When You're Mine

The Gallaghers, Book 2

By: Layla Hagen

Narrated by: Joe Arden, Maxine Mitchell

Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dylan Gallagher knows what he wants: to take New York by storm and steer clear of serious relationships. That’s the plan. That’s the goal. It’s easy, too, now that his software company is making headlines. Nothing is getting in the way of that - not even his gorgeous personal trainer. After the way his last relationship ended, Dylan’s sworn off romance. 

Mel keeps talking him into doing things, like watching the sunset and slowing down to enjoy life. Her smile is addictive and so is her permanent sunny disposition. When she trains him and he watches her body, he’s constantly fantasizing about exploring every inch of it all night long, claiming her mouth every time she gives him a sassy reply. Mel Dawson hasn’t had an easy life.

Between her dad’s sickness and her ex ghosting her after she loaned him money, she’s faced a few challenges. But she loves looking on the bright side of life, and she’s determined to get Dylan to do the same. Dylan is used to taking risks in the boardroom, but not in his personal life. How much is he willing to risk for a chance to make Mel his?

©2021 Layla Hagen (P)2021 Layla Hagen

Dylan & Melanie’s Story Continues The Series ...

With A Sweet Romance That Has Dylan coming To Mel’s rescue. It is a somewhat quick read.


ABOUT THE SERIES:

This is the second book in The Gallaghers series of related standalones. It is a spinoff of the Very Irresistible Bachelors series, which centers around the Winchester family, and picks right up in the same world where the last book of that series left off. The Winchester family remains in the background, just the like Gallaghers had increasingly become part of the Winchester family in their series. Nevertheless, it is absolutely not necessary to have read the Very Irresistible Bachelor series first to enjoy the Gallaghers. Though books are best enjoyed in sequence, any book in either of the series can be read on its own. Fans, however, will appreciate learning more about this close-knit family by reading the series in order.

Note that two of the Very Irresistible Bachelors books are crossovers between the Winchester and Gallagher families. Book one, You’re the One, is Josie Gallagher’s story with the Caldwell’s close cousin. Book four, One Beautiful Promise, is Laney Smith’s story with a Winchester brother. Laney had been to the Gallagher family what Josie had been to the Winchester family. Each was taken in and welcomed like family. Laney and Isabelle Gallagher have been best friends since their youth. Laney grew up spending a lot of time in her best friend’s home, and the Gallagher boys are like brothers to her.

A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE WINCHESTER AND GALLAGHER BOOKS:

Very Irresistible Bachelors Series:
1. You’re the One: Hunter Caldwell (32) & Josie Gallagher (30) *As it opens it is the 4th of July*
2. Just One Kiss: Ryker Winchester (30) &. Heather Prescott (28)*As it opens it is early March*
3. One Perfect Touch: Robert Dumont (33) & Skye Winchester (32)*As it opens it is just past the 4th of July weekend*
4. One Beautiful Promise: Cole Winchester (~30) & Laney Smith (~28)*As it opens it is March; newlywed Skye is 7 months pregnant*
5. My One and Only: Liam Harrington (36) & Tess Winchester (35)*As it opens it is mid-September, sometime after Skye delivered baby Jonas. Heather is pregnant and showing*

The Gallaghers Series:
1. Say You’re Mine: Brayden Clarke (30) & Isabelle Gallagher (~29)*As I opens it is just after July 4th; Tess and Liam are still engaged. Ryker and Heather have welcomed newborn son Ray. More recently, Hunter and Jose brought home newborn Sophie – roughly around the second week of June*
2. When You’re Mine: Dylan Gallagher & Mel Dawson *As it opens it is it is early June; Brayden and Isabelle have a November wedding planned*
3. Because You’re Mine: Ian Gallagher & Ellie Cavanaugh

ABOUT THE GALLAGHERS:

The Gallaghers hail from small town Montana. They come from a modest background, but are a tight family. Josie is the eldest. She is followed by Dylan, then Isabelle. Ian is the youngest.

Josie Gallagher is an attorney. After winning a scholarship, she left home in high school to attend a private boarding school that catered to the wealthy in New York. She soon befriended Hunter Caldwell, who had defended her when bullies made fun of her poor clothing. Hunter is a cousin of the Winchesters and was practically raised in their family. Through him, Josie was welcomed into the Winchester family and grew close to Skye and Tess Winchester. She and Hunter became best friends over time, and eventually much more. Hunter and Josie’s story is book one of the Very Irresistible Bachelors series, You’re The One.

Dylan and Ian Gallagher own a software company together, Gallagher Solutions. After spending some time setting up an office in Washington, D.C., moved to New York on year ago to start a new subsidiary there. This finally brings all the children together again in one city.

Dylan Gallagher moved to NYC roughly one year ago. This is his story.

Ian had worshipped his older brother when he was small, but he never did become a romantic. He has always enjoyed a bachelor lifestyle and has no plans to change. He is less serious and more playful.

Isabelle Gallagher moved to NYC roughly one year ago, following her sister and best friend. She has a master’s in counseling as well as one in behavioral science, and she set up her own private practice in Brooklyn. Her story with rock star Brayden Clark takes place in book one of this series, Say You’re Mine.

Laney Smith gets special mention as Isabelle’s best friend from childhood. She moved to NYC for her residency after medical school, then met and married Cole Winchester. Cole and Laney’s story is book four of the Very Irresistible Bachelors series, One Beautiful Promise.

IN THIS BOOK:

This book opens in early June.

