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Cloverleigh Farms #7
Taste
The last person on earth I want to be stranded with is Gianni Lupo.
But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.
With one small bed.
Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin--but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.
So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be--
A big fat plus sign.
After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.
He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.
But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.
I’m terrified of falling for him.
But one taste might be all it takes.
But thanks to the blizzard of the century, I’m trapped in a roadside motel room with that cocky bastard for two straight days.
With one small bed.
Some women might thank Mother Nature for delivering a polar vortex that maroons them with six feet of solid muscle, those deep blue eyes, that sexy grin--but not me. I’ve known Gianni Lupo all my life, and he’s never brought me anything but bad luck and trouble.
So when the tension between us explodes with enough fiery heat to melt my icy defenses, I should have known what the disastrous end result would be--
A big fat plus sign.
After the snow melts, I’m left with more than just memories of the night we spent keeping each other warm. And he might be a rising star on the culinary scene, but he’s got no idea how to handle this bun in the oven.
He says he wants to do the right thing, but I’m not about to spend the rest of my life feeling like someone settled for me.
But just when I think I’ve got Gianni Lupo all figured out, he gives me a taste of the man he could be, of the family we could become, of the way he could love me if I let him.
I’m terrified of falling for him.
But one taste might be all it takes.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2022
About the author
Melanie Harlow
60 books19.8k followersUSA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy romance. Lover of cocktails, high heels, and history with the naughty bits left in. Michigan girl. INTJ. Always seeking ginspiration...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,450 reviews
January 28, 2023
my small brain doesnt have much to say except accidental pregnancy not bad all the time
March 8, 2022
– 3.75 stars
Before reading Taste, I never realised how much I needed a guy to pin me down, sit on my chest, let drool ooze out of his mouth until it almost hit me before he sucked it back in. 🤩 Where is my own Gianni Lupo? 💕
I'm not saying accidental pregnancy trope is the worst romance trope, but it is nowhere near my Top 10 tropes. But if there is accidental pregnancy done well, it was here, because Gianni (H) was so protective of Ellie (h). When he went with Ellie to the ultrasound check, that scene was one of the cutest scenes! 🥺
And can we talk about the epilogue??? That chapter made my cold heart melt.
The whole plot of this book was Ellie & Gianni stuck in a motel because of a snowstorm, banging and then Gianni having to prove himself that he is father material. No plot, only pure couple times, just how I like my romance. It was sweet. No angst, just pure fluff.
Conlusion
childhood frenemies to lovers ✔️
workplace romance ✔️
forced proximity ✔️
one bed ✔️
accidental pregnancy ✔️
small town ✔️
a lot of great supporting characters & families ✔️
If you need a quick & sweet palate cleanser with no angst, Taste is the book for you.
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
CLOVERLEIGH FARMS SERIES
#1 Irresistible – tbr
#2 Undeniable – tbr
#3 Insatiable – tbr
#4 Unbreakable – tbr
#5 Unforgettable – tbr
#6 Ignite – 3.5 stars
#7 Taste – 3.75 stars
#8 Tease – tbr
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
Before reading Taste, I never realised how much I needed a guy to pin me down, sit on my chest, let drool ooze out of his mouth until it almost hit me before he sucked it back in. 🤩 Where is my own Gianni Lupo? 💕
I'm not saying accidental pregnancy trope is the worst romance trope, but it is nowhere near my Top 10 tropes. But if there is accidental pregnancy done well, it was here, because Gianni (H) was so protective of Ellie (h). When he went with Ellie to the ultrasound check, that scene was one of the cutest scenes! 🥺
And can we talk about the epilogue??? That chapter made my cold heart melt.
“Look at my daughter. Isn’t she the most beautiful baby you have ever seen?” “Gianni, you have to stop saying that to everyone who comes in here,” said Ellie from the bed. To the nurse who’d come in to check her vitals, she said, “Sorry. First-time dad over there.”
The whole plot of this book was Ellie & Gianni stuck in a motel because of a snowstorm, banging and then Gianni having to prove himself that he is father material. No plot, only pure couple times, just how I like my romance. It was sweet. No angst, just pure fluff.
And really, what was my crime—wanting to be alone with her so badly I was willing to lie for it?
Conlusion
childhood frenemies to lovers ✔️
workplace romance ✔️
forced proximity ✔️
one bed ✔️
accidental pregnancy ✔️
small town ✔️
a lot of great supporting characters & families ✔️
If you need a quick & sweet palate cleanser with no angst, Taste is the book for you.
┍━━━━━━━━»•» «•«━┑
CLOVERLEIGH FARMS SERIES
#1 Irresistible – tbr
#2 Undeniable – tbr
#3 Insatiable – tbr
#4 Unbreakable – tbr
#5 Unforgettable – tbr
#6 Ignite – 3.5 stars
#7 Taste – 3.75 stars
#8 Tease – tbr
┕━»•» «•«━━━━━━━━┙
November 14, 2022
4.5 stars⭐️
well, i am shocked.
this was a solid four stars, but that ending made me bump it up a little bcos i was squealing with how damn cute this was!! seriously had the best time reading this— the perfect low-angst read that’ll give you all the feels.
now, reading a romance where you share the same name as the heroine is kinda trippy. especially with how similar she was to me? was definitely freaking out. but that meant i could sympathise and connect with Ellie so much more.
i loved both characters so much. Gianni was sexy. gimme my own Gianni. especially after that ending, the man nailed it and raised my standards to unforeseen heights. just everything about the Cherry Festival made me wanna sob🥺🥺🥺 the way he loved her?????? i can’t. the pictures, too. i was losing my mind it was all so wonderfully beautiful.
and their connection and chemistry was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 fuck, i loved them.
they spend almost half the book together, trapped in the motel in the midst of a snow storm. we get unfiltered Gianni and Ellie, uninterrupted and it was so much fun. the smut was off the charts, but even before that, the built-up tension between them was palpable. they just had this perfect balance of flirtiness, animosity and snark that made for some excellent smut and tension.
they would flit back and forth between the mature and sexy versions of themselves, then the hilariously petty teen versions who had a few unresolved issues — slamming doors, throwing food, playing truth or dare... it was just so fun!! and said truth or dare may have been a sexy version that lead to some stellar shenanigans...😏
if Gianni wants two Ellie’s for the price of one...
they definitely had more of a frenemies dynamic and i adored the fuck out of them. they were petty in the most delicious way, bickering and teasing, filled with tension and sexual innuendos. but it wasn’t childish and immature. you know when you read an “enemies to lovers” but really it’s two fully grown adults acting like primary school kids with no brain cells, and you’re just frustrated the whole time?? Ellie and Gianni are not like that at all, thank fuck.
they had each other’s backs. they had a really sweet and funny history that the author crafted effortlessly— we get snippets of their past filtered into the present dialogue that gives you a really good picture of their dynamic and their history without lots of info-dumping. it really fleshed them out more as individuals and as a couple.
their was no unnecessary shit stirring between them. whenever they had a falling out, it was for a valid reason. so all the conflicts that arose throughout the book weren’t irritating to read or stifled my enjoyment bcos i understood why things were strained between them. again, bcos their history was laid out amazingly, their present actions were justifiable and easy to understand. their own insecurities and doubts made so much sense to me, so whenever they had issues, i wasn’t mad a all bcos i could see the process of their line of thinking— they were just really well fleshed out characters.
mainly bcos, in my opinion, you could feel their growth. the couple they were in the epilogue and the final few chapters was so different from who they were in the beginning, and i loved it! you go on a journey with them, a realistic one that i can’t quite articulate bcos it was executed so well. it was subtle and gradual, and you don’t realise how much they changed until the ending.
i loved cheeky, charming Gianni from the beginning. but also loved the sexy mature man he blossomed into. his love declaration will have me in a chokehold for the next few months, for real.
this was my first Melanie Harlow book, but it’s safe to say it won’t be my last!! really looking forward to Felicity and Hutton.
well, i am shocked.
this was a solid four stars, but that ending made me bump it up a little bcos i was squealing with how damn cute this was!! seriously had the best time reading this— the perfect low-angst read that’ll give you all the feels.
now, reading a romance where you share the same name as the heroine is kinda trippy. especially with how similar she was to me? was definitely freaking out. but that meant i could sympathise and connect with Ellie so much more.
i loved both characters so much. Gianni was sexy. gimme my own Gianni. especially after that ending, the man nailed it and raised my standards to unforeseen heights. just everything about the Cherry Festival made me wanna sob🥺🥺🥺 the way he loved her?????? i can’t. the pictures, too. i was losing my mind it was all so wonderfully beautiful.
