Hold You Close

Being as obsessed with Corinne and Melanie as I am, I was ECSTATIC to find out about this co-write. And when the queen of sweet and classy teams up with the queen of ugly crying and second chance, you know it’s gonna be a good one. Ian Chase and London Parish grew up together, with London being Ian’s little sister’s best friend. Making her fantasies come true, Ian and London finally get together her senior year of high school. He breaks her heart and she never knows why, she just knows she hates him for it. Years later, they are still in each other’s lives, tied together by their godchildren they share with Ian’s sister. When tragedy strikes, everyone must put their differences aside and focus on what is most important: the kids. But fighting their smoking hot chemistry and incredibly strong sexual tension, Ian and London maneuver their new lives. When they are faced with another major life change, will they let their hearts speak for once? I was certain I could pinpoint which author wrote a certain part, but you really can’t tell who wrote what, which makes for a fantastic read. Two very different writing styles, one incredible story!

“Love makes you sacrifice no matter the consequences” – author unknown 5 stars A must read!!
This was a great duo with fantastic writing skills. Melanie and Corinne this was as heart wrenching to read but it was brilliantly written. Hold You Close is a heart warming story with many sad aspects that brings together two people who love to hate each other for mistakes made in the past. You will fall in love with London and eventually Ian after you understand him and you’ll love the kids that bring them back together.
Ian thought he was doing the right thing by not letting London give up everything for him. Ian broke London’s heart and she never truly felt that kind of love again because the heartbreak hardened her heart. Two decades later they are thrown together by tragedy of losing their best friend Sabrina (London’s bestie and Ian’s sister). Will Sabrina’s last wishes finally have London and Ian finding that they love each other or will the past repeat itself?
The writing you two bought to this story flows with every word. You had me hating Ian in the beginning but as I read it all became clear. There are tears of joy and tears of pain so bring the tissues. I couldn’t put it down! The push and pull angst building will eventually explode like a volcano. The writing chemistry you two have I can see more from you two and will be waiting to read it. Melanie you are a first for me and I loved your skills and Corinne this is my second read from you, and you ladies didn’t disappoint.
***Reviewed for Sweet & Spicy Reads, ARC provided in return for an honest review***

Hold You Close is a second chance standalone romance by two incredible authors. Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow have been added to my list of fantastic duos! Separately these ladies bring the feels, but together it was absolute magic.
Ian and London have a past. One that didn’t end well and has caused their relationship to be full of a lot of hate and animosity. Too bad they live across the backyard and she gets to watch his carefree lifestyle play out before her eyes. When tragedy strikes Ian and London have to learn to work together to raise his nieces and nephew. It’s yelling, screaming and fighting from the get go. That line between hate and love is so fine that it quickly morphs into flirting, innuendo and a few hot as he** kisses. London never stopped loving Ian but it was easier to hate than admit her feelings. Ian never stopped loving London, but it’s more fun to annoy her. Can these stop fighting long enough to get to the good stuff? Will they be honest with each other before they lose each other for good? I loved this story! The fighting was so fantastic. They both equally yelled and screamed and didn’t hold back. It was the best form of foreplay I’ve ever read! I was cheering for London while raging mad at Ian. And then I was cheering for Ian and wanted to b slap London. Ian was perfection because he knew he was an a**hole! He knew everything he was doing and knew it was wrong but just couldn’t stop himself. London was a crazy b and let her emotions get the better of her, but she knew she was doing it. Even amongst the fighting and insult throwing, they were also sympathetic and caring. It was a crazy a** ride and I loved every word, every second, every fight, and every touch. Christopher, Morgan and Ruby were fantastic kids with awesome personalities. And they were very insightful! Overall, I laughed, cried, got hot and bothered, got mad, was on the edge of my seat and cheered!

“Only you could be a dick and a gentleman at the same time.”

“The next time I kiss you, London Parish, it’s be because you beg me to.”

London represents everything I’ve ever wanted but didn’t deserve.

“Good. Can I get you a glass of wine?
“What does this expression say?”
“Ian Chase is a fucking god amongst men.”
“Good Lord, your ego is massive.”
“Almost as big as my – ”

“Yes, but then I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get told what to do, and I just love that.”
“I hate you.”
“You only wish you did, baby.”
Then the jerkface slaps my ass.

