Make You Stay

by M.L. Broome

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 is a steamy, contemporary romance

💗 Slow Burn
🤍 Friends to Lovers
💗 Single Dad
🤍 Feisty Heroine

Aidan:

I’m perfectly content with my life, until Chloe walks through the door, upending any semblance of balance.

Chloe is one of those fast-talking New Yorkers with an opinion about everything. Never mind that most of them are correct.

She also has the greatest ass on the planet, along with a sex kitten smile that threatens to undo me every time we meet.

But we want different things from life, and neither of us are willing to compromise.

I have to keep my distance, no matter how much my heart wants to make her stay.

Chloe:

My holiday plans never included a funeral, or the grizzly bear in a suit scowling at me throughout the service, but here I am.

Turns out the grizzly is named Aidan, and he’s actually a big softie beneath his shaggy beard. A big softie with rock hard abs.

He’s fun, flirty, and dangerously attractive, but we’re strictly friends. There’s no crossing that line, although with each passing night, he’s getting harder to resist.

I changed my life for love once before and I won’t do it again, no matter how much my heart wants him to make me stay.

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn, Small Town Romance, Ebooks

254 pages, Paperback

Published August 19, 2021

About the author

M.L. Broome is a bohemian spirit with a New York edge. Her small-town contemporary romances feature smart and sexy heroines over the age of thirty-five, and sizzle with angsty, slow-burn goodness.

Raised on a steady diet of stories, she grew up believing all men should be like Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre—enigmatic yet unflappable in their devotion. Hence, her own brand of book boyfriend was born.

When M.L. isn’t holding one-sided arguments with her characters (she likens it to herding cats), she loves losing herself to nature on her North Carolina farm, one her rescue fur babies by her side.

Her favorite things? Dressing up and kicking back with a glass of wine and a stunning view, soaking up all the experiences that make the soul and senses tingle.

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Reviews

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars: ⭐4.0⭐

Main characters:
- Chloe: ❣️❣️❣️❣️
- Aidan: ❣️❣️❣️❣️

POV: The story is told from Chloe and Aidan's POVs

Romance: Slow-burn, Friends-to-Lovers

Chemistry: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

OW/OM drama: Mild OW drama (not ex-wife), almost nothing. One date and one kiss and a few mentions through the story.

Love triangle: No

Cheating: No

Triggers: No. But there is illnes (at 70% of the book, cancer (ex-wife))

Funny moments: Yes, but there are more cute than funny.

Sad moments: Yes... I cried a lot when we found about ex-wife's illnes. She is wonderful character through the entire book.

Favorite characters: Love them all. Aiden is so hot and amazing human being, a wonderful father. But my favorite character here is Enid, his ex-wife. She is a great friend and super mother. If you read it, you will know why...

The ending: Happy ending

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"She pulls away, a soft smile coloring her mouth. "In another life, I would make you fall in love with me."...
What Chloe doesn't realise is I don't need another life. I'm falling madly in love with her in this one."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
""Second, I'm not giving up. Know that. I'm just calling a delay of game for tonight."...
"I fight for what I want, especially when I'm the reason I no longer have it. So prepare all the arguments you have because I plan to destroy every single one. You're mine Chloe- plain and simple- but I have no issue proving myself to you. I own you that but be warnend, I'm gunning for you, Sweets.""

[Spandana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, quick and easy read....

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

- Aidan es un tipo que me cayó mal desde el primer capítulo y poco a poco me cayó peor. El tipo es un EGOISTA.

-Chloe es una mujer tan necesitada de amor que no importa si la tratan mal, ella se quedara como un perro fiel (hago la comparación porque así son los peludos, no importa como los trates ellos siempre estarán contigo: en las buenas y en las malas).


⚠️Spoiler⚠️
La historia es asi:
-Betsey, la madre (si es que puede llamese así) de Chloe muere.

- Todos piensan que es una mala hija porque jamás visitó a señora y ella era tan buena persona que todos en el pueblo la amaban y lloran su perdida. Chloe tiene que aguantar el mal trato en el funeral sobre todo de Aidan.

-Por unas cartas que la muerta le envió a todo el mundo (menos a su hija) para despedirse, se enteran que Betsey abandono a su hija.

