I wasn’t looking for Derek Wolfe.I wasn’t looking for anybody. All I wanted was to start a new life in America. But when I found myself stranded here with no place to go, he came to my rescue, offering me a place to stay.He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell—I can barely sleep knowing he’s right down the hall. And when the chemistry between us explodes one night with fierce, fiery passion, … fiery passion, it’s hard to deny there’s something real there.
But he does.
He says he was drunk. He says it was a one-time thing. He says he’s not into guys and what we did meant nothing.
He’s lying. Because it happened again, and again, and again. And it’s better every time.
I know we could be good together, and I want the chance to try, but I’m done hiding. If he’s not strong enough to admit the truth, I’ll have to be strong enough to walk away.
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Strong Enough is a standalone, contemporary romance novel featuring forbidden romance (kind of), coming out, and self-awakening themes. The book was wonderful and I could hardly put it down.
Maxim moves to America from Russia to chase his dream of becoming a screenwriter, but within the first hours of landing in the U.S., his pre-arranged ride doesn’t show up and his personal bag is stolen. With his phone dead, wallet gone, and no friends or family nearby to help out, Maxim is in a dire situation. But luck is on his side, and Maxim is helped out by Ellen, and her gorgeous brother, Derek. From the moment Derek and Maxim meet, the connection between them is undeniable. Derek wants to be straight and live the “American Dream” of a wife and kids, but he can’t fight against the attraction and desire he has for Max. Together, both men will have to make tough choices and decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to be together.
I love the romance and relationship between the two main characters. Even though this book was heavy on the self-imposed angst, it was tempered by the beautiful love story and a wonderful happy ending. Both characters had to grow and develop before they finally could find happy-ever-after. Also, the sex scenes were super hot and delicious.
The audiobook was a dual narration that I found enjoyable. I liked the character voices that were chosen and found it easy to listen to and follow the story. The actual voice performances were great, but there was a tiny issue with audio production that happened once. Overall, I found the audiobook enjoyable and recommend it.
This was a typical, not out of the closest MM read but I loved Maxim’s backround and where he was from. It added an element to this little story that kept me hooked. Derek was the one with the issues in his book and seeing him struggle wasn’t fun presay but it was entertaining. It wasn’t overdone drama. You could sense the conflicting emotions going on in him. There was a really cute HEA for these guys. I won’t say too much but it was a good read. Perfect for someone that hasn’t read any MM and wants to try the genre and are iffy about it. 4 stars #2OCCJD
Melanie Harlow and debut author David Romanov do a wonderful job blending their writing styles in this touching M/M romance.
Maxim is a proud gay man in his early 20s who has just moved to Los Angeles from Russia. He exudes an abundance of wonder, gratitude and optimism, despite facing some crappy luck and seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I liked him instantly.
Derek is a single male in his late 30s, with a perfect house, perfect job, perfect car, and a perfectly lonely life. His dreams of a wife and kids don’t align with his unwelcome attraction to Maxim. I felt such compassion for him as he wrestles with his bisexuality. I was startled, though, by how eager Derek is to get down and really dirty once he crosses the line with Maxim. It’s like going from zero to one hundred in three seconds.
The main conflict arises from Maxim wanting to love Derek openly and Derek either being stuck firmly in denial or stubbornly in the closet. The plot progresses pretty much as expected, but is nonetheless quite enjoyable. I would have loved to know more about Maxim’s life in Russia before he decided to come to the United States.
About the audiobook:
I listened to the audiobook and I read some listeners’ criticisms that Bruce Cullen’s narration sounds more fitting for a work of nonfiction than romance. It didn’t bother me though. Derek is so rigid and repressed, and I felt like the narrator effectively conveys all the frustration, confusion, and longing of the character. I’m no expert on Russian accents but I was satisfied by Joel Leslie’s portrayal of Maxim. I enjoyed his enthusiasm as well as his tentative speech, which includes him taking pauses now and then as if making sure his English is correct. It adds another layer of charm to the character.
Wow!! I am a huge fan fan of M/M and Melanie Harlow so when I found out she was debuting her first M/M novel I was so excited. Then I found out it would be co-written by David Romanov. I went from being excited to being over the top excited. I can’t believe this is her first M/M novel and his first book. It was fantastic!! I am going to try to make this short so I don’t give too much away. The synopsis is pretty much perfect.
