The Love Bully

by Mel Dau

Love has no timeline, but it can take a long time to get it together. That is the story of Orion Westin and Marsha Turner. Youth, immaturity, and unreadiness caused decisions to be made that tore them apart. Apart does not mean away. There was no way that Orion would ever stray too far away from the true love of his life.

Will years and emotional separation allow them to work through heartbreak to restore what they once had? Will Orion have to become a love bully to help Marsha see that him loving her and her loving him is the only option? Marsha was taught to bully the bully, but what happens when the bully is love?

105 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2025

About the author

Mel Dau (Melvin’s Daughter) was born in Vicenza, Italy but raised in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. She is the baby girl and only girl of three. She has always had a love for books beginning with the Baby Sitter’s Club, R.L. Stine, and Christopher Pike. She dabbled in writing as she grew up but never took it as seriously as she should have.

Mel Dau graduated from from Wando High School, then later matriculated to Benedict College (BSW) and Webster University (MHRM). She is a mother of a teenage daughter, a HR Professional, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Her love for Urban Literature did not arrive until Mid-2016.  Reading over 900 books from 2016 to 2017, she was obsessed with reading--an obsession that helped her cope with her father’s illness and death.  In March of 2018, she decided to finally come from behind the wall and submit a short story which resulted in her first Book, Khiaere and Phy: A Charleston Love Story being published under Queens of Lit Presents.  Under Queens of Lit Presents, she successfully published 15 titles that were all debuted in the top fifty on Amazon Top 100.

In May of 2020, she was signed to her new publisher B. Love Publications where she continues her growth as an author. Her purpose as an author is to provide her readers’ with her E³ formula, Entertain, Encourage & Educate. She achieved her first #1 Bestseller with her Erotica title, Pet The Kitty. In August of 2020 she founded Mel Dau Publications, LLC to pursue self-published projects. Penning in a lane all her own, her Informational Dramas fulfills her purpose with every release. Her overall desire is to use her fiction catalog to help change at least one person’s non-fiction reality.

Reviews

[LaKnesha · Rating 3 out of 5]

not what i thought it was going to be, still entertaining nonetheless

['The Book Queen' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bully needed to chill...

I was so upset with Orion at the beginning of this read. He used his works like it was magic. I didn't blame Marsha for getting away from Mr. Free Willy. I knew that she would likely forgive his silly self, and let Orion bully his way back into her life. I had a slight bit of an issue with keeping up with all of his extra kids, and then the kids had kids. Overall, the story was pretty good.

[↬ Ⓛ · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Now over thirty years later, I had four locations in Charlotte, one in the North, South, East, and West. Now that I was a trusted brand, I was able to get the Asians out of my stores as employees to fully staff it with people that looked like me.” The author got smth against Asians.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never Miss a Good Thang Til it’s Gone!!!!

This book was about second chance love and knowing what you have when it’s gone. I loved everything about this book. Marsha made my boy Orion run through heck and high water to get back in her good graces after years of cheating and making babies. If never miss a good thing til it’s gone was a person…it would be Orion. He spent so much of his time with different women that he didn’t realize that he had everything he ever needed right at home. I’m glad Orion got his stuff together and claimed his rightful place with Marsha.

[Camisha Crisp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more of this!!

Mel Dau is soo good at what she does ! The Love Bully is proof of this! Orion and Marsha’s second chance love story is a refreshing and original! It was full of love and shenanigans just the way Mel loves to serve it. I loved every minute !!

[Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte' · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bully and baby Orion was not playing with that lady! Loved it… and I pictured him looking just like the man on the cover in all of his salt and pepper grown man ish glory 😩😩😩 (That date scene was priceless) 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[BookedandBizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Love Bully

Thank you for penning something for us older girls. Life is not over us in our 50’s, We still have great and active lives. Great story!

[Cheonica Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mel Dau does not miss and with The Love Bully, she reminded me exactly why I adore her writing. The Westin crew stays undefeated.

This story is the definition of don’t mess up a good thing because Orion and Marsha proved that love will wait for you but it won’t wait quietly. Thirty years. Thirty years of love, mistakes, missed chances and a whole lot of stubbornness. Don't get me wrong Marsha had every reason to be stubborn 3 kids and plenty of Barbara this is Shirley moments. Everybody could see Orion loved that woman more than air the man practically built his life around her without ever truly having her. They co-parented beautifully, they dipped in and out of each other’s lives and they held space for each other in ways most people never get to experience but Marsha never trusted him with her whole heart again.

Honestly I get it. She walked away calmly all those years ago carrying her heart in her hands and she never put it back down. That kind of hurt changes a woman.

This book… this book right here is about what it looks like when a man refuses to give up on the love he knows is his. Orion never took his foot off her neck lovingly. He was patient but persistent. Soft but steady. And the moment he pulled out the ring… the one she wanted at eighteen my boi 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾. That did something to me.

Their story is second chance romance at its finest tender, frustrating, emotional and full of that signature Mel Dau humor. The entire family’s banter is pure gold and the Westins just feel like people you want to pull up a chair and laugh with.

This book proves that when love is real, time doesn’t erase it it just waits for you to grow into what you should’ve been all along.

[NubianJoí · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where’s The Love⁉️

Hmmm 🤔, I guess there’s someone for everyone …even when they’ve been community property for decades 🥴🤦🏾‍♀️‼️ Although, I sincerely believe, you’re never too old to pursue romantic love. Conversely, thirty years is/was too dang long to be willfully ignorant, reckless & recalcitrant. Nevertheless, although “The Love Bully” (3.75 ⭐️’s) shenanigans were frequently humorous in this book. Being humiliated, exploited & disrespected by your mate/boyfriend/girlfriend/significant other for three decades ain’t funny nor entertainment‼️Mid forties & fifties is/was entirely old to compete for someone attentions. Orion’s decades of indiscretions, hookups, sidekicks & or grown babies are/were (or should be🥴) a constant reminder she (Marsha) wasn’t his priority. His current successful ventures and she’s as his defector benefactor is/was a convenient tool yet irrelevant. Rather, this storyline communicates woman should be tolerant (& patient) while your “first love” whores around to discovers himself. She (Marsha) has either no self esteem & or was just desperate to prove the point “see he loves me”👀. Really⁉️Where’s the love⁉️ Girrrrrl, that proposal, marriage & honeymoon ain’t love 🤷🏾‍♀️ (that’s the least he should do 🙄). Orion’s just secured his free home healthcare nurse for his next phase of life 🤭🤷🏾‍♀️‼️Oops, did I say that aloud? YUP🤭‼️

[Readwithchan_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listen… The Love Bully did NOT come to play. This book had me laughing, irritated, emotionally invested, and talking back to fictional characters like they could hear me.

First of all Karla’s mother??? Yeah… she stressed me out BAD. Every time she popped up, my eye started twitching. Truly one of those characters you love to hate because the audacity was loud, consistent, and unprovoked 😭. Mel Dau wrote her a little too well because whew.

Now let’s get into Marsha, because baby… when she finally read Lisa’s hating ass to FILTH, I almost stood up and clapped. That wasn’t just a read that was a public service announcement. Clear. Concise. No notes. I replayed it in my head like a favorite scene.

The romance? Messy. Emotional. Persistent. Real. Orion had me side-eyeing him at first, then slowly like “okay sir… I see the growth.” This is very much a second-chance love with baggage, receipts, and healing type of story and I was locked in.

Between the drama, the humor, the family chaos, and the moments that made me say “now why would you say that out loud??” this book was ENTERTAINING. If you like romance that feels alive, characters that will annoy you (in the best way), and scenes that make you pause just to laugh or gasp, this is absolutely your kind of read.

Read it. Argue with the characters. Enjoy the mess

[T K Vaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orion and Marsha, Love Over the Years

This was a beautiful love story of growth over the years!!!…
I have been waiting for a matured love story I could truly relate to!!!…
This couple loved each other no doubt, but the pain of betrayal was there and it took some time for them to get to where they could finally get married!!!…
The heart wants what it wants, but I’m so glad that Marsha made Orion work for her!!!…She loved on his children, help raise his children and very active with the grandbaby too!!!…
I thought it was sweet how Orion didn’t give up and was willing to put in the work to get Marsha back in his life, as his wife!!!…
The ultimate show of love was adopting the baby of Orion’s ex!!!…
I was upset that Kim just dropped Maddie off like a package and didn’t expect no blow back!!!…

[Moneaka Redmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, witty, and wonderfully human, The Love Bully reminds me that while love may not run on schedule, it always knows exactly where it’s going.

Mel Dau’s The Love Bully is a deliciously witty, second chance romance that proves that love does not have a timeline. It can, however, take its sweet time getting its act together. Orion Westin and Marsha Turner are the perfect case study: two people whose youth and immaturity once drove them apart, yet whose hearts refused to wander far from each other. Apart, yes, but never away.
Dau masterfully blends humor and heartache. Orion, steady, stubborn, and utterly smitten, needs to become a love bully of his own just to convince Marsha that loving each other is not just an option, but the option.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orion and Marsha!!

I simply loved Orion and Marsha's second chance story. When they were younger, Orion messed up by being a f* boy. It goes to show that blunders  like Orion made will cost you the very thing that you love the most. It took Orion over 30 years to get back what he lost. I loved how Orion never gave up on getting Marsha back. I enjoyed Marsha's interactions with Orion, and the way she loved all of the children the same and never took out her feelings on them. I also enjoyed how Marsha handled Orion's side pieces especially the one in her shop. 😂😂 Orion and Marsha getting their HEA after so long proves that it's never too late for happiness. This grown and sexy folks book was a delight to read from beginning to end.

[Monique McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

I love the story. Orion and Marsha were beautiful couples.
I love how Orion went after his true love after putting her through a lot of hurt. He wanted to prove to her that he was sorry and apologized for hurting her. Sometimes, people dont realize that they hurt their love until they walk away. Everyone doesn't get a second chance.
I know it took Marsha a lot to walk away and still love on his other children even if they were not hers.
The love was there, but they had to go through everything to find each other again.
I love the journey because everyone doesn't get it.

[The Fiery Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Seasoned Loved

Marsha and Orion were both a trip. They both were with the shenanigans. Marsha was fierce and fiery, never one to be played with. Orion, now older and wiser, knew that Marsha was his end game. After messing up their chances when they were younger, he’s been trying to win her back ever since. Marsha might not have been against letting him back into her bed, but her heart was on lock. Orion? He wasn’t above bullying his way back in. It was very much a "you’re either gonna be with me, or I’m gonna be with you" situation. And once the walls finally come down, the love that’s always been there pours out.

[Denise Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!!

I absolutely loved this family in “The Road to You”!! And I’m so glad Mel decided to give us Pop Orion and Mama Marsha’s story because it was very obvious that they had a story that needed to be told. And Mel did what she did best and told their story!

High School Sweethearts, two young for the love they shared because Orion wasn’t mature enough to be the man he needed to be for Marsha. Over 30 years later, she finally allows him to bully his way back into loving her.

If you love a good second chance at love romance then you will absolutely love this book!! So add it to your TBR!

[Kristal Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The love bully

I’m not sure I could have taken Orion back like Marsha did, but when it’s true and real love and a sign of growth, I guess anything is possible. I enjoyed their story and seeing them love each other. Orion played no games about his Marsha and was definitely a love bully when it came to her and getting her to fully take him back and let him all the way back in.

This book wouldn’t be a Mel Dau story without some laughs over some foolishness and a crazy plot twist. I can’t wait to see what else comes from the Westin family.

[Delia Rouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orion wasn’t Likeable

The book was well written but the story line was ugh! Orion had so many side babies until I couldn’t keep up. I wished Marsha had found better instead of accepting his cheating and raising his kids. I understand not mistreating them but she took them on as hers before they even rekindled their relationship. Allowing Orion who was NOT her husband access to her body for years when he clearly had no regard for using protection with so many women was infuriating. I disliked him and hated that she married him.