- Aidan le pide disculpas a Chloe y mágicamente se vuelven amigos.

- Con el paso de las semanas se empiezan a gustar, pero cada uno tiene reglas al momento se salir con alguien.
Aidan: no sale con personas que no tengan hijos porque el ya no quiere ser papá otra vez (tiene 3)
Chloe: sólo sale con personas con hijos mayores, ya que salio por 5 años con alguien que tenia 2 niños ella los amaba como si fueran sus hijos, pero él tipo regreso con la ex-esposa y no le dejo tener contacto con los niños. El otro tipo de hombres que sale es sin hijos porque quiere ser mamá.

-Obviamente como quieren cosas diferentes no pueden salir, pero no evita que el tarado (Aidan) coquete con Chloe mientras sale a citas con Barbara.

- Chloe se tiene que aguantar ver como Barbara sale de la casa Aidan.

- Después de mucho deciden empezar a salir y se vuelven novios.

- Chloe tiene que regresar a New York por algunas cosas, y una de ellas es ir a su cita de inseminación.

-Aidan se puso furioso porque según él le había dicho que no quería más hijos, cosa que no lo hizo ya que lo unico que le contó fue sólo salía con mujeres con hijos.
Además le dice que mejor adopte un perro

-Chloe se va a NY, pero las palabras del idiota le afectan a tal punto que decide no hacerse la inseminación porque según sería una mala madre.

-Durante las 3 semanas que ella está en NY, el idiota sufre y sufre a tal punto que coquetea con Barbara, y según sus palabras no pasó de ahí 😑🙄.

-La exesposa del idiota tiene cáncer terminal y le pide al tarado que vuelva con Chloe.

- La forma de disculparse es decirle a Chloe que tengan sexo sin protección -el romance no está muerto- 😐 y cantarle una canción en un pub.

- Al terminar la presentación, Chloe va con el tarado y lo ve besándose con Barbara.
Barbara creyó que la canción era para ella y por eso la beso. El tarado le dice que la canción era para Chloe y que la ama por lo que Barbara termina disculpándose. Se preguntaran si Aidan se disculpó con Barbara ya que fue el quien le dió señales contradictorias, pues no.

- Al final lo perdona y terminan viviendo felices para siempre 😬.

[Alex E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Chloe and felt she was dealing with a lot of issues...
I'm not a big fan of Aiden. He had created this awful image for Chloe based on his interactions with her mother and he was aggressive and rude to Chloe. Thank God he got the letters on time and he understood that Chloe's mother had made a huge mistake and that she was definitely not the little old lady next door. What I also didn't like was that he was giving Barbara attention just to feel good and get his ego boosted. Very immature.

The pacing was strange. How can they become best friends in such a short time? How can she be so involved with his family and get so emotionally attached? Of course his girls grew up with her mother but I felt everything was condensed and rushed to a large extent. maybe she was also craving friendships...

I also understand both their life choices on the dating area but obviously Aiden was in the wrong, being so adamant until the very end:
"get a dog"🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ he was clueless and the author did a good job showing that.

The story of his wife's health was also brought in my opinion as an accelerator and it was a tear jerker

When I first read the book I loved it but the more I thought about it the more unattached I became..🤷

#team Chloe all the way though 👍

[Marissa Gramoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love M.L. Broome's writing. Her characters make me giggle a lot. They have such good internal dialogue. I loved this single dad who needed to grow a lot and this adorable heroine who needed to learn how to put her needs above that of the men she's been with before.

This book is hot, fun and omg their first date had me CACKLING. Like he REALLY did THAT??? Yes. Yes he did. And it was funny as hell.

[Alismel Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un poquiiito lidioso pero muy lindo. Me gustó que Chloe lo haya echo rogar, aunque no fuera mucho jajajaja, pero se mantuvo firme lo mejor que pudo antes de ceder a su historia de amor💋💫

Le doy cuatro estrellas porque no me gustó en absoluto la idea de que Enid, la ex de Aidan fuera diagnosticada con esa enfermedad, es decir, que la familia tuviera que pasar por eso! Clarooo aún la mantienen viva hasta el final de esta historia pero es triste que le hayan dado esa parte🥺😔

[natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it loved it loved it!!

