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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I love this book. It is romantic, funny and kind of a sad story, but I really love and enjoy reading it. The story is so emotionally that I couldn’t help but feel every single emotion the characters were feeling. I think is the best in the series so far. I can’t wait to read the next one.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest review.
If Jill Shalvis writes it, I will read it. Rainy Day Friends is no exception. I loved it! An introvert by nature, Lanie Jacobs simply wants a new start after her husband’s death. As a graphic artist, she is hired by Capriotti Winery to design a new look for their labels, logo, etc. Unbeknownst to Lanie, the Capriotti family is a very social, friendly, close-knit group. No matter how hard Lanie tries to keep her distance, the Capriotti family has a way of sucking her into their world!
Marcus Capriotti is a 32 year-old, divorced father of 6 year old twin girls – Samantha and Sierra. As a career air force officer, he is forced to resign to care for his girls. The attraction between Lani and Mark is immediate.
The best thing in life is finding that one person who knows all your mistakes and weaknesses and still thinks you’re completely amazing! Jill has a grasp on relationships – writing with humor, friendship and family loyalty. Love this book and highly recommend it!
There’s a reason (tons of reasons, really) why Jill Shalvis is one of my top 13 go-to authors, meaning that I can auto-buy anything she writes, and I’ll love it. No questions asked. She writes it, I love it. End of story. So, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone that this is yet another 5-star read for me, right?
What I love most about Jill Shalvis is that she writes low-angst, comfort reads. Her books are full of strong, relatable women, tough-but-somehow-still-tender-and-romantic alpha males, and laugh-out-loud moments. And even with all that, she still manages to hit you in the feels a time or two–but not in a way that wrecks you for days and leaves you in a book coma, unable to move on. When you pick up a Jill Shalvis book, you know you’re getting a feel good read, and I LOVE that.
Rainy Day Friends is the feel good read of the year, as far as I’m concerned. You get everything Jill Shalvis books are known for (see embarrassing, glowy, fangirl-y comments above), but times 2. That’s right: there are 2 heroines and 2 heroes in this book, and I love all 4 of them!
But beyond the awesome main characters, you also get a cast of supporting characters who are all kinds of fabulous, and serve more purpose in the story than just moving the plot along for Lanie, Mark, River, and Holden. I hate it when secondary characters do nothing but offer sage love advice at opportune moments, and there’s none of that nonsense here. The story wouldn’t have stood so well on its own without all the fabulous side characters, and I hope each and every one of them gets their own book, complete with HEAs.
So, I’m pretty sure I’ve fangirled and embarrassed myself enough in one review. I mean, Jesus, if this was a rock concert, I’d be the girl in the front row, tossing my bra up on stage and flashing the lead singer. It’s getting humiliating, so I’ll just leave you with this: Go buy this book. You won’t regret it.
Full disclosure: we received an ARC from the author free of charge.
Great summer read! I have enjoyed the Wildstone series, it has a little darker feel than the usual light romantic comedies but is nothing less than her wonderful story telling with it’s usual witty banter, wonderful characters and hilarious situations with a little more of an emotional twist. Lanie is trying to put her life together after her husband’s death and his secrets that keep coming out of the wood work. Working for the Capriotti Winery is a new experience in more than one way, coming from a not conventional family she doesn’t see herself fitting this big family even if one of them is so sexy it melts her knees. Wonderful story with characters so easy to fall in love with!
Another amazing, heartfelt story of family and love. These Wildstone books are more emotionally layered and focus on the family dynamic as much as they couple(s) but still have all the same Shalvis humor and banter.
Lainey and Mark, River and Holden, Sam and Sierra, River and Lainey, Mark and his daughters, Cora and Everyone: so many relationships and exploration of what love, family, forgiveness, and bravery all mean.
This is the 2nd book of this series. First I must say I adore all of Jill’s stories. I find myself laughing and on occasions crying. She gets you so invested in her characters. Lanie Jacobs has just had a rough time. With no family to count on she gets a job with the Capriotti Family winery. Which is a big Italian family winery. The Caprotti welcome Lanie with open arms as large Italian families do. Lanie meets single dad of twins Mark Caprotti. The sparks fly instantly. Rainy Day Friends is a perfect summer read. Jill does not disappoint. Rainy Day Friends is a stand alone with a HEA.
