Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis

* * * 1/2

He’ll help unleash the new woman in her…

Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches second grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.

To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…


Review:

It’s no secret that we are big fans of Ms. Shalvis.  She is hilarious and is frighteningly in sync with our social awkward tendencies.  And that social awkwardness is what makes Rumor Has It fun and entertaining.

When Kate first runs into her old crush (and her BFF’s brother), Griffin Reid, she has just fallen on the pavement and is pretty sure she has broken her arse.  And her embarrassment is not relieved at all by the fact that her purse has exploded and the ground is littered with duct tape, donuts, condoms and tampons.  What follows is an amusing exchange that will leave you thinking Kate is completely loveable and appreciating Griffin’s cool amusement.

As far heroine’s go, Kate Evans is pretty great.  She takes care of her dad and younger siblings while still maintaining her independence.  She successfully wrangles 2nd graders while teaching them science.  She has an awesomely fun and loyal former boyfriend turned wingman (their relationship might be my favorite part of the book).  She’s able to take chaotic situations and just go with the flow.  And she spouts scientific facts whenever she is nervous.

Griffin:  Duct tape and a Trojan.  Big plans for the day?
Kate:  The Trojans built protective walls around their city.  Like condoms. That’s where the name Trojan comes from.  
Griffin: Gotta love those Trojans.  Do you carry the condom around just to give people a history lesson?

Oh, so awkward.  And yet, so hilarious.  Yeah.  Kate Evans is pretty great.

Griffin is pretty great too.  But it took me a while to warm up to him.  Because the unfortunate truth of the matter is that I am just not an Alpha man sorta girl.  Not that they aren’t sexy.  And *phew*, Griffin is DEFINITELY sexy.  That dark hair, gray eyes and stubble?  Yes, please.  The problem is that uncommunicative heroes do nothing for me.  It doesn’t matter how sexy you are.  So many times I wanted to hit Griffin over the head and say in my best Lois Griffin voice, “USE YOUR WORDS!”

But there were a lot of things I DID like about Griffin.  I loved how great he was with Kate’s little brother.  I loved how he managed to keep a level head (most of the time) when dealing with his father.  I loved how he was smart enough to bring the girl her hurt, ice cream.  And I loved that, when it counted most, he found those damn words he had such a hard time voicing.

It takes some time (because Griffin is trying to be a good big brother and NOT bone his sister’s BFF) but Kate finally manages to seduce Griffin.  These two loveable characters surprise each other when their one night stand builds into a deeper relationship that neither of them was really planning.  And they will have to decide if their burgeoning relationship is worth fitting into their rapidly changing lives.  The ending to this story is slightly predictable but the journey to Kate and Griffin’s Happy Ever After is thoroughly entertaining and worth every minute of my reading time.

Nat