Man Candy

Man Candy by Melanie Harlow is dreamy perfection! I love watching authors get better with each book and Melanie is no exception. Her writing and voice continue to grow with each new novel, and I know when I pick up one of her books that I’ll fall in love.Our heroine Jaime Owens (love that last name!) is atypical for a romance novel. She’s not waiting around for her prince to rescue her or to fall in love. She’s all about focusing on her career and her friends. When it comes to love, she’s a love ‘em and leave ‘em type! She endured a bit of heartbreak at the tender age of 17 and has been turned off of love ever since then. But then her world gets turned upside down when she is reunited with Quinn Rusek, her brother’s bestie from childhood. She grew up with Quinn hanging around and basically being part of the family. She was brimming with teenage lust / love for the gorgeous Quinn back in the day. What will happen when he comes back home and moves into the flat beneath her?So who is Quinn? He’s a smoking hot model who happens to be a thoughtful and kind person. Plus, he’s super smart. He’s not just a pretty face, you guys. He’s really funny and charming and gives the best insta hashtags. He’s basically perfect! He’s been through some tough things over the past year and going home sounds like the best cure for him. Plus, he can’t wait to see Jaime again!This story is so unique because the woman wasn’t pining away for the guy. This time it was the guy who had to convince her that it was ok to bet on love. I was thrilled to see that this novel defied the typical trope of the woman waiting for the guy who can’t commit.The hijinks and jokes in this book were laugh out loud funny. It’s Mel’s signature humor plus some. I was practically rolling on the floor at so many scenes (the closet and love bug). Plus, Melanie really upped the hot factor in this book. Her books are always left-hand worthy but Man Candy was a fan-myself-need-to-left-hand-it-right-now kind of hot. Melanie wrote one of the most erotic scenes I’ve read (the finger). God, this book is delightful.All the laughing and sex aside, this book has a lot of heart. Quinn and Jaime both deal with some things that have been weighing on them for years and there is some angst as well as really deep soulful moments in this book. It’s not all fun and games, you guys!I’d also like to give a shout out to Ms. Harlow for giving us Jaime’s brother and his fiancé. It was refreshing to read about a gay couple in a way that didn’t turn them into silly caricatures. I loved Quinn even more once I saw his love and support for his bestie.In the end, Man Candy is five perfect, happy, warm, tingly, luminous, beautiful, lovely stars! I love love loved this book! Go one-click Man Candy now! You know you want it!

“Quinn Rusek was one fine piece of man candy, and I had a sweet tooth for him that wouldn’t quit.”Man Candy, written by Melanie Harlow, is a fun, flirty, sexy friends-to-lovers story that will make you laugh-out-loud, swoon, and fall in love! Melanie Harlow has combined amazing characters, enjoyable plotlines, epic banter, a little bit of angst, and a sweet love story to create a fantastic romantic comedy. Enjoyable from the first line to the last, Man Candy was an instant hit for me!Meet Jaime. She is stuck in her childhood crush’s closet with no way out and he is about to get undressed. Commence awkward, hilarious situation!Ten years earlier, Jaime threw herself at Quinn, her brother’s best friend, and it did not turn out the way she planned. Hurt and embarrassed, she avoided Quinn until he left for college. The heartache from the rejection made her jaded and now she doesn’t believe in true love. Happy with one-night stands or short-lived relationships, she is not looking for anything serious.Jaime doesn’t see Quinn until years later when her brother, Alex, agrees to rent the first floor of the house Jaime lives in to Quinn. Jaime is completely rattled by their interactions the moment Quinn moves in. Little does she know Quinn harbored similar feelings but couldn’t act on them at the time. That’s not the case anymore and he is determined make Jaime his. Quinn goes all in but Jaime refuses to give him her heart.With the two of them stuck living a floor apart, the buildup of sexual tension is fantastic. Fighting her feelings yet loving what they have, Jaime needs to decide whether or not love is a risk she is willing to take. Will Quinn and Jaime find their HEA? Or is Jaime destined to lose the one man she may actually love?From the very first chapter I was sucked into Man Candy and could not put it down. I absolutely loved Jaime and Quinn together. The were likable, relatable characters and together they were realistic. I loved that this story was written a bit differently and it was the man who believed in love and the woman who was afraid of it. The banter between them is epic and the way Quinn can rile Jaime up is hilarious.“I’m supposed to meet my friends for dinner. It’s Claire’s birthday.”“What do you know, I happen to be free for dinner tonight,” he said delightedly.“Really. How fortuitous.”“I agree, and I will gladly accept your invitation to join you.”I cocked my head. “I’m not sure I offered one.”“Well, it’s...ten below out here, Jaime. I can’t stand around waiting for you to be polite. I’ll die of hypothermia.”I enjoyed watching them get to know each other again and sharing their dreams. Quinn and Jaime understand each other and I loved how Quinn didn’t push her. He was so patient with her and knows what she needs. Jaime and Quinn challenged each other and I loved that they played games and sometimes took things a little too far.Quinn is a fantastic hero, totally swoon-worthy, charming, gorgeous, funny, and kind, and I loved him from the minute I met him. He believed in love and was willing to fight for Jaime. I loved his determination to be with her and thought his patience was honorable. I loved that he was totally committed to her and was willing to give her time to figure out if she could believe in love. He was honest with her and knew what he wanted.“You’re right about serious relationships not being all hearts and flowers...Jaime. That’s falling in love. Over time, it’s not that anymore. It takes work. It takes trust and sacrifice and faith in something you can’t see…It’s understanding that you’re part of something bigger than yourself, and fighting for it. I know it’s rare…But that’s what I’m looking for. And life is short.”Jaime is hilarious and I loved every amusing thing that flew through her mind. The awkward situations had me laughing-out-loud and I loved that she didn’t really realize she was falling in love. Making excuses and believing her own lies made her actions comical. I do think she pushed Quinn away too many times but for some reason it didn’t bother me as much as it usually does. I understood where Jaime was coming from and her reluctance to fall in love. I loved that she finally accepted love even if it took her a little longer to come to terms with what she truly wanted.“Quinn, don’t.”I froze. “Don’t?”Her arms tightened around my waist. “Don’t let me go.”Man Candy is a must read for anyone looking for a sweet, sexy, funny friends-to-lover’s story.4.5 stars – I loved it!