The final photo I found of us had been taken at our high school graduation. We’re wearing our navy blue gowns, and I’m standing behind Ellie with both arms around her neck like I might choke her. The grin on my face is a mile wide, and she’s tugging on my forearms like she wants to escape—but she’s laughing, her face radiantly beautiful and her eyes bright.
and their connection and chemistry was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻 fuck, i loved them.
“And I really want this.”
“Sex can ruin a friendship, you know.”
“Then it’s a good thing we’re not friends.”
they spend almost half the book together, trapped in the motel in the midst of a snow storm. we get unfiltered Gianni and Ellie, uninterrupted and it was so much fun. the smut was off the charts, but even before that, the built-up tension between them was palpable. they just had this perfect balance of flirtiness, animosity and snark that made for some excellent smut and tension.
they would flit back and forth between the mature and sexy versions of themselves, then the hilariously petty teen versions who had a few unresolved issues — slamming doors, throwing food, playing truth or dare... it was just so fun!! and said truth or dare may have been a sexy version that lead to some stellar shenanigans...😏
“Gianni,” I whispered. “I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and like you, okay? So maybe you could just be selfish for a minute? Just fuck me like you don’t care? Better yet, fuck me like you hate me.”
“Jesus.” He looked down at me. “Say that again,” he demanded.
“What?”
“Tell me how you want it.”
This time I put some venom into the words. “Fuck me like you hate me.”
if Gianni wants two Ellie’s for the price of one...
they definitely had more of a frenemies dynamic and i adored the fuck out of them. they were petty in the most delicious way, bickering and teasing, filled with tension and sexual innuendos. but it wasn’t childish and immature. you know when you read an “enemies to lovers” but really it’s two fully grown adults acting like primary school kids with no brain cells, and you’re just frustrated the whole time?? Ellie and Gianni are not like that at all, thank fuck.
they had each other’s backs. they had a really sweet and funny history that the author crafted effortlessly— we get snippets of their past filtered into the present dialogue that gives you a really good picture of their dynamic and their history without lots of info-dumping. it really fleshed them out more as individuals and as a couple.
their was no unnecessary shit stirring between them. whenever they had a falling out, it was for a valid reason. so all the conflicts that arose throughout the book weren’t irritating to read or stifled my enjoyment bcos i understood why things were strained between them. again, bcos their history was laid out amazingly, their present actions were justifiable and easy to understand. their own insecurities and doubts made so much sense to me, so whenever they had issues, i wasn’t mad a all bcos i could see the process of their line of thinking— they were just really well fleshed out characters.
I turned around and saw Ellie standing there, her belly huge, her hands braced on her lower back. Her long, dark hair hung loose around her shoulders. She looked so young and beautiful, my heart hurt.
mainly bcos, in my opinion, you could feel their growth. the couple they were in the epilogue and the final few chapters was so different from who they were in the beginning, and i loved it! you go on a journey with them, a realistic one that i can’t quite articulate bcos it was executed so well. it was subtle and gradual, and you don’t realise how much they changed until the ending.
i loved cheeky, charming Gianni from the beginning. but also loved the sexy mature man he blossomed into. his love declaration will have me in a chokehold for the next few months, for real.
“When I asked you, ‘what about us,’ you said, ‘There is no us. There’s never been an us.’ I wanted to show you it wasn’t true. That there’s always been an us.”
this was my first Melanie Harlow book, but it’s safe to say it won’t be my last!! really looking forward to Felicity and Hutton.
November 16, 2022
✮ ✮ 𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐖 ✮ ✮
If you need a break from dark or angsty and just want to laugh, smile, and sweat a little, this book is what you're looking for!
Meet Ellie and Gianni and their hot and steamy, stranded enemies-to-lovers story...
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱!
✦ KU/Amazon → https://harlow.pub/Taste-amazon
✦ Amazon Worldwide → http://mybook.to/TasteMH
✦ Paperback → Available Now! https://harlow.pub/Taste-pb
🎧 Audio → coming soon (production complete!)
If you need a break from dark or angsty and just want to laugh, smile, and sweat a little, this book is what you're looking for!
Meet Ellie and Gianni and their hot and steamy, stranded enemies-to-lovers story...
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆! 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱!
✦ KU/Amazon → https://harlow.pub/Taste-amazon
✦ Amazon Worldwide → http://mybook.to/TasteMH
✦ Paperback → Available Now! https://harlow.pub/Taste-pb
🎧 Audio → coming soon (production complete!)
March 14, 2022
The beginning of this book was so good. I loved the animosity, history, and banter between Ellie and Gianni so much and I loved that they were going to be snowed in together. Forced proximity is such a top tier trope and I loved how it forced Ellie and Gianni to discuss their past and give into their desire. After that night, though, there was a trope I really hate that came into the plot and this one had all of the insecurities that come with that trope. Ellie really wasn't fair to Gianni and made all of the decisions for them and what she said went. I didn't like how she never even gave Gianni a chance and forced him to do what she said and didn't let him get a word in. I really didn't like the last 40% of this book and felt like it completely ruined such a good set up for a hate to love romance.
March 17, 2022
3.75 ⭐️ cute & fluffy! I did expect more angst and tension based on how I saw them in ‘Ignite’ but regardless it was a fun read. The pacing wasn’t my favorite, and I wish I would’ve gotten a lil more enemies & more time spent between them two but the ending & the epilogue were everything.
“Śëx can ruin a friendship, you know.”
“Then it’s a good thing we’re not friends.”
“Śëx can ruin a friendship, you know.”
“Then it’s a good thing we’re not friends.”
April 15, 2022
unexpected pregnancy is one of the best tropes, and girls that get it, get it, and girls that don't... don't 🤷🏻♀️
March 12, 2022
3.75 stars ❄️
This was positively adorable. This book made me realize, who the fuck cares about the plot anyway? Sometimes it’s nice to read a romance that only has romance. No need for boring ass dialogues with side characters. This gets down to the nitty gritty and I really appreciated that.
Gianni (H) and Ellie (h) are childhood enemies. Their moms are best friends, meanwhile Gianni ‘bullied’ Ellie. Since Ellie works for her parents winery, she had a bit of a tasting session planned at a client’s home. Knowing there was a blizzard coming, Gianni offers to drive her there and back.
Well, surprise surprise, after they leave the dinner they realize that the storm is too strong so it’d be best if they got a room at a motel. Naturally, there’s only ONE room with ONE bed available *gasp*. This room is where a majority of the novel takes place which is *chef’s kiss*
🌨 warning! small spoilers that could mess up the reading experience. so proceed with caution 🌨
I just loved the little banter between Gianni and Ellie. There’s this slight sexual tension between them that they both refuse to acknowledge which creates the perfect environment for being trapped in a motel during a snow storm—
There’s also banter that suggested they couldn’t stand each other which is actually my favorite thing ever—
One of the cutest things is when Gianni lies to Ellie about their car not being able to start which meant they had to stay another night 🤪 Gianni did this because he secretly loved spending time with Ellie and didn’t want their getaway to end. This, in turn, causes them to have sex despite Ellie blatantly refusing to have anymore with him 🥰
Except…that extra night at the motel resulted in them not using a condom during the build up. This caused one of Gianni’s swimmers to get Ellie pregnant! The audacity! Am I normally annoyed by accidental pregnancies in books? Yes. But not in this specific case because when Ellie confessed she was pregnant to Gianni…this happened—
not the pregnancy part of course
Eventually, Gianni pulls his head out of his ass regarding the baby vs his career and they ride each other into the sunset. Happy ending all around
Honorable mention to what is one of my favorite lines from the whole book. This was actually said by a random side character at a gas station
Bonus points for this being set in my home state of Michigan
This was positively adorable. This book made me realize, who the fuck cares about the plot anyway? Sometimes it’s nice to read a romance that only has romance. No need for boring ass dialogues with side characters. This gets down to the nitty gritty and I really appreciated that.
