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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Melanie Harlow is one of my favorite authors and I devour her books when I get the chance to read them. As I haven’t read one of her amazing stories in a while, I was super happy that I managed to get my hands on her latest release. And let me tell, this story was so much more than I expected. For me, Only Love is one of the most romantic and beautiful stories I’ve read this year. At the same time, there are moments that will break your heart and maybe even shed some tears for the gorgeous Marine with the tortured soul. But there are also the moments that will make you laugh so hard, because Grams is just the type of person to crack you up 😀
Ryan and Stella are two incredible characters. Their background is very different but in more than one way their pasts define them. The scars they carry and the demons that eat at their souls are something that brings them together. Though things between them are not perfect, the feelings they feel for each other are something that neither of them has experienced before. The way they open their hearts to each other even when fear of rejection, of being hurt is paralysing them, is so romantic and beautiful. Of course, Ryan and Stella need a little push towards each other every now and then and that’s where Grams (Stella’s grandmother) comes into the picture. That tiny, scheming 93-year-old spitfire is just hilarious. I can guarantee she will crack you up 😀
If I have to summarise, I loved this story. It is so romantic, beautiful, funny and a little bit heartbreaking. Of course it doesn’t hurt that Ryan is this super sexy ex-Marine who can just make you melt into a puddle with all the things he can do to you between the sheets 😀 There is of course something extra for everyone who has read the previous books in the series – you get some cameo appearances of Emme and Maren. But even if you haven’t read the previous books, each one of them is a complete standalone. I can’t promise you won’t want to go back and read the rest after reading Only Love though 😀 So, don’t waste any more time and pick up your copy of Only Love asap. It is definitely worth it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was such a sweet and heart wrenching story. It brought Stella (the oldest sister and therapist) and her Grams’ Marine neighbour Ryan together, after some scheming by Grams. I really enjoyed the push and pull of this story, bringing the reality of coming home from war and forced to live a “normal” life to the forefront. We get some fun, sassy Grams chapters mixed in, which I loved. She was such a fun secondary character. We also get to catch up with her sisters Maren and Emme and where they are at. Another great, feel good read from Melanie Harlow!
Sweet, sexy, heartbreaking and hopeful all in between these wonderful pages, Miss Harlow is becoming one of my favorite authors! definitely worth the read!
Yay for Ryan and Stella’s story! I’ve been looking forward to this book and I was not disappointed! Loved it!!! The characters in this are amazing! Especially Grams! I hope if I live to be her age I have her spunk! This book has it all. It has a great storyline, it’s steamy, sweet, swoony and a hero that I wanted to just hug so bad! Love this author’s stories! They always pull you in right from the start and just make your heart happy!
4.5 Amazing Stars!
I love romance with wounded men as the main characters. I’m not talking about physical wounds, but deep emotional ones that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Only Love (the third book in the One and Only series) features Ryan, an ex-Marine who is dealing with his wounds by shutting off his feelings and living a lonely life. This is Stella’s story, the eldest Devine sister, and there are some lighthearted moments thanks to her amazing and meddlesome Grandmother, Ruth. This story delivers on all the feels we romance lovers live for and the epilogue was sigh worthy!
“I want to try again to be good enough for you. I want to stop fighting everything I feel.”
Stella never expected to be dumped on her thirty-third birthday. The couples therapist thought her boyfriend, Walter, was going to propose. Boy was she surprised! Not heartbroken, just shocked. When she tells her grandmother the news, Stella thinks Ruth seems a little off, and offers to visit her and take her to a few doctors’ appointments. There’s nothing wrong with Ruth, she just needed an excuse for Stella to meet her new neighbor. The nice, young man helps her around the house; mowing her lawn and doing odd jobs, he refuses to be paid, except for baked goods. There has to be something else Ruth can do for him!
“Never underestimate a granny on a mission. Especially the matchmaking kind.”
