From NYT Bestseller Corinne Michaels & USA Today Bestseller Melanie Harlow, comes a second chance standalone romance.
Ian Chase broke my heart at seventeen, and I’ve spent the last eighteen years hating him for it.
He makes it easy, with his smart mouth and playboy lifestyle—which I unfortunately have to observe since he lives behind me. Every time I see him climbing out of his pool, … his pool, practically naked and unreasonably sexy, my blood boils.
I’ve always loved to loathe him.
I never planned to need him.
***
London Parish is my little sister’s best friend, not that it stopped me from falling for her.
Our history is complicated. The only thing we have in common is being godparents to my sister’s three adorable kids—until our lives are changed in one tragic moment.
Now we’re trying to raise the children we love, mourn an unthinkable loss, and fight an undeniable attraction.
My life is already upside-down, and the last thing I need is for old feelings to resurface.
Because I’ll never be able to keep her, no matter how hard I try to hold her close.
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What do you do when two of your favorite authors team up, collaborate and write a book together? You get your shit together and make sure you read it as soon as you can. The moment this book was announced, I could barely contain my excitement. When I read the blurb, it only sealed the deal even more. And I just knew, I had to brace myself for what was to come.
Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow were a match made in co-writing heaven. Their voices blended so well, you wouldn’t even be able to distinguish who wrote what. If you’ve read both authors before, then you’d definitely know the type of romances they’ve written individually. And I think that’s what made Ian and London’s story that much more potent and special. It’ll gut you and slay you and engulf you with all the freaking feels.
“I never stopped loving you. Ever. Even when we fought, even when I pretended to hate you, even when I tried to forget you, you’ve always been the one.”
Ian Chase and London Parish were a colossal mess. Seventeen years ago, their lives were blissfully perfect. Until it wasn’t. They made each other promises that, not even a whole day later, Ian ended up breaking. Since then, they spent their days hating each other, doing nothing but bicker and fight like there’s no tomorrow. Until life throws them the biggest curveball of all, and suddenly leaves them three kids who they love with their whole hearts to parent and take care of.
I loved these two together. Ian was downright dreamy and swoon-worthy—he was so sweet and attentive and has so much love to give—except for the times when he acted like a complete and total ass. I know he believed in all the “if you love her, let her go” kind of thing, but this guy just took it a little too far to the point that he truly obliterated both his and London’s hearts. And I might’ve hated him the teeniest bit for it.
On the other hand, London was everything you’d adore in a good heroine—strong-willed, independent and has a heart of gold. I admired the fact that she stood up to Ian for as long as she could, and that she stepped up and loved the kids even more when they needed her the most. When these two weren’t going at it like cats and dogs, they were absolutely perfect—the kind of couple brimming with love and passion and adoration.
“Loving Ian was never really a choice, though. He’s always been the guy for me.”
Hold You Close isn’t just a tale of heartbreak, love and yearning, but also of family, togetherness and second chances. It’s about two soulmates who had to wait nearly two decades to finally get things right, and being ready to face head-on what life has planned out for you. This book was certainly nothing short of a remarkable and emotional ride—everything you’d expect from a novel by Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow.
Readers beware because when Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow cowrite together you know it is going to take you everywhere. So many emotions in this book I was happy, mad, crying and even rooting for the bad guy here. These two together created Ian and London in a way that no matter how much they fight they truly belong to one another. All in all it might have started as a way to help one another but once they kiss it is like hello baby. Loved it.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Falling in love with your best friend’s brother is both a blessing and a curse. For London – the pull towards Ian was inevitable. Years were spent trying to get Ian to notice London. When the two finally connected, it was everything that London had hoped for and more. Until the moment when things unraveling in the worst way. Leaving a love/hate relationship between the two that has lasted for years.
Most people would find a way to never see each other again, but Ian and London can’t get to that place in life. With Ian’s sister as London’s best friend, their paths cross more than either would care to acknowledge. Neither could have predicted that moment that their lives would once again become intertwined. A moment that rocked both of their lives in a monumental way. Can the two ever overcome the past and find a new future?
Hold You Close is a collaboration novel from authors Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow. The plot of this book is atypical and delivers a punch in the gut with all of the events that unfold throughout the book. Let me start with London….this heroine is determined, driven and very independent. I loved her drive in life, but most of all I loved the devotion she possesses for her best friend from childhood. That connection plays a huge part in the book, and delivers all of the emotion one would expect from this type of friendship.