Gianni (H) and Ellie (h) are childhood enemies. Their moms are best friends, meanwhile Gianni ‘bullied’ Ellie. Since Ellie works for her parents winery, she had a bit of a tasting session planned at a client’s home. Knowing there was a blizzard coming, Gianni offers to drive her there and back.
Well, surprise surprise, after they leave the dinner they realize that the storm is too strong so it’d be best if they got a room at a motel. Naturally, there’s only ONE room with ONE bed available *gasp*. This room is where a majority of the novel takes place which is *chef’s kiss*
🌨 warning! small spoilers that could mess up the reading experience. so proceed with caution 🌨
I just loved the little banter between Gianni and Ellie. There’s this slight sexual tension between them that they both refuse to acknowledge which creates the perfect environment for being trapped in a motel during a snow storm—
“Do we have a key?”
“Yeah. We’re number thirteen,” he said as we headed for the door. “I think that means I’ll get lucky tonight.”
“Think again,” I told him.”
→oh does he get lucky all right
There’s also banter that suggested they couldn’t stand each other which is actually my favorite thing ever—
Just—everything! This whole night was such a shit show! Nothing about it went right. I had all these high hopes and big plans, and now I’m going to die of hypothermia in room thirteen at the Pineview Motel with you.”
But it’s better than dying alone, right?”
I sniffed. “Is it?”
One of the cutest things is when Gianni lies to Ellie about their car not being able to start which meant they had to stay another night 🤪 Gianni did this because he secretly loved spending time with Ellie and didn’t want their getaway to end. This, in turn, causes them to have sex despite Ellie blatantly refusing to have anymore with him 🥰
“Gianni,” she said, her voice low and breathy.
My cock surged to life at the sound of my name on her lips. I tried to swallow again and couldn’t. “Yeah?”
“Remember last night when you asked me if I ever wanted to just rip someone’s clothes off and go at it?”
Oh, fuck. “Yeah?”
Her hand moved down over the growing bulge in my jeans. “Now I know the feeling.”
→why is it always the "yeah?" that gets me 😩🥵
Except…that extra night at the motel resulted in them not using a condom during the build up. This caused one of Gianni’s swimmers to get Ellie pregnant! The audacity! Am I normally annoyed by accidental pregnancies in books? Yes. But not in this specific case because when Ellie confessed she was pregnant to Gianni…this happened—
“You’re a fucking liar. And I despise you.”
…
Inside a minute, I had her up on the island, driving my cock into her again and again, savagely, furiously, like I wanted to punish her for the way she consumed my every waking moment.
→nothing I love more than hate fucking 😍😍
not the pregnancy part of course
Eventually, Gianni pulls his head out of his ass regarding the baby vs his career and they ride each other into the sunset. Happy ending all around
Honorable mention to what is one of my favorite lines from the whole book. This was actually said by a random side character at a gas station
“I thought we were only supposed to get ten inches or so.”
The guy cackled. When have those idiots ever been right about anything? You can’t know what Mother Nature’s gonna do before she does it. She’s a woman!”
→he couldn’t be more right
Bonus points for this being set in my home state of Michigan
March 18, 2023
3.5 stars
I’ve read 3 Melanie Harlow’s books before this one. Two I didn’t really like and one that was just okay. I honestly wasn’t gonna give this one a try but I kinda liked the characters and the hate teasing vibe between them. Anyway, this turned out being surpassingly entertaining. It wasn’t anything extraordinary or mind blowing, just an easy enjoyable read with fun entertaining characters. I might even continue with the series.
I’ve read 3 Melanie Harlow’s books before this one. Two I didn’t really like and one that was just okay. I honestly wasn’t gonna give this one a try but I kinda liked the characters and the hate teasing vibe between them. Anyway, this turned out being surpassingly entertaining. It wasn’t anything extraordinary or mind blowing, just an easy enjoyable read with fun entertaining characters. I might even continue with the series.
September 12, 2023
3.5 stars
For as much as I dislike the secret baby trope, I actually really like the surprise baby one most of the time. This book was fun and sweet. I wish the pregnancy would have brought this couple together much sooner. I feel like we didn't get near enough time with them as an actual couple, but aside from that I really liked Gianni and Ellie.
For as much as I dislike the secret baby trope, I actually really like the surprise baby one most of the time. This book was fun and sweet. I wish the pregnancy would have brought this couple together much sooner. I feel like we didn't get near enough time with them as an actual couple, but aside from that I really liked Gianni and Ellie.
Audio book source: Audible
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Ava Erickson & James Cavenaugh
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 8h 15m
March 21, 2022
"Maybe you and I will be the greatest adventure yet."
This book starts with a Nora Ephron quote from When Harry Met Sally. Suffice to say, that instantly got my attention. It was one of my favorite movies growing up. It's supposed to prove that men and women can't be friends, but to me it was always about friendship needing to be an essential part of any relationship. Even when the people involved don't realize they're actually friends. Case in point, Gianni and Ellie.
This is a really sweet, funny, and sometimes swoony enemies-to-lovers story with a wonderful ending, and a bonus epilogue that was heartwarming. I needed this.
"I’d never tell him this, because he’s cocky enough as it is, but Gianni is undeniably, unreasonably hot."
Gianni is fun. Like, seriously fun. I love his flirty way, his dirty jokes, and his innuendos. He seems like just a playful boy, but he's so much more than that, if you manage to see past the cocky exterior. If you manage to see the man he's become. And not everyone can.
"You’ve always been the unattainable girl of my dreams, Ellie."
I really liked Ellie. It was easy for me to relate to her and the way she thought. The way she can't quite get over the past. Her fears, her thoughts, her self-doubt. Her business side, her professionalism, and her 'take-no-shit' attitude. I loved it all.
"Anyway, what do you have against getting a solid ten inches tonight? Sounds like a good time to me."
"Spare me the juvenile dick jokes, please."
"Does that mean I can make adult dick jokes?"
These two really dislike each other. Sort of. There's this underlying chemistry between them that's mixed with past regrets and a whole lot of what ifs. Their interactions are funny, and brought several smiles to my face.
When Ellie has the chance to do a tasting to maybe get her name on a '30 under 30' list for a magazine, Gianni wants to help. He drives her there. But he's also a celebrity chef, and ends up taking her spotlight. He really didn't mean to, and my heart broke for him a bit.
"Sex can ruin a friendship, you know."
"Then it’s a good thing we’re not friends."
Regardless, Ellie's feelings get hurt. You see, she feels mostly invisible, to everyone else, but especially to Gianni, and that's what hurts the most. She doesn't get why she never stood a chance with him – even though she'd rather die than admit to thinking about him that way. And Gianni feels like he could never be enough for her either, but he never says it out loud.
There's too much fear of rejection. They're both stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"If I’m never going to have this chance again, I’m not about to fumble around in the dark. I’m going to see every inch of your body so I can live on this memory forever."
To go back home in the middle of a blizzard would be a bad idea. So they decide to spend the night at a motel. Together. In one room. Feelings that remained bottled up between them are brought to light. Questions are asked, answers are given, and suddenly their chemistry is no longer something they can just ignore. So, yes, only one bed, one night that turns into a couple of nights, and the rest is history.