Like every other story from ML Broome, this was amazing. I seriously enjoyed this book a ton, and it wasn't because I was in a book slump either. Contrary to that, I had a lot of books stacked there (both metaphorically and literally because of e-books and paperbacks and all that) waiting to be read, but when I started this one, I just couldn't put it down! Chloe and Aidan have a romance unlike any other (everyone's romance story is special) and I loved how everyone just got along. No pitting people against each other (much). Five star recommendation!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[TrishAM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe Strickland could feel the animosity and hatred in the small church in Ashville, North Carolina. Chloe had planned a reunion with her mother Betsey who she hadn't seen for twenty four years, she didn't imagine when she travelled from her New York home that it would be for her mother's funeral, apparently everyone loved Betsey and Chloe had been judged without a trial.

Aiden Reid was Betsey's next door neighbour, she had been like a mother to him and his three daughters had adored her.

Luckily for Chloe, Aiden's ex wife, who he still had a good relationship with, and his three daughters were not so quick to judge.

This story follows Chloe and Aiden falling in love but fighting against it, they both had their own rules and neither was about to compromise.

This story has suspense, heartache, tragedy and an all consuming love, the banter and sarcasm and bickering between Chloe and Aiden is brilliant as are all the characters. This is the first story that I have read by M.L Broome but hopefully it won't be the last.

I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary.

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow burn romance that is at the same time, too fast AND too slow.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2/5 stars

POV: Dual 1st person
Length: Novel
Relationship: MF

Primary Tropes/Features: Slow burn, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Single Dad

Secondary Tropes/Features: Small town, MCs in their 30-40s, Jealousy, Grief

Micro Tropes: Care giving

Content warning: Death (discussed not seen), OW/OM drama (on page), Terminal illness (on & off page, side character), Cancer (on & off page, side character), Parental abandonment (discussed not seen), Parental neglect (discussed not seen), Single parenthood via artificial insemination (discussed on page)

This is a romance of heartache, tragedy, but more importantly an all consuming unexpected love with the person you never could have predicted would enter your life.

Aiden was an openly flirtatious but not openly affectionate individual though he had an obvious deep and genuine love and affection for his children. Which along with the deep rooted respect he had for his ex-wife gave you a real sense of who he was even when routinely messing it up with Chloe. Chloe was an intelligent, quick witted and sometimes brutally honest individual. She had a fire within her that you couldn't help but respect especially with this book exploring her grief journey as a child of a neglectful parent with an unexpected death. Both had their own flaws which were depicted to various degrees and it made them well-developed characters and gave their romance development a more organic feel. Despite the easy connection not everything was plain sailing when it came to Chloe and Aiden.

They got off to a rough start as the result of quick judgments and once Aiden had been forgiven their self-imposed rules when it came to dating meant they were never going to be more than friends. However a growing connection and continuous flirty banter toed the line which resulted in a slow burn romance under the cover of platonic camaraderie. The development as friends was enjoyable and really worked to set the foundation of their romance. The lingering desire, heated exchanges, and contentment they felt with one another made them a perfect match but neither of them ended up being what the other had planned and that's where the angst came in. It was enjoyable to see Aiden and Chloe work through the good and bad times and reconcile the differences they wanted in their lives. Their story was a mix of fun and flirty moments and more difficult ones as a result of their own wants and actions and external forces but it was an enjoyable story nonetheless.

The only other plot outside of the romance was that of grief journeys. I really appreciated this author's take on parent-child estrangement and how an unexpected death plays into that story of never really getting closure and having to reconcile what could have been with what was. It read as though it was well thought out and written and the touch of Aiden and his girls having a very different and close relationship with Chloe's estranged mother gave us another side of processing grief with another layer to Chloe's own grief journey that gave this book just that little something extra.

When it came to secondary characters we had the rest of Aidan's family. Aiden's three daughters were adorable, I really loved the interactions between them and their dad and how important Chloe became to them which developed through scenes where you could really see the stepmother and step children dynamic growing. Aidan's ex-wife and her new partner were also likeable characters. I would happily read a book about them, but what I really loved here was how Aiden and Enid remained friends. Their closeness wasn't used as a device for tension but instead as a way to show different sides of Aiden and Chloe and as a way for Aiden to realise what he had with Chloe was what he had been searching for.

