They say everything happens for a reason- that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. For the longest time I didn’t think that was true. I had stumbled around in the dark for so many years that I didn’t think I would ever find my way out. But when I finally did, it came in the most unexpected way.Miles Hollins had been my brother’s best friend for as long as I could remember. We didn’t … We didn’t like each other much growing up. Or rather, we couldn’t stand each other. But after ten years of being gone, a lot had changed.
He wasn’t the same boy I remembered. I wasn’t the same girl either. So much had happened.
I moved away and got married.
Miles joined the military.
We both returned home broken in our own way.
I struggled to find my place in my new life. Miles struggled just to get through the day. But together we slowly began to heal. I quieted his demons and he gave me a sense of belonging. For a while that was enough.
But this is real life, and in real life nothing stays perfect forever. In real life not every story ends with a happily ever after. Sometimes the scars we carry are just too deep.
I promised him I would fight.
He promised me I would lose.
I’ll do everything in my power to prove him wrong. Because it’s when you find the one thing you can’t live without, that you truly find yourself.
All That We Are is a standalone contemporary romance.
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I really loved this book! Military Romances are easily becoming one of my favorite tropes. I really love all the emotion in these books. Harlow & Miles’ story is no exception. I also loved that this wasn’t your traditional brother’s best friend romance. It was heartbreaking to learn about all that these two went through during their time away from their hometown. It was also amazing to see how those years apart helped them to see the other in a new light. I loved seeing Harlow be able to use her caring nature to help/calm Miles. It was nice to see her bring that side out of Miles too. I really enjoyed witnessing their love story unfold before my eyes. Also to see how far they would each go for the other. Miles’ protectiveness and Harlow’s forgiving/understanding in regards to his military experiences. I also really loved the secondary characters. Her parents, her brother, and the other employees at the tattoo shop. This is definitely A Must Read for any fans of her writing. It is also A Must Read for Military Romance fans. I look forward to seeing what Melissa writes next.
Wow Harlow and Miles what a couple they definitely had their work cut out for them one escaping from a bad relationship and the other fighting their demons from their past. It sure was one hek of a drive this couple had for them but still the most beautiful story I have read. Like the title of the story say you make so many mistakes you have regrets but that doesn’t makes all that we are because at the end we are more and we can have a happy ever after with that person that it’s all for them like Harlow and Miles are for each other.
Melissa, You did it again!!!! This is an emotional and sweet story. Miles is a war veteran fighting his own demons. Harlow is an abused wife getting out of her marriage. You can consider the book as enemies to lovers or a brother’s best friend story. They both return back to their home town and and things heats up between them. I loved the chemistry between Miles and Harlow. you sure know how to keep someone on edge and heart betting!!!
This is an awesome Read!!!
5 Stars ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!All That We Are
Great brother romance.
This was a great read and an introduction to this author. I found myself enjoying her style and her characters and it was refreshing to have a rest from the detailed sexapades. Miles was all in his head with ptsd from his stint in the service but as her brothers best friend he had always been in her life. She is spinning from a relationship which killed her spirit and made her home become her prison while she faded into the background. While the author paints a picture of a woman determined not to repeat her mistakes she finds herself once again having to maneuver and truly recover on her own two feet. It’s a story of finding then working to keep the love neither expected. It’s well written and while it left you wanting more, that’s always a great sign, it was a really good emotional read.
When you are in a reading rut, pull out a Melissa Toppen book! All That We Are has to be one of my favorite books of 2018. I discovered Melissa Toppen’s work this year. In each and every one of her books, she continues to tug at my heartstrings, and write stories with characters that capture your heart and take you on a journey that you will never forget.
In All That We Are, Melissa Toppen writes a friends/enemy to lovers’ story. Harlow Cabell’s older brother has a best friend, Miles Hollins. Harlow is the “annoying little sister”.
“Harlow was five years younger than the both of us. When she was in grade school, and we were on our way into high school, she would follow us around like we’d hung the moon.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
As time goes on, Harlow goes away to college and marries her college sweetheart. Miles goes off to war and comes back as a different person.
Fast forward… Harlow is now divorced and trying to find her way. Miles is a tattoo shop owner and is trying to chase his demons from war. When the two of them run into each other again, they find themselves fighting an attraction that could lead to long lasting love.
