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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Christmas is my favourite time of year and what a great story Jill Shalvis has given us by taking us back to Heartbreaker Bay with Hot Winter Nights it has the perfect mix of romance and mystery.
Molly Malone is the younger sister of Joe and just like all big brothers he wants to protect her and there is no way he will let her investigate the case of the bad Santa on her own but he knows she won’t except help easily so he puts Lucas Knight on the case with her but there is no way Lucas can let Molly know she is being protected he needs to be there as a friend rather than a protector but when Lucas wakes up after a night of mixing pain meds with alcohol the line of friendship seems to have been crossed because Molly is lying naked next to him ………
Bad Santa’s, good elves and bad elves make this Christmas mystery a great read it has the perfect mix of suspense, mystery and romance and for me it made a happy change from the normal Christmas romances that we are used to. The chemistry between Molly and Lucas is sizzling and I loved the journey we are taken on as two broken people let their walls down and learn to love and trust again. This is a Christmas romance with a few twists and turns and please don’t be put off because it’s book 6 in the series it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Great read.
Get ready to fall in love with another Jill Shalvis couple as Molly and Lucas steal your heart in this feisty, sexy book.
It doesn’t take Lucas long to realize two things: (1) he is attracted to Molly and (2) the people around her underestimate her. While she has her struggles, Molly is far stronger than her brother (Lucas’s best friend and coworker) or boss believe her to be. Once Lucas figures this out, he becomes determined to make others see her strengths.
He also becomes determined to rock the headboard with her, although the two of them agree to keep it emotion-free and a secret.
Jill Shalvis treads some familiar territory with the “secret romance” thing, but Molly and Lucas feel so fresh and fun that you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens next. It helps that they are investigating a Santa bingo crime that is alternately hilarious and horrifying.
I always love Jill Shalvis’s books, and this one is another to add to that pile. Lucas and Molly are wonderful.
I’ve read the Heatbreaker Bay series from the beginning and I loved this installment.
Molly is a character that has been a fixture in the series and it was a pleasure to get to know her better in this book. Lucas fits the Shalvis hero mold of Alpha with a little sweet. These two are coworkers, with Lucas being partners and friends with Molly’s brother, Joe.
Ms. Shalvis created a fun twist to the scenario by adding an element of mystery and intrigue. This let us get to know both Molly and Lucas as the stretched their boundaries and perceptions of each other and gave us a front row seat to their growing emotional connection.
This is the 6th book in the Heartbreaker Bay series, but it is very much a standalone. Ms. Shalvis has mastered the art of community building so that loyal readers are pleased to see previous couples, but new readers aren’t lost or confused by the large secondary cast. Speaking of the secondary cast, the group here is a lot of fun. Lucas’ family is a pleasure to get to know and their friends are supportive and funny as always.
Hot Winter Nights is book that will be a treat for loyal Shalvis readers and new fans alike. I am looking forward to seeing where this series is going next.
Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis
Hearetbreaker Bay #6
Sitting here thinking about what to write about this book I have a smile on my face…and…thinking about the time spent reading this book I remember smiling throughout the story of Molly and Lucas and how they finally end up with their personal happily ever after. This book is a romantic mystery with some suspense but it is also a whole lot more. Shalvis has created a community of people that come alive on the pages and are there for one another. There are friendships and relationships and couples and romances and sharing and caring and…I could go on and on.
In this story we find out more about Molly Malone and Lucas Knight. Molly started out as a receptionist at Hunt Investigations where her brother Joe works. As the only female working for the business she knows she wants to be one of the investigators in the field and not stuck in the office doing research only. The team of alpha males she works with sees her more as a little sister in need of protection and yet her goal is to be on the team as an equal member out in the field. Lucas is Joe’s partner in the field and his best friend. He may have had some lustful feelings for Molly but would never act on them because she is who she is and it is just not right to go there…no matter what. And yet when he finds her in his bed one morning and can’t remember anything about the previous night well…what is he supposed to do?
When Molly and Lucas end up working on the Naughty Santa investigation together their relationship begins to change. Sure, they have chemistry and know what they want and what should not happen but…one thing leads to another and the story definitely heats up in more ways than one
I loved Lucas – oh my did I love him! Charming, gorgeous, fit and a perfect book boyfriend who managed to see the strong Molly that others did not! And Molly was such a strong female lead with her brains, humor, pluck and indomitable will. I loved how much both cared for friends and family and eventually for one another. The way they communicated and trusted and shared…really spoke to what a real relationship should be.
I love this author, this series and this wonderful book that still has me smiling as I finish writing my review.
