I was expecting a proposal on my birthday, and I got dumped instead.How could I have been so clueless?Grams knew exactly how to distract me.The gorgeous former Marine next door who’s been helping her with yard work clearly needs a little therapy. Who better to call than her newly single therapist granddaughter?She even fakes dementia to get me to visit, and now that I’m here she’s doing … that I’m here she’s doing everything in her power to throw us together.
Not that I’m complaining. Ryan is the sexiest man I’ve ever met–I mean the full package, from the chiseled jaw to the massive shoulders to the rippling abs. (And yes, his package is full, and he knows exactly how to deliver it.) He makes me want to get out of my head and follow my heart. He makes me want to take chances I never thought I’d take.
He also makes me want to take my clothes off. A lot.
But he’s moody and challenging–one minute he’s an open book, and the next he’s completely closed off. He holds me like he’ll never let go, but insists he wants to be alone.
Some wounds are so deep, only love can heal them.
How can I convince him to let me try?
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What an amazing story about the struggles of a soldier trying to get back into civilian life!
Follow the story of oldest sister, Stella, always makes the safe choice in her men after a rough time in college. When the last one she thinks is going to propose and he breaks up with her on her birthday, she’s had enough. When Grams calls and said she needs her help, Stella re-arranges her work schedule and head up to help her out.
Ryan is just trying to survive. He’s staying at the house next door to Grams to fix it up so the owners can sell it. He also does odd jobs for Grams, and when she mentions her granddaughter coming for a visit and shows him the picture, he’s like wow! He must guard his heart, he’s been through so much, serving two tours over seas. But when he meets Stella, can he keep his guard up or will the therapist in her crack his shell….
Great story written about true life struggles. 5 stars for this one grab it asap!
What an amazing story about the struggles of a soldier trying to get back into civilian life!
Follow the story of oldest sister, Stella, always makes the safe choice in her men after a rough time in college. When the last one she thinks is going to propose and he breaks up with her on her birthday, she’s had enough. When Grams calls and said she needs her help, Stella re-arranges her work schedule and head up to help her out.
Ryan is just trying to survive. He’s staying at the house next door to Grams to fix it up so the owners can sell it. He also does odd jobs for Grams, and when she mentions her granddaughter coming for a visit and shows him the picture, he’s like wow! He must guard his heart, he’s been through so much, serving two tours over seas. But when he meets Stella, can he keep his guard up or will the therapist in her crack his shell….
Great story written about true life struggles. 5 stars for this one grab it asap!
Only Love is Melanie Harlow’s latest book in the One and Only Love series. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. I love how Melanie makes you feel like your best friends with her characters, just sitting down to have some girl time. That is one of many things I love about her writing.
In this story we finally get to see glimpses into Stella’s love life. She the most conservative of the three sisters that we’ve met in previous book. Stella always plays it safe, never going out of her comfort zone to find what falling in love is really like. That is until she meets Ryan, an ex-marine that is carrying the weight of his past on his shoulders. Stella just wants to be the ear that listens, while Ryan want to retreat to his into his lonely world of sadness and memories. But, by far the star in this book is Stella’s sweet, matchmaking ninety-two year old Grams, that is determined to see that these two find their happiness.
I loved this book, these characters, and this writer. If you haven’t check out any books by Melanie I highly recommend checking them out!
Stella and Ryan’s story surpassed my many expectations!! I have been waiting for Stella to find the right man from the time we first met her as Emme’s sister in Only Love. Stella intrigued me from the get go. The oldest of three sisters, she’s a therapist who lives a quiet life with a safe (boring) boyfriend. Her life takes an unexpected turn when said boyfriend dumps her on her birthday.
Ryan is a quiet man who is very much a loner. A former Marine who saw way too many horrors of war who now struggles with how to quiet all the noise crammed in his head. I knew right from the start that these two would be perfect together. And it doesn’t hurt that Stella’s grandmother is a mastermind at matchmaking.
Melanie truly does an incredible job of addressing Ryan’s struggle to rejoin civilian life. The struggles he and his buddies Mack and Bones have are ones I’ve seen many of my friends struggle with when they came home from their tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. And all too often, the VA offers insufficient support to these courageous men and women who put their lives at risk to protect our country.
