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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I thought this was so cute. Very easy read. Melanie and Corinne did such a beautiful job of co writing. This book had all the feels. It grabs your attention and keeps you turning the pages. Job well done ladies. I look forward to what is in store next.
I savored every word of this beautiful story because I never wanted it to end. I adored these characters and never wanted to let them go. It was beautiful, the writing superb, and the flow was amazing. I can’t wait for more from this duo!
Hold you close
Melanie Harlow
Reviews on goodreads. Amazon. The book addicts.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s kind reminds me of one of my favorite movies .. life as we know it .. read the book.. watch the movie .. there both awesome !!
CHEESE AND CRACKERS Corinne and Melanie…are you trying to kill me with the first few chapters of this book. My heart was broken, splattered on the road. I read this book as I was traveling 600+ miles to take my daughter to college. I ignored my husband and daughter and I was brought into a world of tragedy from the get-go. As the miles ticked by my heart began to heal and the beautiful words brought me solace and happiness.
I am a book whore who LOVES a second chance romance and a best friend brother book and this is exactly what I got and oh so much more. I have read every book written by Corinne Michaels and love her writing and Melanie Harlow is new to me author and these two have written a beautiful story together and I sure hope they
This book began with such unfathomable sadness but soon turned into a heart melting, swooning, and often funny book. I loved the interactions between Ian and London. Their banter was so snarky at times and often laugh out loud funny.
Watching these characters heal and grow was impressive to watch, the learn how to heal together, how to heal a family. Just a beautiful awe-inspiring story.
Absolutely LOVED this one from Melanie and Corinne
Beautiful and heart wrenching! Facing a tragedy that might have crippled some, London and Ian lean on each other even when they don’t want to. Fighting a love and attraction that has grown for so long was a battle neither of them could win. A wonderful story filled with intense love, unfathomable loss, and the inner strength to keep moving regardless of how impossible it might seem. This collaboration of these two authors is pure magic and I hope to see more from them combined again!
-Mackenzie
Ian from the moment he rejected London after she wanted to change her plans when they were 18, I knew what he was doing. I could see it immediately that he didn’t want her to change her plans and not go to her dream school. So that was really sweet. We jump 18 years and Ian is a whole different person and whenever he is around London they can’t help but argue and he’s buried them feelings for her and it was so cute. Although he still acted like an obnoxious idiot at times he was a great complex character. Emotions were running very high throughout the book especially with his sister dying and being left with 3 kids.
London, she was a very career driven person and refused to let anyone enter her heart and buried her feelings deep down for Ian. You could tell before they get together that she was still hurting to be around him. Emotions were running very high throughout the book especially with her best friend dying, and then helping Ian raise the 3 kids. I did feel at times she was way judgemental but I loved her character.
When Ian and London find out Sabrina died got my heartbreak and I sobbed from that moment onwards when reading this book it broke my heart. Especially seeing the children, Chris, Morgan and Ruby their reactions broke my heart and god it was painful, the emotions were really real and good.
I loved Chris, Morgan and Ruby. Morgan was so sassy and she always sassed Ian when it came to London and the same with London. She’d try to get them to admit their feelings between each other and honestly it was funny. There is a scene in this where Morgan gets her period and Ian’s reaction to it is just hilarious, I think that’s one of my favourite scenes in the book. Ruby was so adorable and cute. Chris bless him tried to be strong for his sisters and I loved their relationship and bond. It was nice to see all three siblings sticking together through the loss of their parents it was so nice.
I loved the new dynamics that we got with Ian and London as parents.
The letters that Sabrina left for everyone. I sobbed like a baby it was so emotional and I just I was very sad reading them.
It was a beautiful lovely story, I fell in love with this and highly recommend this story! Amazing!
When I found out two of my favorite authors were co-writing a book I was ecstatic. The fact that it was a second chance/enemies to lovers got me even more excited. I was a little nervous going in that my expectations were too high, but I definitely wasn’t disappointed!