Two men. Two very different dreams. One left Russia to pursue his dream in the America. The other thought his dream of having a family would have already come true. One is a risk taker. The other is a planner. The two men meet in an unexpected way and it’s fate. That is what Maxim thought anyway. He didn’t come to America to find someone like Derek. He came here to find himself. To be himself. To work hard to live his life to the fullest. He didn’t have a set plan. He just felt it in his gut that this is where he needed to be. So yeah…Derek, was not expected. At all. As for Derek, he had never felt this type of pull towards anyone before. Especially a man. But, he knew from the moment he saw Maxim that he was not just any sexy man but a beautiful one inside and out. And that is why…he knew he should have walked away but he couldn’t. He had to feel the torture. To feel the punishment for the sins he was fighting against.
Maxim and Derek’s relationship is not easy. Maxim doesn’t want to hide. Derek has a hard time accepting himself. They have the chemistry. The make each other laugh. They have fun together. Make each other feel alive. But, is it enough? Can Derek accept that his dream could have a man cast in a starring role?
I absolutely loved this book. It’s not only about love but it’s a journey. And not just for Maxim but also for Derek. It had the perfect blend of both of their lives changing. Together and separately at the same time. I just loved them both. Maxim is such a beautiful soul. He is strong, sweet, hardworking, and loyal. He is also sexy as hell. Derek is older and wiser but at the same time he doesn’t know what he wants. I loved him because he has a big heart but acts tough on the outside. He is protective, and sweet. And he is also sexy as all get out. Together, it’s hot, fun, and at times very emotional.
Overall…I loved it all. The journey. The heat. The playfulness. The love. The emotions. I laughed, cried, and wanted to smack the back of heads. Really…I was fully invested in this couple. I want more! Please tell me there is more, Melanie and David. Either way, Thank you for their story.
P.S. I love Derek’s sister Ellen. I can see her having her own story.
Quotes:
I forgot my entire English.
I felt like a god. I felt like a monster.
I felt like nothing in my life would ever be the same.
“Oh my God. I can’t even believe this. What’s the Russian word for crazy?”
“Sumasshedshiy. Say it. Then punch me.”
I originally read Strong Enough when it first came out and fell absolutely in love with it. The characters both main and secondary, the setting and the story itself. You had Dereck who in his own mind had his life together and was just looking for The One to start a family with. Then you had Maxim who was coming to a new country to re-start his life. He brought all the enthusiasm and fresh life perspective to Dereck and forced him to re-evaluate what his future could look like compared to what he expected. This time around I listened to the story and it brought out a whole different set of emotions as you listened to the story. This was a beautifully written love story.
At 8% I was intrigued. “I wasn’t expecting him at all.”
At 35% I was breathless. “I felt like a god. I felt like a monster.”
At 54% my heart was racing. “I wanted to be worth it.”
At 66% I was swooning. “I no longer knew where he stopped and I began.”
At 76% I was tearful. “I wanted to suffer for him.”
And for the rest of the book I was overcome with all the BIG EMOTIONS.
It’s not often I’ve read a book in one sitting, but I couldn’t put this one down. I felt such an emotional rush from the first page to the last. Both Derek and Maxim were picture perfect leading men, flawed, honorable, loving, and oh, so sexy. I need more of these two!
This is essentially a coming-of-age story for Derek a 36-year-old man who has everything he could possibly want — except everything is “perfect” in order to hide his big secret.
Maxim is this super-sweet wide-eyed 24-year-old who is determined to follow his dreams. The hard work of his story happens right before the novel starts, so that he can help Derek conquer his fears.
This story is set in the 21st century *and* it has a classic feel. The spectrum of sexuality may be more accepted now, but we all have those parts of us that are so fragile we are afraid to share them.
So this was my first M/M book and I absolutely loved it. This book was beautifully written. I could really feel Derek’s struggle throughout the entire book. He grew up feeling like the feelings he had were wrong. So he suppressed them and had this vision of what he should want out of life. Finding a wife and having kids was so important to him. But in reality he was so lonely, it broke my heart reading about this. He meets Maxina and feelings he’s suppressed surface and he freaks out. I absolutely loved Maxima, he wasn’t scared of much. He left Russia to follow a dream all the way to California. He knew who he was, spoke his mind, and knew what he wanted out of life. Their relationship was explosive and hot. There was so much struggle and heartache throughout this book. This was an absolute great book from Melanie and David.