I was impressed with how Melanie manages to have just the right amount of push and pull between Ryan and Stella. The right amount of angst to make my heart start pumping and my stomach start knotting up. And Grams injects just the right amount of humor with her scheming and angelic deviousness.
It was great seeing Stella’s sisters again. If you haven’t read the first two books in this series about Emme (Only You) and Maren (Only Him) don’t worry, Only Love is a complete standalone and truly the only thing you would be missing out on is the amount of ribbing Stella’s two sisters give her about her boyfriend, Walter. But I seriously recommend reading those two books as well since they introduce us to two other hotties in the Harlow’s Harem of Hot Men! Say that five times fast…
I am going on record as saying this book is my favorite of the three in the series. All three books are equally amazing, but this one touched a very personal spot in my heart with Ryan’s military experience. I know this is a book I will read over and over again!
Because sometimes Only Love can heal.
4,5 stars
This book is a standalone in the One And Only series. This time, we get Stella’s story (the oldest sister) and how love can right the wrongs she received and heal a wounded heart like Ryan’s.
Stella is a shy therapist that not only can listen to people, she can understand them without judging. She is introverted and discreet, and at the same time, she is sweet, caring and nurturing. Despite all that, she has the worst luck on love. That is until Ryan.
Oh, Ryan. A rigid former marine, carrying so many demons and a heavy baggage, a wounded man that learned that the safest way to survive the chaos in his own head is by shutting down his feelings and be numb. A heart can’t be broken if it doesn’t even feel. Well, that is what he used to do, before Stella.
“‘I want you too…and you’re wrong. I do have feelings for you’
‘You do? But – but you told me you don’t. You shut down’
‘I don’t want to shut down with you'”
Stella had her own issues and insecurities. She was struggling with her feelings and how men could be mean to her. She also needed healing. And that is what she found in the few-words-gramma’s-man-next-door.
“This wounded man is healing something in you. Don’t give up on him. Open your heart – you can feel enough for both of you”
Speaking and Grams, oh my, how adorable was that sweet sneaky little minx. She was amazing and brought so much lightness and fun to the story. And I loved that she had her own chapters, she was an active character (waaaaay active lol).
But she wasn’t just playing and matchmaking. She was wise, even if some of her beliefs are different from what we live, she was loving and she did all of those stealthy things out of love.
And some of those things (most of those things) were necessary. Both Ryan and Stella needed some push in the right direction, they needed to learn the way toward each other, either by walking voluntarily, either by being pushed, and even by falling.
“‘All I’ve done is try to turn this s*** off and forget about her. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, it’s like I’m sick or something. Or trapped. I can’t move’
‘They don’t call it falling for nothing'”
It’s true they had some battles to overcome, and being willing to trust and be opened to one another was one of them. But they were also brave enough to do that for love.
“You said that trusting someone takes bravery…Be brave for me, Stella. Please?”
Both of them have issues to deal with, both of them have emotional battles to fight, some heavier than others, but both of them started healing each other by all the things love entails: companionship, understanding, respect, care. To sum up, only love, though all those things, was able to heal them both.
5 star Review Only Love (One and Only #3) by Melanie Harlow
Where do I start with Only Love? I guess the first thing is to say that I was totally riveted from the first to the last chapter. Melanie Harlow has a great writing style which I thoroughly enjoy. What does one do when instead of being proposed to on your birthday, you are dumped? That is the position that therapist Stella Devine finds herself in.
You’ve heard of a fairy godmother, well in Stella’s case she has a fairy grandmother who decides to play matchmaker and set her up with her neighbour Ryan Woods.
Grandma Ruthie is such a great character, that she had me in stitches at times. I loved how she would do anything for Stella, even using her “ailing” health to manipulate Stella, all for the great good.
Ryan is a wounded marine, trying to comes to terms with life and the fact that his wife left him when her returned from his tour.
This book had gave me all the feels. It was sweet, spicy, funny and romantic. tugging at the heart strings so much, all in all a tremendous read that left me with such a smile on my face that I was disappointed when it ended.
Melanie Harlow’s characters came to life and were so easy to relate to that it made reading Only Love a true joy.