London has loved & hated Ian for as long as she can remember. He’s first boy who broke her heart, and the pain in the ass who lives behind her and drives her crazy. If she could avoid him forever she would, but when tragedy strikes she is forced to let him into her life, while continuing to guard her heart.
Ian made a choice he thought was right, and has been paying for it ever since. After years of hatred and harsh words from London, he has learned to despise her as well. He loves his sister and her children more than anything, though, and if what is best for them means him leaning on London, then that’s what he has to do.
I loved these characters! London was the epitome of a strong, independent woman. Ian was the typical bachelor, who evolved throughout the story into the man his sister always knew he was. Ruby, Morgan & Christopher balanced everything out. I adored those kids and their antics.
Corinne Michaels signature heartbreak is ever present, while Melanie Harlow’s sweet romantic moments are thrown in for the perfect mix. This book had tears and laughs, moments that made me want to swoon followed by wanting to scream. It was everything I love to read tied up with a perfect little bow. They are definitely an incredible team, and I really hope this isn’t the last we see of this writing duo!
did
Heartbreaking and Healing.
London has loved Ian since she was 16. At 35, the animosity between them seems to be all she has. Imagine living behind the man you love to hate. She’s a career minded, strong woman who loves her best friend and is very involved in the lives of her “nieces and nephew”.
Ian is a hot mess. He sacrificed what he really wanted and now he’s a playboy who owns a nightclub and flaunts his sexcapades on the woman he gave up so many years ago. He may not be a family man but he loves his sister and her children.
When tragedy strikes, they are all heartbroken and lost. The playboy is now a single dad. Culture shock! And the cruelty of the words thrown between Ian and London both cut deep and exhaust. They are forced into close proximity for the sake of providing a stable environment for three devastated kids. This tenuous new relationship suddenly opens doors that were closed for almost two decades.
Old hurts and insecurities have no place in the here and now of sweet, passionate togetherness. But London and Ian are on a collision course for de ja vu. Imagine when the children are more aware than the adults! Morgan keeps them on their toes and the antics with Chris are reminiscent of the relationship between Ian and Sabrina. . All it takes is just fighting for what you want and the voices of the innocent.
I enjoyed Hold You Close.
A stunning second-chance romance had me under it’s spell from the very first page. A powerful, inspiring, emotionally raw, intense, incredibly sexy, and breathtakingly romantic love story.
Ian is sexy, fiercely protective, loyal, generous. London is beautiful, feisty, loyal, genuine, and strong. They fell in love as teenagers and were torn apart. Tragedy reunites them in a way neither saw coming. They now have no choice but to face their past along with their fears and come to terms with what happened all those years ago. Despite time, that magnetic pull to one another is still forever drawn home. No matter how hard they try to deny it, the hearts wants what it wants. Searching for that missing piece to make them whole and they are powerless to stop the fall. Watching these two fall in love was magical. Their passion still burns just as bright; their connection just as strong. The chemistry is electric and undeniable. How they fight for one another is beautifully breathtaking. The characters are relatable, the storyline is incredibly well-written and flowed seamlessly between these two amazing authors. The twists and turns are a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I could feel everything the characters experienced; the emotions radiated from the pages. The heartfelt moments stole my breath and the heartbreaking ones shattered my soul. A powerful story of love and forgiveness. I simply didn’t want their story to end. I highly recommend reading this book.
STOP EVERYTHING! When you’re obsessed with a book from the first page . That draw , that pull you feel from the characters and the story that you just fall so hard for . That’s me as fast as I wanted to read , I didn’t want it to end . Just wait till you meet IAN …and well trust me SO MUCH I WANT TO SAY!!!.SO IN LOVE WITH THIS. This writing Duo has given us such a beautiful masterpiece of love life and new beginnings! now off to swoon …
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I love Corinne books. First time I read anything by Melanie Harlow. The story line was great, I like it but not really. Too much drama and both of MC so immature (I think). This book highly recommended. But just didn’t work for me
London Parrish is Ian Chase’s little sister’s, Sabrina, best friend. Almost 20 years ago, London was in love with Ian and she thought he felt the same way since he told her but then turned around and broke her heart. Sabrina knows that London loved her brother but that he broke her heart. Ever since then London and Ian “hated” each other even though London and Sabrina remains the best of friends. So when Ian gets a call from London and hears that she is crying and upset, he speeds over to her house when she tells him to come over ASAP. London lives by Ian, their backyards face each other, and she’s watching his nieces and nephew while Sabrina and her husband takes a trip. When Ian gets to London’s he finds out something very tragic has happened and doesn’t know how to deal with things.
