wallow in her misery. It made the ending that much better, as both of them overcame their obstacles to find their way back to each other.
As always, I loved the various family and friend relationships. I loved the friendship between Holly and Kate, even when it made Holly try to warn Kate and Griffin away from each other. She was also there for Kate when she was needed. I loved the friendship between Adam and Griffin. It was really shown in the scene with Adam and Kate talking after they'd put Griffin to bed during one of his headaches. Kate's family was really interesting, and though I wanted to shake them sometimes, especially her father, they were still a loving family. Her brother Tommy was a trip, both typical for his age and yet with a really unique personality. I loved the way he connected with Griffin and the effect Griffin had on him. Griffin's relationship with his father was one that had the most growing and changing to do.
At the start of this book, Griffin has come back to Sunshine for Holly's wedding. He hasn't told anyone that he's left the military with a medical discharge, thanks to a close encounter with an IED. His plan is to use the time to recover and think about what job offer he is going to take. He doesn't plan to stay in Sunshine for long, as his memories aren't the best. He had been a troublemaker of a teen, and constantly butted heads with his father. He couldn't wait to leave Sunshine back then, but now he'd like a chance to make peace with his past. The first person he sees is Kate, who he's suddenly seeing as more than his sister's best friend. He's attracted, even though she's nothing like the women he's usually interested in. Holly warns him to leave Kate alone, but Kate herself seems to have other ideas.
Kate has lived in Sunshine all her life. After her mother's death a few years earlier, Kate became the mother figure to her whole family, putting her own needs and dreams aside. Lately she's been feeling the loneliness and has tried multiple ways to find the relationship that's right for her. Griffin's arrival just makes the feelings worse. She's still got the crush on him she's had for years, but she knows nothing will come of it. Griffin won't be staying in Sunshine and she won't be leaving any time soon. But she does talk herself into trying to seduce him into giving her a little of the fun and adventure she craves. Of course, being Kate, it doesn't go as she plans.
I loved the two of them together. Griffin is a bit on the lost side, under the tough soldier exterior that he shows to everyone. The effects of his injuries make him vulnerable, a feeling he absolutely hates. I loved seeing Kate take him in hand and give him the care he needs, even as he tries to fight it. He starts out intending to stay only long enough for the wedding, but something about Kate has him putting off his departure. He looks at her and sees how much she gives of herself to everyone else, without asking for anything for her. I really enjoyed seeing him make it his mission to help her. I loved the way he got involved with her little brother, and found himself doing things with her and for her that he never would have imagined. I loved the part where he went to her classroom for career day, and also the day he taught the kids how to be a team. As they grow closer, he starts to think that maybe staying in Sunshine wouldn't be such a bad thing, until a family secret comes out that makes him question everything about himself. Then he has to decide if he's going to run again or fight for what he wants. This part was so emotional, and I ached so much for Griffin and the pain he was going through.
Kate was adorable. She's a nurturer to her family, worried about how they would manage if she weren't there. She's a fantastic science teacher, with students that adore her. She also has an incredible opportunity that she just has to reach out and grab, but her fears are holding her back. She's had this huge crush on Griffin for years, but every time she gets near him her nerves get the better of her. I loved how she spouts random science facts whenever she gets nervous, and how much Griffin likes it when she does. She wants Griffin however she can get him. She knows he's not planning to stay, but she'll take the fun she can. As she gets to spend more time with him, she has to admit to herself that she wants more from him than just the physical. I loved seeing the way she could tell when he was getting one of his headaches and how she took care of him. She was really good at making him do what she said at those times. The closer she gets to him and the more she cares, the more she worries about what's going to happen when he leaves. Just as things start to look like she may get everything she wants, his crisis looks like it's going to tear them apart after all. I liked seeing that she had an inner strength that she hadn't suspected and wasn't going to wallow in her misery. It made the ending that much better, as both of them overcame their obstacles to find their way back to each other.
As always, I loved the various family and friend relationships. I loved the friendship between Holly and Kate, even when it made Holly try to warn Kate and Griffin away from each other. She was also there for Kate when she was needed. I loved the friendship between Adam and Griffin. It was really shown in the scene with Adam and Kate talking after they'd put Griffin to bed during one of his headaches. Kate's family was really interesting, and though I wanted to shake them sometimes, especially her father, they were still a loving family. Her brother Tommy was a trip, both typical for his age and yet with a really unique personality. I loved the way he connected with Griffin and the effect Griffin had on him. Griffin's relationship with his father was one that had the most growing and changing to do.
