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scvallese1's review against another edition
5.0
I have had Hold You Close on my TBR for months now. I'm not sure why I hadn't gotten around to reading it before now because I could kick myself. I have had a tough time these last few months finding new 5 star reads, and Hold You Close finally broke that dry spell for me!
London and Sabrina were best friends growing up, and London has always had a crush on Sabrina's older brother, Ian. Toward the end of high school, Ian and London confess their feelings for each other, but the next day, Ian breaks London's heart. Fast forward 17 years, they're now neighbors, and in a tough situation now that Sabrina has passed away and left her children behind. Ian and London are forced to reconcile their differences and put the children first.
I had love/hate feelings about Ian for most of the book. While I loved that he wanted what was best for everyone involved, his behavior drove me crazy (it drove London crazy, too). London became so career focused, but wanted to give her all to those kids.
Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow did a superb job of developing this plot and characters. It kept me both entertained and feeling throughout. I can't wait to read more from this duo!
London and Sabrina were best friends growing up, and London has always had a crush on Sabrina's older brother, Ian. Toward the end of high school, Ian and London confess their feelings for each other, but the next day, Ian breaks London's heart. Fast forward 17 years, they're now neighbors, and in a tough situation now that Sabrina has passed away and left her children behind. Ian and London are forced to reconcile their differences and put the children first.
I had love/hate feelings about Ian for most of the book. While I loved that he wanted what was best for everyone involved, his behavior drove me crazy (it drove London crazy, too). London became so career focused, but wanted to give her all to those kids.
Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow did a superb job of developing this plot and characters. It kept me both entertained and feeling throughout. I can't wait to read more from this duo!
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
3.0
Hold You Close by Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels
Narrated by Andi Arndt and Tor Thom
Standalone Contemporary Romance
Corrine Michaels has been on my TBR for a long time and I have loved the Melanie Harlow books I have read. So when I saw the two were doing a collaboration, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Hold You Close. While I had other commitments, this audiobook was burning a hole in my phone, yelling ‘LISTEN! This is gonna be book of the year!’ (Yeah, so my phone talks to me, yours doesn’t?) The writing was absolutely flawless, and I never would have known there were two authors. Sadly, the rest of the book didn’t live up to my expectations.
Ian is Sabrina’s older brother. London is Sabrina’s best friend. London was in love with Ian her whole life. When he stepped in to take her to prom they both professed their love as she lost her virginity. But London wanted to give up her scholarship to her dream school to stay with Ian—so he dumped her the next day.
“Sometimes, you have to let go of what you want more than anything because it’s the right thing to do.”
London spent the next 18 years hating him. He never told her why he did what he did, just went on letting her hate him even though they lived in back to back houses and both loved Sabrina and her kids. He married and divorced. He became a total player and a total asshole. Meanwhile, she was a workaholic spinster.
"I waited my entire life to feel the way I did when I was with him. I never married or had anyone serious because no one could measure up to Ian".
Then the unthinkable happens, and they are forced to raise Sabrina’s 3 kids together.
“Once again, he’s reminded me why I loathe him. This is what we are. We fight. Claw, scratch, and tear each other apart. He’s an asshole and I’m a bitch. We bring out the worst in each other. It’s been this way since…I let him in.
One mistake.
One night.
One thing that will never happen again.”
OMG, three children just lost their parents and these two assholes are fighting like children over one night 18 years ago. Yet he still doesn’t tell her. It was all about these two fighting and being selfish assholes to each other rather than these three grieving kids, who played way too small a part.
“The thing about love is that it’s irrational and stupid. I work with statistics and analyze hard data – I weigh probabilities and risks, and think in truths and facts.
Truth – Ian broke my heart.
Truth – Ian is the man I’ve never gotten over.
Fact – Ian is a selfish player who doesn’t give a shit about me.
Fact – I want to rip his clothes off and fuck his brains out.”
The sexual undercurrent was there, but at first, not so much, he was too much of an asshole.
"The next time I kiss you, London Parish, it’ll be because you beg me to.”
But it did ramp up, and there was definitely some sweet.
“I will always fight for you, London. Even when you pull away, I’ll hold you close, because this is where you belong – with me.”
“Always?”