[Roxy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marsha Marsha Marsha

As always Mel Dau delivers a awesome read…It’s so refreshing to read about an older couple who learned from their youthful mistakes I saw the growth in Orion when he realized that he lost his heart because of his wayward peen now Marsha was a real one she didn’t let it stop her from loving Orion but she had to put herself first ….she wasn’t bitter by making him stay away from their son but she did momentarily cut ties with him

[Ieshia Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Love Bully

THREE DECADES???!!!! With a man like Orion, idk if I could’ve held out that long! I will say that Marsha was THAT WOMAN! She handled everything with class, she was meek but not weak. Orion technically told these women that they’d never mean anything but his ego got him 3 decades worth of torture! I love the family unit they all have and little Maddie is the addition no one knew they needed! This book showed me that I have a lot of growing to do!

[Taffany Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Read

Orion couldn't get it together, but losing Marsha was the eye opener that he needed. No matter how much he strayed, he knew where home was. Nobody could or would ever take Marsha's place. Marsha loved Orion unconditionally, no matter his faults. She just had to love herself more. She loved all of his kids as if they were hers. It took them a while, but they got it together. Their love became stronger and more beautiful. Awesome read.

[Phaze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orion and Marsha

This two had a sevond chamce at be what each other needed. This first time around, Oriom took Marsha's love for granted and lost her.

Marsha thought she amd Orion would be together forever until she could no longer handle his disrespect.

After many, many, many years. A married son and a grandchild, Orion thinks it is time for them to be more. Does Marsha agree?

Great additon to this series.

[Charlotte Bembry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

An interesting second chance romance book. Marsha always loved Orion as evidenced by her always being there whenever he needed her or got involved in a situation. She called him a bully, but they bullied each other. She took care of all of his kids, they were each other’s emergency contact and they remained bed partners for years. Finally, they got it right and got married. I would love to read more about the Westin clan.

[T. W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ca dig it …

This was a cute, quick read, perfect for wrapping up this month’s Kindle challenge.

I do believe that what’s meant to be will be, but it’s unfortunate how much women often have to endure to receive the love they deserve. While I initially found the “love bully/bully love” sentiment somewhat cute, it ultimately felt like a selfish ideology rather than a truly healthy one.

[Sandra Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love The Bully

Orion Westin messed up big time! Even though he loved Marsha, had loved her since they met in high school, and even though they shared a son, Orion would not be faithful. The last straw was when he impregnated not one, but two other women at the same time. Sometimes, you have to show other buckers better than you can tell them. Marsha showed Orion that she was done!

[El.Jaye.B · Rating 4 out of 5]

grown and sexy love

Second chance romance. I just love a MMC that continuously applies pressure to the FMC even though they aren’t together. Orion made sure ‘home’ was always taken care of and that home is none other than his true love, Marsha. Those two are hilarious in their own rights and their adult children made it even funnier.

[LaTavia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't have to be bullied to read this book!

This was such a good book! As always the drama and face offs are comedic gold. The banter between characters never fails to have me cracking up. Books with family connections are my favorite and Ms. Mel is definitely the queen of that. Euri and his siblings are back and I can't wait to see them again!

[CoCo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book with older characters. But, my goodness... I just could not with Orion. He was just hunching everybody with no condoms! Lol I can't believe Marsha was having unprotected sex with him. Absolutely not lol It was a quick read tho. I wasn't gonna mention it, but i actually hated Orion. It has to be said lol

[Verlana Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When You Finally Grow Up!

Mel Dau what a cute read. Orion was a character I love how he owned up.his mistake. Marsha, was such a great woman I understand how her heart is. I was in the same situation and the innocent ones didn't ask to be a part of the foolishness. I enjoyed the life lessons and the way folk actually realized their mistakes. Just a cute read.🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[Sequitta Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Orion

Whew! When you learn the hard way. That mistake of cheating cost 3 decades😂. Lesson he learned well. Maturity and accountability. I loved everything about this story. Well written and full if family, love , commitment, and still a lil baby mama drama of jealousy. Well written and enjoyable