4.5 really loved their chemistry. The understanding and Quinn hello my new book boyfriend. You have my whole heart. Jaime I know where you're coming from and Quinn understands this is a big green flag.

This story was a touching read and I really enjoyed it. I loved Quinn and how much he pushed Jaime to see love differently. Jaime was an independent, no need for anything more kind of girl. Would love be able to change Jaime's mind? I really loved Quinn, he was exactly what a woman would want in a man and he wasn't afraid to show how he felt. I loved Jaime and Quinn together, their quirks and personalities really came through and made me want to know more about them and root for them. The story was fun and I enjoyed every minute of reading it. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I've been planning on reading this book for awhile, and it was worth the wait."Quinn Rusek was one fine piece of man candy, and I had a sweet tooth for him that wouldn't quit"Quinn and Jaime had known each other since they were kids and their attraction started there, even though at that time nothing could have happened because of Quinn's sense of loyalty over Jaime's family.Since I don't want to spoil anything, I say this: They were great together!! Jaime is skeptical about romantic love so she refuses to break under the feelings that resurface when she meets Quinn again, and he, on the other hand, wants to try what he had wanted since years ago: a chance with her.But it is not a piece of cake to break down her walls. They are compatible in the bedroom (and in the kitchen, in the bathroom...you get the idea) and they love talking and having fun with each other, but when it comes to feelings, Jaime works to keep guarded.It was sweet and endearing seeing how Quinn is patient with her about her feelings and fears, fears that she doesn't even aknowledge that she has! They match and they deserve the love that she still has trouble believing in.It was a journey for her fighting her pre conceived ideas about love. But it was oh so worthy. It was worthy her aknowledging love does exist, it was worthy their love, it was worthy this book.

Man Candy war das zweite Buch, das ich von Melanie Harlow gelesen habe und es hat wieder nicht enttäuscht. Mir hat das Buch super gut gefallen. Die Charaktere waren sehr sympathisch und die Dialoge oft so witzig, dass ich beim Lesen vor mich hin geschmunzelt habe :)Trotzdem super romantisch und heiß.War definitiv nicht das letzte Buch von dieser Autorin!

I came across the work of Melanie Harlow just before Some Sort of Happy was released and she's now one of my favourite author and her books an automatic purchase..I read Man Candy in a day - I honestly couldn't put my kindle down!Quinn and Jaime's story was at times laugh out loud funny, sweet, hot & sexy and altogether a fabulous, fun read! I love a dual POV read - finding out just what each of our characters are thinking, especially a male lead, is something I really enjoy in a book!The story started out with Jaime hiding in a closet and the humour continued throughout.Quinn was hot, totally lived up to the title of the book..... but he was also sweet, funny, thoughtful and patient - with a large helping of smoking hot dirty talk and sexiness. He's been gone from home for a wile but following a loss that affected his outlook on life he's home and looking to make some changes for the better.Jaime was an independent, spunky and funny girl. She and Quinn had a history that she was hoping like hell he'd forgotten.... yeah, good luck with that lovely!!She was still really attracted to him but even after all the time passed since she last saw him, and her failed attempt to grab his attention, she's still majorly embarrassed and determined not to fall for him again.... yeah, once again, good luck with that lovely!!My only issue with her was her attitude towards relationships and becoming seriously involved with Quinn. On occasion she was so bloody minded, kinda negative and wouldn't admit the truth to herself, never mind anyone else, that I did worry he'd give up and walk away from her - and while I'd have been really upset for her, I wouldn't have blamed him in the slightest!From pretty much the first time they meet each other again the attraction is there. The spark that Jaime thought was one sided catches again and this time Quinn is determined to not miss his chance..They make a great couple. They bounce off each other and give as good as they get. I found them to be really likeable and their kindling relationship was more than believable.The attraction between the pair was palpable and the sex scenes where off the charts.... their encounter after their first 'date', jeez, that was HOT AF..... trust me, you'll need a cold shower at the very least after that!!Jaime's friends, her brother and his partner made a great supporting cast and I loved the relationship she had with each of them. They took no nonsense from her and told her straight when they had to.I love that Melanie gives us characters that you want to read about, who you want things to work out for. Heartfelt, engaging and well written, her books are, IMHO, must reads and I'm eagerly looking forward to her next release.Man Candy gets 5 sweet-toothed stars from me!! *****