A collection of four short stories to bring some sizzle into your summer.
No angst - just love!
House Arrest
Jenny Reynolds is having a bad day. Can the hot cop next door make it better? Officer Connor Michaels is certainly willing to try.
Love Under Construction.
An older man. A younger woman. Coworkers. Off-limits. Can they build something to stand the test of time?
Stitches
When Chloe loses her beloved stuffed koala, Stitch, will the handsome doctor she befriends be able to help? Will her mother admit that Dr. Ian Taylor may be the prescription they need to mend them both and become a family?
The Taste of You
When Chef Byron Lord decides Julia Nichols needs a lesson in his kitchen, what happens when the simmering heat gets to be too much for both of them? Will she pass the test or will she prove they both have something to learn about life and love?
A bit about me: NYT/WSJ/USAT International bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of lots of lovely years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them. While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys travelling, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip. Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever-afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.
Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com
Happily Ever After Collection is an anthology of four short stories by Melanie Moreland. All guaranteed to make you smile, swoon and sigh.
The Taste of You
What happens when you put together a busy college student who barely has time to eat and when she does, it’s the quickest, cheapest thing she can find, and a restaurant owner/chef who has dedicated his life to the creation of food? You get magic! Julia Nichols and Byron Lord met through their mutual friend and one look was all it took. Byron was determined to show Julia the joy of food and to win her heart. Julia fell fast and hard for Byron. Together these two were adorable. We even get a little side story of another couple. This has a beginning, middle and end, not rushed at all. And to top it off, an amazing epilogue. I love foodie romance and this was perfect!
Stitches
This is the sweetest story. Dr. Ian Taylor is a pediatrician who works practically non-stop in the Emergency Room at the hospital. It’s after a long shift when he is relaxing on a bench in the park before going home when an adorable little girl looking for her missing stuffed animal makes his heart melt. But when he meets her mother, he knows these two are going to be important to him. All it took was one look, and he just knew that Samantha and little Chloe were going to be a part of his future.
Love Under Construction
Wow, this one was amazing! It might just be the steamiest so far. Jackson is a site manager for a construction company. He loves his job and he has a great relationship with his boss, Hank. They have become friends but Hank is still the boss. When Hank announces his daughter, Laura, is going to come to work for them, he asks Jackson to look out for her, to make sure that everyone keeps their hands off. But one look and Jackson knows that it’s not the rest of the crews’ hands Hank needs to worry about, it’s his. I loved everything about this one. I absolutely adored the way Jackson was with Laura. He was all jealous and protective and growly and swoony. I also really loved the relationship between Jackson and Hank. My eyes even got watery at one point towards the end. This one was such a wonderful little book.
House Arrest
I think this might have been the cutest one of the four. Officer Connor Michaels and Jenny Reynolds are neighbors in their apartment building. Both have secretly been crushing on the other for months. But it was a cheating ex, a lot of wine, and a mistaken door that finally helped them to reveal their feelings. Jenny was so cute with all her inner monologue that wasn’t so inner. Conner was swoony and sexy and perfect. These two were adorable together.
“You offered me your hand, and when I took it, it was as if I had come home.”
All four of these short stories are swoony, sweet, sexy and all are complete with epilogues. All four Happily Ever Afters are sure to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Melanie Moreland once again sets up your heart to go all fluttery and fall in love with the couples she creates. This book serves you up four short stories with a guaranteed HEA. It is one of those books you'll read on a road trip, sitting out on the beach or deck, or maybe a day water cruise. It was REALLY hard to consider a favorite.
The Taste of You What happens when you insult a chef? You get tasting lessons and maybe give up your heart. This was such a cute couple. Not an overbearing meet/cute - just two who meet by chance. Byron is patient, and teaches the art of caring for something through food. Loved everything about this story!
Stitches The kid definitely tries to steal the show. But it's a great lesson in sometimes the right person shows up at an unexpected time to show you a different life you can lead.
Love Under Construction I loved this unexpected couple. When the workplace creates a lot of tension, there is going to be LOTS of sparks. I loved that Jackson showed us that he was valued friendships and respect for his long term friend. Awesome age-gap romance. And my favorite out of the bunch!
