My Last: Riley & Chelle

Crossroads #2

by Melanie Shawn

He was the bad boy...

After twelve years in the Marines Special Forces Riley Sloan is more than ready to start his new civilian life. No one to answer to. No one depending on him. No more dangerous rescues...he thought. After receiving a distress call he is sent on a recon mission to check on the one girl that is completely off limits and the only girl that ever made him question his loyalty. His best friend's little sister. She is the last girl he should want...but the only one he does. This could end up being the riskiest operation of his life.

She was the good girl...

Rachelle Thomas wouldn't hurt a fly. She is honest, kind and always sees the best in people. So she is completely blindsided when her fiancé dumps her for his pregnant 18 year old secretary. Confused and heartbroken she decides to head out of town to regroup. When her attempt to hide from the world worries her friends and family they send out a search party of one, Riley Sloan. Her brother's best friend and the star of all of her teenage (and adult) fantasies. She knows wanting him is wrong but she is tired of always doing the "right thing"...especially when Riley made the "wrong thing" feel so right.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Friends To Lovers, Military Fiction, Chick Lit

260 pages, ebook

First published July 29, 2013

About the author

NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling author Melanie Shawn writes HEAs filled with sweet and sassy heroines, heroes who are cinnamon rolls in the streets alpho-holes in the sheets, casts of supportive *cough: meddling* friends and family who put the fun in funny, toe-curling combustible heat, and sugary sweet “aww” moments that will have your hearts and e-readers melting.

Reviews

[Didi]

DNF@ 60% WITH NO RATING

A couple of weeks ago I was on an awesome book streak. Looks like that streak has crashed and burned with a few reads...sigh.
I'm a huge fan of friends to lovers/ best friends little sister type stories. I love everything about them. This was a best friends little sister and it sounded great in it's synopsis.

Unfortunately it dragged. Things moved at a snails pace and I found myself skipping over paragraphs before I finally gave up. The groundwork seemed to be there for a good book and while it's gotten many great reviews, I didn't like the pacing. The writing was fine but it almost felt 'young' at times though the H/h were 30 and 28. I did skip to the last chapter for some closure and liked that but I'm chalking this up to a disappointing read.

[~`*Ella Lee*`~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read. I mean, it had a sweet Alpha and a sweet heroine, and I love how they reunited after so long (HAWTTTTT), but it just didn't have enough Umph in it. I mean, there was no killer, no crazy stalkers, no big issues,nothing other than just...sweetness. Just really super Sweet. Which isn't bad! It was well written and fun, but there was a lot of talking. So much talking. A little action....and LOTS of talking. So, ehhh - it was just okay for me. The only reason I am giving it the 3 stars is because I felt the, although the blurb above rang somewhat true, a sweet good girl reunites with a bad boy, I don' really feel like he was a bad boy. He's really just a reformed bad boy, who's now a good MAN, but doesn't really fight for what he wants. He's so indecisive, especially when it comes to the fact that she's his best friend's little sister. I like my Alpha's to want the heroine's so much that not even the world, let alone a brother, can make him think differently.
So anywho, it's fun, it's short, it's full of banter and TALKING and just a little sex. Well, a little to me, but, I like my books chalk full of sexy moments. So yeah, read it if you want. If you like SWEET, you'll like this book.

[Mary McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story. I always like a big brothers best friend and little sister love story. Glad that Riley pulled his "head out of his ass" and got with the program! Also that we finally got to meet their dad. Excited to see what is next.

[Lu Bielefeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
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[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Last- Riley and Chelle: After 12 years in the Marines Special Forces Riley is ready to start his civilian life. After a phone call, his is sent on a mission to check on the one girl that is so off limits the limits have limits, but it’s also the girl that has always has him question the limits, His best friends little sister. This could be the riskiest mission ever, the one girl he shouldn’t want it the only one he does. Chelle is the kindest, honest, person you know. She is dumbfounded when her fiancé dumps her for his pregnant 18 year old secretary. To regroup she heads out of town, leaving very worried friend and family, who send a search party. She always dose the right thing, but may the wrong thing is so much better.

