Hold Me Close (The O’Learys, #6)
by: Shannyn Schroeder
Series: The O’Learys
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 21, 2015
Source: Publisher ~ Kensington via NetGalley
Leave it to the O’Learys to make romance a family affair…
Maggie O’Leary is finally coming home to Chicago. After more than a year in Ireland, she’s ready to make a plan for her future. But first, she’ll have to confront the tragedy that scarred her so deeply. Asking for a job in the family bar is the first step, and it’s one her family isn’t entirely happy about. At least Shane Callahan, her best friend in the world, is behind her a hundred percent. He’s also a hundred percent more lovable than she remembered…
Shane is determined to keep Maggie safe, even if it means working three jobs and giving up sleep to be around during her shifts at the bar. But when Maggie boldly tells him she needs more than a loyal friend now, Shane knows a single night together won’t be possible. The idea of spirited Maggie in his bed is electrifying, but will she believe he wants to give her his heart, too?
REVIEW
Hold Me Close is a standalone read and definitely not what I was expecting. Maggie has either appeared in or been mentioned in all the books in The O'Learys Series. Her actions in the previous book, Just a Taste, put her on my “I don't like list”. With that said, seeing how protective Shane was in that book, there was no way I was not going to read Hold Me Close.
Shane Callahan and Maggie O’Leary have been best friends since they were sixteen, so maybe close to ten years. Five years ago, Maggie was assaulted and Shane blames himself. Over the years, Maggie's big family has walked on eggshells around her and pretty much put her back into the child “we have to take care of you” category. Hold Me Close is all about Maggie reclaiming her independence and her life. Reclaiming her life means being with a guy in every way. This is where Shane comes in. Maggie knows him, she trusts him, and he knows about her past. Maggie just doesn't know that Shane loves loves her.
Hold Me Close was a book I loved from the start. Shane and Maggie had me laughing with the way they interacted with each other. I was able to feel for both of them, trying to overcome the past and have a future.
I saw Maggie in a whole new light. Maggie is a survivor and just wants to show that she's stronger and can stand on her own. She showed determination to be the woman she wants to be. That coupled with the thought that off the pages, she’ll continue to try to make amends for her actions in Just a Taste are what I like about her.
Shane is simply fabulous, even if he's only in ink and can't get me tea. (You have to read the book for their conversation on book boyfriends.) He's been there for Maggie throughout everything life has thrown at her. And I do mean life has dealt Maggie some bad things. But he's always been there, been her shoulder to lean, cry on, and protector. See why I ♥ him? Shane is a fabulous book boyfriend!!!
Hold Me Close marks the end of The O’Learys Series. I’m hoping there will be a new series with some of the characters we’ve met over the series.
**Received a copy from Kensington in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.**
Rating: 5
Purchase Hold Me Close from:
The O’Learys Series:
(Click on the book covers for more information or to purchase from Amazon.)
Review ~ Just a Taste (Book 5)
You can follow Shannyn’s Hold Me Close Blog Tour here for interviews, guest posts, more recipes and a chance to win prizes.
Shannyn Schroeder is the author of the O’Leary series, contemporary romances centered around a large Irish-American family in Chicago and the new Hot & Nerdy series about 3 nerdy friends and their last spring break. When she’s not wrangling her three kids or writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies.
Places to find Shannyn Schroeder:
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