…”Always.”
And some hot.
"Ian is the gasoline and I'm the match...when we connect, we could start a forest fire..."
Likes:
- •It was well-written, flowed well, and I would never guess it was two authors.
- •I loved the kids. They saved the book for me, and were smarter and more rational than the adults.
- •It was an enjoyable listen, and at no time did I think of putting it down.
Dislikes:
- •EIGHTEEN YEARS. They were godparents to Sabrina’s kids and lived behind each other. They couldn’t make peace in 18 years? All he had to do was tell her one thing.
- •They couldn’t put aside their differences for the kids.
- •I would have liked more focus on the struggles of the kids rather than their petty stupid fighting.
- •Really? She was alone for 18 years because nobody could live up to the guy that broke her heart at 17? REALLY?????
The Narration:
And Arndt, as always, did a great job. I love the way she does kids especially. Tor Thom was a new narrator to me, and I LOVED him!
The Down & Dirty:
This review kind of makes it sound like I hated the book. I didn’t. At no time did I think “I’m not enjoying this, I want to stop”. But I also got annoyed and frustrated with the characters and never found anything I really loved. I actually got way more annoyed at the book while writing this review than I did reading it, but let me repeat my first dislike in case you only read my Down & Dirty: For EIGHTEEN YEARS this couple has HATED each other even though they are neighbors and co-godparents. All he had to do was tell her why he broke up with her. And she lived like a spinster for 18 years because nobody could live up to her high school crush? Oy, it sounds even worse when I write it out. The authors seem to write well together, and if they do it again, I’ll try again, but Hold You Close was just an OK read for me.
Rating: 3 Stars, 4 Heat, 5 Narration
Purchase Hold You Close by Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels
annalaura_j's review against another edition
3.0
The last two or three chapters ruined the story for me. The end was just way too kitschy for my taste.
gretchenelaine's review against another edition
2.0
I feel this had so much potential and yet was very lack lustered.
I adore all Melanie Harlow books and my first every introduction to Corinne Michaels was her Salvation Series and Consolation Duet which pulled all the strings in all the best ways. Therefore Hold You Close was an instant yes for me, especially with Andi Arnt as one of the narrators. Unfortunately, this tale is very dry and felt rushed. Not to mention both characters, yes the MMC too, felt very whiney to me, being stuck in the past. Ian is some what indignant about the treatment London has given him when he brought it onto himself. Not only that but this knight and shining arm bit was to an extreme it became annoying to me.
Then we have London who holds onto grudges better than I do in my own life. I hate to DNF books so I stuck this out but this is one of those that I contemplated DNF'ing the whole time.
I adore all Melanie Harlow books and my first every introduction to Corinne Michaels was her Salvation Series and Consolation Duet which pulled all the strings in all the best ways. Therefore Hold You Close was an instant yes for me, especially with Andi Arnt as one of the narrators. Unfortunately, this tale is very dry and felt rushed. Not to mention both characters, yes the MMC too, felt very whiney to me, being stuck in the past. Ian is some what indignant about the treatment London has given him when he brought it onto himself. Not only that but this knight and shining arm bit was to an extreme it became annoying to me.
Then we have London who holds onto grudges better than I do in my own life. I hate to DNF books so I stuck this out but this is one of those that I contemplated DNF'ing the whole time.
krbeers4's review against another edition
4.0
I think any book where the characters have to cope with the loss of a close loved one has a way of getting to me a little more than others. Not exactly hard to figure that one out. There’s something about those raw emotions that makes characters incredibly relatable for me. Beyond that, this book was able to balance an intriguing relationship and a decent family dynamic which I find appealing. It did, however, lose some points for the amount of times I wanted to shake the main characters out of frustration. Overall I’d say it’s a solid 4 stars. Decent quick read.
jlafaro's review against another edition
3.0
Description calls this a second chance romance but it’s really not. They were never together before. This is more of a “mild enemies who actually love each other brought together by tragedy” to lovers trope.
But I definitely enjoyed it. Very sweet story. Reminded me of that Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel movie from the 2000s.
3.75
But I definitely enjoyed it. Very sweet story. Reminded me of that Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel movie from the 2000s.
