Joellen is a socially awkward woman. She has a crush on a CEO of her firm. Cameron is a Scottish rugby player and totally not her type. He moves in next door and agrees to show Joellen how to attract her man. The problem is Cameron is attracted to Joellen and doesn't want her with another man. Will Joellen turn to her crush or choose the hot next door neighbor Cameron? A wonderful sexy read.

Melt for You is pretty much outlined in the synopsis, my fellow romance book loving friends. What you get is a slow burn romance between a sassy but oblivious to reality, insecure leading lady and a too handsome for his own good famous Scottish rugby player, who is temporarily living next door. It takes until nearly the end for their passion to finally be unleashed and completely engulf their hearts, minds, and bodies into flames. Mainly because that is how long it takes for one of them to finally see the light and possibilities of what is right in front of them.

It was rather refreshing Joellen seemed completely immune to Cam’s flirtatious, cocky comebacks and demeanor in the beginning. In fact, for someone touted as a wallflower she was quite outspoken with him from the get go. Her antagonist off the cuff responses were a perfect contrast to Cam’s seductive, silver tongue devil banter. In the long run, there was no escaping the heat, passion, and chemistry that keep simmering between them. Unfortunately, something else remained smack dab in the middle most of the time as well, another man named Michael, her married boss.

Joellen’s ten year unrequited obsessive infatuation with Michael blinded her to everything else. She never acted on those feelings in the past, but once he claimed he was getting divorced she thought fate was handing her the man she’s always wished for. Sadly, she learns two valuable life lessons: “Be careful what you wish for” and “All that glitters isn’t gold”. This girl certainly needed more than just her glasses to see what was really going on around her. Sure, she was sweet and sassy when it came to dealing with Cameron, but this gal was completely clueless about pretty everything else.

To my surprise, this author took a type of leading man I wouldn’t normally touch with a ten foot pole and turned him into someone decent and likable. It was sweet how he came to care for clueless Joellen to the point it felt really wrong how he was trying to help her win Michael’s attention and affection.

Being obsessively insecure at 36 and still putting up with put downs from her own family was bad enough, but continuing to pine over a man who never should have been on her radar to begin with made Joellen’s character difficult for me to completely embrace. Her constant negativity regarding her own self image was hard to swallow, as well.

What kept me engaged and reading to the end was the saucy, witty, antagonist to attraction back and forth banter between the main couple, knowing Cam was likely keeping a very big secret. I was pleased as punch I was right, folks. I also absolutely loved how Cam got angry every time Joellen said negative things about herself and tried to help her self-esteem issues. The short epilogue was perfectly done to give a glimpse into their perfect together, right as rain HEA.

Title: Melt for You, Series: Slow Burn (Book 2), Author: J.T. Geissinger, Pages: 344, stand-alone, flirty/cocky/Scottish rugby player, socially awkward/doesn’t know she’s beautiful/clueless to reality heroine, hears him with one random OW, infatuated with her married boss, not romance safe, sassy for a wallflower, funny back and forth antagonist banter, can’t stand him at first, HEA, brief epilogue, slow burn, very steamy scenes near the end.

Book 1 - Burn for You (Bianca & Jackson), Pages: 348
Book 2 - Melt for You (Joellen & Cameron), Pages: 344

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review, nor is there any affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

For me, Melt For You is to rugby what Claire Contreras' The Player was for soccer - it might have singlehandedly turned me into a rugby enthusiast based solely on my love for a fictional player. Hell, the book speaks very little about the actual sport, but Cam McGregor's intense appeal is enough to win anyone over. He is the epitome of the strong yet vulnerable book boyfriend, with the perfect mix of ego, sensitivity, and intelligence. His larger than life personality fills the entire book but Joellen and her wit and snark and REALNESS are his equal match. She is every woman that has ever felt the slightest bit insecure and is so achingly relatable. Between their friendship and inevitable ascension into love - I really didn't want the story to end. Between this and Midnight Valentine, I seriously can not wait to read another book by J.T. Geissinger and she has officially joined the ranks of my "must read/auto buy" authors and I'll be adding all of her books to my physical bookshelves too! She now has 2 books on my "Best of 2018" list! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.

