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bethestage's review against another edition
1.0
I’ve read 25 of Melanie’s books this year. I have loved them all but then there was this book. (For the records I have not read any books by Colleen). Ugh… I just never liked the main characters at all. Loved the kids, but I found myself rolling my eyes, groaning, and flipping off the book. I just didn’t like them at all, they were so toxic! I didn’t even care if they got together because they were so gross to each other.
I finished reading it because I’ve never been one to just stop reading a book unless it was just god awful. I guess I wanted to see if eventually it would have the magic that all of Melanie’s other books had. Sadly it did not. Like, at all. It was honestly like reading a completely different author. I think I’ve read all of her solo books so I’m really worried that all that’s left are her co-written books because this one doesn’t at all inspire me to go on to the next.
Someone tell me they get better. Please.
I finished reading it because I’ve never been one to just stop reading a book unless it was just god awful. I guess I wanted to see if eventually it would have the magic that all of Melanie’s other books had. Sadly it did not. Like, at all. It was honestly like reading a completely different author. I think I’ve read all of her solo books so I’m really worried that all that’s left are her co-written books because this one doesn’t at all inspire me to go on to the next.
Someone tell me they get better. Please.
agsztyl's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
vanessan_bakker's review against another edition
5.0
Life As We Know It
If you’ve seen the movie, you know the correlation. If you haven’t seen the movie, read this first, THEN go drool over Josh Duhamel
If you’ve seen the movie, you know the correlation. If you haven’t seen the movie, read this first, THEN go drool over Josh Duhamel
erina1510's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing book written by 2 of my favorite authors. Loved every single part of it. Don’t wait to buy this book. Ian and London have a love/hate relationship from the start. Ian is the playboy party boy that lives behind the crazy cat lady. Then they are forced into a situation that neither ever believed or wanted to be in. Choices are made and lives are forever changed. Absolutely loved the chemistry and the bantering between the two of them. Plus, the kids involved in the book, don’t get me started 🤣.
samanthajayne_x's review against another edition
5.0
I’d like to thank Social Butterfly PR for sending me an e-arc of this, it is very much appreciated. I haven’t read from these authors before so I had no idea what to expect this summary drew me to this book and I knew I just had to read it!
Ian from the moment he rejected London after she wanted to change her plans when they were 18, I knew what he was doing. I could see it immediately that he didn’t want her to change her plans and not go to her dream school. So that was really sweet. We jump 18 years and Ian is a whole different person and whenever he is around London they can’t help but argue and he’s buried them feelings for her and it was so cute. Although he still acted like an obnoxious idiot at times he was a great complex character. Emotions were running very high throughout the book especially with his sister dying and being left with 3 kids.
London, she was a very career driven person and refused to let anyone enter her heart and buried her feelings deep down for Ian. You could tell before they get together that she was still hurting to be around him. Emotions were running very high throughout the book especially with her best friend dying, and then helping Ian raise the 3 kids. I did feel at times she was way judgemental but I loved her character.
When Ian and London find out Sabrina died got my heartbreak and I sobbed from that moment onwards when reading this book it broke my heart. Especially seeing the children, Chris, Morgan and Ruby their reactions broke my heart and god it was painful, the emotions were really real and good.
I loved Chris, Morgan and Ruby. Morgan was so sassy and she always sassed Ian when it came to London and the same with London. She’d try to get them to admit their feelings between each other and honestly it was funny. There is a scene in this where Morgan gets her period and Ian’s reaction to it is just hilarious, I think that’s one of my favourite scenes in the book. Ruby was so adorable and cute. Chris bless him tried to be strong for his sisters and I loved their relationship and bond. It was nice to see all three siblings sticking together through the loss of their parents it was so nice.
I loved the new dynamics that we got with Ian and London as parents.
The letters that Sabrina left for everyone. I sobbed like a baby it was so emotional and I just I was very sad reading them.
It was a beautiful lovely story, I fell in love with this and highly recommend this story! Amazing!
Ian from the moment he rejected London after she wanted to change her plans when they were 18, I knew what he was doing. I could see it immediately that he didn’t want her to change her plans and not go to her dream school. So that was really sweet. We jump 18 years and Ian is a whole different person and whenever he is around London they can’t help but argue and he’s buried them feelings for her and it was so cute. Although he still acted like an obnoxious idiot at times he was a great complex character. Emotions were running very high throughout the book especially with his sister dying and being left with 3 kids.
London, she was a very career driven person and refused to let anyone enter her heart and buried her feelings deep down for Ian. You could tell before they get together that she was still hurting to be around him. Emotions were running very high throughout the book especially with her best friend dying, and then helping Ian raise the 3 kids. I did feel at times she was way judgemental but I loved her character.
When Ian and London find out Sabrina died got my heartbreak and I sobbed from that moment onwards when reading this book it broke my heart. Especially seeing the children, Chris, Morgan and Ruby their reactions broke my heart and god it was painful, the emotions were really real and good.
I loved Chris, Morgan and Ruby. Morgan was so sassy and she always sassed Ian when it came to London and the same with London. She’d try to get them to admit their feelings between each other and honestly it was funny. There is a scene in this where Morgan gets her period and Ian’s reaction to it is just hilarious, I think that’s one of my favourite scenes in the book. Ruby was so adorable and cute. Chris bless him tried to be strong for his sisters and I loved their relationship and bond. It was nice to see all three siblings sticking together through the loss of their parents it was so nice.