Ian….Ian…Ian….the character that you want to hate, but just can’t quite make it to that place with him. There were so many times in the story that I found I wanted to shake Ian with everything I had. After all – I think all the drama over the years could have easily been alleviated if he had just ‘come clean’ about events that took place all those years ago. There were moments where I didn’t believe the response/reaction between Ian and London, but then other times seemed to be right on the money. A definite love/hate relationship with that existed for me as a reader.
The banter between Ian and London was absolutely spot on!! The two handled their situation with such realism. A difficult position for anyone, but especially these two adults. While I rolled my eyes and found some of the romantic parts between the characters a little too ‘easy’, I still enjoyed the novel from start to finish. A great romance for anyone that is a fan of the two authors.
“The next time I kiss you, London Parish, it’ll be because you beg me to.”
Two of my FAVORITE authors team up to give us a wildly sexy, emotional second chance romance that will leave you breathless! Hold You Close by Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels is a beautiful, heartbreaking love story about two people coming together under the most heart wrenching circumstances. It’s about family, sacrifice, and hope. It’s about mending the heart of someone who you can’t bear to see hurt any longer. It’s about rebuilding trust and finding that second chance at love. Ian and London were quite a pair. London was a lot easier to love in the beginning, while Ian was another story. It took a minute to warm up to the man after he stopped being such a jackass to London. In the end, I did end up falling hard for the man. He worked his way back into London’s heart and eventually took residence up in mine.
I admired the fact that this was far from an easy romance and we did have to work for the amazing happily ever after, but it was so worth it. Harlow and Michaels did what they do best and turned out a pretty phenomenal love story! It had my stomach in knots, my heart in pieces, my mind in a fog, my body on fire, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. These two should NEVER stop writing together!
I have been reading Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels for years now and have loved everything they have written as individual authors. They are amazing writers respectively, however, together, they are phenomenal. They blew me away with all the feels in Hold You Close, their first collaboration as co-writers in this beautifully written touching and emotional second chance romance.
Ian Chase and London Parish had one perfect night together when they were younger. They laid their hearts and bodies out to each other and it could not have been more amazing for either of them. But then difficult choices were made and now eighteen years later they hate each other. It is difficult for them to even be in the same room together. But when tragedy strikes, can they put their differences aside for those they love?
I cannot begin to express how much I loved this story. Books like this is why I read. My heart soared, broke and swooned throughout Ian and London’s second chance journey. They were both really loyal, caring and determined people, but when it came to the other, all bets were off. But was it really hate driving them all these years?
Now they need to work together to build a future for the children they love. But what happens when the old walls begin to crumble? Can they finally have the future they always wanted or will the past happen all over again?
Hold You Close is a heartfelt and heartwarming second chance romance with all the right kind of feels. I loved every single character, from London, to Ian to the heartbreakingly sad children in their care. I could not put this book down. I devoured it. I hope we get to see more from this writing duo.
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
5 Ian Chase can Hold ME Close ANYTIME Stars!!!
OMG, I ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED this book….it’s just EVERYTHING I love about a second chance romance with a WHOLE LOTTA HEART!!! Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow are a DREAM collaboration that I hope will continue with MANY more books in the future!
Ian….”Playboy” Extraordinaire, but is he REALLY as much of a player as he wants everyone to believe? Ian’s sister Sabrina knows what her big brother is all about…unlike her BFF London, who sees exactly what Ian WANTS her to see! Needless to say that when Ian broke London’s heart when she was 17, she’s never gotten over the pain…and she’s not forgotten (or forgiven) him for it, either! When the unthinkable happens and Ian and London find themselves immersed in what COULD be a nightmare-come-to-life, things don’t go according to plan! Let the games begin!!!
Ian is one of those heroes that you start off not liking very much. Ok, I REALLY didn’t like him to begin with! I thought he was an arrogant, ignorant, full-of-himself, conceited but gorgeous arse! Lol, much like what London thought of him, too! But I always sensed there was something more going on with him….and by the second third of the book, I was COMPLETELY, IRREVOCABLY in love with Ian!!! London is a strong woman who, deep down is still in love with Ian…as she’s ALWAYS been! She won’t admit it to anyone, including HERSELF, but her bestie knew and in the end got EXACTLY what she wanted all along…her brother and her best friend for life HAPPY!
