A sexy new standalone novel from the Vested Interest series.When love turns to hate—that’s where I come in.I’m Halton Andrew Smithers, attorney. Hal to my clients and friends.Messy divorces, deadbeat dads, runaway wives, cheating partners—I handle them all.I know the seedy side of love, and it isn’t pretty. I avoid emotional attachments—I’ve seen all too often when hot passion turns to frozen … hot passion turns to frozen tundra.
I satisfy myself with helping people behind the scenes. It gives me a sense of satisfaction that completes my life.
Until she enters it and everything I believe is turned upside down.
She fills a void I never knew existed, and I know without her, my life will never be the same again.
For the first time, I want to try.
For her.
But am I strong enough?
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Sweet and steamy!
I loved every minute of this book. Halton is sweet and steamy, and has so much heart. I especially loved Rene. He’s such a fun character and adds so much to this book. Fee and Halton are too cute together. I laughed. I cried. I sighed. And then I went back to reread certain parts all over again. Another job very well done by Melanie Moreland!
Just Wow! I’ll start by saying that I love this author’s books. She has a great formula that she uses in her writing. I know that I’ll always get an HEA and that I will love the characters in a MM book. She has a way of giving you the feels as you read her books, and this one was definitely no exception.
While this book is a standalone, our hero was introduced to us earlier in the series. Hal is everything that you want in a hero – confident, sexy, alpha that shows his softer side to his woman. He also lives by his own code, and hates lies. I had to admire him on his views there. The heroine has spent much of her time with an insensitive jerk for a partner that has no code. Her ex and Hal are extreme opposites with a deep seeded hatred for each other. This drives her to ask Hal for his help.
This story has a bit of everything and I’m eagerly anticipating the next book from this author. If you are on the fence whether or not to read this book, do it! If you haven’t read her books, go grab em’ 🙂
5 star Review Halton (Vested Interest #6) by Melanie Moreland
This is Halton (Hal) Andrew Smithers and Fiona (Fee) Hutchings’s story and it was a great story. Being an attorney, Hal knows the good and the bad of people so he avoids emotional attachment at any cost., that is until Fee comes barreling into his life, then all bets are off.
There was humour, emotion and everything in between which I have come to expect from a Melanie Moreland book. Halton was extremely well written and had me absolutely captivated from the first to the last chapter.
Hal is determined to help Fee in her messy divorce, but he has no idea that in doing so he will open a part of himself that he had no idea needed to be opened. Will Fee convince Hal that love is worth fighting for?
It was fantastic to be back in the world of The men of BAM, they protect their own, regardless of whether they are blood or not, they stand together and are just awesome. There was suspense, drama, humour and camaraderie that I found totally heart warming.
Although easy to read as a standalone. this was a great addition to what has become one of my all time favourite series, so why not one click them all, you won’t be disappointed.
Wow! Book 6 in the Vested Series and it is one hot read!!! Sexy lawyer Halton is to die for! I think this is my favorite story yet.
Halton (Hal) Smithers, a lawyer friend of BAM, works hard and never lies. We were introduced to Hal in Van’s book as he did work for Van and Olivia. He has seen the ugly side of people and it has tarnished his views on love. He will work for anyone who needs him, but he has one rule…no lies. Which brings me to my next subject…Mr. Hutchings. He is another lawyer who lies and will get dirty to win any case. It is widely known that him and Hal are rivals and hate each other.
Fiona (Fee) Hutchings is a good woman. She has wasted most of her life with her no good husband. The same man who recently threw her out with nothing but the clothes on her back. So she does the only thing she can think of….she request Hal to help her.
Hal cannot believe that Hutchings would stoop so low to throw this beautiful smart woman out with nothing. One thing he doesn’t like is when a man abuses his power over a woman. So he takes the case. Along the way as Hal learns more about Fee, he finds that they are more alike than he every realized. He fights hard for her, but how far will he fight? Too far?
This story was amazing. I loved Hal. He is a smart, confident alpha male. A knight in shining armor. He oozes sex. That man is fine. His and Fee’s chemistry is off the rails crazy. They are drawn together. They both suffer from insomnia and found the power to sleep through the night through each other.
