Review: Still the One – Jill Shalvis

Darcy Stone is game for anything — except sexy Navy veteran and physical therapist A.J. Colten, the guy who’d rejected her when she’d needed him most. Now the shoe is on the other foot and he needs her to play nice and help him secure grants for his patients. Unfortunately, Darcy can’t refuse. She needs the money to fund her passion project: rescuing S&R dogs and placing them with emotionally wounded soldiers.

A.J. admits it — Darcy is irresistible. But he’s already been battle-scarred by a strong-willed, vivacious, adventurous woman like Darcy, and he’s not making the same mistake twice—until he and Darcy are forced to fake a relationship. Growing closer than they’d ever imagined possible, Darcy and AJ have to ask themselves: how much between them is pretend? What’s the real thing? And where does it go from here?

Series: Animal Magnetism #6
Release Date: April 7th 2015
Publisher: Berkley
Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Elizabeth B.
Rating:

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Reviewer’s Thoughts

I first discovered Jill Shalvis about 2 years ago with the Wilder series and have been a fan ever since, so it seemed almost too good to be true when the opportunity to read the latest Animal Magnetism book came along just as I was starting to read the series. I have been on an Animal Magnetism binge for the last couple of weeks trying to get caught up and am really glad I did.

Still The One is the 6^th entry in the Animal Magnetism series and like all of Shalvis’ books, it can be read as a stand-alone entry. Darcy and AJ, are the focus of this book and both made their first real appearance in Sunshine in book 5, Then Came You. If you don’t have time to read all five books, I would definitely suggest reading that one as you get good background information, especially on Darcy.

I have to admit that in reading Then Came You, I didn’t like Darcy all that much and I was a little lukewarm about her being the heroine in this book. It didn’t take long for her to change my mind. Getting to know her and having the opportunity to see behind the abrasive attitude really had me rooting for her. AJ is the typical Shalvis hero, a sexy Alpha man with some issues to work out. After seeing him with Darcy, his friends, and physical therapy patients; I want him to be my new book boyfriend.

One of the things I loved about this book, was the idea that both AJ and Darcy are secretly in love with each other, but won’t admit it. Even after they give in to the sexual chemistry and start acting a lot like a couple, they won’t talk to each other about how they feel. It takes Darcy getting hurt for them to have a real conversation and for AJ to say “I Love You”. It was refreshing to see a guy, especially the strong silent type, put his feelings out there first. 

I can’t pick a favorite book in this series, I really have enjoyed all of them all. Still The One is another strong entry that tugs on your heart strings and makes you want to pay a visit to Sunshine!