From USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow comes a heartwarming childhood frenemies-to-lovers, second chance romance!
When we were eleven, Oliver Ford Pemberton dared me to jump off a barn roof. He said you couldn’t break a leg from a 12-foot-jump.He lied.(You can also break a collarbone, which served him right as far as I was concerned.) I wish I could say it was the last dare I ever took … lied.
(You can also break a collarbone, which served him right as far as I was concerned.)
I wish I could say it was the last dare I ever took from him, the last bet I ever made with him, the last time I ever trusted Oliver Ford Pemberton.
But it wasn’t.
Because he had the nerve to grow up gorgeous, charming, and sexy. And as we got older, the dares only got dirtier–and the betting stakes higher–until finally, he left me in pieces. I swore I’d never talk to him again.
But twenty years after I took that flying leap, he’s back in my life, daring me to risk everything for him: my job, my self-worth, and my heart.
How many chances does true love deserve?
“Sizzling chemistry, off the charts sexual tension and all the feels I’ve come to expect with a Melanie Harlow romance!”- Ilsa Madden-Mills, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
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OMG! The sweetest and most adorable story ever. I really am loving the Cloverleigh Farms series. This family dynamic is beautiful and loyal and just about everything everyone would want in their own family. Oliver and Chloe are cute, feisty childhood friends who cross the line to lovers a few times. Their frenemy relationship pulled me in and made me root for them to give into the attraction…make a go of being together. Oliver…that man! He never could fully see what was right in front of him. Chloe’s impulsiveness and rule breaker personality plus the way she gave her heart so freely made me love her. Also, the character who stole the entire book and became a star…Gran. Such a smart cookie and as wise as her years. If you love, small town family reads, pick this series up and devour it like a warm chocolate chip cookie. Mmmmm!
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5 – cliffhanger
Book Cover~ Dark and beautiful
Series~ Deadly Duet
Source~ Kindle eBook
Would I read more from the author? Hell Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Undeniable, the second installment of the Cloverleigh Farms series, is an endearing frenemies to lovers romance. Chloe and Oliver have had a lifelong rivalry filled with dares and frustration, a few broken bones and a whole lot of heartache. Melanie Harlow excels at writing unforgettable couples, and this pair has become one of my favorites.
Armed with determination and drive, Chloe has a plan to take the family business, Cloverleigh Farms, in a new direction with the addition of a small batch distillery, but perpetual bad boy Oliver turns up with a plan of his own. Oliver’s got a bit of a Peter Pan personality, and it’s all seemingly harmless, until his half truths start to unravel and he realizes too late that he’s going to lose everything that matters most. He’s not as selfish and careless as this sounds, but it’s close, and I still grew to love him in the end.
Their story is emotional and tearful, and completely captivating. I couldn’t put the book down once I started.
This is a second chance romance between two people who have known each other all their lives, experienced so many milestones together and yet can’t decided whether they love each other or love to hate each other. Chloe and Oliver have tested the waters with wanting more than a friendship but in the end Chole ends up heartbroken and hating Oliver. What happens when the one person you are supposed to hate is the one person who can help make your dreams come true? But what happens when there’s an ulterior motive which you are blindsided with? This was one emotional roller-coaster ride that you won’t be begging to get off!
5 UNDENIABLE STARS!! Wow….This book kept me on my toes with all the bantering back and forth. Oliver and Chloe are both stubborn and teasing each other throughout the story. Melanie Harlow has the knack to keep us readers sucked in and this story is no different. Cloverleigh Farms series has been fantastic, if you haven’t started it yet….do it now.
This is a friends to love and second chance story. Chloe and Oliver have known each other since they were kids and they were both very competitive with each other. Neither one can pass up a dare from the other, which is how Chloe broke her leg when she was 11. Oliver dared her to jump off the roof of a barn – a 12 ft drop!
Fast forward to 20 years later, and Chloe and Oliver are no longer as close as they were during their childhood through high school. Chloe is actually mad at Oliver and doesn’t trust him anymore. When she finds out that her dream of creating a whiskey and expanding her family’s business might depend on Oliver’s assistance she is definitely not happy and feels like she was railroaded into the situation by her parents and Oliver.
As Chloe and Oliver spend time together, we get to find out what happened to them between the first year of college to now and what caused Chloe to be so upset with Oliver. Oliver knows he screwed up with Chloe and has to re-earned her trust and belief in him again. When they start opening up to each other, they realize that their attraction and feelings for each other never went away but Chloe is still not sure if Oliver has changed and want a relationship. It seems that Oliver’s actions shows Chloe that he does mean what he says until she finds out something that he kept from her before getting to his parent’s lake house for a weekend with his family. Oliver knows he should have explained to Chloe what he needed to do but without letting her know up front, he ruined any chances with Chloe again. He knows that he has to make some grand gesture to show Chloe that he does love her and wants a future with her.