“Miles Hollins was good looking as a teenager, but Miles Hollins, the man? There are no words. He’s beautiful, in the most rugged way possible.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
“A slight twinge of guilt twists in my stomach, and I make a mental note to dial it back a bit. She isn’t just any other woman, and I can’t treat her as such. She’s my best friend’s little sister. My best friend’s incredibly beautiful, recently separated from her husband, little sister.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
What I loved about this story was how Miles & Harlow healed each other just by loving each other.
“I hear her soft intakes of air as she breathes, her body barely moving under the action. She looks so peaceful, and an instant wave of longing washes over me. Not for her specifically, but for the kind of peace, normal people find in sleep. Something I haven’t known for years. I imagine what it would be like to crawl into the chair behind her and pull her toward me. Feel her warmth against my skin and the steady thump of her heart against my chest. I wonder if it would rub off on me. I wish I could piggy back onto her dreams and for once be able to shut my mind off enough to find a moment of silence.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
As these two grow, your heart will melt.
“Ten years ago, I couldn’t stand the sight of him. Fast forward to today, and the sight of him makes my knees go weak.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
“Miles Hollins hasn’t just changed my life. He’s making it a life I want to live.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
If you have not read a Melissa Toppen book, stop what you are reading right now and pick up any one of her books!!! You need her in your life!
“I can’t get enough of her. It’s like I’ve been walking around blind and all of a sudden, I can see again. Everything looks brighter, more vibrant and colorful, more beautiful.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
Melissa, thank you for Miles & Harlow. I completely devoured this book at a time in my life when I completely needed an escape. My daughter was being seen at the Mayo Clinic and I needed to shut my brain off. All That We Are was the perfect book at the perfect time for me!
“The road we take isn’t always the smoothest but it’s the bumps along the way that show us what really matters in this life. Harlow is my perfect match. In finding her. I found myself. She taught me it’s okay to be imperfect. It’s okay to be hurt and angry. That obsessing over a past I can’t change only limits the future I can. We are so much more than the sum of our mistakes. And that one thing, that one moment – no matter how terrible or tragic – does not define all that we are. I may not have deserved my happy ending, but I got it anyway. And there isn’t a day that will go by where I won’t look at Harlow and know… This is the girl who not only saved my life but gave me a life worth living.”
~ Melissa Toppen, All That We Are
#InhaleTheFuture #ExhaleThePast #YourePerfect #PattersonRodgers&Perez #StakingYourClaim #ItsEnough #IWantThisLowAllOfIt #MyBigBadTattooedMotorcycleRidingMilitaryMan #Me&MyWitchyMagic #YouMakeMeHappy #Shopping #TogetherTogether #Approved #YouveCompletelyObiteratedMeHarlow #Winston&Stella
~ Review by Heidi Pharo
A great story about somewhat friends turned to lovers. Miles is best friend with Harlow’s brother. She just left a long time relationship. This is a slow burn time of story that was quite entertaining and captivating.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I recommend this story.
Beautiful. What a great read!! Harlow and Miles are amazing together. I like that they started out slow and then developed into something big! Great steaminess and romance!! This story is about two people having to travel through rough waters to get to the happiness that they both deserve. The dialogue and the way Harlow & Miles connected with each other gave me all the feels. I couldn’t put it down.
This is such an amazing story. Harlow and Miles are everything to me. She comes back home and sees Miles for the first time since they were kids. They both are instantly and insanely attracted to each other but knows it’s not a good idea. I honestly could not put down as it’s so good, well written, emotional roller coaster with these two but so amazing.
Wow, just wow! What an amazing story of two tortured souls, brought together by fate. Harlow & Miles have known each other since they were young. She never could stand him. When she returns to town after her failed marriage, she is finally feeling free, something her ex never allowed her to be. Miles has his own demons, having served his country for two tours and suffering for all he witnessed and all he lost over there. Read along as their story unfolds in this amazing book, get ready for the roller coaster of emotions you will experience! Great story 5 stars for this one!
