Who needs mistletoe?Most people wouldn’t think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn’t most people, and she could really use a distraction from the fantasies she’s been having since spending the night with her very secret crush, Lucas Knight. Nothing happened, not that Lucas knows that—but Molly just wants to enjoy … that—but Molly just wants to enjoy being a little naughty for once . . .
Whiskey and pain meds for almost-healed bullet wounds don’t mix. Lucas needs to remember that next time he’s shot on the job, which may be sooner rather than later if Molly’s brother, Joe, finds out about them. Lucas can’t believe he’s drawing a blank on his (supposedly) passionate tryst with Molly, who’s the hottest, smartest, strongest woman he’s ever known. Strong enough to kick his butt if she discovers he’s been assigned to babysit her on her first case. And hot enough to melt his cold heart this Christmas.
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Hot Winter Nights is a fun and flirty friends to lovers romance. Hot Winter Nights follows the story of Lucas and Molly. From the moment we meet up with Lucas and Molly, you can tell that they are just going to be explosive. Their chemistry is obvious right off the bat. Lucas knows he should stay away from Molly, but he can’t fight the pull. And Molly has had a crush on Lucas for the longest time and can’t stop thinking about the night she spent with him. While nothing happened that night, it only intensifies the way that Molly feels for Lucas. So, when an opportunity presents itself for Molly’s first case, she can’t help but jump at the chance for a distraction….
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I had a lot of fun losing myself in the characters and their story. I loved the idea of the story and the case of the Bad Santa. I thought this story had some great suspense and I was excited to see Molly prove herself to everyone. Molly was super smart and had some really great instincts. She couldn’t have found a better partner than Lucas. Not only did they have amazing chemistry, but Lucas knew his stuff and gave Molly the support that she needed. I loved watching these two work together and see the tension just sizzle between them. I couldn’t wait for them to get to the bottom of what was going on and more importantly, I couldn’t wait for them to give in to their feelings.
Hot Winter Nights is a fun and entertaining read with just the right amount of steam, romance, action and suspense. It’s a great book to spend your day getting swept up in and will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.
Love visiting Heartbreaker Bay and this was no exception. Loved Molly and Lucas. Molly has a very strong personality and and won’t let men stand in her way. Lucas is recovering from a gunshot wound and has been hired by Molly’s brothers to keep her safe while trying to catch Bad Santa, and not to fall in love with Molly.
Loved these characters with banter and one liners, had me laughing out loud many times. Loved watching their relationship grow, they both understood each other so well. With the added element of suspense, it makes for the perfect read.
This book is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. I highly recommend this series.
Jill Shalvis always writes a sweet, comical story that I want to read. She keeps me coming back for more. Loved the story with a Christmas twist!
I absolutely loved Lucas and Molly’s story. There’s just something so irresistible about a hero who is so secure in his own strength that he not only allows his woman to be strong,he insists upon it. I love that Lucas was Molly’s biggest cheerleader. Not only does Lucas appreciate and admire Molly’s strength in overcoming what she sees as her weakness, he is her advocate in showing everyone else how strong Molly is and how deserving she is of a bigger role and responsibility in the company. Lucas and Molly are perfect for each other. Jill Shalvis knew it and this story she crafted has convinced me of it also.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The newest installment in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis once again delves into the many definitions of family. Each book in this series has been about family in both it’s traditional and non-traditional forms. Molly and Logan are from different types of families. Molly has just her brother, Joe. Logan feels somewhat separated from his rather large family. Large or small, both characters carry plenty of bagage which they work through as they solve a case for some local ladies. Logan and Molly are familiar to series readers, so the reader is pulled in from page one. Add Shalvis’s humor to lighten the serious themes and the result is a book with a place on my keeper shelf.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
4.5*
This was only the third book in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Ms. Shalvis that I’ve read, and so far it’s my favorite of the three. I don’t recall if there was mention of Molly or Lucas in the two previous books I read, but even if there was this story developed in such a way that I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. That’s what I love about series like this- even though I usually prefer to read in order, I like that I can just jump in anywhere and know that the story I’m reading will be able to stand on its own.
Hot Winter Nights was a sweet and fun, sexy, and suspenseful story. I really loved Molly and Lucas. They are both such strong characters, yet left vulnerable from past events. Neither of them is really looking for a relationship, but as they work together on Molly’s first case the spark between them ignites, once they decide to let their guards down. This was a really heart-warming story. It was great seeing Lucas and Molly open up to each other and share the the tough parts of their lives.
The Bad Santa case that Molly takes on added an entertaining and suspenseful aspect to the story. It turned a little darker than I expected, but the quirky cast of characters kept it from getting too deep. I love when a book has the perfect mix of romance, humor, and mystery to keep you on your toes, and Hot Winter Nights had an abundance of all three. And now I think it’s time to go back and read the rest of the books in the series that I’ve missed out on!
