After writing over 700 book reviews in less than two years, it gets harder and harder to be creative; however, Luis is one author who continues to excite my reader's heart, suck me into her stories, and effortlessly has me in love with her characters before I even realize it. My problem with her books is my inadequacy to do them justice in a review. Her skills as a storyteller continue to grow as she sharpens her wit, perfects her pacing, and pours more of herself into her work. And this book? This book is easily the pinnacle of her work to date. There is so much MORE in this book! More impeccably timed humor, more perfected imperfections of authentic characters who steal the reader's heart, more soul-deep connections between the characters and the reader, and more complex, deep emotion. And steam. We can always count on Luis for just the right amount of fun, smexy times! So whatever term you prefer, “This book is everything,” or “This one has all the feels,” Hold Me Today is THAT book.
Where do I even begin with these two characters? Nick is the swoon-worthy alpha that every girl wants, but he's such a darn nice guy with a big heart and a sweetly vulnerable side that is oh, so delicious as it's revealed. And Mina, OMGee, Mina. This girl has layers for days and so many contradictions. She’s a tough, driven over-achiever, yet she’s been searching all her life for a place to belong. She's had challenges all of her life and she's fought and scraped for every millimeter of success. Is it wrong that I have a girl crush on her? She is easily my favorite Luis heroine, because there’s just something about a girl who fights every day to overcome challenges and negativity and is successful in spite of it. Then, throw in a happily ever after with the guy who was made for her, the one who knows her, loves her imperfections, and fits her like no other – my heart is done. Wrecked. Destroyed. And I couldn’t be happier!
Nick is Mina's best friend's older brother, and they’ve know each other forever. For most of those years she was simply his sister's friend and a thorn in his side, but he sees things in a different light when he agrees to renovate her hair salon and they spend more time together. And did I mention she agrees to be his “fake" girlfriend to keep the media off his trail after the whole “Put a Ring On It" debacle? Hindsight being 20/20, Nick realizes that, at every pivotal point in his life, Mina has been there offering comfort and support but asking nothing in return. A part of me wishes they had seen the light sooner, but destiny has a way of playing out so we learn the life lessons we need in order to make us ready for the next chapter of life. Sometimes when I read a book, I think of how I would have written things differently, but Luis got Nick and Mina's story exactly right, every step of the way. This is perfection, pure and utter perfection.
This is the first book in the Put a Ring On It series, and Luis has set the series up in such a way that I’m insanely excited about what is to come! Not only am I completely in love with Nick and Mina and can’t wait to see them again, but there are hints of some wickedly wonderful things to come with both Dominic and Owen's stories. If you like romantic comedy (and who doesn’t?) you'll definitely want to grab this one and start reading ASAP. Humor, heat, heart, and an author pouring her soul into the characters and their story. What's not to love? This one deserves all of the stars in the night!
*I reviewed an advance copy of this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
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BookAddict
“Thank You . . . For Making Me Feel Like I’m Finally Home.”
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2019Verified Purchase
Garaydell
Another awesome book by Maria Luis!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2019Verified Purchase
Mariisms
Terrific fun, swoony, steam and full of heart
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2019Verified Purchase
Melena
Hold Me Today
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2019Verified Purchase
fiction addict
So glad I found this author!
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2019Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Karen Galloway
A Fantastic, Romantic Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 18, 2019Verified Purchase
Brenda
Fantastic Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2019Verified Purchase
E Rowe
What can I say?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2021Verified Purchase
CMM
Instant winner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 26, 2020Verified Purchase
Laura C
Fantastic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2019Verified Purchase