4 Stars
A great brother’s best friend romance from a first time author for me. Once upon a time Miles was Harlow’s brother’s best friend and these two despised each other. Now, fast forward several years and Harlow is back trying to find herself after a failed marriage. Miles comes to the rescue and offers her a job at his tattoo shop. These two, once they get out of their own way, are fantastic together. Lots of chemistry, lots of swoony moments and lots of love. Great story that is beautifully written.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
Miles and Harlow’s story pulled at all of the heartstrings. A vet who can’t move forward because he’s trapped in the past and a girl who is starting over after a failed marriage to a real jerk. I love that Harlow and Miles grew up together, but were never really friends. When they reconnect they have instant chemistry. Ms. Toppen tells a great story with such well developed characters and a story that will keep you riveted. Definitely pick this one up!
All That We Are is the latest full length, standalone romance novel by Melissa Toppen. This story will grab your interest from the start and keep you hooked. This is Miles and Harlow’s story. Told in dual POV, these two were complex, well developed characters who turned out to be perfect for each other. I loved watching the progression of their relationship. The secondary characters all added to the story and did a great job providing support and balance. This story will evoke a range of emotions from you. Its about finding a second chance at love. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to all lovers of contemporary romance.
A remarkable beautiful and raw love story. Love can heal you in more ways than one and can show you that no matter how many demons we have they can be overcome. There is a light in the darkness we just have to embrace it and never let go. We are all broken in one way or another and there is a soul mate out there that just might be able to glue some of the pieces back together. The writing in this book was complete perfection. I was hooked fom the start and could feel the emotions pouring from the pages. The story had great depth and I loved how the characters felt real. This book gives you a glimpse into some real struggles and I connected with it on so many levels. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
It’s funny to imagine that a person you couldn’t stand as a teen could be the one to given you love that you’ve always wanted and never had. Miles also gave Harlow the opportunity to stand on her own two feet, starting with a job she desperately needed. She gave him comfort and peace, something he’d been struggling with for a time. They were hot and heavy, but they were caring and supportive. I love their cast of family that were always had their backs, as well.
This was a great story about Harlow and Miles, a real page turner. It was emotional, hot and a great story. You don’t want to miss this one. Harlow comes back home after leaving her husband and runs into Miles who’s dealing with his own issues. Together they try to start to heal, but things aren’t always what they seem. Will it be enough? A must read
I just love Melissa’s books they are so reliable and seem like they could happen in real life.
Harlow is home after being married and away for 10 years. She ends up working at the tattoo shop for Miles who is her brother’s best friend. Harlow remembers she did not like Miles very much while growing up and he remembers this as well. However, things are different now. The pain the two of them carry is now fighting to keep them apart. This is a must I read.
What a beautiful story and I loved it because it revolves around real life issues of fighting and chasing our demons and being betrayed beyond repair, Miles and Harlow starting a new life moving home and just living day by day. running into each other once again and they find comfort and trust in each other and learn to be themselves and believe the impossible. I loved these characters and they just grab at you and are so deserving of so much happiness, and you will see the demons and want to help. The writing is amazing and the detail sucks you in and captures every part of your soul.
All That We Are is a really good, emotional read. Harlow has just filed for divorce from her scumbag husband and moved back home. She moves in temporarily with her brother, Winston. Miles is Winston’s best freiend. They’ve been friends since they were kids. Miles and Harlow never got along when they were younger, but as adults they discover they like each other. Miles offers Harlow a job at his tattoo parlor. They slowly become friends and finally give into their attraction. I really enjoyed their story. I felt bad for Harlow because of the way her husband treated her. And I felt bad for Miles because of what being in the Army did to him. These two found solace in each other and it was beautiful to “watch”. Great Story. I definitely will recommend it to all my reading buddies.
All That We Are by Melissa Toppen is a full length, standalone romance novel and tells Harlow and Miles’ story. Harlow and Miles know each other for a long long time. He’s her brother’s best friend and in school they had a hate – ignore relationship. After graduation Harlow left her hometown and never looked back. Only a failed marriage leads her back home and there he is, Miles. After his time in the military he’s now the very successful business owner. He’s weary of Harlow and intrigued with her at the same time.
Harlow herself is a bit off kilter and needs time to discover who she is and what she wants in her life and career.
Both a bit mangled, not broken, but battered.
All That We Are is a beautiful second chances story, very well written and beautifully thought out and beautifully told. I connected very easily with the characters and I loved their story. I give 4,5 wonderful stars.