I loved this book so much. Joellen has always thought of herself as an ugly duckling in a family of beautiful people, and still thinks so as an adult. She’s been “in love” with her boss for ten years, and when she finds out he’s getting divorced, she’s thrilled.

Cam is in the states trying to get his life back on track, and he infuriates Joellen. Their sarcastic banter turns into friendship, and Cam tells her that he will help her get her boss to fall for her. But Joellen has no idea what’s in store for her with Cam or her boss.

This story was so heartwarming and funny. The characters were all so great, and I loved the hilarious banter and dialogues. I’d definitely recommend this book.

Joellen is an introvert who prefers to spend her evenings dreaming about her boss at Maddox Publishing as she has for the last 10 years. It doesn’t matter to her that not only is he not available, but he has never looked at her as more than an employee, but it doesn’t stop her from hoping.

Cameron is the sexy rugby player and the neighbor that plays his rap music way too loud! When she finally has had enough she heads over to get him to turn the music down, but she never expected the muscular Scotsman to change her life.

A friendship develops between the two and when her boss may be available she decides that he has the expertise and knowledge to show her how to catch her man. He agrees and hopes that along the way she will realize what she really wants is right in front of her.

The chemistry between them is intense, the banter humorous and Cameron helped Joellen realize she didn’t need to change that she was beautiful as she was, and she brought light to Cameron after his painful past. This is a heartwarming romance that you won’t soon forget.

Joellen Bixby has a new neighbor across the hall, he’s arrogant, crass, and very sexy. The strange thing is, that he wants to help her get the man of her dreams, Michael Maddox who is also her boss. Cameron McGregor is so sure of his sexuality, that he has convinced Joellen that soon she will be able to have her boss falling for her. Only problem is that she has self esteem issues, but Cameron only sees the beautiful woman that Joellen truly is. Cameron figured that giving Joellen these lessons, would have her fall for him, except it’s backfiring.
Will Joellen realize what is right in front of her is the actual man of her dreams.
This was a cute romantic comedy.

Loved this book, OMG I laughed so hard!! Joellen is as snarky and salty as they come, and Cameron..These two are a perfect pair. The slow buildup was so worth it, because...dang it was smoking hot. I loved everything about this book. The pacing was great, there was always something to keep my attention glued to the pages. Such a great read. Told in Joellen's POV.

A modern day retelling of the Ugly Duckling. Captivating, entertaining, romantic and sweet, as a reader you cheer for the underdog, hoping that our heroine will open her eyes. Joellen does what most of us do, turns a blind eye and is her harshest critic. After pining for her boss for the last 10 years, she hopes her dreams will come true. Cameron McGregor is a famous rugby player needing a break from the spotlight, and finds a swan just across the hall from the apartment he’s temporarily staying in.

“You said you wouldn’t get aroused.”
He looks at my mouth like a warlord looking over a kingdom he’s just seized. “I lied.”

We watch page by page how Joellen comes into herself, realizing she deserves true happiness, but only she can give it to herself, well, with a little help from Cam. This standalone novel is well worth your one click.

Joellen Bixby is what people would describe as a wallflower. Quiet, blends in with her surroundings, terrible self esteem. She is secretly in love with the CEO of her firm and has been for 10 years. When Cameron McGregor moves in next door she is appalled by his cocky attitude and music. After coming to an agreement to get him to stop playing his loud rap music Joellen learns to calmly deal with Cameron. When he finds out about Joellen’s feeling for her boss he offers to help her pursue him. She wants to lose weight get toned so Cam helps with an exercise program and better eating habits. He works hard to get her to stop putting herself down and getting upset about the things people say to her. With helping Joellen get what she wants he realizes he is pushing the women of his dreams into another man’s arms. With her boss showing her some attention Joellen is super excited. She is also up for a promotion at work which she is excited for also. When she finds out her boss is not who he seems she is devastated. Cam is there to pick up the pieces. Maybe the man of her dreams has been right in front of her all this time.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

J.T. Geissinger has written another fun and interesting novel with Melt For You, the second book from her Slow Burn series. I enjoyed the first installment, so naturally when this novel became available I just had to request it. This is a slightly slow-paced read, replete with an engaging plot, captivating characters, and a complicated romance. The story takes place in Manhattan, and the sights and sounds of the city are well executed. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.