They could never work, right? But then she realizes that those two nights have left her pregnant. To say this was unexpected is a serious understatement.
"I know I’m probably the last guy you thought you’d end up with."
"The very last," I confirmed, smiling through tears.
"But I promise to make you smile every single day of your life,"
I have to confess the forced proximity trope, and especially the accidental pregnancy trope, are not my favorite at all. Except when done right, and this was superb writing. I got all the feelings. I wanted to push them together and tell them that sometimes you just grab what you're given. Especially when it's right there in front of you, and it's been there for a very long time.
"This is us," (...) I wanted to show you it wasn’t true. That there’s always been an us."
The ending... I'm just going to say it's one of the sweetest I've read. The grand gesture may not be that grand, but it's the right one for them. Just like they've always been right for each other.
And yeah, all it took was one taste. And one would never be enough.
This book starts with a Nora Ephron quote from When Harry Met Sally. Suffice to say, that instantly got my attention. It was one of my favorite movies growing up. It's supposed to prove that men and women can't be friends, but to me it was always about friendship needing to be an essential part of any relationship. Even when the people involved don't realize they're actually friends. Case in point, Gianni and Ellie.
This is a really sweet, funny, and sometimes swoony enemies-to-lovers story with a wonderful ending, and a bonus epilogue that was heartwarming. I needed this.
"I’d never tell him this, because he’s cocky enough as it is, but Gianni is undeniably, unreasonably hot."
Gianni is fun. Like, seriously fun. I love his flirty way, his dirty jokes, and his innuendos. He seems like just a playful boy, but he's so much more than that, if you manage to see past the cocky exterior. If you manage to see the man he's become. And not everyone can.
"You’ve always been the unattainable girl of my dreams, Ellie."
I really liked Ellie. It was easy for me to relate to her and the way she thought. The way she can't quite get over the past. Her fears, her thoughts, her self-doubt. Her business side, her professionalism, and her 'take-no-shit' attitude. I loved it all.
"Anyway, what do you have against getting a solid ten inches tonight? Sounds like a good time to me."
"Spare me the juvenile dick jokes, please."
"Does that mean I can make adult dick jokes?"
These two really dislike each other. Sort of. There's this underlying chemistry between them that's mixed with past regrets and a whole lot of what ifs. Their interactions are funny, and brought several smiles to my face.
When Ellie has the chance to do a tasting to maybe get her name on a '30 under 30' list for a magazine, Gianni wants to help. He drives her there. But he's also a celebrity chef, and ends up taking her spotlight. He really didn't mean to, and my heart broke for him a bit.
"Sex can ruin a friendship, you know."
"Then it’s a good thing we’re not friends."
Regardless, Ellie's feelings get hurt. You see, she feels mostly invisible, to everyone else, but especially to Gianni, and that's what hurts the most. She doesn't get why she never stood a chance with him – even though she'd rather die than admit to thinking about him that way. And Gianni feels like he could never be enough for her either, but he never says it out loud.
There's too much fear of rejection. They're both stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"If I’m never going to have this chance again, I’m not about to fumble around in the dark. I’m going to see every inch of your body so I can live on this memory forever."
To go back home in the middle of a blizzard would be a bad idea. So they decide to spend the night at a motel. Together. In one room. Feelings that remained bottled up between them are brought to light. Questions are asked, answers are given, and suddenly their chemistry is no longer something they can just ignore. So, yes, only one bed, one night that turns into a couple of nights, and the rest is history.
They could never work, right? But then she realizes that those two nights have left her pregnant. To say this was unexpected is a serious understatement.
"I know I’m probably the last guy you thought you’d end up with."
"The very last," I confirmed, smiling through tears.
"But I promise to make you smile every single day of your life,"
I have to confess the forced proximity trope, and especially the accidental pregnancy trope, are not my favorite at all. Except when done right, and this was superb writing. I got all the feelings. I wanted to push them together and tell them that sometimes you just grab what you're given. Especially when it's right there in front of you, and it's been there for a very long time.
"This is us," (...) I wanted to show you it wasn’t true. That there’s always been an us."
The ending... I'm just going to say it's one of the sweetest I've read. The grand gesture may not be that grand, but it's the right one for them. Just like they've always been right for each other.
And yeah, all it took was one taste. And one would never be enough.
October 4, 2022
Gianni was hot. He’s definitely a Leo. A confident, charismatic flirt who effortlessly commands a room and makes people feel special. He had Jack Harlow Shooting His Shot With Saweetie At The 2021 BET Awards energy. Libra energy.
Anyway.
—
Melanie Harlow gets the dialogue and details right. Her characters feel like actual people.
Her heroines aren’t ridiculous, insufferable dumb bitches… they’re lovable dumb bitches in the same way that your best friend is a dumb bitch.
Ellie was fucking annoying… but in a cozy way. Like awww what a stupid bitch, reminds me of my best friend 🥰 and myself 🥰
—
Overall, I loved the first 60% and liked the last 40%. It fizzled out and got corny (for my taste), but the good outweighed the bad.
I love when characters have built-in history. It makes their connection believable. And, cough cough, I also love when we get straight to the point… when that dick starts swinging early. I’m a whore with an Adderall prescription— I need someone to be fucking someone else within the first 30% or my mind is wandering. This book got the pacing right.
—
Lastly. A random opinion:
Gianni and Ellie’s ages made no sense to me. How are you 22 and a nationally renowned chef with a reality TV show and an award-winning restaurant under your belt?
They kept referencing interactions that happened between them a few years ago when they were 17 and in high school and it was so jarring to me every time. They needed to be closer to 30.
Anyway.
—
Melanie Harlow gets the dialogue and details right. Her characters feel like actual people.
Her heroines aren’t ridiculous, insufferable dumb bitches… they’re lovable dumb bitches in the same way that your best friend is a dumb bitch.
Ellie was fucking annoying… but in a cozy way. Like awww what a stupid bitch, reminds me of my best friend 🥰 and myself 🥰
—
Overall, I loved the first 60% and liked the last 40%. It fizzled out and got corny (for my taste), but the good outweighed the bad.
I love when characters have built-in history. It makes their connection believable. And, cough cough, I also love when we get straight to the point… when that dick starts swinging early. I’m a whore with an Adderall prescription— I need someone to be fucking someone else within the first 30% or my mind is wandering. This book got the pacing right.
—
Lastly. A random opinion:
Gianni and Ellie’s ages made no sense to me. How are you 22 and a nationally renowned chef with a reality TV show and an award-winning restaurant under your belt?
They kept referencing interactions that happened between them a few years ago when they were 17 and in high school and it was so jarring to me every time. They needed to be closer to 30.
January 9, 2023
I love Gianni. He is such a man baby. His POV is very entertaining. I love how Miss Harlow created such perfect, sweet and adorable man baby.
Ellie on the other hand is a perfect match for Gianni. Her perfect goody heroine is the oposite of Gianni. I love their banter, their interaction and their love story. I love their parents too. I uave not read the parents's story yet.
I am so glad I picked up this book. I needed so much sweetness today.
4 stars
Ellie on the other hand is a perfect match for Gianni. Her perfect goody heroine is the oposite of Gianni. I love their banter, their interaction and their love story. I love their parents too. I uave not read the parents's story yet.
I am so glad I picked up this book. I needed so much sweetness today.
4 stars
October 5, 2024
5 blizzard-b@ng, whoops-I’m-pregnant-stars
Are you ever looking for a forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers, surprise-pregnancy book? Well, you’re in luck, because Melanie Harlow delivers steamy, smexxy, AND sweet in Taste, and I wanted more (a taste wasn’t enough😉).
