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A review by pattyfgd
Hold You Close by Corinne Michaels, Melanie Harlow
5.0
I am a huge Melanie Harlow fan and when I heard she was teaming up with Corinne Michaels for this book, I was excited, but even more so when the narrators chosen were Andi Arndt and Tor Thom! This is a beautiful, heart wrenching, frustrating, passionate, happy second chance romance. Ian and London finally got together for London's senior prom, declaring their love for each other, only to have it torn to shreds the next day. After years of anger and animosity, the two are brought back together under the worst of circumstances. Ian's sister, London's best friend dies unexpectedly and her three children are now in the care of Ian. He desperately needs help, and who better qualified than London. The kids know her well, and it will help with the transition. Michaels and Harlow masterfully piece together this romance with these two, each having their own issues to work through. With grief, and the responsibility of 3 children, this couple takes all their anger and frustration on each other, with a combustible chemistry underlying every dig. I love the true to life relationship these two have. Ian is so much the macho, alpha, he will take care of everything, he knows what is best until he doesn't. London is vulnerable and insecure in herself when it comes to men, but with the children she is spot on. Their push-pull relationship is so easily relatable, and their banter perfect. The combination is memorizing, keeping me focused for 7 hours of this book, wondering how things will progress and if it will work out. I do think there are a couple of breakout characters as well, the three children are amazing, but my favorite is Ian's sister Sabrina. She is a no hold barred woman, telling things as she sees them and is accurate with every sentence. I loved her! This author team melds their novel together seamlessly and I am hoping to see more from this combination.
Add to this incredible book, two incredible narrators. The team of Tor Thom and Andi Arndt brought magic to this story. A better Ian could not have been chose, Tor Thom gives Ian just enough confidence to make him that strong alpha, yet that hint of insecurity and vulnerability when it comes to the kids. I loved his inflections and ability to give off the emotions that Ian was feeling. Andi Arndt is always amazing, but I really loved her portrayal of London. She had London's animosity towards Ian down to pat, yet you could still feel the love she had for him. Together this team made me sad, happy, angry and full of love, a wonderfully satisfying listen.
Add to this incredible book, two incredible narrators. The team of Tor Thom and Andi Arndt brought magic to this story. A better Ian could not have been chose, Tor Thom gives Ian just enough confidence to make him that strong alpha, yet that hint of insecurity and vulnerability when it comes to the kids. I loved his inflections and ability to give off the emotions that Ian was feeling. Andi Arndt is always amazing, but I really loved her portrayal of London. She had London's animosity towards Ian down to pat, yet you could still feel the love she had for him. Together this team made me sad, happy, angry and full of love, a wonderfully satisfying listen.