I can’t fault this book for what it was and I recommend you read it. It just wasn’t anything more than a 2 star read for me.

Favourite Quote(s):

‘What Chloe doesn't realize is I don't need another life. I'm falling madly in love with her in this one.’

I'm tired of being the good guy. The guy with the rules. The guy without the woman he's falling in love with.

[spicy_book_nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

sweet small town romance

Very angsty, other woman drama, single dad. Sweet little romance but the spice didn’t move fast enough and Aidan was kind of a jerk at the end when he messed up.

***spoilers
Chloe has an estranged relationship with her mom, Betsy. Her mom left her her and her dad when she was only 12. Stating she needed her freedom and moved to North Carolina. Now in her mid 30s, Chloe is packing to try to mend her relationship with her mom. She gets a call that her mom has passed.
At the funeral, the whole town seems to hate Chloe. Aiden, who is Betsy‘s neighbor, actually makes a point that Chloe wasn’t around in his eulogy. Chloe takes it all in stride. She basically feels like she’s not good enough and she accepts this. Chloe was in a relationship with a guy named Charlie for five years. He had two young boys that she helped raise and when his ex-wife wanted to come back in the picture, Charlie dumped Chloe and didn’t want her to have contact with his kids. She has made a decision to have a baby on her own by artificial insemination.
Chloe strikes up a friendship with Aiden’s three girls. Natalie, Aiden’s oldest, explains Chloe’s relationship with her. Mom wasn’t the best. Aiden now feels like a jerk and tries to make amends. Aiden doesn’t want children so his rule is he will only date women who have had children already. Chloe’s rule is she won’t date anyone that has small children. So each other’s eyes they’re off-limits.
But they still strike up a non-official relationship. Both go on dates and makes the others jealous. Although Chloe‘s one date with Zeke, was disastrous. Aiden goes out with Barbara a couple of times. But nothing happens.
Finally start an official relationship. And Chloe has to go back to New York to deal with her apartment, bills, job, and her doctors appointment. Aiden wants to talk about moving into her house with his girls. When Aiden and her talk, Chloe brings back up her doctors appointment and Aiden is mad and thinks that she just needs to get a dog. That emotionally hurts Chloe and she refuses to give up her dream. Aiden basically tells her if she has a kid they’re not gonna have a relationship. So Chloe goes back to New York. Chloe goes to her doctors appointment and the doctor simply asks her if she still on this path because she had rescheduled her previous appointment and he thought maybe she found somebody. This just instill negative thoughts and comes to the conclusion she’s not meant to be a mother. She goes back to North Carolina to finish the house and make the sale. Didn’t realize he was being dumb and tries to make it up to Chloe. He realizes having more kids isn’t something he’s upset about. But her having kids with somebody else. they end up making up and officially go out on a date. Aiden is in a band and he sings a song that he wrote for Chloe. Of course the date gets ruined because Barbara is there. Barbara thinks the song could be for her and forces a kiss on Aiden right when Chloe walks in the back room. Chloe keeps getting beat down and she goes home and doesn’t want anything else to do with Aiden. Making up and Aiden ask her to marry him, and have babies with him.



Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot: 👩🏻‍💻📑📑📑
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Darkness: 🖤
Red Flags: 🚩🚩
Kinks: 🫦🫦
Heat: 🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 😂😫🤬😳😍
Ending: 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏻 {HEA}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

[Victoria Liiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - fuck it, this one is 10 out of 5
Steam: PERFECT! And I do mean perfect. Forget the fire icons, this one deserves simply perfect.
Genre: Contemporary Romance

-Single dad
-Friends to lovers
-Opposites Attract
-The guy next door

I cry at happy endings. I really do. I cry especially when two people I’ve grown to love so damn much get their happy ending. So naturally I wailed my eyes out.

I read Make You Stay in two days, which is a record for me nowadays. This is how much I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. It was addictive. And I know you’re going to say this, how could I have grown to love those characters within two days — enough to cry my eyes out for their happiness kind of love? Well, I freaking did, okay! They are so amazingly written you feel their every emotion jumping off the pages. You live through what they live through, because their experiences are so realistic. And the humour? Goooosh, how I love the humour in this book. So. damn. much.