Ian ends up becoming the guardian to his three nieces and nephew but doesn’t know what he is doing since he’s a single man and has never been responsible for kids. Ian ends up asking London to help him raise his nieces and nephew and London can’t say no since she loves the kids like her own.
We find out more about what happened between Ian and London almost 20 years ago and finds out what Ian sacrificed so that London gets the things she deserved. As the 2 work together to take care of the kids, their attraction for each other comes back, even though it never really went away but was hidden in their “hatred” for each other.
When London gets the opportunity of a lifetime in her career, she is torn over what she should do. When she tells Ian about the opportunity, Ian surprises her by what he says. Hurt, London decides to do what she has worked so hard for even though she will miss the kids. The kids, on the other hand, tells Ian that he is wrong by not telling London the truth. Ian finally tells London his true feelings and London is thrill to know the truth!
This was such a great story about a second chance at love and to love the other person enough to let them make their own choices instead of trying to make it for them!
This book didn’t totally work for me. I think it was supposed to be entertaining and enjoyable “enemies to lovers” banter but for me it just let me irritated and wanting to yell at the characters to stop acting like children. The bickering/fighting to sudden physical intimacy just didn’t work for me. I think a slower build of them working through their issues would have made more sense and not felt as shallow for me. Anyway, there were things that I liked, but overall, this one wasn’t a win. I am obviously in the minority and I normally love both of these authors and always have and will continue to read whatever they put out, individually or together.
I was so excited to read this book and it didn’t disappoint me. First, the cover is simply beautiful.
Then, we have these characters and I just love them since the first page. I mean, their banter was incredibly well written. You could feel their chemistry and spark.
I admit, sometimes Ian drove me crazy, but I understood him at the end.
The ending and extra scene… I mean <3!!! The icing on the cake.
Can't wait to read more of these two authors together.
5 Stars
Heartbreakingly beautiful, Hold You Close was everything I thought it would be. London has been in love with her best friend’s brother Ian since she was a teenager. After breaking her heart, they developed a love/hate relationship over the next eighteen years so much so they couldn’t hardly be in the same room together without fighting. For me, their banter was eighteen years of foreplay lol. When tragedy strikes and turns both of their worlds upside down, the last thing either of them want to do is lean on the other, but in order to survive, they have to.
I loved London. She’s strong, career oriented and has the best heart. Ian is the typical playboy bedding a different woman every night of the week, but he has a softer side and I understood why he did what he did. Now, almost twenty years later, at times I wanted to punch him in the balls for being a jerk face, but again, he was trying to do the selfless thing.
In typical Corinne Michaels fashion, I was in tears right off the bat. But this story, even though predictable at times, is a beautiful story of two people in love who are torn apart and desperately trying to hate each other to cover the love they still hold for the other. It’s heartbreaking one minute, heartwarming the next and a whole lot of funny and beautiful in between.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
4.5 Stars
Hold You Close is both a heartwarming and heartbreaking read of family, love and loss. Full of emotion and heart, heat and humor this angst ridden second chance romance is a not only captivating but entertaining.
Ian Chase is bold, sexy, arrogant, yet also playful, charming and sweet. This successful business owner has some definite playboy tendencies, and certainly enjoys the benefits that come with being a night club owner. At times his reluctance to share his feelings can be quite frustrating.
London Parish has a complicated history with Ian, and a love/hate relationship with her best friends older brother. Whilst she’s smart, driven, hard working, sensible and strong, she also has a compassionate, caring and loving side.