One would never guess that Strong Enough is Melanie Harlow’s first M/M book and David Romanov’s debut novel. Absolutely stunning story of love so strong and perfect. Derek lives a perfect life, perfect home, beautiful girl friend yet he’s truly unhappy. He knows something is missing between him and his woman but he has plans, he wants a future that includes a family. Then he meets Maxim, a handsome young Russian man that has just arrived in America and needs help, a place to stay. Instantly there is a connection but Derek refuses to give into his needs. Maxim is gay and seems to understand the difficulty associated with Derek admitting to himself that he to may be gay. The emotions run high, the chemistry is out of the world. They need each other more than either realizes.How can Derek come to terms with these feelings he is having. Can Maxim continue to wait for Derek or will he move on. I was so impressed with the deep personality of Maxim. Knowing David Romanov, it was like he placed a peace of his soul within the character. Maxim was so kind, so loving and so perceptive of Derek’s feelings and actions. He was so life like and my heart bled for him. Derek was also a wonderful main character. I felt for him as he tried to deal with his deep guarded feelings. I have to say the steamy scenes were screaming HOT and I am sure anyone who reads this book will absolutely love it!!!
Strong Enough
Melanie Harlow and David Romanov
Reviews on Goodreads. Amazon and the book addicts (fb)
Wow!! That’s was some hotness !! I loved it !! You to should write more together.. I think you bring the sexy out!!
Everything in this book was wonderful.. the dedication .. the characters.. the love .. the way the character evolve .. I loved it all.
Melanie is one of my fave one click authors and she seriously did not disappoint with this one. Hope to see more of you two together in the future.
Can Carolyn get her own book please ?
This is my weakness. M/M is always my weakness. Melanie Harlow and David Romanov give us the story of Derek and Maxim. You’re going to swoon, you’re going to fall in love, and you’re going to really, really hope they figure their shit out because it’s heartbreaking when they fight against it.
“I believe it was more than luck, too.”
Maxim just landed Stateside. His friend didn’t show up at the airport, his phone is dead, and he has no idea where his new apartment is located. So, Maxim grabs a cab and the rest of his life is changed.
Derek is one of three children. He’s the perfectionist, he’s the one you can always count on, he’s dependable. That has to explain why his sister, Ellen, calls him for a favor–almost every time she needs a favor.
Maxim and Derek are unlikely. They aren’t conventional. They have twelve years separating them, not to mention a language–although Maxim does speak English. They have nothing in common.
“Because I wanted to know what it would be like to be yours. To belong to you.”
Except a boatload of chemistry. So much chemistry that everyone notices it, even when they are trying to hide it. And when they don’t hide it from themselves, it’s beautiful.
This is a story of more than just love. It’s a story of self-discovery, self-awareness, and understanding. It’s the story of acceptance. It’s a story of strength.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know what he wanted, the problem was that he did know–he just didn’t like it. He didn’t want to want it.
Such a beautifully written love story. The emotions are real, raw and at times heartbreaking, If you are looking for a wonderfully intense, emotional and sexy m/m love story, please read this book. You will not be disappointed.
You will fall in love with Maxim right off the bat. Falling for Derek takes some time only b/c he is so frustratingly stuck in his ways and can’t see what’s in front of him.
This is a love story for the ages. Guided by FATE (I’m with you there Ellen).
You can feel what Maxim feels, you can feel what Derek feels even if he will not opening admit it.
I love how this story was told. I LOVED the introspective thoughts throughout the story. I loved those the most. The most real scene to me was when Derek is on the phone with his sister at the grocery store buying things for the dinner party. I loved how they were having a convo, he was having his inner thoughts AND the walk through the store placing things in his cart. For whatever reason this scene spoke to my inner reader nerd. It’s the small details that make a book a story or vice versa a story a book.
Then there were the sex scenes. GOD they were so hot! I’ll be hanging out at youporngay dot com for a bit.
Only one question was never answered for me. But I’m a picky reader like that. And that Epilogue needs an Epilogue just saying.
I’m hoping that David will continue to write even if as a co-author. As always Melanie hit it out of the park.
OMG! I loved this book so, so much.
I love all of Melanie’s books. But Melanie and David Romanov together are totally kick-ass because this may be my favorite Melanie Harlow book. The writing is amazing and its clear that these two work great together. The story flows so easily and immediately grabs your attention from the very beginning. I read this book so fast because I was so addicted to the story and fell in love with Derek and Maxim.
Maxim is visiting California from Russia and ends up living with Derek after his bag gets stolen in Derek’s sisters bar. Maxim is lively and carefree. He has no problems going after his dreams. The instant attraction he feels for Derek is so cute. More than that, he is completely understanding with Derek and patient as he tries to figure out his feelings and what he wants. How my heart went out to Derek. Derek is the type of man with a plan and at almost forty, all he wants is a family of his own. But when he goes to pick up Maxim at his sisters bar for a place to stay, he is confused by his attraction to another a man. It brings up emotions hes fought all his time to tame and keep hidden. But he can’t hep how Maxim makes him feel. Derek struggles with who truly is a man against how people would perceive him. He’s battling with years of being taught that its a sin to be with another man. I loved that you can clearly see this struggle and how it makes him feel. But not only that, how it affects Maxim and their relationship.