Overall this book is a amazing love story of strength. I was moved by Fee’s story. She was a strong and courageous character. Her story like many others is not uncommon. She like many women have lost themselves to a man. Supporting and never living. I love reading how she takes control of her life and doesn’t let the past define her.
This story can be read as a stand alone, but I would suggest getting the back story of the other characters to really appreciate them. Melanie has really created a wonderful world full of strong independent characters. The world of BAM is a world that makes it’s readers want to be a part of it. Each story will have you falling in love even a bit of lust. With these hot sexy men, there is never a dull moment. I cannot wait to see what Melanie has in store for us next.
Melanie has a nack of writing stories which draw you in completely. Halton is another of these, book 6 in the Vested Interest series. It’s a stand alone story so don’t panic if you haven’t read books 1 through 5, it won’t so you enjoying the story. Hal is a hot lawyer, who has devoted his life to family law, helping those who can’t help themselves, but doesn’t believe love is for him or that he had anything to offer in the long term. Sad really as he has so much to give of only he realised.
Enter Fiona (Fee) Hutchings, the abandoned wife of his biggest adversary, beautiful but emotionally fragile due to the psychological abuse she has endured. Fee is a gentle soul who fell for the wrong man, but still believes in true love and happiness.
Will taking on Fee’s case bring Hal out of his self imposed exile from the world.
This is a emotionally charged story of salvation and awakening, beautifully written and hard to put down.
Fiona knew that there’s much more to Halton then he ever thought or knew. Like all men it took him awhile to figure out that he can do love if it’s with the right person. Fiona was/is the one for him. Like all the other BAM Boys he has taken a piece of my heart with him. Melanie has once again sucked me into one of her books. I can’t say that I dislike that she does so since I love her work.
It’s no secret how much I adore the sexy, smart, excellent Vested Interest series, and that adoration continues with Halton.
We’ve seen snippets of Hal throughout the other books. He’s saved the day many times, and now it’s his turn. And, whoa, does he save the day for Fiona. But this “thing” with Fiona is more than an attorney-client relationship. So much more.
It’s something Hal never thought he’d experience for himself. Day in and day out, he’s witness to some of the worst behavior imaginable—he knows love doesn’t last. Love ends and turns people into horrible individuals. But there’s something about Fiona. Something that makes Hal want more and maybe that more is even love.
Gah, I loved, loved, loved the connection between Hal and Fiona. It was powerful, smart, sexy, and just felt good and right. I couldn’t help but root for their happily ever after. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t always safe. But it was so worth it in the end. ~ 5 “Reid is still my fav, but damn if Hal isn’t giving him a run for his money” stars
When love calls, common sense takes a back seat and emotions take over the wheel. What happens when a man known for using his head finally listens to his heart? Halton is one of those characters that you want to hate, but can’t help love. Life has made him. Can love reform him? Fiona is this superman’s kryptonite. She sees him at his worst and loves him anyway. Two cynical hearts are about to discover there is no logic, when it comes to falling in love. The heart is the deciding factor and we’re all just along for the ride. Moreland has my heart on a string and I’ll gladly continue to give her free rein.
A damaged alpha hero who thinks he’s unworthy and incapable of love? Yes, please! And Moreland gives us a beautifully broken, compelling hero in Halton. An attorney and champion of truth and justice, Hal helps those who might not get help otherwise. When someone with close ties to his biggest rival comes to Hal for help, all bets are off. He’ll fight tooth and nail to get justice, but he’s not prepared for the unfamiliar feelings that are stirred up.
This author has an uncanny ability to sneak inside my heart, from the characters she makes me fall in love with to the wide array of emotions she evokes, and everything in between. Although I wanted to shake Hal a time or ten (but his assistant, Rene, and the BAM guys did that for me), I couldn’t help but admire the quality of his character and they way he loves those close to him without ever realizing it. Seems everyone but Hal can see into the depths of his heart. I adored Fiona, a character who changed and grew to a very different person by the end of the book, and the way she related to and interacted with Hal was pure perfection and exactly what he needed.