I love all the guys that work for Archer but Lucas definitely has a soft spot in my heart. Having lost his girlfriend and his brother in the past few years, he’s afraid to love. But he doesn’t see Molly coming. Molly waltzes in and steals his heart with her strength and sassy attitude. She doesn’t need anyone. But she wants Lucas. And he’s willing to go along with her scheme to rid the Christmas Village of the Bad Santa so that he can keep a watch on her. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for her. And he falls hard. It’s so fun to watch a super alpha man fall, isn’t it?
Office manager of Hunt Investigations, Molly wants to take on her own investigation jobs. Being the little sister of Joe isn’t helping getting what she wants. Unofficially taking on a Bad Santa case, Lucas Knight becomes her babysitter, the man she has a secret crush on. Molly soon realizes there could be worse things that hot and well-built Lucas following her around, like getting the attention of mobster, Tommy Thumb! A great book with romance, mystery, and laughter.
This is only the second book I have read in this series and I will be remedying this soon!
Molly and Lucas both work for Hunt Investigations with Molly in the office and Lucas as an investigator. Molly’s older neighbors come to her with concerns about the Christmas Village where they work and are not being paid as expected but Hunt Investigations will not take the case. Molly decides to look into it on her own. Lucas, while watching over her, also helps her to investigate. Jill Shalvis has created in depth characters in Molly and Lucas. They each seem to be fighting their own demons as they spend time together both on and off the case. This books begins and ends with humorous situations. I fell in love with their entire group of friends and got so much enjoyment from this book. Congrats to Ms Shalvis on her latest 5 star read.
Hot Winter Nights is book six in the Heartbreaker Bay series by Jill Shalvis. Maybe my memory is failing me in recalling details of the previous five books because I feel like this one had a bit more suspense in it. We are hearing more of the details that go on inside Hunt Investigations and let me tell you, these guys have some dangerous jobs. You can definitely read this as a stand alone. The characters are recurring from the previous books but are not required to be able to jump right into this one.
Molly Malone is Joe’s little sister whom we have met in a previous book! She is the office manager and is incredibly good at her job. But she wants more. She wants to be part of the team. Only her brother Joe and the boss, Archer, who are both incredibly protective of her, keep telling her she’s not ready. When Molly was fourteen, something happened to her that caused her to suffer permanent nerve damage to one of her legs. Not to mention the many surgical scars that cover her body. Because of this, she has had bad luck with romance and has been hurt. She’s pretty much given up on finding a man who would accept her, scars and all.
Lucas Knight is one of the private investigators at Hunt Investigations. He is best friends with Joe and Archer. There has been an underlying electricity between he and Molly for some time. But firstly, Molly is off limits because she is Joe’s sister and a fellow employee. Besides that, Lucas is not a relationship type of guy and he knows Molly deserves more than a one and done. Lucas has suffered not one but two great losses in his life. The pain he has experienced has caused him to pull back from his family. And it has convinced him that that kind of pain is not worth it. That he won’t put himself through that again.
When Lucas wakes up after stupidly mixing pain meds from a recent gun shot wound and alcohol, naked and in bed with none other than Molly, he is completely freaking out because he can’t remember a thing. Molly keeps telling him he was a disappointment but when they finally do kiss, he knows he would remember that kiss, because it was the best kiss of his life.
It’s nearly Christmas and Molly’s elderly neighbors have come to her for help. They are elves that work at Santa’s workshop. It seems that bad Santa has been short changing them claiming that he’s not making any money. But that’s not what they see. The nightly bingo hall is packed and the cash is coming in like crazy. So they want Molly to help them find out what bad Santa is really up to. Archer and Joe will not give Molly permission to take the case. When they realize that she is going to do it anyway, they assign Lucas secretly to keep an eye on her.
As Lucas and Molly begin to investigate the bad Santa case, Lucas begins to realize that Molly really is more than capable. She’s amazing in fact. It doesn’t take long for that electricity to become too much for them both to ignore. And for feelings to develop, for both of them.
“It’d been a long time since she’d allowed herself to trust a guy to see past her flaws. But it was as if he didn’t even see them at all. He simply saw all of her, as a whole, and that was incredibly freeing.”
As Molly and Lucas delve into the case, it soon becomes obvious that there really is something going on here, something more dangerous than either of them anticipated. And they are both caught right in the middle of it. All the while, their feelings are continuing to grow. What will happen if Molly discovers that Lucas was told to help her with this case? Will she understand? Because Lucas is beginning to realize that after the case is over, he is ready to go all in with Molly. That he wants more from her.
