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Van Den Bosch #4
Dan.
"He’s my brother’s best friend. He’s off limits. And yet…" - Elise
Elise
I should’ve stayed away from him but I couldn’t. No matter how much I tried, the connection I have with Dan is undeniable.
But now not only my brother knows about our affair, but he also brought my first love back into my life when I least expected it.
Three years ago, Johan was the first boy I opened my heart to, thinking he was the one.
With Johan and Dan staying under the same roof, I’m now forced to face my past and present and make a choice.
Who do I really see my future with? Despite everything, the choice is more difficult than I could have ever imagined.
Or is it?
This book is for mature audiences.
Elise
I should’ve stayed away from him but I couldn’t. No matter how much I tried, the connection I have with Dan is undeniable.
But now not only my brother knows about our affair, but he also brought my first love back into my life when I least expected it.
Three years ago, Johan was the first boy I opened my heart to, thinking he was the one.
With Johan and Dan staying under the same roof, I’m now forced to face my past and present and make a choice.
Who do I really see my future with? Despite everything, the choice is more difficult than I could have ever imagined.
Or is it?
This book is for mature audiences.
- GenresRomanceDark Romance
476 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2023
About the author
Melanie Martins
22 books2,174 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
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 12, 2026
This novel leans heavily into the classic forbidden-romance trope—your brother’s best friend is off limits… until he isn’t—and it delivers a messy, emotional love triangle that keeps things interesting.
Elise’s internal conflict is the heart of the story. Her connection with Dan feels intense and undeniable, even when she knows it crosses a line. At the same time, the reappearance of her first love, Johan, complicates everything in a way that feels both dramatic and believable. Being forced into close proximity with both men raises the stakes and pushes Elise to confront who she was versus who she’s becoming.
That said, some of the character choices can be frustrating. Dan, in particular, comes off as pushy at times—his pressure on Elise to confess her feelings feels less romantic and more controlling, which takes away from his appeal. On the other hand, Elise’s brother’s decision to bring Johan back into her life feels unnecessarily manipulative, adding tension but also raising questions about his motives.
One of the more intriguing aspects is the lingering mystery surrounding Elise’s past with Johan—especially the possibility that someone interfered in their relationship. The suspicion that Hannah may have played a role adds another layer of drama and keeps readers guessing.
Overall, the story thrives on emotional tension, complicated relationships, and unresolved secrets. While some character decisions may annoy readers, the central question—who Elise truly belongs with—remains compelling enough to keep you turning the pages.
Elise’s internal conflict is the heart of the story. Her connection with Dan feels intense and undeniable, even when she knows it crosses a line. At the same time, the reappearance of her first love, Johan, complicates everything in a way that feels both dramatic and believable. Being forced into close proximity with both men raises the stakes and pushes Elise to confront who she was versus who she’s becoming.
That said, some of the character choices can be frustrating. Dan, in particular, comes off as pushy at times—his pressure on Elise to confess her feelings feels less romantic and more controlling, which takes away from his appeal. On the other hand, Elise’s brother’s decision to bring Johan back into her life feels unnecessarily manipulative, adding tension but also raising questions about his motives.
One of the more intriguing aspects is the lingering mystery surrounding Elise’s past with Johan—especially the possibility that someone interfered in their relationship. The suspicion that Hannah may have played a role adds another layer of drama and keeps readers guessing.
Overall, the story thrives on emotional tension, complicated relationships, and unresolved secrets. While some character decisions may annoy readers, the central question—who Elise truly belongs with—remains compelling enough to keep you turning the pages.
March 16, 2024
I do love Dan and Elise together don’t get me wrong. But I just couldn’t keep engaged in this book. I got about halfway through and stopped reading for a while. I kinda had to force myself to keep reading.
I feel like Dan and Elise’s story could have been wrapped up into once book to be honest. This felt dragged out and honestly the last two books have been a lot about Andries and Roxanne. Might as well of done 3 books on them and then one on Dan and Elise.