I want to be a member of the Capriotti family, either by blood or by choice! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny, witty, and emotional. And, don’t get me started with Mark, very hot, alpha, and considerate to Lainie and his daughters. I’ve been a fan of Jill Shalvis’ for years and have probably read everything that she’s written and feel that “Rainy Day Friends” is in the top five of her books (actually it’s number 1). This is one book that you don’t want to end but you can’t put it down. It’s one to keep and to reread when you need a pick me up.
I really should not start books that I can’t put down when I am at work. I loved this book. I cried through the last half of the book. This book is gut-wrenching, funny, sweet and loving. You don’t need to read the first book in this series though I highly recommend that as I loved that book and the novella too. Laine has been through a horrible time and ends up at a winery in Wildstone working on their designs for the Winery. She meets the most crazy, funny, fun family there. She also meets River and yeah she has secrets to hide too. This is an awesome book and I hope there will be more in this town. If you love Jill’s book you will love this one too.
*Thank you Jill Shalvis for allowing me to read this for my honest opinion*
ps I would have bought this if I didn’t receive the ARC that is how much I love Jill’s books
This is a wonderful book. This book should really be book one as you don’t see any of the characters from Lost and Found Sisters. We are introduced to the Capriottis. A boisterous, nosy italian family that runs the local winery.
Neither Lanie or Mark believe that they deserve love or need it at this time. Both don’t want entanglements. Life has a way of showing you what you do need.
I love this story of Lanie and Mark. I, also, enjoyed River’s part of the book but wish for a bit more. Maybe in a novella?
Thanks for another great story!!!
Can I say grab your copy and move this party to the nearest beach or poolside. This was a fabulous read that gave me so much in just the first chapter. That chapter lead me to the ones that followed. I loved Lanie. She was not so sure about herself but I found her to be down to earth and a bit cautions with life in general and mostly with her heart. She finds that with her new job comes new things in life including friends, family, strangers, and more. Laine finds that this temporary job brings her life to something she had never truly felt. She finds the meaning of family, friends, love, and honesty.
There were an entire family of characters to fall in love with. Those not family were so close you just loved them also. Mark, Cora, Sam and Sea, Uncle Jack, Delaney, River, so many more. I cried, laughed, smiled, and was just bowled over with all that was held within these pages. The Capriotti’s were much more than just family. The were friends and support. They were welcoming and came with their own set of complications.
I had no idea this was the second book in the series. Well that made no difference for me. The book was a dream. It read smoothly and I did not feel as if I was missing anything. I do plan to go back and read book on of this series. Jill Shalvis has brought another story that will warm you heart and bring you closer to the value of family.
Rainy Day Friends (Wildstone, #2) by Jill Shalvis …. Well done Jill….Thank you for letting me preview this book…Every time I think I have read the best book Jill Shalvis has written…she proves me wrong… This book never stops pulling on your heart strings…Lanie and Mark are everything you could want in a H and h …but it doesn’t stop there.. Add in Samantha and Sierra … River..Holden..Delaney..and the whole Capriotti family…the real feals …the laughter…the heartache…the love…this is a real page turner… I never wanted to put it down and I never wanted it to end… I can’t wait to see what Jill writes next.
Looking for a family to take you in? May I suggest the Capriottis? What a loving, accepting, wonderful, warm-hearted group of people spanning four generations live and work together at their vineyard and winery! And, how marvelous it was for Lainie, River and Holden to have met them when they did!
Lainie has taken a job as a graphic artist and will live and work on the vineyard for two months. She has recently been widowed and found out that her husband was not the man she thought he was. If he weren’t dead she might have been tempted to kill him herself after learning all that she did about him. She is talented, a bit snarky, definitely guarded and uninterested in forever with a man when she arrives at the winery. That begins to change as one by one the Capriotti family begins to worm their way into her life and into her heart.
Mark Capriotti left the family business for the Air Force only to return home to raise his twin six year old daughters with the help of his family when his wife scarpered off to Australia. He is a wonderful father and relative and oh so alpha male hot BUT he is not on the market for a woman to be part of his future. He works long hours on the local police force and has dreams of building a home for his family one day.
When Lainie and Mark meet on her first day at work I felt like a fly on the wall…or picnic table…and enjoyed their interaction and the sizzle between them. That sizzle sputters for a bit but then the embers spark to life again…eventually. I enjoyed the way they became closer and also how they worked through their issues eventually ending up thoroughly happy together.
Mark’s daughters are a delight and add so much to the lives of the characters in the book. I found them precocious and precious and wanted to scoop them up and play with them.