Dylan Gallagher, thirty-one, had been the romantic brother. He had had a long-term relationship and was hoping to settle down, but Lina suddenly decided they weren’t right for one another. Later learning that she had kept secrets from him only made things worse. He has since been nursing his broken and jaded heart by fully taking advantage of his single status. He in now an avowed bachelor, taking some lessons from his younger brother Ian and enjoying the his time as a playboy.

Dylan is all about efficiency in his life; he has some OCD tendencies. Ian is more of a risk taker. Together, they make a successful team. Ian has always looked up to his older brother, and joined him in starting Gallagher Solutions, a successful software company. After spending some time in D.C., they moved to New York a year ago to set up a new subsidiary – and that brought them to the same city where their sisters live, reuniting all four siblings. They are a tight family, even with their parents still back at home. Their parents had a run a ski lift in Montana, and a few warm years had been financially challenging. Dylan and Ian are hoping to win the Innovator of the Year competition to get them the partners to immediately implement Project Z, an idea that has great business potential as well as personal meaning. They hope to develop an insurance model for niche markets that are not covered by existing models. Had that kind of insurance existed for their parents, a lot of hardship could have been avoided.

Melanie Dawson, twenty-seven, is rebuilding her life. She had moved to New York to attend NYU and has stayed since. Her father raised her alone since her mother walked out on them when she was just a baby, and he followed her to the city to be nearby. She had done everything she could to help him recover from the major stroke he suffered, but he still remains in a wheelchair. It has always been just the two of them. The time and money she sacrificed for her father had brought out her ex-boyfriend’s true colors. She had been with Elliot for three years, but learned she had not been a good judge of character. With their breakup over a year ago now, Mel has tried dating but to no avail.

Fortunately she went into personal training, a job that gives her good pay as well as flexibility. With any luck, she can build up that nest egg once again. She has been at her current job for two years now. She loves working at Genesis, New York’s most prestigious gym that caters to clients that enjoy their privacy. That includes Brayden Clark and his new fiancée Isabelle, Mel’s clients.

When Dylan hears about Genesis from Isabelle, he decides to sign up for membership himself. It happens to be near his apartment and his office, making it terribly efficient. One glance at the beautiful brunette has him paying close attention, and when he notices that she seems distressed, his protective instincts take over. Mel cannot help but fall a little for her knight in shining armor. Yet when Isabelle warns her off, saying that her brother isn’t into relationships since the breakup with his long-term girlfriend, Mel knows it wouldn’t be wise to pursue anything since they both have different goals. She wants to find love and settle down, while Dylan is not on the market for that. Dylan and Mel are drawn to one another despite knowing their differences, and soon he starts to wonder if he just might be relationship material after all. The couple earns a happy ending.

Ian’s story comes next, wrapping up the short series. He is the baby of the family. Towards the end of this book there are hints about his upcoming story.

Dylan and Mel’s story finds two people looking for different things after brutal breakups, yet somehow discovering a connection that they can’t deny. Dylan was completely unprepared for Lina’s response to his proposal, not to mention the secrets that came out later. He had lost seven years to that relationship, so trusting his heart to another woman is not on his list of priorities. Mel is generous with her time and freely offers to help those she loves. It makes her a good friend and daughter, but it also makes her vulnerable. She should have seen the red flags with Elliot, but she learned a few lessons from the fiasco. She vows to be more careful in the future. She and Dylan have some things in common that help to bridge their divide. They are both loyal to their family. For Mel, that just means her father, but Dylan has large group in his tight knit family. Each values family, and each is willing to drop everything to answer during times of need. They recognize that kindred spirit in one another. Dylan also finds inspiration in Mel. Set in his ways and his routine that allows for little more than his strenuous work schedule, Mel gets Dylan to brave new things.

Dylan and Melanie’s story continues the series with a sweet romance that has Dylan coming to Mel’s rescue. It is a somewhat quick read. The story is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple. The characters take a little while to warm up to; they feel a little flat at times towards the beginning. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Dylan and Mel. I rate this book 4.5 stars.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

As for the Audio: it is well-performed and consistent with the review.

Great story & narration

Author Layla Hagen has written another wonderful story with her latest book, When You’re Mine. It is a steamy and flirty romance between Dylan and Mel from the moment they meet. I enjoyed the witty dialogue between them and their family and friends. Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell are fantastic as usual with their narration and bring out the different emotions and feelings that the characters experience in the scenes. I loved listening to this audiobook as the narrators brought the story and characters to life for me.

Omg, loved it

OMG, I loved this book. the chemistry between Dylan and Melanie was amazing. He was so protective of her and her father so much so I could just imagine the interaction with Elliott (what a douche). Joe and Maxine are my number one v
favorite narrators. Omg, I love them. Can't want until August for Ian and Ellie story. "the steamer the better"..:)

Perfect!

Layla Hagen writes fantastic, romantic, sexy, low angst, big family books and this one is exactly that. If you are a fan of her Connor, Bennett and Winchester families you can’t miss the Gallaghers as well. Not exactly a rom-com but plenty of steamy scenes, not much conflict or angst, romance and lots of family interaction. Joe Arden and Maxine Mitchell are expertly cast and absolutely nail the narration for this swoony couple.

Great book

Another great book by: Layla Hagen. I love her books and can not wait for her next books!!!!!

needed more excitement.

Loved the storyline, could have used a little more detail about Elliott, the ex-boyfriend.

Same

I feel like it book one all over again. Not worth my time. Boring to me