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Each and every time a book is released in the absolutely fantastic Heartbreaker Bay series I say it’s my new favorite. Well, damn it, Hot Winter Nights is no different! LOL Molly and Lucas are my new favorite couple!
I absolutely loved both Molly and Lucas. Molly is a force to be reckoned with. She’s no delicate flower and she’s determined to prove herself and her abilities. And Lucas is just as determined to let her shine.
I loved the dynamic between these two—their chemistry was palpable. I loved their banter, their snark, their sexy times. And I loved how they tried to deny their feelings. And I loved how they finally got themselves figured out in the end—even with some crazy Bad Santa antics!
Every time I start a Heartbreaker Bay series book, no, any Jill Shalvis book, I start with a grin on my face. It begins with the hashtag chapter titles and I always close the book with a happy sigh – and again, I’m grinning. Shalvis creates these wonderful communities, with fantastic characters and interesting and unique situations, and romance, oh the romance!! Hot Winter Nights embodies all of these qualities. There’s an element of forbidden love as co-workers Molly Malone and Lucas Knight discover a connection and take on a case involving bad Santa’s and a few elderly elves.
These characters have been on the peripheral of all of the stories in this series and I’m so glad they finally got their own book. Molly stood out in big brother Joe’s book, but Lucas has always been a bit of a mystery. He’s recovering from a work injury, sidelined a bit, and maybe not making some of the best decisions. For Molly, she’s looking to strike out on her own a bit in order to expand on her role with Hunt Investigations. Through this the two are brought deliciously closer.
There’s plenty of things that stand between them, but they are both inspired to work through personal issues and the issue of their status as co-workers – and it’s likely Joe and Archer will frown upon a relationship with them. There are so many great moments between and I found myself rooting for them from #MorningAfterNumberOne. Their partnership on the Bad Santa case lands both in some precarious positions and Shalvis weaves in a fair amount of danger and a few super angsty moments. More then once I found myself wiping my eyes of tears from happiness, laughter and from heartache. Mostly happiness and laughter. 4.5 stars and my recommendation.
Cute fun read. This book has it all, laughs, love, and intrigue. The characters are fun, the writing is good and this is a great way to spend a few hours.
Hot Winter Nights (Heartbreaker Bay, #6) by Jill Shalvis Each book in this series gets better and better…Thank you Jill for taking me to Heartbreaker Bay and letting me live there for a while. Molly and Lucas finally get together to solve the “Bad Santa” mystery and solve their attraction for each other. They each have walls and it takes effort to break them down. She wants to work in the field and all the guys including Archer (her boss) and Joe her brother disagree and want to protect her…she has a mind of her own…so Lucas is tasked with keeping her safe. This is where it gets interesting .. there is mystery, danger, lots of laughs and some tears and touching family stuff…and of course lots of steamy sex all to get to a very HEA. I’m looking forward to PLAYING FOR KEEPS (Heartbreaker Bay #7) Caleb and Sadie’s story.
Once again, this talented author gives us a story that will touch your hearts and graps your attention from page one.
We are back in Heartbreaker Bay and the employees of Hunt Investigations. This time the story belongs to Molly Malone, and Lucas Knight. Molly runs the front office and manages the crew, but she really wants to be an investigator like her brother Joe. Of course big brother is opposed to that . Lucas is assigned to watch “her six” when she is determined to help a group of seniors .
As the investigation gets more complex , so does the relationship .
Though neither of them acknowledges it, they have been attracted to each other. But these two have suffered losses and either wants to get involved with anyone for fear of losing them as well as getting hurt.
Though at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming, the author gives us an engaging plot with complex characters you will come to love.
If you have read the previous books, some of the characters make an appearance. But if not, do not fear, it’s definitely a stand alone.
Another winner by this talented author.
I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Hot Winter Nights is the sixth book in the Heartbreaker Bay series by the talented Jill Shalvis. I’ve been a fan of Jill’s for a long time and she never disappoints in thoroughly entertaining me to the point of laughing out loud, physically swooning and smiling. A lot. We already know Molly and Lucas and I knew I was going to like their story, but I didn’t realize I was going to like it this much! There’s heart, emotion, suspense, lust, fun, humor and family. Poor Molly has had to live with Joe, her overbearing, stubborn brother who loves her, but won’t stop protecting her. She wants to do more at Hunt Investigations but Joe doesn’t think she’s ready. Lucas is recovering and not able to go back to work yet. After spending one night that he can’t remember with Molly, he’s forced to watch over her as she takes a side job that could be dangerous. Molly can’t resist teasing him about their night, but then one real kiss brings it all back. Molly has always lusted after Lucas and he has always thought Molly was beautiful, strong and a bad ass. After working together as partners, Lucas discovers he was right and he can’t keep his hands off her! Can Molly and Lucas just have a physical relationship without it getting complicated? What happens when they are put in real danger? I loved this story! Lucas is just so…everything. Smart, handsome, a little dirty and has a crazy, awesome family! Molly is fierce, strong and just the person to show Lucas what he wants. I’m so in love with all these characters and I can’t wait for more from this series.