I loved the new dynamics that we got with Ian and London as parents.
The letters that Sabrina left for everyone. I sobbed like a baby it was so emotional and I just I was very sad reading them.
It was a beautiful lovely story, I fell in love with this and highly recommend this story! Amazing!
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
Hold You Close is a second chance standalone romance by two incredible authors. Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow have been added to my list of fantastic duos! Separately these ladies bring the feels, but together it was absolute magic.
Ian and London have a past. One that didn't end well and has caused their relationship to be full of a lot of hate and animosity. Too bad they live across the backyard and she gets to watch his carefree lifestyle play out before her eyes. When tragedy strikes Ian and London have to learn to work together to raise his nieces and nephew. It's yelling, screaming and fighting from the get go. That line between hate and love is so fine that it quickly morphs into flirting, innuendo and a few hot as hell kisses. London never stopped loving Ian but it was easier to hate than admit her feelings. Ian never stopped loving London, but it's more fun to annoy her. Can these stop fighting long enough to get to the good stuff? Will they be honest with each other before they lose each other for good? I loved this story! The fighting was so fantastic. They both equally yelled and screamed and didn't hold back. It was the best form of foreplay I've ever read! I was cheering for London while raging mad at Ian. And then I was cheering for Ian and wanted to bitch slap London. Ian was perfection because he knew he was an asshole! He knew everything he was doing and knew it was wrong but just couldn’t stop himself. London was a crazy bitch and let her emotions get the better of her, but she knew she was doing it. Even amongst the fighting and insult throwing, they were also sympathetic and caring. It was a crazy ass ride and I loved every word, every second, every fight, and every touch. Christopher, Morgan and Ruby were fantastic kids with awesome personalities. And they were very insightful! Overall, I laughed, cried, got hot and bothered, got mad, was on the edge of my seat and cheered!
"Only you could be a dick and a gentleman at the same time."
"The next time I kiss you, London Parish, it's be because you beg me to."
London represents everything I've ever wanted but didn't deserve.
"Good. Can I get you a glass of wine?
"What does this expression say?"
"Ian Chase is a fucking god amongst men."
"Good Lord, your ego is massive."
"Almost as big as my - "
"Yes, but then I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get told what to do, and I just love that."
"I hate you."
"You only wish you did, baby."
Then the jerkface slaps my ass.
Ian and London have a past. One that didn't end well and has caused their relationship to be full of a lot of hate and animosity. Too bad they live across the backyard and she gets to watch his carefree lifestyle play out before her eyes. When tragedy strikes Ian and London have to learn to work together to raise his nieces and nephew. It's yelling, screaming and fighting from the get go. That line between hate and love is so fine that it quickly morphs into flirting, innuendo and a few hot as hell kisses. London never stopped loving Ian but it was easier to hate than admit her feelings. Ian never stopped loving London, but it's more fun to annoy her. Can these stop fighting long enough to get to the good stuff? Will they be honest with each other before they lose each other for good? I loved this story! The fighting was so fantastic. They both equally yelled and screamed and didn't hold back. It was the best form of foreplay I've ever read! I was cheering for London while raging mad at Ian. And then I was cheering for Ian and wanted to bitch slap London. Ian was perfection because he knew he was an asshole! He knew everything he was doing and knew it was wrong but just couldn’t stop himself. London was a crazy bitch and let her emotions get the better of her, but she knew she was doing it. Even amongst the fighting and insult throwing, they were also sympathetic and caring. It was a crazy ass ride and I loved every word, every second, every fight, and every touch. Christopher, Morgan and Ruby were fantastic kids with awesome personalities. And they were very insightful! Overall, I laughed, cried, got hot and bothered, got mad, was on the edge of my seat and cheered!
"Only you could be a dick and a gentleman at the same time."
"The next time I kiss you, London Parish, it's be because you beg me to."
London represents everything I've ever wanted but didn't deserve.
"Good. Can I get you a glass of wine?
"What does this expression say?"
"Ian Chase is a fucking god amongst men."
"Good Lord, your ego is massive."
"Almost as big as my - "
"Yes, but then I wouldn't have had the opportunity to get told what to do, and I just love that."
"I hate you."
"You only wish you did, baby."
Then the jerkface slaps my ass.
crysrose0527's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
whiptostic's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
danisj's review against another edition
1.0
Esse livro é um dos piores que já li até hoje, os personagens são vazios, é mal escrito. O cara é machista ao extremo e mesquinho, a personagem é uma idiota que fica voltando pra ele e ignorando as merdas dele, é triste que duas mulheres romantizem uma merda dessas escrevendo isso.
tab2004's review against another edition
1.0
If you love sexiest books this is for you! Celibate loser doormat heroine. Douche Cocky Manwhore. Oh and she's celibate for almost two decades pining for him while he fucks anything with a vagina. So romantic! I love when my heroines are chaste and pure never letting another dick touch them while he makes his way through all the holes in town and laughs about it. I guess women wanting sex and intimacy is so very wrong that only skanks long for it! Do yourself a favour and pass on this shit.