I don’t even were to start, we meet Chelle in Katie and Jason story, as Katie’s Best friend. She is funny, smart and so caring. So finding out he fiancé was cheating on her was a blow to her heart as well as her wanting to do the right thing, then she wakes up to Riley. Chelle and Riley are so sweet together and I can’t get enough of them together. Riley has this ease about him that really draws you in and makes you want to know more about him. I love when an author talks about eyes in detail in books, I don’t feel that I read it enough, plus I am a hair and eye girl. The writing is just as great as the first one and I couldn’t stop reading it. This one is just as sweet and funny, with a little twist at the end. If you loved the first one, you need to read this as well.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chelle is heartbroken. The man she was suppose to marry just told her his been having an affair for the past six months and that his 18 year-old girlfriend is pregnant. Putting on a brave face, she stands by her best friend Katie on her wedding day as her MOH and almost manages to make through the festivities with the help of Alex Sloan, best man, brother of the groom and known town playboy. The last bit being her downfall and the reason Katie finds out about her debacle. Needing some time alone and away from everyone and everything, Chelle takes Katie's offer and heads to San Francisco. That's where Riley Sloan finds her and where she starts to heal and fall in love with him all over again. Melanie Shawn knows how to write a romance, with complex and likable characters that will have us cheering for them from the get go. This story is no different, besides the Sloan family is particularly easy to love ;)

[Cristin Boykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say I loved this book is an understatement. I fell in love with Riley and Chelle from the beginning. I love reading a book from dual POVs. This book was so hot and the chemistry between these two was off the charts. I loved getting to also find out about Jason and Katie too. I have definitely found a new author that I will read anything they put out. I ready for the third book.

[Bette Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read about two people who grew up together but never let their attraction for each other show. Wonderfully written and the story just flows beautifully. Put this on the top of your must read list as well as the others by Ms Shawn.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I cannot stop reading this series. I'm flying through them. I liked this one just as much as #1. Definitely recommend!

[Iluvbooks44 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend!!!!

I loved this book from start to finish.

I love the characters and the story.

[Sandra Oliveira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melanie Shawn's book screams sweetness and tenderness!
Riley and Chelle are the perfect Ever After...
She's mostly sweet and Riley has that bitter edge about him. Chelle is the one girl that brings out the best of him, the TLC riley didn't even knew he had inside..
Her ex should' ve been punched...by her! Lol
And my favorite 'quote' of the book is WWSD...What Would Samantha Do! LOL At first, with English not being my first language i was like....whaaattt?! And then there was light and i just thought..brilliant!
I'm a Sex and the City hoolic and my believe is that every woman needs a little Samantha on the inside!
In Chelle case is the 'Go for it'...
The ending is kindda expectted but is good and i'm waiting for the follow up... ;)

[Sjoukje · Rating 5 out of 5]

eeeeeep Omg I loved it!!!

Jeez does Melanie Shawn know how to write a Happily Ever After or what??

This book had everything, sparks, sizzle, fireworks! The chemistry between the characters, my oh my... Though Riley seriously... how stubborn can a man be when he is soooo miserable! I loved loved loved his posessive streaks and when he got jealous hehe

Poor Chelle... the thing about these books is that you can really relate with the characters... the way their feelings are explained... I laughed, I cried, I got exited... Emotions all over the place with this book!

I expected the ending, the last time they got together but absolutely loved it!

On to the third book, I cannot wait to see Alex fall... hehe <3

[Jennifer Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The awesome writing duo of Melanie and Shawna have done it again... this is the second book in the Cross Roads Series...I loved Riley and Chelle's story... I was drawn in from the fist few pages... Everyone believed Riley to be a bad Guy..He would never refute their opinions.. He waled away from his family and friends..signed up and stayed in the marines for 12 years.. Of course this only confirmed the bad Boy image..Then a beautiful caring girl called Chelle always saw more of him than the surface provided... She saw through his facade..The face he showed the world... You get pulled into their story..The Chemistry between them was HOT !!! Many times I screamed.. heat stopping moments.. and cried... this is an awesome love story... You cannot go wrong reading this series

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Melanie Shawn -- Chelle and Riley. Riley has been away for the past 12 years in the milatary and is out and returning home for a visit. He is in California when he gets a call from his brother to check on his wife's best friend (who happens to be Riley's best friends sister). Everyone is worried about Chelle becasue she broke off her engagement to a man who cheated on her and got the girl pregnant. Riley comes in and saves the day -- only to find out that he and Chelle have had a secret attraction to each other for years!! Again - a real and believable story with romance! Great book~

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chelle and Riley always shared a connection when they were younger. Riley was her older brother's best friend and had a reputation of a bad boy.

I enjoyed the easy banter between the two. The story flowed well and I liked how the romance progressed between the two. Granted there was some angst towards the end, but I loved their happy ending.

I liked the scenes between Riley and his brothers; adored Grandpa J; enjoyed the obvious deep friendship between Chelle and Katie. Loved this installment and is fast becoming a fan of this series and eagerly awaiting Alex's book.