It doesn’t happen often, but already from the first chapter I was boiling over with emotions that the storyline brought out in me. The misperception that Aidan’s and Chloe’s friendship starts with pissed me off so damn much I was surprised by it myself. Aidan is portrayed so beautifully. And even as he hates Chloe at the beginning it is clear from the start that he is an absolutely amazing man regardless of his false understanding of Chloe’s character. You see it in the way he loved Chloe’s mother and the way he adores his children. You can say it in the way he makes up for his mistakes once he realises how wrong he has been.

God I love Aidan. He puts others first before his own desires and that is incredibly attractive in a man. Caretaking is often attributed as something the woman needs to do, but who then takes care of the woman? I’ll tell you who: Aidan. And oh hot damn how he takes care of Chloe.

While Aidan is such a beautiful person through and through, so is Chloe. I’m not saying they are both perfect, because nobody is perfect. What I am saying is that despite their hardships they are striving to be better every day. Despite their fear, they step into the fire in hopes they won't get burnt this time. Despite their differences, they adjust their lives for each other, make it work, change their opinions. That is what made me fall in love with this story. That is what made me cry for their happiness.

This love story is so beautiful to see. Often steamy romance focusses on sex, because that’s what steamy means, right. It has to have mind blowing sex in it. It’s all good and well and we all love those kind of books too, but Make You Stay, while being hot and steamy, managed to be soft, and loving, and caressing and absolutely all consuming. I’ve read so many romance books where there is nothing left of the love making and everything is about fucking. I’ve read so many romances where I skim through those open door scenes because the description stops being sexy and is on the borderline of gross. Now Make You Stay is sooo daaaaamn hot, through and through. It has got my stamp of approval. It’s got the kind of steam that… well that works for me.

I am so head over heels in love with this book, so I’ll just shut up now and let you go and order it.

[Skye Yanovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Amazing book!!!!

Make You Stay is a single dad/fiesty heroine slow burn romance that will hit you right in the heart for so many reasons. I really loved this book….ML is the queen of angst, IMO, but in this book she gives us a really beautiful love story without too much angst destroying your heart. Two people with an immediate connection, despite a very rocky start, who build a friendship that becomes their entire world.

Chloe is trying to repair her relationship with her estranged mother when she gets a call she never expects and instead heads to her mother’s funeral. What saddens her even more than not getting to know her mother is that her mother had forged close relationships with others, including Aidan and his daughters. Aidan isn’t happy to see what he believes is the daughter that abandoned another but when he learns the truth, he immediately wants to get to know Chloe. They forge a friendship based on sharing a loss and then it becomes something neither expects…..or wants. They both have rules…rules that stop them from moving forward together. But aren’t rules meant to be broken?

I loved the slow burn. Aidan and Chloe really became friends first. They talked, laughed, shared meals and stories. I loved Chloe’s relationship with Aidan’s 3 daughters too. She just fit into their life like she was meant to be there the entire time.

Now, while this isn’t as angsty as ML’s books usually are…please don’t think it is an easy love story. Aidan and Chloe have a lot of obstacles to move beyond….but it’s them holding themselves back (well, maybe a little help from a jealous woman too).

This story is STEAMY! I loved the passion and chemistry they have.

I would like to say that one of my fave parts was Aidan’s relationship with his ex-wife and her husband. And their relationship with Chloe. It was SO refreshing to read a book where the ex isn’t “evil”. I’m hoping we get a little more of this story in the future because my heart has to know what happens for this family (no spoilers but it may break your heart).