I loved the banter between London and Ian that has a simmering undercurrent of animosity. Their bickering is quite flirtatious, yet relatable as they navigate the struggles of everyday life with a house full of children. The chemistry this pair share is undeniable, and I loved the moments that moved me to tears, whilst other snippets had me laughing out loud.
Whilst having not read any of Melanie Harlow’s work before I love all of Corrine Michaels books and Hold You Close was no exception. This writing duo is a match made in heaven as far as I’m concerned and I hope that we see more collaborations from them in the future.
This book was addicting! I mean, from beginning to end it was just one of those books that you just couldn’t put down.
London has been in love with her best friend’s brother for like EVER. And when he finally pays attention to her and takes her to prom, he basically just made her dreams come true, but then the day after he completely shatters her heart. She may not understand why and when he tried to explain to her years later why he did what he did, she wouldn’t give him the time of day.
When tragedy strikes and London and Ian have to come together to care for his sister’s kids, they clash. They argue all the time and agree to disagree on everything that involves the children. But that chemistry is still simmering between them. It’s inevitable and they eventually act up on their feelings. London has never stopped loving Ian and Ian has always harbored his love for her in his heart, but couldn’t tell her because she wouldn’t talk to him.
But as they become close once again and they start sharing future plans, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime and Ian closes off again. Will Ian be satisfied with London staying home with him and the kids and make a future with them or should he push her to take that promotion and move away?
This book was so damn fascinating. I wanted to kill Ian at first for what he did to London but when he explained why he did what he did, I understood him. My heart ached for him because he went so many years loving this woman and couldn’t have her. It really sucks to have unrequited love, or so that’s what it seemed like it was but it was just two stubborn people who wouldn’t listen to each other. If they had, they could have been together so much sooner.
But this is a top freaking read guys, I mean you’ll fall in love with Ian and London in a heartbeat.
I knew I had to read Hold You Close the minute I saw this gorgeous cover and read the blurb. I’ve only read one of Corinne’s books previously and Melanie is a new-to-me author, but it was still a must read for me based on the cover and blurb alone. The other book of Corinne’s I’d read was emotional, but not overly so, so I was anticipating the feels. And boy did I get them. ALL of them.
I talk about books being unputdownable rather frequently, but Hold You Close was totally that. And I mean it literally, too. It sucked me in from the very first page and I couldn’t even pull myself off the couch to throw dinner in the crock pot because I didn’t want to stop reading for even that long. So, when I say I read it in one sitting, I mean it. (I even had to order dinner for delivery because I failed to properly adult while reading it.) Do I regret it? Not even one little bit. Ian and London’s story was one that just begged to be read and I couldn’t say no. It wasn’t the easiest read at times and I really struggled with Ian’s character for awhile, but I loved how everything eventually came together in this book. Of course, my heart was broken by the situation that acted as the catalyst for Ian and London’s journey, but the story was so, so very good.
Hold You Close gave me so damn many feels while I was reading. I loved London. I felt like I really understood her. As I said above, I did have some issues with Ian but I think being able to see things from his POV helped a bit. That showed me he really wasn’t the jerk he came off as and, while misguided, his heart was actually in the right place when it came to London. They weren’t perfect. They pushed each other’s buttons and made mistakes, but when it came to the kids they were all in. It was kinda beautiful to see them united in the face of tragedy. Of course, I hate that it took the deaths of Ian’s sister/London’s best friend and her husband to make it all happen. But at least something hopeful came out of it. It was quite the journey and I was there for every single minute of it — good, bad and ugly.
FAVORITE QUOTES
This is what we are. We fight. Claw, scratch, and tear each other apart. He’s an asshole and I’m a bitch. We bring out the worst in each other.
My emotions with Ian are a rubber band in so many ways. I’d stretch and stretch until I’m at the point of snapping, but if I eased the tension, I’d go right back to my original form.
I love her more than anything, I’m just not going to be the reason she gives things up. I want to be the one that brings things to her life.