House Arrest Sometimes you drown your sorrows in a bottle of tequila and you have some explaining to do. This one had me rolling in laughter with the two neighbors secretly crushing on one another until a wrong door mishap makes the right things happen.
I love Ms. Moreland's talent with weaving a story. She proves that you can have a HEA and feel fulfilled as a reader that you got a well-rounded story. This is one I will pick up again to re-read when I need something to make me smile and swoon.
A selection of 4 short stories to give you all the good feelings, each hero has his own appeal, each story is full of sweet and lovely moments to enjoy. The Taste of You - Chef Lord takes it upon himself to 'educate' Julia in the art of taste, some comical moments as Julia reveals her kitchen skills. I liked that another couple had a moment in this story too. Stitches - Dr Ian meets Single Mom and his life changes. Lots of cuteness in this one. Love under Construction - This one is the steamiest, Construction Boss is secretly dating the Boss's daughter, that can only end well right! Very hot, very funny and some heart warming man to man moments. House Arrest - Hot cop neighbour. This one wins for comedy, I loved the little things that came up with the douchebag ex. A really fun, sweet collection. Melanie Moreland as always shows her skills with a fab epilogue for each couple.
This wonderful book of Happily Ever After stories are full of love and romance, no angst, and lots of heat and heart. They will transport you to a magical world only Melanie can create, actually four different worlds.
THE TASTE OF YOU is the first story. Julia Nichols barely ekes out a living working a couple of jobs but catches Chef Byron Lord's attention at his 5 STAR restaurant by sending back his personally created entree uneaten. He makes it his personal mission to introduce Julia's palate to more tastes. Julia is on board, and they both get more than they ever dreamed. This was a beautiful story!
The second story is STITCHES and my favorite in this book! Dr. Ian Taylor is a pediatrician who works long hours in the ER. When he meets Samantha and a tearful Chloe in the park, his heart is engaged. He helps them look for her lost stuffed Koala bear, and the rest is history, their history. Little Chloe steals the show and when she says "Ian, you stay here," my heart was gone just like his. I loved this and the epilogue was the best! 💖
LOVE UNDER CONSTRUCTION is the story of Jackson, a Construction Foreman and the daughter of his boss, who is 12 years younger. He is supposed to watch out for her, befriend her, and protect her from the all men crew. Instead, he is so attracted to her he is gruff, rude, and plain mean. She doesn't understand and ends up giving him back what he gives her. Until one day it implodes around them. There is so much more to this story. It's great!
HOUSE ARREST is the last but not least story. Jenny Reynolds has been day drinking with her bestie after breaking up with her cheating boyfriend. She is having trouble getting her key in the lock when the door finally opens up and she falls into, not her apartment, but her hot cop neighbor's. Conner Michaels catches her before she hits the floor and then holds her under House arrest. He has been attracted to her since they met but she had a boyfriend. Now that the boyfriend is gone, he has his chance! This is a sweet romance with plenty of steam!
All of these stories are steamy love stories with HEAs (of course) and Epilogues that give you that warm fuzzy feeling. If Melanie writes it, you know it's great. All Five Star Reads!
Looking for some spice with a hint of sugar to back it up? Moreland has the cure. The Happily Ever After Collection is a flavorful experience that will have emotions addicted in no time. Less than perfect seems to be the perfect fit for running away with the heart. Sizzling, Sassy, Sweet and sexy fun. Escape into love with a bit of heartwarming romance.
Taste of you is a cute story about Julia who like most of us cannot afford a lot of luxuries. Byron is the head chef and owner of the most saught out restaurant. A chance encounter and Byron knows he has to get Julia to like more then just his food. Stiches is so adorable what happens when on overworked ER doctor, Ian, meets an adorable little girl Chloe, and her mom Samantha, that are looking for her beloved stuffed koala Stitch. He helps them out by looking for him coming up empty they leave empty handed but when Ian looks in the trash can he finds Stitch. Another chance encounter and this heat up. Love Under Construction got me, this one almost starts out enemies to lover, but it's not it's an instant love that they thought was forbidden. Jackson and Laura hid their love until an accident almost takes ones of their lives. House arrest made me laugh, Jenny has recently broken up with her cheating boyfriend drowns her sorrows with alcohol. When she tries to get into her apartment her key won't work because she is at the wrong door. Connor opens the door to find a drunk Jenny. Drunk Jenny has no filter so she coils her guts. When Jenny wakes up, Connor lets her know she will not be going anywhere.