River’s arrival and secrets that are eventually exposed rock Lainie’s world making her question more than she has before.
There is so MUCH in this book that made me feel and care and wish I could be there. I wanted to give hugs as well as shake sense into some of the characters but in the end I didn’t want the story to end because it was just that good!
Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
Shalvis in an auto-buy author for me, and Rainy Day Friends doesn’t disappoint. The second book in the Wildstone series has all the things we have come to expect from a Shalvis novel: tender romance, heartfelt friendships, witty humor, and all the good feels. A fabulous read!!!
For the last year Lanie Jacob’s has been mourning the loss of her husband, it broke her heart in two when he left this earth, especially knowing they would never grow old together. But what she didn’t know is that her loving husband was playing a loving husband to several other women during the course of their wedding. All that time she thought she was his one and only, but that couldn’t have been farther from the truth… and damn did that sting, how could she have not seen that this was happening? With all these new discoveries hanging over her head, and finding out life she thought she was living was a complete lie, she is feeling like a little smothered, and in need of a break away from all the constant reminders. So she takes a graphic design position job at Capriotti Winery hoping it will give her the escape she craves, and winds up finding far more than she ever bargain for… a handsome Air Force veteran who does funny things to her heart!
Rainy Day Friends is a charming tale that will speak to readers hearts with it’s emotionally rich story line, and it’s wonderfully crafted characters are sure to leave an impression on your heart and an unshakable smile on your face! Once again Ms. Shalvis has left me dazzled by her words, the moment I started this one I was hooked, and quite eager to see how it all would play out… and boy what a journey it turned out to be! If you are looking for a heartfelt read with a few laughs mixed in here and there I highly suggest you take a chance on this one, you will find all of that and more, cause nobody does humor and heart quite like Ms. Shalvis!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.
ARC received for an honest review
I adore Jill Shalvis’ writing, and love the Wildstone books, so it was a no brainer to read Rainy Day Friends.
What an emotional ride Rainy Day Friends is. I have been reading a lot of darker books lately, and this was just what I needed for a rainy weekend.
Sweet, tender, emotional – it had a bit of everything. It is not only Lanie’s journey of self discovery, it is a beautiful story of love, loss, betrayal, friendship.
I want to be adopted by the Capriotti family soooooo badly. And I don’t even like wine!
I laughed and smiled as I was reading, however I also shed a tear or seven. I am kinda enamoured with the whole family, however like Lanie I am hooked on Mark. I mean, who doesn’t love a man in uniform?
There are surprises galore with this story, and you won’t want to miss any of them.
I read Rainy Day Friends in one day, and now am impatiently waiting for whatever comes next from Ms Shalvis.
To me, the mark of a truly great book is one that causes me to “live” in it, to feel all of the emotions the characters are feeling. Rainy Day Friends is a fantastic book. As I read, I was drawn into Lanie’s life & feelings. I felt her hurt, anger & despair over the mess her dead husband had made of their life. I “ugly” cried when she finally broke. River – poor River – I felt devastated for her being so young & in her position. Mark had my sympathies for being left as a single parent & my admiration for stepping up & doing what needed done. Lanie, Mark & River had to travel a journey that actually was leading them to acceptance of what had happened to them & opening them up to recognizing & letting live back into their lives. Mark’s family is the secondary characters & they are all complicated individuals but you find yourself loving everyone! Cora is the quintessential mother, Uncle Jack is the smart aleck & the sisters witty & hilarious. The plot leads the reader on a path with circles, twists & turns but keeps them deeply enthralled in what is happening. I would recommend making sure you have time to read the book from cover to cover & having a full box of tissues at hand before you sit down & start. This book is not a downer. There are moments I found myself smiling & chuckling too. This is a intense, highly charged emotional book & one of the best I’ve read in a while.
Whenever I read a story by Ms Shalvis , I know that I am going to be treated to a wonderful story. This one proves the point.
The story centers around Lanie Jacobs and Mark Capriotti.
Lanie’s husband passed away six months ago and that was when she found out about his secret life. A life filled with deceit and other wives. To escape her past, she take a temporary job at the Capriotti winery. Mark is a cop, who left the Air Force, a job he loved, to take care of his twin daughters. Daughters his wife abandoned.
But more than the plot, it’s a story about how our childhood affects our adulthood. About how hurts and lies can destroy a person’s confidence and make them believe they are not worthy of love. But most importantly, how opening our hearts can transform not only our future, but ourselves. How life is messy and at times heartbreaking but also that opening our hearts to others can bring happiness and self- worth. That families are not only created by blood relatives. And above all that even though life can at times be difficult, finding the right person that “gets you” and still loves you, is the biggest treasure of all.