First of all, I have loved this entire series. I loved getting the chance to revisit some of my favorite characters. I loved seeing the walls come down with both of these two. And, their chemistry is most definitely hot. For some reason, though, I just didn’t feel it like I have in some of her other books. There was no swooning or sighing. I really liked the book and was turning the pages, especially during the suspenseful parts. But it just wasn’t one of my favorites of the books I’ve read of hers. So, while I really enjoyed it, and it was wonderfully well written, it was still just okay for me.
Molly is stubborn, smart, independent, feisty, and knows how to manage all the alpha males in her life. While she’s a pro at running Archer’s security company, she longs to be one of the investigators rather than running the office and doing some research on the side. She also has some major skills from tagging along on her brother’s misspent youth. Lucas is one of the sexy alphas who works for Archer. He has a big, nosy, curious family and keeps himself a little distant so as not to worry them.
Lucas is definitely interested in Molly, but she’s firmly off limits as a coworker and since her brother is his partner. But things shift when he wakes up with her in his bed and with a spotty memory of the prior night. She challenges and pushes him and slides right under his skin. He has to walk a fine line between his need to protect her and letting her lead on their investigation of Santa’s Village, while also not getting too involved with her. They have combustible chemistry, but neither are looking for a relationship. Working together allows Lucas to see her in a whole new light, which only makes her that much more attractive. Jill Shalvis definitely does it again in delivering heat, humor, and banter within a group of highly entertaining friends and coworkers that you won’t want to miss.
Who doesn’t love the awkward morning after?
“He was naked and completely uncovered.
And the woman snugged up at his side was rolled up in his comforter like a burrito.”
I will say I was initially shocked at the Lucas and Molly pairing. Of course, Jill Shavis delivered an awesome Christmas romance. These two are amazing together – both on the job “the Santa Clause cause” and off “in the sheets”.
Great stocking stuffer…for a romance reader in your life. Highly Recommend!!!
Hot Winter Nights is book 6 in the Heartbreaker Bay series. As is with most books Jill Shalvis writes, I loved it! Lucas Knight wakes up in his bed, naked, hungover and laying next to an unknown female. Whiskey and pain medication are not a good combination, leaving Lucas with no memory on how the unknown female got into his bed!
Molly Malone, the unknown female, runs the office for Hunt Investigations and is the sister of Joe, Lucas best friend and co-worker. Lucas and Molly have been “dancing” around their attraction for each other for a while. (Hello, she is Lucas’s best friend’s sister!) She loves stringing him along, making Lucas believe “he rocked her world!”
Molly desperately wants some investigative cases of her own. The problem is her boss, Archer, and her brother don’t feel she is ready. When two elves come to her for help in exposing a “bad Santa” in Christmas Village, Molly is determined to help them. Archer decides Lucas can keep an eye on Molly and help her at the same time uncover any wrong doing going on at Christmas Village.
As usual, Jill’s books are filled with humor and some steamy sex scenes. The friends of Heartbreaker Bay are wonderful. Jill has a talent for making the friendships come to life and making the reader want to be a part of it.
Emotional powerhouse
There is something I adore about a strong woman who also happens to be vulnerable in some way, and an alpha male who is strong enough to have a care with her vulnerabilities while still allowing her to thrive and grow. It’s a fine line, but when it’s done well, oh my word I love it! This is that book, and this is that couple.
Molly and Lucas work together, he a security expert, she the office manager. She also happens to be his best friend and partner’s sister. Off limits all the way around. Molly has a limp, and a huge chip on her shoulder. Lucas is a brick wall of mystery and misery. When they inexplicably wake up in the same bed all bets are off, and suddenly what has always been off limits is not only possible, but probable.
Lucas and Molly find themselves working a case together; Molly’s first case in the field and Lucas’s first case as Molly’s babysitter. Well, you can imagine how that goes over. Their banter is always fun, and watching their relationship grow is rewarding. I loved this book!
I’m telling you Jill Shalvis can really write. You can really tell she puts all her heart into her books. Her words are captivating. She knows how to mesmerize her reader’s from word one. I just love her books. I love everything about Heartbreaker Bay.
We finally get Molly’s story. Molly Malone is the office manager of Hunt Investigations and more importantly the baby sister of Joe Malone. Molly suffered a tragedy when she was younger and it had long term affects on her. Due to that tragedy Joe is more protective of her. Molly inspite of her upbringing Molly is strong minded. There is no changing her mind once it’s set. Lately Molly wants more than to be just an office manager. Molly desires to be an investigator but to do that Molly has to get past Joe and Archer. Molly is hard working and very proud and hard headed. Molly also has trust issues and as a result of her past is very self conscious. Molly is also off limits as far as Joe is concerned.