Ryan Woods has been going through the motions of living, since coming home from the war. He enrolled in the Marine Corps at nineteen since he couldn’t afford college. Now divorced, he spends his time working and occasionally hanging out with Mack, his Marine buddy and boss. He likes his solitude and not having to feel anything about anyone. He’s made an art of shutting off his feelings.
When Stella Devine meets Ryan, she’s surprised at how attracted she is to him. She never felt this way towards Walter, and he was almost her fiancé. This is the first time Ryan has felt anything for anyone, and he’s not sure he likes it. He can’t understand why she’s still single, she deserves a husband and family, the whole nine yards. Stella realizes how easily Ryan can shut off his feelings and knows she needs to guard her’s, too.
“Her heart was too big and soft—how could she go around with a heart like that? Someone like me was going to come along and crush it!”
Stella seems to understand and like Ryan, and he begins to open up to her. But he makes it clear he wants none of the things she yearns for; besides, he has nothing to offer her
“I wouldn’t fall for this man, who told me in plain English that he didn’t date, like living alone, and never planned to get married or have a family.”
When Ryan decides to take a chance with Stella, life intervenes and that’s when Ryan’s reminded of why he should remain numb.
“The bravest thing you can do is trust another person, and let them see the real you. I showed you the real me. I saw the real you. And I am a stronger person for it.”
Stella’s letter to Ryan made my heart hurt! These two were both wounded, each in different ways, but together they healed one another. I loved them, Stella is my favorite Devine!
“Are you going to live the rest of your life numb like that? Never feeling any pain, but never any joy either? Never letting yourself love someone? We should be dead, Woods. I get it. But we’re not. Stop acting like it.”
Another beautiful story from Melanie Harlow. Only Love is sweet and sexy, with a generous side of sassy grandma! What a wonderful finish to the One and Only series!
True love conquers all. Ryan and stella are amazing together throw the ups and downs and a medaling grandmother they find there way. it took longer then they would of like but here love made it throw. This is a book o could not put down and at time mad me sad but it was well worth the read and let me tell you I did not put it down I had it read in a day lol
Stella, the most serious and insecure Devine sister, wants her Happily Ever After. She wants to experience the kind of love both of her sisters have found. And in Stella’s mind, Buzz is it for her. He’s sensible, stable, and they have common educational backgrounds. Only…there’s no spark. Thinking she’s about to become engaged, Stella meets Buzz at a restaurant where they’re celebrating her birthday. Instead, Buzz dumps her and further destroys her self confidence by telling her he’s been cheating on her….After a concerning birthday call from Grams, Stella decides to take a few days off work to check on Grams and get her life together.
With a fake bout of dementia, Grams has Stella hooked. Grams knows if she can get Stella to visit, she can introduce her to the “boy” next door….Maybe work some magic with her meatloaf and apple pie. Grams knows Ryan is an ex-Marine and is troubled, but also knows he’s kind and just the kind of man Stella needs to bring color into her life.
Stella knows Grams is playing matchmaker the very first time she meets Ryan. Grams comes up with “jobs” for Ryan to do, so he’s around when Stella arrives. Grams pushes Stella to dress more “girlie”, wear makeup, and curl her hair when Ryan is around. Grams also teaches Stella how to bake, as food is the way to a man’s heart. Grams also believes her apple pie has magical powers, although she leaves out that little tidbit.
Ryan has never seen a more beautiful woman than Stella. Believing she deserves better than a messed up ex-Marine, he does everything in his power to push Stella away. Although he’s rude to her, she keeps coming back. She finds him perplexing and wants to help him out. Since her sisters think she goes all “psychiatrist” on people and analyzes their every thought, she tries something different…She listens, giving Ryan all the control. Ryan realizes the more time he spends with Stella, the happier he is. He enjoys her company. When one night leads to more, Ryan’s not sure if he can let her go at the end of her visit. When a former Marine buddy commits suicide, Ryan withdraws and cuts off all communication with Stella. Devasted, Stella decides to head home to mend her broken heart. She only thought she was in love with Buzz, but quickly realizes she hadn’t experienced love until she gave her heart to Ryan and he broke it.