This talented author gives us an engaging plot with complex characters you will come to love, no matter their age or how imperfect they are .
Another winner by Ms Shalvis.
I voluntarily read this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
This was a beautifully written heartwarming story full of so much love! It’s about family, trust, loyalty, strength and learning to love again.
Lanie’s life as she knew it was rocked to the core after the death of her husband who as it turns out, happened to have a few other wives too. She has since lost all sense of her ability to trust people, but even worse she feels like she isn’t capable of judging a person’s character anymore. She decides she needs a change so she takes a job at the Capriotti’s winery and has absolutely no idea that this job is about to change her life for good.
This family is amazing! They are loud, funny and nosy but have more heart than you can imagine. They treat all people with respect and take care of their own which includes those not related by blood. There are just so many wonderful characters in their family, I hope we get more of their stories down the road.
The one family member who Lanie isn’t sure how to handle is the extremely alpha and sexy Mark, who is also the sheriff. He is a single dad with twin girls who stole my heart from the get go. Sierra and Samantha are such cutie-pies!! Mark had to leave the Air Force and come back to raise his daughters after their mother decided she didn’t want to be a mother or a wife. He is such a great dad and I am such a sucker for a single dad story.
So as you can see, both Lanie and Mark have been seriously screwed over in the love department and neither wants to go there again. Or so they said.
So many things happen in this story that made me laugh, cry, smile, scream in frustration and yes, even swoon. My emotions got a great workout! I loved it all even when some of the characters tested my patience, like River. I don’t want to give anything away. so I won’t but you’ll see.
I look forward to more from this wonderful series!
Loved this new book by Jill Shalvis. I didn’t give it a 5 star only because the book flashed forward several weeks/days at a time and I felt like we missed some of the story that way and it was a little rushed in some areas. I also noticed several places in the book were memes and sayings that I have seen on Facebook and they were sections that characters were supposed to be showing their characters personality. It felt like using the memes or sayings from Facebook (even though they are great) that it wasn’t a true fictional writing from Jill’s thoughts herself.
It has a wonderful story-line and is not your typical contemporary romance as both heroes in this book have ex-spouses and one even has children. I loved the twins characters and was able to visualize them in each section of the book they were in. I loved the Copretti family setting and felt like there were very strong supporting characters which could create several story lines from this book.
Dear Fellow Readers, have you had the pleasure of reading Jill Shalvis’ books? If you haven’t, I highly recommend you put her on your list! Specially to read Rainy Day Friends. This book had me feeling so many emotions. And yes, there were some tears shed too.
Lanie Jacobs is a newly widowed woman who discovered shocking things about her husband after his death. She’s taken a 2-month job as a graphic designer for the Capriotti Winery in Wildstone, CA. She’s hoping the time away from Santa Barbara will help get her life back in order. She’s got walls up and doesn’t want to allow herself to get too close to the Capriotti family. Not after her trust was broken so deeply by the man she loved. But this family isn’t going to make that easy for her.
Especially Mark Capriotti. The town’s deputy sheriff and formerly in the Air Force. He’s come back to Wildstone to take care of his twin 6-year daughters after his wife left them behind. These twins got to me so much in this story. I adored them. Mark isn’t looking to start any kind of relationship, not after what his ex-wife put him and their girls through. When he meets Lanie, he’s all for a good time but nothing more. Except life has a funny way of changing someone’s best laid plans.
The more time these two spend together, the harder it is to keep real feelings out of it. Lanie’s still trying to keep those walls up and her time at the winery isn’t indefinite. They will have to work through some hard times if they want a lasting future.
But someone comes into their lives at the winery that shakes up things for Lanie in a big way and it could cost her that happiness she has found with Mark and the Capriotti family. Can the love and support of Mark and his family keep her at the winery or will she run back to Santa Barbara?
The Capriotti family stole my heart. Even with the meddling into each other’s lives, you could tell it all came from a place of love. The support they gave each other and to people who came into their lives who weren’t related by blood was so endearing.
This story had it all for me. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn’t get enough of this family. It was a wonderful story that stole my heart. Rainy Day Friends releases June 19, 2018 and I hope you pick this one up! You don’t want to miss it! This is the second book in the Wildstone Series, but is a complete stand-alone.
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**