A wallflower gets seduction tips from a playboy athlete—until love changes the rules.
Socially awkward Joellen Bixby has a date every Saturday—with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and fantasies of the way-too-handsome Michael Maddox. She’d give anything to win over the unattainable CEO of her firm, but how can she when she blends in so well with her cubicle? The answer may be closer than she … closer than she thinks.
Cameron McGregor is a cocky, tattooed Scottish rugby captain who just moved in next door. He’s not Jo’s type—at all—but the notorious playboy is offering to teach the wallflower everything he knows about inspiring desire. Though a lot of women have rumpled Cam’s kilt, Jo is special. Far from the ugly duckling she thinks she is, in Cam’s eyes she’s sharp, funny, and effortlessly sexy. Now, thanks to him, Jo is blooming with confidence and has the man of her dreams within reach.
Unfortunately for Cam, he’s just helped to push the woman of his dreams into the arms of another man—and now he’s in the fight of his life to keep this beauty from getting away.
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Joellen Bixby has been in love with her boss for ten years. He’s handsome and polished, perfect and unattainable since he is married. But, a girl can wish! And besides, Joellen is much more comfortable sitting at home with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and the occasional dinner date with her eccentric neighbor, Mrs. Dinwiddle.
Cameron McGregor, Scottish rugby player and tattooed bad boy just also happens to be Joellen’s temporary new neighbor. He’s loud and cocky and definitely not her type, but she can’t seem to get him out of her thoughts . . . or her apartment as he always shows up for a home cooked meal. In exchange, Cam’s offered to help Joellen land the man of her dreams, not that her boss is divorcing his wife.
There’s just one little problem. Cam doesn’t see Joellen as she sees herself. While Jo knows she is overweight and boring, Cam sees her as smart, sexy, funny and absolutely perfect for him. While he’s promised to help Joellen win over her boss, he really wants her to see herself for who she is . . . and to fall for him.
Joellen’s now faced with a dilemma she never could have imagined. Smooth and polished Michael or rugged and sexy Cameron . . . what’s a girl to do?
Melt for You was one of the best slow burn romances I have ever read. I easily identified with Joellen, as I think most women have felt like her at some point in their lives. She’s sharp and witty, yet completely socially awkward and in love with a man that has no idea who she really is. But, from the moment Cameron enters her life, her self confidence begins to grow and this ugly duckling truly begins to blossom without her even realizing it.
Cameron doesn’t seem like boyfriend material at first. He comes off as cocky and arrogant – a real player just like the media portrays him. But, we soon see him letting his guard down and it’s amazing. There’s so much more to the man than his image and I loved every second learning about him. He’s such an honest individual and everyone except for Joellen can see just how much he really cares for her . . .just as she is, without wanting her to change to please anyone but herself.
Their slow burn of a romance is gorgeous as they are both tortured by the other’s actions. Cam knows he wants Joellen, but doesn’t really come right out and say it, which confuses the socially awkward Jo. Joellen finally has a chance at everything she thought she has wanted for ten years, but now a different man seems to be invading her thoughts. The amount of angst is perfect as these two dance around each other before finally colliding and bursting into flames.
But, a happy ending isn’t guaranteed as they literally live worlds apart in more ways than one.. I don’t think I’ve rooted for a guy to get the girl as hard as I did for Cam for a long time. Snuggle up with some ice cream and sit back fro some amazing banter between this witty couple and keep your fingers crossed for the right guy to end up on top! 5 stars!
Amazing read…I think I’m developing a huge love for slow burn romance – I kinda hate myself it would seem. To get to the first kiss was such a torture but it was so good that i didn’t even care by the time we got to that.
This one was one of the best slow burns I have read. Cam and Joellen were so great together – I loved everything about them. From the way he kept helping her to the way she just didn’t see what was in front of there. And to say that she was clueless is an understatement of the year. I loved how he kept encouraging her: »Just don’t forget who you are. Don’t forget what you are Joellen: not for anyone.« and when she doubted that she wasn’t “good” enough for him: »You’re not a crutch to me, Joellen. You’re a gift.« Talk about charming Scotsman – dear God in heaven I wish I could find a man like that – I’d divorce my husband in a heartbeat. DO NOT tell him I wrote that 🙂
First book by the author and I’m so in love – she found a repeat reader in me.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Gah!! This story was just amazing!! I absolutely lovee Ugly Duckling/Swan stories and boy was this a hit. Combine it with RUGBY and OMG I am in swoony heaven. Cam and Joellen were so funny and sexy and their banter was just fantastic. I might actually have a small (READ: HUGE) crush on Cam and his honesty and passion for all things Joellen!