Copy editor Joellen Bixby has crushed on her boss's boss, CEO Michael Maddox, for the past ten years. Now Michael is getting a divorce, while showering Joellen with attention. Due to Joellen's low self-esteem, she does not feel that she is good enough for Michael. When her new neighbor, rugby superstar Cameron McGregor offers to help her get into shape, and learn how to be a seductress, she reluctantly accepts his assistance. Cam sees all the goodness in Joellen and wants her to see it as well.

Cameron is big, tattooed and gorgeous. He is also full of himself at times and his womanizing ways are highly publicized. When he walks into a room everyone turns their head. He is also smart, and has made a good life for himself despite his extremely troublesome childhood. Cameron likes Joellen the moment he meets her and he wants to get to know her. With them spending so much time together, it is no wonder they fall in love.

This is an enjoyable story and the characters light up each and every page. Mrs. Dinwiddle, their feisty elderly neighbor, is a real hoot, and her theatrics add lots of humor to the present happenings. I even enjoyed Joellen's cat, due to his finicky qualities. The love triangle is depicted with class and Joellen’s sonnets were quite good. Overall, a solid read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Readers will be wearing a perpetual smile on their face as they watch next door neighbors find romance while engaging in rapid-fire banter teeming with sexual tension. Opposites attract in this charming romance with two unforgettable main characters who deal with their heartbreaking pasts and find unexpected love along the way. By the turn of the final page readers will be full of warm fuzzies and sweet dreams courtesy of a sexy Scotsman who’s the epitome of romantic.

Joellen Bixby is an average gal. She’s been working at the same job for the last ten years, is happy to be the worker everyone goes to when things need doing, and has had a crush on her suave and debonair boss since the day she was hired. She’s also kindhearted, befriends her elderly neighbor, and cares for a deaf cat. She’s got a lot of wonderful qualities, but nothing that makes her stand out. It’s been that way since she was a baby. As the daughter of a professional photographer and successful supermodel, and with a beautiful sister who’s made waves on the pageant circuit, she’s always felt lacking. The insensitivity of her family when it comes to judgments about her weight and inability to find a man has left her self-esteem bruised though. Their constant criticisms have left her in a rut, too scared to go after what she wants but frustrated with herself in an endless loop that leaves her just settling for crumbs. The moment she confronts her noisy new neighbor though is the moment her life changes irrevocably. The moment Cam sees her he takes it upon himself to transform her into the woman she wants to be. Through snarky yet heartfelt interactions the sexy Scotsman slowly worms his way into her heart and along the way she also discovers new things about herself that empower her. Being around Cam pushes all her buttons, frustrates her but forces her into speaking up and working for what she wants, in a connection that crackles. The hurt to her psyche was clear from the moment readers meet her and it had me longing to hug her. She was in a low place at the start but her friendship with Cam invigorated her and like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon she became a much stronger-willed person. Joellen’s the kind of heroine you can easily relate to, the kind you want only good things for. She might’ve been full of uncertainties with others, but she wasn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with Cam in a scorching friends-to-lovers romance that had me laughing one moment and blushing the next!

Cameron McGregor seems to have it all as a star rugby player. He’s surrounded by beautiful women, has lots of money, and has an invite to party wherever he wants. It’s all starting to get to him though. He’s angry about the superficiality of his life, fueled by his painful past of disability and death. He overcame a lot in his childhood but his anger is finally coming to a head and putting his career and his future in jeopardy. Seeking a bit of peace and quiet he leaves Scotland behind to move into the apartment of a friend. It ends up being a life altering decision where he finds not only love and support but deals head-on with his past to find a future with a woman he sees more clearly than she sees herself. Cam’s a brash Scotsman, rippling with muscles and oozing self-confidence. It’s self-confidence that he’s happy to share with Joellen in a combustible relationship that evolves from friends to something more. Cam at first seems like a carefree playboy, but there’s a lot of substance below his sexy surface. He refuses to let Joellen put herself down in any way, shape, or form. He encourages her but also makes her question things in order for her to find her HEA in a romance that had him wearing his heart on his sleeve. Readers may fall for Cam’s sexiness when they first meet him, but it’s his big heart and protective nature that had me falling for him and rooting for him every step of the way.