To say that I LOVED this book would be an understatement, to say the least! I can’t WAIT to see what this INCREDIBLY talented duo comes up with next!
I always get excited when I see an author collaboration. There is just something about mixing two authors and their writing together that always cast a magical spell over the story. When I saw Corinne Michaels was collaborating and writing with Melanie Harlow, I was over the moon excited to see what they could dream up together. They did not disappoint me. I was able to read this book cover to cover in just a few hours. This story had a way of pulling you in so quick from the beginning, that I found myself reading when I should have been doing other things like cooking dinner or sleeping. This in every sense of the word, was truly a page turner. The mix of emotions they were able to pack into this one blew me away!
This is the story of London and Ian. She’s been in love with him since a very young age. He’s her best friends older brother, and the last person on earth she ever dreamed she’d fall for. But she did. Hard. Throughout the years they become estranged due to some events in their past and when tragedy throws them back together again, they are forced to find a way to make it work. The banter between them is very hot and sometimes very sad, as they do have a very strong love/hate relationship. At times I wanted to slap him, but I loved him even then. Ian has a way that he just pushes London’s buttons, and she really does the same to him. They both have unresolved feelings for one another, but life has a way of getting in the middle of what could be between them.
I laughed, I cried, I swooned, I basically fell in love with their very tragic and very whimsical love story. These authors paired so well together and were able to create such an original and captivating romance, that I hope they are able to write together again! I’d love to see what else they can come up with.
This was a great debut effort for the new collaboration of Ms Harlow and Ms Michaels.
From the set up – a nearly 20 year old heartbreak and lost love forced to work together for the needs of someone else- to the evolution- to the end, this was an enjoyable read.
I liked Ian and London and appreciated the efforts they expended to work together for the benefit of loved ones and how they started to mend broken fences between each other.
The thing that kept this from being a higher rated read for me was the fact that their arguments with each other were always the same, they never seemed to really resolve anything or learn from their mistakes. The repetition in the arguments made me start to skim a little and I hate that because you never know when you might miss something.
Given that this is basically a debut novel, it is very well written – I wouldn’t expect less from two veteran authors- and a book that was hard to put down once I started. The one piece I wish that had been resolved for us, was what happened with London’s job. It was such a key piece to her character that I would have liked to know the conclusion to that story line.
I am a fan of both Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels and was so excited to hear they were going to be writing a book together. Their writing was seamless combining wonderful characters into a beautiful second chance love story.
Hold You Close pulled me in from the first page and I couldn’t put down. The range of emotions I felt reading this story ranged from heartbreak, to love, definitely frustration and laughter.
London and Ian share a rocky history but when tragedy strikes they are thrown back together and their lives are turned upside down. It is not just about them individually anymore. Ian now has three children to take care of now and he needs the one woman he loves, but she doesn’t like him or so she tries to convince herself. Once they both realize that they need to work together for the kids they find their new normal and the love that should have been.
Holy smokes, I am MADLY in love with this writing duo. A match made in romance heaven!! Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow compliment each other beautifully, you can’t tell where one author ends and the other begins. Hold You Close is the PERFECT second chance romance that pulled at my heart strings until tears rolled down my cheeks. This story is beautifully written and tops my 2018 lists easily.
I’m not usually an emotional reader, but, gah, some of these scenes crushed me. My heart bled for Ian, London and the kids. The writing was so spot on, I felt every emotion fully and deeply. Every angry spat, every tear that fell, and every declaration of love *swoon* I was devouring and feeling as if my own.
Ian Chase is my newest book boyfriend! I absolutely adore him and his caveman ways. Sure, he’s a lot stubborn and thinks he always knows best but he’s man enough to know when to beg for forgiveness. London is one lucky chick to have this guy pining after her. Her wit and sass mixed with his temper made up some steamy fireworks. All the love/hate energy definitely burned up my kindle pages.
I can’t deal with how precious this family is, these kids round out the dynamics with unique personalities that resonate so clearly. I can’t tell you how badly you need to read this book. If you’re a fan of either Melanie or Corinne, Hold You Close should be at the top of your TBR!
When Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow announced they were going to collaborate on a book together, I was very, very happy. I love each of these author’s books and I couldn’t wait to see what they had in store for us. Hold You Close really, really tugs on the heartstrings, let me just tell you!
This story is an enemies to lovers, second chance romance that has an angst factor of 10. Ian and London shared a very special night together 17 years ago, until Ian screwed it all up and broke London’s heart. Now both of their hearts are broken when Ian’s sister, London’s best friend, dies and leaves instructions for Ian to take care of her three children.
The push and pull factor between Ian and London is intense, hating each other one minute, lusting after each other the next. Both trying to figure out how to raise these three kids whose worlds are suddenly turned upside down. Both trying to figure out how to change their entire worlds for the kids, while still trying to go to work and do their jobs every day.
I have to admit, Ian infuriated me, most of the time! After reading what he did to London all those years ago, even knowing why he did it, his present day treatment of her made me grind my teeth almost to breaking. I could totally understand why she was a bitch to him, 99 percent of the time! I didn’t jump on the Ian bandwagon until pretty much close to the end of the book. And then once I did, I was totally an Ian girl!! Yes, he redeemed himself, and yes, London probably could have cut back on the bitch factor towards Ian a long time ago, but that first heartbreak leaves an indelible mark on your heart, and everyone handles that kind of hurt differently.
I don’t know which author wrote which parts, and it doesn’t really matter, because the story moved at the perfect pace, the emotions were spot on, and the sexy times were oh so sexy!! And there was some heart in your throat drama at the very end that had me turning the pages way too fast to see how it was going to turn out!
Bravo, Corinne and Melanie! People are going to love this story!!
I received a copy and voluntarily left a review and all opinions are my own.
I have been a Melanie Harlow fan for quite some time and have wanted to read something by Corinne Michaels after reading so many glowing reviews about her books. So when Corrine collaborates with one of my favorite authors, then I know for certain she is a must read author and there is no better place to start than by reading Hold You Close which is their co-written book. From the moment I started reading Ian and London’s story, my heart was in my throat and I was swallowing back tears. I absolutely adore second chance romances but I have never read one surrounded by such extreme and heart wrenching circumstances. Their story instantly grabbed a hold of my soul and shook with all it’s might. London and Ian’s love is filled with angry words, hurt feelings, and repressed emotions and a hatred that is really anything but.
London Parish is a woman who has harbored a love for her best friend’s brother since she was a young and inquisitive teenager. It hasn’t gone away, instead she has hid it under resentment and mock hatred for years and years. She has tried to convince herself that she doesn’t need anything but her cat, wine, and her job to make her whole, and she couldn’t be further from the truth. Little does she know that a tragedy is going to break her heart and also free it to find love again with Ian. I loved getting to know this brainiac heroine who tries so hard to protect her heart from Ian, even though that it is impossible to do so.
Ian Chase keeps emotions swirling in my heart from the beginning of his story to the end. I don’t think I have ever met such a headstrong hero that so quickly commandeered my heart. While I understood Ian’s reasons for his actions, it didn’t stop me from wanting to slap him and then shake him with all my might. Ian kept me on my toes emotionally and I knew from page one that there was no way to safe guard my heart from this book boyfriend!
Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow deliver a poignant, heart wrenching love story filled with both sad and happy tears that is sure to leave it’s mark on your heart. I highly recommend Hold You Close for a book that will live in your heart long after you finish reading it. This powerful writing duo has brought me to my knees emotionally and I hope that they write more books together in the future. They have made their mark in my book loving soul and have made me a loyal fan girl.
The word of the day is AMAZING!!! This is an amazing book with amazing characters (Ian and London) that I love so, so much written by these two amazing authors!!! It is one of my favorite reads this year for sure!! I honestly knew it would be because how could it not be? The way the tone is set at the beginning of this story, you will most likely not like Ian. However, I hereby challenge you not to fall absolutely 150 percent head over heels in love with this man by the mid-point of the story. It happened sooner for me though. Sigh. There are some other very significant characters that will run away with your hearts for sure.
I do not want to give any of this story a way but I will tell you that this book will make you feel EVERYTHING!! It was written so wonderfully to be able to touch on so many emotions in such a short time. This will be on my re-read list for sure and that is not a very long list! I would give this one all the stars in the sky if I could!
I cannot wait to see what these two amazing, there’s that word again, ladies collaborate on next for our reading pleasure! And isn’t that the reason we read? I know it is for me.
5 star Review Hold You Close by Melanie Harlow & Corinne Michaels
Hold You Close is a second chance at love story and yet it is SO much more. Wow, what an amazing story that had me riveted from chapter one. I was hooked and had difficulty putting the book down. Melanie Harlow is a new author to me but I have read a few books from Corinne Michaels in the last year. These two together are an excellent writing team. I have no idea where one author ended and the other took over such was the seamlessness to their writing.
