First Time Available!Following the USA Today bestseller, Lost and Found Sisters, comes Rainy Day Friends, Jill Shalvis’ moving story of heart, loss, betrayal, and friendship.Six months after Lanie Jacobs’ husband’s death, it’s hard to imagine anything could deepen her sense of pain and loss. But then Lanie discovers she isn’t the only one grieving his sudden passing. A serial adulterer, he left … one grieving his sudden passing. A serial adulterer, he left behind several other women who, like Lanie, each believe she was his legally wedded wife.
Rocked by the infidelity, Lanie is left to grapple with searing questions. How could she be so wrong about a man she thought she knew better than anyone? Will she ever be able to trust another person? Can she even trust herself?
Desperate to make a fresh start, Lanie impulsively takes a job at the family-run Capriotti Winery. At first, she feels like an outsider among the boisterous Capriottis. With no real family of her own, she’s bewildered by how quickly they all take her under their wing and make her feel like she belongs. Especially Mark Capriotti, a gruffly handsome Air Force veteran turned deputy sheriff who manages to wind his way into Lanie’s cold, broken heart—along with the rest of the clan.
Everything is finally going well for her, but the arrival of River Green changes all that. The fresh-faced twenty-one-year old seems as sweet as they come…until her dark secrets come to light—secrets that could destroy the new life Lanie’s only just begun to build.
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Love…..often times it is beautiful and fills your soul. Then there are times when love crushes your soul and leaves you broken on the inside. Especially when the love you counted on was nothing as you imagined. A stark realization from the life that you thought you had.
For Lanie Jacobs – love ended up crushing her heart. The man that Lanie was married to for years hid a secret. A secret that had consequences that have come crashing into Lanie’s life with a vengeance. No one expects to find out their husband of six years was leading a double life. Lanie didn’t just find out the existence of another woman in her husband’s life, she slowly discovered Kyle had married multiple women and she was his ‘first’. A crushing blow that destroyed Lanie’s faith in love.
Needing a change of pace, Lanie accepted a graphic design job at Capriotti Winery. Nothing prepared Lanie for the way this family embraced her and took her ‘into the fold’. A family that was loud, crazy, and full of so much love. One of the members of the Capriotti’s – Mark – was a single dad who had his own share of jilted love.
As a former military expert, Mark finds himself returning home after his ex-wife walked out on their marriage and children. With the help of his family, Mark makes his way through the trials of raising twins as a single parent. Long hours on the job and chaotic schedules make life a bit crazy for the father of two. With a new mantra of closing off his heart, Mark finds that Lanie has captured his attention in a way unlike any other. Is the attraction doomed before it even begins? Will the past cost these two the possibility of finding love once more?
Let me start by saying I always enjoy reading a Jill Shalvis book, and never hesitate to pick up ANY of her books. While I went into Rainy Day Friends ‘blind’, I quickly discovered a plotline that was full of unique qualities that were completely unexpected. This fun and engaging tale of the Capriotti family will pull you into the tale with love, family bonds, and a love interest that you simply cannot turn away from.
Amazing characters, family dynamics galore and just a downright FUN story! Jill Shalvis strikes again with the second book in her Wildstone series. I was enthralled from the start, captivated throughout and felt like I found home with this fun loving family! The main characters are kind, loving souls who each have had their lives turned upside down and watching them connect and grow closer was magical. I loved the surrounding family just as much. Great read!
Lanie Jacobs has been in turmoil for a few months now. Her husband died totally unexpectedly six months ago, then she found out he was a lying cheat and had several other “wives” scattered around keeping additional beds warm for him. She’s finding it hard to get past it all, so when a job opportunity comes up that will get her out of the region and out of her own head for a couple of months, she jumps at the chance and starts a position at Capriotti Winery. She soon finds comfort in a tight-knit yet boisterously crazy family who take her under their wing and treat her like one of their own. She’s particularly enthralled by sexy single dad Mark!