This was a decadently delightful book courtesy of its fun and flirty banter between two apparent opposites. Joellen’s steady, smart, and loyal but is also riddled with uncertainties over her weight and looks. She’s an Ugly Duckling by her own admission, but I found her an immensely likable heroine. Her family were hurtful at times with their thoughtless words and though it bruised her emotionally, they didn’t break her. She was easy to relate to and I cheered her on through her empowering actions every step of the way. Cam’s the quintessential book boyfriend. His outer package is appealing, but it’s his charming heart and supportive words that made him drool-worthy. He pushed Joellen to see herself as he sees her, instead of through the judgmental eyes of her family. Though he’s younger than her in years it’s his painful past, his words of wisdom, that made him speak so wisely. He set out to save Joellen as he couldn’t save his own mother and along the way he fell for her. He never pushed her to love him back though. He supported her as she worked through her unrequited love for her boss and his actions made me love him all the more. Alongside this appealing main couple was a small cast of equally entertaining secondary characters. Among my favorites were the dramatic and colorful elderly neighbor, Mrs Dinwiddle, who took over every scene she was in as she didn’t hesitate to tell it like it was. Mr. Bingley, Joellen’s deaf cat, also left an impression as he was drawn to Cam from the very start which showed him to be one smart kitty. On a whole this was an unforgettable romance full of heartfelt words and deeds, heartwarming charm, and a friendship longing to be more that I wholeheartedly recommend!

I ADORED this book! I was completely sucked into Joellen and Cam's story! This was one of those books that I didn't want to put down. I'm in love with Cameron McGregor <3 Looking for your next book boyfriend? Look no further, my friends! I loved the love/hate Cam and Joellen had with each other. This book was laugh out loud funny as these two bantered back and forth! I adored Cam. He came to America to lie low for awhile and he wasn't expecting the sexy, funny girl next door. Joellen REALLY didn't expect the handsome man that showed up. Nor did she ever think the gorgeous man would look her way. This book had ALL.THE.FEELS and I didn't want it to end! This left me with a book hangover and I'm ready to dive back in for a re-read! Do yourself a favor and grab this book today! But don't blame me when you don't want to do anything else! KILLER read!

This arc was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and I'm so glad I got the good sense to request it.

This was a very entertaining, quick read. The characters were great, the chemistry off the charts and the dialogue witty, just the way I like it.

Will be looking forward to reading more books by J.T. Geissinger.

Oh gawd I love a Scottish hero!!! And Cameron McGregor is absolutely the best! I’m just so overrun with emotions after finishing this book! I want to laugh and cry and start reading it all over again because it..was..wonderful!

Joellen learns she has a new neighbor when the most horrendous music blares from behind the door across the hall. She never expected the mountain of a man, wearing nothing but a kilt and boots, to answer her knock. She never expected to find herself being blackmailed into cooking him dinner each night or to agree to kissing lessons. Least of all, she never expected to fall in love with the overgrown egomaniac. But she did. And the getting there is a thrilling ride of sarcastic wit, humorous banter and sexy smiles.

Nothing makes me happier than a heroine with snark and a hero who can appreciate it. Cameron not only appreciates it, he encourages it, and in doing so begins to show Joellen that she’s perfect just the way she is, despite years of believing otherwise. I absolutely LOVED him for this because I saw so much of myself in Joellen. Yet with all his egocentric mannerisms and dialogue, there was so much more to him and when he shared those deeper thoughts and philosophies…it was a game changer. Not just for the heroine, but for me. Thank you Ms. Geissinger for putting into words what every woman who has ever criticized herself needs to hear.

