Strong Enough, an all-new sexy standalone from USA Today Bestselling author Melanie Harlow and David Romanov is available now !

Title: Strong Enough

Authors: Melanie Harlow & David Ramanov

Genres: Contemporary M/M Romance

Release Date: June 19, 2017

I wasn’t looking for anybody. All I wanted was to start a new life in America. But when I found myself stranded here with no place to go, he came to my rescue, offering me a place to stay.

He’s smart, successful, and sexy as hell—I can barely sleep knowing he’s right down the hall. And when the chemistry between us explodes one night with fierce, fiery passion, it’s hard to deny there’s something real between us.

But he does.

He says he was drunk. He says it was a one-time thing. He says he’s not into guys and what we did meant nothing.

He’s lying. Because it happened again, and again, and again. And it’s better every time.

I know we could be good together, and I want the chance to try, but I’m done hiding. If he’s not strong enough to admit the truth, I’ll have to be strong enough to walk away.

Figuring I’d had enough booze to blunt his effect on me, I rolled up the sleeves of my black button-down shirt and moved next to him. “I’ll help you.”

“Okay.”

I caught him trying to not to look at my wrists and forearms, and it made me smile. How does it feel to want someone and have to hide it? “You wash, I’ll dry?”

“Sounds good.”

We worked in silence, shoulder to shoulder, and I found myself increasingly—and disturbingly—pleased at the thought of him being attracted to me and being forced to conceal it. It was fucking horrible of me to take pleasure in his discomfort, but I liked being secretly wanted. Being illicitly desired. Being the object of his covert glances and maybe even his darkest, dirtiest thoughts. I let our arms touch more than necessary, as thrilled by the physical contact as I was by the thought of what it might be doing to him.

For there is no man who does not sin.

My dick started to get hard, clearly unbothered by the whiskey that was breaking down my inhibitions, pushing past all my defenses, and letting my imagination run wild.

What’s in that gorgeous head of yours, Maxim? What’s behind those cobalt eyes? What would you do to me, if I let you? What would you let me do to you?

“Carolyn is so nice,” he said, handing me the last serving dish left to be dried.

What? He was thinking about Carolyn right now? He wasn’t supposed to be thinking about Carolyn—I was, goddammit!

But I wasn’t. “Yeah.”

He turned off the water. Rested his wet hands on the edge of the sink. “I didn’t realize you had a girlfriend.”

And I heard it in his voice—the slightest edge of jealousy, so faint I might never have noticed it had I not been so hyperaware of everything about him right now. I fucking loved it.

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh.” Now there was confusion. “I guess I misunderstood.”

“She wants to be my girlfriend.”

Silence.

Of course there was silence. Maxim would never ask what the problem was. But I wanted to tell him. I wanted him to know. I wanted to share the impossible longing I felt with one person who might understand it.

“The problem is me.”

He was completely still. Before I could stop myself, I covered his right hand with my left. “Sometimes I don’t know what I want.”

He yanked his hand from beneath mine and we faced each other.

For the first time tonight, I looked him right in the eye. Nothing around us existed for me anymore. I heard only his breath. Smelled only his skin. Saw only his guarded expression.

I had to have him.

5 of 5 iScream Cones

Strong Enough by Melanie Harlow
Laura’s rating: 5 of 5 iScream Cones

Strong Enough is the first book that I have had the chance and time to read by Melanie Harlow and it is also David Romanov’s debut release and I loved it! It can be read in just a few hours and the story line was original and engaging. I love the writing style of these author’s can’t wait to read more of their work. I hope there is more to come in the future with other characters in this book.

What if you had spent the better part of your life, 20 years or so, trying to keep feelings that you were taught to believe were wrong, a sin, buried? What if you were doing what you knew others wanted of you to have a happy life, the wife, the house, the kids, but deep down the connection you felt with the women you dated just wasn’t all there? The title of this book is so damn fitting! Derek has to come to terms with what he was taught growing up in a fairly religious family, to the feelings that he has tried to keep buried for years. The real question is, is he Strong Enough to finally go after what and who he really wants and not care for once what others may think?

I really don’t want to delve to far into this review, if you are sucker for a really good, sweet, sexy, M/M like I am then you need to find the time to pick up this book! I love Derek’s character, how strong, sexy, handsome, trustworthy and loyal he is. He is always doing for others, never putting his wants and needs first. He works hard, even if his job isn’t what he envisioned himself doing. Working for his father has been a blessing and a curse. What Derek wants most in life is a family, a wife, kids and the white picket fence, surrounding their home. But his dating life seems to have stalled out. He fails to find a woman that he can connect with physically and begins to wonder if he will ever get his HEA.

Maxim has just jumped on a plane headed for the USA from Russia. He is ready to make his way in life and it is the much needed change that his life needed. I loved how carefree, resilient and sweet Maxim’x character was. Even when bad things happen to him the first 24 hours he is in the US, he finds ways to see the positive side of things. He is here to work hard and fulfill his dream of becoming a screenwriter. I loved how the author’s took the time to incorporate his Russian heritage into his character and how we, the reader got to learn more about the culture and stereotypes that people have made about them.

Derek and Maxim as a couple are hot. They complement each other so well. But when push comes to shove will they both be Strong Enough to deal with the reality and stress that their relationship may cause? Does Derek have enough fight left in him to grab onto what he really wants and fight for the future that they both deserve or will he once again find himself picking up the pieces of his life and working toward finding his HEA once again?

5 Sweet Sexy Romantic Stars

About Melanie

Melanie Harlow writes sexy, emotional romance about strong, stubborn characters who can’t help falling in love. She’s addicted to bacon, gin martinis, and summer reading on the screened-in porch. If she’s not buried in a book or binging on Netflix, you might find her running, putting a bun in someone’s hair, or driving to and from the dance studio. She lives outside Detroit with her husband and two daughters.

Melanie is the USA Today bestselling author of the HAPPY CRAZY LOVE series, the FRENCHED series, MAN CANDY, AFTER WE FALL, IF YOU WERE MINE, and the sexy historical SPEAK EASY duet, set in the 1920s.

About David

For David Romanov, STRONG ENOUGH is to a great extent autobiographical. Born in Russia and raised in Europe, he landed in the United States at the age of 24, where he learned a lot about cultural differences between East and West. David firmly believes in ‘The One’ and learning through love. When he isn’t traveling or educating Melanie in Russian culture, he enjoys books and the company of his husband and dog in Los Angeles.