I LOVED this story! Grams was adorable and reminded me so much of my grandma who passed away this year. I enjoyed her “chats” with her beloved as she plotted to get Ryan and Stella together. Grams used baking, chores, and funerals to push these two lost souls together. I sympathized with Stella and her insecurities. As a sister myself, things were a lot harder for me than my sister. I wasn’t as athletic, stylish, or as popular. Stella’s insecurities were very relatable. I also thought Grams dressing Stella up in her clothes was hilarious! Also, Ryan’s misplaced blame for his friends deaths while serving is very real. Many military men come back with survivors guilt. Most men don’t want to “talk” about their feelings, so they suffer in silence-never getting the help they deperately need. Melanie Harlow is a master at meshing real life into her stories to make them truly believable, remarkable! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
Only Love is here! There has been a lot of buzzzz for Stella’s book. And it’s finally time to find out what her happily ever after will be.
This is an emotional, sexy, and funny book. You can’t go wrong with it. I appreciated the balance of emotion and humor. Just wait till you meet Grams, she’s a hoot! And the the chemistry is off the flipping charts!
Watching Ryan work through his demons from being in the military just broke my heart, but I’m so glad he was finally able to see past them and enjoy a happy life.
Stella was amazing and held true to her belief that Ryan was worth more than he thought he was. And learned that she herself was more than she gave herself credit for as well. And how she continued to help others warmed my heart.
This is a definite once click for anyone who enjoys a great mix of emotions with some sizzle thrown in.
I’m a firm believer that ‘love heals all things,’ but that doesn’t mean that the journey will be easy or that it will be a quick process, especially when it comes to two people whose hearts and minds have been deeply wounded and the last thing they’re looking for is the only thing that will make them whole.
There’s just something about a wounded hero…it could be the fact that underneath his tortured soul and his standoffish demeanor is a man who desperately wants to heal and move forward but hasn’t quite figured out how to do that and isn’t quite ready to allow someone new into his life, even if that person might be the very person he needs.
Ryan Woods is a wounded warrior…a veteran who is plagued with a multitude of scars due to his time in the service, and while some of them can clearly be seen, the mental wounds – the ones that fester beneath the surface are the ones that Ryan must address, but until he’s ready and able to ask for help…to put himself in a position to lay himself bare, the only person who can help him win this battle is himself, which is an extremely difficult task because fending off personal demons and working to not succumb to the darkness, to the nightmares, and to the constant reminders of what he’s been through is usually beyond one’s individual means.
Although Stella Devine is not a wounded solider, there are parts of her heart and her mind that need to be healed and if Stella’s meddling grandmother has anything to say about it, Stella and Ryan are going to experience the healing powers of love together and with the sizzling connection that seems to exist between these two as soon as they meet, I don’t doubt that with a little help from gram, a whole lot of patience, and quite a bit of faith that Stella and Ryan will find a way to help each other mend their broken pieces, giving them a reason to believe in the healing powers of love.
Even though there is a bit of an instlove feel to Only Love, as Stella and Ryan explore what’s between them, learn about each other’s pasts, and work to mend some of their festering wounds, readers watch the couple’s bond solidify, and it gives us hope that these two lonely souls can find solace and peace in one another’s arms and that their love will heal all things and allow them to, once again, fight for what they want and for what they need, leaving the past where it belongs and focusing on what matters most – the present and a possible future together.
Only Love is an heartfelt story about two people finding the courage to let down their walls, work through their pain, and realize that sometimes all it takes to heal is a strong connection and a bit of meddling from someone who simply wants the people around her to be find their happy.
4.5 Poison Apples
Melanie Harlow knows how to give you the feels. Only Love gives us a love story between two people who have lost their ways and found themselves in each other’s arms with the help of a meddling grandmother!
