Melt For Me

Against All Odds #4

by Elisabeth Naughton

Yuletide Spirits pub owner Ella Maclean doesn’t do holidays. In fact, she’d be perfectly happy if the calendar jumped from November to January, bypassing December all together. Known as Holly, North Carolina’s infamous Scrooge, Ella’s singular focus is to capitalize on the silly tourists who flock to the winter-wonderland-themed town so she can forget everything she lost on a cold, snowy night long ago. Then rock’s latest “it” guy, Tate Kendrick, rolls into town.

Tate’s determined to break through Ella’s frigid barriers, and though Ella tries to resist his wicked charm, the heat they once shared as teens flares hotter than ever. Slowly, Ella’s frozen heart begins to thaw. But when trouble linked to the rock star strikes at her pub, Ella suddenly starts to wonder if the return of her first love is the holiday miracle she’s been too afraid to hope for, or if bad boy Tate Kendrick is nothing more than her nightmare before Christmas.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

96 pages, ebook

First published March 28, 2016

About the author

Before topping multiple bestseller lists—including those of the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal—award winning author Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A voracious reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Elisabeth now writes full-time.

Though primarily known for her romantic suspense work, Elisabeth has penned over thirty books and continues to write in multiple genres, including paranormal romance and contemporary romance. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have earned several award nominations, including three prestigious RITA® nominations from Romance Writers of America. In 2017, REPRESSED, the first book in her Deadly Secrets series, won the RITA® for best romantic suspense.

Elisabeth's work has been praised by the Chicago Tribune as being filled with "deadly intrigue, high adrenaline action, and scorchingly hot passion.” Kirkus calls her "a writer talented enough at weaving a yarn to get her readers ensnared in it.” When not dreaming up new stories, Elisabeth can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home, wrangling two cats, or chasing after one very rambunctious Dalmatian.

Learn more about Elisabeth and her books at www.ElisabethNaughton.com.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this novella as part of the All He Wants for Christmas anthology. I don't think the anthology is on sale any more (I bought it back in 2015) but this story can now be purchased separately.

3.5 stars

Ella may live in one of the most festive towns in America and she may be the owner of the Yuletide Spirits pub but she hasn't celebrated the holidays since her husband died on Christmas eve two years ago. Instead she is focused on making the money she needs to pay off her debts so she can sell up and move away from her memories as quickly as possible. Tate is a member of a very popular rock band but he has never forgotten the woman who broke his heart nine years ago. He's decided it's long past time for him to do something about it and he's tracked Ella down in the hope of picking things back u where they left off.

The last thing Ella is looking for is love, she had her heart broken by Tate once already and losing her husband has just made her even more wary of letting anyone get close to her. Can he get past her hard outer shell and convince her to give them another chance? I love a good second chance romance so Melt for Me was right up my street, the Christmas atmosphere combined with two really sweet characters and a hind of danger when someone starts trying to sabotage Yuletide Spirits added up to a really fun read.

[Diana Ricketts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this addition. I really liked Tate in the other book and was looking forward to his story. Second chance romances are one of my favorites and this one hit the mark for me. Even though this was a novella it all worked well together. The romance was believable because the reader got a look into their past and how they first fell in love. Ella seemed so broken in the beginning but Tate had that personality that was determined to win her back. When she finally opened up to him I could really see how well the fit together. The little bit of suspense was exciting and added intrigue to the book, but it wasn't overly complicated due to it being a shorter book. Finally, I loved the Christmas theme of the book. It made it a warm and cozy read and even though it wasn't Christmas time when I read it, I still had that holiday spark light up inside. Overall I thought this was a wonderful story.

[Dani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well

I'm not sure what say. Elisabeth has written some wonderful books but this has probably been my least favorite. But I won't give up, she's become a good writer.

[Barb Skogen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good.

This book wasn't as good as other Elizabeth Naughton books I have read before. I have enjoyed all of her books that I have read before.

[Glenda Bettin · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this book

[Mskychick · Rating 2 out of 5]

If this hadn't been novella length, I would have DNF'd it.

[mer · Rating 3 out of 5]

22-230519

- hero; Tate is a rockstar
- heroine; Ella
- second chance love story
- mild chemistry between main characters
- christmas romance
- small suspense
- quick read

[★¸. • * ° *Jillie* ° *•.¸☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing fun book. Review to follow, on Vacation.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely quick read.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy Tate got his HEA. Love this series.

[Bobbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. Intriguing storyline. Interesting characters.

[Dulcinea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as part of All He Wants for Christmas anthology/bundle.

Pleasant romance with a bit of suspense/mystery mixed in

[Ash P Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella McKinley lost pretty much everything she had going for her on one stormy Christmas Eve. Now she is the modern day female version of the Grinch and would like to bypass Christmas altogether. She can’t wait to make enough money so that she can sell her pub Yueltide Spirits and leave Holly behind. Then Tate Kendrick rolls into town, seeking her out and hoping to reconnect. Fans of the Aegis series will recognize Tate Kendrick as the rock star who often hires the Aegis team. Suddenly things start going wrong; vandalism and break-ins have Ella wondering if Tate really wants to get back together or is he just back to take his revenge. Tate must have spent enough time with the Aegis guys because he does a pretty good job at being Ella’s bodyguard.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ella McKinley is a widowed bar owner in Holly, NC, a town 100% dedicated to Christmas and all that entails. It is the place farthest from where she ever thought she’d run into her one great love. Until she comes in one evening and sees him singing in her bar, looking far better than she remembered from years before.Now it’s up to Tate to find out why she left him and refused to look back.
I’m a bit picky on second-chance loves so I didn’t have too many expectations on this. However, once I started it, I didn’t stop until I was finished. I thought the author did an excellent job with Ella’s character. As the story progressed, we got to see further into Ella’s thinking and got the why’s of what she did. I felt the story played out very well and the resurgence of Ella’s and Tate’s relationship was perfect. I highly recommend.

[Rhonda Ziglar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melt For Me by Elisabeth Naughton...Oh my what a great book it was.
I absolutely loved this book, perfect size for a nightly read at Christmas time. It had everything you look for in a book, romance, mystery, love and second chance romance. Elisabeth is amazing how she fit all of this in a quick enjoyable story. I would highly recommend buying this set, so you read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melt for Me by Elisabeth Naughton
This is a story of second chances. Nine years ago Ella and Tate went their separate ways to pursue their dreams. Tate became a Rock Star and Ella's life experiences left her hating Christmas. For Tate Ella has always been "the one" and when the opportunity arises he pulls out all the stops to win her back. In a town where every day is Christmas will Ella believe in the holiday magic and give their love a second chance?

[Cheryl Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange things are happening to Ella's bar since Tate Kendrick walked through the door. She hasn't seen him since their break-up 9 years ago. Is he seeking revenge or a second chance?

Their's is the kind of love we only dream about. Great short story in beautiful Holly, North Carolina.

[Davia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good another HEA

I really love the series but this story was too short. I needed a longer story. I am very happy for Kendrick he deserved to be happy and I liked Ella a lot.