Serafina Scott's new job takes her, quite literally, in new directions that she's completely unprepared for, not least when she finds out that it's actually at a brand new matchmaking agency run by an old woman with her own agenda and done up by a mysterious but hot builder whose relationship with her boss goes deeper than building plans.

A quirky, fun and a light-hearted read, 'Love Me Tender' is classic Ally Blake, witty and persuasively written (even if I find it hard to believe men sound that quirky) with characters who put themselves out in their own way and find themselves richer by the end of it.

A fun book with quirky characters that leave you craving more

When Serafina Scott takes a job working at a new matchmaking business, she didn't expect her boss would try to set her up with the sexy contractor renovating the house. She is drawn to Justin Murdoch like she has never been to any other man in her life.

Murdoch has known Hazel for a long time and he would do anything for her. But he isn't ready to date anyone yet. When he discovers Hazel's plan of fixing him up with Sera, he flat out refuses even though he can't keep his eyes off the girl.

How far will Hazel go in order to see Sera and Murdoch in a relationship?

This entertaining story was a lot of fun to read. I liked how forward Sera was when she decided she wanted Murdoch. He was stubborn and fought the feelings he had for Sera a bit longer than I thought necessary. But in the end it all made sense. It was hard won love for them both.

Sera starts working as a digital branding consultant for a match making business owned by Hazel . Justin Murdoch is renovating the place that houses the business. And it was attraction at first sight for them. This was an entertaining read. I especially liked the supporting characters Hazel and Marcy. They added a quirkiness that was fun to read. Overall a charming book and I would like to read more in the series.

Love Me Tender is such a charming, involved story. A story of the past and its hold over the present – and of a determined woman who sees possibilities where others see the impossible. Hazel is a flamboyant, outspoken and seemingly flighty seventy-something woman who is opening a matchmaking enterprise. She needs a website and Serafina can provide that quite easily. Since her father’s health issues, Sera knows she needs to bring in more income to their household.. The job with Hazel appears perfect – and even more perfect is the handsome builder who seems to have a special spot in Hazel’s heart already.

Sera and Murdoch’s romance is rocky at best. While there is a strong attraction between them, Murdoch will fight it tooth and nail. Because of an event in his past which involved Hazel’s granddaughter, he will not allow himself to open himself up to the possibility of love. And as Sera slowly finds herself falling deeper into love with him there seems to be no happy ending for them. Murdoch is one stubborn man whose met his match in an equally stubborn woman.

The past can hold onto us in the most illogical ways. This is what has happened to Murdoch. His misguided belief and determination to avoid love at any cost is a direct result of his past. Once he gets past that barrier he will finally find happiness. But it’s going to be a twisting and winding road to get him to that point. Love Me Tender is a sweet, engaging journey for a daughter and father, and a man and a friend to leave behind the past and move forward to a different, but no less satisfying future. There will be tears, frustrations, hurt feelings and intense joy. But ultimately each one is the only person to decide that they are worth… everything, from the right person.

I would highly recommend this story for any romance reader who loves an involved, complicated story that you could see easily being unfolded by your friends or even yourself. It’s a heartfelt journey to possibilities when we are brave enough to take the risks.

*I received an e-ARC of Love Me Tender from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

This wonderfully charming story will lighten your heart and leave you smiling. It's beautifully written with strong entertaining characters. Definitely one you should grab for an afternoon of relaxation and entertainment.

I adored Hazel. The incredibly wise meddling woman who hires Serafina Scott to help her get her website and computer systems up and running for her new matchmaking service. She knows if she can get her friend and contractor Murdoch to slow down enough to get to know Serafina, sparks and love will fly! Will her plan work or go up in flames??

I highly recommend this one!

I enjoyed Love Me tender, it's a quick, fun and flirty read about two people who aren't looking, but find a love they can't deny in each other.

Serafina is a graphic designer and marketing specialist while Murdoch is a former architecture student turned construction company owner. They have great chemistry together, but Murdoch isn't ready for love and Serafina, still not over her mother's abandonment days before her 5th birthday, is afraid to put herself in a position to be left again.

The h and H have great support from all corners and only need to get out of their own ways in order to secure their forever love. Hint: They have a HEA in their future.

I received an ARC of this book, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

a sweet contemporary romance one you want to read when its awful weather and you can be snuggled up inside.

I have read a few books from Ally Blake and I have found them to worth the read - this one is no different. Love me Tender is the sweet, charming story of two people who both have things that have occurred in their past that have affected the way they see their future. Sera, who was raised by her father, has lived her life around cars and the garage that her father worked in...she is a bit of a tomboy. Her father has always worked hard to support her and he has pushed her to receive the best education that she can and she has numerous degrees. Now that he was injured and unable to work, Sera decided that she will take care of him. She quits school and searches for a job. She interviews with Hazel, an outspoken woman in her 70's who has decided to open a matchmaking business. She needs a website and Sera is hired to design it. Sera meets Murdoch, who is the contractor hired to over see the renovation of Hazel's space for the business. He is also a very special person in Hazel's life.

There is a strong attraction between Murdoch and Sera; however, he is determined to fight it. Because of an event in his past which involved Hazel’s granddaughter, he doesn't feel that he deserves to fall in love and have a relationship. Sera finds herself falling in love with him but he is a stubborn man. However, Hazel has plans and she starts playing matchmaker.