I loved the sweet relationship between Maxim and Derek. It was so beautiful seeing how much they wanted each other. And when they finally give in to all the things they wanted, it was so damn hot. Derek is so damn dominating and holy smokes the way he takes control and Maxim obeys because he can’t fight his need for him, it fucking sexy.
I really loved this book. I knew that early on when I started reading this book that I was going to love it. And I did. I couldn’t get enough.
What an emotional angsty ride. Derek and Maxim’s journey was filled with personal growth, battling inner demons and then acceptance. Definitely felt the struggles as well as the passion both these characters felt. Another great read by Melanie Harlow and a great debut by David Romanov.
I can’t believe what I read…. IT WAS AMAZING!
1. First book by David
2. First book Melanie co-writes
3. First book for both in M/M
And let me tell you, it was written like they have been doing this for a long time.
The story is enjoyable, funny and well written.
The characters were so easy to love. They knew how to write them so you can hate but just love everyone (well, maybe you felt something not good towards Derek but we understand him).
Most of the time, I forgot there was a little age difference, Maxim acted like a very mature but full of life person, like he wanted to take the world but with wisdom, not reckless. And I get Derek, because being at that age, the only thing you think is you immediate future or what you have been looking for and not changing everything you have always known or wanted. My heart was hurting for both of them.
“Fight back.” He came at me again, all strength and rage and heat, pushing me back against the living room wall. “I want you to say no. I want you to push me away. I want you to be the one to stop this because I fucking can’t.”
And the sex scenes, OMG, I can’t write about that because this thing will get on fire again! You better go and see for yourself. We got a sexy alpha male <3
“I saw you tonight, flirting with people.” His fists were clenched at his sides. “I didn’t fucking like it.”
The only "thing" for me it would be the epilogue, don't get me wrong, I loooved it and it was beautiful, but I would have loved a "glance" of a longer future.
Just like a resume:
1. LOVED THIS BOOK
2. YOU NEED TO READ IT
“I wasn’t expecting him at all. I wasn’t expecting any of it.”
When Melanie Harlow announced she was going to be writing a m/m romance I honestly couldn’t contain my excitement. Although this would be a new genre for her, I had absolutely no doubt she would write an engaging, heartfelt, and captivating story, not unlike her previous novels. Add in the fact that she was going to be cowriting with David Romanov, someone bringing his own life experiences to this book, I was like a kid on Christmas morning, waiting ever so impatiently to open my presents. And now that I’ve had a chance to read this emotional and touching book, my heart is so full of love and I can’t stop smiling.
Once again I find myself at a loss as to how I can possibly write a review that will do a book like this justice. I was completely enthralled by the characters and their story. And knowing much of it was based on David’s life made it all that more special.
After arriving in the US nothing goes as Maxim expected. Although he’s not one to rely on plans, his Russian superstitions having something to do with that, he finds himself having to rely on the kindness of strangers. And one stranger in particular has more of an impact on him than he could have ever imagined. Meeting Derek sets his life on a path he never saw coming. But it’s a path both of these men were meant to take- one that ultimately led them to each other.
While Maxim is comfortable with who he is, Derek is not. He fights the desire brewing inside of him for Maxim. Seeing him struggle with his feelings, feelings he grew up believing were wrong, really pulled at my heartstrings. Guilt and shame are two of his closest companions. He’s conflicted on so many levels and it causes him such anguish. He’s curious, but in denial. He always thought he knew what he wanted in life, but now with Maxim in the picture, nothing of what he thought he knew makes sense any more. His world is thrown into an upheaval thanks to the arrival of one young, hot, scrappy Russian immigrant.
I could be myself around him in a way I couldn’t around other people. My real self, without hiding anything.
As Maxim and Derek navigate through their feelings and needs and frustrations, you can’t help but be completely charmed by them. Maxim’s zest for life, his joy, and the way he trusts that things will always work out, contradict with Derek’s structured life- the planning, the organization, and his need to do what he believes is right. If ever there were two people who needed the other to balance themselves out, it is these two. I loved how they faced their challenges and the way they dealt with their issues. It was real and honest and genuine.
Strong Enough is a poignant journey of love, acceptance, and desire. It’s a book about discovering yourself, letting go of your fears, and being strong enough to live your most authentic life. It’s a story of two hearts converging at the most unexpected of times.
#LoveIsLove