3.75
kingawoj's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐
Honestly, this may be one of my favorite Melanie Harlow books. I LOVE a good second-chance romance story. Especially a second chance romance that was born out of good intentions. My swoony heart can't take it.
18 years ago, Ian broke things off with London for her sake, so she wouldn't give up her prestigious scholarship for a boy. Eye roll on the "for her own good" part, but he did have a point on the giving up her scholarship. She seemed too naïve and in love with Ian to have gone away to Northwestern if he hadn't had done that, so I will give him a pass. Begrudgingly.
18 years later, they are backyard neighbors constantly getting on each others nerves, but tragedy forces them to put aside their differences to come together as a team. I can't even say they fall back in love because neither of them really fell out of love to begin with, but it was nice to see how they both tried to resist the pull.
This book was steamy and spicy and heartbreaking all at once. Overall, writing 5/5 ⭐, plot 4/5⭐.
The only things I had slight issues with this book were
1. The 18 year separation felt super long. I understand why it was necessary with the plot of them becoming guardians to the kids and wanting the kids to be a little older, but it still felt a little long. Especially for London to be carrying a torch for him for almost 2 decades when they didn't really have a relationship to begin with as teens.
2. We get no resolution with her job at the end.
3. Also, I understand why London hadn't had too many boyfriends because her whole plot arc was the career-driven successful woman, but I would have at least liked to read about one or two boyfriends she could have flaunted in Ian's face to make him jealous instead of turning her character into a lonely cat lady who watches as Ian moves from woman to woman.
Even with those three things, the writing and rest of the storyline is so great, it still ends up being a 4.5 ⭐ book for me, and probably one of my top reads of 2023.
Honestly, this may be one of my favorite Melanie Harlow books. I LOVE a good second-chance romance story. Especially a second chance romance that was born out of good intentions. My swoony heart can't take it.
18 years ago, Ian broke things off with London for her sake, so she wouldn't give up her prestigious scholarship for a boy. Eye roll on the "for her own good" part, but he did have a point on the giving up her scholarship. She seemed too naïve and in love with Ian to have gone away to Northwestern if he hadn't had done that, so I will give him a pass. Begrudgingly.
18 years later, they are backyard neighbors constantly getting on each others nerves, but tragedy forces them to put aside their differences to come together as a team. I can't even say they fall back in love because neither of them really fell out of love to begin with, but it was nice to see how they both tried to resist the pull.
This book was steamy and spicy and heartbreaking all at once. Overall, writing 5/5 ⭐, plot 4/5⭐.
The only things I had slight issues with this book were
1. The 18 year separation felt super long. I understand why it was necessary with the plot of them becoming guardians to the kids and wanting the kids to be a little older, but it still felt a little long. Especially for London to be carrying a torch for him for almost 2 decades when they didn't really have a relationship to begin with as teens.
2. We get no resolution with her job at the end.
Spoiler
She was supposed to get the CFO job in Jersey, and Ian stops her from boarding the plane, and then we get nothing else. Like was she fired?? Did she stay with the company ??? Not that she should have stayed because fuck that sexist, misogynistic company but still. Zero resolution there.3. Also, I understand why London hadn't had too many boyfriends because her whole plot arc was the career-driven successful woman, but I would have at least liked to read about one or two boyfriends she could have flaunted in Ian's face to make him jealous instead of turning her character into a lonely cat lady who watches as Ian moves from woman to woman.
Even with those three things, the writing and rest of the storyline is so great, it still ends up being a 4.5 ⭐ book for me, and probably one of my top reads of 2023.
jothompson37's review against another edition
5.0
What a combo
I’ve always enjoyed books by both of these authors so it was no surprise at how exceptional this books was. London and Ian are superb. The love they had for one another, timeless. Can’t wait to read more of these joint ventures from these authors.
I’ve always enjoyed books by both of these authors so it was no surprise at how exceptional this books was. London and Ian are superb. The love they had for one another, timeless. Can’t wait to read more of these joint ventures from these authors.
scvallese1's review against another edition
5.0
I have had Hold You Close on my TBR for months now. I'm not sure why I hadn't gotten around to reading it before now because I could kick myself. I have had a tough time these last few months finding new 5 star reads, and Hold You Close finally broke that dry spell for me!