Which Andries has just been irritating me in these two books. He’s being very selfish, but I mean what’s new with him. I’m glad he kinda came around to the idea of Dan and Elise. Really it’s none of his business anyways. Dan was there for him through everything and I kinda felt bad that Andries was treating him the way he was.
I am getting a little tired of the 3rd act breakups in this series. I just want to read about a couple that yes has issues but don’t actually give up on each other, even for a second. Which I know Julia and Sebastian’s story isn’t starting off well with that already 🤣
I do love this series tho. The ending did make me immediately want to start reading Julia.
I feel like Dan and Elise’s story could have been wrapped up into once book to be honest. This felt dragged out and honestly the last two books have been a lot about Andries and Roxanne. Might as well of done 3 books on them and then one on Dan and Elise.
Which Andries has just been irritating me in these two books. He’s being very selfish, but I mean what’s new with him. I’m glad he kinda came around to the idea of Dan and Elise. Really it’s none of his business anyways. Dan was there for him through everything and I kinda felt bad that Andries was treating him the way he was.
I am getting a little tired of the 3rd act breakups in this series. I just want to read about a couple that yes has issues but don’t actually give up on each other, even for a second. Which I know Julia and Sebastian’s story isn’t starting off well with that already 🤣
I do love this series tho. The ending did make me immediately want to start reading Julia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2023
It could be such a good book. But hell it was frustrating.
Was this book full of teens? At least their emotional age is so low it hurts. Jesus, just reading that was painful.
What guy would repeatedly tell you his feelings... Ask you to do the same. Listen to your concerns about talking about feelings. Accepting you as you are and then??? Then bullying you into telling those three words just two... two f.cking days after accepting he would wait?
He tells her.... effing repeatedly that he would be the shoulder she can lean on... a few days later he stops communicating and blocks her? Just WTF.
Let's not even start with the writing style of the author. Everything is being told to us by Dan/Elise. So few dialogues.
I could not even finish that shit. Literally few pages to the end I had to put it down. So 37 chapters out of 38.
Was this book full of teens? At least their emotional age is so low it hurts. Jesus, just reading that was painful.
What guy would repeatedly tell you his feelings... Ask you to do the same. Listen to your concerns about talking about feelings. Accepting you as you are and then??? Then bullying you into telling those three words just two... two f.cking days after accepting he would wait?
He tells her.... effing repeatedly that he would be the shoulder she can lean on... a few days later he stops communicating and blocks her? Just WTF.
Let's not even start with the writing style of the author. Everything is being told to us by Dan/Elise. So few dialogues.
I could not even finish that shit. Literally few pages to the end I had to put it down. So 37 chapters out of 38.
April 11, 2024
SPOILERS .. kinda.
This was my least favorite so far. I can not stand the way Andries acts in this book. In the others, he was so strong and mature and loving, and in this one, he's suddenly an inmature spoiled brat. I love the relationship between Dan and Elise. They are probably my favorite... which is surprising because I could not stand her in the first two books. Love this Author so much buy this book just wasn't it for me.
This was my least favorite so far. I can not stand the way Andries acts in this book. In the others, he was so strong and mature and loving, and in this one, he's suddenly an inmature spoiled brat. I love the relationship between Dan and Elise. They are probably my favorite... which is surprising because I could not stand her in the first two books. Love this Author so much buy this book just wasn't it for me.
October 13, 2023
This book was a fantastic read. The relationship between Dan and Elise is addicting. However I feel like most of the book revolved around the the first 2 books of the series, Andries and Roxanne.
July 2, 2024
Overall I liked the book, but the character Elise was getting on my nerves. Seem like high school drama
September 12, 2024
absolutely good
September 17, 2024
Intriquing
Characters are well developed. Story is detailed and thorough. Extensive traveling with places of interest described as if you are there yourself.
Characters are well developed. Story is detailed and thorough. Extensive traveling with places of interest described as if you are there yourself.
March 2, 2025
What a Father!!!!
Highly recommend
Highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews