Thank you to Melanie Harlow and her team for the advance reader copy of Ignite, the first story in the Cloverleigh Farms spinoff series.
I was a huge fan of the Cloverleigh Farms series. If you have never picked it up you should definitely start with Irresistible. Which is the story of how Winnie’s parents, Frannie and Mack fell in love. It is still one of Melanie Harlow’s best books and I was so excited to see that Melanie was returning to Cloverleigh.
I am a member of Melanie Harlow’s review team, but I stand by my reviews remaining honest and true.
“My new neighbor is a firefighter–and a scorching hot single dad–but I swear I didn’t set off that smoke alarm on purpose.
(And I was beyond mortified when he rushed in and saw me naked.)
Nothing happened, of course–because I, Winnie MacAllister, romance junkie and owner of a constantly broken heart, have sworn off men for one solid year.
Even protective men with chiseled jaws, bulging biceps, and deep brown eyes that make my breath come faster. Even former SEALs with broad chests and strong hands that make my skin sizzle. Even gorgeous, grumpy guys who have their hands full raising two adorable little girls and claim they don’t believe in love.
Until Dex kisses me one night, and I drop all my defenses.
(Also my underwear.)
He says he’s not gentle, and he’s right. He says I should take the dream job I’m offered in another state, and he’s right. He says he’s too old for me and could never be the man I deserve.
He’s wrong.
Dex and I might be twelve years apart, but the fire between us is the kind that will never burn out.
How can I convince him to give happily-ever-after with me a chance?”
Check out my more detailed thoughts below…
- Characters: Our hero is Dexter. Dex is the divorced father of two little girls. He is a former Navy SEAL turned firefighter. He is a bit of a grump and swears a shit ton. He loves his daughters, he puts them first even at the detriment of his own happiness and that was one of the reasons it was so easy to cheer for him to find love. Our heroine is Winnie, you will recognize her if you have read Irresistible. She is Mack and Frannie’s daughter. Winnie is a hopeless romantic, but she has had to swear off men. After a failed engagement and a litany of bad boyfriends. She falls in love fast and hard. I loved how she always saw the best in people. Dex’s daughters, Hallie and Luna were much needed comic relief. When emotions got heavy they were always there to make a joke about Dex being a hairy ogre.
- Setting: I am so excited to be back at Cloverleigh! The best part of this book was all the interactions we got with other characters from all over the MHU (Melanie Harlow universe). There are obviously great scenes with Frannie and Mack. Along with the scene stealer character of Ellie, who is Winnie’s bestie. She is Mia and Lucas’s daughter whom you may remember from Frenched. I really hope we get her love story next! Finally we also get cameos from Mariah and Chip. Mariah being Cole’s daughter from Make Me Yours. Chip who plays a role in Unforgettable.
- Pacing: I have always loved how Melanie paces her books and Ignite was no exception. The stories are always the perfect length, not too long nor to short. All of it was just perfect when it came to pacing.
- Romance: These two are so hot together. It is amusing to see Winnie following in her parent’s foot steps. So many similar circumstances are in play. From the age gap to Dex’s single dad status. I knew from the first few pages I was going to be invested in seeing these two fall in love. They had immediate chemistry and I loved how they slowly, easily fell into love. Into the kind of love that both of these characters deserved. Love that was equal parts sweet and sexy. Melanie took a bit of a break between releases and all I wish is that the gap between the next one is not as large, because I need more Cloverleigh books and I need them now!
Ignite receives five out of five stars.
You can pick up the story here.
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Thank you again to Melanie and her team for the review opportunity. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
