Accidentally on Purpose: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

4.5 Stars Another great installment in the Heartbreaker Bay series. This book had the humor the I expect in a Jill Shalvis book. I just gobbled this up. I knew Archer and Elle's story was a good one and it proved be even better then anticipated. I loved the tension between Archer and Elle. They come off as not liking one another, but secretly they desired one another. They have a past. That long ago night was the turning point in Elle's life. I really liked Elle. She comes off as the no holds barred in charge woman, but she has a vulnerable side that she doesn't let anyone see. Can her past stay in the past or will it rear it's ugly head? I just love this group of friends in this series. I love getting to see the previous characters enjoying their HEAs. I can't wait for more from this series.

Whenever I don't know what I am in the mood to read, I always look to Jill Shalvis and her books. They always enter and never disappoint. Such is the case with Accidentally on Purpose, the third book in her Heartbreaker Bay series. You don't have to read these books in order as each one stands alone and is connected by characters or friends. Archer and Elle are tough. Tough individuals and were a little tough for me to fall in love with at first. The way they avoided each other was somewhat annoying yet I couldn't stop turning the pages and had a difficult time putting the book down. Shalvis' writing is like that. Even if you are not instantly fond of how the characters are acting you still find yourself immersed in their lives and you just can't turn away. As the story played out my heart gave way to Archer and Elle when they both turned a corner on how they were approaching their relationship and letting their guards down a bit. Their chemistry was off the charts and they fell into a comfortable rhythm. Not every relationship is the same in real life which makes books more entertaining when you have a couple like this. Their bickering works for them. They like to push each other. They both like control. Shalvis did an excellent job with these two. The supporting characters in the story are always great and I hope we get more of Joe and Spence in future books! I also adored the tiny bit of suspense this story offered. It was perfect for Archer and Elle's story. If you are looking for a sexy, contemporary romance story, give Accidentally on Purpose a read.

When the emergency exit system fails, building manager Elle Wheaton has not choice to call the head of security, Archer Hunt, and she so didn’t want to do that. Not that Elle hates Archer, not really. She’s had a crush on him for a long time, but she feels she owes him her life, and she wants to be independent, but most of all feel secure, and Archer is everything but that. Elle and Archer had known each other for a brief moment, 11 years ago, and Elle has forever felt guilty at what had happened to Archer after that fateful night. Archer doesn’t seen things the same way, but the way he felt couldn’t be helped in the past. Archer wishes Elle would bend a little bit, but if he’s stubborn, she’s the most pig-headed woman to ever grace the face of the earth. Sometimes I wish Ms. Shalvis wrote more serious matter, because she really excels at it, but then again the hilarious banter might be absent, and a humorous tone is Jill Shalvis’ trademark. As usual, ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE features the banter, the snark, and the giggles. Both Archer and Elle had superb backstories, which has defined their outlook on life; I felt Archer dealt better with things, because Elle is so set in her way of not wanting any help from anyone, that she is seriously aggressive towards almost anyone who tries to be kind. I usually don’t fancy alpha heroes that much, but Archer is fabulous; he’s very protective, and it’s because what Elle’s early life had been, and he does want the best for her. He is a control freak, but so is Elle, but he’s nice, or tries to be; I really liked him, and I thought Elle was really too stubborn and determined to hate him, no matter how she really felt. I found Elle quite disagreeable; she’s proud, she feels guilty towards Archer, but it just went on a tad too long; I mean, get over it, woman! While I understood Elle’s issues and where she was coming from, enough is enough: try to live in the present, and accept what the man offers you; Archer was upfront and honest, and he really tried, but Elle was a tough nut to crack! Also, I might be accused of nitpicking here, but all the talk of wanting to strangle people, to kill people, while meant in jest, left me quite uncomfortable, because there was just too much of it. And most of the time, it was pointless. If you don’t mind a mule-headed woman who takes a long time to get around, you will enjoy ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.