SEEING RED has all the sparks that makes Shalvis’s writing shine, but for me it lacked that finishing touch that I think years of experience with writing can bring to a book. ~ Under the Covers
As some of you may know, I’m a pretty big Jill Shalvis fan. Her publisher decided to rerelease this book that was no longer on the shelves for readers to have and devour. Of course when I learned it was about a firefighter, I jumped at it like a rabid dog.
SEEING RED has all the sparks that makes Shalvis’s writing shine, but for me it lacked that finishing touch that I think years of experience with writing can bring to a book. This is one of Shalvis’s earlier works and you can definitely see her talents there on the page. But I don’t think it’s up to par with her latest works.
The book starts off with Joe and Summer together as best friends. Joe is a little on the chubby side and he often gets bullied because of that. Summer, on the other hand, is fresh as a daisy and many of the teenage boys are looking to pick her up. Unfortunately, those young memories leaves a bitter taste in Joe’s mouth and results in a tragic event that scars both of them in their adult lives.
As we fast forward years later, Joe has changed drastically and has made himself a fire marshal. But seeing Summer again only reminds him of his troubles with his weight as a younger kid. With that, more insecurities follow and the tension between them doesn’t necessarily equate to the sexual kind.
To be honest, I had a hard time liking Summer’s character. I found myself immediately becoming protective of Joe and felt that her returned presence wasn’t a good thing for him at first. She left him high and dry once and I feared that history would repeat itself even though Summer was trying so hard to fit in again in her older life. I don’t know what it was about Summer’s character that irked me so much. I just had a hard time accepting her at first. In a way, I don’t think I saw her as worthy to be with Joe, especially after she broke his heart as a kid.
So even though I didn’t really like Summer’s character and thought the writing wasn’t as polished as her newer works, I do think it’s worth the read. It’s a great little summer book that will tide you over for the next anxiously awaited Shalvis book!
*ARC provided by Netgalley
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[about-author author=”Jill Shalvis”]
i had the same reaction as you. summer really rubbed me the wrong way most of the time and it really hampered my enjoyment of the book. she just seemed very selfish to me.
I love Jill’s books but I’ve not read this series yet.
Thanks for the review Ann!