I also loved that this author would merrily trot me along with laugh out loud one liners and then suddenly, within one line, my heart would clinch and my eyes would well up with tears and I was feeling everything! That’s the kind of thing I long for when reading.

Okay, so I know this review is a bit disjointed and doesn’t flow but that’s because there’s just too much goodness here to put into words. This is a book you have to experience to appreciate. A mere description will never do it justice. So I’m just going to end this here by saying that one of THE most romantic and heartfelt, and yes, make-you-cry lines I’ve ever read is when Cameron McGregor claims to his woman in regards to ice cream, “I have all the flavors, lass.” Sigh.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by NetGalley and Montlake. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I also purchased a copy of this book for my own library.

Melt For You may just seem like a reluctant romance between two unlikely people—and it felt like that for the first quarter of it—but it built such unexpected depth as the story grew that before long its complexities were blaring with vivid intensity, and with it came a powerful message wrapped inside of a beautiful love story. One with heart and passion and a wonderful slow burn that grows on you as it does them.

With a story heavy on body image and the long-lasting ramifications of perceived views of oneself, Geissinger wonderfully offset the seriousness with some much-needed brevity with the fun flirtations between the characters. Their playful dislike of one another was enjoyable from the beginning, but watching that dislike lessen with each encounter and grow into this fiery sense of foreplay was most enjoyable. Their conversations helped to not just lighten the story, but create hope and confidence in a heroine that needed it. Her inner machinations were painful to bear witness to, but most distressing was the disheartening realization of how honest of a reflection it was to how most women treat themselves on a daily basis—something we all can relate to to some degree. For as angry and frustrated as I was with her character, I couldn’t help but see the hypocrisy in my anger as well as the huge role that the people close to her played in forming this inherent idea of herself. Cameron’s pure adoration of all that made her her, though, was most inspiring and came to be something powerful all on its own, and I adored him for it. He was the kind of man everyone deserves.

There was a lot to unpack in this story once you got past the cover of their bickering and sarcastic barbs to one another. Joellen was more than what society deemed her to be, and I loved that she was written with an inner fire that never once fizzled out but instead became emboldened as she learned to love herself—and, at some point, another only when she was truly able. Melt For You was a hopelessly devastating love story; the kind that will climb into your gut and explode into a million butterflies. And once the rhythm between these two characters was found, there wasn’t a thing that could scrape me away from this book and the love that built between them.

(I am a bit disappointed the cover doesn’t reflect the heroine at all and see it as a missed opportunity to portray what is said on the inside of this book to the outside—the same things the heroine spends the novel learning herself. Unless showing the ideal body type on the cover was the intention, I don’t think it fits what Geissinger was trying to send home).

Funny and worth reading!

Joellen Bixby is having a crappy day at work and her boss dropping off a manuscript at the last moment on Friday and telling her it was due on Monday didn’t help. Getting home she found out the apartment across the hall having a noisy party, so she knocked on the door intending to ask them to tune it down. But a mountain of a guy with a strange accent answered the door; he turned out to be Scottish rugby star Cameron McGregor who had swapped apartments with his cousin.

Joellen Bixby has crappy self-esteem issues because of her former model mother and beauty queen sister and not feeling good enough. But with Cameron help she decides to start getting in shape with his help.

I loved to dialogue between Joellen and Cameron because it sounds like some friends of mine and their smart mouths and making each other laugh. Plus it’s in the same series as Burn For You which is also a standalone book.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was tempted to give this one five stars simply because I loved Cam and he deserves it. He was an amazing character and great Hero. I am shamelessly crushing on him big time. He was funny, loyal, always looking out for Joellen and just being the perfect book boyfriend. I wish we could have gotten his POV but even without it, his personality still shined through and pretty much dominated the story. It feels kind of wrong to settle for four but in the end there were a few things that didn't work for me. Namely, the h, Joellen.