Overall, another just amazing wonderful book from ML. I laughed, I swooned, I may have shed a few tears and in the end, my heart was a little happier reading this story.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make You Stay by M.L. Broome is an addictive book about a woman who's had horrible luck in love, especially single dads, and a single dad who is determined to only date single moms... It makes for an interesting love story.
When Chloe Strickland comes to North Carolina for her estranged mothers' funeral she isn't sure what to expect. She sure wasn't expecting her mother to be so loved in town, for her to have been so close to her neighbors daughters (when she was never a mother to her), or for said neighbor to hate her so passionately. Unfortunately for Chloe that neighbor also happens to be very attractive and on the few occasions she did speak with her mother she said that she thought they'd be a good match.
Aidan Reid is going to miss his neighbor Betsy, they have been very close for years so he can't understand how her only daughter could so cruelly abandon her mother. So when Chloe finally shows up, late, for her own mothers' funeral he makes his hatred of her very well known. Aidan is determined to keep far far away from Chloe until she sells her mothers house and goes back to New York where she came from. But after some cruel words towards Chloe Aidan finds out the truth behind their estrangement and realizes how big of mistake he's made towards her, and he's determined to make it right between them.
Chloe is determined to never date a single father again after her last serious boyfriend decided to get back with his ex for their sons and cut off all contact with the boys that she had started to consider her own after years of them being together. Because of that experience Chloes has sworn off ever dating single fathers again so she can't get hurt like that again. Chloe has also decided to finally have children of her own, on her own and she doesn't care what others think about her being a single mother. So when she is continually confronted with Aidan, his good looks and his sweet daughters she can't help but debating reconsidering her rule on single dads.
Since his amicable divorce from his ex wife Aidan has had a rule about only dating single mothers because they'd understand where his priorities lie, with his daughters, and that he doesn't want any more kids. But he can't help but want to change that rule for Chloe...

[Desert Lumens · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading this author and I must say I absolutely loved this book so much. Sighs, what I didn’t expect from such a fantastic book was for it to make me sad. That was so uncalled for. It was going so well, I was laughing out loud and even Aidan’s stupidity wasn’t making me angry, but what did make me angry was the plot twist. It sure did make me cry. Like why do that? Anyways, without dropping spoilers here I will just say this book is bittersweet. I loved every single character in this book, even Barbara came out shining like gold by the end of the book. I must say Broome can write a fabulous book. I loved Aidan’s daughters so much, Enid my gosh I loved her as well. She was so amazing, Jeff was cool too. Every character had such vividness about them. They each just stood out and could grasp the reader. Then there was the chemistry between Chloe and Aidan. Wowza, the flirtatious snarky banter between them was basically foreplay 🤣😂. I absolutely loved it. 😈 This book was filled with so much goodness and actually so many different tropes it just somehow all fit together and formed one smashingly good book. Chloe I think is every mans perfect woman. At least she fits the bill for this ole grumpy bear 🐻. In fact I gave this book 5 radiant stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and I will definitely read other books by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bookishdays · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Chloe is a New Yorker, who returns to her mother's house after her sudden death, to attend the funeral and make arrangements about her big house. Then, she met her mother's loyal neighbour and friend Aidan, who happens to be a sexy bearded lumberjack single dad.

In the beginning, Aidan doesn't like Chloe because he thinks she abandoned her mother to live in the big city, but after some conversations and repair jobs in the house, they became friends and became very attracted to one another. The problem is, Aidan doesn't date women without kids, and Chloe doesn't date men who already have children.

Friends to lovers is one of my favourite tropes in romance novels, and this one does not disappoint. It is set in a small town, and Aidan has a great family. He and Chloe are perfect for each other, the chemistry is amazing and the banter between them is very funny, if you don't mind the strong language, sometimes.

Although this is a cute romance story, there are a lot of deep emotions in their relationship and it is a very intense journey. I thought it was perfectly romantic and I highly recommend it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Make You Stay' by M.L. Broome is the story of Aidan and Chloe and their journey to happiness. Aidan, is a single dad to three daughters and still has a good relationship with his ex-wife. Chloe, is a freelance writer living in New York. Chloe is getting ready to visit her mother for Thanksgiving. However, she receives a phone call and learns that her mother, Betsey, has passed away. Aidan was Betsey's next door neighbor and his daughters treated her like a grandmother. He never understood why Chloe hadn't visited her mother when all Betsey did was talk about Chloe. The two meet at Betsey's funeral.