She was supposed to get a ring on her finger, instead she was dumped publicly by her boyfriend. So when Stella’s grandmother called and coaxed her into visiting, she didn’t think twice. After all, even though she knows her grandma might be faking it, it was still nice to see her in person. What she didn’t expect was to meet the helpful boy his grandmother was chatting about. Only, the boy isn’t a boy – instead, a quiet, brooding, beautiful man that had her stomach in knots.
Ryan doesn’t do relationships. Well, at least, not anymore. He is done with it. He was starting new in a place where no one really knows him. It was his fresh start. He likes to keep into himself. He has a job of working on a house, until it is sold, where he was also staying. He didn’t mind helping his old neighbor next door, who keeps on inviting him for dinner, and when he refuses, gives him amazing cookies to bring home. He swore he was off women, until Stella, the granddaughter visited.
Ryan underestimated the granny and the power of an apple pie, and a meatloaf. Soon, he found himself wanting Stella. But can he do it? Can he finally get himself committed into a relationship?
This book has it all: fun, drama, and steam. I enjoyed reading it – although at some points my heart couldn’t help but just ache and break. Both Stella and Ryan deserves all the happiness in the world. I like Stella, she initially wanted to settle, but I was glad that she got dumped. Because she deserves something better. She deserves passion. Ryan, on the other hand, I had a love-hate relationship with him – although his actions are pretty much understandable after what he have been through.
I love that Stella was determined, but did not push. She took the risk, fell, and when worse came, she tried to choose what’s best even though it kills her. The letter she wrote, it was just heartbreaking, but at the same time I admired her courage to show both her strength and vulnerability.
The best part of this book is not the steamy scenes, oh no. It will always be the old lady who tried to bring this two together. She is the life of the book, the breather from the aches and pains, the source of laughs and naughtiness and my favorite character among all of them.
Only Love is a must-read!
This is the 3rd book in the One in Only Series. So I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Stella’s story!!
After being hurt, Stella has always took the safer course with guys! But after dumped on her birthday after she thought her boyfriend was going to propose, she decides that she might just need a fling!
Then enters devious little Grams…oh, how I love her!!
She calls Stella claiming she needs someone to take her to the doctor when all along she just wants her to meet Ryan, her hottie next door neighbor.
The chemistry is intense between Stella and Ryan from the start! And then throw in some of Grams homemade pie lol. Explosive!!
But it’s not that easy, Ryan struggles from PTSD and survivors remorse so he’s became a pro at shutting off his feelings. And just as Stella seems to break through, Ryan shuts them off again. Can Stella break through for good, and finally bring him back to life?
I enjoyed this book. It was sweet, sad and hilarious at times!! I just loved Grams and her mischievous ways!!
Love how well Ryan and Stella compliment each other! He brings out her inner vixen and she finds the softness in his hard, broody exterior!
I also loved updates of the sisters from the previous 2 stories!!
5 stars all the way!!
What do you get when you have a former Marine, a therapist and a sweet but meddling grandma? You get another fabulous story from Melanie Harlow. Ryan and Stella’s story got me in the feelings and kept me glued to the pages. Only Love is one to add to your TBR list.
I absolutely love Melanie Harlow and Only Love is a great addition to the One and Only series.
Stella is ready to settle when it comes to romance. She has never felt what her sisters have found or what is written in the books she reads. Stella believes she is just not built that way. Then when she is dumped on her birthday by a guy she was settling for that just solidifies what she knows. Then when she goes upstate to visit her grandmother she meets Ryan her grandmother’s sexy next-door neighbor and starts to feel things she has never felt before. Until Ryan trusts his feelings and not shut them down Stella fears they will never have a chance.
Ryan has done unspeakable for his country – as a retired Marine he has had to do things that he is now questioning and he has lost friends both overseas and at home that just proofs that having feelings causes to much pain. When he meets the beautiful Stella though things begin to change for Ryan and when tragedy happens in his life he knows that opening himself up is just not who he is, but is being alone and in pain worth it.