This is a friends-to-lovers, then an enemies-to-lovers, second chance story. Emphasis on enemies to lovers, because almost all this couple does in the story is fight. All the bickering made me uncomfortable, because they aimed to hurt and were successful. The story is passionate, full of anger and regrets and unrequited love. There are also three precious children in need of love and attention and this couple take aside their arguments to tend to them, giving them a continuation of the loving home they lost.

London and Ian have know each other since children. London is his little sister’s best friend, and they were both a thorn on his side since then, following him around. Eventually, their friendship turned to love and London and Ian had a moment together on the night of London’s senior prom. Then next day Ian behaved like nothing had happened, breaking her heart and causing London to attend a University far away. She never forgave Ian for this, and from that day onward, they were enemies.

When a tragedy causes them to take custody of three children, they need to take aside their differences and comfort the children, give them stability and love. However, the bickering continued, and the miscommunications were frequent.

London didn’t know that their breakup was because Ian didn’t want her to give up her plans to accept the scholarship to Northwestern University, a great opportunity for her career plans. This sacrifice broke both their hearts and when he tried to explain, she would not listen, so they spent fourteen years apart and as enemies.

Deep down they still loved each other, and the concern for the little ones worked to assuage the anger, bring up the regret, and work up the lust and the love. I felt for them when they despaired from their unrequited love, and the hopelessness, but at the same time, I wanted to bang their heads for not being able to communicate instead of fighting.

I loved each character individually and how loving they were with the children. With each other they had an explosive chemistry and a battle stance, that many times drew blood. Even so, there were many tender and funny moments where Ian showed his crazy side and entertained us. The kids were a riot once they got over their mourning. Ian’s initial efforts at parenting were comical and at times hysterical. The writing and the pacing were excellent, the loving was hot when it happened, contentious when it wasn’t happening, and an all around family chaos. It was entertaining, but I felt it lacked some background information. We don’t get to learn much about Ian’s marriage and subsequent divorce, and I didn’t love that London is portrayed as a single woman on the way to spinsterhood.

Hold you close is an exceptional book. The writing is perfection and the storyline heartbreaking, funny and hopeful. A decision made in youth cost them both. London and Ian hate each other. Now a tragedy has brought them together and they begin to heal. Not all is well when faced with another life changing decision….
I would encourage everyone to read it with wine, tissues and something you can throw lol

I’ve been eagerly anticipating this book, as I devour everything Corinne Michaels writes as soon as it’s published. I don’t know if I built Hold You Close up too much in my mind and it didn’t meet my lofty expectations or what, but it just didn’t do it for me. It was an okay story, but I found it overly predictable and lacking the depth of emotion I expect from Ms. Michaels, I can’t comment on the quality of the story regarding Ms. Harlow’s body of work as I haven’t read anything by her before this.

The first few chapters of Hold You Close were the high point of the story, for me. It was breathtaking and emotions ran high, as I anticipated from Corinne Michaels, but then we never reached that emotional high again in the book. Having the emotional crescendo that early in the novel felt like a mistake because there was no way to make the climax of the book compare to it.

I had a ton of issues with the main characters. Neither of them was very sympathetic. I wanted to love both of them for different reasons, but both London and Ian kept acting like insolent teenagers rather than thirty-something, successful adults. They couldn’t have a conversation about anything without resorting to insults and name-calling, they continually belittled one another, and I had a hard time seeing how they were putting the kids before their own issues. When they finally did connect in a meaningful way there was no transition from adversaries to lovers; it felt abrupt and unlikely at that point in their relationship.

Mostly, I felt like this book was missing huge chunks of story. We got several scenes of London and Ian at each other’s throats, a handful of sex scenes, some scenes where they seemed to really love one another, but NOTHING that showed them healing from the pains and mistakes of their past, the loss of Ian’s sister, or all the hatred they’d spewed at each other for years. I’m a person who needs to see the healing journey of the characters, not just have everything glossed over with a few pretty words, and I missed that in Hold You Close.

