It’s In His Kiss

Jill Shalvis’ It’s in His Kiss returns us to Lucky Harbor—a place that, by this point in the long-running series, is as much a character as the people who populate it. This is the first book in the final trio of the series, and it brings the expected blend of romance and small-town quirks. But while the setup feels familiar, there’s enough edge to keep things interesting, even as you occasionally want to shake some sense into the characters.

At the heart of this novel are Sam and Becca. Sam runs a boat charter business with his friends, keeping his life carefully sectioned off—work, play, and emotions in separate compartments. Becca, arriving in Lucky Harbor with a truckload of baggage and a desperate need for a fresh start, lands right next door in a dilapidated warehouse apartment. Sam is a man of mixed signals, drawn to Becca but pushing her away with predictable regularity. Becca, however, isn’t one for taking no for an answer—especially when the “no” is as half-hearted as Sam’s.

What makes It’s in His Kiss work is Becca’s refusal to play by the script Sam’s written for his life. She doesn’t accept his contrived obstacles—particularly when he tries to pull a power play, asking her to choose between working for him and seeing him. Becca doesn’t blink. She simply refuses to choose, recognizing the false stakes for what they are. It’s refreshing to see a heroine who doesn’t fall for the usual emotional manipulation, instead calling out the gamesmanship when she sees it.

Both Sam and Becca are carrying too much weight for their own good. Becca’s spent her life sacrificing for her family, particularly her brother, and Sam has been drained dry by his toxic father, Mark, who knows just how to weaponize guilt. What they need, clearly, is someone to show them that care can go both ways—but Shalvis doesn’t let this revelation come easily. Their chemistry isn’t just about sparks and heat; it’s about finding a way to trust after too many years of giving without getting.

Where the novel falters is in Becca’s overreach into Sam’s relationship with his father. Mark has exploited Sam’s love for years, and Sam, despite knowing better, keeps falling for his pleas for help. Becca, fresh from a similar co-dependent relationship, should know better—but instead, she pushes Sam to keep giving his father chances. This doesn’t feel like growth; it feels like a misstep. The resolution is too clean, too quick, for something so deeply entrenched. It’s as though Shalvis didn’t trust the messiness of the conflict, and wrapped it up in a way that doesn’t quite ring true.

But even with its flaws, It’s in His Kiss keeps its focus where it should—on Sam and Becca’s evolving connection. Their relationship works because they push each other to be more honest, even when they’re both terrified of what that honesty might reveal. Shalvis also keeps the often-overbearing Lucky Harbor townies in check here, letting them linger at the edges rather than dominate the story.

It’s not perfect, but It’s in His Kiss has enough sharpness and emotional depth to carry it through the rough patches. Sam and Becca’s journey may be messy, but it’s rooted in something real. And for all the romantic clutter, that authenticity keeps you invested in seeing how they figure it out.