Ellie (23) has the unfortunate luck to work with her nemesis Gianni (23), the cocky chef who’s been a thorn in her side for years. They’ve been in each other’s lives since they were kids (their moms are best friends) and always found the each other attractive. But because he had a reputation in high school, she made sure to steer clear of his playboy ways and let him know he was beneath her and not worth her time. Did it bother him? HECK YES… and then he got back at her with 7 minutes of heaven 🔥👀 and ever since then, the hatred she felt for him intensified.
Years later, they’re stuck in a one-bed hotel room during a blizzard after he accompanied her to an “event” for a potential magazine’s “30 Under 30” spread… and things heat up 👀😉.
What I liked/loved: possible spoilers
—the 🔥. Oh Lordt. I love, LOOOOVE enemies-to-lovers, ESPECIALLY when the h’s hesitant, and Gianni convinces her so sexily that I would’ve slapped her if she hadn’t gone through with it 😅. He listens to her likes and dislikes and then he shows her that there’s more to smex than what she’s experienced. And gawd, it’s 🥵💦🔥. He makes sure she feels pleasure. I see you Gianni 👀😉. You tell her 💅
—the tension. It’s so thick, chainsaws are needed; knives aren’t gonna cut anything 🥵. From the simple gestures to the small grazes to the stolen glances to the inhales of breaths, my poor kindle didn’t see it coming. Gawd, even the simple “let’s keep each other warm” talk was 🔥
—rip your clothes off? Yeah. I’m just gonna take a seat right here and watch it unfold 👀 and don’t get me started on the “thank you” drop the towel scene 😉
—the childhood memories 🤣
—7 minutes of HEAVEN 👀 redemption 🥵. First of all, going back in time and experiencing what happened was so so so smexy�� AND THEY DIDNT EVEN KISS!!! Jeeezus! If that was Gianni at 17, I can’t blame Ellie for caving at 23 🔥
—the Truth or Drink game. Yeah. I love this entire game 👀 so many revelations, and the tension was 🤌🏻
—the banter. Bahahaha, these two might “dislike” each other, but their banter is top notch. They volley back and forth so smoothly, and of course, full of 🔥 behind it all 😅
—the lie he tells 😬. Look. It’s almost required in a forced proximity book 💁🏻♀️. How else would they spend more time together 😈?
—the pregnancy. I just looove it in my books. She thinks he’s not ready and he just wants them together. They obviously have lots of work to do here
—how he proves he’s ready to commit 🥹❤️ if I could hug Gianni, I would!
—their parents. I loooove how Gianni’s dad talks to him. I haven’t read all the parent books, but I want to now ❤️
—the way he proposes 😩 talk about full circle to their childhood ❤️🥰🥹
—the epilogue. He’s so flustered 🤣🤣🤣 I loved it 🥹 if you sigh up for Melanie Harlow’s newsletter, you can get a bonus one 🥰
What I wanted more of:
—more of them together during her actual pregnancy. The chapters we get are super sweet though, but I wanted more
Overall, I loved it 🥰🥹
⚠️ safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-praise kink
-condoms (Bahahaha but it didn’t matter… there was one incident of putting it on after the fact)/he’s never not used one before
-HEA/epilogues/months later/when in labor/once the baby is born/10 years later ❤️
Are you ever looking for a forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers, surprise-pregnancy book? Well, you’re in luck, because Melanie Harlow delivers steamy, smexxy, AND sweet in Taste, and I wanted more (a taste wasn’t enough😉).
Ellie (23) has the unfortunate luck to work with her nemesis Gianni (23), the cocky chef who’s been a thorn in her side for years. They’ve been in each other’s lives since they were kids (their moms are best friends) and always found the each other attractive. But because he had a reputation in high school, she made sure to steer clear of his playboy ways and let him know he was beneath her and not worth her time. Did it bother him? HECK YES… and then he got back at her with 7 minutes of heaven 🔥👀 and ever since then, the hatred she felt for him intensified.
Years later, they’re stuck in a one-bed hotel room during a blizzard after he accompanied her to an “event” for a potential magazine’s “30 Under 30” spread… and things heat up 👀😉.
What I liked/loved: possible spoilers
—the 🔥. Oh Lordt. I love, LOOOOVE enemies-to-lovers, ESPECIALLY when the h’s hesitant, and Gianni convinces her so sexily that I would’ve slapped her if she hadn’t gone through with it 😅. He listens to her likes and dislikes and then he shows her that there’s more to smex than what she’s experienced. And gawd, it’s 🥵💦🔥. He makes sure she feels pleasure. I see you Gianni 👀😉. You tell her 💅
”Gianni,” I whispered. “I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and like you, okay? So maybe you could just be selfish for a minute? Just fuck me like you don’t care? Better yet, fuck me like you hate me.”…
“Fine. I’ll fuck you like I hate you.” He grinned above me. “I’ll still make you come.”
—the tension. It’s so thick, chainsaws are needed; knives aren’t gonna cut anything 🥵. From the simple gestures to the small grazes to the stolen glances to the inhales of breaths, my poor kindle didn’t see it coming. Gawd, even the simple “let’s keep each other warm” talk was 🔥
”Well, we’re not doing it again. One free blizzard bang is all we get.” “What’s a blizzard bang?” “It’s a sort of hall pass you get during really bad weather to make questionable sexual decisions.” I laughed. “But it’s a one-time use?” “Yeah.” “Too bad.” I held her closer and started kissing the back of her neck, fully prepared for her to push me away or tell me to stop. When she didn’t, I slipped my arm inside the shirt she wore, placing my hand on her bare stomach. “Oh God,” she whispered.
—rip your clothes off? Yeah. I’m just gonna take a seat right here and watch it unfold 👀 and don’t get me started on the “thank you” drop the towel scene 😉
—the childhood memories 🤣
”You pinned me down, sat on my chest, and let drool ooze out of your mouth until it almost hit me before you sucked it back in.” I laughed. “Fuck, I forgot about that. How about I let you sit on me right now? Can we call it even? I won’t even mind if there’s saliva involved.”
—7 minutes of HEAVEN 👀 redemption 🥵. First of all, going back in time and experiencing what happened was so so so smexy�� AND THEY DIDNT EVEN KISS!!! Jeeezus! If that was Gianni at 17, I can’t blame Ellie for caving at 23 🔥
”I want another chance. For years, I’ve been kicking myself for fucking up in that closet.” “Good.” “I let pride win, when I should have just gone with my gut.” “And what was your gut telling you to do?” My voice was low and breathy now, and my eyes dropped to his mouth. “The same thing you were telling me to do. This.” He crushed his lips to mine.
—the Truth or Drink game. Yeah. I love this entire game 👀 so many revelations, and the tension was 🤌🏻
—the banter. Bahahaha, these two might “dislike” each other, but their banter is top notch. They volley back and forth so smoothly, and of course, full of 🔥 behind it all 😅
—the lie he tells 😬. Look. It’s almost required in a forced proximity book 💁🏻♀️. How else would they spend more time together 😈?
—the pregnancy. I just looove it in my books. She thinks he’s not ready and he just wants them together. They obviously have lots of work to do here
—how he proves he’s ready to commit 🥹❤️ if I could hug Gianni, I would!
—their parents. I loooove how Gianni’s dad talks to him. I haven’t read all the parent books, but I want to now ❤️
—the way he proposes 😩 talk about full circle to their childhood ❤️🥰🥹
—the epilogue. He’s so flustered 🤣🤣🤣 I loved it 🥹 if you sigh up for Melanie Harlow’s newsletter, you can get a bonus one 🥰
What I wanted more of:
—more of them together during her actual pregnancy. The chapters we get are super sweet though, but I wanted more
Overall, I loved it 🥰🥹
⚠️ safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-praise kink
-condoms (Bahahaha but it didn’t matter… there was one incident of putting it on after the fact)/he’s never not used one before
-HEA/epilogues/months later/when in labor/once the baby is born/10 years later ❤️
March 14, 2024
5 blizzard-b@ng, whoops-I’m-pregnant-stars
Are you ever looking for a forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers, surprise-pregnancy book? Well, you’re in luck, because Melanie Harlow delivers steamy, smexxy, AND sweet in Taste, and I wanted more (a taste wasn’t enough😉).