Ms. Broome has written a fabulous book with great characters, both the main and supporting, a compelling plot line, and just plain heartwarming. The story has laughs, tears, misconceptions, passion, and true friendship. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes a lovely heartstrings HEA.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book. You start reading it knowing there's going to be some sad moments. But out of nowhere *kaboom* Unexpected heartbreaking moment. Sometimes I hate them, but sadly, they are a part of everyday life that we can't ignore.
Everyone in the story was integral to the plot, especially his 3 charming daughter's.

It was very nice to see the ex portrayed as friendly as well as becoming a friend of Chloe's.
The plot was original and emotional. Chloe's mom passes away. While Chloe and her mom had a fractured relationship she finds out everyone else loved her mom and considered her a saint.
This brings out the question, "why wasn't I worthy of your love"
That actually brought back memories I have with my dad. It's quite simple. As a child, we need to know our parents love us. Moms, dads, you decide at some point your kid is holding you back from living "your" life. Too damned bad.

Damn, this book goes a lot deeper and is reminding me why I should get a therapist.

Well done, M.L. Broome.

Everyone should read this book.

[Samantha MacLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even start? This book was great! It was sweet and sexy. This was my first book by M. L. Broome and it was a perfect choice! Aiden and Chloe's story was hard to get into at first but I pushed myself to keep going and I am glad that I did.
Aiden was the neighbor to Betsey. While Chole and Aiden met under the not-so-good circumstances considering Betsey had passed away and that ended up being the reason that Chole came to North Carolina instead of being able to rekindle the relationship that the two never had. This story followed Chole and Aiden's relationship which started off really rocky and they proceed to fall in love but try to fight how they feel for each other.
This story has a lot of suspense, heartache, and love throughout. It is definitely a tear-jerker. I cannot wait to find my next read by M. L. Broome.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[MookNana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Aiden's children and his blended family. It was nice to see a couple maturely divorced. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite connect to the love story. I don't feel like I got to know much about Chloe outside of her relationships and Aiden...was not much of a prize, in my book. I didn't like how persistently rigid he was and he really did not acquit himself well during the main conflict with Chloe. Not only did he say some things that were close to unforgivable (even if he did sort of apologize) but he was generally pretty selfish and not too willing to put himself in someone else's shoes, even with copious help from other characters. He also dallied with another woman long after it was tolerable.

It's not that there was an issue with the writing, and there were some nice steamy bits, but I couldn't get too invested in this guy getting what he wanted.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful story! Chloe's mother dies just as she is planning to reconcile, and her trip to Mom's home turns into an extended stay. She meets her neighbor, the hunky carpenter, Aidan, divorced with three daughters and friendly with his ex. This is just the beginning. They do not like each other at first, but things heat up quickly. Let's just say there are lots of ups and downs. I am not a big one for tears, but I did cry when a startling, awful thing was revealed. I really felt for both of these characters, as well as for the others around them.

I hope that the editors will solve the problems with words before publication. For example, it is "say your piece," not your "peace." There are a few of these in the book, but otherwise well-written and compelling.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[K.G. Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful love story with all the feels!
I love small town, slow burn, single-dad romances, so this book hit all the right notes for me. And as a side note, the hero can sing! GAH! The relationship between Aiden and his ex-wife was also refreshing in this day and age, and the side plot with his family struck me hard (yes, there were tears!)
I loved Chloe – she’s broken and vulnerable, yet stands up for herself numerous times. She’s been through a lot, her dreams of having a family of her own pulling at your heart strings.
Of course, Aiden is swoony and sexy, his lumberjack persona a win for me. His respect for women, especially his daughters, ex-wife, and new neighbor, Chloe, made me want to reach through the pages and give him a bear hug. I mean, come on, if a guy built you a reading nook wouldn’t you want to hug him forever?
The entire premise of finding love, family, and ultimately coming home made for a feel-good romance you need to get your hands on. Five-stars!

[Booknuk Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like small town love story. Enid and Aiden’s relationship is wonderfully written. Does this kind of relationship really exist? Oh I really wish it did… I would’ve love my parents to have this kind of coparenting, would of been wonderful. I really like how this story started, the banters, how funny she was, how she made Aiden flush, sexy and a beautiful hearted person even though she had her heart broken, she still had so much love to give. Chloe wanted a child but not just any child, she wanted one out of love, that papa bear love, specifically Aiden’s who’s a wonderful father, a gentleman with and incredible body an that’s a plus.

