Animal Attraction (Animal #2) by Jill Shalvis

What do you get when you mix a guarded vet, a spreadsheet-loving assistant, and a town full of lovable animals? You get *Animal Attraction*, Jill Shalvis’ heartwarming second book in the Animal series set in the small, feel-good town of Sunshine, Idaho.

Jade Bennett has a past she doesn’t talk about—and a plan to leave town once she’s put it behind her. But life has other plans when Dell Connelly, the irresistible vet she works for, starts breaking down her carefully built walls. With sizzling tension, unexpected vulnerability, and animals stealing scenes left and right, this romance is equal parts funny, emotional, and downright swoony.

Title: Animal Attraction
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Animal #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

My Review

To simply say I loved this book is an understatement. Jill Shalvis knocks this one out of the park. We return to Sunshine, Idaho—and even the name makes you feel warm and happy. This is book two in the Animal series, and it builds beautifully on the comforting small-town charm introduced in book one.

Our hero, Dell, is the perfect alpha male—strong, dark, emotionally guarded, and fiercely loyal. He’s been shaped by loss and abandonment, and as a result, he keeps people at a distance. But that makes it all the more powerful when Jade starts to chip away at his walls. I loved the slow unraveling of his character, the way his need for control clashed with his growing affection for Jade.

Jade was equally compelling. After surviving a traumatic experience, she’s found comfort in control—schedules, spreadsheets, lists. Her structured life is her safety net. But Dell’s quiet intensity (and those arms!) make it harder for her to stick to her plan of keeping things temporary. I admired her bravery, even when she couldn’t see it in herself.

The buildup between them is deliciously slow, with just the right mix of tension and tenderness. When they finally act on their feelings, it’s not just passion—it’s a release. A turning point. Shalvis does a fantastic job layering in emotional stakes that make their connection feel earned and real.

And can we talk about the animals? Peanut the parrot deserves an entire novella of his own. Between Gertie the St. Bernard and the abandoned kitten Bones, the clinic has a life of its own. These furry (and feathered) side characters add humor, heart, and warmth to the entire story.

There’s also a deeper thread running through this book—about trauma, healing, and trusting someone with the parts of yourself you’ve hidden. Shalvis handles it with sensitivity, never letting the story get too heavy, but always keeping it honest.

Every time I think I’ve found my favorite Jill Shalvis book, I read another that sweeps me off my feet. Animal Attraction is a beautiful story about two wounded souls finding safety in each other—and letting love do what it does best: mend, grow, and anchor.

“You’re a part of me, Jade, the most important part, actually, and have been since the day you walked into Sunshine.”

Why You Should Read This

• 💓 A strong emotional arc for both characters
• 🐾 Adorable animal sidekicks (yes, the parrot talks!)
• 📍 Small-town charm with a close-knit community
• 🔥 Off-the-charts chemistry with slow-burn payoff
• ✍️ A romance that heals as it sizzles

Want More from Jill Shalvis?

Explore more heartfelt, flirty reads from Jill’s Animal and Heartbreaker Bay series. View the Animal series on Goodreads »