I loved every moment of this story and was held in its grip as I flew through the pages in one sitting. It’s heartfelt and a bit tragic, but also humorous and sweet, and it’s the perfect addition to this series. Don’t miss this emotional, captivating, fantastic read!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Halton was a brief player in the end of Van’s story and I was so excited to see he got his own book! Someone who is that passionate in making sure children are taken care of and not used as pawns intrigued me and I couldn’t wait to see who captured his interest!
Fiona happens to be divorcing Halton’s nemesis and knows that Halton is the only one who can help her. She’s left reeling by the sudden end of her decade long marriage and Halton is there for her every step of the way. Soon, a close friendship and working relationship turn to passion and Halton is left fighting demons left over from a bad childhood in order to get out of his own way and build a life with Fee. Loved them both!!
This is the sixth book in the amazing Vested Interest Series. I recommend you to listen to this Series in order. Halton and Fiona’s story is beautifully written, sweet and sexy. The supporting characters are great. I love to see again the characters from the previous books. The ending is beautiful. John Lane and Maxine Mitchell did a fantastic job with the narration. This is one of my favorite series, and I highly recommend it. Looking forward to listen to the next book in the Series, Sandy.
Of all of the books in the series, this was my least favorite. I couldn’t connect with Halton. I’m not sure why.
The story was ok. It may have been more interesting if there had been more interaction with Fee’s ex, Scott. I liked Rene. The BAM guys made brief appearances.
I really wish I could put my finger on it, but I can’t. The story didn’t do much for me. Maybe because Fee was supposed to be so beat down by her marriage, but she jumped into filling in for Rene with all of the self confidence of someone who had been in the workforce forever.
It all felt a bit bland and off balance. I was surprised. I did have favorites in this series, but this is the first one that left me meh.
Family is what you make of it
One thing that I adore about Melanie Moreland is the untraditional families she writes about. It always strikes a chord with me. Always so emotional, delicately balanced with humor and steaminess. I just love her writing, and she picks the best narrators! I loved Halton and Fi and the family they created!
Halton oh Halton, you’re breaking my heart. Once again Melanie Moreland wrote another beautiful story which is emotion-charged with a wonderful father figure, angsty as heck Hero and a strong big-hearted heroine. I reached for the tissue box time and time again, my heart aches for Halton as a little boy and as a mother, I just want to give him huge hugs! I adore Rene, Halton’s assistant slash father-figure, he’s funny and ever so wise. I’m so in love with Fiona aka Fee, such a strong woman and I love how forgiving she was. Her capacity to forgive and love knows no bounds. Melanie Moreland always write such compelling characters but none so more than our 2 main characters. I’m so glad they found their Happily Ever After.
Halton: Vested Interest #6
I wonder how many tissues were used in the reading of these books? I have a fair idea of how many I use when I read each one of them. This series is so emotional, after you close each book you are sure these characters are real and you believe that there characters are real. They draw you in and then you are watching your friends deal with some very heart wrenching life tests and they fill your heart when each story is ended
Halton (Hal), is known to all the folks at BAM; we met him in Van and Liv’s story. He is a divorce/family lawyer who has made it his job to fight for the people who need him, be they father or mother or child, who needs Halton to do his work whether it be the lawyer representing one of his clients or making sure there is a child advocate available when it would be in the child’s best interest, Hal is their protector! I don’t know if he would say that about himself, but he is.
Fiona (Fee), has been emotionally and mentally abused by her soon to be ex-husband. She was literally kicked out of her home one evening, given an envelope of money and out you go! Thank goodness after a few days of being in shock Fee manages to get Hal to listen to her story. Of course he is going to take the case and even better that the ex is Hal’s biggest rival in the courtroom.
Fee’s working on bringing out the old confident Fee and the fact that after an emergency in Hal’s office puts her front and center as the person who can help Hal out by working in his office, while he works on her case.