This story was romantic and funny to read and both characters had faults. They also know their true feelings for each other even though Oliver knows he needs to show Chloe that he has learned his lessons and has grown up. Great story!
I fell head over heels in love with Chloe and Oliver’s story. This is a second, third, fourth chance romance where these two grow up together and go through life’s ups and downs. They fight, they love and the live life away from each other until one day they get the opportunity to work together. It’s not all it’s cracked out to be but soon Chloe learns real quick what Oliver is all about. I loved watching them grow older, see the ins and outs of their relationship through the years and root for them to have their happily ever after.
Ms. Harlow knocks another one out of the park! I absolutely loved and devoured Undeniable! This was another home run in my book. Somehow Ms. Harlow outdid herself and wrote another story I fell so deeply in love with and characters who I can’t stop thinking about. 5 fantastic and addicting stars!!!
Once again Melanie Harlow does not disappoint and boy did I love these two. Not only do we see them try to well work together but the flashbacks of their past together was awesome. The love is still there stronger than ever yet so is the heartache. All in all these two were great with each other and seeing how much Oliver loves her willing to do anything for her love was beautiful. Loved it and cannot wait to see what sister will be next in this series.
“I received an eBook copy from the publisher for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own.”
Loved it! This takes make-up sex to a whole other level! Whew, that Oliver is a stinker with his dares and bets that Chloe can’t say no to. But he can charm the pants off of you too. And that’s what he does every time with Chloe even when she know better. I was right there with Chloe in my love him, hate him, love him flip flop. But in his defense man boys and boy men can be so stupid and afraid when it comes to love. I loved Chloe from the beginning with her fieriness, brains and loyalty. Her only weakness is Oliver and he’s too sexy to resist. I’m right there with her in the panty melting department. He’s a hunk and their chemistry is sizzling. So hot and steamy! This childhood frenemies to lovers story is too fun, too sexy, too sweet, and too fabulous to past up. One of the best I’ve read. Undeniably terrific! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
What can I say about Undeniable that hasn’t already been said? Melanie Harlow knows how to hit you with all the feels. It is obvious from the start the connection that Oliver and Chloe have. Growing up together, they had an undeniable bond. Unfortunately as they grew up, they grew apart. They so clearly belonged together, so watching them find their way back to one another was a beautiful, bumpy ride. You can’t help, but cheer Oliver on as he works to earn back Chloe’s trust. Even though he is his own worst enemy, he is so endearing!
I seriously can’t wait for the next installment in the Cloverleigh Farms series!
I’ve said this before and I will say it again, anything Melanie Harlow writes is just pure magic. All her books contain a special dose of heart, heat and humor. You’ll fall in love with the characters from the first moment you meet them.
Undeniable, the second book in the Cloverleigh series, has a trifecta trope:
Childhood friends…
Enemies to lovers…
Second chance romance…
Oliver and Chloe have so much history. I mean, when both mothers are best friends, what do you expect? But it’s more than that. Since they’ve been kids they’ve challenged one another, but they’ve also tested their limits. But like all good friendships, trust is the most precious gift and the most fragile. Especially when you use it to benefit your wants.
Unlike other Melanie Harlow books, I love that this series the siblings are slightly disconnected. Within the stories, you see how familial lines begin to find their way to the hearts. Particularly these sisters who are seeing for the first time just how close they need to be despite the distance.
I loved Undeniable. I loved Oliver and Chloe. I loved that despite their history, their chemistry was truly… Undeniable.
This is a must read.
I love everything about this series of standalones and we’re only on book 2! There is something about second chance romance and friends to lovers… add these two together and I can’t help but love it!
Undeniable switches between past and present so we can see the history between Chloe and Oliver. Seeing them grow up together and the feelings/emotions that happen between kids and then their growing up and finding their way back to each other. They definitely didn’t have it easy getting together, that part is more than evident when you start reading. Their connection though? You can’t miss it.
4.5 Stars
I have really begun to enjoy Melanie Harlow’s books, and after being introduced the the Sawyer sisters in Irresistible, I was anxious for more.