What I love about Only Love is that Ms Harlow takes two very broken people and shows what life is really like for some. Especially for Ryan. I would be crying one minute and then laughing the next (you gotta love Grams – Stella’s grandmother she brings the humor for sure) and that is a testament to Ms. Harlow’s great writing. The story is very fast paced and the events happen very quickly for Stella and Ryan and I can appreciate that for sure. We do get to see Emme and Marin again which is great and we even get a wedding. That being said this is Stella and Ryan’s story.
My heart! My heart! I have a total soft spot for the men and women who protect our country. When I sit down with a book that has a tortured serviceman my heart cries for them. Well this is one of those reads for me. Ryan is a former marine who has come back not being able to find his way. He’s damaged and alone.
Stella is a therapist who’s been unlucky in love. Always playing it safe never going for what she wants. But when her spitfire of a grandmother gets involved all bets are off.
I loved these characters and Stella’s grandmother had me laughing at her antics. This is a sweet, sexy and heartfelt read that I couldn’t put down. This author always finds a way to make me love her books and this one is no different. You gotta read it.
*Review by Michelle
Stella thought she knew exactly hat she wanted out of a relationship until she got a surprise she wasn’t expecting on her birthday. Ryan has been living numb ever since he came back from serving. Not able to make peace with the man he truly is and the man he had to be in the service. Though all the things he thought he could keep came to service when he met Stella. They realized quickly how easily they fit together. Being with Ryan wasn’t easy he has a lot of issues to get through but all he truly needed was someone to talk to and to help him let his guard down. It’s amazing how much a little empathy/ and sympathy can change the course of someone’s life.
Magic pies and meddling Grandmas!
The story of Stella Devine, the oldest sister. Would she find her forever happiness with Walter aka Buzz? Alas no! Walter can buzz off!
Grams to the rescue with a few little fibs, some very unsubtle hints and better match making skills than match.com! She finds the ideal man for Stella – the boy next door! Ex-marine Ryan Woods.
I did think Grams comments on how to hook and keep a man were beyond demeaning to women. I can’t believe Stella went along with her suggestions. Apart from the pie, because everyone loves pie.
Ryan has baggage. Stella has baggage. Chuck all the baggage together and you get a Melanie Harlow masterpiece.
Loved the final book in this series! I’ve been anxious to see level-headed, pragmatic Stella get her happily ever after since Only You, and this book did not disappoint.! And Grams absolutely stole the show – my only quibble was that I wish we’d seen her in the previous two books. All in all, a sexy, swoony read that will have you smiling one minute and sniffling the next. Highly recommend!
Only Love had me laughing, smiling and blushing nonstop, and it is one of my favorite romances from the uber-talented Melanie Harlow. Stella is feeling cynical about love and relationships when her hilarious and adorable grandmother conspires to set her up with her broody, sexy ex-military neighbor, Ryan. He’s divorced and dealing with the transition from active duty to civilian life, and he doesn’t believe he’s in a place to get involved with Stella, although he’s extremely attracted to her. But she is scrappy and not easily put off by his gruff manner, and she slowly draws him out of his shell (with the help of baked goods!). They have blazing hot chemistry and a quickly-developed strong emotional connection , and I love everything about this sigh-worthy romance.
Will Melanie Harlow ever write anything that I won’t absolutely fall in love with? I am a sucker for damaged heroes and Ms. Harlow’s have been some of my favorite.
Ryan is a tortured Marine who is trying to just exist. He doesn’t want to feel because feelings bring too many bad things into his life. If he just exists he doesn’t have to feel. Until he meets Stella and she turns his world upside down. This woman has him wanting to share his feelings and to venture into a relationship. Ryan struggles with many things and learning how to love again is definitely one of them.
Stella is a great character. We have met her in the other books in this series, but you can read this book as a standalone. She has always been very practical about relationships. There didn’t need to be sparks, just compatibility….until Ryan. The instant chemistry was off the charts.
Ms. Harlow gives you all of the feels in this book. Perhaps my favorite part was the fact that Stella’s grandma was pulling the strings to get these two together. It was absolute perfection! Great read!