London and Sabrina were best friends growing up, and London has always had a crush on Sabrina's older brother, Ian. Toward the end of high school, Ian and London confess their feelings for each other, but the next day, Ian breaks London's heart. Fast forward 17 years, they're now neighbors, and in a tough situation now that Sabrina has passed away and left her children behind. Ian and London are forced to reconcile their differences and put the children first.
I had love/hate feelings about Ian for most of the book. While I loved that he wanted what was best for everyone involved, his behavior drove me crazy (it drove London crazy, too). London became so career focused, but wanted to give her all to those kids.
Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow did a superb job of developing this plot and characters. It kept me both entertained and feeling throughout. I can't wait to read more from this duo!
London and Sabrina were best friends growing up, and London has always had a crush on Sabrina's older brother, Ian. Toward the end of high school, Ian and London confess their feelings for each other, but the next day, Ian breaks London's heart. Fast forward 17 years, they're now neighbors, and in a tough situation now that Sabrina has passed away and left her children behind. Ian and London are forced to reconcile their differences and put the children first.
I had love/hate feelings about Ian for most of the book. While I loved that he wanted what was best for everyone involved, his behavior drove me crazy (it drove London crazy, too). London became so career focused, but wanted to give her all to those kids.
Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow did a superb job of developing this plot and characters. It kept me both entertained and feeling throughout. I can't wait to read more from this duo!
jill_mac's review against another edition
3.0
Going into Hold You Close I thought it was going to be great. I heard from a couple of my friends that
had already read it saying how much they loved it, so I was super excited to start. Unfortunately, it fell
short for me.
The story follows Ian and London, who had previously hooked up some 20 years ago. London was
always obsessed with her best-friends’ brother (Ian), and he broke her heart for reasons that he felt
justified his actions. This was totally fine. I understood him and his actions. I also understood why said actions broke London’s 18-year-old heart and set her up to hate Ian for all of eternity.
20 years later, they’re both faced with a horrible accident that leaves Ian with the custody of his 2 nieces and 1 nephew, and London (the godmother of all the kids) to help him out. These two still hate each
other and just can’t get along for the life of them.
My issue with the book wasn’t the writing, because the writing was fine. I honestly just wasn’t
emotionally invested or attached to this story in any way. I found myself putting the book down, and
not rushing to pick it back up. There wasn’t much about the story I found myself caring about, and I
really mean this in the nicest way possible. My other problem with this story, for me, was that Ian went from 100 to 0 in .5 seconds. Don’t get me wrong I love an asshole hero, it’s my favorite type of hero to read. Usually there’s a reason why the hero stops being mean to the heroine, or at least tones in down a little. In Hold You Close I felt like Ian was mean one second, then for no reason he just flipped and
started being nice out of nowhere. It was a little random for me, and just not believable.
All in all, this story just wasn’t for me. Please don’t let this review sway your opinion on this book!
The story follows Ian and London, who had previously hooked up some 20 years ago. London was
always obsessed with her best-friends’ brother (Ian), and he broke her heart for reasons that he felt
justified his actions. This was totally fine. I understood him and his actions. I also understood why said actions broke London’s 18-year-old heart and set her up to hate Ian for all of eternity.
20 years later, they’re both faced with a horrible accident that leaves Ian with the custody of his 2 nieces and 1 nephew, and London (the godmother of all the kids) to help him out. These two still hate each
other and just can’t get along for the life of them.
My issue with the book wasn’t the writing, because the writing was fine. I honestly just wasn’t
emotionally invested or attached to this story in any way. I found myself putting the book down, and
not rushing to pick it back up. There wasn’t much about the story I found myself caring about, and I
really mean this in the nicest way possible. My other problem with this story, for me, was that Ian went from 100 to 0 in .5 seconds. Don’t get me wrong I love an asshole hero, it’s my favorite type of hero to read. Usually there’s a reason why the hero stops being mean to the heroine, or at least tones in down a little. In Hold You Close I felt like Ian was mean one second, then for no reason he just flipped and
started being nice out of nowhere. It was a little random for me, and just not believable.
All in all, this story just wasn’t for me. Please don’t let this review sway your opinion on this book!