If there is an author that can do a classic romance, it’s Melanie Harlow. I’m pretty sure I covered a slew of emotions while taking this beautiful journey with Ryan and Stella. I don’t regret one moment with them, despite my up and down mood swings! I was happy, sad, frustrated and still giggled like a school girl.
Ryan is a stubborn, yet thoughtful man. This is evident in the way he treats Stella’s Grams, who lives next door to Ryan. He keeps to himself and doesn’t ask for anything in return. He’s set on living a solitary life, insisting that being alone is his destiny. Well, Grams has other plans for this quiet, unassuming man. Little does he know she’s about to turn his life upside down.
Stella lives a “safe” life. She’s not much of a risk taker and taking chances is not her style. Stella is sure she knows where her life is headed until the rug is pulled out for underneath her. She wants to feel vibrant and live a full life, but isn’t sure what that picture looks like anymore.
In comes Grams. Wow, she is a breath of fresh air and funny as all get out! Stella’s over the top Grandmother has a plan in mind and she’s sticking to it; playing matchmaker to Ryan and Stella is priority #1 for her. Ryan and Stella try to deny their attraction to one another, but the more they try to pull away from one another, the more Grams pushes them together. The scenarios and interactions between them are laugh out loud funny and only adds to the ever-growing heat Ryan and Stella have. I loved watching Stella come out of her comfort zone, at the same time Ryan’s walls started to crumble and his heart started to thaw.
There was true passion, emotion and complexity in their journey and Melanie displays that powerfully in this heartwarming romance. You will be rooting for Ryan and Stella the moment Grams starts meddling in their lives. Melanie doesn’t disappoint and as usual, I leave her world with a warm heart and a smile on my face
* A review copy was provided by the author for the Blog Tour *
Only Love was another phenomenal read by Melanie Harlow. This book was filled with so much emotion, my heart was all over the place!!
This story is a story about finding love and taking chances.
Only Love is the third and final standalone novel in Melanie’s One and Only Series. Each of these books are AMAZING and should be read. I loved how each of the books are complete standalone novels but we get to see past characters in the stories. This book is told in Dual POV. I thought the pace and flow of this story worked well for these characters and the journey they needed to take. As I have said before…all these books can be read as standalones, but I would recommend reading them in order. You get to appreciate each of the sisters better that way.
In this story we follow Stella and Ryan’s story. Stella is the oldest sister of the three. She leads kind of a boring life….safe would be a better word. So when her boyfriend asks her out to a fancy dinner, she thinks it is going to go one way and he shocks her by going completely the other way. Leaving her heartbroken on her birthday. That is why when her Grams calls and asks her to come up for a visit to help her for a week, she does it. Little did she know what her Grams had up her sleeve 😉 This is where she meets Ryan. Ryan is an ex Marine and lives next to Stella’s Grams. He lives a sheltered life, still reeling from having to adjust to civilian life after he leaves the Marines. Can Stella help Ryan break out of his shell and open up?? Will Stella get over her trust and self esteem issues?? Can they get their HEA?? Read this book to find out.
I truly enjoyed seeing more of Emme and Nate and getting more snippets into their relationship. I loved the important part Emme played in Stella’s story. I wish we would’ve see more of Maren and Dallas, but she lives so far away, it was tough bringing her into this storyline. Although I absolutely love the bond these sisters have. Melanie writes these sisters in a way that you feel a part of their family. Grams also stole my heart in this book!! I loved meeting some new characters in this book, that I am hoping will get their own story in the future.
I would definitely recommend this book/series to all romance readers. If you love a story and characters that you can get swept up in, then this is a book you WILL WANT to read!!!
Only Love by Melanie Harlow is the third book in the One and Only Series, can be read as a stand-a-lone and tells the story of Stella and Ryan.
Stella is dumped by her boyfriend on her birthday and this creates more doubts and underlying insecurities. Her gram decides to play matchmaker and gets Stella to come and visit, under the false pretense that she is not doing well. This is where she meets Ryan, a veteran who is struggling with his own demons after returning from Afghanistan.
Gram, the matchmaker is hysterical and will do anything to get these two together. Everyone should have a 90+ year old grandma who is so funny, sweet and caring.
