What do you think?
Rate this book
Van Den Bosch #1
Roxanne.
He’s an incurable, hopeless romantic. She’s a ruthless businesswoman who has never loved anyone.
I still remember the day she first said her name. Her voice was nothing like I’d ever heard before––velvet, fine-grained, and smooth. There was something magnetic about it. It was terribly inviting. And deeply alluring.
My name’s Andries Van Den Bosch. I’m a closeted poet, an incurable romantic, and the oldest son of Sebastian & Julia Van Den Bosch––Dutch nobles who’d rather see me take over the family business and all the responsibilities that it entails rather than pursue a career in writing.
In the hopes of preparing myself for the task, I left the secluded family estate in the countryside to experience the thrilling life of a one-bedroom in the city center of Amsterdam to study business management. Though it’s not business that kept me in Amsterdam…
It’s her: Roxanne.
I still remember the day she first said her name. Her voice was nothing like I’d ever heard before––velvet, fine-grained, and smooth. There was something magnetic about it. It was terribly inviting. And deeply alluring.
My name’s Andries Van Den Bosch. I’m a closeted poet, an incurable romantic, and the oldest son of Sebastian & Julia Van Den Bosch––Dutch nobles who’d rather see me take over the family business and all the responsibilities that it entails rather than pursue a career in writing.
In the hopes of preparing myself for the task, I left the secluded family estate in the countryside to experience the thrilling life of a one-bedroom in the city center of Amsterdam to study business management. Though it’s not business that kept me in Amsterdam…
It’s her: Roxanne.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2022
235 people are currently reading
1656 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Martins
22 books2,115 followersMelanie Martins is a digital entrepreneur, travel influencer, and the author of the series "Blossom in Winter", a forbidden love story between a young heiress and her godfather. Her debut novel has been labeled as "wrong", "immoral", and by others as a "masterpiece", "phenomenal" and a "must-read" creating a dedicated, loyal fan base of lovers and haters.
When she is not behind her laptop writing, she can be found globetrotting, reading, daydreaming, and sharing her adventures on Instagram and Facebook
Born in France and raised in Portugal, she currently lives on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta and can't get enough of it.
To get a copy of Blossom in Winter, you may visit blossominwinter.com
When she is not behind her laptop writing, she can be found globetrotting, reading, daydreaming, and sharing her adventures on Instagram and Facebook
Born in France and raised in Portugal, she currently lives on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta and can't get enough of it.
To get a copy of Blossom in Winter, you may visit blossominwinter.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 13, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Roxanne, book 1 of 2. Student meets a mysterious older woman & sets out to have her at any cost!
Books in the Van Den Bosch duet should be read in order:
Book 1: Roxanne.
Book 2: Andries.
Andries Van Den Bosch, heir to a legacy is embarking on his University studies when he meets the mysterious and sophisticated Roxanne. It starts as an innocent encounter and a shared love for poetry, but soon neither Andries nor Roxy can deny nor fight their attraction despite their differences in age, financial status and family culture.
A roller-coaster of deceit, lies, envy, secrets and powerful forces that will stop at nothing to tear them apart. Yet the biggest enemies might come from within.
Fate makes its play, destiny intervenes, and a budding love starts to unravel! I cannot wait for book 2 and the conclusion to their story.
ARC provided to me by author Melanie Martin in exchange for an honest rating/review.
February 8, 2024
Oh damn this one is a heartbreaking motherfucker. I can’t stop the tears from flooding from my eyes. Every muscle in my body is aching. I didn’t know it would hurt that bad. Melanie Martins is now officially one of my fav authors and this may be my first book from her but it definitely won’t be the last. Can’t wait for the next boook!!
September 19, 2023
Roxanne by Melanie Martins
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.75/5
This is the first book in the Van Der Bosch duet.
Roxanne owns an escort agency in Amsterdam. She has three clients she maintains while running the agency. Roxanne is basically estranged from her mother and sister, as her mother greatly disapproves of her work.