In Hal and Fee we have two very emotionally broken people both in need of finding the right person to help them each move on. One more open to beginning a new life and one who believes that they are not destined to have any kind of loving relationship in their lifetime.
Watching Fee grow as a person is like watching a caterpillar who is slowly coming out of her chrysalis. For a person who has been hurt as much as she has her capacity to begin to grow and start to live life is just beautiful. Hal is lucky enough to see much of this happen and even more so when Fee needs to have personal protection, she still stays strong.
As both begin to find happiness in each other and you think this will work for all, life at its worst appears again and what we thought was one thing becomes another. More that just Fee’s heart is in play here as it affects other characters in the story. This story is emotional, moving, heartbreaking, yet it will raise your spirit and your ability to feel for all those affected.
We are lucky in that Melanie Mooreland often gives readers epic epilogues!
Another wonderful 5 star read from her, looking forward to reading Sandy in just a few weeks.
Loved it.
I read books 1 – 5 of the Vested Interest (BAM) series and just adored every hero and storyline. I especially love series where characters re-appear and seeing where they are now in their lives along with their sweethearts. Of course they all started out single and one by one, became consumed by love! Halton Smithers, a family/divorce attorney to those needing a superhero was our leading man in book 6, and boy oh boy was he swoon-worthy!
Halton fought falling in love every step of the way but he could not deny his insatiable connection to Fee, who pleaded with him to handle her divorce. Both of these characters are very upstanding, and Halton was a hero in everyway, always fighting for what is right. I admired his moral code so much and how he volunteered his time to help others. He needed a slap or two now and then and thankfully his BAM friends and his assistant were there to do that for me.
Melanie writes such engaging, heartfelt romances that pull you in and make you feel every emotion. Her characters are always fully developed and as a reader, you understand everyone’s perspective, all of their flaws and past hurts, and why they are the person they are today. I so admired Halton for always pointing out all of the special qualities he saw in Fee, and how safe he made her feel. He was so uplifting and encouraging, all while giving her the space she needed to process her feelings.
Fee was at her most vulnerable state and I so admired how she remained classy and graceful when she was torn to pieces. She could see inside Halton’s soul and I loved how she, too, helped him to realize that life isn’t all work and no pay and that he was in fact, very loveable with a heart of gold.
These two had wicked hot chemistry and plenty of steamy times, but it was their quiet moments that I liked the best. How relaxed they felt just quietly reading or enjoying lunch together. That to me is what makes a relationship special. There are lots of details in this book that will make you smile and your heart race. You will also hurt for them and cheer for them, especially when Halton goes all alpha to protect his girl.
This book has a nice surprise ending which I won’t spoil for you; just know it does end in a very HEA. Hoping for more in this series!
I absolutely love this series and Halton and Fiona were no exception. The love that grew between these two characters was gorgeous and really sweet with Fiona showing Halton that he was capable of a lasting relationship. Halton showed Fiona she could trust and open herself up again after so many years of being shut down in her marriage. This was a really beautiful story in the series.
Just when I think this author has given me her best she throws a spanner in the works with another hunky swoon worthy male to fall in love with in her Vested Interest Series.
Halton Andrew Smithers it Hal to his friends is the man you will fall for, he is the attorney who deals with messy divorces, runaway wife’s, deadbeat dads and cheating partners in fact nothing phases him, he has seen it all and he is now convicted relationships are not for him……
But when Fee walks in his life is turned upside down and all bets are off…..
Halton is a heartfelt that blew me away and it’s taken me a long time to put pen to paper with this review because I really wasn’t sure how to do this story justice and I’m not convinced mere words can do this emotional beautifully written book justice so all I’m going to say is please one click this must read you won’t be disappointed this is a book I recommend this book to all romance lovers.
Halton! Lord this man is a powerhouse! A man on a mission to defend those unable to defend themselves, getting them the justice they deserve. But when it comes to himself personally, he feels he is unable to give too much of himself and is quite guarded…..until Fee. Oh. My! The build up of their relationship is just……made my heart melt.
A great addition to the BAM collection. I love all these characters!