“Molly. I’m going to need the words.”
“I’m done rethinking.”
“And?”
“And I want you. For tonight.”
His heart was asking for something his brain kept telling him he shouldn’t want. A soul mate. And…not he’s sweating.
Sadie: On a scale of 1 to Nature Valley granola bars, how much is your life falling apart right now?
**4-4.5 stars**
Jill Shalvis has done it again with another hit in her Heartbreaker Bay series!
Molly has been working at Hunt Investigations as an office manager but has been begging her boss Archer for a chance to work a case. Unfortunately, her boss doesn’t think she’s ready and her brother Joe who also works for Hunt Investigations is over protective because of events that happened to her in the past. Molly won’t let that stop her though. There’s a case she’s going to take, even if it’s on her own time. When their boss secretly asks Lucas Knight to watch out for her knowing she’s going to investigate a “Bad Santa”, he’s all too willing even though he hates lying to her on why he’s helping her. As the two of them work as a team on the case, things start to really heat up between them. Lucas has loved and lost in the past and Molly has her own demons she’s dealing with, not to mention that her brother and boss would probably not be very happy if they found out about them. But you can’t fight that kind chemistry…
I loved Lucas and Molly together! Molly was a strong, independent character and so good at working the case and I loved how Lucas could see that about her and supported her.
Hot Winter Nights was such a great read. Sexy, fun, romantic and a little suspense thrown in! This series is still going strong!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Another winner in Jill Shalvis’s Heartbreaker Bay series! If you’ve read previous books in the series, Molly and Lucas are familiar characters. We’ve seen their bickering, and wondered – was more to their relationship than a mutual dislike? In Hot Winter Nights we get to read their story. Both of them have heartbreak in their past, walls keeping them from wanting to get involved. However, neither was prepared for the explosiveness of the chemistry between them when they begin working together on a case. Emotional, suspense, secrets, passion. An excellent read!!
What can I say Jill does it again with this book. I was up way past my bedtime to finish reading this book. First off poor Lucas. I love Molly she is such a firecracker and she doesn’t let anyone get away with anything. She is the kind of woman I would like to be, oh wait I am, haha. She is strong, brave and fearless but she also has the best heart. Lucas is a bad-ass but also knows how to treat a woman. Lucas and Molly compliment each other though they just don’t know it most of the time, which makes the book so much fun to read. I also love how Jill tells you who the next book is going to be about but she does it very subtle.
Lucas Knight has had a starring role in Molly Malone’s fantasies for sometime now, she has dreamed of the day that he would make his move, swoop in the office and plant a sultry kiss on her… but unfortunately that just seems to be a dream that isn’t going to become a reality. She has seen him pick-up random woman in the bar, often wondered what they had that she didn’t, and often wished her body and heart didn’t want him the way they do, cause to him she just seems to be his best friend’s little sister and that’s downright depressing on all fronts. Then one night she comes to his aid after a night of drinking, and she decides she is going to make her move on him, but that doesn’t end quite the way she’d hoped for… but the next morning when he wakes up beside her, it sure pays off handsomely!
Everyday he sees her, fantasizes about her, and wishes he could capture her attention and maybe more; full well knowing acting on his impulses could land him in a heap of trouble with his best friend, and her older brother. Molly is smart, beautiful, and drives him crazy on a daily basis, and each day it becomes a test of his strength not to flirt with her, or make his interest known; but even if he did ever work up the courage he’s not sure his desires would be returned. Then one night he makes an epic mistake and gets falling down drunk, and wakes up with her in his bed, and what follows is something he never expected!
Within the pages of this perfectly crafted tale lies a story that is certain to inspire many laughs, a few happy tears and lots of fan-worthy swoons; Ms. Shalvis really delivers with this one!! In this newest installment of the Heartbreaker Bay series we meet Lucas and Molly, and I have to say these two really know how to bring the heat to the pages, as well as lots of gut-wrenching emotion too… these two nearly did me in!! Just a few pages in and I felt like I was home again, surrounded by some of my favorite characters, it was so much fun to be back in Heartbreaker Bay again, each trip just gets better and better!! If you love small town romances loaded with humor and heart, then this is the perfect read for you, Ms. Shalvis’s wonderful characters are sure to keep you thoroughly entertained! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Jill Shalvis knows her way around romance. Hot Winter Nights gave me heart tingles. Molly finally gets her chance to shine. She’s sick of waiting on the sidelines. Unfortunately, she jumps from the frying pan rather quickly and lands herself in some serious hot water. Leading with her heart has a way of biting her in the butt. This time around Lucas is there to cushion the fall. She comes into her own with that fighting spirit, I love and a vulnerability she always hides. Shalvis can take a piece of my heart anytime.
