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Blurb

Jack Valentini isn’t my type.

Sexy, brooding cowboys are fine in the movies, but in real life, I prefer a suit and tie.  Proper manners. A close shave.

Jack might be gorgeous, but he’s also scruffy, rugged, and rude. He wants nothing to do with a “rich city girl” like me, and he isn’t afraid to say so.

But I’ve got a PR job to do for his family’s farm, so he’s stuck with me for ten days, and I’m stuck with him. His glares. His moods. His tight jeans. His muscles.

His huge, hard muscles.

Pretty soon there’s a whole different kind of tension between us, the kind that has me misbehaving in barns, trees, and pickup trucks. I’ve never done anything so out of character—but it feels too good to stop.

And the more I learn about the grieving ex-Army sergeant, the better I understand him.  Losing his wife three years ago left him broken and bitter and blaming himself. He doesn’t think he deserves a second chance at happiness.

But he’s wrong.

I don’t need to be his first love. If only he’d let me be his last.

“Second chances are not given to make things right, but are given to prove that we could be even better after we fall.” —Unknown

 

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Review

4.5 “Scone cold” stars

“I’m not looking for my first love. I’m looking for my last.”

I have enjoyed all of the Melanie Harlow books I have read and this is no different. After We Fall is a story about forgiveness, moving on, and a second chance at finding love that packs in the FEELS! Sweet, funny, sexy, and gripping, this story is one book you won’t put down.

Margot comes from old money. She is a beautiful city girl who was raised with exceptional manners. She is almost thirty, single, and wants a husband, kids and the perfect house. Once upon a time she thought she found that special someone to make her life complete. Boy was she wrong. When she finds herself in an embarrassing situation after causing a major scene with her ex, she finds herself needing to lay low until it all blows over. She and her best friend, Jamie, own Shine PR and managing their newest client, the Valentini Brothers, and heading to their farm may be the perfect excuse to get out of town.

Jack is a gorgeous man but he is a grouch and constantly in a bad mood. He is troubled, hurting, and stuck in the past. After finding the love of his life, marrying her, and then losing her, he is convinced he will never find love again. He doesn’t want it nor does he feel he deserves it. On top of that he suffers from PTSD. He’s had a dream of creating an organic sustainable farm and even though the dream is floundering, he doesn’t want the PR consultant his brother’s hired to help out or interfere.

Margot and Jack start off on the wrong foot right from the beginning. He is rude and acts like a jerk while Margot is just trying to do her job which is something she is very passionate about. She gets under his skin and everything about her annoys him. After feeling numb for so long, Jack is surprised when he feels something stirring deep inside of him. He can’t seem to get her off his mind no matter how hard he tries and she tests his willpower more and more with every interaction they have.

Margot sweet and bubbly in broad daylight was tempting enough—Margot feisty and looking for trouble in the dark was downright dangerous.

There is a mutual attraction but Jack refuses to acknowledge something is happening between them while Margot tries to push her thoughts aside. They don’t want to feel things and they don’t want anything to do with each other but the more they work together the more trouble it is to keep their hands to themselves.

I felt like two halves of me were splitting apart—one wanted so badly to be granted that second chance at loving someone and allowing myself to be loved, while the other demanded I serve out my life sentence alone in the prison I’d built for myself.

The chemistry is explosive and the sexual tension pulsates around them. It is intense and they are on fire with every touch no matter how small. There is a growing spark that ignites and bursts with desire. From the stolen kisses to the full on sexy times, these two are smokin’ HOT!

Even if there’s a solid connection and mutual feelings growing, what happens when the fear of moving on and starting over prevents a real relationship from even beginning?

I loved this story! It was so entertaining and found myself flipping the pages as fast as I could. I loved the characters and how different they were. They were well developed and entertaining. Not only where they sweet and sexy, they were hilarious too and I laughed-out-loud at some of the thoughts that went through their heads. I loved that we got both Jack and Margot’s POVs because it allowed me to know exactly what they were feeling. I completely understood where each of them were coming from and thought the dual POVs made the story stronger and more relatable.

Jack and Margot were perfect together even though they were opposites. They were just what the other needed to let loose and try something new. I loved the relationship and that they trusted each other. The growth that the characters went through was fantastic. I loved watching as things not only change between them but also with their lives and what they each want out of life. Even though there was insta-attraction, I wouldn’t say there was insta-love per se. They were definitely falling for each other but didn’t use the L word and I thought the whole thing was well done.

Margot comes across as a spoiled rich girl but when you get to know her you realize there is so much more. I loved how determined and hardworking she was. She was not going to take no for an answer and I loved that she stuck up for herself and spoke her mind. She had a big heart when it came to helping the family and wanted to be involved. I loved her confidence and the fact that she stepped out of her comfort zone.

Lately, Jack hasn’t had an easy time. It broke my heart that not only did he suffer a terrible loss, he had to deal with that grief while also manage his PTSD and guilt from his past. In the beginning he came across as rude and cold, but we soon see that even when he’s being a jerk he can be courteous, caring, and absolutely delicious. It made me so sad that he shouldered so much and couldn’t move on. I loved that Margot was just what he needed to open up and start feeling again. Even when he refused to acknowledge his feelings, I could still see he was falling quickly for her.

The secondary characters were wonderful as well. I love that we got to see more of Jaime from Man Candy and Jack’s family was a great addition to the story. I loved their support and unconditional love even when he was pushing them away or keeping himself closed off.

After We Fall was a great story that encompassed tons of emotions and made me feel what the characters were going through. The writing flows easily and characters are well-written. I enjoyed this very much and can’t wait to see what else Melanie Harlow has up her sleeve…maybe Claire’s story….

*ARC generously provided by author and Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review*

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About the Author

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 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.

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