Both Margot and Jack are realistic and their growth is fantastic. There isn’t any emotional manipulation for the reader, which is something that I have seen a lot of lately. Having a first love who has died made for some bittersweet emotions, but Melanie Harlow has treated this story with grace and her writing is perfection. Their beginning is acrimonious but funny, and from there it builds into a beautiful and deep affection. The relationship between Jack and Margot is pure gold. He definitely doesn’t want to feel anything for her-his heart and his body are at odds on that one, though. When he finds out they have brought in a professional to help with their image and brand, he doesn’t want anything to do with her. Jack is an emotionally wounded farmer who works the land he owns with his brothers. As an old-money city girl, she’s definitely out of her element, but luckily, she has Jack to teach her everything he knows. When a small farm contacts her PR company for advice, Margot is more than ready to get out of town and spend some time in the country. They now run their own PR company and Margot hasn’t had a relationship since she broke it off with her stuck-up ex. We get to see glimpses of Margot in Man Candy, as the best friend of the heroine, Jaime. Tempered with smart humor, the story flows so well from enemies to lovers and I loved every page. The devastated war veteran who lost his wife and the recently scorned city girl made for an emotionally sweet story that I couldn’t put down. Melanie Harlow, what have you done to my heart?!?

Speak Easy by Melanie Harlow