Good with His Hands: Good Love, Book 2

I’ve just finished this newest collaboration by Ms. Valente and Ms. Blakely and I’m processing my feelings as I write this review. This book is filled with the gamut of emotions from friendship, to love, to passion and to finding happiness that they thought was lost. Jesse and Ruby are two people that have known each other for forever, and while they’ve always been friends, but then a horrific car accident a couple of years ago changes their lives in every way possible. Jesse doesn’t feel he’s right for Ruby and Ruby is at the end of her journey of healing and finding a new normal.This girl is so talented and filled with love. She’s quirky, intelligent and kind. Jesse the older brother of her best friend Claire has always looked out for Ruby but especially these last couple of years when they leaned on each other and became closer than ever. One day Jesse presents Ruby with a list that was left behind from Claire and it changes how Ruby approaches life.It’s going to require her to trust not only Jesse, but herself too and to understand that everything she’s about to embark on will change her view on what she’s afraid of and that it’s okay to step out of her comfort zone….which includes her friendship with Jesse. The man she’s lusted after for a long time, but never did anything about because, well, he’s her besties older brother!Jesse is sexy, caring, bold and honest and he truly lives his life without regrets. He’s making a change that will shift their friendship greatly. But they have two weeks and when they make the decision to explore their attraction to each other, because, hey, the list said to “do something unexpected,” the heat they generate is beyond sizzling it’s scorching hot!!I loved Ruby and Jesse together. He allows her to be who she is but helps her to see how much more there is to life thanks to the list and he’s on board for any and everything Ruby wants to do! I laughed, swooned and felt my way through this book. There’s an especially poignant moment in the book that had me in tears! And this is one of the many reasons that I love both these author’s words. I’m strolling along reading experiencing all the fabulousness of a book and then boom out of nowhere they throw in this scene that makes my heart stutter but also smile because of the simplistic beauty of it as well.The changes in Ruby throughout the book were absolutely stunning. She learned so much about herself and what she’s capable of….“The list showed me I can handle fear and dread and rising to new challenges. But most importantly of all, I can handle being happy.”Not only does this book deliver a love story that is meant to be, but it shows what family love looks like too. There’s a bevvy of secondary characters that are sweet, funny and caring… especially Ruby’s cousin Gigi. Their relationship has changed over the last couple of weeks and they each fill something that was missing in each other’s lives.What it all comes down to, is that this story will sweep you into it’s arms from beginning to end. You’ll be fully invested in seeing what happens next for our H/h and we get to go on a ride of discovery, taking chances and living their best life!!

Good With His Hands is the first book in the Good In Bed series by Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente. I must confess it took me a bit to get into this one, but once I did, it was great!Ruby Valentine and Jesse Hendrix have known one another for years, but two years prior, their lives changed dramatically. Jesse's sister, Claire, is Ruby's best friend and sadly Claire and Ruby were in an accident and Claire didn't make it. Ruby has had to deal with the aftermath of the accident and she has now completed physical therapy and works for her family's pie shop and works on her art as a side hustle.Jesse is an artist in his own right and owns a car restoration business in New York. He's worked on some different movies and his next career step is to move to Los Angeles to open a garage there. Before he goes though, he needs to give Ruby the list that his sister created for her prior to her death and he feels like now is the time to do it, as he realizes she needs to start living in the now.Once Ruby has the list, she decides she should complete it with Jesse's help. The only problem is, they only have two weeks to do it before Jesse leaves for LA. In the process of trying to help Ruby figure out exactly who she is now, the two of them realize that they are much more to one another than friends. Is that something they will give into? And what happens when Jesse moves?I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Both Jesse and Ruby were great characters that made you want to pull for them. Ruby was awesome and a lot stronger than she gave herself credit for, something that Claire already knew. I liked that Jesse wasn't afraid to be vulnerable and open with Ruby, especially as she was going through the list. His support of her was everything!I'm looking forward to what Blakely and Valente have planned for Gigi's book! I'm intrigued!

liked it so much. At first the main man seemedkids dull but keep reading he grows on you and ruby is just awesome ! Love the depth to this one ! highly recommended!

Two years ago Ruby lost her best friend Claire after they were in a car accident. Since then her life has been nothing but physical therapy appointments and just trying to get through the day. Claire’s brother Jesse hates watching his sister's best friend struggle. Ruby has lost that zest for life she had before and the light in her eyes that once shined brightly has dimmed. Before she died, Claire made a list for her best friend, and maybe now is the time for Ruby to pick up her best friend's challenge and work through the list. But Ruby has a lot better chance at fulfilling Claire's wishes for her if she has Jesse's help.Jesse has always had a soft spot for his little sister's friend, but the time since Claire's death has brought him and Ruby closer together in their shared grief. He would give anything to see a spark of the old Ruby again. He may be moving to the other side of the country in a couple of weeks, but he can certainly help Ruby step out of her comfort zone and challenge herself as she works through Claire's list. And if there happen to be some benefits along the way, he can still keep himself fırmly in the friend zone. Right?This is the best friend’s brother trope with a twist, and I adore Jesse and Ruby together! Ruby has a beautiful heart and immediately gains the reader's empathy so you want nothing more to see her grasp the life she deserves with both hands. And, oh my heart, Jesse! Talk about swoon overload, and he's so perfect with Ruby. His challenging her to find her joie de vivre again but knowing when not to push and just be there supporting her is everything. He'll steal your heart in the blink of an eye and you'll love every minute of this poignant, uplifting phenomenal story. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll cheer your way through the pages, so don’t miss this heartfelt, extraordinary read!

Good with his Hands by Lauren Blakely and Lili Valente.When you have a Sister A brother and the sisters best friend it makes for a sensational read. I started , I read , I finished all in a day then I sat there musing over what I had read...Conclusion … this is such a breathtaking story with more than five stars ….and so much more.Ruby Valentine's life changed when she lost her best friend Claire , her spark for life had disappeared , how could she acquire again that vibrancy that made Ruby ,Ruby. This guy , to me, was perched upon a stallion , cool calm quietly powerful … Jesse , Claire's brother knows Ruby, understands her lack of spark then realizes how he can assemble a plan …This skillful maneuver kept me engrossed .. Jesse always had feelings for Ruby, does he show them or keep them concealed ?They go out … a date or not a date? Does Ruby have feelings ?To both Ruby and Jesse family is essential which added more richness to this story. Such a beautiful story of friends ,lovers , desire , family, heavily sprinkled with love .

This is one of those times that I’m hovering at 3.5. It was really good, I enjoyed it a lot. But didn’t quite reach into the fantastic zone. It had sweet characters, low angst, adorableness, steam, sweet story. It flowed beautifully, and had the perfect amount of detail and world building. A great friends to lovers story, with that bit of heart squeezing emotion for their shared loss thrown in.Well worth the read.

Loved everything about this book from front cover to back. I fell in love with the characters. They were perfect for each other, it was plain to see right from the start. Another written masterpiece by two very accomplished authors.

Another enjoyable read from Blakely & Valentine. Good with his hands is a friends to lovers story that gives you all the feels.