Another 1 click from Melanie Moreland. A collection of 4 short stories. 3 are previously published stories that have been extended and the fourth is a brand new story. This collection made me smile. There's comedy, romance, witty banter, and plenty of chemistry. A prefect escape in small bites. Truly entertaining, heart warming tales that left me feeling cheery. Taste of You - what happens when a tasty chef meets a busy student who uses food soley as fuel. Can he convince her food can be much more than a necessity. Stitches - hot paediatrician and a hunt for a missing bear in the park. Love Under Construction - don't fall in love with the boss's daughter especially if he's already asked you to watch out for her. House Arrest - protective cop, tipsy neighbour commiserating her cheating ex, finds the wrong door on the landing. A shared secret crush and a filter free inner monologue.
A great collection of short stories that will leave you with a smile on your face and a happiness in your heart: Taste of You - Wonderful love hate relationship between a high powered chef and the small but equally as powerful woman who stops him in his tracks and shows him what love really feels like. Stitch - A fabulous story about a cute pediatrician that falls in love with a single mom as well as her daughter all over a lost stuffed animal in the park, was not only enjoyable but heartwarming. Love Under Construction - Nothing better than falling in love with your bosses daughter but having to keep it a secret at work. Totally swoon-worthy. House Arrest - Dumping your cheating boyfriend and tying one on only to think that your hot neighbor's door is yours leads to finding true love. Hysterical but completely heartwarming.
Melanie Moreland once again proves that no matter how long the book is - they are still top notch!!
The Taste of You - Julia experience at an exclusive restaurant is an epic fail as her taste buds are more comfortable with McDonalds. She draws the chef’s attention when she returns her meal uneaten and he is determined to show her the error of her ways and soon things are heating up not only in the kitchen but between them as well.
Stitches – Chloe’s koala bear Stiches has always been by her side so when she misplaces him, she is devastated. During the search she gets ahead of Samantha, her mother who has also hurt her ankle, straight into the arms of Ian, who is a doctor and now that he has them he doesn’t want to let them go.
Love Under Construction - Jackson is a project manager for a construction company and Laura not only works for the company but it is owned by her father who is also Jackson’s friend. They fall in love but are hiding the relationship as they are worried about how her father will react but one site accident changes everything.
House Arrest – After breaking up with her boyfriend Jenny has a few drinks too many and winds up at Connor’s apartment rather than her own. One night changes everything as they have both been denying their feelings for each other. When she wakes up the next morning all she wants to do is flee until she realizes that house arrest has never been so much fun.
This is a collection of four novellas that combine hot chemistry, witty banter and all the feels into the perfect package.
Melanie has once again hit it out of the park even though there is no baseball player in this collection.
The Taste of You - Julia’s love of McDonald’s and Byron’s let’s say dislike of it is amusing. Byron teaches Julia to love food and even attempts to teach her how to make certain dishes.
Stitches - How could Ian not help, but fall in love with Chloe and her mom, Sam. A misunderstanding happens when Sam sees a message that is quick epi cleated up with an unexpected visit to Ian at the hospital that he works at. Chloe and her love of her koala named Stitch is adorable.
Love Under Construction - Even though Jackson is older then Laura it works for them even if they are keeping their relationship a secret in the beginning. An accident happens where things come to light for Laura’s dad, Hank who just happens to be Jackson’s boss.