This novel hit me right up in the feels folks. I love that the author didn’t give us a perfect heroine. She was REAL and human with doubts and securities and 1000% relatable. She had self confidence issues about her appearance and her worth to others. But Cam. Man do I love that Hot AF r
Rugby badboy. He was laugh out loud funny and just so goddamn sexy. He SAW the beauty that Joellen was inside and out and refused to let HER or anyone else belittle her. He is one of my favorite J.T. Geissinger heroes to date.
While I loved this story and Cam and Joellen’s banter and steamy moments, on a purely selfish level, l found that I missed the dual perspective narrative in the story. I would have done ANYTHING to get into that gorgeous Scotsman’s head to see him tick and to see his emotions and feelings for Joellen. All in all however, this was amazing and highly enjoyable and another favorite of mine from this author. I can’t wait for more!! Bravo! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula
***5 ‘Mountain’ Stars***
I’ve found that many of Ms. Geissinger’s books take me on a major emotional rollercoaster, which I’m not complaining about in anyway because that is always a good thing when it comes to a book, but this one…this one was a category 5 hurricane settled over me the entire time I was devouring the words. I think the term ‘All the feels’ is an understatement, a huge one because I felt them all and then some, but even with the huge emotional upheaval I’m sitting here typing this out with a big dopey smile on my face, because regardless of emotional hurricane, it was kind of everything.
Joellen I wanted to hug and Gibbs smack in equal measure. There were so many times I was like “Don’t go there…don’t go…*Big heavy sigh* You went there” but I also got her. I mean like deep down, I could pretty much predict what she was going to think kind of GOT her. It was scary, but it was real. And when I wasn’t sighing in frustration, I loved her sass and snark and just how golden her heart was.
Cameron drove me batshit crazy. He did. I had so many “seriously” moments with this man it was nuts BUT I couldn’t help but adore him. The goodness in this man mixed with a heavy dose of tenacity that would make a pitbull proud.
These two drove me batshit crazy in equal measure. I don’t think there are many couples in romancelandia who I can say I was equally divided about while experiencing their journey with them, but I know Cameron and Joellen aren’t the first. There were so many times I wanted to reach through the Kindle and shake them, hug them…Gibbs smack them, but I coudn’t and had to sit back and wait for them to actually go there finally. But what they put each other through was funny, frustrating, sweet and smexy and in the end they truly got the HEA they so richly deserved because they ended up being exactly what the other never realized they needed.
I’m sure you get it by now that I adored the book and am a fangirl, so we’ll it at that. The secondary characters were a definite mixed bag. I honestly did like most of them, but I do have lots of love for Mr. Bingley & Mrs. Dinwiddle and possibly Portia…kind of sort of…you’ll see when you read it. And you really should read this one. It’s got it all and will leave you with a huge smile on your face in the end.
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~
4.5 Stars for Melt for You by J.T. Geissinger
This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last, I fell head over hills for Cameron McGregor who happens to be a tattooed Scottish rugby player with a killer sense of humour.
Cameron is spending the off season at a cousin’s Manhattan apartment which happens to be across the hall from Joellen Bixby’s apartment, his love of loud rap music draws her attention if fact it makes her so mad she decides to have it out with him, what she doesn’t expect is a hot, tattooed guy in a kilt to open the door to her…..
The attraction between Cameron and Joellen is instant, the chemistry is sizzling but he is extremely hot and confident and she sees herself as overweigh and clumsy, can Cameron make her see the woman he sees when he looks at Joellen. This book is the perfect mix of romance and humour, it has some hilarious laugh out loud moments as well as some very tender times, it’s also about someone learning to love themselves as well as learning sometimes the person we don’t see is the person who is right for us. I loved the characters and I loved the banter and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.
4 Star Review Melt For You (Slow Burn #2) by J.T. Geissinger
What’s not to like about Cameron McGregor a cocky, tattooed Scottish rugby captain moving into the house next door?
J.T. Geissinger is a new author to me and I found her writing to be strong and compelling.
Shy and not comfortable around men Joellen Bixby lusts after her company CEO Michael Maddox. However she is totally clueless about how to go after who she wants.
Cam volunteers to give her some ideas and as she slowly blossoms under his guidance, Cam realises that he may have made a mistake.
Cam sees beneath the surface and is attracted to Jo who is totally blind to his attraction to her. Jo’s confidence grows in leaps and bounds, Cam only becomes more invested and falls deeper for Jo.
Will Jo see that Cam could be the man of her dreams or will Cam lose Jo before he even gets a chance with her?
The banter between Cam and Jo had me in stitches, such was the humour. Mind you it took a while for the tension between the two to abate.
Cameron McGregor is such a great character, not only was it a riot but he was caring and truly wanted to help Jo.
Jo had many insecurities not only with body issues but her self esteem was so low it was almost non existent.
These subjects were handled well and I liked how the author portrayed both Cam and Jo, particularly in regards to these issues.
All in all Melt For You was a good romantic read which I enjoyed.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book through NetGalley from the publisher.