It takes a while for Ryan and Stella to find their way to each other, but it is definitely worth it. Melanie has done it again, telling a beautiful, realistic story of what a veteran goes through when they return from battle.
The extended epilogue was an added plus.
I so look forward to her next book, which will feature Mack. Hopefully we will also get to re-visit some of these characters, especially Gram.
Wow! Ryan and Stella are going to knock your socks off! I have loved seeing Stella from her sisters’ eyes. She’s been a bit misunderstood, a bit uptight, and a bit unsure of herself.
And with good reason.
But sometimes all we need is a special someone to bring us out of our shells and really show us what it’s like to feel. Live. Love.
By the time we finished eating dessert, I had a solid buzz going, so I blame the gin for what happened next.
And boy, if what happened to Stella after having that gin could happen to me? Yeah, I’d blame the gin too.
Ryan is a former Marine who is trying to figure out his role as a civilian. He isn’t quite sure what he’s supposed to do so he keeps to himself.
Well, except for the fact his neighbor keeps him busy with odd jobs around the house. And he spends some time with his friend, Mack (#MackIsMine, fyi, so back off). Other than that, he’s a quiet kind of guy.
But, well, Ryan’s dear neighbor just happens to have a granddaughter. And she just happens to be coming up for a visit.
Yes. Grams is the greatest character. She’s hilarious, she’s sweet, she’s charming, and she is a matchmaker. Or she tries to be.
Ryan meets Stella. Stella meets Ryan.
What happens next, I blame on the gin.
***5 ‘Flipping The Switch’ Stars***
I’ve been wanting Stella’s story since meeting her in Only You. Everything about her peaked my curiosity from how different she was from her sisters to her very…interesting relationship with Buzz. I wanted to, for lack of a better way to say it, get into her head and find out what made her tick and Only Love gave me everything I wanted and more.
So. Much. More.
This story pulled out all the feels and tugged at every heartstring I have. It was everything!
I adored Stella and Ryan. Stella is complex in the best of ways and I found that I could relate to a lot of what she was going through…maybe not when it came to the exact situations, but the general feelings they invoked in her. She is caring, confident and focused, but she also has her insecurities which made her feel real. Ryan broke my heart. I mean here is a good, decent and honorable man who has been through hell and is struggling to find his way in a world that can’t/won’t/doesn’t understand, but he keeps going and that strength of will was something to see.
Ryan and Stella’s journey to their HEA had all the feels and I couldn’t get enough of it. The chemistry between them was real and that indescribable feeling that they belonged together was strong. The push/pull happened a lot in this one, but it was necessary for them both so that they could come out on the other side stronger and I loved where they both ended up when everything was said and done.
Of the three books in the series, this was my favorite ~ hands down. I was hooked from the start and didn’t want it to end. But I have to admit, that while I loved and adored Ryan and Stella, Grams was my favorite character. I want to be her when I grow up. The way that woman’s mind works is everything. And I loved catching up with Nate and Emme and Maren and Dallas and seeing where they were all at in their relationships. I also have to say that I really liked how Ms. Harlow went about showing us the demons Ryan was living with and how it affected not only him, but those around him. It was heartbreaking, but real and I thought handled with respect. While I am sad that this is the last book in this series, I’m happy that there will be a spinoff and am crossing my toes that Grams will make an appearance or two.
~ Copy provided by Social Butterfly PR & voluntarily reviewed ~
4.5 Stars
Sometimes you just need a love story that makes your heart flutter one minute and ache the next. Sometimes you just need to read something that makes you laugh and sigh. Only Love is the perfect read for those times. I really loved this one by Melanie Harlow! It is definitely one of my favorites from this author. I loved reading Stella’s story. After meeting this character in the other books, I wasn’t sure what to expect but she completely surprised me. Ryan gahh I just loved him. His character was one of my favorites. Oh my and Grams…this is one character that everyone will love! She was so realistic and a perfect addition to this story. If you are looking for something that soothes the heart and makes you laugh out loud, I recommend reading this one!
Melanie Harlow knows how to write the perfect love story!