House Arrest - On a day that Jenny has one too many, she attempts to get into her apartment. Only realizing it’s the wrong door when her neighbor Connor opens it and she falls into his arms quite literally. With her filter gone and her breaking up with her cheating boyfriend she admits not only to herself, but to Connor as well that she does have feelings for him. Jenny’s lack of filter when she’s buzzed is funny at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am addictive to Melanie Moreland's book, this is a great collection of four novellas and they are all standalone. I have a soft spot for good writing and these stories are so good that you will want to read it again.
The first one is The Taste of You and is about a chef de cuisine that takes the greatest challenge of all, please Julia Nichols (a McDonalds junkie food lover) and teach her how to enjoy eating. In my opinion it is the best story and I just love their connection.
The second novella is Stitches and is so lovable that you will have to read it! A single mon, a doctor and a koala, it is so adorable!
The third novella is Love Under Construction and it is more adult and with conflicts since the couple works together and she is his boss. It is very sensitive and mature.
The final novella "House Arrest" is more fun, the couple is amazing and it is very sweet.
It is a great summer reading and you will love it!
This is classic Melanie Moreland! Perfect short stories that grab your heart and don't let go. I've said it before and I'll say it again, she has a way of writing a short story that feels like a full-length novel. I get so emotionally involved with her characters after reading only a few pages. I read Stitches before and it was absolutely adorable the first time and if possible, even better this time. The other 3 stories were new to me and I gobbled them up and thoroughly enjoyed them! These are perfect little stories for when you're tight on time or in between full-length novels. Another 5-star winner from Melanie!
Excellent collection of short stories by Melanie Moreland. Steamy, funny, romantic, each will leave you eager to read the next one. Some of these were written in previous anthologies (now with added content) but one is completely new (and its my favorite!!). Exactly what we needed this summer!
A wonderful collection of short stories to keep you entertained, if you are looking for a book to read that will leave you smiling like a Cheshire Cat look no further than this collection. This collection that has a bit of everything and it will certainly appeal to all romance lovers, there’s sizzling chemistry, witty banter, strong sassy characters and plenty of hot fun but most importantly as the title says every quick read has a happy ever after and let’s be honest in today’s world that’s what we are all looking for. This is the perfect book to escape with and it’s certainly a book I will read and re-read because I will never tire of these beautifully written short romances.
If you want a awesome little collection of some very hot short stories, this book is for you!! Each story is a little bit naughtier than the one before it and I loved, loved, loved it!! Each couple has a chemistry that is off the charts. The stories are sweet and sexy!! Melanie weaves a love into each tale that is more unique than the one before it! If you are looking for something short and sweet, like Melanie(don’t kill me you know I love you!!!), this collection is for you!!!❤️
There's a man or woman for everyone's liking in this fun collection by Melanie Moreland.
Starting off the fun in the kitchen with Taste of You and our friends Julia and Byron. A girl with no taste buds and a five star chef. Things are about to get hot in the kitchen as Julia learns how real food tastes and Byron discovers there is more to life the running his restaurants. We also get some good reminders to share everything. 😉
From the kitchen to the hospital luckily Stitches is a beautiful short story all its own. Ian and Sam are two of the most kindhearted characters I've read in a really long time. Brought together by the cutest little set of ringlets and a stuffed koala in need of a doctor's care this story is bond to give you warm fuzzies.
Ready for some wor? Under Construction has got you covered. Jackson and Laura have got their work cut out helping to run Laura's dad's construction company while keeping their arguing and sexually tension from destroying the company. Or is there more going on? Maybe Laura's dad Hank isn't the only one keeping secrets with his pizzas and beers. Whatever's going on at this construction site put on your hard hat.
Last but certainly not least House Arrest. Jenny and Conner if they don't have you giggling they'll have you wondering about cops in general. 😂 Handcuffs, feathers, Stockholm syndrome oh my! Jenny has no inner monologue and Conner is a little bit of a stalker but it's kind of adorable. (But it is after all a book.)
I loved this collection every story was fun and I really enjoyed it from beginning to end.
This is everything I love about Melanie Moreland. She establishes characters very quickly and I care about each one of them. This contains four stories about couples that find their Happily Ever After.
