From the Bookshelf of Turning Pages At Midnight…

Strong Enough

Melanie Harlow,

David Romanov

Start date: July 2, 2017

Finish date: July 8, 2017

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

Jun 20, 2017 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, 2017, contemporary-romance, favorite-couples, m-m-romance, melanie-harlow, june-2017

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review

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It’s June and it’s Pride Month and so how fitting it is that Melanie Harlow & David Romanov released an M/M book this month. And to top it off this M/M book blew me away. Yes, I strongly urge and request you to GO READ Strong Enough.

This book was everything you could have wanted in romance and so much more. I am very familiar with Melanie Harlow’s books and so it was no surprise from me to have her deliver a romance that demanded your ...more

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Jun 27, 2017 Jennifer☠Pher☠ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, kindle-unlimited, favorites-2017

This book easily could have driven me crazy. But it didn’t. It read fast, it read in such a way that I did not want to put it down. My annoyances were overshadowed, I think, because I got it. What was going on was believable. The pages and the words all came together to tell a very rewarding story.

I can’t imagine at twenty-four starting over in a new country. I can’t imagine moving from Russia to the USA, pretty much without a solid plan and mostly the clothes on my back. Yikes!

I also can’t imag This book easily could have driven me crazy. But it didn’t. It read fast, it read in such a way that I did not want to put it down. My annoyances were overshadowed, I think, because I got it. What was going on was believable. The pages and the words all came together to tell a very rewarding story.

I can’t imagine at twenty-four starting over in a new country. I can’t imagine moving from Russia to the USA, pretty much without a solid plan and mostly the clothes on my back. Yikes!

I also can’t imagine at thirty-six starting my life; finally living for me and not for anyone else and pretty much changing everything about myself, well, mostly. Scary!

Both of these boys did these things and that alone should be applauded. That they were able to find each other and do this together just makes it so much more.

This was a very enjoyable read. Although I felt a sort of melancholy throughout, I believed in fate and felt hope. I also laughed quite a bit. I wanted these boys to succeed. I wanted Maxim to be able to stay and have his dreams come true. I wanted Derek to get his head out of his ass and grow a pair. I wanted them to be together dammit!

This is the story about two men, totally different; one that always trusted their gut and immigrated to a new and foreign land. The other, who never trusted their gut but also kind of immigrated to a new and foreign land.

Maxim was like an old soul and it seemed completely sure of who and what he was. Derek was such a contradiction of control freak and caretaker. They complemented each other perfectly. Derek showed Maxim that hard work and focus mattered and Maxim shoed Derek how to let go of beliefs, find your passion and just live. It was beautiful.

I am amazed at the chemistry, the combustion and the completeness this story achieved. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this very romantic read.

I finished this last night and was sure this would be a four start read. Today, rethinking it and remembering more of the story, I think it is a solid five star read.

Side note, I don’t think I would call this GFY. There was a lot more going on here then a change in sides so to speak. Parental approval and acceptance can be a dangerous thing sometimes. ...more

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May 17, 2023 Aղցela W. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: gay-for-you, 300-400pg, romance, contemporary, m-m

This was a really good read that I could not put it down. 24 year old Maxim came from Russia to follow his dreams he wants to be a screen writer his first day is bad luck first he is stuck at the airport his ride didn't show up and his phone died when he goes to a bar for food his bag gets stolen. Ellen the bar owner felt bad so she calls her brother to ask him to take give him a place to stay the night. 36 year old Derek is going through the motions of life he is dating a woman he has no chemis ...more

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Jun 30, 2017 Kathy Golden rated it liked it

I would very much like to be able to rate this book at 3.5 stars, but the half-star ratings aren't available yet. There's no denying that the opening of this story is great. Derek's behavior is so on point, and Maxim is a perfect match for him. For the most part, their total interaction is great. The main problem I have with the story is the pacing. Things are just moving too fast. I don't mean the move from lust to love. I don't really care about that. In fact, I didn't have a problem believing ...more

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Jun 14, 2017 Amanda rated it it was amazing

I was thrilled to receive an ARC of Harlow's newest co-written M/M novel. Harlow teamed up with David Romanov to give us a sexy M/M read and they delivered. The chemistry coming off the pages between Derek and Maxim is palpable. This story was so realistic for the world we live in today where humans struggle with identifying who they are and being comfortable enough to share that with the world. Derek struggles. He struggles with this picture of what he thought his life would be and with what he ...more

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Jun 19, 2017 Margay rated it really liked it

What can I say about this? I think I fell in love with all things Russian when I met Maxim in this book. He is such a sweet, endearing character with a childlike innocence for embracing the new world he's come to, it's hard not to embrace him, too. So I didn't even try not to. Why would I? He's a wonderful character and I just truly enjoyed getting to know him page by page. And it was a delightful discovery - I think he might be one of my new favorite characters in recent reads - and I really en What can I say about this? I think I fell in love with all things Russian when I met Maxim in this book. He is such a sweet, endearing character with a childlike innocence for embracing the new world he's come to, it's hard not to embrace him, too. So I didn't even try not to. Why would I? He's a wonderful character and I just truly enjoyed getting to know him page by page. And it was a delightful discovery - I think he might be one of my new favorite characters in recent reads - and I really enjoyed being along for his ride as he explored his new world, seeing things as he saw them, like the good in the obvious bad. He just had such a positive outlook on life and everything, how could you not be moved by that spirit? In contrast, Derek was more bleak in his outlook, more cynical. He saw the world for what it was - no rose-colored glasses here - and he wasn't afraid to share that opinion. What he was afraid to share was - himself. With a man, at least. He was so deep in the closet at first, he could probably see Narnia. But then, when he gave in to temptation, he jumped straight into denial. He didn't want a repeat and he sure as heck didn't want to admit how he truly felt about what happened - or let anyone else know that it did. He struggled long and he struggled hard, but the funny thing about love and attraction is you can only fight it, only deny it, for so long before it consumes. Then you have to decide what to do about it. Therein lay Derek's biggest struggle: what to do about it once he admitted - to himself, at least - that he was attracted to this man and wanted more with him. That journey to self-discovery, the resolution of his conflict - with himself, his ingrained beliefs and fear of public opinion - is basically what this book is all about (Maxim had already made that journey back in Russia, so was already comfortable with his discovery). And when Derek finally comes to terms with what he truly wants - who he truly desires - it's a beautiful thing. So thank you, Melanie and David, for bringing to life such a beautiful story. ...more

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