Fabulous contemporary romance, just don't start it on a day when you have a lot to do because you will not be able to put it down! Griffin is a stoic quiet hero not quite sure what to do with the intelligent, fact spouting second grade teacher who is a bridesmaid in his sister's wedding. He's back for the event and not sure of his future. Kate takes care of everyone in her world - her dad, her siblings, her ex-, her students, even the town's homeless man - so for one night, she's looking for simple fun. Griffin turns out to give her more than she bargained for and their story is a great one!
This is book #4 in the Animal Magnetism series.
This story is about Griffin (Holly's brother) and Kate (Holly's best friend). Griffin is in town for Holly's wedding. Holly has warned Griffin to stay away from Kate who has a huge crush on him. After Griffin was involved in a military accident he is not sure what his next step will be. Kate is the person who sets aside her life to care for others. Will Griffin be next?
The first book in the series was OK, the second was much better. The third I pushed myself to read and finish, skipping parts to get through it. This book was worse. I struggled to make it to page 100. Then I ended up skipping the rest of the book. I would flip pages read and flip again. I am done with this series.
Animal Magnetism series
1. Animal Magnetism (2011) Lilah and Brady
2. Animal Attraction (2011) Jade and Dell
3. Rescue My Heart (2012) Holly and Adam
4. Rumor Has It (2013) Kate and Griffin
5. Then Came You (2014) Emily and Wyatt
6. Still the One (2015) Darcy and AJ
7. All I want (2015) Zoe and Parker
This story is about Griffin (Holly's brother) and Kate (Holly's best friend). Griffin is in town for Holly's wedding. Holly has warned Griffin to stay away from Kate who has a huge crush on him. After Griffin was involved in a military accident he is not sure what his next step will be. Kate is the person who sets aside her life to care for others. Will Griffin be next?
The first book in the series was OK, the second was much better. The third I pushed myself to read and finish, skipping parts to get through it. This book was worse. I struggled to make it to page 100. Then I ended up skipping the rest of the book. I would flip pages read and flip again. I am done with this series.
Animal Magnetism series
1. Animal Magnetism (2011) Lilah and Brady
2. Animal Attraction (2011) Jade and Dell
3. Rescue My Heart (2012) Holly and Adam
4. Rumor Has It (2013) Kate and Griffin
5. Then Came You (2014) Emily and Wyatt
6. Still the One (2015) Darcy and AJ
7. All I want (2015) Zoe and Parker
This was much better than the previous book. This features Holly's brother (Griffin) and BFF (Kate). Griffin is back after being medically discharged from an injury he sustained while serving his country. His career with the military over, he is adrift and unsure what to do with himself. Kate is a 2nd grade and has a full ride scholarship to UCSD for her masters. This is her dream and she has already put off for a few years to help take care of her family. Her dad is a recovering addict (pain pills if I remember correctly), her sister will be a senior in high school, and her 7/8 yr old brother.
I thought Kate was an awesome character, she was kind, loving, giving, and sweet, but not a doormat (at least when it counted). There was unnecessary drama (IMO) regarding Griffin's parentage. Overall, this was fun to read.
Of note: While the Bitterroot mountains are real, the town is not and based on the approx location, Boise is at least 5+ hours away. In this book Griffin takes Kate on a date to Boise and it's just a quick drive ride away. This took me out of the story (a little) since I live in Boise.
I thought Kate was an awesome character, she was kind, loving, giving, and sweet, but not a doormat (at least when it counted). There was unnecessary drama (IMO) regarding Griffin's parentage. Overall, this was fun to read.
Of note: While the Bitterroot mountains are real, the town is not and based on the approx location, Boise is at least 5+ hours away. In this book Griffin takes Kate on a date to Boise and it's just a quick drive ride away. This took me out of the story (a little) since I live in Boise.
awww sweet book! on to the next one. i liked it good story too.
I have really enjoyed the Animal Magnetism series but Rumor Has It may very well be my favorite. Griff and Kate are great together. Kate with her science fact finding mouth and Griff with his stoic attitude trying to figure out life and his place in Sunshine, Idaho. Jill Shalvis is a wonderful contemporary romance novelist and I recommend her to anyone who enjoys that genre.