Deputy sheriff Mark Capriotti is captivated with Lanie from the first moment he sets eyes on her. He had his life all sorted out as a career military guy until his wife up and left and he had to come home and make a different sort of life work with his twin daughters. He’s far from bitter because he is blessed with so much love from those precocious little angels, but there’s still something missing from his life … and one look at Lanie leads him to believe he might have found the missing link!
Jill Shalvis always delivers with believable characters with real life problems that always get a somewhat wonderful conclusion……
Rainy Day Friends- A book of betrayal, unexpected friendship, and real love. It made me laugh so many times and choked me up.
Lanie accepted a temporary job for two months with the Capriotti family in Wildstone doing some graphic designing for there Winery. She need a change but it was much more then that. What she didn’t expect was a young pregnant women to befriend her, and bring out a hidden secret between her and her husband.
She fell hard and fast for Mark who was a single dad. Deputy police officer and Air Force veteran. A good man. He gave it up to the Air Force to take care of his girls.
She didn’t know what to do about the attraction between them. But she had another problem after River who brought up something she rather not relive. But it wouldn’t ever go away. She would have to deal with it.
Mark knew that Lanie was hiding something from him. He cared about her a lot. He didn’t want to let love in ever again. But she was different then his ex who walked away from him, and there twin girls. Lanie treated his girls like they mattered, and not like babies. He loved that about her. When he found out about her secret he hurt for her. That’s why she was guarded.
See what happens and buy the book.
What an awesome Book!!!! Loved, loved, loved it!!!! The only part that I didn’t like, is turning the last page on my e reader.
Another hit by Jill Shalvis!
This was, as usual, a great story. I always anxiously anticipate ever new book Jill writes.
Just loved this book !!! Everything about it was enjoyable and believable! Great main characters!! Great easy enjoyable read!!!
I just love Jill Shalvis’ writing. This story is #2 in the Wildstone series. It warms the heart through & through. If you have read any of Jill’s books you will love this one. Have tissue handy – you will need it. I love the heart Jill puts into her stories.
I’m always amazed at the amazing worlds that Jill Shalvis builds within her books. I never leave them without some tears shed and laughs had. I truly can’t wait for the next journey I get to take in a Shalvis book and would recommend her writing to anyone who enjoy a wonderful story and amazing characters.
I was given a copy of this story. I loved it and wanted to share that other readers.
This book was so good. I loved Lanie and Mark! They are relatable characters. I have to say that this author could have made this a heavy read but in her typical fashion she made it light and heartwarming. She made you feel but not feel like the weight of the world was on your shoulders while reading this story. There is so much heartbreaking situations in this story that I was sad and angry. I love how the author told this story and I look forward to reading more about this family.
This is one of my must read authors because she pulls you in and makes you feel part of the story. You connect so much with the characters and the story. I will read anything this author writes no matter what.
Ah, I love anything Jill Shalvis writes! Loved all the characters, the backstories of some of the characters were different (which is always fun to read) and of course there was humor and heart. Great read!
JS is one of my “auto buy” authors. She never disappoints. This book was an emotional read, (funny, heart warming, gut wrenching) well written, and, of course, a HEA. I absolutely loved Mark’s daughters! The whole family dynamic made me wish I could be a part of this group. One of those books that stays with you after you finish reading.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary Jo –
A compelling read about starting over, even when you don’t want to.
Lanie is looking for a fresh start, away from the pain, heartache, and pitying looks from her so-called friends and co-workers. Turns out her husband was a serial husband. He liked being married and as a person who traveled a lot for business, he had plenty of time to acquire other wives. As his “first” wife, she was entitled to his life insurance and other benefits and some of his other wives disagreed with that – vehemently.
She understands the anger and hostility. She just wishes that they would heap it on the man himself. She didn’t create the mess they all find themselves in. She just happened to be the first in the long line of women who fell for the seemingly perfect guy who turned out to be a liar.