Chloe and Oliver captivated me from the beginning. They had been childhood friends that challenged each other (and broke bones in the process). Everything was a bet. They were friends, then enemies, then lovers, then nothing. This went on for years, and caused Chloe to not trust Oliver; every time she began to, she ended up disappointed. But Oliver is looking to bring on a partner and expand his whiskey distillery- which was Chloe’s dream. Chloe wants to trust Oliver, but it’s hard to move past the past.
Chloe and Oliver had chemistry right from the beginning. You could feel the love they had for each other; you could feel the passion they had, as well. You could also feel the insecurities that they experienced.
If you are a fan of friends-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers, or second chances, Undeniable is a book right up your alley. I definitely recommend.
4.5 stars for – Undeniable – book two in the Cloverleigh Farms series by Melanie Harlow. This was a super sweet read about childhood rivals turned unlikely lovers that fell apart making them estranged for years. Melanie takes us on an adventure through the best parts of Michigan with these two as she crafts her tale of broken hearts, hilarious rivalry and love.
Chloe Sawyer is the wild child of Cloverleigh Farms and she has the scars to prove it. Now in her thirties she has settled down and become a rock solid marketing manager and all around whiz kid for her dad – hoping to replace him when he eventually retires. She has big plans for Cloverleigh and wants her parents to back her ideas but they have an idea or two of their own left to surprise her with.
Oliver Pemberton grew up with the Sawyers and he and Chloe have been trying to one up each other their entire lives. She has no idea that he is coming to Cloverleigh for a business proposal and can’t wait to see how she reacts to his arrival. Regardless of their past Oliver knows that he and Chloe can work together to make their future spectacular. Now if he can just convince Chloe not to punch him as soon as she sees his face again they would be off to a great start.
“You jump, I jump. Always.”
“Always.”
Love love love this book so much!! I love the dynamic between Oliver and Chloe. The fact that their story started as babies and they have a whole lifetime of memories makes their relationship that much sweeter. That most of their important life moments were with each other. I loved that they’re both the reckless rebels of their families, and that they bonded over dares and breaking the rules. Because finding that one person who just gets you makes you feel like you’ve won the lottery.
I love everything about this book. It seriously put a huge smile on my face and in my heart.
I enjoyed Undeniable, but I must say that it was not one of my favorite Melanie Harlow books. Oscar could have been more remorseful for not fessing up sooner, and Chloe could have been more assertive when it came to her family.
I did love the banter back and forth and the flashbacks that filled us in on why Chloe wanted to avoid Oliver like the plague.
As much i love Melanie and have loved the Clover farms series & always love a second chance romance, I have to admit that Oliver & Chloe were not my favorite couple of story. Still was a good read but not re-read.
My favorite part about this book & second romances in general are the flashbacks , I love seeing the major parts of Chloe & Olivers life both current and in the past.
Can Oliver & Chloe over come the troubles & problems from the past, so they can enjoy the future & finally get their happily ever after?
“You jump, I jump. Always.”
I loved this twist on friends/enemies to lovers. I loved the back and forth and that we see their entire journey. I appreciated Oliver’s character development. I loved that Chloe’s fears and struggles were so relatable and real.
What’s better than a second chance romance between childhood sweethearts?! I absolutely loved the push and pull between these two characters. The banter, the chemistry and the antics were my favorite parts of the story. This was a sweet and fun read that I really enjoyed. I do recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet second, third or fourth chance romance between characters who love trouble lol
As young children growing up together, they were VERY competitive. Oliver would taunt Chloe and throw down challenges. Chloe, not wanting to appear less than because she’s a girl, gladly accepted. Sometimes to her detriment. Always claiming she’d never trust Oliver again. Only, it’s a promise she can’t keep. Every time she’s around Oliver, she loses her ability to think. Oliver inspires “feelings”, but also leaves her devastated. Chloe tries to move on, but is suddenly in need of his business expertise.
Oliver, wanting to prove to everyone he can be trusted, decides to partner with Chloe to build a distillery. Thus fulfilling a lifelong dream. Only, Chloe doesn’t trust Oliver. Oliver convinces Chloe to go on a weekend “trip” with him to prove he’s a changed man. What Chloe doesn’t know, is that Oliver has ulterior motives. He has to convince her to be his fiancée in order to secure the money for the distillery. Only, feelings get involved….
While I absolutely LOVED this story, I was a little disappointed in Chloe. She’s such a strong woman, yet she loses her mind when Oliver walks into the room. Oliver is a cad in the beginning, but a redeemable one. I LOVED Oliver’s grandma! So intuitive. I think it goes to prove that the elderly are very perceptive, knowledgeable, and we can learn a lot from them. This storyline is a combination of so many troupes, that it will be enjoyed by all. I received a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.