Ellie (23) has the unfortunate luck to work with her nemesis Gianni (23), the cocky chef who’s been a thorn in her side for years. They’ve been in each other’s lives since they were kids (their moms are best friends) and always found the each other attractive. But because he had a reputation in high school, she made sure to steer clear of his playboy ways and let him know he was beneath her and not worth her time. Did it bother him? HECK YES… and then he got back at her with 7 minutes of heaven 🔥👀 and ever since then, the hatred she felt for him intensified.
Years later, they’re stuck in a one-bed hotel room during a blizzard after he accompanied her to an “event” for a potential magazine’s “30 Under 30” spread… and things heat up 👀😉.
What I liked/loved: possible spoilers
—the 🔥. Oh Lordt. I love, LOOOOVE enemies-to-lovers, ESPECIALLY when the h’s hesitant, and Gianni convinces her so sexily that I would’ve slapped her if she hadn’t gone through with it 😅. He listens to her likes and dislikes and then he shows her that there’s more to smex than what she’s experienced. And gawd, it’s 🥵💦🔥. He makes sure she feels pleasure. I see you Gianni 👀😉. You tell her 💅
—the tension. It’s so thick, chainsaws are needed; knives aren’t gonna cut anything 🥵. From the simple gestures to the small grazes to the stolen glances to the inhales of breaths, my poor kindle didn’t see it coming. Gawd, even the simple “let’s keep each other warm” talk was 🔥
—rip your clothes off? Yeah. I’m just gonna take a seat right here and watch it unfold 👀 and don’t get me started on the “thank you” drop the towel scene 😉
—the childhood memories 🤣
—7 minutes of HEAVEN 👀 redemption 🥵. First of all, going back in time and experiencing what happened was so so so smexy… AND THEY DIDNT EVEN KISS!!! Jeeezus! If that was Gianni at 17, I can’t blame Ellie for caving at 23 🔥
—the Truth or Drink game. Yeah. I love this entire game 👀 so many revelations, and the tension was 🤌🏻
—the banter. Bahahaha, these two might “dislike” each other, but their banter is top notch. They volley back and forth so smoothly, and of course, full of 🔥 behind it all 😅
—the lie he tells 😬. Look. It’s almost required in a forced proximity book 💁🏻♀️. How else would they spend more time together 😈?
—the pregnancy. I just looove it in my books. She thinks he’s not ready and he just wants them together. They obviously have lots of work to do here
—how he proves he’s ready to commit 🥹❤️ if I could hug Gianni, I would!
—their parents. I loooove how Gianni’s dad talks to him. I haven’t read all the parent books, but I want to now ❤️
—the way he proposes 😩 talk about full circle to their childhood ❤️🥰🥹
—the epilogue. He’s so flustered 🤣🤣🤣 I loved it 🥹 if you sigh up for Melanie Harlow’s newsletter, you can get a bonus one 🥰
What I wanted more of:
—more of them together during her actual pregnancy. The chapters we get are super sweet though, but I wanted more
Overall, I loved it 🥰🥹
⚠️ safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-praise kink
-condoms (Bahahaha but it didn’t matter… there was one incident of putting it on after the fact)
-HEA/epilogues
Are you ever looking for a forced-proximity, enemies-to-lovers, surprise-pregnancy book? Well, you’re in luck, because Melanie Harlow delivers steamy, smexxy, AND sweet in Taste, and I wanted more (a taste wasn’t enough😉).
Ellie (23) has the unfortunate luck to work with her nemesis Gianni (23), the cocky chef who’s been a thorn in her side for years. They’ve been in each other’s lives since they were kids (their moms are best friends) and always found the each other attractive. But because he had a reputation in high school, she made sure to steer clear of his playboy ways and let him know he was beneath her and not worth her time. Did it bother him? HECK YES… and then he got back at her with 7 minutes of heaven 🔥👀 and ever since then, the hatred she felt for him intensified.
Years later, they’re stuck in a one-bed hotel room during a blizzard after he accompanied her to an “event” for a potential magazine’s “30 Under 30” spread… and things heat up 👀😉.
What I liked/loved: possible spoilers
—the 🔥. Oh Lordt. I love, LOOOOVE enemies-to-lovers, ESPECIALLY when the h’s hesitant, and Gianni convinces her so sexily that I would’ve slapped her if she hadn’t gone through with it 😅. He listens to her likes and dislikes and then he shows her that there’s more to smex than what she’s experienced. And gawd, it’s 🥵💦🔥. He makes sure she feels pleasure. I see you Gianni 👀😉. You tell her 💅
”Gianni,” I whispered. “I don’t want to wake up tomorrow and like you, okay? So maybe you could just be selfish for a minute? Just fuck me like you don’t care? Better yet, fuck me like you hate me.”…
“Fine. I’ll fuck you like I hate you.” He grinned above me. “I’ll still make you come.”
—the tension. It’s so thick, chainsaws are needed; knives aren’t gonna cut anything 🥵. From the simple gestures to the small grazes to the stolen glances to the inhales of breaths, my poor kindle didn’t see it coming. Gawd, even the simple “let’s keep each other warm” talk was 🔥
”Well, we’re not doing it again. One free blizzard bang is all we get.” “What’s a blizzard bang?” “It’s a sort of hall pass you get during really bad weather to make questionable sexual decisions.” I laughed. “But it’s a one-time use?” “Yeah.” “Too bad.” I held her closer and started kissing the back of her neck, fully prepared for her to push me away or tell me to stop. When she didn’t, I slipped my arm inside the shirt she wore, placing my hand on her bare stomach. “Oh God,” she whispered.
—rip your clothes off? Yeah. I’m just gonna take a seat right here and watch it unfold 👀 and don’t get me started on the “thank you” drop the towel scene 😉
—the childhood memories 🤣
”You pinned me down, sat on my chest, and let drool ooze out of your mouth until it almost hit me before you sucked it back in.” I laughed. “Fuck, I forgot about that. How about I let you sit on me right now? Can we call it even? I won’t even mind if there’s saliva involved.”
—7 minutes of HEAVEN 👀 redemption 🥵. First of all, going back in time and experiencing what happened was so so so smexy… AND THEY DIDNT EVEN KISS!!! Jeeezus! If that was Gianni at 17, I can’t blame Ellie for caving at 23 🔥
”I want another chance. For years, I’ve been kicking myself for fucking up in that closet.” “Good.” “I let pride win, when I should have just gone with my gut.” “And what was your gut telling you to do?” My voice was low and breathy now, and my eyes dropped to his mouth. “The same thing you were telling me to do. This.” He crushed his lips to mine.
—the Truth or Drink game. Yeah. I love this entire game 👀 so many revelations, and the tension was 🤌🏻
—the banter. Bahahaha, these two might “dislike” each other, but their banter is top notch. They volley back and forth so smoothly, and of course, full of 🔥 behind it all 😅
—the lie he tells 😬. Look. It’s almost required in a forced proximity book 💁🏻♀️. How else would they spend more time together 😈?
—the pregnancy. I just looove it in my books. She thinks he’s not ready and he just wants them together. They obviously have lots of work to do here
—how he proves he’s ready to commit 🥹❤️ if I could hug Gianni, I would!