Happily Ever After Collection is a perfect read, 4 short stories that are as hot as they are sweet! Sometimes you just need a short story and this collection gives you 4 of them. The Taste of You, finds a girl with no taste and chef who wants to show her what she’s missing. Stitches A missing stuffed animals brings a Dr and a single mom they’re HEA Love Under Construction when you best friend/boss is the father of the only girl you want things get a little complicated. House Arrest, a drunk afternoon and a wrong door brings neighbors all they’ve looked for. Loved them and did i mention how HOT they where!
This Collection was perfect in every way. Even though the stories were short you still got to know them, fall in love with them, and feel the connection between them. Melanie has done it again with another home run. This collection is perfect for when you want to read something, but don’t feel like your have enough time to dive into a full novel. I could read this collection again and again.
Julia and Byron met at his restaurant. She was brought by her friend, and she barely ate the food he prepared. Not because she wants to be rude, but due to her difficult childhood. Eating has become a survival thing for her, hence why she doesn't love food that much. And Byron wants to make Julia appreciate and enjoy every meal. So this novella was about them discovering food appreciation and falling in love slowly.
Stitches
Ian and Sam met at a park when she and her daughter, Chloe, were looking for her stuffed toy. Ian was there and helped them find it. This night, they also found out they lived in the same building and were only four floors apart. This is a sweet novella about a single mom and doctor and how they navigate working with their busy schedules and still find time for one another, and of course, fall in love.
Love under construction
Jackson and Laura have been working for the same company. She's the boss's daughter, and he's the most trusted man of her father. They have a secret relationship because her father warns everyone not to mess with Laura. Also, there's a 12-year age gap between them, and her father thought Jackson was way too old for her. Anyway, everything eventually came out, and the reaction they got was something they didn't expect. It was really adorable reading their story and their epilogue.
House Arrest
I DNF this one. Jenny and Connor have been neighbors for 6 months, and apparently he's been interested in her ever since he moved there, but Jenny has a boyfriend. She, on the other hand, has outgrown her relationship; she only stayed because it's convenient. But with the way it was described, I feel like there's emotional cheating involved because Jenny and Connor have been spending time together under the guise of being "friends". So yeah, I'm not down for that, hence the DNF.
Technically, each novella has a dual POV, but the Hero's POV is definitely dominant.
THE TASTE OF YOU ~ 4.25/5 stars 8 chapters
Tags: Slow-burn romance, friends to lovers
The Hero initially comes across as uppity, but the sweet romance made the Hero grow on me. This novella kind of edges into insta-love for me, but I have to remind myself that weeks go by in a few paragraphs–there's only so much space in a novella. So, the relationship progresses fast but not insta-love fast.
I also love how Melanie Moreland romanticizes the everyday stuff... and, in this case, making food! This novella is charming, and I love the relationship between the Hero and Heroine. It honestly surprised me how much I enjoyed it.
Safety Rating: Safe
Possible Triggers: None • No abuse • No OTT sad parts
I liked the premise of Stitches, but I didn't connect with the Heroine. As a result, I didn't really feel the chemistry between the Hero and Heroine as much. But, I LOVED that the I-paid-off-your-student-debts trope was reversed... the Heroine pays off the Hero's debt!
Overall, I think the novella could've been a bit more engaging if it was longer. It would've allowed the relationship to develop a bit more.
This novella is my favourite in the collection! When the story started, though, I was a bit put-off because it wasn't going the way I thought. But, the first few chapters quickly addressed a twist that made the novella much more engaging.
I just wanted the Hero and Heroine's relationship to be fleshed out into a more significant novel. Also, I think the flashback scenes could've been structured as their own chapter with "2 months earlier" (for example) underneath the chapter title. It would've been more enjoyable to read than the italics.
Love Under Construction was a great forbidden office romance! Seriously, I loved it.
Safety Rating: Safe
Possible Triggers:
Ending:
HOUSE ARREST ~ 3.5/5 stars 7 chapters
Tags: ow-om, small town romance, girl-boy-next-door, military and cops, hea-erotica
The circumstances surrounding the "house arrest" really put me off enjoying this novella. The first time the reader is introduced to the Hero, he brings the Heroine into his apartment after realizing she's drunk and kisses her. The Heroine then wakes up the next morning, is mortified and tries to leave–the Hero has left his apartment to do errands. The Hero has left a note telling her not to worry and that he would like her to wait for him. But, he also steals her keys and shoes so she can't leave his apartment! Like, what?
