Review ~ One to Hold ~ Tia Louise ~ #ShelfLove, #COYER

One to Hold by Tia Louise
One to Hold #1
Release Date: October 7, 2013
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Amazon Freebie
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Derek Alexander is a retired Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.

When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.

Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.

One to Hold was rather a sweet romance. Oh, there was definitely steam and there were secrets and a little suspense. But finishing Melissa and Derek's story left me feeling warm and fuzzy. And I liked that.

When Melissa and Derek's eyes meet across a hotel bar, it's as if lightning strikes. Their chemistry is white-hot but they each are only at this hotel for a week so their interactions come with an expiration date. Plus, they're both hiding something that at this point they're not willing to divulge.

Once the week is over, Melissa returns to reality and to attempt to put her life back on the path she wants. Here we see the kind of life she's been leading and I understood how much it meant that she'd opened herself up at all to Derek. Things come to light about Derek, though, and it really almost breaks her. I was thrilled when circumstances led them back together for a second chance.

In the beginning of the book, it did feel as though things happened at warp speed. It was insta-lust rather than insta-love but the feelings came quickly. However, once I got a little background on Melissa, I felt I understood her better and her 'fling' with Derek made more sense. Plus, I'm a hopeless romantic at times, so I chose to believe this could happen. :) I would have liked a little more backstory on Derek though. It would have deepened my connection with him to know more about the source of his pain. I really liked getting his POV in the epilogue though.

I'm sorry I've been hoarding this book for so long, Ms. Louise. I promise to read the next books in the series soon!