I felt like Hold You Close had a ton of potential but just missed the mark. Had the authors focused more on bringing the characters together and giving them a rewarding healing arc, I would have absolutely loved this book. Instead, we got too much fighting for me to see them having a healthy relationship. I get that this book was a second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance, but there was too much focus on them being enemies for me to buy into their becoming lovers.

I am usually there for every single writing duo I can get my hands on but judging from this book I’m unsure if the pair of Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow is going to work for me. The story felt watered down from what I’ve come to expect from Ms. Michaels, and I’m unsure if it was because of the collaboration or if it was just that the concept itself didn’t work for me. I will likely try more of their work, should I have the opportunity, because I love Ms. Michaels’ work so much to see if this was a fluke.

5 Their Second Chance Is Everything Stars!!!!

I’ve been looking forward to this book since the minute I heard Ms. Michaels and Ms. Harlow were writing together. And let me tell you the wait was worth it. This book is pure perfection!!! There’s such and ease and flow with the words there’s no way to tell who wrote which chapters. This to me is what makes a co-authored book an amazing read. Through in a story that touches my soul and I’m a goner!!!

Ian and London experienced a very important first a long time ago and then he broke her heart and it was literally downhill from there. Until the night their lives are changed forever. Yes, I cried because both of these authors can convey so many emotions with their words. I felt the heartache and the frustration and the shock of what happens when they get the news.

Watching them having to “co-parent” these kids sometimes was quite hilarious….like when Ian has to “clean up” his spare bedrooms from all his extra-curricular activities…read the book you’ll get a chuckle too!! I loved how they loved these kids though and through them they found their own love again.

It’s truly an amazing story and I for one would love to see Ms. Michaels and Ms. Harlow team up again!!!

Sizzle, simmer swoon

Authors Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow have written a seamless, flowing masterpiece. The story flows like a river…it takes unexpected turns, has some turbulent times, crashes over rocks, runs hot and cold,; but most of all glistens in the sunlight! I can’t tell where one author’s words begin and end or the others weave in and out. The transitions are undetectable and the story is delectable!

London had a crush on her best friend’s older brother Ian. The three of them were friends. One night led to all of her wishes and dreams coming true and the next day ended in heartbreak. Was everything what it seemed? Did more than one heart get broken?

Almost twenty years later tragedy strikes and Ian and London have to put their hatred aside and step up to help three children. Can they move past their anger? I don’t want to spoil the story for you. It is truly beautiful!

Congratulations to these two authors on a beautifully written second chance romance. It is seamless, intricately woven and a story that I will hold in my heart!

Looking for an epically written co write? This would be it. This story is written so flawlessly you can’t tell who wrote what part.

The story line is a heart wrenching yet heart warming twist. It gets you all in your feelings and wanting more. The characters are so easy to love especially Ruby! She’s so adorable and hard to resist.

Ian chase while super frustrating, he’s so dang charming you’ll be falling fast for that man. He’s really the best and the banter between London and him will have you laughing endlessly.

London is a strong female lead which makes her easy to love and relate to. The two of them together are definitely a power couple and have you rooting for them. Through the ups and downs of their story they seem to just come out stronger and better.

This story will stick with me for a long time to come.

Best of Both Worlds with Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow!!

Wow, Hold You Close by Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow makes you think about what would you do or sacrifice for the person you love.

We start out with Ian and London back when they were young. London and Sabrina became best friends when they were children. Sabrina being Ian’s little sister. Ian and London fell in love but then you see how one decision can change the course of your future. Fast forward many years and Ian and London are like on opposite sides of a battle field. London’s heart was completely broken and she simply puts up walls so there will be no chance of anyone getting close enough to hurt her again.

When the unexpected happens, Ian and London are thrown together again. Even through the pain and the anguish, you can see the love is still there deep down but the communication is not. This book shows you that in the end you can get your second chance at love.
Along with Ian and London were Sabrina’s kids who brought so much to enjoying this book. At times, you wanted to smack Ian off the back of the head but he finally got himself together.

The co-write of Corinne and Melanie blended so well that I cannot wait for their next collaboration!! There was so many emotions with this story and it drew you in so wonderfully. I would read anything these two authors write. I loved this story.