What a laugh out loud, all the feels love story between a woman that feels she will never be able to have a job she loves and a man that will love her for her and a man that is afraid to love for many reasons but wants Mollie just as she is. Throw in some hilarious seniors and a few bad guys and there is certainly a mystery to solve. This love story is a read again and again book.
Whenever I want a satisfying read, one of my go to authors is Jill Shalvis. I think that I have read every book that she’s written and have never been disappointed. I was not disappointed with Molly and Lucas’ story. I think their story is one of my favorites. I like that Lucas saw Molly and her abilities when others like Joe and Archer couldn’t or wouldn’t. Even though his protective instincts came out, he let her handle the situation herself (at least, most of the time). His family came as a surprise, as most of the alpha heros are loners. All I can say is that if you haven’t read any of Jill’s books, then you are missing out on wonderful, witty, and loving characters. ,
This book is about Molly Malone and Lucas Knight. First I have to say sorry but no spoilers here, second I have to say this book is amazing. This story had my heart on edge the hole time, it’s full of suspense, romance of course, some sad parts because everyone has a past to deal with and some funny parts too. I love every single book of this series but this one in particular is a really great story. I love it and I can’t wait to read the next one. I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This is such an incredibly fun, romantic and suspenseful ride! I absolutely loved it as I have every book in this series!! This story brought out quite a few feelings but happiness and humor were definitely at the forefront of those. Lucas and Molly not only work together but Molly is his friend and partner’s sister to boot. Many lines that shouldn’t be crossed. Says who?
I loved Lucas & Molly’s interactions of every variety! They were meant for each other even if it took a while to get there. They both needed to heal from past relationships. That was the fun of the story. The job they were on together, much to the others’ dismay, was suspenseful and a little hairy for sure but they got through it and Molly proved herself to be worthy of much more than just the resident front desk/IT geek at Hunt Investigations.
Loved getting glimpses at some of my fave characters from this series!
That fountain though! Gets ’em every time!
Hot Winter Nights by Jill Shalvis was such a cute book to read that I had a hard time putting down this book. It’s the sixth book in Jill Shalvis’ Heartbreaker Bay series, and I’m so glad I made time to read it. I’ve missed this series by Jill Shalvis. Thanks to the Romanceopoly 2020 Challenge, I was able to read and finish Hot Winter Nights for the Winter square on the board.
Hot Winter Nights is set in a town where there is a big group of friends/co-workers that either want to find love or love finds them unexpectedly. The later is what happens in the sixth book with Lucas and Molly. Both of them work in the same security firm office, but one works as an Office Manager, while the other gets to investigate out in the field. Molly wants to start being out in the field, but her brother, Joe, and their boss, Archer, won’t let her. She ends up taking a case without Archer or Joe’s approval to help one of her neighbor who is working at the Christmas Village. Her neighbor believes they are being scammed by the owner who dresses up as Santa and wants Molly to investigate it. Lucas is one of the investigators at the security firm, and both Archer and Joe want him to watch out for Molly secretively. Unfortunately, Lucas is going to have his hands full with Molly since she can take care of herself. It also is trying to avoid her because he doesn’t remember how Molly ended up in his bed, and if they did anything. He hopes not since Molly’s brother, Joe, and his best friend would hurt him if he hooked up with his little sister. Joe is very protective of Molly. Maybe too much.
This is when the story gets interesting because sparks start flying between the characters, and they are trying not to have that happen. It’s inevitable, though. I kept rooting for them to realize it finally, and it took a traumatic event for them to understand their true feelings for each other. Both characters, though, have gone through a lot in their pasts, and they want to keep those pasts from each other, which was one thing that bothered me. Molly and Lucas should have been upfront with each other, especially since they were curious about what each other went through in their past. I will say this the best moments in the book are in Chapter One and the Epilogue. That’s all I’m going to say because I don’t want to give anything away.
I needed this fun romantic book after reading a dark paranormal romance book. I love Jill Shalvis and her adorable storylines. I can’t wait to catch up with this series because I enjoy being in this fictional world that Jill has created.
Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of series, but each book follows a new couple.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Office Romance; Brother’s Best-friend Romance; Christmas/Holiday; Mystery/Suspense