Lucas Knight works for Hunt Investigations. Lucas has suffered an injury that has placed him on the sideline. Lucas is a guarded man with a past. He vows to never to get emotionally involved with a woman again. So when Lucas wakes up with Molly in his bed and with no memory Molly can’t help but take advantage of that to get him to help her with a case.
Let me just say it is funny watching Molly tease Lucas about their supposed night he can’t remember. I loved the Santa Caper and loved how close Molly and Lucas grew working together. Molly and Lucas had me laughing and my heart swooning. You can definitely see the chemistry they have. You can see the love and protectiveness Lucas feels towards Molly. I must say Molly’s struggles really hit me in the heart. I felt so much for what she had endured and was even now going through. Lucas and Molly’s struggles seemed so realistic and even relatable. Even though they were characters in a book I felt as if I knew them. As I were a part of their world. I found myself becoming very invested in both Molly and Lucas. I loved every aspect of this story. There was a lot of resistance with both Molly and Lucas due to their insecurities and doubts. I found Hot Winter Nights unique because it wasn’t just romance. Hot Winter Nights had a lot of romance and passion but it was also about self discovery and family and friendships. It was about proving yourself and your worth. It was about overcoming obstacles and breaking past the walls. You even get a bit of suspense. I laughed and even cried a bit and definitely felt heart swooning moments. I couldn’t put Hot Winter Nights down. I was so captivated. I read it in one night and even found myself rereading it again. Hot Winter Nights is a must read and must have book. Grab your copy and fall in love with Heartbreaker Bay, it’s residents and Jill Shalvis
4 star review of Hot Winter Nights (Heartbreaker Bay #6) by Jill Shalvis
I thoroughly enjoyed this book; the characters of Molly Malone and Lucas Knight were easy to relate to.
Hot Winter Night is filled with drama, suspense, a little danger, angst, humour and endearingly tender moments. This was well written and had me captivated by the story line from chapter one.
Molly is desperate to break out of the office and do some field work but her protective boss and brother do not think she is ready. They do not count on her determination to help out her neighbour who has a bad Santa situation happening and so Lucas is “encouraged” to assist her without her knowledge.
I loved Molly’s determination to overcome her past. Still suffering extreme pain from an accident when she was 14, she is bound and determined that it will not stop her making the most of her job and life. Lucas, having lost a couple of important people has been closed off, determined not to get involved.
Sparks have been flying between Molly and Lucas for quite a while and being thrown together as they investigate her case, it becomes harder to resist the attraction that is growing between them. What will happen when Molly finds out that her brother Joe and her boss Archer have asked Lucas to babysit her?
I loved the playful relationship between Molly and Lucas. They made a great team as they paired up for Molly’s first case representing a few Christmas elves. I enjoyed the suspense and loved the humorous moments during Molly and Lucas’s adventure in the Christmas Village.
Hot Winter Nights is another great addition to the Heartbreaker Bay series. As always, it was fun catching up with everyone from Hunt Investigations, as well as Old Man Eddie. The characters in this series are some of my favorites. I especially loved Lucas’s mom!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
Lucas Knight is one serious badass with Hunt Investigations was still recovering from a gunshot wound. So why did he mix pain meds with shots at O’Riley’s. Definitely an error in judgement. And who was this gorgeous brunette wrapped up in his bed? Molly Malone was just doing a friend a favor, my ass. She had a secret crush on Lucas and wanted to make sure he made it home safely. And to keep an eye on him, she feel asleep in his bed.
Molly really wants to get out of managing everything at the office and start taking cases at Hunt Investigations. When her little old lady neighbors approach her with a case that her boss won’t take, Molly figures this is her opportunity. Lucas finds out and tags along to keep her safe. One thing leads to another and we have two people who don’t want a relationship, a Christmas Bingo situation complete with geriatic underpaid elves, and a mob boss in hiding. Chaos and hilarity ensue. And don’t forget the steamy parts where Molly and Lucas try to get each other out of their systems…
Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis is an exciting, funny, and steamy holiday read! 4 stars
A new book by Jill Shalvis is always a treat for her readers! Hot Winter Nights is a zany, holiday read. Eccentric characters, laugh out loud humor and an entertaining storyline, captivate the reader. I especially liked that mid-way through the story we knew how Lucas felt about Molly. Ms. Shalvis really understand the push and pull between men and women in relationships. Some lines from the book really struck a chord with me. “… even having a sister and his mom, he was most definitely not fluent in Women speak.” “I wish everything was as easy as getting fat.” and “Love is stumbling through life with your best friend.” A wonderful story to celebrate the holiday season!
This was so sweet, fun, and heartwarming! I love the way that Jill Shalvis tells a story. I always know what I’m going to get from the entertaining moments to the great friendships, and the awesome romance. Great read!