[Val Mullenax · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving the writing of this series. I just can't seem to put it down. I think Chelle was engaged to a really bad seed (David the douchebag) and was sad way too long of him. But then Riley (the true love of her life and I mean life) was asked to stop by and check on her... Well that was a really good thing cause it just evolved from there. They have such a connection and it seems when they get back to their reality lives that his family wants them together and her family doesn't. Well you just need to read the book cause I felt I could not be put down.

[Moira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the characters in this series and the setting. Coming from a small town myself I realize that pre-conceived notions are hard to overcome. I enjoy this series because for each of the couples they started out as friends and it their journey to discover the ideas they have about relationships are put to the test. The input from friends and family also play a big role in our lives but coming to the realization that you must follow your dreams regardless of other people's feelings - discovering what you need is what counts.

[Alison Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second book in the series we meet Chell, who's heartbroken when she finds out her fiance is leaving her for his young Secretary... She leaves for the city for some alone time, but after avoiding everyone's calls, her friends become worried and sends Riley, who's just left the forces... Michelle starts to fall for him, but he thinks he's too broken to let her in... You just want to hug Chelle and can't help falling for Riley.. I can't recommend this series highly enough, can't wait for the next instalment!!

[Tracy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. The first one was good I love how they touch on there past and give you there whole story. This book was great I love how she keeps the brothers in the story and they way the feel they are great stories I can't wait for the next book there's no cliffhangers the books are on each brother and there is five of them so u can read them by there self but once I started I wanted more

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the whole brothers best friend concept but I just felt like there was so much thought writing. They were always in their heads. There wasn't really that much actual dialogue between the main characters.

Also the whole I'm not good enough for her/him story line gets used too much and grows sort of boring after a while.

I didn't hate the book but just felt kind of bored.

Also David is a dickbag.

[Miusseth · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Sloan brothers sure are something!!
Riley was such a sweetheart it was hard to believe he was this bad boy in his teen years... I wish I could've seen a glimpse to his past... his and Chelle's past actually, to see how their love for one another started.
I loved Chelle. She was just a normal girl with a forever crush with her big brother's best friend... that got her happy ending.
Overall cute and sweet.

[Mai Lewis Buwee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Riley and Chelle' s story. The re connection of both characters were well developed. I also liked allowing Chelle and Riley more novel time, and only allowing a small amount of time on the secondary characters. I will be moving on to book 3; Alex and Jamie. Alex's story will be very interesting, base on his colorful characteristic.
The characters are well developed, with some drama added!

[HMS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes so slow, and the author uses phrases best used in preteen novels, not H/h that are allegedly 28 and 30, especially H who was in the Marines for 10+ years. Those guys don't say shucks. Anyway, sooo.....too many exclamation points and too much in brain narrative from both characters. Roll with it....her old fiancé shows. Think there is angst in store for you? NA.

[Ria Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this as much as the first book in the series (Jason and Katie). The internal dialogue the heroine was having felt too contrived. Secondly, the characters were a little bit boring. This is why it took me longer to finish this book than the first one. I'm still going to read the third book, though, about Alex, who I believe has the most interesting personality of all the brothers.

[Veronica Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes i liked MY FIRST, but OMG, i loved MY LAST, because is such a a real story, every girl who has big brothers had a crush on the best friend of his older brothers, it´s like a law, and this book is that exactly but with a HEA..... cant wait for MY ONLY <3

[Deamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it in about 7 hours from the moment i started reading it :) I was hooked, to me it was quintessential love story which started at childhood & has drama, love & lots of saltiness.

It was a romantic sweet & commitment fear salty romance

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story!

There is just something about military men, especially Marines, that makes my mouth water. Riley Sloan is just YUMMY!!!! Chelle is a lucky woman in this story!!!

Another great read from Melanie Shawn!!

[Tonda Maurer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sexy. Angsty. And a marine to boot? Literally my definition of the perfect read. I will in love with Chelle in My First, and I was excited for her story but the last thing I could ever have expected was Riley. Holy. Moly.

Definitely getting ranked as one of my favorite books.

[Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book hoping to read about Kate long lost sibling. That she never knew about, but to my dismay I was disappointed. No more Melanie Shawn's books! I read another book, which I founded to be same as others, explicit sex, undevelopmentation of interesting characters.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book in the series. I will admit I was a little iffy in the begining but once you got past that the books just grabs you. I do like the glimpses of the characters from the first book. It just added to this book. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book