It's only later on in the novella that I realized the Hero and Heroine have been friends for the past 6 months. So, the above behaviour isn't as horrible (although it's still sketchy). I also felt that the MCs' circumstances made it a bit more challenging to connect with the Heroine.
A day after breaking up with her ex, she starts dating the Hero. The Hero also uses his badge and cop friends to haze the ex-bf. They ticket him for dumb infractions and get his precious car towed and leave a fish in the car, making it unusable and unsellable. The Hero also flashes his badge to intimidate the ex-bf... to get the ex-bf to go away. It just didn't sit right with me.
Overall, the romance part of the story was cute once I realized the MCs have been friends for months. But, some of the details just put me off.
Also, did anyone else notice the discrepancies in the Hero's career? He starts as a cop and tells the Heroine he's going back to school to study to be a CSI. But, in the epilogue, it sounds like he's now a firefighter (I drew the reference from "manning the ladder" and the whole 4 days on, 3 days off spiel).
5 star Review Happily Ever After Collection by Melanie Moreland
A collection of short from Melanie Moreland which had me riveted from the first to the last chapter of all these books. I love Ms.Moreland’s style of writing. Her characters are always strong, easy to relate to and human. I found myself smiling and crying, at times at the same time as I read this book.
This book is a feel good one that is heartwarming and left me with a smile on my face. There is something here for everyone. I think it is the variety of the stories in this collection that makes it a perfect romantic read and one I absolutely recommend.
They may be short stories but each one will draw you in as Ms. Moreland packs a lot into each and every one.
Enjoyed every story in this book. Can't begin to say which I enjoyed the most because they were all so good. I think Under Construction had me laughing the most, enjoyed Hank, Jackson and Spitfire. :). Especially when Jackson was hiding under the desk, what a hoot! Thanks for these great stories:)
Another winner. What can I say that hasn’t been said already. I love Melanie Moreland’s writing. Her stories are engaging, funny, and written in a way that I can’t get enough. She is my go to author. I know that I won’t be disappointed when I read her stories. They are uplifting to me because I can immerse myself in her words and forget about everything for little while. Thank you and please keep writing.
This is a collection of 4 short stories. I liked them all. The first one was about a doctor who meets a single mom and her little girl who lost her stuffed animal. The second one is about a chef and a friend of a friend who is hooked on fast food. He vows to teach her to love his cooking. The third one is about a construction worker and his boss’s daughter. He knows that she’s off limits but he can’t stay away. And the last one is about a woman that breaks up with her boyfriend, gets drunk, and thinks that she’s going into her apartment, but finds out it’s actually her handsome police officer neighbor. Good thing he’s actually in love with her and wants to protect her. I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to everyone.
I love melanie Morelands writing and this book was a huge bonus. All of these stories appeared somewhere else first (like an anthology etc).
I had never read any of these before so for me this was so exciting.
Each story was fresh and new. I loved each and every one.
In taste of you we have Julia and Byron. Byron is a chef who overhears Julia day she love a certain fast food place and food like what he prepares is sort of stuffy. Byron asks her to try his food for a couple of weeks and see if she still thinks it’s stuffy. A romance is born.
In Stitches we meet Ian, Samantha and Chloe. A chance meeting in a park and an ER visit later and Ian and Samantha start forming a connection.
In Love Under Construction it’s Jackson and Laura. Laura is the daughter to Hank who also happens to be Jackson’s boss. Laura and Jackson can’t stand one another or maybe that’s not the case. It is a sweet story.
In House attest we meet Jenny and Connor. Their romance has been budding for a while. It takes a drunk Jenny trying to get into her apartment for it to really take off. There are some hilarious parts and some super swoon parts as well.
While we wait for more Melanie books these were short reads and were a great way to pass the time. I loved all 4 of them and devoured them as fast as I could.