Rock bottom has never felt so good.At least, that’s what I tell myself when I bargain with the enemy and score a renovation for my hair salon. The enemy? Nick Stamos, my best friend’s older brother. He’s got a body and face the Greek gods would envy but his personality needs a major overhaul. He’s surly. A rule-follower.Did I mention he’s seen me n*ked? I may have crushed on him for years, but … n*ked?
I may have crushed on him for years, but the only place I want Nick swinging his hammer nowadays is at my salon.
Except, he needs something in return. . .
A fake girlfriend.
And I’m just reckless enough to say yes.
HOLD ME TODAY is a steamy slow burn romance. It’s the first book in the highly anticipated series, Put A Ring On It, and can be read as a standalone.
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HOLD ME TODAY Put A Ring On It Series #1 By Maria Luis
What a great story! Maria Luis has proven to me that she can bring the goods to the table! Nick and Mina are such a wonderful couple. Mina is the best friend of Nick’s younger sister, they have known each other for years. Mina has been crushing on him for the majority of the time she has known him. Their banter is witty and sweet. I love this couple and this story! I am not going to give anything away, you should read it and enjoy it. I wish it was possible to give it more than 5 stars. I will be one clicking more of Maria Luis’ books!
What can I say, I just love Maria’s words, and Hold Me Today didn’t disappoint! I didn’t want to put this book down!
Great story!
Follow Mina, as she tries to achieve her dream of owning her own hair salon, when she’s hit with her contractor taking her money and running! She forced to ask her enemy, Nick Stamos for help. Only problem is he needs her help in return.
Read along as their story develops as Nick helps her try to heal her demons, and she in turn helps him with his.
This book had me hooked, I enjoyed reading about these two characters as well as their crazy Greek families! 5 stars grab this now!
Hold Me Today happened to be the first book I read from Author Maria Luis and it definitely won’t be my last. Thanks to InkSlinger PR for introducing Maria Luis and her first book in her Put a Ring On It series.
A little bit about the book because believe me the synopsis is a great way to describe the book. The main male character Nick Stamos (I love his name) was on the Put a Ring On It tv show to find someone to spend the rest of his life with for a HEA. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned. Now he wants out of the limelight, and the only way to do that is to have a fake relationship. Who does he choose to be his fake girlfriend, but his kid sister’s best friend, Mina. Mina has had it rough, but she’s trying to prove to everyone she can make it, especially when opening her salon. She needs the help of Nick to renovate the space, and she’s made a promise to be his fake girlfriend. Let’s say these two may be frenemies at first, but things are about to be brought to light about these two and how they fit well with each other. I love frenemy + best friend’s older brother stories.
I adored these two characters, primarily since they have known each other for years and never really got together. Mina had a massive crush on Nick, but never pursued him. She instead went off to make her own life, and I loved that about her. She also didn’t allow anything to get to her, especially with what she has been suffering from her whole life. She doesn’t let anything to get to her. She’s a strong female character, even with the drama she deals with when it comes to also deal with her own family.
Nick was a sweet guy in the story, and I felt sorry for him because he was trying to find the one person he could spend the rest of his life within his life. He’s been hurt in the past, and the one person who was there for him was Mina. Nick should’ve been looking closer to him for his happily ever after and not a reality tv show. Let’s not forget the other characters in the story and how they played a part with the characters. I adored Mina’s best friend who was Nick’s little sister, Effie. She made some appearances in the story that had me laughing, especially towards the end of the book.
The only reason why I’m not giving the book 5 stars is that it did take me some time to get into the story. It was mostly the beginning, but once it got interesting, it got interesting. (The steamy scenes made up for the beginning. Nick is HOT!) Also, let me say I’m not a huge fan of the Bachelor or Bachelorette reality tv shows. My mother is though, and she tries everything to get me to watch them, but I prefer to stick to the fictional world. I did love the idea the show in this book though. It didn’t play a significant portion of the story because the story was mostly about the characters Nick and Mina.
I give this book 4 stars and recommend it to readers who love a good frenemy story, which also involves the frenemies getting into a fake relationship together. There will be drama, tension, awkward moments, and very steamy scenes between the characters.
Will I read the next book in the series? Most definitely YES because it’s about a certain ex-football star that I loved in this story.
Maria never disappoints me with her writing. She has a way of pulling you in and won’t let you go until you have finished. You will go through all your emotions while reading this book but above all else you will fall in love with Nick and Mina. Their journey is one you don’t want to miss. A definite must read. Spring can’t get here soon enough for the next one.
I wanted more! I enjoyed reading Nick and Mina’s story. He’s hot and a sweet, good, and romantic type of guy that Mina thinks is too “good” for her. Lucky for them both, she brings out the heat and passion in him and he challenges her to see that’s she’s more than she always been told. I would’ve given it 5 stars, but I don’t like when people or books say GD. I think authors can make their point without using that.
Boring
Another sexy page-turner from Maria Luis!
Every time I read a book written by Luis I’m enthralled by her words and immersed into a world which nothing else around me matters. This book is a masterpiece of words designed to take you on a journey that is loving, funny, emotional, and honest. Nick and Mina are everything and I would not change a single thing about their characters or story. I’m ready for more but will revisit them time and time again!
A different kind of story. Different in that they talk about “fake” dating but don’t go through the motions as other books do. The relationship actually slowly developed. Which was great to follow along. Enjoyed this book a lot.
This is the fourth Maria Luis book I’ve read (the other three being books from the Boston Blades series), and I always love them. But prior to the release of Hold Me Today, she kept saying how much her readers were going to love Nick and Mina, and still I thought, “She’s the writer, so of course she feels that way.” Even though I always love Maria’s characters, I still couldn’t fathom loving them as much she seemed to think we would. Boy, was I wrong.