M.L. Broome, even though this is a fantasy book, you capture reality in them, reality that some of us can identify with, and that is why I love your books, they are so well written it just sumerges me in the book. So now it’s off to the next book.

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe has plans to reconnect with her mom in North Carolina but she passes before getting the chance. The first person she runs into at the funeral is Aiden, her mom's neighbor and friend, and he is set out to be Chloe's enemy. After Aiden is set straight by his daughter about Chloe and her mother's relationship, then the flirting starts. There is a lot of steamy scenes between these two. Everyone can see they belong together but them because of their "rules". There is a HEA but I won't spoil the details. I thought this was a great story and I got choked up a few times. The characters are great and well developed. I highly recommend this story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout.and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chloe was about to meet and get to know the mother who left her at a very young age, but now it is her funeral that Chloe has to set up and an estate to settle. She meets Aidan, who was close with his neighbor, and wants to learn about the women she did not know. He is first very upset with her until he finds out the true story of who left who behind. The chemistry between Chloe, Aidan and his kids was wonderful and the intense emotions and feelings were nicely written. The storyline has the full scope of feelings and the family pulls together to overcome anything in their path. Loved the sweet stirring romance and will be rereading it again.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[✨natalie✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. This had me crying. When Chloe finds out her mom has passed, she attends the funeral and has to deal with the fallout. There she meets Aiden, a hot single dad, who is such a jerk to her. He doesn’t know the full story on the relationship that Chloe had with her mother. Then things take a different turn and you know the rest is history.

I won’t get into it too much bc spoilers, but the way Chloe wanted a family and Aiden had other ideas really got to me in this book. I actually hated Aiden at one point in this because of the harsh things he said to Chloe. And Enid, my heart.

I loved how close Chloe got to Aiden’s 3 daughters. I loved the passion in this. Ugh I’m still choked up about this. This review sucks but I can’t put everything into decent words. I just loved this.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet novel. Chloe heads to North Carolina after the death of her mother, Betsey. Aiden lives next door with his three girls. His ex wife, Enid, has remarried and they are successfully co-parenting. Aiden has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to Chloe, believing that she deserted her mother, but he finds out that Betsey actually deserted her. Chloe really wants to be a mother herself and has made plans to go back to New York to be inseminated. But she finds herself falling in love with Aiden, and Aiden with her, and she must figure out what is important to her.

A sweet romance with a lot of "almosts". It is great to see how Aiden's daughters and ex-wife react so positively to Chloe.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[The Book Dragon's Hoard by A.V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You make my life wonderful. Never forget that I love you. I’ll screw up and say the wrong thing, but you are my everything. My heart. My soul. My breath. You make me whole.”


When you find the right person, this is how it is. And honestly, Broome shows it so beautifully. I’ve always loved her stories, but this one will have a special place in my heart. It’s simple, and the simplicity is beautiful, and heartwarming, and unforgettable.

Additionally, Make You Stay kept reminding me of that wonderfully famous quote from When Harry Met Sally: Men and woman can’t be friends… because the sex part always gets in the way. Although Harry said it cynically, Broome shows the true beauty of that. How friendship and attraction can be perfection.

[Emily ~ breatheeasybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read. Unfortunately it felt pretty short, so a lot of it felt too quick and surface level. I think it could’ve benefited from being a little longer so that it could dive a little deeper into the emotional side. It being surface level wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, I still really enjoyed it and liked Aiden and Chloe and I adored the entire family dynamic. But the conflict resolutions, side character issues, and emotional depth with Aiden and Chloe felt like it would’ve been so much more amazing if it could’ve been just a little longer.

I still definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick read with lots of flirting and tension, a fair bit of steam (but not super spicy), and an amazing family dynamic!

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second M.L. Broome book and this one knocked it out of the park! Coming into this I expected the slow burn and the slow burn trope usually isn't my thing but the sexual tension and back and forth banter between Aidan and Chloe keeps you swooning and hungry and eating up every single page of this book. I absolutely loved the single dad, co-parenting aspect of Aidan and Enid's relationship and this book just got me. Absolutely loved it. I need more from M.L. Broome. ❤️ This was absolutely wonderful.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.