Only You

Every time I read a book by Melanie Harlow, I am always struck by how relatable, supportive, and hilarious her female characters are. Only You was no different, and I loved Emme, her sisters, and friends/relatives right from the start. Nate wasn't half bad either ;) I was sucked right into Emme and Nate's story and didn't want to put it down. I loved their witty banter and their chemistry was off the charts! The will they/won't they created a delicious build up that set the stage for an explosion once they gave into their feelings. Their completely opposite outlooks on love and life made for a bumpy road, but given the history of our characters, it made perfect sense. Throw in the stress of becoming a parent overnight and it's no wonder that for every step forward they took, they also stumbled backward a few as well. I may not have agreed with the decisions Nate and Emme made, but I certainly understood them. Watching our characters grow and transform into stronger versions of themselves (whether it was becoming a parent or recognizing one's worth) was wonderful. I loved the theme of wishes throughout the book and Only You left my heart hopeful and happy. This was a really sweet and at times very emotional friends to lovers/single dad romance. There were a few push and pull heart stomping moments, but also tender, make your heart swell with joy times too. Melanie Harlow will have you feeling all the feels in this wonderful contemporary romance! 4.5 stars *I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

3.5* "This baby was a harbinger of evil. I could feel it." To say Only You started out with a bang is putting it mildly. Emme and Nate had me laughing out loud, right from the get go. They are total opposites: Emme is a romantic- a believer in the happily ever after, while Nate is your pretty typical womanizer who doesn’t believe in settling down. But they have such a comfortable, easy friendship, which I love. And Nate is always there for Emme, coming to her rescue and saving her from herself, more often than not. But then it's Emme's turn to rescue Nate, when Paisley is left at his door. Completely clueless and utterly lost, Nate knows nothing about caring for a baby- one who, until that very moment, he didn’t even know existed. As he scrambled to learn how to care for a baby, Emme was there for him every step of the way. Watching him flounder was really endearing and made for some very funny scenes. Is it wrong to say I enjoyed his struggles? Because I really did! As Nate and Emme spent more and more time together, their relationship started to evolve, and that made me so happy! I thought they were perfect together, Emme thought they were perfect together, and Nate led us all on, thinking he thought they were perfect together, too. Until he let his stupid, over thinking man-brain get the best of him! That’s when it got really frustrating for me. Ugh. Why do all these men feel like they can’t be what the woman needs, even when he’s exactly what she wants??? I get that he had a lot thrown at him all at once, and maybe the two of them should have held off on getting involved when they did, but pull your head out of your butt and man up, darn it. I wish Emme had made Nate grovel more than he did- I felt she was too quick to accept his excuses and apologies, for the hurt he put her through. But I’m glad it didn’t take him too terribly long to come to his senses, even if they shouldn’t have been apart to begin with! They really were perfect together, if you put aside his momentary lapse of smarts. All in all, I was pleased with the way things all worked out in the end, because Emme got her real- she got her happily ever after.

4.5 Swoony Stars! Sexy Single Dad? Yes Please! Witty Banter? Oh Yeah! Super hot and steamy passion? Definitely! Melanie Harlow's new Friends-to-Lovers romance will capture your heart and never let go! Emme had a way of picking the wrong men, but that didn't stop her from believing in love and soul mates. She is funny, fiesty, and slightly prone to disaster. She gets herself into some hilarious situations only to be rescued by Nate, her sexy neighbor. Nate doesn't believe in love, and finds it hard to trust. But he likes that Emme needs him, even if she doesn't want to. The tables get turned when he finds out he is a father when his baby girl is left on his doorstep for him to take care of. Now he needs to depend on Emme for help. His initial reaction to his daughter is priceless! Nate and Emme make a great team and are scorching hot together. Nate is so swoony as he navigates being a new father and learning to love. There were so many comical moments but several emotional moments as well. I loved everything about this story from the charming characters to the hilarious and steamy story. I am also a huge fan of the grand gesture and this had a very sweet and romantic one! It was perfect!