Joellen was a little harder for me to connect with- she came off as too whiny and she was completely clueless to Cam because she was so obsessed with the OM (constantly mooning over him and comparing him to Cam) which ticked me off to no end - since I was firmly in Team Cam at this point. Her infatuation with other guy lasted for the majority of the book and reminded me too much of the chick lit drama I avoid (think Bridget Jones). She wasn't my favorite type of heroine, mainly because she willingly kept her head stuck in the sand rather than appreciating what she had all along.

Together though . . . these two were adorable. They had off the charts chemistry and sizzle and their banter was hilarious! Which is another reason why Joellen's blissful ignorance of Cam confused me so much. When their ages are finally revealed, color me surprised! I didn't see that coming and it's really not my cuppa. Joellen definitely did not act her age, is all I'm sayiing.

Sigh.
Swoon.
Double sigh.
Fainting swoon.

This book will make you melt. It's not even a lame pun. Melt For You should be titled "ridiculous, wide smiling puddle on the floor for him" but I think it's harder to market so...Melt For You.

Where to start with my "gushing, over the top gleeful 13 yr old girl asked out by her one true love" enthusiasm for this book?!?!

Should we start with the gorgeous mountain of man that doesn't wear shirts, has a fondness for kilts, and the sexiest brogue known to man? Did I mention said mountain is an international rugby star? Oops, my bad, he totally is, that and a whole lot more. He is perfect. Abso-bloody-lutely perfect! And the tension, lust, and confused emotions in this book make it a page flipping good time.

Like I said melt is so passé!

Joellen Bixby has been in love with her boss for ten years. He’s handsome and polished, perfect and unattainable since he is married. But, a girl can wish! And besides, Joellen is much more comfortable sitting at home with her cat, a pint of ice cream, and the occasional dinner date with her eccentric neighbor, Mrs. Dinwiddle.

Cameron McGregor, Scottish rugby player and tattooed bad boy just also happens to be Joellen’s temporary new neighbor. He’s loud and cocky and definitely not her type, but she can’t seem to get him out of her thoughts . . . or her apartment as he always shows up for a home cooked meal. In exchange, Cam’s offered to help Joellen land the man of her dreams, not that her boss is divorcing his wife.

There’s just one little problem. Cam doesn’t see Joellen as she sees herself. While Jo knows she is overweight and boring, Cam sees her as smart, sexy, funny and absolutely perfect for him. While he’s promised to help Joellen win over her boss, he really wants her to see herself for who she is . . . and to fall for him.

Joellen’s now faced with a dilemma she never could have imagined. Smooth and polished Michael or rugged and sexy Cameron . . . what’s a girl to do?

Melt for You was one of the best slow burn romances I have ever read. I easily identified with Joellen, as I think most women have felt like her at some point in their lives. She’s sharp and witty, yet completely socially awkward and in love with a man that has no idea who she really is. But, from the moment Cameron enters her life, her self confidence begins to grow and this ugly duckling truly begins to blossom without her even realizing it.

Cameron doesn’t seem like boyfriend material at first. He comes off as cocky and arrogant - a real player just like the media portrays him. But, we soon see him letting his guard down and it’s amazing. There’s so much more to the man than his image and I loved every second learning about him. He’s such an honest individual and everyone except for Joellen can see just how much he really cares for her . . .just as she is, without wanting her to change to please anyone but herself.

Their slow burn of a romance is gorgeous as they are both tortured by the other’s actions. Cam knows he wants Joellen, but doesn’t really come right out and say it, which confuses the socially awkward Jo. Joellen finally has a chance at everything she thought she has wanted for ten years, but now a different man seems to be invading her thoughts. The amount of angst is perfect as these two dance around each other before finally colliding and bursting into flames.

But, a happy ending isn’t guaranteed as they literally live worlds apart in more ways than one.. I don’t think I’ve rooted for a guy to get the girl as hard as I did for Cam for a long time. Snuggle up with some ice cream and sit back fro some amazing banter between this witty couple and keep your fingers crossed for the right guy to end up on top! 5 stars!

Full review posted on Blog: https://natashaisabookjunkie.com/2018/05/15/review-melt-for-you-by-j-t-geissinger/