—their parents. I loooove how Gianni’s dad talks to him. I haven’t read all the parent books, but I want to now ❤️
—the way he proposes 😩 talk about full circle to their childhood ❤️🥰🥹
—the epilogue. He’s so flustered 🤣🤣🤣 I loved it 🥹 if you sigh up for Melanie Harlow’s newsletter, you can get a bonus one 🥰
What I wanted more of:
—more of them together during her actual pregnancy. The chapters we get are super sweet though, but I wanted more
Overall, I loved it 🥰🥹
⚠️ safety squad⚠️
-no cheating/sharing/owd/omd
-praise kink
-condoms (Bahahaha but it didn’t matter… there was one incident of putting it on after the fact)
-HEA/epilogues
March 10, 2022
5 "You're Everything To Me" stars!
(ARC provided by author)
Ellie Fournier lives in northern Michigan where her family owns and runs a small winery. Abelard Vineyards is her legacy, and she puts her heart and soul into it, so when her childhood nemesis returns home and accepts a job working for her family she's equally shocked and horrified. She'd known Gianni Lupo her entire life, and they had complicated history. Growing up he was always awful to her. Their mothers had been best friends since they were little, so she was forced to spend time with him. Now she was an adult, and thought at 23 she'd fianlly escaped the immature, Italian manchild. She hated she was stuck working with him, and he still knew just how to annoy her. She was determined to be professional, but when she finds herself stranded with him in a blizzard it's hard to deny the heat under all that anger. As tempers flare and they clash, they are both surprised by the intensity of their connection. Gianniis a gorgeous, charming, talented chef who is a relentless flirt, but could there be more to him than a huge ego and good looks? She wants commitment, and he wants frredom, but after one taste will they be able to walk away from each other?
-I couldn't help myself. There was just something so irresistible about getting under her skin-I was a kid in a candy store around Ellie Fournier.
-It was hard to imagine ever walking away from her if I actually had a chance to make her mine.
Taste (Cloverleigh Farms, #7) by Melanie Harlow is a sexy, opposites attract, small town, forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance full of humor, sizzling passion, undeniale chemistry and plenty of swoon. It's about family, friendship, and unexpected beautiful love. I really love this Cloverleigh Farms next generation series, and can't wait for more!
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/35BwGvD
(ARC provided by author)
Ellie Fournier lives in northern Michigan where her family owns and runs a small winery. Abelard Vineyards is her legacy, and she puts her heart and soul into it, so when her childhood nemesis returns home and accepts a job working for her family she's equally shocked and horrified. She'd known Gianni Lupo her entire life, and they had complicated history. Growing up he was always awful to her. Their mothers had been best friends since they were little, so she was forced to spend time with him. Now she was an adult, and thought at 23 she'd fianlly escaped the immature, Italian manchild. She hated she was stuck working with him, and he still knew just how to annoy her. She was determined to be professional, but when she finds herself stranded with him in a blizzard it's hard to deny the heat under all that anger. As tempers flare and they clash, they are both surprised by the intensity of their connection. Gianniis a gorgeous, charming, talented chef who is a relentless flirt, but could there be more to him than a huge ego and good looks? She wants commitment, and he wants frredom, but after one taste will they be able to walk away from each other?
-I couldn't help myself. There was just something so irresistible about getting under her skin-I was a kid in a candy store around Ellie Fournier.
-It was hard to imagine ever walking away from her if I actually had a chance to make her mine.
Taste (Cloverleigh Farms, #7) by Melanie Harlow is a sexy, opposites attract, small town, forced proximity, enemies to lovers romance full of humor, sizzling passion, undeniale chemistry and plenty of swoon. It's about family, friendship, and unexpected beautiful love. I really love this Cloverleigh Farms next generation series, and can't wait for more!
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May 19, 2022
Childhood Enemies to lovers
Just one Bed
Surprise baby
Check check check.
Una que es amante de los clichés y más si los juntas.
Saben que disfruto mucho los libros de Melanie se me hacen frescos, relajados, sin tanto drama y después de tanto dark romance, necesitaba algo más soft, pink con un toque de spice y este libro es perfecto.
Antes que nada, no es de los mejores libros de Melanie, tenía más altas expectativas, pero aun así es mucho mejor que sus últimos libros.
Ellie y Gianni se han conocido toda la vida, sus madres son mejores amigas, así que se han visto obligados a convivir, Gianni siempre ha molestado a Ellie con pequeñas bromas y burlas para ella, él es de lo peor y no lo soporta, pero secretamente se sienten atraídos.
Ya de adultos trabajan juntos en el nuevo restaurant de los papás de Ellie, ella lo sigue odiando y él molestándola la atracción y la tensión sexual sigue ahí, pero se niegan a dejarla fluir hasta que por una tormenta de nieve los deja en una habitación de motel por 2 noches con una sola cama y algunas botellas de vino y lo siguiente es historia.
Tanto Gianni como Ellie después de lo sucedido en el motel su actitud fue inmadura, un poco cobardes y fue un poco frustrante que era el /0% del libro y todavía no se veía su amor y es que esa parte del desarrollo del romance es lo que le falló a este libro porque el principio y el final fueron muy buenos.
Y como el epílgo extra le dio un cierre muy bonito le voy a dejar las 4 estrellas.
Just one Bed
Surprise baby
Check check check.
Una que es amante de los clichés y más si los juntas.
Saben que disfruto mucho los libros de Melanie se me hacen frescos, relajados, sin tanto drama y después de tanto dark romance, necesitaba algo más soft, pink con un toque de spice y este libro es perfecto.
Antes que nada, no es de los mejores libros de Melanie, tenía más altas expectativas, pero aun así es mucho mejor que sus últimos libros.
Ellie y Gianni se han conocido toda la vida, sus madres son mejores amigas, así que se han visto obligados a convivir, Gianni siempre ha molestado a Ellie con pequeñas bromas y burlas para ella, él es de lo peor y no lo soporta, pero secretamente se sienten atraídos.
Ya de adultos trabajan juntos en el nuevo restaurant de los papás de Ellie, ella lo sigue odiando y él molestándola la atracción y la tensión sexual sigue ahí, pero se niegan a dejarla fluir hasta que por una tormenta de nieve los deja en una habitación de motel por 2 noches con una sola cama y algunas botellas de vino y lo siguiente es historia.
Tanto Gianni como Ellie después de lo sucedido en el motel su actitud fue inmadura, un poco cobardes y fue un poco frustrante que era el /0% del libro y todavía no se veía su amor y es que esa parte del desarrollo del romance es lo que le falló a este libro porque el principio y el final fueron muy buenos.
Y como el epílgo extra le dio un cierre muy bonito le voy a dejar las 4 estrellas.
January 3, 2023
4.5⭐️ | I fucking loved this book !!! I loved their banter and their relationship soo muchh !! There was even a trope I usually hate but I actually didn’t mind it here !! Read this in just a few hours bc i literally couldn’t put it down
March 11, 2022
From the moment they were toddlers, Ellie and Gianni have had a love/ hate relationship that has surpassed the end of time. Now that they're both grown ups and in their twenties, you would think that the feeling has died down but there's still a burning need to mess with each other. When they get stuck in a snow storm for two days, that hate filled desire to destroy each other turns into a built up sexual tension that's a ticking time bomb.
I really enjoyed the little bit of humor between Ellie and Gianni and I liked that they've known each other since they were little. We got glimpses of their childhood together and I liked seeing how they interacted with each other at such a young age. I would've loved to see some more flashbacks and having them spend more time together because I felt like that was rushed. I also wanted to shake some sense into the heroine because if I'm being honest, that girl was testing my patience a bit.
Aside from that, if you've read any of the books in this standalone series, I think you're going to enjoy this one. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and hopefully I'll love it more.
March 30, 2022
DNF at almost 70%
i really battled against my better judgement to reach that 70% and that too only cause Pinky clearly liked this book.
maybe its the grouch in me but i was angry throughout the book
god Ellie annoyed me to no end. she was one contradictory bitch
"Whatever I’d imagined between us was clearly one-sided."
