Only Him, an all-new sexy and emotional second chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Melanie Harlow, is NOW LIVE!
Title: Only Him
Author: Melanie Harlow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 4, 2018
Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs
Photographer: RafaGCatala
Model: Fabián Castro
Sometimes your first love deserves a second chance…
He was my first crush, my first kiss, my first everything.
But I’m not a lovesick teenager anymore, and I’d never let that cocky troublemaker break my heart again.
So when he shows up out of the blue asking me to have dinner with him “for old time’s sake,” I say I will. After all, it’s been twelve years, and I’m stronger and smarter than I was back then.
Except…he still does something to me. He’s got those eyes that make me weak, those hands that drive me wild, and a body I can’t resist—especially once I see the tattoos. It doesn’t take long for our trip down memory lane to go from sweet to sizzling.
We’re just as good together as we were back then—better, even—and I’m willing to give the only man I’ve ever loved another chance.
But he’s got to tell me the truth.
* * *
All I wanted was to see her again. Tell her I’m sorry. Make her smile.
Okay, that’s a lie. I wanted to do more than that—a lot more. But I know she’s better off without me, and I promised myself I’d behave.
Except I’ve never been much good at keeping promises…or my hands to myself when I’m around her.
I can make her laugh, I can make her cry, I can make her body surrender to mine in ways that neither of us could have imagined back then. I can—and I do—love her more than she’ll ever know.
But I can’t tell her the real reason why I’m here.
And I can’t stay.
Add to Goodreads
Purchase Today!
Amazon US | Amazon Universal | Nook | iBooks | Kobo
Review
NO SPOILERS!
Only Him was a sexy, angsty, and emotional standalone second chance romance, and I absolutely loved it with all of my heart! The storyline and characters were phenomenal, and I loved Melanie Harlow’s writing style. She wrote a beautiful and memorable story for Dallas and Maren, and I honestly loved it from beginning to end. Melanie has done an amazing job with the One and Only series so far, and I’m so excited for Stella’s story in Only Love!
The storyline was amazing and so much different than I expected. I honestly didn’t know what was going to happen going into this book, but there were several plot twists that I definitely didn’t see coming. It was emotional, heartbreaking, and frustrating at times, and it made me feel a roller coaster of emotions, but all of the trials and tribulations were completely worth it. Melanie Harlow has an undeniable talent, and she always creates the most beautiful and unforgettable love stories that resonate deep within your soul, and make you feel so much of everything. Of course not every moment is full of joy and happiness, that’s not how like works, but even when times are tough, she makes the journey worth it with a happy ending. Only Him was one of the best – if not THE best – second chance romances that I’ve ever read, and I was ecstatic with the conclusion to Dallas and Maren’s story.
Dallas and Maren were phenomenal and I adored them so much. I loved their personalities and red-hot chemistry together, and how their relationship progressed throughout. I loved reading the book from both Dallas and Maren’s point of view, and all of their banter and interactions with each other. Dallas and Maren both struggled with different problems, and it wasn’t an easy journey for them by any means, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Their story was one of a kind in a lot of ways, and it will stay with me forever. Even though it was occasionally difficult and heartbreaking, the ending was completely worth it, and I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion to Dallas and Maren’s story. It left me smiling and made me so happy. The secondary characters, namely Maren’s sisters and Dallas’s brother and his family, were wonderful as well, and I really enjoyed their addition to the story. It took me a little while to warm up to Dallas’s brother at first, but I really loved him as the book progressed.
Only Him was a sexy, beautiful, and unforgettable story about overcoming your fears, taking second chances, and living life to the fullest, and I would HIGHLY recommend it! Melanie Harlow did a fantastic job with this standalone second chance romance set in the One and Only series, and I was extremely pleased with the outcome to Dallas and Maren’s story. Melanie Harlow is an extraordinarily talented contemporary romance author, and I will forever be a huge fan of her work. Her talent is unparalleled and incomparable, and I can’t wait to devour more of her amazing love stories, especially Only Love!