I don’t know how to explain it, other than to say that these characters seem so tangible. I was even more invested in them than I have been in her previous characters, and that’s saying a lot. Beyond that, I’m already invested in the characters she introduced for the series. I don’t think it’s exaggerating to say that this is her best book yet (or at least the best of the ones I’ve read so far). She has done a phenomenal job of building this world.
I love how long this book is (my Kindle showed that it would take 6 hours and 43 minutes to read). I love all the Greek culture she includes. I love that it’s sister’s best friend (one of my favorite tropes). And I love the cameos from Boston Blades players. I know I didn’t say much about the plot or characters, but this book is so well-written. It’s absolutely worth your time.
Nick Stamos belongs in the book husband hall of fame. I finished this book a week ago and still can’t get him out of my head. Family man, romantic, generous and loyal friend, and hot as all hell. I loved the banter and chemistry between Nick and Mina, and their big and loud family reminds me a lot of my own. This book had it all, slow burn, kickass but relatably vulnerable heroine, and sexy hero who can build things. My first book by Maria Luis and I can’t wait to devour her others.
Great story!
Follow Mina, as she tries to achieve her dream of owning her own hair salon, when she’s hit with her contractor taking her money and running! She forced to ask her enemy, Nick Stamos for help. Only problem is he needs her help in return.
Read along as their story develops as Nick helps her try to heal her demons, and she in turn helps him with his.
This book had me hooked, I enjoyed reading about these two characters as well as their crazy Greek families! 5 stars grab this now!
I have never met a Maria Luis book I didn’t like, and well, why start now? Her books are well-written, and I simply adore her writing style. As I have mentioned before, a Maria Luis rom-com is the perfect blend of sweet, sexy, and funny. And with Hold Me Today, she proves, once again, that she is a master of this genre!
Hold Me Today is the first book in Maria Luis’ new series, Put A Ring On It. It is a laugh out loud “frenemies” to lovers story. Nick and Mina have known each other for over two decades. He is her best friend’s older brother; and though they think they know a lot about one another, they will soon realize that there is so much more beneath the surface.
Nick and Mina, at first glance, seem like total opposites. He is a rule-follower, while she can be a little bit reckless. Mina has seen Nick at his absolute worst, and she intends to cash in on this by asking for his help to renovate her new salon. He agrees…on one condition. She needs to pretend to be his girlfriend (spoiler-free zone!). But are these two really fooling anyone? What follows is a series of mishaps, witty banter, and something that looks a whole lot like…love?
This book gave me all the feels, and I will be adding it to my re-read pile!
I voluntarily chose to review an advanced copy of this book.
This book become my all time favorite!I just love Nick and Mina!!Opposites attracts and that slow burning love,god I waited that their first kiss like crazy!I was afraid that scene would be in last pages.Thank god I was wrong! Never ever I have cried for joy when reading a book.They have a crush each other for years and hiding it by arguing and constant teasing is only option.Falling in love his sister’s best friend or Mina’s way to say falling in love your best friend’s brother.Sooo my favorite genres!!Nick helps Mina accepting herself by knowing her greek roots and ease her restless soul.Their story is just so beautiful.For once I have no words to describe…I still get goosebumbs .remembering how Nick talks to her melts my heart.Last straw was how SHE told her feelings.Be patienced my heart!
4.5 Stars
Hold Me Today was my first experience of Maria Luis’ work and it didn’t disappoint. If you’re like me and love a brother’s best friend romance that is sweet, sexy and full of humor this is the book for you.
The banter in Hold Me Today is both engaging and fun. The interactions are witty, flirtatious, sarcastic, argumentative and full of humor.
Nick is such a swoon worthy hero. He’s the perfect alpha, but also the perfect Greek son. At times surly and broody, but also incredibly big hearted, romantic, kind, caring and compassionate.
Mina is a sassy, strong Greek woman. She’s struggles her whole life to feel accepted, but despite her vulnerabilities and insecurities, she’s incredibly resilient, and driven.
The characters are incredibly complex and well developed. Their chemistry is incredibly intense, yet believable.
The secondary characters are endearing and piqued my interest, and I cannot wait for future titles in the Put A Ring On It series.
Maria Luis made a home run, touchdown, and hat trick all in one with this wonderful story. There were sadness and laughs, there were good times and bad. The characters had such great chemistry, and I don’t mean just sexually. One line from the book “He the ying to my yang.” There was heartache and there was comforting. A great storyline with wonderful characters.
My favorite Maria Luis book yet! This book is everything! Nick and Mina are amazing together – having known each other since they were children, they have a familiarity and yet the attraction and romance between them is new. I loved the banter between the two and there were a few parts where I found myself laughing out loud in public. So emotional as well, as Mina has some major family issues to deal with. Love the crossover characters from her other series’ and I can’t wait till the next in the Put a Ring on It series!
What a wonderful story, it’s not just a heartwarming tale of love, it shines a light on the struggles of living with a learning disability and how it can affect your life. I loved Nick and Mina’s history, growing up together and being there for each other when it really mattered. They just had to wait until it was their time for love. This just made my heart feel so full. I love Maria Luis’s books they are written with humor and such wonderful characters. I really enjoyed that she included some of the Blades in this book. Great Book looking forward to Dom’s story.
Maria wrote us all a wonderful romance when she penned Nick and Mina’s story. It’s hot. It’s sweet. It’s funny. And sometimes it’s heartbreaking and not just because of the hero and heroine. I felt Mina’s struggles very clearly even though I’ve never dealt with anything like that in my life. That’s down to Maria’s talent. I truly enjoyed this book.