She brings us a beautifully written story with memorable characters that you can’t help but wish they find their happily ever after.
Grams is such a fun character! She simply wants two people that she knows and loves to find happiness so she can’t help herself from meddling in their lives to get them together. Ryan lives next door to her. He is a veteran who is having trouble finding his way now that he is out of the military and his way of dealing is avoiding everyone. Gram sees something special in him and has the perfect match in mind, her granddaughter. Through a few white lies she is able to get Stella to come for a visit and have a chance to meet the neighbor. Through the delivery of pies and meatloaf (since the way to a mans heart is through his stomach) she slowly starts to break down the walls he has put up. Spending time together has them both sharing personal thoughts that they haven’t shared with anyone else.
Ryan and Stella are a perfect match it just takes them some time to get to know each other and find their way, but all the obstacles they go through are so worth it to find their HEA!
Only Love is the third book in her One and Only series but it can be read as a standalone. Take a chance! You will love this book and the rest in the series!
4.5 stars
I have been waiting for Stella’s story since meeting her in Only You and I was not disappointed! This story had so much heart and emotion. Though this is book 3 in the One and Only series, it can be read as a stand alone.
Ryan and Stella were broken and in so much pain when they first met. I loved seeing these two slowly come together and heal the other. Yes, there are some missteps and a good amount of push and pull, but you can just feel the connection between them from the start. Once Ryan’s emotional baggage is revealed, it’s easier to understand why he reacted and responded the way that he did. The best thing about Ryan and Stella was that they each accepted and loved the other exactly as they were. They knew there would be hard times, but they allowed the other to be exactly who they were without judgment or criticism. The epilogue was the perfect way to bring everything full circle and I couldn’t have been happier as this series draws to a close.
Grams was such a fun addition to the story and was the perfect balance to the heavier moments in the story. All of her meddling brought a smile to my face and I’m pretty sure I need Gram’s recipes for apple pie and meatloaf! 😉 Catching up with Emme and Maren was awesome as well, and though this book didn’t have as much sisterly banter, I loved seeing how their happily ever afters have progressed. Mack definitely caught my attention in the story and I was so happy to see that it will be his story next to start off Melanie’s new series!
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*
Melanie Harlow I don’t know what you are trying to do to me, but you need to stop. NO really, don’t stop. I just need a minute to collect myself. I literally don’t know where to start with this review.
Stella is a therapist who just got dumped by a man she had no chemistry with. She was living a predictable, “beige” lifestyle. That is until her grams guilted her into coming to visit. Little did she know how the “boy” next door would color her world.
Ryan is a former Marine who is struggling to adjust back to the civilian lifestyle. He shuts himself off from everyone, because they expect him to conform to what they deem a “normal” lifestyle. Easier said than done after the things he went through during his time overseas. He doesn’t have a safe place to talk about these things, so he chooses to shut himself off from everyone. That is until he meets Stella. She lets him talk without judgement and she does it by being a compassionate, understanding human being.
Stella and Ryan truly are soulmates. Both had something the other needed. They fell in love very quickly and it was truly beautiful. Their chemistry was electric!
Grams and her magical meatloaf and apple pie for the win. That woman had me in stitches. Ryan is strong, resilient and super sweet. I mean c’mon the swing…sigh! Not to mention, he looks after his elderly neighbor. Swoon! Stella simply has a beautiful soul!
Harlow wrote a story that gave me so many feels! My heart ached one minute and then the next, I would find myself laughing. Well-done, Melanie!
When you read a Melanie Harlow novel be ready to wrapped in a blanket of words. A patched quilt of a feelings.
Only Love is no exception.
I loved Ryan and Stella! I loved that both main characters were conflicted. Loved they both issues to work through and they needed one another to overcome it. What I loved the most? They had a little help from a special little lady who just LOVES matchmaking.
Only Love is not just a beautiful, sexy, love story. It’s a story of awareness. I don’t want to say more that will give the story away, but Ryan and his friends opened to my eyes to so many things. This made the story so much richer. So relate-able. Well… Melanie Harlow does not shy away from including all those delicious sexy bits. (THANK YOU!!)
I loved this book so much and highly recommend you read all three books. I cannot wait for what’s upcoming.