He apologized to you, brought you flowers and M& M , tried talking to you again and again and YOU kept telling him to go away and that you despise him and now that the guy is respecting your wishes you have audacity to bitch about it??? arsehole arsehole arsehole
She was so goddamn childish
PLUS
spoilerss
Ellie being mad at Gianni cause he withheld the info about him getting her dream position for 2 days and then her deciding not to tell him about her being pregnant for 10 days was some fucking bullshit.
as for Hadley , it just proves that 17 year olds have the ability to make your blood boil just by talking in the book for 5 minutes.
i really battled against my better judgement to reach that 70% and that too only cause Pinky clearly liked this book.
maybe its the grouch in me but i was angry throughout the book
god Ellie annoyed me to no end. she was one contradictory bitch
"Whatever I’d imagined between us was clearly one-sided."
He apologized to you, brought you flowers and M& M , tried talking to you again and again and YOU kept telling him to go away and that you despise him and now that the guy is respecting your wishes you have audacity to bitch about it??? arsehole arsehole arsehole
She was so goddamn childish
PLUS
spoilerss
Ellie being mad at Gianni cause he withheld the info about him getting her dream position for 2 days and then her deciding not to tell him about her being pregnant for 10 days was some fucking bullshit.
as for Hadley , it just proves that 17 year olds have the ability to make your blood boil just by talking in the book for 5 minutes.
May 19, 2022
the book started out so well but i hated the main plotline and Ellie’s attitude pissed me off so much that i didnt really care for her or the couple
February 23, 2022
GAH!! I knew Gianni and Ellie's story was going to be good just by getting glimpses of them in Ignite but Melanie Harlow just blew it out of the water with Taste!!!! I am SO obsessed with this story!! Like all the amazing stories by this author, Taste was full of hot and sexy moments, combustible chemistry and alllll the swoons!! I loved this story so much!
Gah!!! Ladies! This story will give you allllll the feels!!! It also had amazing banter but more than anything, it had heart. I felt Ellie and Gianni's uncertainty about the curveball that was thrown at them but their raw emotions, while new and developing, came right off the pages. In particular, Harlow did an exceptional job highlighting Ellie and Gianni's vulnerability and confusion about the future. This story felt real and honest and packed an emotional punch that very few can deliver like this author. Overall, this was an incredible followup to Ignite and I look forward to reading more of the second generation stories!! 5 stars! ~Ratula
Gah!!! Ladies! This story will give you allllll the feels!!! It also had amazing banter but more than anything, it had heart. I felt Ellie and Gianni's uncertainty about the curveball that was thrown at them but their raw emotions, while new and developing, came right off the pages. In particular, Harlow did an exceptional job highlighting Ellie and Gianni's vulnerability and confusion about the future. This story felt real and honest and packed an emotional punch that very few can deliver like this author. Overall, this was an incredible followup to Ignite and I look forward to reading more of the second generation stories!! 5 stars! ~Ratula
December 31, 2022
i’m so mad at myself for not reading gianni & ellie sooner and this is def the most underrated of the series because i loved it sm
so for MH fans, ellie is the best friend of winnie from ignite and the daughter of mia & lucas from frenched and gianni is the son of nick & coco from frenched.
gianni & ellie are childhood frenemies turned enemies then coworkers at a vineyard. when ellie is about to take a road trip in an oncoming blizzard, gianni offers to drive her so she gets there safely. after the opportunity turns sour, their situation gets worse when they have to pull off the road and get a motel room for the night where 😉 there’s only one bed. despite ellie’s hatred of gianni, she can’t deny he’s hot asf so they agree to a little blizzard fun except they come home with a more ~permanent~ souvenir.
such a good one - gianni’s a playboy/golden retriever and his evolution from thinking he wants to travel the world and move around constantly to wanting to be a family man is so cute. his grand and small gestures for ellie were so adorable and he’s nick lupo’s son so of course he’s hot as hell.
i love them sm <3
so for MH fans, ellie is the best friend of winnie from ignite and the daughter of mia & lucas from frenched and gianni is the son of nick & coco from frenched.
gianni & ellie are childhood frenemies turned enemies then coworkers at a vineyard. when ellie is about to take a road trip in an oncoming blizzard, gianni offers to drive her so she gets there safely. after the opportunity turns sour, their situation gets worse when they have to pull off the road and get a motel room for the night where 😉 there’s only one bed. despite ellie’s hatred of gianni, she can’t deny he’s hot asf so they agree to a little blizzard fun except they come home with a more ~permanent~ souvenir.
such a good one - gianni’s a playboy/golden retriever and his evolution from thinking he wants to travel the world and move around constantly to wanting to be a family man is so cute. his grand and small gestures for ellie were so adorable and he’s nick lupo’s son so of course he’s hot as hell.
i love them sm <3
March 17, 2022
Loved it loved it loved it! It had humor, great banter, likable characters, and plenty of steam! Maybe my favorite couple of 2022. Gianni and Ellie defined the word chemistry! My only wish was that the story was longer. I could easily have read another 50 pages. But the lovely epilogue of 10 years in the future on the author’s website was awesome!
5 stars
5 stars
August 12, 2022
Ellie’s victim complex was such a turn off. I wanted to like this book so much because I did like the hero a lot. Why did Ellie have to be such a coward about everything. And why does her friend let her have these pity parties and don’t tell her to stop being a cry baby.
February 22, 2023
I did like most of the books in the series but this one didn't work for me.
It might be the tropes (I'm not a fan of the one-bed or the unexpected pregnancy trope), it might be me, it might be the characters... Who knows?
I'm still going to read the next book in the series but this one wasn't enjoyable for me. 2 ⭐
April 4, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ i stayed for the dex and winnie crumbs
March 25, 2022
❝sex can ruin a friendship, you know.❞
❝then it’s a good thing we’re not friends.❞
not the ending coming out of nowhere and being the cutest fucking thing ever ♥
March 9, 2022
I need this book now please 🥺 Ellie and Gianni were the highlight of the first book for me
March 2, 2022
*Thank you to Social Butterfly PR & the author for an ARC of this title.*
Going back to Cloverleigh Farms is always a delight for me. This book was no exception, especially after reading quite a few darker romances before this one. Gianni & Ellie were full of tension and angst and lots of fun banter which made for a sweet and fun time.
Childhood Frenemies who end up stuck in a small motel during a winter storm. Which of course leads to drinking games and lowered inhibitions. They have both been attracted to each other for ages but hide it behind childhood games and playful animosities. This lead to some very heated and delicious scenes.
But once that match has been lit, you can't put it back in the pack and what unfolds will change both of their lives forever.
This was a fast, easy read and another great entry to the series.
My one little dislike is that the heroine seemed to blow up over so many little things. It had me rolling my eyes a few times. She called the hero a liar, but every time her tells the truth she would totally freak out on him. He could never do anything right for her and that got a bit grating at certain parts.
I did really love how all their family and friends were rooting for them though and tried to help or encourage them whenever they could. That is such a sweet aspect.
4/5 stars
3 on my spice scale
Going back to Cloverleigh Farms is always a delight for me. This book was no exception, especially after reading quite a few darker romances before this one. Gianni & Ellie were full of tension and angst and lots of fun banter which made for a sweet and fun time.
Childhood Frenemies who end up stuck in a small motel during a winter storm. Which of course leads to drinking games and lowered inhibitions. They have both been attracted to each other for ages but hide it behind childhood games and playful animosities. This lead to some very heated and delicious scenes.
But once that match has been lit, you can't put it back in the pack and what unfolds will change both of their lives forever.
This was a fast, easy read and another great entry to the series.
My one little dislike is that the heroine seemed to blow up over so many little things. It had me rolling my eyes a few times. She called the hero a liar, but every time her tells the truth she would totally freak out on him. He could never do anything right for her and that got a bit grating at certain parts.
I did really love how all their family and friends were rooting for them though and tried to help or encourage them whenever they could. That is such a sweet aspect.
4/5 stars
3 on my spice scale
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