Ian Chase broke London Parish’s heart 18 years ago when they were teenagers and she still hates him for the hurt and utter devastation he caused her.
There relationship is complicated because they are both godparents to Ian’s sister (and London’s best friend) 3 children.
When tragedy strikes Ian and London are thrown together to deal with not only great loss but the care of the 3 children together. Can they put the past behind them and do what is best for the children? Will the love they once shared force it’s way to the surface and cause even more complications?
This book hit home for me as both may parts died when I was little so it really brought back memories and feelings that have been buried deep for many many years.
I laughed, I cried, I was furious, angry and above all else, I was invested.What an emotional journey from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs Hold You Close has it all.
This is a book book I highly recommend you one click and read ASAP, you won’t be disappointed.
This book completely sucked me in. I ended up reading it in one sitting. I couldn’t get enough of London and Ian’s story.
London was Ian’s little sisters best friend and we find out pretty quickly in the book why Ian had a sudden attitude change towards London leaving her not only heartbroken but feeling quite bitter too. Even though she’s had years to get over it, she’s holding on to her hate for him. Sometimes it’s easier to hate the person you love rather than accept your love for them and London’s definitely trying the I hate Ian approach. Ian’s no better to be honest. He knows what he did was for London’s best interests and he hasn’t really allowed himself to grieve for what he lost when he was a just teenager with good intentions and extremely poor execution. Like London he finds it easier to bitch and moan at his former love rather than clear the air and move on. When a tragedy hits close to home, both their lives are going to change and along with that so is their relationship. Both hurting and feeling out of their depths they’re still at each other’s throats but it’s not long before the realisation hits them that it’s not all about them. Vowing to put the past behind them and move forward is easier said than done and with everything changing they both have some things to come clean about and some life changing decisions to make.
This book was fantastic. I was in one of those moods where I really needed to escape into a book and this book did exactly what I was hoping it would. I shut the real world out and ended up reading this in a couple of hours. The characters aren’t perfect which makes it so easy to relate to them both. They have their faults but they are so very easy to love. The chemistry, the banter between them and the push and pull are all perfect. This book completely sucked me in. I ended up reading it in one sitting. I couldn’t get enough of London and Ian’s story.
The story gave me all the feels and this is definitely one book I’m going to be rereading. I can’t recommend this book enough especially if you’re like me and love a second chance romance.
4.5 Stars
17 years ago 18 year old London was madly in love with her best friend’s older brother Ian. And then finally on her prom night – to which her date stood her up – Ian declared his feelings for her. London was over the moon happy after their one night. She made plans for the future. She wanted to give up her dream college to go to Ian’s school. And poor Ian sacrificed his happiness and pretended to be an ass so that London would hate him and leave for Northwestern. Which worked. And she never knew what he did for her. But now – all those years later – they still hate each other and they constantly fight. They also live in two houses with connecting back yards.
But now they have to pull on their grown-up underwear because they just inherited three kids.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO LONDON, IAN & THE KIDS???
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
OY!
That was a great story. So heartbreaking in the beginning though. First because of the way Ian ‘breaks up’ with London and then later when his sister dies. And all through the book with the kids. Ugh. So sad.
But life has to go on and they have to work together to not screw up those kids anymore than the death of their parents did.
But it’s hard. They’re still kind of in love with each other – even after all these years and all those other relationships and ex-wives and all the hate and fighting.
I just adored watching them angry-flirt-fight-foreplaying their way through the book … it might take them a while to get to that happily ever after – but we’ll get there! And the reader has an amazing time watching them! Very sexy and adorable and sparky and sweet and sad and frustrating! I loved reading it!!!
HOLD YOU CLOSE was a heartbreaking & adorable & funny & sexy second-chance-romance! Run to your nearest amazon asap for your own Ian – he’ll be sold out in NO TIME!
The only tiny little things I didn’t love about the book. The massive amount of wasted time! 17 years! Jeeeez. That’s such a long time. How could they be so stupid? Just a little talk back then and everything would’ve been ok. But they didn’t really try. I hate that. And now, it still takes them all through the book to grow up and really talk … BUT – it all turned out perfect in the end – even if it took them almost two decades and the death of their favorite person and the whole book to get together.