One day Roxanne is going to meet at friend, who’s also a professor at a local college. While Roxanne is waiting for her friend, she runs into a very attractive young man. She finds out his name is Andries, and he’s going to start his first year of college shortly. They strike up a conversation, but Roxanne has to cut it short, because she needs to get to her friend at restaurant on campus. After lunch Roxanne gets a piece of paper with Andries name and number on it from the waitress.
Roxanne is tempted to call Andries but doesn’t, he’s too young, and she couldn’t tell him what her job is. Roxanne goes to a work function with one of her long standing, and it ends up being a celebration for Andries for starting college. Her client, works for Andries father. Roxanne tells Andries her friend is is just that, a friend.
Roxanne and Andries end up going to out on a date, and their chemistry is undeniable. They continue to see each other, and Andries invites Roxanne to his family. Roxanne is starting to have feelings for Andries, but doesn’t want him to find out what she does, in fear of losing him. Roxanne walks the thin line between who she is, and who she pretends to be.
What I didn’t like was it felt juvenile at times. I also feel like large portions could have been removed, and it did feel long at times. I did over all enjoy the story, and want to read the next to find out what happens.
Includes
- Reverse age gap (15 years)
- Escort business owner fmc
- Naive mmc
- Slow burn
- Steamy
- Cliffhanger
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
3.75/5
This is the first book in the Van Der Bosch duet.
Roxanne owns an escort agency in Amsterdam. She has three clients she maintains while running the agency. Roxanne is basically estranged from her mother and sister, as her mother greatly disapproves of her work.
One day Roxanne is going to meet at friend, who’s also a professor at a local college. While Roxanne is waiting for her friend, she runs into a very attractive young man. She finds out his name is Andries, and he’s going to start his first year of college shortly. They strike up a conversation, but Roxanne has to cut it short, because she needs to get to her friend at restaurant on campus. After lunch Roxanne gets a piece of paper with Andries name and number on it from the waitress.
Roxanne is tempted to call Andries but doesn’t, he’s too young, and she couldn’t tell him what her job is. Roxanne goes to a work function with one of her long standing, and it ends up being a celebration for Andries for starting college. Her client, works for Andries father. Roxanne tells Andries her friend is is just that, a friend.
Roxanne and Andries end up going to out on a date, and their chemistry is undeniable. They continue to see each other, and Andries invites Roxanne to his family. Roxanne is starting to have feelings for Andries, but doesn’t want him to find out what she does, in fear of losing him. Roxanne walks the thin line between who she is, and who she pretends to be.
What I didn’t like was it felt juvenile at times. I also feel like large portions could have been removed, and it did feel long at times. I did over all enjoy the story, and want to read the next to find out what happens.
Includes
- Reverse age gap (15 years)
- Escort business owner fmc
- Naive mmc
- Slow burn
- Steamy
- Cliffhanger
January 14, 2024
So impressed
I read this book for book club. WOW!
IM BLOWN AWAY
The way I was instantly invested in roxannes character ans story from the very beginning. This story felt so raw and realistic. It tackled my issues and topics that could occur in real life . It expressed how she was, for the most part, alone.
FANTASTIC READ.
Honestly, now I need every book by this author she is just incredible
I read this book for book club. WOW!
IM BLOWN AWAY
The way I was instantly invested in roxannes character ans story from the very beginning. This story felt so raw and realistic. It tackled my issues and topics that could occur in real life . It expressed how she was, for the most part, alone.
FANTASTIC READ.
Honestly, now I need every book by this author she is just incredible
January 24, 2023
Age gap, heir to nobility 18 falls for librarian passing 35 year old who is an escort. It’s so crazy that you just continue reading. Well written story and you buy into their love story I was just waiting for the fall out when truth comes out it was heartbreaking yet hilarious at times. Enjoyed reading this for it batshit crazy plot — recommend if you was fan of Winter in Blossom.