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
5 STARS
Excerpt
Maren glanced back at me, more puzzled than ever, but she started up the cement stairs. I couldn’t take my eyes off her legs in front of me. Her calf muscles were insane from all the ballet training. I remembered how flexible she’d been and felt my dick start perking up.
“In addition to all the history I just gave you,” Aiden said, his voice echoing off the walls, “this hotel was also the site of a certain prom a few years back.”
All of a sudden, Maren stopped moving and looked down over her shoulder at me. “No way.” The stunned, joyful expression on her face was worth every penny I had to pay to make this happen.
Goose bumps rippled down my arms inside my jacket. I smiled at her.
Her jaw dropped, and she continued up the stairs. At the top, Aiden moved ahead and opened the door to the rooftop. “Ballrooms were not available tonight, but when Dallas asked if you could have the roof to yourselves, I had to admit no one had booked it. In fact, no one has ever even asked to book it.” He laughed.
Maren stepped over the threshold onto the rooftop. “Dallas is definitely one of a kind.”
The three of us moved away from the door, and I saw the table that had been set for us, complete with white linens, flower centerpiece, and candlelight. Luckily, the air was warm, and the wind was soft. The sun was still setting beyond the skyline to the west, and to the east the Detroit River was visible; a little to the south was the Ambassador Bridge, and beyond the river, Canada. The view was breathtaking on all sides.
After turning around in a full circle, Maren looked at me with shining eyes. “Dallas. This is incredible.”
“You’ll have your own server for the night, and he should be up shortly,” Aiden said, checking his watch. “I should get back downstairs. Dallas, you have my cell if you need anything. Maren, good seeing you again, and I hope you enjoy your evening.” He gave us a smile before heading back to the stairwell door.
As soon as he was gone, Maren turned to me. “I cannot believe you did this.”
I shrugged. “I felt pretty bad when you said you’d missed the prom because of me. I figured I owed it to you.”
She laughed and rolled her eyes, which were filled with tears. “You didn’t, but whatever. I’ll take it.” Opening her purse, she hunted around in it for something. “God, I don’t even have tissues. I didn’t know you were going to make me cry.”
“No crying allowed at the prom. And I hope it’s okay I’m wearing jeans.”
“It’s fine.” She sniffed and closed her purse. “I’m not that dressed up either.”
“You’re perfect.” Our eyes met, and the air between us suddenly felt full of hope and possibility. In any other circumstance, I’d have kissed her.
But I couldn’t do that tonight.
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Reaching into the inside pocket of my jacket, I pulled out a wrist corsage. “Sorry if it’s a little smashed. I had to get rid of the plastic container to hide it from you.”
She giggled and held out her arm. “That’s okay. It’s beautiful.”
“Good.” I slid the elastic band with three deep red roses attached to it along with some other green stuff onto her wrist. “I told the lady at the florist to make it a prom corsage. Pretty sure she thought I was crazy. Or creepy.”
“You might be crazy. But I love it. Thank you for this.” Then she rose up on tiptoe and pecked my cheek. When she lowered her heels, she stood there for a moment, her hand on my arm, her mouth so close I could have simply tipped my head down and my lips would be resting on hers.
My heart stumbled over its next few beats. I wanted to do it so badly, but I’d promised her I’d behave. I’d promised myself I’d behave. There were so many reasons why I shouldn’t be here tonight, standing so close to the only girl I’d ever loved, tempted beyond reason by her legs and her lips and her laugh and her eyes and her ability to make me feel like I fucking mattered in the universe.
What was the right thing to do?
If only—
The door from the stairwell opened, and we moved apart.
Start the Series of Standalones Today with Only You!
Amazon US I Amazon Universal I Amazon Paperback I iBooks I Nook I Kobo I Google Play
About the Author
Melanie Harlow
Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she’s not writing or reading, she gets her kicks from TV series like VEEP, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, and Homeland. She occasionally runs three miles, but only so she can have more gin and steak.
Melanie is the author of the AFTER WE FALL series, the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
BookBub | Pinterest | Amazon | Goodreads