This is a sweet story in which a man has to work past the guilt of his past in order to move on and a woman has to let go and realize that she deserves to have her own life separate from her father...and her father needs the same. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romance that that works through some issues before working out.
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Sera and Murdoch meet, but let their past gets in the way of them having a future together. Finally, the two decide that they shouldn't hide their feelings and develop a lasting relationship. This story was okay. I thought the story was a little slow moving in the beginning and it took several chapters for me to really get into it. I will probably read other books by this author.

Serafina is taking a break from UNI and getting a good job to help her dad, she knows its time that something needs to change but she also knows that when it comes to her dad she better come up with a reason why other then the truth or this won't fly. When she get a job with the sassy Hazel she knows that love is not for everyone but she will do her best to help Hazel have the greatest matchmaking firm. Only thing is she is running from her past and is faced with a choice that can change everything she thought love was, is she willing to accept that or will she allow her past to predict her future? Murdoch is running from a past and he knows it can't go on forever. He has a successful company and loves his job, he loves Hazel and he knows she up to something but he's not sure what until the beautiful Sera walks in and he know he needs to put a stop to this madness before it starts. Will he be able to continue living with this hanging over his head and enjoy life or will secrets and guilt finally ruin the best thing to ever crash into his life?
This book has some fun and crazy characters in it. I really enjoyed the sub characters, Guy, Hazel and Macy I found that they were fun and enjoyable and their personalities really shined through. I did however feel the main characters kind of lacked that sometimes which in these moments made the book kind of drag a little. Over all the story was a really fun and short read. The storyline flowed really well and was well written and the chemistry came off the pages when it was there. I would say this is really a 3.5 almost four star.

This is the second book in the Cinderella Project series but the first one that I’ve read and it worked well as a standalone, too. It is a romance with a fairy godmother figure, Hazel, trying to help others - usually friends - to find true love.

This story is mainly concerned with Serafina Scott, a half-Italian, feisty, highly intelligent young lady who is trying to take care of her father by landing a well paid job, leaving her current PhD studies and university work. She’s also something of a tomboy, having been brought up from the age of 5 by her Dad and spending lots of time in the garage helping restore vintage cars. Her new job, just happens to be working for Hazel, helping set up the matchmaking business website and digital presence. It is here that she meets Justin Murdoch, the rugged, handsome, attractive builder currently working on the property for Hazel. Their attraction may well be instantaneous but he’s determined not to bring any romance involving him into the life of Hazel so is stubbornly determined to resist. Hazel, however, has other ideas and you’ll just have to read it yourself to find out how things work out!

It is a lovely tale to escape into and I recommend it to anyone who likes to read romances written with humour and a great range of characters.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley, too, for letting me have an ARC of this book in exchange for this, an honest review though I confess to accidentally deleting it after the book had been archived so I then bought myself a copy of the novel so I could still review it!

I loved this book and can't wait for more in the series! I was hooked from the beginning to the end

It seems that grandmother or godmother Hazel is opening a matchmaking site. It looks as if she has also decided that Sera and Murdoch will get her help whether they want it or not. Love Me Tender by Ally Blake is simply a fun, lighthearted read. The older folks in the story are as interesting as the younger ones.

A busybody older woman, a stubborn hunk and a wonderful woman round out this tale of love among the unwilling and unconvinced. The pace is quick, the characters lovable and like Hazel you just want to wave a magic wand over Sera and Murdoch. What a hoot!

Love Me Tender is a cute story with fun, slightly quirky characters and is the second book in the Cinderella Project series. The story follows Serafina Scott, a feisty and intelligent young woman who lands a good job as a digital marketing consultant for a high-end matchmaking business. There she meets a hunky construction owner, Justin Murdoch. They are instantly attracted to one another and Hazel, Serafina's boss decides they'd be a match made in heaven.

This was not my favourite of Ally Blake's romances. I prefer the books she's written for Harlequin Kiss. At times I found this story to be a little slow, but I like how she's written an strong, independent female character. I think I'll give this series another go.

Love Me Tender has been a pure delight to read. Clearly written with Ally Blake's tongue firmly in her cheek it is packed with humour and witty dialogue from start to finish! But there's more to this book, with both lead characters bringing plenty of baggage to their relationship.
Serafina Scott has been raised by her Italian father since the age of five after her mother walked out on them. Her dad has had a workplace injury and Sera feels it is her duty to postpone her postgraduate studies, get a job and help support him. She's warm, passionate and talented, embracing life with both hands though worried about money and how she's going to keep supporting her dad.
Justin Murdoch has been looking after his family since dropping out of his architecture studies at university after his father's death. He's since become a builder and has developed a successful company with an enviable portfolio of highly regarded completed projects. He also has a strong aversion to getting involved, something he's lived with since the death of his girlfriend five years ago as he's always felt responsible for her accident. Enter matchmaking fairy godmother Hazel and you have a touch of bling as she works her magic, makes these two face their demons and take a chance on each other.

Too good to be true but an irresistible story always is. Love Me Tender centers around Serafina Scott is a girl who may not have much but gives of herself by facing life's obstacles with optimism and determination. I enjoy reading stories about people being blessed in surprising ways. This was a story like that. With Love me Tender Ally BLAKE showed a what a good heart, optimism and a helping hand can do. A little secret matchmaking doesn't hurt.

*sigh* unfortunately, this was a DNF for me :( sorry