Re-Released FE/2019An explosive friendship escalates into a complicated love.I found Makayla that night.Her bruised, battered body and crushed spirit cut my heart to pieces.The blackest, most sinful part of me, ached to destroy the sick coward. To end his life and have payback for his brutal attack on her.I made an oath that night.Our undeniable bond survived, but the months have divided us and … survived, but the months have divided us and pushed our fragments so far apart.
I can’t have Makayla and risk my friendship with her brother. But I want her… I need her.
Something buried inside me knows that she belongs to me, that she is mine.
I made Makayla a promise. But she fights against it with determined stubbornness. I could drop to my knees and beg. Sometimes I want to, but I can’t.
The glimpse of disrespect in her eyes… it would break me.
I know our shattered pieces will fit together perfectly, will she?
Can she see past the scars and over her walls, that I stand right before her, waiting?
Friends to Lovers, that come together in an explosive, turbulent storm of lustful passion and complicated love, meant to be.
Only For Makayla is a stand-alone title.
18+ Contains mature sexual content and strong language)
*(attempted sexual assault)*
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Tortured heroes? Complicated family situations? This slow-burn romance was a delicious read. Makayla is assaulted. Fortunately, Raf Pallindino, her brother’s best friend, hears and gets there in time before things go too far. The book picks up nearly a year later, after Makayla has had time to heal. The chemistry between Raf and Makayla is intense and it’s obvious from the first time they’re together on the page they fit even if circumstances are currently against them. There’s an age difference, and a definite protector vibe throughout the book that is steamy and delicious. The problem? In addition to Makayla’s recovery from her trauma, she’s new to relationships and Raf has a colorful dating past—which makes him not the idea candidate for a boyfriend as far as Gavin is concerned (her brother, his best friend.) There’s plenty of brother drama in this one (particularly between Raf and his brother Ric—some of my favorite scenes) as well as some HAWT steamy scenes as Raf and Makayla finally let down their defenses and admit they’re falling for each other. Of course, things don’t go entirely smoothly. Raf has his past to contend with, to decide if he’ll open himself up to being with her… and Makayla has to decide if she can deal with a man who has a history. I gobbled this up in an afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed!
What a book to be introduced to a new author (for me)! Wow, this book is extremely well written and does feature an event that could be a trigger for some people. The main female character, Makayla is sexually assaulted and nearly raped. She obviously needs time to heal from this traumatic event and the story tells us about this time. She has some wonderful friends and one in particular, the one who saved her. The author does a wonderful job of taking the reader through a slew of emotions of fear and stubbornness to love and self-worth. I wasn’t able to put this book down once I started reading it, not till I reached the end and then I took a deep breath and thought “wow” to myself as I went to get a coffee!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ONE FANTASTIC JOURNEY
Intense! Melanie just dropped the bomb and lowered the boom with this heartfelt, compelling and enthralling piece of perfection, hooking you from the start and reeling you in for the duration, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. Chicanery escapades and havoc run amuck, noting the explosive ups and agonizing downs, breathless in its strength and beautiful in it’s depth, catapulting this baby to staggering heights. Sparks ignite as daunting drama, riveting intrigue, churning turmoil, brutal assault, escalating suspense and intense situations along with a boatload of unfolding revelations, blasting this baby to life brilliantly. The characters, banter, dialogue, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow adding depth and diversity, transforming into outstanding personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Melanie, thanks for sharing this amazing thrill with us.
First and foremost the story might cause triggers because the first scene is gripping, but hard to read if you have gone through or have had anyone close go through any attempted sexual abuse or any abuse, this will be tense. Makayla is a fighter however for being so tiny and the guy being bigger and drunk. Even when her logic was telling her that even yelling no one would hear her in the apartment do to the way the apartments are built. That everyone was out for the New Years Eve celebration, she still fought.
Yet, that one blood curdling scream is what woke up Raf who had left the party early because Makayla had gone do to her disappointment in him she being with another woman so she never had a chance again. He thought she left with Brad. Even though he had been dreaming about her he knew that the scream was no dream, none. That was not from any dream he ever had about her before. When he runs to check he starts beating the poop out of Brad. Then, he attends to Makayla.
What an opening to say the least. It was intense and fast moving from then out. The apartment setting for which Raf, his best friend Gavin, Gavin’s sister Makayla, and Travis her gay best friend is a warehouse the guys converted. With office space for their business is on the first floor. And rental appointments between on the second. Then, this story continues with brotherly love and rivalry in no short supply, all the males in the apartment being overprotective of Makayla, there is the love story playing out for each other that neither wants to admit to first between Raf and Makayla. Then, Travis with is wonderful spirit, humor, wisdom on life and Makayla, to love advice.
But, the humor that filters throughout this story is extremely funny too. This is a page turner for sure. So worth the read didn’t want to put it down once I started. Received this during July-Aug. book giveaway.
I really enjoyed this read from the start. Makayla and Raf’s story is great. It’s full of ups and downs, arguments, stubborness, and tragedies, like all great love stories. It’s a really great read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this book. Really good plot to the story. Very well written. Would highly recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of stories. Can’t wait to read more from this author. Fast paced to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I liked this story. At times it got confusing because of the editing but it was an ARC so it could have been it wasn’t finished yet. However, it wasn’t hard to follow the story. I got invested in Raf and Makayla. Makayla’s assault was gut wrenching but I was so glad Raf was there. Both are stubborn and afraid of what the other would do and of rejection. I am glad they finally got past that and Makayla finally realized her worth and gave Raf a chance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this sweet, romantic story between Raf and Makayla. A bit of a forbidden bent in the beginning as Raf was Makayla’s older brother’s best friend.
Always connected, and temporary roommates, Makayla had been attracted to Raf for years.
A tragic near especially experience shattered her calm and with Raf saving her from her abuser, they were both emotionally scarred from the experience. Palpable chemistry and sweetly obsessive scenes.
A bit of lamebrained, boneheaded reactions from Raf that set their relationship back, but I loved the way Raf perseveres in his own macho but bumbling way.
Super romantic and sweet with zero cheating and a very satisfying HEA for this well matched couple!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Makayla lives in a apt with her best friend Travis, her brother Gavin and his best friend Raf.
Ne night after a date when the. Guys are out Makayla is assulted and almost raped but is saved by Raf.
The story focuses on after the major healing about 8 months later.
This is a story of friendship, family and all that goes with life. You will cry, laugh, be frustrated and just want to shake the characters at times, but you will not be bored.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
FOR ME, IT WAS JUST OKAY…
ONLY FOR MAKAYLA was the first book I’ve read by Melanie Bennett, and it started off pretty well….The story premise was good….and would probably have been better for me, but I felt absolutely no chemistry between the primary characters, Raf and Makayla….From other reviews, I know I am in the minority, but every book isn’t for every person, so I’ll just admit, this one wasn’t for me…….