Read
August 23, 2022Andries first saw Roxanne at his eighteenth birthday party. She has come with Karl Townsend, a worker in his father’s business. Karl is up for a promotion. Andries fell for her immediately. When he talks to her, she answers with lies. She tells lies to keep her true profession hidden. People don’t seem to want prostitutes to be around. She lies about her work, how the bookstore affects her plans. What would Andries’ reaction be if he found out she was the owner of a business which set up meetings between clients (a madame) as well as a prostitute herself on specific situations. She is also in the process of buying a caberet. How will he feel when he finds out the truth about her?
February 24, 2025
Okay wow where do I begin?? It reminds me of gossip girl in the best way possible just an adult version. But I was so intrigued the whole way through and am SO happy that there’s another book because honestly this one will leave you so emotionally unavailable after reading lol. I will say that the lies were kind of eating me up too and I wished that she would’ve just been honest and not made it worse but WOW idk what to expect in the next book. I love both of the MCs so much!! Andries is such a pure soul and the way he’s so down bad for the FMC makes me kick my feet. A man of poetry?? Okay I guess, give it to meeee 🤌🏼😂
October 13, 2023
This book was so good. It was heartbreaking at some points. The life she lived she had to keep a secret when she met Andres. She knew that his Noble Family would not approve a relationship between the two of them. The treatment Roxanne received even from her own family was maddening and sad. Its not what I would call a "Depressing" book, but it does have it's moments. I blew through this book quickly and was eager to know what happened in the second book of the series, Andres.
May 4, 2022
Loved this book
Love this book!!! The characters. I can not help feeling bad for Roxanne. Seems like everyone had a problem with her and her life style. She should have told him she owned and ran the escort company. Andries judged kind a of hzrsh. Can not wait for the next book.
Love this book!!! The characters. I can not help feeling bad for Roxanne. Seems like everyone had a problem with her and her life style. She should have told him she owned and ran the escort company. Andries judged kind a of hzrsh. Can not wait for the next book.
March 1, 2025
Roxanne is a naughty girl and has made her empire all on her own. Her story with Andries is steamy and oh so good. I can’t wait to read Andries story next and see what comes of their romance together.
April 9, 2025
This book kept me engaged the whole time but after 500 plus pages to end on a cliff hanger……I want prepared to read the next book until next month. I have a whole other stack to get through. Now I may have to shuffle some around because I’m hooked!!
June 12, 2025
I couldn’t finish reading. I rarely DNF but the grammatical errors and immaturity of the older character made it impossible to continue on.
Unfortunately, I have the entire series and have no desire to start any of them.
Unfortunately, I have the entire series and have no desire to start any of them.
May 26, 2022
If you love forbidden romance or taboo you will love it
May 25, 2024
Hard to get started and stay interested in til about half way through then it was better. Then the end I didn't want to put it down!
July 15, 2024
It was an interesting read. I felt it moved a bit slow at sometimes in the beginning, but still a good read.
September 2, 2024
love this series....
Want to read
November 19, 2024Did not finish. If it took me 2 months to get to page 376, I’m not wasting anymore time on it
December 7, 2024
All I could say is, I'm so glad I have the series to continue reading.
December 21, 2024
Melanie Martins is one of my favorite writers in 2024.. once I start reading I can’t stop…
January 7, 2025
Tempted to read the entire series, curious to see some of the other character backstories!
January 23, 2025
You thought the Blossom In winter series was amazing, u haven't seen anything yet.
Read
February 9, 2025dnf at 40%…too damn slow.
February 13, 2025
it had a few nice parts but roxannes lies just PISS me off, the way everything drags on is a bit irritating.. hoping the next book has a good twist lol.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2025
Another interesting one by Melanie Martins!
June 5, 2025
The only part of this book worth reading was the last 11 pages.
October 11, 2024
Again Melanie writes a lot of age gap and it can be an acquired taste. I personally didn’t love these as much as the Blossoms in Winter books but still pretty good. I haven’t read any further after Roxanne and Andrea’s. My hate for Elise is very deep so I’m having a hard time moving onto her story…I will come back eventually.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews