Hold You Close

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 mesmorizing, 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.

I am a huge fan of both Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels. I have read/listened to many of their individual books and loved them. Perhaps that set my expectations too high, because this book was a big miss for me. The narration by Andi Arndt and Tor Thom is the only thing that kept me going. Both did superb jobs voicing both male and female characters and I especially enjoyed Andi Arndt\’s performance as London. She delivered London\’s barbs and taunts to Ian perfectly, but also showed such emotion and vulnerability during the more difficult scenes. Honestly, my biggest problem with the book was Ian. I kept waiting and hoping that he would be redeemed, but sadly it never really happened. He was incredibly frustrating and acted like a huge jerk for the majority of the book. Throw in the fact that he\’s completely an unapologetic manwhore and I was pretty much done. We\’re supposed to feel sympathy for him because he sacrificed his happiness and broke his own heart so that London could follow her dreams, but all I felt for him was rage and annoyance. He lived his life, enjoying it to the fullest, even married (and divorced), but you want me to believe that he did all that and treated her so poorly over the years because of his love for her? That if he couldn\’t have her the way he wanted, then hate was the only solution? Come on. All the back and forth got old quick and for people who are in their mid to late 30\’s, they were often very immature. I wish I could say that I loved London, but sadly her willingness to be a doormat and accept any scraps of affection Ian threw her way made me lose a lot of respect for her. Every time it seemed like she was going to grow a spine or when she actually stood up to Ian, the very next scene would have her saying sorry, forgiving him, or enabling his selfish behavior. On top of all this, of course she was also essentially celibate for the 17-18 YEARS her and Ian were separated. The only time her sexual history comes up is when Ian is making a crude comment or joke about it (or rather the lack of it). The best part of the book was probably Chris, Morgan, and Ruby, even though the circumstances that brought them together as a family was tragic. The epilogue was sweet, but overall the ending felt rushed and forced. The impromptu detour was very cliche for a story set in Vegas and had me rolling my eyes (again) at Ian\’s complete 180. Unfortunately, it was all just too little, too late for this second chance/enemies to lovers romance.

Corinne Michaels and Melanie Harlow have hit this one out of the park. I absolutely loved Hold you Close. The range of emotion felt was unbelievable. I laughed, I cried, I laughed so hard I cried. At one point my kids asked me what was going on because I cried for nearly thirty miles straight in the car, but laughed through out it. (Yes – I listen with earbuds so they are left in the dark). Nothing is worse than losing a loved one. Except maybe having to take care of their children with the one person on the planet that is easier to hate than love. This is the case for Ian and London. He was her best friends older brother, she was the one he forced away. They both have the kids best interests in mind, but will they be able to live with the circumstances? This book is beautifully written. It has memorable characters and develops a world I never wanted to leave. Tor Them and Andi Arndt are phenomenal with their performance in the book, only bring this magnificent world to life. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. You are missing out if you don\’t read it.

I found the line \”Old and Finding Love\” fitting from this book. I love second chance romance books. The writing combination of Melanie Harlow and Corinne Michaels is spectacular. They wove the most amazing story. This book has so many emotions in it from grief, regret, sorrow, longing, happiness, ecstasy, love, anger, hope, peace, humor and fulfillment. Ian, London, Sabrina are the main characters in this book, while Morgan, Christopher and Ruby play huge parts. Two very independent people are suddenly brought together as co-parents of 3 children after disaster strikes. Ian and London face the challenge of resurrecting their relationship, healing old wounds, and fighting chemistry and feelings. I loved Sabrina\’s wisdom in this book. Like in real life, Ian thought he knew what was best for London, instead of letting her make decisions for herself. Andi Arndt and Tor Thom nailed their performance in this book. They added so much to the book with their raw emotions. I loved the chemistry they had. Both are equally great narrators, and together they are exceptional. I hope to listen to more books by this winning combination. This is such a great book! The epilogue was perfect.

love this author loved the narration. this story has the best ending! I really thought I was going to hate Ian!

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