Taking a job with the Capriotti Winery, she’s hoping that the gossip will die down while she’s gone, and she can find a way to move on with her life. What she doesn’t expect to find is Mark Capriotti and his twin daughters. Seems as though she’s not the only who’s had to deal with a troublesome spouse. Only Mark’s wife didn’t die, she just left him and his children for the single life a continent away.
Both Mark and Lanie have trust issues and it’s interesting to see how they manage to work through those issues. They each have to deal with dramatically different issues about why they refuse to let anyone close to them, but in the end, it’s all a matter of trust.
I thoroughly enjoy this series and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Ruthie –
This is the second book in the series – and whilst I think it stands up well as a stand-alone read, why would you deny yourself the pleasure of a Jill Shalvis book and not read book one first?
I think the underlying theme in this book – other than the joy of families, love, and romance (obviously) – is not to make assumptions about people based on what you see. Time and time again, Lanie jumps to a conclusion based on her previous experiences rather than asking and listening to the answer. It is not an unusual failing, I am sure we can all agree! It is a clever way of telling the story though, as we can see the bigger picture, and are not restrained by her preconceptions. We, therefore, can question her behaviour, even when we would probably have done the same as her. She has been dealt some cruel hands and has persevered and continued to be the naturally good person that she is.
Luckily when she starts at the winery, she joins a family with a heart as big as hers, and no intention of ever letting someone down. And whilst she struggles to understand how it can possibly work, she is engulfed in their charm and caring. And then there is son of the family, Mark, a damaged soul himself, doing the best he can for his family and his twin daughters. Those two girls have some of the very best lines in the book – especially amusing given Uncle Jack’s terrible jokes! They both play an important role in addressing the fears and dreams of their father, and Lanie too.
This is a book which you want to climb into and join in with the life they lead, and be there in person to enjoy the highs and hug through the lows. From romantic evenings body boarding, to emergency trips for chocolate cookies, it is difficult not to become totally invested in Mark and Lanie’s future.
Beautifully written, thoughtful, caring, and also very romantic. Jill Shalvis has done it again!
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone #2) by Jill Shalvis to read and review.
Loved the book. Great characters! Didn’t want to put it down. Jill Shalvis tells a wonderful heartwarming story. Love her books.
Another great book by one of my favorite authors.
Loved the book. Great & entertaining characters. Hopefully it could become another one of her series.
Rainy Day Friends is the perfect summer, it’s too hot to be outside story. I loved the story of Lanie escaping her life after finding out her husband was a husband to other women and finds herself pulled into the amazing family of the Capriottis. This family is wonderful. They are loud, obnoxious, nosy, and so welcoming. Anyone who comes to their winery is instantly taken under Cora’s, the owner, protective wing and welcomed into their crazy family.
When River arrived at the winery, peeking in the window, living in her car I knew that she would be accepted with open arms but I also knew that there was more to her story. It didn’t take long for me to figure out what drew her to come to the winery and why she was interested in Lanie. I liked that Jill Shalvis had them become friends first then told the rest of their connection. I cannot blame River for coming to the winery. It was probably the only way that she could survive with her baby.
Mark… oh Mark and his gorgeous,naughty, sweet, lovable twin girls. I loved the paragraphs that included the twins and Mark. Those twins were too much and I could picture their cute blonde heads, the two of them wandering the winery and causing havoc to the adults. And Mark with his big bad teddy bear attitude trying to keep them in line, going to work, and visiting Lanie all while to hide his heart. There was no doubt that his heart was going to bust open when he first set his eyes on Lanie and I was excited to see how long he could hold out and how he would convince Lanie that she could trust a man again.
Jill Shalvis is so talented. She is a definite must-read author for me. I recommend picking up Rainy Day Friends and then going back and reading the rest of her books.
I loved Lanie and Mark’s story, although I loved Lanie and River’s story of sisterly opposition, strife, love and forgiveness more. This was my first book by Jill Shalvis, and I can’t wait to read more!
I was lucky and won this book in a giveaway. I chose to review on my own.
Always an entertaining read from Jill Shalvis.